Patent ID: 6748841
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: B25B,B25J,B61D

Abstract:
A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car hopper bottom discharge gate, comprising:(a) a gripper mechanism including, (1) a plurality of spaced converging, normally-open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, said opposed fingers being journal mounted to a common knuckle carried by a reciprocating gripper shaft member; (2) a plurality of spaced default roller devices flanking said gripper shaft member and fixed relative thereto such that retraction of said gripper shaft member causes said roller devices to force convergence of said gripper fingers to securely grab an object therebetween; (b) a double-acting, stationary fluid cylinder for reciprocally operating said reciprocating gripper or rod member to open and close said opposed gripper fingers; and (c) a motor for rotating said gripper mechanism relative to said cylinder thereby causing said gripper mechanism to rotate a grabbed object.