Abstract: A sifting pick-up device is provided that operates as a combined pick-up tool and sifter. The device comprises an elongated frame, a first jaw member, and a second jaw member. The elongated frame includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a slidable handle therealong. The two jaw members are disposed along the distal end and move relative to one another based on movement of the slidable handle. At least one of the jaw members has a sifting screen jaw surface in which contents secured between the jaws can be separated from granular material. One or both of the jaw members are movable, and in one embodiment the slidable handle is spring biased and is connected to at least one jaw member via one or more cables. The handle controls the position of the jaws, which can be used to pick-up items and sift the same.

Abstract: Acquisition or pick-up tools that themselves aid in improving the ease with which images of an acquired substrate may be captured, and methods of operating such pick-up tools, are provided. The pick-up tools may include a pick-up surface adapted to interface with a foreign substrate and a light source integrated with the pick-up tool such that light emitted from the light source passes through the pick-up surface to the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface to create a silhouette of the foreign substrate. A vision system may be adapted for capturing the silhouette of the foreign substrate when the foreign substrate is temporarily coupled with the pick-up surface. The substrate pick-up surface may be formed of one of a transparent, a semi-transparent, or a translucent material such that light may at least partially pass there through.

Abstract: The problem of the lag time in picking and dropping mixed load products during a palletization process is solved by using a tool having i) a gripping member that can be partially closed in a first fast movement while it is moved by a robot towards a product and then closed onto the product in a second shorter movement and ii) a product abutting plate that is movable in unison with the tool in opposite direction thereof as the tool is moved by a robot towards and away the mixed load pallet.

Abstract: A shovel with measurement markings for digging a hole that includes a handle portion, a blade portion, and an elongated shaft portion interconnecting at opposite ends thereof the blade portion and the handle portion. The blade portion includes plurality of uniformly distributed notches arranged substantially along at least one side of the blade portion and configured to indicate the vertical depth of the hole.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism is provided for use with an apparatus for removing and inserting a rail tie that needs repair or replacement from a railroad track, and includes at least one gripper lever constructed and arranged to be actuated between a closed position and an open position, and a plurality of gripper fingers. Each gripper finger is configured for being individually attachable to and removable from a corresponding one of the at least one gripper lever for grasping the rail tie.

Abstract: A sucker includes: a main body having a bottom face formed with an annular abutment; a disc body made of a flexible material having a tapered annular wall, the disc body being disposed under the bottom face of the main body, an outer circumference of the annular wall being formed with a lip edge positioned below the annular contact area; an air chamber being formed in the disc body; an air-sucking passage and a fast flow way; the air-sucking passage having a first end in communication with the air chamber of the disc body and a second end passing through the disc body and the main body to communicate with the fast flow way. When the sucker sucks a surface of an object, the air in the air-sucking passage is sucked into the fast flow way.

Abstract: In a clamp system for a slender object (16), such as a pile or pipe and the like, a clamp (1) and the object are to be applied around one another. The clamp has a frame (4) defining an axial direction. Furthermore, gripping devices (3) are provided which are spaced in circumferential direction of the frame (4). A stop (25) defines an end position of the gripping device (3), the gripping device (3) in gripping state and positioned in the end position prevents the object (16) from displacing with respect to the frame (4) in a first axial direction of the passage (9), in which first axial direction the gripping device (3) is held pressed against the stop (25), and the gripping device (3) allowing the object (16) to displace with respect to the frame in the second axial direction opposite the first axial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging and releasably retaining a fragile or brittle food product for forming a confection on the food product. The apparatus comprising an elastomeric grommet having a radially flexible body defining an aperture having an open position for receiving the food product and a closed position for engaging and releasably retaining the food product.

Abstract: An animal waste collecting device for collecting and disposing of animal waste. The animal waste collecting device includes a rigid, elongated handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes an eyelet thereon so as to allow the elongated handle to be hung from a hook or similar support. The second end is removably secured to a bag and cable tie assembly, wherein the cable tie is configured in a loop and secured to the open upper end of the bag. The bag is used to collect animal waste, wherein the rigidity of the cable tie allows the bag to remain open. The cable tie is pulled through a locking mechanism in order to seal the bag after animal waste has been collected therein. The cable tie assembly is removably secured to the second end of said elongated handle by a clip.

Abstract: A multi-functional self-timer lever includes a support device coupled to a casing pipe attachable to a lower part of a telescopic rod. The support device includes a pivot seat fixed to the casing pipe, three feet of which tops are coupled pivotally to the pivot seat, and a positioning mechanism for limiting the expansion angles of the feet. Such a structure provides a tripod function in a most compact way by configuring the feet capable of being expanded relatively to the casing pipe and collapsed into one body relatively to the contour of the casing pipe directly on the casing pipe operated in coordination with the telescopic rod. Therefore, the entire structure is compact, fast and convenient in expansion and collapse, and small in volume so as to be convenient for carry.

