US 12,109,687 B2
Mechanical device for grasping objects
Bradley Sochacki, Dearborn, MI (US); and Evan Lovell Hardy, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/219,920.
Prior Publication US 2022/0314462 A1, Oct. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B25J 15/08 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 15/083 (2013.01) [B25J 15/0033 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mechanical device for grasping an object, the mechanical device comprising:
opposed frame members slidably coupled to each other in a longitudinal direction, the opposed frame members further being biased away from each other;
an actuator assembly mounted to the opposed frame members, the actuator assembly comprising:
an actuator comprising an engagement pad, a body and at least one lateral protrusion extending laterally from the body, the actuator being slidably disposed relative to one of the opposed frame members along the longitudinal direction; and
a locking member kinematically coupled to the actuator and slidably disposed relative to the other opposed frame member, the locking member comprising an inclined surface adapted to engage the at least one lateral protrusion.