Apparatus and methods for gripping an elongated item

• US 7,478,794 B1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RectorSeal, LLC (CSW Industrials, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rectorseal Corporation (CSW Industrials, Inc.)
• Inventors: Li, Jianmin, Gohlke, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; Lee D
• Application Number:
  US11/527,130
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 254/134.3 FT, 254/134.3 R, 254/134.6
• US Class Current: 254/134.3FT
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/42 Gripping members engaging only the external or internal surfaces of the articles for handling or stripping castings or ingots during manufacture B22D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/081 using pulling means at cable ends, e.g. pulling eyes or anchors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3969 Sliding part or wedge

Abstract

In some embodiments, apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item(s) through at least one space includes a body and a plurality of gripping members associated with the body. The gripping members are moveable relative to the body and capable of engaging at least one elongated item.

Claims

1. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

a body having a bore therethrough and being capable of being pulled through the at least one space, wherein the elongated item is at least partially insertable into said bore; and

a plurality of gripping members associated with said body, each said gripping member being pivotable and capable of projecting generally inwardly into said bore, wherein at least one said gripping member includes at least two grippers, each said gripper being capable of at least one among gripping and guiding the elongated item.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said gripping member is independently moveable relative to said body and said other gripping members.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said gripper of said at least one gripping member differs from said other at least one gripper of said gripping member in at least one among length and angular orientation, further wherein a first said gripper of said gripping member is capable of guiding the elongated item in said bore to assist in centering the elongated item in said bore and a second said gripper of said gripping member is capable of gripping the elongated item.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a first said gripper of said gripping member is capable of gripping small diameter elongated items in said bore and a second said gripper of said gripping member is capable of gripping larger diameter elongated items in said bore.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said gripper of said gripping member is configured to extend into said bore a different distance as compared to said other at least one gripper of said gripping member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said gripping members of said plurality of gripping members includes multiple grippers.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gripping members are teeth pivotably mounted to said body, each said tooth includes first and second said grippers, said grippers being sharp tips capable of penetrating the elongated item.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a centering device capable of assisting in centering the elongated item in said bore.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said centering device includes at least one among at least one centering sleeve and at least one axially-extending rail disposed within said bore.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some said gripper members are capable of gripping the elongated item at a non-end portion of the elongated item.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one pair of said plurality of gripping members is disposed upon a common carrier mounted in said body.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one said gripping member includes an angled face associated with at least one said gripper of said gripping member, said angled face capable of decreasing the angular orientation of said gripper relative to at least one other said gripper of said gripping member.

13. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

a body having a bore therethrough and being capable of being pulled through the at least one space, wherein the elongated item is at least partially insertable into said bore; and

a plurality of gripping members pivotably mounted to said body, each said gripping member being capable of projecting generally inwardly into said bore and engaging at least one elongated item, wherein said gripping members are disposed upon carriers mounted to said body, further wherein at least one pair of said gripping members is disposed upon a common said carrier and each said gripping member among each said pair of gripping members is independently moveable relative to the other said gripping member of said pair.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said carriers are pins.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein all of said gripping members of said plurality of gripping members are arranged in pairs disposed upon common said pins, respectively.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one pair of gripping members includes first and second gripping members, said first gripping member being disposed at least partially around said second gripping member on said common carrier and capable of extending farther into said bore than said second gripping member.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one pair of gripping members includes first and second gripping members, said first gripping member being disposed adjacent to said second gripping member on said common carrier and capable of extending farther into said bore than said second gripping member.

18. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

a body having a bore therethrough and being capable of being pulled through the at least one space, wherein the elongated item is at least partially insertable into said bore;

a plurality of gripping members pivotably mounted to said body, each said gripping member being capable of projecting generally inwardly into said bore and engaging the elongated item; and

a plurality of biasing members associated with at least one said gripping member, said plurality of biasing members being capable of providing biasing force upon said at least one gripping member to at least partially restrict pivoting of said at least one gripping member in one direction.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said at least one biasing member is capable of biasing said associated gripping member into said bore to facilitate engagement of said gripping member with an elongated item in said bore.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each said gripping member is associated with a said biasing member, each said associated gripping member and biasing member being disposed upon a common carrier disposed within said body.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein at least some of said gripping members each include at least two grippers.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 further including a centering device capable of assisting in centering the elongated item in said bore.

23. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

a body having a bore therethrough and being capable of being pulled through the at least one space, wherein the elongated item is at least partially insertable into said bore;

a plurality of gripping members associated with said body, each said gripping member being moveable into said bore and capable of engaging at least one elongated item disposed in said bore; and

at least one centering device disposed at least partially within said bore and capable of assisting in centering the elongated item in said bore.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said centering device includes at least one centering sleeve disposed within said bore.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said gripping members are independently pivotably moveable relative to said body, further wherein at least one of said gripping members includes multiple grippers, each said gripper being capable of at least one among guiding and gripping an elongated item.

