Patent Description:
A gripper assembly for a bicycle carrier configured for engaging a bicycle frame tube typically comprises two gripper arms which are moved away from and towards each other by means of a rotary knob. Such a gripper is for instance shown in <FIG> of <CIT> and in <FIG> of <CIT>. In securing a bicycle to the bicycle carrier, the bicycle frame tube is placed between the gripper arms which are in an opened position. Then the rotary knob is rotated to thereby bring the gripper arms in a closed position, in which they engage the bicycle frame tube.

A disadvantage of the known gripper assembly is that tightening the rotary knob is time consuming and strenuous for the user. Often, the rotary knob is at a spot not easily accessible, or is at an ergonomically awkward angle making it difficult for the user to engage and/or rotate it.

Moreover, in modern bicycles, such as electric bicycles and electric or nonelectric mountain bikes, the cross-sectional shape of the frame tubes is often different from circular or oval. Think of a more polygonal cross section, such as, for example, a rectangular cross section of the bicycle frame tube. Also the thickness or cross section / diameter of the frame tubes may be much greater in electric bicycles than has been usual for normal bicycles to date. In the frame tubes, e.g. a battery or a part of the electric motor of the bicycle may be incorporated. Also such cross-sectionally non-circular and non-oval frame tubes of considerable thickness or diameter need to permit of engagement without this giving rise to damage.

Especially when the bicycle frames are made from carbon, they are sensitive to damaging. With carbon frames, in practice, reference is made to "cracking", a kind of tear formation under the influence of the clamping force being exerted very locally by the known grippers which often do not properly fit the modern carbon bicycle frames.

In the current bicycle carriers, often the seat tube of the bicycle frame is engaged by the known grippers. To be able to position the bicycle centered on the bicycle carrier, it is then necessary that the gripper can be adjusted in transverse direction relative to a base part of the bicycle carrier. These adjustment possibilities are limited in practice and, moreover, displacing the gripper in transverse direction is sometimes impossible or possible only to a limited extent due to a first bicycle having already been set up on the bicycle carrier. Certainly now that electric bicycles, which are often provided with a crank axle motor, are somewhat longer than normal bicycles, the centering of the bicycle on the bicycle carrier in transverse direction is of greater relevance because otherwise the bicycle, in transverse direction, projects too far outside of the vehicle on which the bicycle carrier is mounted.

In some cases, even, the seat tube in which normally the saddle pin is received, is lacking altogether. The known grippers are often unsuited to engage any bicycle frame tubes other than the seat tube because, certainly with electric bicycles, the frame tubes are often too thick to be engaged by the known grippers. This may therefore present a problem for fastening such bicycles on the known bicycle carriers.

There is therefore a need for an improved gripper assembly, which removes or mitigates at least one of these problems, at least partly.

<CIT> discloses a gripper assembly for a bicycle carrier according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim <NUM>. Relative to <CIT> having the features of the pre-characterizing portion of claim <NUM>, the gripper assembly according to the invention is additionally characterized by the features of the characterizing portion claim <NUM>. In particular, the invention provides a gripper assembly according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim <NUM> which is characterized in that the transmission comprises:.

wherein teeth of the first gearwheel segment and teeth of the second gearwheel segment operatively engage each other.

With the gripper assembly, a user can engage the second gripper arm directly and move it, against the biasing mechanism, to a closed pivoted position, in which the gripper assembly engages the bicycle frame tube. Due to the ratchet mechanism, the gripper will remain in this position. The gripper thus remains clamped around the bicycle frame tube, and the first and second gripper arm will enclose the bicycle frame tube. The gripper assembly thereby provides for a solid engagement of the bicycle frame tube. The clamping force can then be limited, so that the chance of damaging of the frame can be minimized. Also, the gripper assembly, in use, can be properly operated since the second gripper arm is properly engageable for a user. Moreover, no prolonged turning of a knob is needed, as with the prior art grippers provided with a rotary knob. The gripper according to the invention hence offers a greater ease of operation with less chance of injuries and, moreover, an increased safety in that the gripper is automatically locked by the ratchet mechanism upon the second gripper arm snapping shut.

