Abstract: An end effector for a robot is used to unpack flattened stackable items from a container using a fixed sized vacuum plenum and simple adjustable gripping elements. The gripping elements comprise a pair of adjustable, smooth blades. In addition, the end effector includes mechanisms for retaining and transporting the container.

Abstract: A die holding mechanism comprising a connecting wire receiving shaft which is movable up and down, a pair of die holding levers which have die holding sections for holding the die and are installed so that these levers are free to open and close, and opening-and-closing levers that open and close the die holding levers. A die formed with connecting wires on its upper surface is pushed up by a die push-up device and the wires of the die come into contact with the connecting wire receiving shaft of the die holding mechanism. When the connecting wire receiving shaft is raised by a given amount by the upward movement of the die, the die holding levers are closed so that the die holding sections of the die holding levers are positioned beneath the undersurface of the die. Afterward, the push-up needles of the die push-up device are lowered, resulting in that the die is held by the die holding levers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling substrates that are provided with an inner hole. The apparatus includes an inner gripper in the form of an inner hole gripper, and an outer gripper that is embodied as a vacuum gripper and is provided with a ring in which are disposed a plurality of suction devices. A control unit controls the inner and outer grippers such that they are moved relative to one another, while they grasp one and the same substrate, for deforming or bending the substrate. According to the method, a first substrate is grasped by the inner hole gripper, is brought into contact with an outer gripper, and is grasped by the outer gripper. The inner hole gripper is released and moved through the hole in the first substrate and then grasps a second substrate.

Abstract: A tool includes an elongate body having a handle unit on one end and a grill contacting unit on another end. The grill contacting unit includes diverging tines with each having a beveled edge that may be scraped against a bar of a grill to clean that grill. A hollow tube is positioned in the grill contacting unit to contain a match that is used to ignite charcoals.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for automated parts movement includes a cylinder and a piston assembly slidably positioned within the cylinder. The piston assembly includes an outer piston having a recess in which an inner piston is slidably received. A transfer assembly is attached to the piston assembly and includes an inner rod, a sheath, and a gripper. Introduction of fluid at one port or end of the cylinder moves the piston assembly to extend the gripper and transport a gripped part to a target destination. At the target destination, the transfer assembly is moved via pressurized fluid in the cylinder to cause the gripper to release the gripped part. Introduction of fluid generally at an opposite end of the cylinder moves the transfer assembly and gripper to a retracted position relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-purpose end effector for a robotic arm that moves a workpiece through an automated, multi-station, manufacturing operation. The end effector is particularly useful in a gear manufacturing operation in which a gear piece is annealed, ground and tested to ensure it meets desired specifications. The relatively lightweight and compact end effector securely grips the workpiece during multi-directional movements, and provides a degree of softness when loading the normally non-rotating workpiece onto a continuously rotating chuck or tool. The end effector is secured to the robotic arm by a cross-member equipped with three different gripping implements. A central gripping device extends from the middle of the cross-member, a loading arm extends from one end of the cross-member, and an unloading arm extends from the other end. Each gripping implement includes pneumatically controlled gripping fingers for holding the gear pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping parcels which includes a pair of cooperating side clamps connected by a scissors actuator, configured for movement with a suction holding device. A controller and a trigger switch are likewise used to facilitate accurate gripping of parcels thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for handling packaged integrated circuits (IC's), particularly for inserting packaged IC's in and removing packaged IC's from low-insertion-force (LIF) sockets. The apparatus includes a precisor having a chip precisor feature for receiving an IC package and a socket precisor feature for receiving a socket in a predetermined alignment relative to the chip precisor feature. One or more releasable chip retainers are provided, such as a vacuum nozzle for pulling the packaged IC into a seated position within the chip precisor feature and a pair of gripper fingers for holding the packaged IC within the chip precisor feature during extraction from a LIF socket.

