Patent ID: 7062996
Filing Date: 2006-06-20
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
1. An automatically adjusting gripping device, comprising: a base plate having at least one linear guide slot defined therein; a torque application component rotationally attached to the base plate, the component having an upper surface adapted for attachment to a rotary drive mechanism and a lower surface having at least one cam track defined therein, the lower surface facing the base plate and the cam track being symmetrical about an axis parallel to the at least one guide slot, wherein said at least one cam track comprises a single, continuous, closed loop forming a figure eight shape; and a pair of jaws depending from the guide slot, each of the jaws having: wherein rotation of the torque application component relative to the base plate slides the heads of the jaws along the cam track to vary the spacing between the jaws, the jaws being constrained to linear movement towards and away from each other by movement of the neck in the guide slot to grip and release the workpiece therebetween.