With the gripper assembly according to the invention, a bicycle frame tube can be very subtly "taken hold of', comparably to the manner in which an octopus takes hold of an object. This subtle taking hold of with the gripper according to the invention prevents damaging of the frame tube such as, for example, the above described "cracking" of carbon frame tubes.

The chance of damaging can be reduced still further by providing the inner sides of the gripper arms that bound a frame tube receiving space, with a soft, compressible layer of material, such as, for example, a layer from silicone material or other compressible plastic.

The operative engagement between teeth of the first gearwheel segment and teeth of the second gearwheel segment provides that the second gripper arm, in addition to a rotation around the first rotation axis, also has a rotation around the third rotation axis. The rotation of the second gripper arm around the third rotation axis is thus coupled to the rotation of the second gripper arm around the first rotation axis. When a user brings the second gripper arm to the closed position, the teeth of the second gearwheel segment roll on the teeth of the first gearwheel segment. Thus, a quick pivoting of the second gripper arm is realized upon a relatively small pivoting of the third rotation axis around the first rotation axis. This double rotation provides for a quick closure of the second gripper arm and, moreover, makes it possible that the gripper can be opened very far, allowing also very thick bicycle frame tubes to be received.

The invention further provides a bicycle carrier according to claim <NUM>. More particularly, the invention provides a bicycle carrier configured for carrying at least one bicycle. The bicycle carrier comprises a frame and the gripper assembly according to the invention.

The effects and advantages of the bicycle carrier according to the invention are the same as the effects and advantages of the gripper assembly according to the invention.

Further elaborations of the invention are described in the dependent claims and will hereinafter be further clarified on the basis of an example, with reference to the figures.

In the following detailed description of the figures, with the aid of reference numerals, reference is made to the example that is represented in the figures. The embodiments that are described in the detailed description, however, are not limited to the example that is shown in the figures but may also be implemented in a different way than shown in the example. The embodiments described in the detailed description should therefore be read and understood also without the reference numerals. The various embodiments to be described hereinafter can be used in combination with each other or independently of each other, within the scope of the appended claims.

Most generally, the invention provides a gripper assembly <NUM> for a bicycle carrier <NUM>. The gripper assembly <NUM> is configured for engaging a bicycle frame tube <NUM> and comprises a gripper <NUM>. The gripper <NUM> comprises a first gripper arm <NUM>, a second gripper arm <NUM>, a ratchet mechanism <NUM>, and an operating mechanism <NUM>. The second gripper arm <NUM> is pivotable relative to the first gripper arm <NUM>. The ratchet mechanism <NUM> is operatively connected with the second gripper arm <NUM> and is configured to block moving of the second gripper arm <NUM> to the opened pivoted position. The operating mechanism <NUM> is configured for unlocking the ratchet mechanism <NUM>, so that the second gripper arm <NUM> is movable to the opened pivoted position.

The effects and advantages of the gripper assembly <NUM> have already been described in the summary and these effects and advantages are understood to have been inserted here by reference.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the gripper <NUM> of the gripper assembly <NUM> can include a biasing mechanism <NUM> which forces the second gripper arm <NUM> to an opened pivoted position. Upon operation of the operating mechanism <NUM> for unlocking the ratchet mechanism <NUM>, the second gripper arm <NUM>, under the influence of the biasing mechanism <NUM>, then moves automatically to the opened pivoted position.

Such a biasing mechanism <NUM> augments ease of use because the user does not need to bring the second gripper arm <NUM> manually to the opened pivoted position, since upon operation of the operating mechanism <NUM>, the second gripper arm <NUM>, under the influence of the biasing mechanism, pivots automatically into the opened pivoted position.

In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the biasing mechanism <NUM> may comprise a spring <NUM>, in further elaboration e.g. a torsion spring. Also springs of a different type could be utilized. However, a torsion spring in a fairly compact space can yet exert a substantial force on the second gripper arm <NUM> and this also through a large pivoting range.

In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures (see <FIG>), the at least one closed pivoted position can comprise a series of different closed pivoted positions, so that frame tubes of different cross sections can be clamped in a closed pivoted position of the series of closed pivoted positions.

