GB931441A - Improvements in or relating to remote operating tools - Google Patents

Abstract

931,441. Handling radio-active material. L. JENKS, and H. S. G. VINER. Aug. 10, 1959 [May 8, 1958], No. 14806/58. Class 39 (4). [Also in Group XXIII] A long arm reacher comprises an arm 1 having at one end a detachably mounted head 5 with jaws 24, 25 and at or towards the other end an actuating member connected to the head by operating means including a rod 7 and a releasable coupling comprising a pair of members 41, 16 which are movable into and out of engagement in the direction of the axis of the arm and include interengaging projection 46 and recess 47 which are biased into operative engagement with each other by means of a spring 68. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the head comprises a curved arm portion 22 with a socket 23 into which the arm portion 2 is fitted, stud 38 engaging longitudinal slot 39 in the portion 2 to prevent relative rotation. The actuating member comprises a handle 3 fixed to the arm and a handle 4 pivoted to the arm at 6 between which is a lever 8 pivoted at 9 carrying a cross-bar 12 through which the end of rod 7 passes. Upward movement of handle 4 causes rod 7 to close the jaws 24, 25 against the bias of spring 37. To disengage bayonet-joint 46, 47 and detach the head, member 16 is rotated against torsion spring 18 by release lever 19 on rod 7 and the handles and arm 2 withdrawn. Square-section shank 42 prevents rotation of member 41. On re-engagement of coupling members 16 and 41 member 16 rotates against the pressure of spring 18 as face 48 of recess 47 contacts projection 46. Holes 56 on socket 23 enable the head to be mounted on a suitable rack or support (54) and a different head fitted. This is of particular use when handling radio-active materials when the arm portion 2 (Fig. 2), may pass through a balljoint 51 in a lead shield 53 and the operating heads are retained within the shield. The handles 3, 4 and hence jaws 24, 25 may be retained in a closed position by engaging the portion 63 of stirrup 61 with serrated surface 65 on the handle 4. An adjustable handle, Fig. 3, may be fitted pivoting on a pin 86 and lockable in position by butterfly nut 77. The arm may comprise a number of sections connected together at angles to each other and the operating means may comprise a plurality of rods connected by one or more pivoted levers. Specifications 632,621, 739,209 and 931,443 are referred to.