Vacuum gripper accessories

Abstract

An accessory 10 (and 40, Fig 4) for attachment to a vacuum gripper 70 comprises a first section 12 (42) for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper 70, and a second section 14 (44) for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper 70. First section 12 (42) and second section 14 (44) are separable from one another when detached from vacuum gripper 70. Accessory 10 (40) can enhance the utility of vacuum gripper 70, by providing an ergonomic handle arrangement or a secure tethering point, whilst also being attachable to vacuum gripper 70. It is also storable in a compact manner. Other shown components include elongate cylindrical handles 16, 18 fastened by threaded mounting bolts 20, with quick release cam levers 22 received in lateral slots 21. Fixing plates 12, 14, with planar surfaces 13, 15, have fixing points / through holes 24 to receive threaded fixing bolts 26.

Description

The present invention relates to accessories for attachment to a vacuum gripper. The present invention also relates to kits, apparatus and methods incorporating such accessories. Vacuum grippers are used to carry heavy or awkward loads, such as sheets of material, glass, tiles, paving slabs, etc., around work sites. Vacuum grippers typically comprise a vacuum pad for contacting the load and a vacuum-creating mechanism, such as a pump, for selectively reducing the pressure in the region between the vacuum pad and the load, thereby selectively attaching the vacuum pad to the load. Vacuum grippers also typically comprise a grip that allows the vacuum gripper and its attached load to be moved manually. However, the size and simplicity of the grip can limit the usefulness of the vacuum gripper. It is therefore desired to provide accessories which improve the utility of vacuum grippers. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, wherein the first section and the second section are separable from one another when detached from the vacuum gripper. As will be appreciated, the accessories described herein can increase the utility of a vacuum gripper. For example, the accessories can provide a more ergonomic handle arrangement and / or can provide a secure but repositionable tethering point, e.g. for tethering a ladder to a wall. Furthermore, the accessories can be attached to the vacuum gripper in a convenient manner by attaching the first section at the first side of the vacuum gripper and by attaching the second section at the second side of the vacuum gripper. Moreover, when detached from the vacuum gripper, the accessories can be extremely compact since the first section and the second section are separable from one another. This can facilitate storage of the accessories when not in use. In embodiments, the first section and / or the second section may each comprise a (e.g. planar) plate section. Thus, the first section may comprise a first plate section and the second section may comprise a second plate section. A planar surface of the first section and / or a planar surface of the second section may each be substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the vacuum pad in use. In some embodiments, the first section and / or the second section may each be formed of a metallic material, such as steel or aluminium. In other embodiments, the first section and / or the second section may each be formed of a plastic material. The first section and / or the second section may each be formed of and from a (e.g. single) sheet of material. In some embodiments, the sheet of material may not be folded or moulded to shape. Thus, the first section and / or the second section may each be entirely planar and / or may not be in contact with one another when attached to the vacuum gripper in use. In other embodiments, the sheet of material may be folded or moulded to shape. Thus, the first section and / or the second section may each not be entirely planar and / or may be in contact with one another when attached to the vacuum gripper in use. In embodiments, the first section and the second section may be held in position relative to one another by the vacuum gripper. Thus, the first section and the second section may be held in position relative to one another when (and e.g. only when) attached to the vacuum gripper in use. In some embodiments, the first section and the second section may also be held in position relative to one another by joining means, e.g. in addition to the vacuum gripper. In these embodiments, the first section and the second section may be (indirectly or directly) securable to one another by joining means, e.g. in addition to the vacuum gripper. The first section and the second section may be repeatably securable to and detachable from one another by the joining means. The first section and the second section may be securable to one another using one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g. threaded fasteners, such as bolts or screws, or non-threaded fasteners, such as pins or studs). The one or more mechanical fasteners may each extend (at least partially or entirely) between the first section and the second section. The one or more mechanical fasteners may each be secured in place using a quick release mechanism (e.g. a cam lever). In other embodiments, the first section and the second section may not be held in position relative to one another by any additional joining means, i.e. in addition to the vacuum gripper. In these other embodiments, the first section and the second section may not be (indirectly or directly) securable to one another by any additional joining means, i.e. in addition to the vacuum gripper. In some embodiments, the accessory may comprise one or more handles. The one or more handles may extend (at least partially or entirely) between the first section and the second section. For example, the one or more handles may comprise a pair of handles extending between the first section and the second section. In these embodiments, the one or more handles may comprise a first handle located at a first end of the accessory and / or a second handle located at a second end of the accessory. When attached to a vacuum gripper in use, the first end of the accessory may be further above the planar surface of the vacuum