Patent ID: 6634652
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: B23B,Y10T

Abstract:
A gripping device comprising:A) a cylindrical finger guide having an entry and an exit end, angled finger bearing surfaces about the interior of both said entry and said exit ends and a ball retention pin aperture therethrough and further including a collar extending beyond said exit end; B) a base having a rear wall, a peripheral side wall and an open front all defining an open interior having a centerline, said open interior containing a centrally located finger mounting tower about said centerline and having horizontal pin slots and vertical finger slots; C) a plurality of fingers each having: i) a gripping end including a gripping surface on an interior side facing said centerline; ii) an oppositely located mounting end including a transversely located pin that engages said mounting tower; iii) on said interior side intermediate said gripping end and said oppositely located mounting end an angled spherical ball receiving recess; iv) an exterior side opposite said interior side having angled sliding surfaces at both ends thereof that each slidingly engaging one of said finger bearing surfaces; E) a ball retention pin in said ball retention pin aperture and having a tip in contact with a spherical ball; and F) a generally circular spring within said open interior and said collar, concentric with said centerline and bearing against said rear wall and said cylindrical finger guide in a fashion to force said ball retention pin away from said rear wall.