Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shackle having particular utility in underwater salvage operations. The present invention discloses a shackle that has a generally U shaped body that is comprised of a bow portion and first and second spaced apart arms. Each arm has an end portion with an opening for receiving a shackle pin. The shackle pin is sized and shaped to simultaneously fit through the shackle pin openings, and end portion of the pin having external pin threads. A nut provides an internally threaded opening for engaging external threads of a shackle pin. The nut is rotatably mounted to a second end portion of the shackle body. The external pin threads of the shackle pin and the internal threads of the nut are engaged when the pin is connected to the nut by rotating the nut. The pin does not rotate relative to the shackle body, due to an elongated groove in the pin that travels on a key portion of the shackle body that is in one of the openings.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vacuum end effector having workpiece supports that work in conjunction with distorted workpiece surfaces. In one embodiment, each workpiece support has the ability to gimbal and conform the workpiece surface in contact with an outer edge of the support. Each workpiece support preferably provides a knife-like contact edge to minimize the contact area between the support and the workpiece while still providing an effective vacuum area to hold the wafer securely on the support.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses an improved hoisting sling specially for palletized 28 loads comprising a pair of skids 12, 14 having opposing ends, each with a channel 16 terminating in a puck-shaped cavity 18 forming means of engagement of lengths of load bearing members 20 having mating puck-shaped members 30 thereon. The load bearing members 20 extend from distal ends of a spreader frame 22 extending between and having means for engaging the load bearing members. Depending from the intersection of the spreader arms 22 an anchor line 24 extends to a common load bearing member 26 serving as terminus for load bearing members extending to the terminal ends of the spreader arms and also serving as point of attachment for a user selected hoisting device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a bottle gripping device that grips a bottle at discrete points comprising a minimal area of the bottle. More specifically, the gripping device typically contacts the bottle at four discrete points and such total area of contact is preferred to be less than 25% of the total circumference of the bottle neck.

Abstract: Electric tweezers (1) include a case (60) for accommodating a motor (52), a finger (13) for releasing and holding an object, one end portion of which is connected and fixed to the case (60), and the other end portion (13g) of which enlarges a quantity of opening and closing of a tip portion according to a quantity of translational displacement of reciprocation, a switch (57) for rotating and stopping the motor (52), and a transformation mechanism (30) accommodated in the case (60), connected to a shaft (52a) of the motor (52), and transforming a rotation in one direction of the motor (52) into a quantity of translational displacement in a predetermined reciprocating direction with respect to the other end portion (13g) of the finger (13).

Abstract: The present invention is a hanger hoister tool for placing a bracket to secure a joist to a header. The tool has legs extending upward and a handle extending downward and outward. The tool also has a pedestal keel extending outward for holding the bracket when inserted between the legs and a pedestal tongue extending outward in the opposite direction. The pedestal keel and the pedestal tongue are offset to accommodate the width of the heel of the bracket. The tool is designed to place the bracket either before or after the joist is secured to the header and is economical and made of lightweight plastic.

Abstract: The present invention features a system to generate vacuum for picking up and holding a component in a component placement machine wherein the arrangement of the elements comprising the system prevents the flow of foreign matter back through the system. One arrangement locates a venturi between a valve and nozzle, thereby minimizing where vacuum exists within the system.

Abstract: A grab for lifting barrels stored in a well includes a grasp system provided for example with suction caps for slightly raising a barrel and movable arms provided with extendable fingers used for embracing the barrel and forming a solid support therefore. The elements are provided with cameras and optical fibers to illuminate and inspect the barrel before lifting it. The grab is provided with a mechanism for centering it on the barrel. The grab can be used for processing nuclear fuels.

Abstract: A laminated-type multi-joint portion drive mechanism includes a bone member having at least two elastic deformation portions, a laminated-type pneumatic tube member having at least twoline-tubes which are stacked on the bone member and which are connected to a pneumatic drive source, and a planar-type joint-portion deformation member which is stacked on the laminated-type pneumatic tube member and has pneumatic operation chambers which are placed at joint portions confronting the deformation portions, respectively, and which are connected to the tubes, wherein when pneumatic pressure is applied to one of the pneumatic operation chambers, the joint portion corresponding to the pneumatic operation chamber to which the pneumatic pressure is applied is deformable.

Abstract: A convertible snow shoveling device includes first and second shovels, each having a substantially planar blade, an elongated handle and a hand grip. At least one male connection part extends from an edge portion of the first shovel blade and at least one female connection part is disposed along an edge portion of the second shovel blade. The at least one female connection part of the second shovel blade is sized and shaped to receive the at least one male connection part of the first shovel blade to releasably couple the first and second shovel blades together and form the convertible shoveling device. A handlebar is provided for releasably coupling the hand grips on the first and second shovels together. The male and female connections together with the handlebar permit the pair of individual snow shovels to be easily converted from a pair of individual snow shovels into a wide blade double handle snow shoveling device.

Abstract: A counterbalanced lifting beam designed to lift and permit balancing of heavy loads. The lifting beam includes an internal counterweight that is adapted to be hydraulically adjusted by use of a manually operated control mechanism. The lifting beam also includes a rigid elongated lifting tower to add stability to the lifting beam and includes a centralized storage cabinet, which stores control mechanism and increases the weight concentration and the overall stability of the beam. Storage batteries and hydraulic control equipment are fully encased in the storage cabinet. As the lifting beam is held by the crane cable and a swivel, the beam can be moved in three dimensions.