pad than a central portion of the accessory and / or the second end of the accessory may be further above the planar surface of the vacuum pad than a central portion of the accessory. Thus, when attached to a vacuum gripper in use, the one or more handles may be further above the planar surface of the vacuum pad than a central portion of the accessory. These embodiments can provide greater clearance between the one or more handles and the planar surface of the vacuum pad to facilitate use of the one or more handles. The one or more handles may each comprise an elongate and / or substantially cylindrical handle. The one or more handles may each extend substantially parallel to the planar surface of the vacuum pad. The one or more handles may each extend substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the first section and / or substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the second section. The one or more handles may each be mounted between the first section and the second section. In some cases, the one or more handles may not be rotatably mounted between the first section and the second section. This can allow the operator to have a more stable grip on the accessory. In other cases, the one or more handles may each be rotatably mounted between the first section and the second section. The axis of rotation may be substantially parallel to the planar surface of the vacuum pad in use. The axis of rotation may be substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the first section and / or substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the second section. This can allow the operator to have a somewhat adjustable grip on the accessory but without needing to loosen that grip. In either case, the one or more handles may be mounted in position between the first section and the second section using one or more mechanical fasteners. The one or more handles may each comprise one or more bores each for receiving one or more mechanical fasteners therein or therethrough. As discussed above, the one or more mechanical fasteners may also secure the first section and the second section together, i.e. indirectly via the one or more handles. The first section may have one or more securing points (e.g. slots or through-holes) for receiving one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g. laterally or axially) therein and / or the second section may have one or more securing points (e.g. slots or through-holes) for receiving one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g. laterally or axially) therein. As discussed above, the one or more mechanical fasteners may each be secured in place using a quick release mechanism (e.g. a cam lever). These embodiments can provide a convenient way in which to secure the first section, the second section and the one or more handles together. In some cases, the one or more mechanical fasteners may not allow rotation of the handle thereabout as discussed above, e.g. the one or more mechanical fasteners may clamp the handle to prevent rotation. In other cases, the one or more mechanical fasteners may allow rotation of the handle thereabout as discussed above. These embodiments having one or more handles extending between the first section and the second section can allow for more ergonomic manipulation of a vacuum gripper and load attached thereto. Indeed, it is believed that these features are advantageous in their own right, and not merely in combination with the other features of the accessories described herein. Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, and one or more handles extending between the first section and the second section. The present invention in this aspect may comprise any one or more or all of the features of any other aspect or embodiment as described herein as appropriate. In any of the above aspects or embodiments, the accessory (e.g. the first section and / or the second section) may comprise one or more apertures for receiving a tethering attachment (e.g. a clip or carabiner). For example, the one or more apertures may comprise a first aperture on the first section and / or a second aperture on the second section. The first aperture and the second aperture may be substantially aligned with one another when the first section and the second section are attached to the vacuum gripper in use. Thus, a single tethering attachment may be receivable through both the first aperture and the second aperture in use. The first section and / or the second section may each comprise a flange having an aperture for receiving a tethering attachment. Thus, the first section may comprise a first flange having the first aperture and / or the second section may comprise a second flange having the second aperture. The first flange may be provided by folding or moulding a (e.g. single sheet of) material which forms the first section and / or the second flange may be provided by folding or moulding a (e.g. single sheet of) material which forms the second section as discussed above. The first flange and the second flange may be in contact with one another when the first section and the second section are attached to the vacuum gripper in use. In some embodiments, the first flange and the second flange may not be secured to each other when the first section and the second section are attached to the vacuum gripper in use. This can allow for rapid assembly and disassembly of the accessory when attached to the vacuum gripper. However, in other embodiments, the first flange and the second flange may be secured to each other, e.g. with mechanical fasteners. These embodiments in which the accessory comprises one or more apertures for receiving a tethering attachment can provide a convenient way in which to create a robust tethering point using the vacuum gripper. For example, the vacuum gripper may be secured to a (substantially vertical) structural surface, such as a wall, and then used to tether another object, such as a ladder, in position relative to that surface. This can avoid the need to use a conventional method of creating a tethering point in which a hole is drilled in the surface and then a tethering eyelet is secured in the hole, which can be a messy and damaging process. Indeed, it is believed that these features are advantageous in their own right, and not merely in combination with the other features of the accessories described herein. Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, wherein the accessory comprises one or more apertures for receiving a tethering attachment. The present invention in this aspect may comprise any one or more or all of the features of any other aspect or embodiment as described herein as appropriate. In any of the above aspects or embodiments, the first (e.g. plate) section and / or the second (e.g. plate) section may comprise one or more fixing points for attaching the accessory to the vacuum gripper. The one or more fixing points may be substantially aligned with one or more corresponding fixing points (e.g. lugs) on the vacuum gripper in use. One or more fixing points may be located on the first section and / or one or more fixing points may be located on the second section. For example, a first pair of fixing points may be located on the first section and / or a second pair of fixing points may be located on the second section. In some embodiments, the one or more fixing points may comprise one or more through-holes for receiving mechanical fixings (e.g. threaded fixings, such as bolts or screws, and / or non-threaded fixings, such as pins or studs) to be coupled to (e.g. lugs of) the vacuum gripper. The one or more fixing points may also or instead comprise one or more mechanical fixings (e.g. threaded fixings, such as bolts or screws, and / or non-threaded fixings, such as pins or studs) to be coupled to (e.g. lugs of) the vacuum gripper. In other embodiments, the one or more fixing points may comprise one or more hooks for coupling the accessory to (e.g. lugs of) the vacuum gripper. The one or more hooks may be provided by folding or moulding a (e.g. single sheet of) material which forms the first section and / or by folding or moulding a (e.g. single sheet of) material which forms the second section as discussed above. The one or more hooks may each have a planar surface which is substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the vacuum pad in use. The one or more hooks may each have a planar surface which is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the first section and / or substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the second section. The one or more hooks may each have an opening which faces in an outward direction, i.e. away from the vacuum gripper in use. These embodiments can help to prevent the hooks from becoming detached from the vacuum gripper upon movement in an outward direction away from the vacuum gripper in use. As will be appreciated, the hooks may also be prevented from becoming detached from the vacuum gripper by the contact between the (e.g. flanges of the) sections and / or by the body of the vacuum gripper itself upon movement in an inward direction, i.e. towards the vacuum gripper in use. These embodiments in which the accessory comprises one or more fixing points in the form of one or more hooks for coupling the accessory to the vacuum gripper can provide an even more convenient way in which to attach the accessory to the vacuum gripper. Indeed, it is believed that these features are advantageous in their own right, and not merely in combination with the other features of the accessories described herein. Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, wherein the accessory comprises one or more fixing points in the form of one or more hooks for coupling the accessory to the vacuum gripper. The present invention in this aspect may comprise any one or more or all of the features of any other aspect or embodiment as described herein as appropriate. In any of the above aspects or embodiments, one or more gaps may be provided between the first section and the second section. The one or more gaps may allow access to one or more features of the vacuum gripper when the accessory is attached thereto. For example, the one or more gaps may allow access to one or more of: a vacuum mechanism compartment (e.g. to allow air egress / ingress); a power source compartment (e.g. to allow a battery to be replaced); a power control (e.g. to allow the vacuum gripper to be powered on and / or off); an activate control (e.g. to allow the vacuum mechanism to be activated); a deactivate control (e.g. to allow the vacuum mechanism to be deactivated); a vacuum release control (e.g. to allow the vacuum gripper to be released from the load); and a pressure gauge (e.g. to allow the extent of the vacuum to be monitored). According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising a vacuum gripper and one or more accessories as described herein in any aspect or embodiment for attachment thereto. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a vacuum gripper having an accessory as described herein in any aspect or embodiment attached thereto. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of constructing an apparatus as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the method comprising attaching the accessory to the vacuum gripper. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manipulating a load using an apparatus as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the method comprising: attaching the vacuum gripper to the load; and using the accessory to lift the vacuum gripper and the load. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of creating a tethering point using an apparatus as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the method comprising: attaching the vacuum gripper to a surface; and using the accessory as the tethering point. In embodiments, the vacuum gripper may comprise one or more vacuum pads for selective attachment to a load or surface. The vacuum gripper may comprise a vacuum mechanism (e.g. a pump) for selectively reducing the pressure in the region between the one or more vacuum pads and the load or surface thereby selectively attaching the one or more vacuum pads to the load or surface. The vacuum gripper may comprise a vacuum mechanism compartment for housing the vacuum mechanism. The vacuum mechanism may be mechanical or electro-mechanical. The vacuum gripper may comprise a power source for powering the vacuum mechanism. The power source may comprise one or more (e.g. rechargeable) batteries. The vacuum gripper may comprise a power source compartment for housing the power source. The compartment may have a removeable cover for allowing access to the power source. The vacuum gripper may comprise a (e.g. elongate) grip for directly manipulating a load when the vacuum gripper is not attached to an accessory. The grip may extend between compartments of the vacuum gripper. The vacuum gripper may be (e.g. removably) attached to an accessory as discussed above. The vacuum gripper may comprise one or more fixing points (e.g. lugs) for attaching the vacuum gripper to the accessory as discussed above. The one or more fixing points (e.g. lugs) of the vacuum gripper may be substantially aligned with one or more corresponding fixing points (e.g. through-holes, mechanical fixings, and / or hooks) of the accessory in use. The vacuum gripper may comprise a power control for powering the vacuum gripper on and / or off. The vacuum gripper may comprise an activate control for activating the vacuum mechanism. The vacuum gripper may comprise a deactivate control for deactivating the vacuum mechanism. The vacuum gripper may comprise a vacuum release control for selectively increasing (e.g. via a vent to the surrounding atmosphere) the pressure in the region between the one or more vacuum pads and the load or surface thereby selectively detaching the one or more vacuum pads from the load or surface. The vacuum gripper may comprise a pressure gauge for indicating the pressure in the region between the one or more vacuum pads and the load or surface. By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention when attached to a vacuum gripper; Figure 2 is a side view of the accessory of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the accessory of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an accessory according to another embodiment of the present invention for attachment to a vacuum gripper; Figure 5 is a side view of the accessory of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an end view of the accessory of Figure 4; Figure 7 A is a schematic side view of a vacuum gripper for attachment to the accessory of Figure 1 or Figure 4; and Figure 7B is a schematic top view of the vacuum gripper of Figure 7A. Figures 1-3 show an accessory 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention when attached to a vacuum gripper 70. The vacuum gripper 70 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. The accessory 10 comprises a first plate section 12 attached at a first side of the vacuum gripper 70, with a planar surface 13 of the first plate section 12 being perpendicular to a planar surface of the vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70. The accessory 10 further comprises a second plate section 14 attached at a second side of the vacuum gripper 70, again with a planar surface 15 of the second plate section 14 being perpendicular to the planar surface of the vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70. The first plate section 12 and second plate section 14 are each formed of a single flat sheet of metallic material, such as steel or aluminium. As is shown, a gap G is provided between the first plate section 12 and second plate section 14 to allow access to various features of the vacuum gripper 70. The first plate section 12 and the second plate section 14 are held in position relative to one another by the vacuum gripper 70. The first plate section 12 and the second plate section 14 are also held in position relative to one another by a first elongate cylindrical handle 16 that extends between the first plate section 12 and the second plate section 14 at a first end of the accessory 10 and by a second elongate cylindrical handle 18 that extends between the first plate section 12 and the second plate section 14 at a second end of the accessory 10. As is shown, the handles 16, 18 are mounted so as to be parallel to the planar surface of the vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70 and so as to be perpendicular to the planar surfaces 13, 15 of the plate sections 12, 14. The handles 16, 18 are secured in position using mechanical fasteners in the form of threaded mounting bolts 20 which extend through bores in the handles 16, 18. The mounting bolts 20 are received laterally in slots 21 in the plate sections 12, 14. The mounting bolts 20 are secured in place using quick release mechanisms in the form of cam levers 22. In this embodiment, the handles 16, 18 are clamped into position by the cam levers 22 so as to be unable to rotate, but in other embodiments a rotational mounting may be provided. As is shown, the first and second ends of the accessory 10 are further above the planar surface of the vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70 than a central portion of the accessory 10. This provides a greater clearance to facilitate use of the handles 16,18. The plate sections 12, 14 each further comprise fixing points for attaching the accessory 10 to the vacuum gripper 70. In this embodiment, the fixing points are in the form of a pair of fixing through-holes 24, a pair of threaded fixing bolts 26, and a pair of internally threaded studs 28 for each plate section 12, 14. The threaded fixing bolts 26 are received through the fixing through-holes 24 and secure the studs 28 to the plate sections 12, 14. The studs 28 are aligned with corresponding fixing points (see lugs 88 in Figures 7A and 7B) on the vacuum gripper 70. In this embodiment, the first plate section 12 and the second plate section 14 are separable from one another when detached from the vacuum gripper 70. This is achieved by releasing the cam levers 22, sliding the mounting bolts 20 laterally out of the slots 21 and removing the studs 28 from the lugs 88. This can allow compact storage of the accessory 10 when not in use. Figures 4-6 show an accessory 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention for attaching to a vacuum gripper 70. The vacuum gripper 70 is not shown in these figures but again is described in detail below with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. The accessory 40 comprises a first plate section 42 for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper 70, with a planar surface 43 of