This offers the advantage that for different frame tube thicknesses a matching closed pivoted position from the series of closed pivoted positions is available. Retaining of the second gripper arm <NUM> in the matching closed pivoted position of the gripper <NUM> is not effected by exerting clamping force on the frame tube, as is the case with conventional grippers. Conventional bicycle carrier grippers are generally provided with a rotary knob with a threaded spindle and a nut cooperating therewith for bringing them into their closed position. These known grippers are in effect not retained in the closed position until the friction between the thread of the spindle of the rotary knob and the nut cooperating therewith rises above a defined value. Such friction does not come about to a sufficient extent until a substantial clamping force is being exerted by the gripper arms on the frame tube. Exerting a substantial clamping force on a bicycle frame tube is hence essential in the known grippers to be able to retain the known gripper in the closed position. In the gripper assembly according to the above described embodiment, retaining in a closed pivoted position does not depend on the clamping force exerted on the frame tube <NUM>. The clamping force on the frame tube can be relatively loose, which limits the chances of damage, while the chance that the second gripper arm <NUM> moves to the opened pivoted position is minimal because the ratchet mechanism <NUM> does its retaining work independently of the force which the frame tube exerts on the gripper arms <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first gripper arm <NUM> and the second gripper arm <NUM> together bound a frame tube receiving space <NUM> for receiving therein the bicycle frame tube <NUM>. The frame tube receiving space <NUM> has a central longitudinal axis <NUM> which in engaged condition of the bicycle frame tube <NUM> can substantially coincide with a central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the bicycle frame tube <NUM>.

In the opened pivoted position (see <FIG>), the second gripper arm <NUM> is pivoted away from the first gripper arm <NUM>, such that the bicycle frame tube <NUM> can be taken out of the tube receiving space <NUM>.

When the second gripper arm <NUM> has been brought into one of the series of closed pivoted positions, the ratchet mechanism <NUM> prevents the second gripper arm <NUM> being able to be moved to the opened pivoted position. On the other hand, the ratchet mechanism <NUM> does allow the second gripper arm <NUM>, under the influence of an external force exerted thereon, to be brought to a further closed pivoted position. Once the gripper arm <NUM> has arrived in this further closed pivoted position, the ratchet mechanism <NUM> again prevents the second gripper arm <NUM> moving back again in the direction of the opened pivoted position.

To bring the gripper assembly <NUM> in a condition in which the gripper assembly <NUM> engages the bicycle frame tube <NUM>, the user can move the second gripper arm <NUM> to the closed pivoted position. The user will thus have to move the second gripper arm <NUM> towards the first gripper arm <NUM>. As has been indicated hereinbefore, the ratchet mechanism <NUM> takes care of the second gripper arm <NUM> remaining in one of the series of closed pivoted positions.

The operating mechanism <NUM> can unlock ratchet mechanism <NUM>, in consequence of which the second gripper arm <NUM> can be moved to the opened pivoted position again. As mentioned, this moving to the opened pivoted position can be carried out manually. When the gripper <NUM> of the gripper assembly includes a biasing mechanism <NUM>, moving to the opened pivoted position can take place automatically under the influence of the force exerted by the biasing mechanism <NUM> on the second gripper arm <NUM>.

The ratchet mechanism <NUM> may for instance include a gearwheel segment <NUM>, and a pawl <NUM> being under spring tension which engages the gearwheel segment <NUM>, whereby the pawl <NUM>, under the influence of the spring tension, is pressed against the gearwheel segment <NUM> and is held in engagement with it.

Unlocking of the ratchet mechanism <NUM> with the aid of the operating mechanism <NUM> may for instance be effected in that the pawl <NUM> is moved away from the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM>, in consequence of which the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM> and the second gripper arm <NUM> connected therewith can move freely. Thereupon, the second gripper arm <NUM> can be automatically moved to the opened pivoted position by the biasing mechanism <NUM>. In this way, the user can arrange that the gripper assembly <NUM> simply releases the bicycle frame tube <NUM>, so that the bicycle <NUM> can be taken off the bicycle carrier <NUM>.

The second gripper arm <NUM> is pivotably connected with the first gripper arm <NUM> via a transmission <NUM>.

