Slide gripper assembly
A slide gripper assembly is provided having a slide assembly coupled to a gripper assembly. The slide assembly extends and retracts the gripper assembly. A bracket assembly is coupled to the slide and gripper assemblies to move the gripper assembly relative to the slide assembly. The Bracket assembly may comprise an at least partially-spherical head which may be coupled to the gripper assembly to allow movement of the same relative to the slide assembly.
1. A slide gripper assembly comprising:
a slide assembly;
a gripper assembly;
wherein the slide assembly moves the gripper assembly along a path between extended and retracted positions; and
a bracket assembly, coupled to the gripper and slide assemblies, comprising a block member and a bracket member;
an at least partially-spherical head located between the block and bracket members;
a trigger that activates the gripper assembly at a particular position along the path;
wherein the gripper assembly has at least partial-spherical movement relative to the slide assembly; and
wherein the bracket assembly can selectively hold the gripper assembly at variable positions on the at least partially-spherical head after said at least partial-spherical movement; and
a movable block coupled to the slide assembly to engage the trigger.
2. The slide gripper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the slide assembly is pneumatically actuated.
3. The slide gripper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the block member is coupled to the slide assembly.
4. The slide gripper assembly of claim 3 , wherein the bracket member is coupled to the gripper assembly.
5. The slide gripper assembly of claim 4 , wherein the bracket member further comprises a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the partially-spherical head.
6. The slide gripper assembly of claim 5 wherein the gripper assembly is pivotable about at least a portion of the partially-spherical head to alter the position of the gripper assembly relative to the slide assembly.
7. The slide gripper assembly of claim 4 wherein the bracket member is adjustable to selectively allow repositioning of the gripper assembly.
8. The slide gripper assembly of claim 7 , wherein the bracket member further comprises first and second portions which receive at least a portion of the partially-spherical head, and which are coupled via at least one fastener.
9. The slide gripper assembly of claim 8 , wherein the fastener is adjustable to selectively hold the partially-spherical head.
10. The slide gripper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the trigger is coupled to the slide assembly.
11. The slide gripper assembly of claim 10 , wherein movement of the slide assembly actuates the trigger.
12. A slide gripper assembly comprising:
a slide assembly;
a gripper assembly;
wherein the slide assembly moves the gripper assembly between extended and retracted positions;
a bracket assembly located opposite at least one jaw member of the gripper assembly;
a trigger that activates the gripper assembly when moved to a predetermined location;
wherein the bracket assembly allows the gripper assembly to be at least partially-spherically adjustable relative to the slide assembly to allow a plurality of gripping locations of the jaw members, and to secure the gripper assembly at those gripping locations; and a movable block coupled to the slide assembly to engage the trigger.
13. The slide gripper assembly of claim 12 , wherein the slide assembly is pneumatically actuated.
14. The slide gripper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket assembly further comprises a bracket portion configured to hold the gripper assembly in a position after the at least partially-spherical adjustment.