Abstract: A vehicle bed, comprising a bed frame adapted for carrying a load, a fork including at least one tine, and a pivot mechanism adapted for pivoting the bed frame and the fork between a first position and a second position with respect to a vehicle frame. The fork is connected to an end of the bed frame and is substantially orthogonal to the bed frame. Loads are transported on the bed frame in the first position and are moved off or on the fork in the second position. The vehicle bed may be incorporated as part of a truck bed or as part of a trailer bed for a bale loading apparatus. The vehicle bed may include a lift mechanism including a lift cylinder adapted for lifting a load with respect to the vehicle frame to compensate for a load weight compressing a vehicle suspension. The bale loader includes a boom having a mast rotatably attached to a vehicle or trailer frame, a main boom pivotally attached to the mast, a jib boom pivotally attached to the main boom, and a head swivably attached to the jib boom.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a glass pane lifter apparatus includes a hollow handle which includes an access opening, an elbow member that includes a first elbow end that connects to the access opening of the hollow handle, and a suction cup unit that is connected to the elbow member. The suction cup includes a suction release tab. The elbow member is a right-angled elbow. The hollow handle includes a finger reception contoured region. A chisel member is connected to the hollow handle. The chisel member projects from the hollow handle at an end of the hollow handle opposite to the access opening. A container of lubricant retainable inside the hollow handle. In addition, a glass cutter is retainable inside the hollow handle. The glass pane lifter apparatus and the contained glass cutter and/or container of lubricant provide a kit for maintenance of fire extinguishers retained in fire extinguisher enclosures that include glass panes.

Abstract: A conveying device for thin disk-like articles (60), characterized by the llowing features: a support (10) having a plain surface (12), in the support (10) there is formed at least one gas channel (20) which channel, in running towards the plain surface in outwardly slanting manner, terminates at one of its ends in at least one gas outlet opening in the plain surface (12), the at least one gas channel being connectable to a gas supply pipe (28) at its other end, wherein at least three guiding arms (30) are disposed adjacent the at least one gas outlet opening(s) outside the at least one gas outlet opening and wherein the at least three guiding arms project beyond the plain surface (12) of the support (10) and are adjustable radially with respect to the plain surface (12).

Abstract: A bucket is attachable to a tined jaw of a grapple on the boom of a mobile machine. The bucket includes a pair of opposed, parallel side plates, each of the side plates having a linear front edge, a linear top edge and an arcuate rear edge having a recess formed therethrough. Intermediate structure interconnects the side plates and includes an arcuate top wall running rearwardly and upwardly along a curved path spaced from the rear edge from a linear forward edge commencing beneath the front edge to a linear back edge. The top wall is constructed and arranged to extend over upper and lower portions of the jaw. A pair of connecting pins is provided, each of which is receivable in one of the side plate recesses and a through hole formed in an upper portion of the jaw.

Abstract: A combination bracelet, button, and zipper fastening device includes an elongated handle having a first end and a second end with a first releasable clamping means coupled to the first end and a removable, reversible end cap on the second end. The first releasable clamping means are operable to releasably hold at least one interlocking member of a releasable clasp of a bracelet. The removable, reversible end cap has a button hook and a chain attached to one end and an interlocking member on the other end. A second releasable clamping means is attached to the end of the chain.

Abstract: A grill lifting tool comprises an elongated handle with a head attached to a distal end thereof relative to a user. The head presents a first slot adapted to receive at least two bars of a grate therein, and a second slot in communication with the first slot for capturing one of the grate bars within the first slot upon a lifting of the proximal end of the handle by a user. A third slot is presented in the bottom side of the head for capturing another grate bar upon lifting of the handle by a user. The head further includes a hook pivotally attached to a side of the head for releasably coupling the tool to the bar of the grate that is aligned with the second slot. The head of the lifting tool is also configured as a scraper and includes a brush for cleaning the bars of the grate.