With such a transmission, a quicker pivoting of the second gripper arm <NUM> can be realized.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the first gripper arm <NUM> and the second gripper arm <NUM>, in the at least one closed pivoted position, together bound a frame tube receiving space <NUM>. The transmission <NUM> may then be positioned between the frame tube receiving space <NUM> on the one hand and the ratchet mechanism <NUM> and the operating mechanism <NUM> on the other hand.

This provides the advantage that the ratchet mechanism <NUM> and the operating mechanism <NUM> are not in the way of the second gripper arm <NUM> upon moving thereof to the opened pivoted position. The gripper <NUM> according to this embodiment can therefore be opened very far, which is of advantage for being able to receive therein bicycle frame tubes <NUM> of a very large cross section, in other words, very thick bicycle frame tubes <NUM>. In the known grippers with rotary knob, the spindle of the rotary knob is between the frame tube receiving space, which is defined by the two gripper arms, and the pivoting axis of the at least one pivotable gripper arm of the known gripper. Consequently, the known gripper can be opened much less far than the gripper according to the exemplary embodiment described above.

Because the known grippers cannot be opened so far, often the saddle pin is engaged now. To allow the bicycle to be properly centered in transverse direction relative to the vehicle on which the bicycle carrier is mounted, the gripper clamp must be displaceable in transverse direction. This is not necessary with the gripper assembly according to the present invention because it can be opened so far that practically any frame tube, whatever the magnitude of its cross section, can be engaged by the gripper. When the gripper assembly <NUM> is height-adjustable and the gripper <NUM> thereof is also rotatable, so that the axis of the frame tube receiving space <NUM> can be set in line with the axis of the frame tube <NUM> which is to be engaged, no displacement of the gripper assembly <NUM> in transverse direction is required to center the bicycle in transverse direction relative to the car. For there is always a frame tube <NUM> available, however thin or thick it is, that can be engaged in a suitable way while the bicycle, viewed in transverse direction, is positioned centrally relative to the vehicle. Therefore, the bicycle can always be simply aligned centrally relative to the vehicle in transverse direction.

The transmission <NUM> comprises a coupling arm <NUM>, a first gearwheel segment <NUM>, and a second gearwheel segment <NUM>. The coupling arm <NUM> is connected with the first gripper arm <NUM> in a manner pivotable around a first rotation axis <NUM>, and is connected with the second gripper arm <NUM> in a manner pivotable around a third rotation axis <NUM>. The third rotation axis <NUM> extends parallel to the first rotation axis <NUM>. The first gearwheel segment <NUM> is fixedly connected with the first gripper arm <NUM>. An axis <NUM> of the first gearwheel segment <NUM> coincides with the first rotation axis <NUM>. The second gearwheel segment <NUM> is fixedly connected with the second gripper arm <NUM>. An axis <NUM> of the second gearwheel segment <NUM> coincides with the third rotation axis <NUM>. Teeth <NUM> of the first gearwheel segment <NUM> and teeth <NUM> of the second gearwheel segment <NUM> operatively engage each other.

Such an engagement provides that the second gripper arm <NUM>, in addition to a rotation around the first rotation axis <NUM>, also has a rotation around the third rotation axis <NUM>. The rotation of the second gripper arm <NUM> around the third rotation axis <NUM> is here coupled to the rotation of the second gripper arm <NUM> around the first rotation axis <NUM>. When a user brings the second gripper arm <NUM> to the closed position, the teeth <NUM> of the second gearwheel segment <NUM> roll on the teeth <NUM> of the first gearwheel segment <NUM>. The earlier-mentioned quick pivoting of the second gripper arm <NUM> is realized upon a relatively small pivoting of the third rotation axis <NUM> around the first rotation axis <NUM>. This double rotation provides for a quick closure of the second gripper arm <NUM> and, moreover, makes it possible that the gripper <NUM> can be opened very far, allowing also very thick bicycle frame tubes <NUM> to be received.

A ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM> of the ratchet mechanism <NUM> may be fixedly connected with the coupling arm <NUM>, while an axis <NUM> of the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM> can coincide with the rotation axis <NUM>. A pawl <NUM> of the ratchet mechanism <NUM> can engage teeth <NUM> of the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM>.

The ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM> may be implemented as a loose part. It is also possible, however, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, that the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM> forms an integral part of the coupling arm <NUM>.

