GRIPPER ATTACHMENT FOR ROBOT

• US 20120286533A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of North Dakota (North Dakota University System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Dakota (North Dakota University System)
• Inventors: Mettler, Michael, Dyke, Dylan, Bulzomi, Monty, Landsverk, Kevin, Neubert, Jeremiah
• Application Number:
  US13/335,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20120286533A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 294/213
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0033 with gripping surfaces having special shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/023 including video camera means

Abstract

A robot gripper attachment for use with conventional robotic platforms, the gripper having opposed claw members, each claw member in turn having a plurality of elongate projections. An inward facing surface of each projection is chamfered, defining an interior gripping surface. This gripping surface may be further provided with a friction material for increased grip. One or more cameras and sensors may be utilized to aid operation by providing the operator with information about depth, distance, and positioning.

Claims

1. A gripper attachment for a robot, comprising:

a plurality of claw members, each claw member further comprising a plurality of fixed, elongate projections that extend parallel to one another to a distal end of the claw member, each of the projections further comprising an inward-facing chamfered edge;

wherein said chamfered edges define a plurality of surfaces for gripping objects.

2. The gripper attachment of claim 1 further comprising an infrared sensor attached to at least one of said claw members.

3. The gripper attachment of claim 1 further comprising a video camera that is positioned to view a region between the claw members.

4. The gripper attachment of claim 1 wherein the claw members are symmetric.

5. The gripper attachment of claim 1 wherein each claw members include a concave portion between its distal end and a proximal end, and wherein the concave portions of opposing claw members define a space therebetween for receiving and gripping an object.

6. The gripper attachment of claim 5 wherein said object is bulbous.

7. The gripper attachment of claim 6 wherein said object is a doorknob.

8. The gripper attachment of claim 1 wherein at least one of said chamfered edges is provided with a friction surface.

9. The gripper attachment of claim 8 wherein said friction surface is rubber.

10. The gripper attachment of claim 1 wherein each claw member comprises two projections.

11. The gripper attachment of claim 1 wherein the projections are pentagonal in cross-section.

12. The gripper attachment of claim 1 further comprising attachment means for removably securing the claw members to a robotic arm.

13. The gripper attachment of claim 12 wherein said attachment means are selected from the group consisting of hairpins and cotter pins.

14. The gripper attachment of claim 1 wherein each said chamfered edge is approximately 0.375 inches in length, wherein said chamfer is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, and wherein said projections are separated about their respective said claw member by approximately 1.145 inches.

15. A gripper attachment for a robot, comprising:

two symmetric, opposed claw members, each having a proximal end and a distal end, a concave portion on a inward facing side, and a pair of parallel fingers extending from the concave portion to the distal end wherein the fingers include an inward-facing chamfered edge with a friction surface;

a sensor for detecting when an object is near the claw members; and

a video camera for viewing a space between the claws.

16. A gripper attachment for a robot, comprising:

a plurality of claw members pivotable about a central axis;

wherein each claw member includes a plurality of inward-facing chamfered edges forming a semi-continuous gripping surface.

17. The gripper attachment of claim 16, wherein the semi-continuous gripping surface further comprises non-chamfered edges of said claw members.