Grappling device

Claim 2

A grappling device comprising (a) a grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof along a grappling axis, (b) at least two flexible grappling cables of a fixed length having opposite ends mounted on said grappling head at the grappling window, at least one end of each of said grappling cables being movable relative to said grappling head in the plane of said grappling window between a first position in which said grappling cables are taut and extend across the grappling window at uniformly spaced circumferential intervals to intersect one another and to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which a component may be securely located with respect to said head by engagement with said grappling cables and a second position in which the grappling aperture is substantially enlarged without increasing the length of the grappling cables to admit a component thereto, and (c) drive means mounted on the grappling head for moving the grappling cables between said first and second positions.

Claim 3

A grappling device as claimed in claim 1 having three flexible grappling cables.

Claim 4

A grappling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each cable has a first end and a second end, said first end of each cable being secured with respect to said grappling head against angular movement about said grappling axis, said second end of each cable being mounted for angular movement about said grappling axis in a direction towards and away from its first end whereby each cable may be tightened to assume said first position and slackened to assume said second position.

Claim 5

A grappling device as claimed in claim 3 including means for urging each said cables radially outwardly from said grappling axis to assume a concave curvature about said grappling axis in response to movement of said cables to said second position.

Claim 6

A grappling device as claimed in claim 4 including a collar mounted on said head for rotation about said grappling axis, each of said second ends of said cables being mounted on said collar for rotation about said grappling axis between said first and second positions.

Claim 7

A grappling device as claimed in claim 5 wherein each cable is interwoven with respect to each adjacent cable when in said first position to transmit a load applied in the direction of the grappling axis to one another.

Claim 8

A grappling device as claimed in claim 1 including a housing, said grappling head being mounted in said housing for movement relative to said housing in a direction parallel to said grappling axis to apply a load to a component secured in said grappling aperture tending to draw the component inwardly of the housing.

Claim 9

A grappling device as claimed in claim 7 including stop means mounted on said housing and disposed radially outwardly from said grappling axis for engaging a portion of the component secured by the grappling head so as to prevent relative rotational movement of said housing with respect to the component when the component is secured by the grappling head.

Claim 10

A grappling device comprising (a) a housing having a grappling chamber formed therein, said grappling chamber having a grappling axis extending longitudinally thereof, (b) a grappling head mounted in said grappling chamber for movement relative to said housing in the direction of the grappling axis, said grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof about said grappling axis, (c) first drive means for driving said grappling head relative to said housing in a direction parallel to said grappling axis, (d) a grappling collar mounted in said head for rotation about said grappling axis, (e) flexible grappling cables each having a first end and a second end, the first ends of said grappling cables being mounted in said grappling head at 120° intervals about said grappling axis, the second end of each cable being mounted in said collar at 120° intervals about said grappling axis, (f) second drive means for rotatably driving said grappling collar relative to said grappling head about said grappling axis, said second drive means being operable to rotate said collar to move said second ends of said flexible cables between a first position in which the cables are taut and extend across the grappling window at 120° circumferentially spaced intervals to intersect one another to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which a component may be securely located with respect to said housing by engagement with the grappling cables and a second position in which the first and second ends of each cable are more closely adjacent one another, (g) deflection means at at least one end of each cable for urging each of said cables radially outwardly from said grappling axis to assume a concave curvature about said grappling axis when said cables are in said second position.

Claim 11

A grappling device comprising (a) a housing having a grappling chamber formed therein, said grappling chamber having a grappling axis extending longitudinally thereof, (b) a grappling head mounted in said grappling chamber for movement relative to said housing in the direction of the grappling axis, said grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof about said grappling axis, (c) first drive means for driving said grappling head relative to said housing in a direction parallel to said grappling axis, (d) a grappling collar mounted in said head for rotation about said grappling axis, (e) flexible grappling cables each having a first end and a second end, the first ends of said grappling cables being mounted in said grappling head at 120° intervals about said grappling axis, the second end of each cable being mounted in said collar at 120° intervals about said grappling axis, (f) second drive means for rotatably driving said grappling collar relative to said grappling head about said grappling axis, said second drive means being operable to rotate said collar to move said second ends of said flexible cables between a first position in which the cables are taut and extend across the grappling window at 120° circumferentially spaced intervals to intersect one another to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which a component may be securely located with respect to said housing by engagement with the grappling cables and a second position in which the first and second ends of each cable are more closely adjacent one another, (g) deflection means at at least one end of each cable for urging each of said cables radially outwardly from said grappling axis to assume a concave curvature about said grappling axis when said cables are in said second position.

