Abstract: A loading device of a robot includes a frame, a first pneumatic cylinder and a first pulley member mounted on a top face of the frame, a second pneumatic cylinder and a second pulley member mounted on a bottom face of the frame, first and second suction assemblies coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder and the first pulley member, third and fourth suction assemblies coupled to the second pneumatic cylinder and the second pulley member, and a fifth suction assembly secured to a middle of the frame. Interspaces among the first to fifth suction assemblies are adjustable by activating the first and second pneumatic cylinder to extend or retract pistons thereof.

Abstract: An add-on sling-load system capable of being attached to a host that comprises a load provided with at least two slices arranged in a predetermined configuration and preferably a stack and a controlled coupling mechanism configured to attach and release at least one slice from the arranged configuration. The sling load system is used for multiple deliveries.

Abstract: A collapsible hand trowel comprises a rigid scoop that has a forward end terminating at a point, a rear end, and two opposing side flanges that each has a pivot bar aperture therethrough. A handle includes a rear end, a neck, and a forward end that comprises two laterally-extending pivot bars that traverse the pivot bar apertures of the scoop. An upwardly-projecting V-shaped ridge is formed along a longitudinal axis of the scoop and that terminates into two upturned handle catch flanges, each having an inwardly facing hook adapted to retain the neck of the handle therebetween. A handle lock is adapted to prevent the handle from disengaging the handle catch when the collapsible hand trowel is in the extended configuration, and when the handle lock is in a deployed position.

Abstract: A gripping device is described and includes a holder including a base and a conformable jamming element that has a conformable releasable surface-adhesive element secured onto its surface.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the lid hook is engaged with a cargo vessel lid, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle.

Abstract: A spearing system includes a pitch fork that has a handle and a plurality of tines. The handle may be manipulated. Each of the tines may puncture an object. Thus, the object may be retrieved from a support surface without requiring a user to bend over. A release is slidably coupled to the pitch fork and the release may be manipulated. The release is positioned adjacent to the tines. The release is positionable in a retracted position such that the release allows the tines to puncture the object. The release is positionable in a deployed position such that the release may release the object from the tines.

Abstract: There is provided a part holding head assembly of a part mounting device including: a rotary head; a spindle configured to rotate in a first direction T with respect to a central axis of the spindle and configured to move in a second direction Z substantially parallel with an extending direction of the central axis of the spindle; a nozzle provided at a first end of the spindle; a raising part configured to move the spindle to in the second direction Z; and a contact detecting sensor configured to sense the nozzle contacting a part or the part held by the nozzle contacting a substrate and configured to generate a contact sensing signal according to the sensing.

Abstract: A cylinder caddy, adapted to a bottle with a neck, a bottom, and a center of gravity is provided. The caddy has a strap configured to affix circumferentially to the cylinder at a location higher than the center of gravity, and at least one axial strap configured to connect the strap. The caddy includes a handle with a first end pivotally attached to the upper strap, and a second end configured to detachably connect to the neck. In a first position, the handle is pivoted to allow the second end to be attached to the neck, thereby requiring the removal of a regulator, protecting the neck from dust and other particulates and allowing a user to safely carry the cylinder. In a second position, the handle is pivoted to allow the second end form a strut, thereby providing the user a more stable operating position.

Abstract: The lawn debris collector with removable rigid supports is a kit that is adapted to be used to collect lawn debris. The lawn debris collector includes a tarp member and a plurality of removable rigid supports. The plurality of removable rigid supports is each securable to a perimeter of the tarp member. More specifically, a first and second of the plurality of removable rigid supports are inserted into sleeves provided on a first and second edge of the perimeter of the tarp member. A plurality of immovable flexible supports is permanently secured along a bottom surface of the tarp member. The plurality of immovable flexible supports is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the plurality of removable rigid supports. The plurality of removable rigid supports are removed in order to fold the tarp member in half with lawn debris collected on said tarp member.

Abstract: There is a method and a device for lifting and lowering respectively a load, the load having a lifting loop attached to the load. The device comprising: a first member having means for attachment to a lifting device and means for attachment to the lifting loop of the load; a second member having means on the second member for automatically guiding the lifting loop to define a path for coupling and uncoupling of the lifting loop to and from the first member; a securing mechanism on the first member which automatically secures the lifting loop to the first member when the lifting loop engages the first member; and a release mechanism for releasing the securing mechanism to release the lifting loop from the first member.