26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said body has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a wall, further wherein said centering device includes at least two studs extending through said wall of said body into said bore.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said body has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a wall, further wherein said centering device includes at least two screws extending through said wall of said body into said bore.

28. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said centering device include at least two axially-extending rails disposed within said bore.

29. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

a body being capable of being pulled through the at least one space, said body having first and second non-adjacent opposite ends and a bore extending through said body from said first end to said second end, wherein the elongated item is insertable into and through said bore;

a plurality of gripping members associated with said body, each said gripping member being capable of projecting generally inwardly into said bore and engaging at least one elongated item; and

at least one attachment device engageable with said body and being useful to facilitate pulling said body, said attachment device allowing clearance at the openings of said bore2, whereby said openings of said bore are unobstructed by said attachment device so that the apparatus is capable of gripping a non-end portion of the elongated item.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said attachment device includes at least one among at least one cable and at least one mesh-like member.

31. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

a body; and

a plurality of gripping members associated with said body, wherein said gripping members are moveable from said body to outside said body and are capable of projecting generally outwardly from said body to engage at least one elongated item disposed at least partially over said body.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein each said gripping member is capable of gripping an inside portion of the elongated item.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the elongated item is a corrugated tube.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein at least one said gripping member is movable relative to said body.

35. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein at least one said gripping member is non-movable relative to said body.

36. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein at least one said gripping member includes multiple grippers, each said gripper being capable of at least one among guiding and gripping an elongated item.

37. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item in at least one path, the apparatus comprising:

at least two gripping devices, each said gripping device including a body having an upper end, a lower end, a bore extending therebetween and a plurality of gripping members associated with said body and capable of engaging an elongated item disposed within said bore thereof, wherein said upper end of said body of a first said gripping device is axially alignable with said lower end of said body of a second said gripping device to axially align said respective bores; and

at least one connector engageable between at least two axially aligned said gripping devices, whereby said at least two connected gripping devices are capable of engaging the same elongated item.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said connector is capable of providing a bend between said at least two connected gripping devices.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said connector includes at least two flexible cables.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said connector includes a universal joint.

41. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said connector is releasable from at least one among said at least two gripping devices.

42. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein each said gripping member is capable of protruding outwardly from its respective associated said body and gripping an inner portion of the elongated item.

43. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein each said body includes a bore therethrough, wherein the elongated item is at least partially insertable into said bore of each said body, further wherein said gripping members are independently piovotably movable in said body and capable of projecting generally inwardly into said bore.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein at least one of said gripping members includes multiple grippers, each said gripper being capable of at least one among guiding and gripping an elongated item in said bore.

45. A method of releasably gripping an elongated item with a gripping device, the gripping device and elongated item to be pulled through at least one path, the gripping device including a body and a plurality of gripping members moveable from the body to outside the body and capable of projecting outwardly from the body, the method comprising:

starting at the lower end of the body of the gripping device, sliding an end of the elongated item over the body;

after the elongated item is in the desired position relative to the gripping device, moving at least one among the elongated item, relative to the body, in the direction of the upper end of the body, and the body, relative to the elongated item, in the direction of the lower end of the body, causing at least two of the gripping members to grip the elongated item; and

pulling the gripping device in a manner in which movement of the upper end of the body generally precedes movement of the lower end of the body, whereby the elongated item is pulled along with the body.

46. A method of releasably gripping an elongated item with at least two gripping devices, the gripping devices and elongated item to be pulled through at least one path, the method comprising:

with at least one connector, connecting the at least two gripping devices together aligned axially, whereby the upper end of the first gripping device is located proximate to and generally aligned with the lower end of the second gripping device;

inserting an end of the elongated item into a bore of the first gripping device at the lower end of the first gripping device;

passing the end of the elongated item through the bore of the first gripping device and into an aligned bore of the second gripping device at the lower end thereof; and

gripping the elongated item with grippers associated with at least one among the at least two gripping devices.

47. The method of claim 46 further including the at least one connector changing its orientation to provide at least one bend between the first and second gripping devices, whereby the gripping devices and elongated item may be moved through a non-linear path.

48. The method of claim 46 further including the at least one connector moving between linear and non-linear positions to allow the gripping devices and elongated item to be moved through a path that includes at least one non-linear portion.

49. The method of claim 48 further including pulling at least one of the gripping devices through the at least one path, and after reaching a desired destination, moving the elongated item through the bores of the first and second gripping devices to disengage the elongated item from the gripping devices.