Abstract: It is described a gripping device for vials or similar containers, comprising a tubular body attached to one end of a movable supporting vertical shaft and gripping means associated to said tubular body. Said gripping means comprise non-mechanical gripping members, able to be connected with one end of a vial or container by face-to-face soft contact.

Abstract: Lockable overshot (10) includes an elongated body (12), lifting dogs (14a, 14b) and a locking sleeve (16). Ends (18) of the lifting dogs (14) are configured for latching a conventional spearhead point therebetween. The locking sleeve (16) is retained on the body (12) and is provided at one axial end with a circumferential wall (66) and two diametrically opposed gaps (68). The locking sleeve (16) is rotatable on the body (12) between a locked state preventing ends (18) of the lifting dogs from pivoting away from each other to release a previously latched spearhead point, and an unlocked state where the locking sleeve (16) allows the lifting dogs (14) to move so that the ends (18) can be pivoted away from each other to release a previously latched spearhead point. In this regard, the locking sleeve (16) is provided at one axial end with a circumferential wall (66) provided with a pair of diametrically opposed gaps (68).

Abstract: An arrow extractor presents a plate having a shelf thereon for placement along one side of an embedded arrow shaft. A locking block on the opposed side of the shaft is movable from a first release position to a second locked position against the shaft so as to clamp the arrow therebetween in a friction fit therewith. Upon pulling on the handle the embedded arrow is extracted from the target. In lieu of a shelf, opposed locking blocks may be used which are slidably movable into position to clamp the arrow shaft therebetween. A handle extends from the plate and is positioned relative to the axis of the clamped arrow shaft so as to effectively transmit the pulling forces exerted on the handle to the clamped arrow shaft.

Abstract: A releasing assembly includes a lever provided with a first engaging element, a seat having a hole defined in a bottom of the seat and a cutout defined in a periphery of the seat to communicate with the hole, a releasing head having a column formed on the releasing head to extend into the hole of the seat, a second engaging element formed on a side face of the column to engage with the first engaging element and a ring formed on a bottom of the releasing head for hanging an object and a power supplying device operably connected to the first distal end of the lever to provide a force to the lever to cause the lever to pivot. When the power supplying device is activated, disengagement between the first engaging element and the second engaging element releases the releasing head.

Abstract: A carrying device, for carrying a box substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism, having a main strap, and a pair of transverse straps. The transverse straps extend parallel to each other, perpendicular to the main strap, cross the main strap, and are attached to the main strap at the crossings. A handle strap extends along the main strap, and is fastened to the main strap between the crossings, and between each of the crossings and the closest end of the main strap, forming handgrips at the crossings. The ends of the main strap and transverse straps have mateable buckles which allow the straps to be fastened around all sides of the box, and permit easy release.

Abstract: A weeding tool for selectively engaging, gripping and removing a weed from the ground. The weed extraction device utilizes an elongated handle with a remotely operable weed engagement jaw on an angular offset ground engagement end. A jaw activation lever pivotally extends from the handle that also becomes a fulcrum after the jaw closes on the weed to remove the weed from the ground after it has been electively gripped in one continuous motion.

Abstract: A fluid power operate gripper has a housing, in which a drive space is located, which contains at least two drive pistons connected or able to be connected with a respective gripping element. The drive pistons divide up the drive space into a plurality of actuating chambers, which are subject to an actuating fluid under the control of control means in a controlled mutually matching manner. Since the drive pistons are not mechanically coupled kinematically variable operation is made possible in this manner.

Abstract: A desktop bible carrying case 10 is provided with an enclosure 12 having a cavity 24 formed therein. A rectangular shaped support ridge 26 is coupled in the cavity 24 to inside portions of the enclosure 12. A flexible lid 28 is provided which is pivotably coupled to a back portion of the enclosure 12. Additionally, a planar shaped desktop member 50 is pivotably coupled to the enclosure adjacent to and between the lid 28 and the support ridge 26. An elevating member 52 is pivotably coupled to an outermost end of the desktop member 50. As a result a desktop bible carrying case 10 is provided to carry a bible 60 and a pad 62 in the open area 24 until they are removed therefrom and positioned on the desktop member 50 for use.

Abstract: An elongated, extendable pole(10) having a plurality of holding devices. A flexible platform(12) of predetermined circumference sits atop the pole(10) to press the adhesive end of a decoration to the ceiling. A sharp pointed lip(14) attached to the platform(12) removes the decoration. Opposite the lip(14) is a lead in slit(16) on the platform(12) which steadies ribbons or string placed upon the platform(12). Beneath the platform(12) are a set of contiguous containers(18) to hold the curling ribbon and tiny light weight decor being hung. Below the containers(18), to one side of the pole(10), is an extensible spindle(20) upon which crepe paper streamers are placed and dispensed. Held against the lower portion of the pole(10) is a removable book(22) which inserts into the spindle(20) thereby providing a place for balloons and larger light weight decor to be elevated to the ceiling and hung. When not in use the pole (10) may be hung by the strap (30) connected to its distal end.