US3727963A

US3727963A - Grasping device

Info

Publication number: US3727963A
Application number: US00184849A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Dranoff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-09-29
Filing date: 1971-09-29
Publication date: 1973-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-17
Also published as: CA959091A

Abstract

A grasping device having two sets of jaws is disclosed. One of the sets of jaws is open when the other is closed. One set of jaws is used for grasping articles while the other set is for grasping a shelf or the like when the device is not in use.

Description

U Unified Males Palenl 1191 1111 3,727,963 Drannff Apr. 17, 1973 [54] GRASPHNG DEVIHCE 2,181,520 11 1939 Pedersen ..294/22 [761 lnvemo Samuel Dram, 38 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Conshohocken Avenue, Philadelphia, P211 556,242 9/l922 France ..294/23 [22] Flled: Sept 1971 Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk [21 Appl. No.1 184,84 Assistant Examiner.lohnny D. Cherry Atl0rneySeidel, Gonda & Goldhammer [52] US. Cl. .294/23, 294/19 R 511 lm. c1. ..A47f 13/06 l ABSTRAQT [58] Field of Search "294/l9 A grasping device having two sets of jaws is disclosed. 294/24 One of the sets of jaws is open when the other is 6 R f C d closed. One set oljaws is used for grasping articles [5 l e erences me while the other set is for grasping a shelf or the like UNITED STATES PATENTS when the device is not in use.

744,l57 l l/l903 Bertschy 294/23 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures GRASIING DEVICE This invention relates to a grasping device and, more particularly, to a grasping device of the type which comprises graspingjaws at the end of an extended pole.

Grasping devices of the type described herein are generally used in grocery stores or other places where it is necessary to reach objects which may be beyond the reach of an individual. Thus, grasping devices are commonly used in order to extend the reach of individuals and facilitate the handling of articles.

Typically, these devices resemble that shown in Pedersen U.S. Pat. No. 2,181,520 in that they comprise a set of jaws connected by a scissor-like linkage to a pole. The jaws are normally biased apart. However, they can be actuated by a handle to close upon a desired article.

When grasping devices such as those shown in the above-noted Pedersen patent are not used, they are stored on hooks, or left to rest against a wall or shelving. Additionally, many of the grasping devices are provided with hooks themselves so that they can be supported by a shelf when not in use.

None of these techniques are satisfactory. Driving a hook into a'wall or leaving the device resting against a wall or shelves is unsatisfactory in that such hooks are unsightly and can damage the shelving. On the other hand, merely resting the device against a wall permits it to slip and fall and generally become a hazard to those working in the area.

The third alternative which is suggested by the prior art is also disadvantageous since the shelving can be extensively damaged by hooks on the grasping device. Additionally, modern shelving which may be made of metal or materials of like characteristics does not provide a suitable surface for a hook to engage.

Thus, the present invention is directed to a grasping device which has a second set of jaws. The second set of jaws is useful for grasping a shelf when the device is not in use. Generally, the grasping device comprises an elongated pole having a first set of jaws coupled thereto. The first set ofjaws is useful for grasping an article. The second set ofjaws is also coupled to the pole. Linkage means is coupled between the first and second sets of jaws so that when one set of jaws is open, the other is closed. Means are provided for biasing one of the jaws to its closed position and other means are provided for overcoming the force of the biasing means.

The invention can best be understood by referring to the drawings wherein FIG. l is a front elevational view of the device.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a partial rear elevation of the device.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of the invention, FIG. 1 shows a grasping device constructed in accordance with the preferred form thereof.

The device comprises an elongated pole 112 which supports a first set of jaws l4 and a second set of jaws 16. The two sets are coupled to each other in oppositely facing relation by a linkage 18. A handle which is mounted on a portion of the pole remote from the first and second sets of jaws is operative to open and close the jaws. While only one handle is shown, it is apparent that many handles could be used. In such an arrangement, the handles would be disposed at spaced intervals along the pole 12 so that the reach of the user could be extended as desired.

The first set of jaws comprises jaw members 24 which are supported intermediate their ends by pivot pin 26 which is connected to an extension 27 of pole 12.

The distal ends 28 of each of the jaws 24 are connected to links 30 by pins 31.

The opposite ends of links 30 are joined by an elongated horizontally disposed pivot arm 32. Pivot arm 32 extends through suitable openings in the ends of links 30. It has an elongated downwardly directed portion 35 which is connected to handle 20 in the manner to be described.

Immediately below its juncture with links 30, portion 35 includes a first stop 36 which may be a washer-like member fixed or otherwise fastened to the rod. A second stop 38 is fixed to pole 12. Stop 38 may comprise a flat plate supported at one end by the pole and having an aperture 39 at its other end.

Rod portion 35 extends through aperture 39. A helical compression spring 40 is supported by rod portion 35 between

stops

36 and 38. The compression spring biases stop 36 away from stop 38.