The operating mechanism <NUM> may be provided with a pressable knob or button <NUM> which is operatively connected with the pawl <NUM>. The pawl <NUM> may be pressed against the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM> with the aid of a pawl spring <NUM>, so that the pawl <NUM> of the ratchet mechanism <NUM> locks the ratchet mechanism <NUM> and thereby the second gripper arm <NUM> directly automatically in different closed pivoted positions.

A pressing of the button <NUM> causes the pawl <NUM> to be moved, against the spring action of the pawl spring <NUM>, away from the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM>, thereby allowing the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM> to move freely. Under the influence of the biasing mechanism <NUM>, the second gripper arm <NUM> will then automatically pivot to the opened pivoted position.

In an embodiment, the gripper assembly <NUM> may comprise a lock <NUM> closable with a key, the lock <NUM> being operatively connected with the ratchet mechanism <NUM> for closing off the operability of the ratchet mechanism <NUM> in a closed position of the lock <NUM>.

The lock <NUM> may for instance be implemented as the operating mechanism <NUM>. The lock <NUM> may for instance be operatively connected with the pawl <NUM> of the ratchet mechanism <NUM>, so that a rotation of the lock <NUM> causes the pawl <NUM> to be moved away from the ratchet gearwheel segment <NUM>. Also, it is possible to combine the lock <NUM> with the above described pressable knob or button <NUM>. In the closed position, the lock <NUM> hinders a pressing of the button <NUM>, so that the button <NUM> cannot unlock the ratchet mechanism <NUM>. Because of the lock <NUM>, it is only possible to unlock the ratchet mechanism <NUM> by means of a key <NUM> belonging to the lock <NUM>. Unauthorized opening of the gripper <NUM> is thereby made impossible, which makes it impossible, without the key, to take an engaged bicycle frame tube <NUM> out of the gripper <NUM>. It will be clear that this counteracts theft of the bicycle.

In an embodiment, the gripper assembly <NUM> may further comprise a foot <NUM> with which the gripper <NUM> is connected, the foot <NUM> being configured for connection with a longitudinal guide <NUM> for displacement along a longitudinal guide axis <NUM>. In this embodiment, the foot <NUM> is implemented as a guiding foot which may be slidably connected with a longitudinal guide <NUM>.

Rather than with a longitudinal guide <NUM>, in an alternative embodiment the gripper assembly <NUM> may comprise a foot <NUM> which is connected with the gripper <NUM> and which is configured to be connected with a frame part of the bicycle carrier <NUM>, for instance with a free end of a pivoting arm of the bicycle carrier <NUM>.

With the two embodiments discussed last hereinabove, the height of the gripper assembly <NUM> can be simply set, so that the gripper assembly <NUM> can be brought to the desired engagement position to engage a frame tube <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the gripper <NUM> may be connected with the foot <NUM> in a manner pivotable around a second rotation axis <NUM>, so that the angular position of the gripper <NUM> is adjustable to an angle of inclination of a frame tube <NUM> to be engaged relative to the horizontal. The angular position of the gripper <NUM> may be chosen such that a central longitudinal axis <NUM> of a tube receiving space <NUM> which is bounded by the first gripper arm <NUM> and the second gripper arm <NUM> coincides with a central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the bicycle frame tube <NUM>. Such a tuning of the angular position of the gripper <NUM> to the angle of inclination of the bicycle frame tube <NUM> provides for a better engagement of the bicycle frame tube <NUM> by the gripper <NUM>.

In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the second rotation axis <NUM> can be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal guide axis <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, the second rotation axis <NUM> can be substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis <NUM>.

The longitudinal guide <NUM> may for instance be provided on a frame <NUM> of the bicycle carrier <NUM>. In this way, the gripper assembly <NUM> is displaceable along the longitudinal guide <NUM> and adjustable relative to the frame <NUM>. In this way, a position of the gripper assembly <NUM> can be tuned to a position of the bicycle frame tube <NUM>.

The invention also provides a bicycle carrier <NUM> configured for carrying at least one bicycle <NUM>. The bicycle carrier <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> and the gripper assembly <NUM> according to the invention.

