Abstract: A driving mechanism for an autonomous planar surface cleaning robot is disclosed. The driving mechanism includes a first transmission component and a second transmission component spaced apart in parallel relationship relative to the first transmission component. Each of the first and second transmission components defines first and second ends and first and second sides, wherein the first sides face each other and the second sides face away from each other in a direction transverse from the direction of motion and the first and second ends are oppositely spaced along the direction of motion. Each of the first and second transmission components are independently controllable by a control unit of the autonomous planar surface cleaning robot.

Abstract: A method of field shaping a laminated glass structure is provided. The method includes providing the laminated glass structure comprising a flexible glass sheet having a thickness of no greater than about 0.3 mm laminated to a non-glass substrate by an adhesive material. The laminated glass structure is field cut using a handheld power tool thereby forming a shaped laminated glass structure. An edge strength of a cut edge of the shaped laminated glass structure at least about 20 MPa.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vacuum handling of composite parts. One embodiment is a method for picking up, placing, and compacting an object. The method includes covering a part of an object with an impermeable membrane, applying a negative pressure via an end effector that is sufficient to offset any air leaks between a first portion of the impermeable membrane and the object, thereby forming a suction hold that secures the object to the impermeable membrane, and transporting the object to a rigid tool while the suction hold is retained. The method further comprises applying a negative pressure via the end effector that offsets air leaks between a second portion of the impermeable membrane and the rigid tool, thereby forming a suction hold that compacts the object to the rigid tool.

Abstract: Clamping of edges of flexible workpieces to a support surface is improved by creating a region of reduced pressure proximate the edges, by shaping air conduits so that they narrow in the edge regions.

Abstract: Hot plate cleaner for floors including a handgrip, a handle, a tank for water, a main body shaped as a brush, a heating plate below the brush and a thermostat, and cleaning fabrics for the floor hooked below a sealing frame, adapted to be hooked and unhooked below the brush, with the interposition of a sandwich panel maintained in contact with the heating plate having a layer of polyurethane foam, placed between two polyester fabrics, and a waterproof element applied to the panel to let the water flow from the tank scatter on the sandwich panel to dampen it so to act as a tank in order to reach the same temperature as the heating plate and keep it unchanged until the panel dries and transmit the same temperature to the cleaning fabric.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for cleaning the light scattering film (LSF) from the surface of a windshield in a vehicle, and more particularly, is directed to a magnetically associated cleaning element that is moved across the interior surface of a windshield by an interactive magnetic force transmitted through the windshield, with magnets associated with the wiper assembly on the other side of the glass.

Abstract: A pipe clamp apparatus and method consists of a pressure block and a pipe wrap connected with the pressure block. A pressure applicator is connected with the pressure block and a pipe alignment guide is connected with the pressure applicator where the pipe alignment guide is configured to receive two separate pipes.

Abstract: A portable lifting jack has a drivable mechanism operating a jack shaft formed of telescoping lifting screws. A microprocessor controls power to selectively turn electric motor to drive the operating mechanism. An in-line current draw sensor senses electric load of the motor and communicates this to the microprocessor. One detected electrical load is an electric load spike indicative that the jack shaft has contacted a mechanical load. A potentiometer connected to the operating mechanism senses extended position of the telescoping lifting screws and communicates this position to the microprocessor, which is programmed to derive when snug contact is achieved with an encountered mechanical load and to pause operation of the electric motor. In a synchronized array of jacks, all are paused to await further operator input, which may be coordinated through a remote control.

Abstract: A fixture structure contains: a first body, a second body, and an actuation rod. The first body includes a first clamp, a holding grip, a drive mechanism, and a press lever. The actuation rod includes two extensions. The second body includes a base, a second clamp, and an accommodation groove. A locking mechanism is disposed in the base and includes two release button, two springs, and two positioning sheets. A respective positioning sheet has a flat section, two upward tilted guide sections, and a through orifice. The respective positioning sheet is urged by the respective spring to push the flat section to engage into the accommodation groove. The respective release button has multiple posts aligned with the respective positioning sheet. When the respective release button is pressed, the multiple posts push the respective positioning sheet so that the flat section removes from the accommodation groove.

Abstract: An aircraft structure manufacturing device is provided with: a jig supporting a component of an aircraft structure; a plurality of raising/lowering stands; and a control unit for controlling positions of support parts of the raising/lowering stands. The control unit includes: an input unit inputting position information for a movement destination of a reference point provided to the component; a storage unit storing, in advance, master data, which is the relationship for position information of the support parts of respective raising/lowering stands corresponding to the position information for the movement destination; a unit position information acquisition unit acquiring position information for the support part of each of the raising/lowering stands, based on the master data and the position information for the movement destination; and the movement command unit for simultaneously moving the support parts of a plurality of raising/lowering stands.

