Patent attributes
The automatically adjusting gripping device grips a workpiece ever more tightly as greater torque is applied thereto. The device has a base plate having a linear guide slot or series of radial guide slots, with a pair of jaws residing in each slot. A torque application component rotates relative to the base plate, and has a cam track of varying diameter in which the heads of the jaws ride. Rotation of the torque application component and cam track relative to the base plate causes the jaw heads to slide along the track due to the jaws being captured within the base plate slot, thereby changing the span between jaws as the cam track diameter varies at the jaw head locations. The gripping device is useful as an adjustable wrench but may be applied to other environments as well, e.g., as an automatic gripping and releasing device in conveyor systems, etc.