Claim 12

A coupler comprising (a) a first component in the form of a grappling device, (b) a second component connectible to said first component, (c) said grappling device consisting of; (i) a grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof along a grappling axis, (ii) at least three flexible grappling cables mounted in said grappling head for movement between a first position in which they are taut and extend across the grappling window at uniformly spaced circumferential intervals and are interwoven to intersect one another to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which said second component may be securely located with respect to said head by engagement with said grappling cables and a second position in which the grappling aperture is substantially enlarged to admit a component thereto, and (iii) drive means mounted on said grappling head for moving said grappling cables between said first and second positions, (d) said second component consisting of; (i) a shaft having a longitudinally extending axis, said shaft having a free end and an enlarged head portion at said free end, (ii) three grooves formed in the surface of said shaft adjacent said free end inwardly from said enlarged head, said grooves extending transversely of said longitudinal axis in planes which are circumferentially spaced about said longitudinal axis at 120° intervals with respect to one another in a triangular configuration, said grooves extending in transverse planes which are obliquely inclined with respect to said longitudinal axis and are arranged such that each end of each groove is laterally displaced on opposite sides of the ends of each adjacent groove in a configuration corresponding to the interwoven configuration of the cables bounding on the grappling aperture of the first component.

Claim 13

A coupler comprising (a) a first component in the form of a grappling device, (b) a second component connectible to said first component, (c) said grappling device consisting of; (i) a grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof along a grappling axis, (ii) at least three flexible grappling cables mounted in said grappling head for movement between a first position in which they are taut and extend across the grappling window at uniformly spaced circumferential intervals and are interwoven to intersect one another to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which said second component may be securely located with respect to said head by engagement with said grappling cables and a second position in which the grappling aperture is substantially enlarged to admit a component thereto, and (iii) drive means mounted on said grappling head for moving said grappling cables between said first and second positions, (d) said second component consisting of; (i) a shaft having a longitudinally extending axis, said shaft having a free end and an enlarged head portion at said free end, (ii) three grooves formed in the surface of said shaft adjacent said free end inwardly from said enlarged head, said grooves extending transversely of said longitudinal axis in planes which are circumferentially spaced about said longitudinal axis at 120° intervals with respect to one another in a triangular configuration, said grooves extending in transverse planes which are obliquely inclined with respect to said longitudinal axis and are arranged such that each end of each groove is laterally displaced on opposite sides of the ends of each adjacent groove in a configuration corresponding to the interwoven configuration of the cables bounding on the grappling aperture of the first component.

Claim 14

A coupler as claimed in claim 10 wherein said shaft has a triangular cross-sectional configuration disposed about 7° out of phase with the triangular configuration of said grooves.

Claim 15

A coupler as claimed in claim 10 wherein said grappling device has a face plate mounted on said head outwardly from said head, said face plate having a passage opening therethrough, said passage having a plurality of recesses extending radially outwardly from said gripping axis, said second component having torque shoulders mounted adjacent said shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom to drivingly engage said recesses of said passage of said face plate such that said first component may apply to torque to said second component to rotatably drive said second component about said grappling axis.

Claim 16

A coupler as claimed in claim 10 wherein; (a) said first component has; (i) a face plate mounted on said head outwardly from said grappling window, said face plate having a square passage opening therethrough in axial alignment with said grappling axis, (b) said second component has; (i) a pair of ridges projecting radially outwardly from said shaft and diverging in a direction rearwardly from said head, said ridges having rounded outer edge which engages the edge of said square passage and slides thereon in response to movement of said first and second components towards one another until they are located at opposite corners of said square configuration of said passage in rotational driving engagement with said face plate.

Claim 17

A coupler comprising (a) a male component and a female component, (b) said female component consisting of; (i) a first frame, (ii) a face plate at one end of said first frame, (iii) a passage opening through said face plate, said passage having a central axis and a peripheral edge extending about said central axis, (iv) a plurality of recesses in said peripheral edge extending radially outwardly from said central axis, (v) grappling means in said frame, (c) said male component consisting of; (i) a second frame, (ii) a shaft mounted in said second frame and projecting outwardly therefrom, said shaft having a longitudinal axis, (iii) said frame having torque shoulders spaced radially outwardly from and directed radially outwardly from said shaft, (d) said grappling means being adapted to engage said shaft when said shaft projects through said passage means and operative to draw said torque shoulders into driving engagement with said recesses of said passage in said face plate such that said components may apply a torque to one another whereby one component may be rotatably driven by the other component.

Claim 18

A coupler comprising (a) a male component and a female component, (b) said female component consisting of; (i) a first frame, (ii) a face plate at one end of said first frame, (iii) a passage opening through said face plate, said passage having a central axis and a peripheral edge extending about said central axis, (iv) a plurality of recesses in said peripheral edge extending radially outwardly from said central axis, (v) grappling means in said frame, (c) said male component consisting of; (i) a second frame, (ii) a shaft mounted in said second frame and projecting outwardly therefrom, said shaft having a longitudinal axis, (iii) said frame having torque shoulders spaced radially outwardly from and directed radially outwardly from said shaft, (d) said grappling means being adapted to engage said shaft when said shaft projects through said passage means and operative to draw said torque shoulders into driving engagement with said recesses of said passage in said face plate such that said components may apply a torque to one another whereby one component may be rotatably driven by the other component.

