Gripping Arm Bias Shuttle for Selective One-Handed Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gripping devices, such as forceps and pliers, lack a selectively engageable and disengageable bias mechanism that allows for variable force application without requiring removal or repositioning of the bias device, making them inconvenient and prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a working arm with a shuttle and a bias device that biases the arm when the shuttle is in a specific position, allowing for adjustable force application by changing the shuttle's position, enabling engagement and disengagement without moving the bias device, and allowing for one-handed operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bias device is permanently attached to the gripping device to always bias the arms apart, then the arms are consistently biased open, but the device cannot be disconnected or adjusted and may become lost or damaged over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistent bias forceVSAvoidselective engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bias device is made selectively engageable and disengageable through a shuttle mechanism that can be moved between positions. The shuttle has a first position where the bias device engages to apply bias force, and a second position where it disengages to release the bias force, allowing dynamic control of the bias state without permanent attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shuttle acts as an intermediary component between the bias device and the working arms. It transfers the bias force when in the first position and blocks or redirects it when in the second position, enabling selective engagement without direct permanent connection between the bias device and the arms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a removable bias device is added to allow disengagement, then the device can be detached, but it may become lost or damaged over time such that the application of force is changed or is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisengageable biasVSAvoidforce application consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bias device and shuttle mechanism are merged into a single integrated assembly that cannot be separated. The bias device is permanently attached to the shuttle, which moves with the working arms, ensuring the bias mechanism remains part of the gripping device and cannot become lost or damaged independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bias device is nested within or integrated into the shuttle structure, which itself is part of the working arm assembly. This nested arrangement ensures that the bias device moves with the shuttle and working arms, maintaining reliable connection without requiring separate attachment or removal operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Force

If a bias device directly imparts force on both arms to move them apart, then the arms are directly biased open, but the device cannot apply variable force or target individual arms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebias force applicationVSAvoidvariable force and selective targeting

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bias device is configured to apply force locally to specific portions of the working arms rather than uniformly to both arms. The shuttle mechanism allows the bias force to be applied selectively to individual arms or different portions of arms, enabling variable force application and individual arm control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bias force magnitude and distribution are made dynamic through the shuttle mechanism. By moving the shuttle between positions, the bias device can vary the amount of force applied and selectively target different arms or arm portions, transforming a static force application system into a dynamic one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a gripping device with a bias mechanism that can be easily activated and deactivated with one hand, applying variable forces to one or more arms, enhancing usability and reducing the risk of damage.

Implementation Method 1

a bias device; wherein the bias device biases the first working arm when the shuttle is in a first position, and wherein the bias device is free of biasing the first working arm when the shuttle is in a second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12257690B2Bias device for biasing a gripping device by biasing working arms apart

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 GYRUS ACMI INC

AI summary

A device comprising: (a) a first working arm; (b) a shuttle located on the first working arm, and (c) a bias device; wherein the bias device biases the first working arm when the shuttle is in a first position, and wherein the bias device is free of biasing the first working arm when the shuttle is in a second position.