the first plate section 42 being perpendicular to a planar surface of a vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70. The accessory 40 further comprises a second plate section 44 for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper 70, again with a planar surface 45 of the second plate section 44 being perpendicular to the planar surface of the vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70. The first plate section 42 and second plate section 44 are each formed of a single sheet of metallic material, such as steel or aluminium, which is folded to form various features as discussed below. As is shown, gaps G are provided between the first plate section 42 and second plate section 44 to allow access to various features of the vacuum gripper 70 when attached thereto. The first plate section 42 further comprises a first flange 46 formed by folds in the first plate section 42. The second plate section 44 also further comprises a second flange 48 formed by folds in the second plate section 44. As is shown, the flanges 46, 48 have planar surfaces 47, 49 which are parallel to the planar surfaces 43, 45 of the plate sections 42, 44 and thus are perpendicular to the planar surface of the vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70. In use, when attached to the vacuum gripper 70, the flanges 46, 48 are placed in contact with, but not secured to, one another. The first flange 46 of the first plate section 42 comprises a first aperture 50 and the second flange 48 of the second plate section 44 comprises a second aperture 52, which in use is aligned with the first aperture 50 for receiving a tethering attachment, such as a clip or carabiner, therethrough. The plate sections 42, 44 further comprise fixing points in the form of a pair of hooks 54 on each plate section 42, 44, which attach the accessory 40 to the vacuum gripper 70 and secure the plate sections 42, 44 in position relative to one another. The hooks 54 are formed by folds in the first plate section 42 and second plate section 44. As is shown, the hooks 54 have planar surfaces 56 which are perpendicular to the planar surfaces 43, 45 of the plate sections 42, 44 and which are perpendicular to the planar surface of the vacuum pad of the vacuum gripper 70. The hooks 54 are aligned with corresponding fixing points (see lugs 88 in Figures 7A and 7B) on the vacuum gripper 70. The hooks 54 each have an opening 58 which faces in an outward direction away from the vacuum gripper 70 in use. The hooks 54 can be inserted through the lugs 88. The upper portions of the plate sections 42, 44 can then be brought into contact with each other at the flanges 46, 48 (as shown in these figures). A tethering attachment, such as a clip or carabiner, can then be used to prevent the upper portions of the plate sections 42, 44 from being moved away from each other and thus prevent the hooks 54 from being removed from the lugs 88. In this embodiment, the first plate section 42 and the second plate section 44 are separable from one another when detached from the vacuum gripper 70. This is achieved simply by removing any tethering attachments, moving the plate sections 42, 44 away from each other, and then removing the hooks 54 from the lugs 88. This can allow compact storage of the accessory 40 when not in use. However, in other embodiments, the upper portions (e.g. the flanges 46, 48) of the plate sections 42, 44 may be secured together by mechanical fasteners (e.g. bolts or screws). In these embodiments, the lower portions of the plate sections 42, 44 may be squeezed together against the resilient force separating the lower portions of the plate sections 42, 44 so as to insert the hooks 54 into the lugs 88. The resilient force separating the lower portions of the plate sections 42, 44 will then retain the accessory 40 in place on the vacuum gripper 70. It will be appreciated that the embodiments of Figures 1 and 4 may be combined to form further embodiments. For example, the flanges 46, 48, apertures 50, 52, and / or hooks 54 of the accessory of Figure 4 could be provided on the accessory of Figure 1. Figures 7A and 7B show a vacuum gripper 70 which can be attached to either of the accessories 10, 40 described above. The vacuum gripper 70 comprises a vacuum pad 72 for selective attachment to a sheet load 71. Alternatively, the vacuum pad 72 may be selectively attached to a structural surface, such as a vertical surface of a wall. The vacuum gripper 70 also comprises a vacuum pump mechanism (not visible), which is housed in vacuum mechanism compartment 74 for selectively reducing the pressure in a region between the vacuum pad 72 and the load or surface. The vacuum gripper 70 further comprises a removable and rechargeable battery power source (not visible), which is housed in power source compartment 76, for powering the vacuum mechanism. The battery power source can be accessed by removing a cover 77, thereby allowing the battery power source to be removed and replaced. The vacuum gripper 70 further comprises an elongate grip 78 that extends between compartments 74, 76 for directly manipulating a load when the vacuum gripper 70 is not attached to an accessory. The vacuum gripper 70 further comprises a slidable power control switch 80 for powering the vacuum gripper 70 on and off, a combined activate / deactivate control button 82 that can be toggled for activating / deactivating the vacuum mechanism, a vacuum release control button 84 for selectively detaching the vacuum pad 72 from the load or surface 5 by opening a vent (not visible) from the vacuum region to the surrounding atmospheric pressure, and a pressure gauge 86 for indicating the pressure in the region between the vacuum pad 72 and the load or surface. The vacuum gripper 70 is removably mountable to the accessory 10 or accessory 40 as described above. To this end, the vacuum gripper 70 comprises four fixing lugs 88 which 10 align with four fixing points on the plate sections 12, 14 of the accessory 10. The studs 28 can be inserted through the fixing lugs 88 as discussed above. Alternatively, as discussed above, the four fixing lugs 88 align with the four hooks 54 on the plate sections 42, 44 of accessory 40. The hooks 54 can be inserted into the fixing lugs 88 as discussed above.

