A device for gripping an object that includes a main body having a first and a second endplate, a baseplate, at least one guide rail, and a first jaw and a second jaw, each receiving the at least one guide rail. The device also includes a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly respectively attached to the baseplate and a chain loop respectively attached to the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly. The chain loop includes a first chain length and a second chain length and a first link and a second link that attaches the first chain length and the second chain length. Each of the first link and second link include at least one dowel pin. The chain loop is attached to the first jaw and the second jaw by the at least one dowel pin of each of the first link and second link.

Example systems and methods are described that are capable of gripping objects. In one implementation, a method involves identifying, by a processing system, an object to be gripped at a first location, commanding, by the processing system, a robotic actuator to move a gripper in a first direction so that the gripper makes contact with the object, wherein one or more teeth in a plurality of fingers associated with the gripper mechanically engage the object, and commanding, by the proceeding system, the robotic actuator to move the gripper in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction, causing the gripper to grip the object.

A gripper mechanism includes a stator and a pair of mobile grippers moveably coupled to the stator via a linear bearing, the stator comprising a housing and a permanent magnet mounted within the housing, the mobile gripper comprising a support portion, a coil mounted on the support portion, and a gripper finger coupled to the support portion. The gripper mechanism further includes at least one magnetic locking mechanism comprising at least a first permanent magnet mounted on one of the stator and the mobile grippers, and a complementary soft magnetic material portion or magnet mounted on the other of the stator and the mobile grippers.

A soft robotic actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a first portion with a substantially constant profile and a second portion with a regularly varying profile, and bends in a pressure-dependent fashion as the internal pressure within the actuator is increased or decreased.

A soft robotic actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a first portion with a substantially constant profile and a second portion with a regularly varying profile, and bends in a pressure-dependent fashion as the internal pressure within the actuator is increased or decreased.

A gripping apparatus for gripping a sample container comprising: a gripper body comprising a gripper actuator; at least two gripper fingers each comprising a gripping surface, wherein at least one of the gripper fingers is movably coupled to the gripper body, and wherein the gripping apparatus is designed for gripping a sample container with the gripping surfaces of the at least two gripper fingers by moving the at least one movable gripper finger; and characterized in that the gripping apparatus comprises at least one elastically mounted contacting surface for elastically contacting a sample container about to be gripped by the gripping apparatus.

A mechanical device for grasping an object includes a lower arm defining a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, an inner profile, and at least one track disposed along a portion of the lower arm between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. An upper arm is pivotally connected to the lower arm, the upper arm defining a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an inner profile. An actuator is pivotally connected to the proximal end portion of the upper arm, the actuator including at least one protrusion slidably disposed within the track of the lower arm.

A mechanical device includes opposed frame members and an actuator assembly. The opposed frame members are slidably coupled to each other in a longitudinal direction. The opposed frame members are biased away from each other. The actuator assembly is mounted to the opposed frame members and includes an actuator and a locking member. The actuator includes an engagement pad and at least one lateral protrusion. The actuator being slidably disposed relative to one of the opposed frame members along the longitudinal direction. The locking member is kinematically coupled to the actuator and slidably disposed relative to the other opposed frame member. The locking member includes an inclined surface adapted to engage the at least one lateral protrusion.

A device for enhancing a user's grasping capability comprises a belt-like support configured to be tightly fitted about a user's part of the body; an articulated gripping element having a plurality of phalanxes: proximal, fixed to the support, intermediate and distal, which are articulated to each other by articular joints; a motor unit fixed to the support; a winding drum; a tendon partially wound on the drum and extending along the phalanxes and the joints, arranged so that, by pulling it from the drum, the phalanxes rotate about respective articular joints and move the articulated gripping element from an extended position to a gripping bow-shaped position, causing a flexion/extension movement of the articulated gripping element, the joints configured so that by releasing the tendon from the drum, the phalanxes rotate about the respective joints and move the articulated gripping element between gripping bow-shaped position and extended position.

A gripper apparatus including a gripper frame and a gripper beak; an actuation mechanism for actuating the gripper beak; a clamping force generator biased to exert a clamping force on the gripper beak; a transmission mechanism including an input member that is vertically displaceable with respect to the gripper frame, wherein the transmission mechanism engages the actuation mechanism such that a high position of the input member corresponds to a closed position of the gripper beak while a downward displacement of the input member corresponds to a transition of the gripper beak to an open position; a vertically displaceable carrier coupling device that in a lower rest position presses down on the input member; and a latch mechanism, preferably of alternate push-push type, for holding the gripper beak in its open position.