Handle 20 comprises a grip 44 which is connected by a pivot 46 to pole 12. The arm of rod portion 35 may be connected to the handle by a hook 48, pin, or other suitable means.

The earlier-mentioned pole extension 27 may comprise a flat strap which extends upwardly from the end of the pole and is doubled over to form an upper jaw 52 having an upper gripping pad 54.

Horizontally extending rod 32 has an upwardly directed portion in alignment with the upper jaw to define a lower jaw 56. The lower jaw has a lower gripping pad 58 in alignment with upper gripping pad 54.

The two

gripping pads

54 and 58 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in engagement with a shelf 60 or other support surface.

The horizontal rod portion 32 extends through an elongated axially disposed slot 62 in pole extension 27. In using the device, it would normally be found in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein upper and

lower jaws

52 and 56 are supporting it on a shelf 60 or other supporting means. Spring 40 which bears against

stops

36 and 38 closes the upper and lower gripping

pads

54 and 58 into closed engagement with the shelf. When handle 20 is actuated as by squeezing it, thereby rotating it around its pivot 46, rod portion 35 is moved downwardly. Horizontal rod portion 32 is permitted to move downwardly by slot 62, thereby lowering lower jaw 56.

The device can then be used in a conventional manner wherein the squeezing of handle 20 causes the first set ofjaws 24 to come together as shown in phantom in FIG. 1 to grasp an article. When the grasping device is to be stored,

jaws

52 and 56 are opened and the device is placed over a shelf. When handle 20 is released, spring 40 causes the upper and lower gripping pads to securely grasp the shelf.

It should be noted that the second set of jaws extends rearwardly and oppositely of the first set of jaws. Thus, the pole 12 may lie close by the shelves while it is being supported.

Additionally. it should be noted that the linkage 18 which connects the first and second sets of jaws together is operative to open one set when the other set is closed. However, the first set of jaws is normally biased to an open position by spring 40 whereas that spring normally biases the second set of jaws to its closed position. Hence, when the device is not being used, the second set of jaws will naturally be disposed so as to grip shelf 60.

Thus, what has been described is a grasping device that can be stored on shelves without regard to their surface characteristics. It will stay securely on the shelves, even when hit. Its only movement upon being hit will be a slight swinging motion from side to side about upper and

lower jaws

52 and 56. But this motion will be damped by the tendency of spring 40 to urge the jaws together.

While the invention has been described with reference to one embodiment thereof, it is apparent that many other forms and embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description; thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by that description but only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

lclaim:

17 A grasping device comprising an elongated pole, a first set of jaws coupled to said pole for relative movement toward each other to grasp an article by its sides, a second set ofjaws coupled to said pole for movement relative to each other, said movement of said second set ofjaws being toward or away from each other in a vertical plane to grasp a shelf, said first and second sets of jaws being in oppositely facing relation to each other, linkage means coupling said first set of jaws to one of said jaws in said second set ofjaws, means connected to said linkage means for opening one of said jaws while closing the other set ofjaws, means for biasing said linkage to normally hold one of said sets ofjaws in its open position, and means on said pole for overcoming the force of said biasing means.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first set ofjaws are pivotally mounted to said pole, said second set of jaws comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, one of said second jaws being fixed to said elongated pole, and said linkage means couples said first jaws to the otherjaw in said second set so that actuation of said first set of jaws operates said other jaw in said second set.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jaws in said second set is fixed to said pole and said means for overcoming said biasing force is connected to the otherjaw in said second set.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated pole has an upwardly extending portion that defines one of the jaws of said second set ofjaws, a portion of said linkage means defines the other jaw in said second set ofjaws, and said means for overcoming said bias is operative to move said other jaw relative to said firstjaw.

Claims

1. A grasping device comprising an elongated pole, a first set of jaws coupled to said pole for relative movement toward each other to grasp an article by its sides, a second set of jaws coupled to said pole for movement relative to each other, said movement of said second set of jaws being toward or away from each other in a vertical plane to grasp a shelf, said first and second sets of jaws being in oppositely facing relation to each other, linkage means coupling said first set of jaws to one of said jaws in said second set of jaws, means connected to said linkage means for opening one of said jaws while closing the other set of jaws, means for biasing said linkage to normally hold one of said sets of jaws in its open position, and means on said pole for overcoming the force of said biasing means.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first set of jaws are pivotally mounted to said pole, said second set of jaws comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, one of said second jaws being fixed to said elongated pole, and said linkage means couples said first jaws to the other jaw in said second set so that actuation of said first set of jaws operates said other jaw in said second set.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jaws in said second set is fixed to said pole and said means for overcoming said biasing force is connected to the other jaw in said second set.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated pole has an upwardly extending portion that defines one of the jaws of said second set of jaws, a portion of said linkage means defines the other jaw in said second set of jaws, and said means for overcoming said bias is operative to move said other jaw relative to said first jaw.