Patent ID: 9005092
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tool gripper chain bendable in two directions, the tool gripper chain having a front side and a rear side, the tool gripper chain comprising: first and second gripper assemblies for gripping a tool, each having a gripper block having a front side and a rear side oriented respectively toward the front and rear sides of the tool gripper chain and a first tooth at the center of a curved groove, and the first and second gripper assemblies further having first and second gripper members rotatably mounted on the rear side of the gripper block; and a chain assembly having first and second outer links, first and second inner links disposed between the first outer link and the second outer link, and first and second collars disposed between the first inner link and the second inner link, wherein each of the first and second outer links and the first and second inner links have a front side and a rear side oriented respectively toward the front and rear sides of the tool gripper chain, and wherein the first gripper assembly is disposed in front of the second outer link, the second gripper assembly is disposed in front of the second inner link, and a first mounting hole of the first gripper assembly and a second mounting hole of the second gripper assembly are coaxially arranged so as to be coupled by a first shaft or a second shaft; wherein each gripper block has first and second shaft holes; the first gripper member is rotatably mounted about the first mounting hole and has a first spring guide in a first portion of the first gripper member and a second tooth in a second portion of the first gripper member; the second gripper member is rotatably mounted about the second mounting hole, and has a second spring guide in a first portion of the second gripper member and a third tooth in a second portion of the second gripper member; the first and second gripper assemblies each have a guide block mounted on the rear side of the gripper block, distanced with a gap from the first gripper member at one side of the guide block and in contact with the second gripper member at another side of the guide block; and the first and second gripper assemblies each have a compression spring mounted on the first spring guide and the second spring guide.