An example of the bicycle carrier is shown in <FIG>. The bicycle carrier <NUM> may comprise a bicycle carrying place <NUM> for therein placing and supporting a bicycle <NUM>. In use, the bicycle <NUM> can be placed by its wheels in the bicycle carrying place <NUM>, after which the gripper assembly <NUM> can then engage a bicycle frame tube <NUM> of the bicycle <NUM> to fix the bicycle <NUM> relative to the bicycle carrier <NUM> for transportation.

The effects and advantages of the bicycle carrier <NUM> have already been described in the summary and these effects and advantages are understood to have been inserted here by reference.

In an embodiment, the frame <NUM> is provided with a longitudinal guide <NUM>. The gripper assembly <NUM> includes a foot <NUM> which is connected with the longitudinal guide <NUM> and is displaceable along a longitudinal guide axis <NUM>. The gripper <NUM> is connected with the foot <NUM> in a manner pivotable around a second rotation axis <NUM>, the second rotation axis <NUM> being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal guide axis <NUM>.

The position of the bicycle frame tube <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM> of the bicycle carrier <NUM> is dictated by the positioning of the bicycle <NUM> relative to the bicycle carrier <NUM> and by the design of the bicycle <NUM>. By virtue of the foot <NUM> and longitudinal guide <NUM>, the gripper assembly <NUM> is displaceable relative to the frame <NUM> of the bicycle carrier <NUM>. The gripper assembly <NUM> can thereby be set in a position which allows direct engagement of the bicycle frame tube <NUM> of different models of bicycles <NUM>.

The gripper assembly <NUM> may include a locking with which the foot <NUM> can be secured relative to the longitudinal guide <NUM>. Thus, the gripper assembly <NUM> may first be brought into a desired position relative to the frame <NUM>, after which it can be secured in that position, so that the bicycle frame tube <NUM> can be engaged.

Due to the gripper <NUM> being rotatable around the second rotation axis <NUM>, it is possible to set a rotation angle of the gripper <NUM> relative to the foot <NUM>. This rotation angle can be chosen such that a central longitudinal axis <NUM> of a tube receiving space <NUM> which is bounded by the first gripper arm <NUM> and the second gripper arm <NUM> coincides with a central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the bicycle frame tube <NUM>. Such a tuning of the gripper <NUM> to the bicycle frame tube <NUM> provides for a better engagement of the bicycle frame tube <NUM> by the gripper <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Gripper assembly (<NUM>) for a bicycle carrier (<NUM>), which gripper assembly (<NUM>) is configured for engaging a bicycle frame tube (<NUM>), wherein the gripper assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
- a gripper (<NUM>) comprising:
- a first gripper arm (<NUM>);
- a second gripper arm (<NUM>) which is pivotable relative to the first gripper arm (<NUM>) between an opened pivoted position and at least one closed pivoted position;
- a ratchet mechanism (<NUM>) which is operatively connected with the second gripper arm (<NUM>) and which is configured to block moving of the second gripper arm (<NUM>) to the opened pivoted position; and
- an operating mechanism (<NUM>) for unlocking of the ratchet mechanism (<NUM>), so that the second gripper arm (<NUM>) is movable to the opened pivoted position;
wherein the second gripper arm (<NUM>) is pivotably connected with the first gripper arm (<NUM>) via a transmission (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the transmission (<NUM>) comprises:
- a coupling arm (<NUM>) which is connected with the first gripper arm (<NUM>) in a manner pivotable around a first rotation axis (<NUM>), and which is connected with the second gripper arm (<NUM>) in a manner pivotable around a third rotation axis (<NUM>), wherein the third rotation axis (<NUM>) extends parallel to the first rotation axis (<NUM>);
- a first gearwheel segment (<NUM>) which is fixedly connected with the first gripper arm (<NUM>), wherein an axis (<NUM>) of the first gearwheel segment (<NUM>) coincides with the first rotation axis (<NUM>); and
- a second gearwheel segment (<NUM>) which is fixedly connected with the second gripper arm (<NUM>), wherein an axis (<NUM>) of the second gearwheel segment (<NUM>) coincides with the third rotation axis (<NUM>), and
wherein teeth (<NUM>) of the first gearwheel segment (<NUM>) and teeth (<NUM>) of the second gearwheel segment (<NUM>) operatively engage each other.