Patent ID: 8287018

Claim:
A grapple apparatus comprising: (a) left and right frame members having inner portions hinged together at a main hinge, (b) left and right finger assemblies each comprising plural fingers adapted to grasp a load, each of said finger assemblies being hinged by a respective finger hinge to a respective frame member, (c) left and right load arms having inner portions hinged together at said main hinge and outer portions cooperating with a load cable, (d) connecting arms connecting each of said load arms to the finger assembly on the opposite side of the grapple apparatus, (e) a latching mechanism cooperating with each of said load arms and the upper portion of a respective connecting arm, capable of engagement and disengagement such that, when engaged, the latching mechanism retains the connecting arm in a position relative to its corresponding load arm whereby lift applied to the load arm causes the finger assembly with which the lower portion of said connecting arm cooperates to move inward relative to said finger hinge, and such that, when disengaged, the latching mechanism releases the connecting arm, permitting the finger assembly with which the lower portion of said connecting arm cooperates to move unconstrained by the latching mechanism, and (f) finger cables connecting each of said load arms to the finger assembly on the same side of the grapple apparatus.