Patent ID: 8628132

Claim:
A gripper comprising: a housing; a solenoid including a plunger, the solenoid associated with said housing and defining an axis, during operation, when power is provided to the solenoid, the solenoid is in an activated condition and when power to the solenoid is terminated, the solenoid is in a deactivated condition; a pair of opposing jaws movably mounted with the housing, said jaws are movable toward and away from each other, said jaws coupled with said plunger for providing movement to said jaws for locking said jaws in an open or closed position; a first mechanism associated with said plunger for holding and locking said plunger in a first position such that when power is terminated to said solenoid locking of the plunger occurs; and a second mechanism associated with said plunger for holding and locking said plunger in a second position such that when power is terminated to said solenoid locking of the plunger occurs wherein the holding and locking of the plunger by the first and second mechanism, respectively, is dependent upon the operation of the solenoid.