Grabber Accessory

grabcad

Starting with my previous Deployable Hook/Cam Accessory, I thought that I could create an easy grabber by simply reversing the jaws - no such luck. I ended up having to lengthen the jaws, adding a mounting flange, and most importantly, adding a ratchet feature to keep the jaws from reopening (like a carnival game) when lifting an item. As a passive, spring-loaded (not shown, but springs or elastic bands would attach to RED posts) grabber, this concept has a limited range of motion, but can still be used to grab a handle. The 4-jaw version could be used to pick up balls or grab a flanged connector. This single 3D-printed design is a pivoting, translating assembly that would normally require multiple fabrication (molding or casting, machining) and assembly (bonding or welding, pin insertion) techniques using traditional manufacturing methods.