Abstract: A composite end effector including a lower sandwich panel having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, an upper sandwich panel having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side of the upper sandwich panel is bonded to the first side of the lower sandwich panel, and an intermediate element disposed between the second side of the lower sandwich panel and the second side of the upper sandwich panel. The intermediate element may include an electrical conductor, wherein an electrostatic chuck is electrically coupled to the electrical conductor through an aperture in the upper sandwich panel. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate element may include a pair of optical fibers disposed within a pair of channels formed in at least one of the first side of the upper sandwich panel and the first side of the lower sandwich panel.

Abstract: A container-handling arrangement has a gripper that includes two gripper arms. The container-handling arrangement further has a biasing device that is used to bias the gripper arms together to hold a portion of a container therebetween. The container-handling arrangement also has a locking element that is designed to be moved between a lock position, in which the locking element locks the gripper arms in place to prevent release of the container, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage the gripper arms to permit release of the container.

Abstract: This apparatus supports gripping, manipulation and/or insertion or removal of a planar workpiece from a receptacle into which it fits tightly. The apparatus has two substantially identical rigid arms attached to one another at a single pivot point near their longitudinal center. One end of each arm forms a handle; pressing or releasing these two handles actuates the gripper. The other end of each arm has attached on its inside surface a rigid plate. Together these two substantially parallel plates form jaws to grip the planar workpiece. A spring attached to the two handles biases the jaws toward the closed position. An adjustable stop mechanism supports setting the gap between jaws when the apparatus is in the closed position. An alternative embodiment utilizes step-shaped jaws for applications where flat jaws are difficult to utilize.

Abstract: A lifting device (110) for concrete elements such as bridge beam and deck elements, panels and the like up to and beyond 1,000 tons (t) is described. The lifting device may be suitable for face and edge lifting of concrete elements that have a suitable cavity formed within or through them. The lifting device (110) may include a lifting eye (116) connected to an elongate member/shank (114) that has a flared end (122). A sleeve (126) about the shank (114) may be used to raise and lower the moveably attached wedges (124) to and from the flared end (122). In use the wedges (124) upon the flared end (122) prevent the withdrawal of the lifting device (110) from the cavity of the concrete element. A cavity former is also described that may be used in the casting of the concrete element to form a suitable cavity.

Abstract: An end effector pad including a fence member, a first recessed support member extending from a first side of the fence member, a second recessed support member extending from a second side of the fence member opposite the first side, a first glass plate having a relatively low coefficient of friction disposed on top of the first recessed support member for supporting a substrate thereon, and a second glass plate having a relatively low coefficient of friction disposed on top of the second recessed support member for supporting a substrate thereon.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force.

Abstract: An electronic device theft prevention assembly for preventing an electronic device from being stolen includes a case that may removably receive an electronic device. The case has a front side, a back side and a perimeter edge extending therebetween. The front side is substantially open. A grip is coupled to the case. The grip may be engaged by fingers of a user such that the case is retained on the user. The grip is comprised of a flexible material.

Abstract: An apparatus including a main housing and a cartridge enclosure including a first connector to removably couple the cartridge enclosure to a cartridge including a container having an opening across a plane, at least one drawstring disposed around the opening to close the opening upon the at least one drawstring being pulled, and a rigid support disposed around the plane of the opening to maintain the opening across the plane as the opening is being closed. The apparatus further includes an arm including a second connector to removably couple the arm to the at least one drawstring. A first spring between the arm and the cartridge is disposed to allow the arm to move away from the cartridge a predetermined distance which pulls the at least one drawstring to close the opening.

Abstract: An industrial robot may include a hand having an object-mounting section; an arm structured to hold the hand at the front side thereof; a main body section structured to hold the base end of the arm; and a covering member structured to cover at least the top surface of the object-mounting section. The radiant heat reflectance at the covering member may be higher than that at the object-mounting section. The heat conductivity of the covering member may be lower than that of the object-mounting section. The specific gravity of the object-mounting section may be smaller than that of the covering member.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to an attachment and an apparatus for lifting heavy loads by a lifting device in the form of a sling or strap. The attachment can be produced inexpensively and has a sufficient load bearing capacity with a low material requirement. The attachment comprises a contact part, which has a contact section with a length, measured in the longitudinal direction of the attachment, which corresponds to at least the width of the lifting device, the contact section having a contact surface on which, during practical use, the lifting device rests, and two attachment sections of which in each case one is integrally formed on one of the ends of the contact section and which are provided for attaching a hoist for coupling the attachment to a lifting apparatus.