Abstract: A device configured to collect and dispel pinecones is provided. The device includes a handle, and a collecting head. The collecting head includes a plurality of prongs extending outwardly from an outer surface of the head. A sliding block having a plurality of holes configured to receive a corresponding prong is slidingly attached to the shaft. A biasing member having one end fixedly attached to the shaft and the other end attached to the sliding block continuously urges the sliding block against the head so as to allow the prongs to protrude through the respective holes. Accordingly, the device is configured to stick a plurality of pinecones wherein the sliding block may be pushed so as to displace the sliding block forward of the head pushing the pinecones off the prongs and into the receptacle.

Abstract: An adjustable scoop comprising a sheet of flexible material having a periphery configured so that the sheet may be bent from a flat configuration to form a scoop having a curved body, two handles, a base and a cross member, wherein the cross member may be secured to the body at one of a plurality of locations so that the body, base and cross member form a receptacle having one of a plurality of volumetric capacities for particulate material.

Abstract: A device in which the gripping action is achieved by a compliant membrane that adapts itself to the object to be lifted and then maintains such shape throughout the displacement of the object. The gripping force provided by the present invention is best suited for delicate objects, as it gently applies the gripping force necessary for displacement. This is accomplished through a chamber, a deformable membrane delimiting the chamber partially or entirely, and a means for changing the volume or shape of the chamber determined by the deformation of the membrane.

Abstract: A grip for cylindrical or elongated elements, such as an umbilical cable. The system includes a mesh fabric that is created by interwoven lines that are initially laid out in a flat rectangular or trapezoidal shape. The mesh fabric is wrapped around the object to be gripped. A lifting eye is integrated into one end of the mesh. The grip is closed by a series of interlocking loops that create a sort of daisy-chain closure.

Abstract: A grill removal assembly removes a hot grill grate from an appliance such as a grill, smoker, oven, or the like. The assembly includes a handle has a slot and a pair of tabs. The slot may insertably receive a selected one of a rod on a grill. The tabs may be positioned beneath a central rod on the grill when the slot receives the selected rod. A stabilizer is attached to the handle. The stabilizer abuts the selected rod when the slot receives the selected rod thereby facilitating the handle to remove the grill from an oven.

Abstract: A pet waste catcher device has a series of handle segments forming an extendable handle. Each segment is of a larger diameter than the one (1) previous to enable the shaft to extend and retract in length. A first end of the shaft is provided with a circular ring member to retain disposable bags. A second end of the shaft is provided with a handle, having a covered compartment. A user manipulates the handle to position the circular ring with a disposable bag underneath an animal to collect waste. The covered compartment serves as a case to hold various items selectively chosen by a user.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first jaw section having an end, a second jaw section having an end, and a tube section. The first jaw section and the second jaw section may be connected to the tube section so that the first jaw section and the second jaw section oppose each other and pivot with respect to the tube section. The apparatus may be configured so that it can be placed in a first state wherein the end of the first jaw section contacts the end of the second jaw section. The apparatus may be configured so that it can be placed in a second state wherein the end of the second jaw section does not contact the end of the first jaw section. The first and second jaw sections may include a first and second chambers, respectively, into which fingers or a thumb are inserted to pivot the jaw sections.

Abstract: A lifting tool (2) for use in lifting components (1,5) from a wind turbine gearbox during service or repair comprises a frame-like structure comprising interconnected beams (4,6,8,8,10,12,20,22,24,26,28) for securing to the gearbox housing once an upper housing part has been removed to provide an opening to the gearbox interior, the tool being secured to the gearbox at a periphery of the opening, and further comprising one or more pulleys (36) mounted on the frame-like structure, a lifting chain, cable, wire or rope extending over the pulley or pulleys attachable to a component (1) within the gearbox, the frame-like structure comprising a number of inter-connectable modules.

Abstract: A clamp assembly provides an attachment point for securely gripping pipe or other tubular goods including, without limitation, a section of coiled tubing. The clamp assembly beneficially includes a pad-eye member for attaching the clamp assembly (and any attached tubing) to a hook of a crane or other lifting mechanism. The clamp assembly also prevents partially unspooled coiled tubing from re-winding through a winding guide of a spool, thereby maintaining a distal outer end of the coiled tubing in an easily accessible location.

Abstract: A sustainable packaging apparatus comprising repurposable components is disclosed. A sustainable packaging apparatus having a cellular structure, comprised of a plurality of compartments, provides packaging for the shipment of objects such as beverage canisters. The plurality of compartments can each be separated into vessel portions. The two vessel portions of the compartments are designed to function as vessels after the objects are removed from the compartments. The vessel portions of the sustainable packaging apparatus are ideal for use as cups or game pieces; thus, the vessel portions maintain utility after shipment of the objects.