Abstract: A wrench head comprises a working axis, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a third jaw. The first jaw comprises first-jaw arcuate convex contact surfaces. The second jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the first jaw and comprises a second-jaw arcuate convex contact surface and a second-jaw planar contact surface. The third jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the second jaw and comprises a third-jaw arcuate convex contact surface and a third-jaw planar contact surface.

Abstract: A force-shunting device including a tube defining a main axis and an inner wall, a first member sliding within the tube, a primary leg arranged obliquely, attached to the first member and including a primary pad in frictional contact with the inner wall, such that, when an external force is applied in a first direction on the first member, the primary leg rubs, or grips by mechanical camming, against the inner wall, the tube thus reacting all or part of the external force, the device including a second member mounted within the tube, sliding along the main axis and securely provided with a driving element of the primary pad so as to reduce the friction on the inner wall, to unprime the rubbing or mechanical camming.

Abstract: Pliers are provided. Pliers include an upper handle, a lower handle, an upper jaw coupled to the upper handle, and a lower jaw coupled to the lower handle. In general, the upper jaw includes workpiece engagement surface, such a first set of teeth configured to engage a workpiece, and the lower jaw includes a workpiece engagement surface, such as a second set of teeth and a third set of teeth. The lower jaw opposes the upper jaw such that the first set of teeth faces the second set of teeth and the third set of teeth. At least a section of the workpiece engagement surface of the lower jaw is movably coupled to the lower jaw such that it moves relative to the lower as torque is applied to a workpiece, thereby increasing torque applied to the workpiece.

Abstract: A wrench head comprises a working axis, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a third jaw. The first jaw comprises a first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, a second first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, a third first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, and a first-jaw planar contact surface. The second jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the first jaw and comprises a second-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, a second second-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, and a second-jaw planar contact surface. The third jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the second jaw and comprises third-jaw arcuate convex contact surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.

Abstract: A wrench head comprises a working axis, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a third jaw. The first jaw comprises a first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, a second first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, a third first-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, and a first-jaw planar contact surface. The second jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the first jaw and comprises a second-jaw arcuate convex contact surface and a second-jaw planar contact surface. The third jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the second jaw and comprises third-jaw arcuate convex contact surfaces.

Abstract: A wrench head comprises a working axis, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a third jaw. The first jaw comprises first-jaw arcuate convex contact surfaces. The second jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the first jaw and comprises a second-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, a second second-jaw arcuate convex contact surface, and a second-jaw planar contact surface. The third jaw is coupled with and pivotable relative to the second jaw and comprises a third-jaw arcuate convex contact surface and a third-jaw planar contact surface.

Abstract: Hole alignment tools, methods of making such tools, and methods for aligning holes in a plurality of work pieces are disclosed. The hole alignment tools may exert, when fully engaged with similarly sized, stacked holes, a substantially uniform force against the work piece surfaces that define the holes. The hole alignment tool includes a doweling body having a plurality of radially expandable legs, a housing, and a spreader element. The doweling body legs include a decreasing sectional thickness extending from the distal ends thereof towards the proximal end of the doweling body. Depending upon its state, the radial profile of a doweling body's legs may be converging or parallel for tool insertion and removal, or diverging for alignment purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a handle clamp for an exothermic mold. The clamp includes a pair of legs, each having a plurality of rods that are shaped to fit into engagement holes on sections of the mold. The rods of each leg engage with one section of the mold. Engagement brackets are rotatably disposed on one or more or the rods. The brackets each have a thumb bolt that can be extended toward a mold section connected with the clamp. When engaged with the mold section, the thumb bolt stabilizes the mold section on the handle. A detent mechanism is provided between the bracket and the leg of the handle. The detent mechanism releaseably holds the bracket in one of a selected plurality of rotational positions with respect to the rod. By selecting different rotational positions for the brackets, the handle can be configured to engage with different configurations of mold. The thumb bolts that are biased toward the mold section by a spring. The bolts include a key that can be aligned or misaligned with a key slot on the bracket.

Abstract: A pallet truck has a brake release mechanism. The pallet truck has a break release mechanism operably coupled to a brake for stopping rotation of a drive wheel. The brake release mechanism includes a brake release sensor and a profile feature that is detectable by the brake release sensor. The profile feature is fixedly coupled to a pivot shaft of a tiller arm of a tiller, and configured to rotate with the pivot shaft as the tiller arm is pivoted. The brake release sensor is positioned adjacent to the pivot shaft and configured to output a signal that causes the brake to release when the profile feature is detected.