50. The method of claim 49 further including cutting the elongated item below the lower end of the first gripping device and discharging the cut portion of the elongated item from the at least two gripping devices.

51. The method of claim 50 further including releasably threadably engaging at least one connector with at least one among the first and second gripping devices.

52. The method of claim 46 wherein a force is applied to cause gripping members of each gripping device to grip the elongated item.

53. A method of releasably gripping an elongated item with at least two gripping devices, the gripping devices and elongated item to be pulled through at least one path, the method comprising:

with at least one connector, connecting the at least two gripping devices together aligned axially, whereby the upper end of the first gripping device is located proximate to and generally aligned with the lower end of the second gripping device;

inserting an end of the elongated item over the first gripping device at the lower end of the first gripping device;

passing the end of the elongated item over the first gripping device;

passing the end of the elongated item at least partially over the second gripping device starting at the lower end thereof; and

gripping the elongated item with grippers projecting outwardly from the at least two gripping devices.

54. An apparatus capable of releasably engaging at least one elongated item so that the at least one elongated item may be pulled through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

a body having first and second opposite ends and a bore extending through said body from said first end to said second end, the at least one elongated item being insertable into said bore from said first end of said body and removable from said bore through said second end of said body; and

a plurality of gripping members associated with said body, moveable into said bore and capable of at least one among gripping and guiding the elongated item disposed within said bore, said plurality of gripping members allowing movement of the at least one elongated item into said bore from said first end of said body, through said bore and out said bore at said second end of said body.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said plurality of gripping members are non-movable relative to said body.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said plurality of gripping members are integrally formed into said body.

57. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said plurality of gripping members are press fit into said body.

58. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said plurality of gripping members includes at least one gripping member that is pivotably movable relative to said body and at least one gripping member that is non-movable relative to said body.

59. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein at least one said gripping member includes at least two grippers, each said gripper being capable of at least one among gripping and guiding the elongated item.

60. The apparatus of claim 54 further including a centering device capable of assisting in centering the elongated item in said bore.

61. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein at least some said gripper members are capable of gripping the elongated item at a non-end portion of the elongated item.

62. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

at least first and second body portions releasably alignable longitudinally to form a body,

said body having a bore and being capable of being pulled through the at least one space, wherein the elongated item is at least partially insertable into said bore; and

a plurality of gripping members associated with each said body portion, at least some of said gripping member being capable of gripping the elongated item disposed within said bore.

63. The apparatus of claim 62 further including a cap engageable with said at least first and second body portions and capable of releasably holding said body portions in aligned relationship.

64. The apparatus of claim 62 further including at least one groove portion formed in each of said at least first and second body portions and capable of seating at least one ring-like member when said at least first and second body portions are aligned.

65. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said plurality of gripping members are non-movable relative to said body.

66. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said plurality of gripping members includes at least one gripping member that is pivotably movable relative to said body.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein at least one said gripping member includes at least two grippers, each said gripper being capable of at least one among gripping and guiding the elongated item.

68. The apparatus of claim 62 further including a centering device capable of assisting in centering the elongated item in said bore.

69. An apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item through at least one space, the apparatus comprising:

at least first and second body portions, said at least first and second body portions being alignable together longitudinally to form a bore extending at least partially therebetween, wherein the elongated item is at least partially insertable into said bore,

said at least first and second body portions being capable of being pulled through the at least one space; and

a plurality of gripping members projecting inwardly into said bore from at least one among said at least first and second body portions, each said gripping member being capable of at least one among gripping and guiding the elongated item disposed at least partially within said bore.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 further including a releasable holder engageable with said at least first and second body portions.

71. A method of releasably gripping an elongated item with at least one gripping device, the gripping device and elongated item capable of being pulled through at least one path, the method comprising:

aligning at least first and second body portions together longitudinally to form a body;

engaging at least one holder with the at least first and second body portions;

engaging the elongated item with the gripping device;

pulling the gripping device and engaged elongated item through the at least one path;

disengaging the at least one holder from the at least first and second body portions; and

disengaging the at least first and second body portions from the elongated item.

72. The method of claim 71 further including inserting an end of the elongated item into a bore disposed in the body.

73. The method of claim 72 further including the at least first and second body portions forming the bore.

74. The method of claim 72 further including allowing a plurality of gripping members protruding into the bore to engage the elongated item.

75. The method of claim 74 further including disengaging the at least first and second body portions from the elongated item without having to push the elongated item through the bore.

76. The method of claim 74 further including threadably engaging and disengaging the at least one holder with the at least first and second body portion.