Retrieval device with locking feature
View Patent ↗A retrieval device with a locking feature is provided for recovering objects from wells, pipes, or similar passages. The device includes an arm tube body, a plurality of arms movable between open and closed positions by a control cable, and a locking mechanism configured to secure the control cable when the arms engage a target object. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a lock-off tube and a rocker arm pin that pinches a bridge cable to maintain the arms in a closed position, with a release cable enabling remote unlocking. Springs are employed to manage tension and provide safety redundancy. Gripping features on the arms enhance secure capture of target objects, while an optional camera integrated within the arm tube body provides visual guidance during retrieval. The locking mechanism allows objects to be securely held and selectively released without removing the device from the passage, improving efficiency and reliability of retrieval operations.
1 . A device for locking a cable to prevent it from sliding, comprising:
a control cable with a first end and a second end, and with a main axis along its length;
a body;
a rocker arm pin having a loop on a first end, the loop configured to receive the control cable through its center, the rocker arm pin with a second end that connects to the body, the first end of the rocker arm pin configured to rotate around the second end of the rocker arm pin on an axis orthogonal to the main axis of the control cable from an unlocked position wherein the plane of the loop is substantially orthogonal to the main axis of the control cable to a locked position wherein the plane of the loop is substantially parallel to the main axis of the control cable;
a first spring having a first spring end connected to the first end of the control cable and a second spring end connected to an object;
the loop on the rocker arm pin configured to remain in the unlocked position when a pull force is applied to the second end of the control cable wherein the second end of the control cable is on an opposite side of the loop on the rocker arm pin from the first end of the control cable and the control cable moves in a backward direction through the loop, and the loop configured to move to the locked position when the pull force is withdrawn and the first spring pulls the control cable in a forward direction through the loop and the loop configured to pinch the control cable against the body in the closed position.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a release cable with a first end connected to the rocker arm pin near the first end of the rocker arm pin and the release cable configured to pull the rocker arm pin from the locked position into the unlocked position when a pull force is applied to a second end of the release cable.
3 . The device in claim 1 , further comprising a second spring attached to the control cable on the opposite side of the loop from the first spring, and the second spring having greater tension than the first spring acting as a safety in case the first spring gets overstretched.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the body is a retrieval device and the object connected to the second end of the first spring is an arm cable tube harness on the retrieval device that is connected to a plurality of arms on the retrieval device, and the arms are configured to contract around a target object when a pull force is applied to the second end of the control cable.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the retrieval device is configured to fit inside a narrow passage such as a pipe or well.
6 . The device of claim 4 , further comprising a camera with a camera lens affixed to the retrieval device using a tube clasp, and the camera lens positioned near the plurality of arms and oriented towards the plurality of arms to provide a visual aid for manipulating the plurality of arms around a target object.
7 . The device of claim 4 , further comprising gripping features on the plurality of arms configured to enhance the retrieval of a particular target object.
8 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of arms is made of pre-shaped spring steel enabling the plurality of arms to repeatedly return to an open position when the tension on the control cable is withdrawn.
9 . A retrieval device with locking feature, comprising:
a body;
a plurality of arms attached to a distal end of the body, wherein each arm includes gripping features designed to secure items to be retrieved;
a control cable having a first fixed end and a second free end, wherein the first fixed end is connected to the plurality of arms and the second free end is configured to be pulled by a user to facilitate movement of the arms from an open to a closed position, thereby enabling capture of an item;
a locking mechanism configured to lock the control cable; and,
a separate release cable with a free end configured to be grasped and pulled by a hand of a user to unlock the control cable subsequent to the control cable becoming locked.
10 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the body is configured to lock the control cable when the control cable is pulled a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction.
11 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the retrieval device is configured and sized to fit inside a narrow passage, wherein the narrow passage is at least one of: a pipe or well.
12 . The device of claim 9 , further comprising a camera affixed to the body and oriented towards the plurality of arms to provide a visual aid for manipulating the plurality of arms around a target object.
13 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of arms is made of pre-shaped spring steel enabling the plurality of arms to repeatedly return to an open position when the tension on the control cable is withdrawn.