IP Library Granted Patent US 9,669,551
Granted Patent B1
US 9,669,551 · App. 14/850,664 · Granted Jun 6, 2017

Robotic hand and fingers

Inventors: Curt Michael Salisbury (Albuquerque, NM); Kevin J. Dullea (Albuquerque, NM)
Assignee: Sandia Corporation
B25J15/0009B25J15/08Y10S901/31Y10S901/38
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,669,551
App. No.
14/850,664
Granted
Jun 6, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

Technologies pertaining to a robotic hand are described herein. The robotic hand includes one or more fingers releasably attached to a robotic hand frame. The fingers can abduct and adduct as well as flex and tense. The fingers are releasably attached to the frame by magnets that allow for the fingers to detach from the frame when excess force is applied to the fingers.

Claims (13)

1. A mechanical finger comprising:

a base link comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises at least one magnet configured to attach the mechanical finger to a frame;

an intermediate link comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is attached to the distal end of the base link at a first joint configured to provide adduction and abduction between the base link and the intermediate link;

a middle link comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is attached to the distal end of the intermediate link at a second joint configured to provide flexion and extension between the intermediate link and the middle link; and

a distal link comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is attached to the distal end of the middle link at a third joint configured to provide flexion and extension between the middle link and the distal link;

wherein the base link comprises;

a first motor mechanically coupled to the intermediate link to drive the adduction and abduction between the base link and the intermediate link at the first joint;

a second motor engaged to a first cable mechanically coupled to the middle joint to drive the flexion and extension between the intermediate link and the middle link at the second joint;

a third motor engaged to a second cable mechanically coupled to the distal link to drive the flexion and extension between the middle link and the distal link at the third joint;

wherein the mechanical finger includes no components that mechanically connect to a frame or a support that operates the mechanical finger.

2. The mechanical finger of claim 1 , wherein the first motor rotates a first drive pinion directly coupled to the intermediate link.

3. The mechanical finger of claim 1 , wherein the second motor rotates a second drive pinion coupled to the first cable.

4. The mechanical finger of claim 1 , wherein the third motor rotates a third drive pinion coupled to the second cable.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 21, 2017
From: SANDIA CORPORATION
To: NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC
Reel/Frame 043618/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2016
From: DULLEA, KEVIN J.
To: SANDIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040400/0224 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Mar 17, 2016
From: SANDIA CORPORATION
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 038129/0750 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 14047625 · Oct 7, 2013
Provisional Application 61817555 · Apr 30, 2013