Claims

1. An accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, wherein the first section and the second section are separable from one another when detached from the vacuum gripper.

2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises one or more handles extending between the first section and the second section.

3. An accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, and one or more handles extending between the first section and the second section.

4. An accessory as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the one or more handles comprises a first handle located at a first end of the accessory and a second handle located at a second end of the accessory.

5. An accessory as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the one or more handles each comprise an elongate and / or substantially cylindrical handle.

6. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 2-5, wherein the one or more handles each extend substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the first section and / or substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the second section.

7. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 2-6, wherein the one or more handles are each mounted in position between the first section and the second section using one or more mechanical fasteners.

8. An accessory as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first section has one or more slots for receiving one or more mechanical fasteners therein and the second section has one or more slots for receiving one or more mechanical fasteners therein.

9. An accessory as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the one or more mechanical fasteners are each secured in place using a quick release mechanism.

10. An accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory comprises one or more apertures for receiving a tethering attachment.

11. An accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, wherein the accessory comprises one or more apertures for receiving a tethering attachment.

12. An accessory as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the one or more apertures comprises a first aperture on the first section and a second aperture on the second section.

13. An accessory as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned with one another when the first section and the second section are attached to the vacuum gripper in use.

14. An accessory as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the first section comprises a first flange having the first aperture and the second section comprises a second flange having the second aperture.

15. An accessory as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first flange and the second flange are in contact with one another when the first section and the second section are attached to the vacuum gripper in use.

16. An accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first section and / or the second section comprises one or more fixing points for attaching the accessory to the vacuum gripper.

17. An accessory as claimed in claim 16, wherein the one or more fixing points comprises one or more hooks for coupling the accessory to the vacuum gripper.

18. An accessory for attachment to a vacuum gripper, the accessory comprising: a first section for attachment at a first side of the vacuum gripper and a second section for attachment at a second side of the vacuum gripper, wherein the accessory comprises one or more fixing points in the form of one or more hooks for coupling the accessory to the vacuum gripper.

19. An accessory as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the one or more hooks each have a planar surface which is substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the first section and / or substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the second section.

20. An accessory as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the one or more hooks each have an opening which faces in an outward direction away from the vacuum gripper in use.

21. A kit comprising a vacuum gripper and one or more accessories as claimed in any one of claims 1-20 for attachment thereto.

22. An apparatus comprising a vacuum gripper having an accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1-20 attached thereto.

23. A method of constructing an apparatus as claimed in claim 22, the method comprising attaching the accessory to the vacuum gripper.

24. A method of manipulating a load using an apparatus as claimed in claim22, the method comprising: attaching the vacuum gripper to the load; and using 5 the accessory to lift the vacuum gripper and the load.

25. A method of creating a tethering point using an apparatus as claimed in claim 22, the method comprising: attaching the vacuum gripper to a surface; and using the accessory as the tethering point.23

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