Claim 19

A coupler as claimed in claim 14 wherein said passage means in said face plate is in the form of a square opening and said male component has a pair of ridges projecting radially outwardly from said shaft, said ridges diverging rearwardly from their connection with said shaft, said ridges having rounded outer edges which engage the edge of said square passage and slide therealong in response to movement of the male component towards the female component until said ridges are located at opposite corners of said square configuration of said passage in rotational driving engagement with said face plate.

Claim 20

A grappling device comprising: (a) a grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof along a grappling axis, (b) a collar mounted on said head for rotation about said grappling axis, (c) at least two flexible grappling cables, each grappling cable having a first end mounted on said grappling head and a second end mounted on said collar, said grappling cables being movable, in response to movement of said collar, between a first position in which they are taut and extend across the grappling window at uniformly spaced intervals to intersect one another to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which a component may be securely located with respect to the head by engagement with said grappling cables and a second position in which said grappling aperture is substantially enlarged to admit a component thereto, and (d) drive means mounted on the grappling head for rotatably driving said collar to effect movement of said grappling cables to and fro between said first and second positions.

Claim 21

A grappling device comprising: (a) a grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof along a grappling axis, (b) a collar mounted on said head for rotation about said grappling axis, (c) at least two flexible grappling cables, each grappling cable having a first end mounted on said grappling head and a second end mounted on said collar, said grappling cables being movable, in response to movement of said collar, between a first position in which they are taut and extend across the grappling window at uniformly spaced intervals to intersect one another to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which a component may be securely located with respect to the head by engagement with said grappling cables and a second position in which said grappling aperture is substantially enlarged to admit a component thereto, and (d) drive means mounted on the grappling head for rotatably driving said collar to effect movement of said grappling cables to and fro between said first and second positions.

Claim 22

A grappling device as claimed in claim 16 having three flexible grappling cables.

Claim 23

A grappling device as claimed in claim 17 wherein each grappling cable is interwoven with respect to each adjacent grappling cable when in said first position to transmit a load applied in the direction of the grappling axis to one another.

Claim 24

A grappling device as claimed in claim 16 including means for urging each said grappling cables radially outwardly from said grappling axis to assume a concave curvature about said grappling axis in response to movement of said grappling cables to said second position.

Claim 25

A grappling device as claimed in claim 16 including a housing, said grappling head being mounted in said housing for movement relative to said housing in a direction parallel to said grappling axis to apply a load to a component secured in said grappling aperture tending to draw the component inwardly of the housing.

Claim 26

A grappling device comprising: (a) a grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof along a grappling axis, (b) at least two flexible multi-strand grappling cables having a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit substantial resilient bending thereof, said flexible grappling cables being mounted in said grappling head for movement between a first position in which they are taut and extend across the grappling window at uniformly spaced circumferential intervals to interesect one another and to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which a component may be securely located with respect to said head by engagement with said grappling cables and a second position in which the grappling aperture is substantially enlarged to admit a component thereto, (c) biasing spring means mounted on said head at at least one end of each grappling cable and engaging said grappling cables to constantly urge the grappling cables in a direction towards said second position, (d) drive means mounted on the grappling head for moving the grappling cables between said first and second positions.

Claim 27

A grappling device comprising: (a) a grappling head having a grappling window opening inwardly thereof along a grappling axis, (b) at least two flexible multi-strand grappling cables having a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit substantial resilient bending thereof, said flexible grappling cables being mounted in said grappling head for movement between a first position in which they are taut and extend across the grappling window at uniformly spaced circumferential intervals to interesect one another and to provide a grappling aperture therebetween within which a component may be securely located with respect to said head by engagement with said grappling cables and a second position in which the grappling aperture is substantially enlarged to admit a component thereto, (c) biasing spring means mounted on said head at at least one end of each grappling cable and engaging said grappling cables to constantly urge the grappling cables in a direction towards said second position, (d) drive means mounted on the grappling head for moving the grappling cables between said first and second positions.

Claim 28

A grappling device as claimed in claim 21 having three flexible grappling cables.

Claim 29

A grappling device as claimed in claim 22 wherein each grappling cable is interwoven with respect to each adjacent grappling cable when in said first position to transmit a load applied in the direction of the grappling axis to one another.

Claim 30

A grappling device as claimed in claim 21 wherein each grappling cable has a first end and a second end, said first end of each grappling cable being secured with respect to said grappling head against angular movement about said grappling axis, said second end of each grappling cable being mounted for angular movement about said grappling axis in a direction towards and away from its first end whereby each grappling cable may be tightened to assume said first position and slackened to assume said second position.

Claim 31

A grappling device as claimed in claim 21 including a collar mounted on said head for rotation about said grappling axis, each of said second ends of said grappling cables being mounted on said collar for rotation about said grappling axis between said first and second positions.

Claim 32

A grappling device as claimed in claim 21 including a housing, said grappling head being mounted in said housing for movement relative to said housing in a direction parallel to said grappling axis to apply a load to a component secured in said grappling aperture tending to draw the component inwardly of the housing.