Patent ID: 6457761
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B66C

Abstract:
A grapple for releasable attachment to a manipulator arm of a vehicle comprising:a central framework; a pair of spaced, opposed gripping fingers pivotally connected to the central framework to define a grasping region between the fingers, the fingers being movable to open and close the grasping region; a joint assembly adapted to rotatably mount the central framework to the manipulator arm comprising a first planar bearing surface releasably connectable to the manipulator arm, a second planar bearing surface formed on the central framework and extending parallel to the first planar bearing surface, a sheet of low friction material inserted between the parallel bearing surfaces and engaging both surfaces, and a shaft intersecting the bearing surfaces to define an axis for rotation of the central framework with respect to the first planar bearing surface; and a drive mechanism for controlling rotation of the central framework with respect to the first planar bearing surface.