Patent ID: 6179279
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B25B,Y10S

Abstract:
A gripper for gripping an article having an irregular shape, comprising a base, a fixed member mounted on said base, a movable member mounted on said base so as to be movable in a first direction toward and away from said fixed member, a first gripper portion provided on said fixed member and having a first gripper groove having a V shape in plan view, a second gripper portion provided on said movable member and having a second gripper groove having a V shape in plan view and arranged opposite said first gripper groove, and a moving/fixing mechanism to provide for moving of said second gripper portion toward said first gripper portion together with said movable member so that an article will be gripped firmly between said first and second gripper portions, one of said first and second gripper portions being slidable in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction relative to the other of said first and second gripper portions, each of said first and second gripper portions being non-pivotably supported by said base, and each of said first and second gripper portions comprising a plurality of plates arranged in vertical tiers like a comb and adapted to be inserted in spaces defined by the plates of the other gripper portion.