Abstract: A combination zipper pull, button fastener or pull, and bracelet fastener. The device basically comprises an elongated body having a zipper-grasping or bracelet-grasping clip (e.g., an alligator type clip having openable jaws) at one end and an elongated button-grasping hook at the other end of the body. The body is formed of plural, e.g., six, telescoping sections which can be extended with respect to one another from a compact, short length, state to an extended, long length, e.g., approximately twenty-inches, state. The clip is mounted on the free end of the innermost section of the extendable telescoping body and can be rotated to any position about the central longitudinal axis of the device. The clip is arranged to be operated to releasably grasp a portion of a zipper or a portion of a bracelet between its jaws. The tips of the jaws are covered with a removable protective covering, e.g., some soft plastic, rubber, etc., to protect the zipper or bracelet portion.

Abstract: An end effector system adapted to be used for robotic tooling applications which allows the end effector to be used to acquire parts by vacuum pick-up or grasping. A vacuum type end effector is provided at the end of each of two robotic tooling fingers. Each vacuum type end effector includes a flexible bellows member on the end thereof such that it can be used for vacuum acquisition. Extending down from each finger to reside adjacent a respective bellows is a pinch member. Through robotic control of the movement of the fingers, finger gripping can be accomplished to grip an object between the two bellows using the pinch members for lateral support. As the part is captured between the two bellows, each bellows is compressed against its respective pinch member. In such manner, the bellows are at least partially collapsed such that a vacuum sensor located in the vacuum supply line to the bellows registers that a vacuum is present and, thus, a part has been acquired.

Abstract: A setting head for the installation of fastener elements having a head and shaft into a pre-apertured workpiece. The setting head has at least three holding fingers, with each holding finger initially centering, aligning, and positioning the element in the setting direction, both at the head and also at a distance from the head along the shaft.

Abstract: A baggage handling device (1) comprising, in combination, a vacuum gripping foot (2) and a non-vacuum, mechanical engagement device (3) such as a simple hook or a power operated claw (4), with an operator activated control device to select either the vacuum gripping foot (2), or the mechanical device (3) as appropriate, for any particular item of baggage; with a powered hoisting an operator activated control device (6) to raise and lower the duplex unit (2, 3), as necessary in a baggage handling sequence.

Abstract: The head of a pick and place system for removing IC parts from a tray and inserting them into a burn-in board (BIB) includes one or more sensors which detect light reflected from a part picked up from a tray and outputs a signal which can be analyzed to determine if the part is improperly seated in the head (misprecised) or improperly inserted into the socket of a BIB (misinserted).

Abstract: The invention provides for an animal waste removal device constructed from two stirrup-shaped components hinged at an apex of the stirrup. Each of the members forming the waste removal device incorporates an end element. The end elements may be shaped so that when the waste removal device is in the closed position, a storage receptacle is formed therein. The storage receptacle may be used to store plastic bags for use in disposing of the waste. To access the plastic bags, the hinged components are moved apart and a plastic bag withdrawn. The waste removal device may also be used as a leash handle by connecting a leash to the apex portion of the closed device.

Abstract: A pick-and-place apparatus (404) for magnetically and vacuum coupling an item (1100) includes a base (516), a magnetic coupler (500), and a vacuum coupler (502). The magnetic coupler (500) includes a vertical member (506) and a magnetic body (504), where the vertical member (506) has a first end (501) coupled to a center (507) of the base (516) and a second end (503) coupled to the magnetic body (504). The vacuum coupler (502) includes a first tubular member (510), a first vacuum cup (508), a second tubular member (514), and a second vacuum cup (512). The first tubular member (510) has a first end (509) coupled to a first end (517) of the base (516) and a second end (511) having the first vacuum cup (508) attached thereto. The second tubular member (514) has a first end (513) coupled to a second end (519) of the base (516) and a second end (515) having the second vacuum cup (512) attached thereto.

Abstract: A personal dressing device/valet having dressing aids, comprising a pair of end caps, and an intermediate element having at least one compartment, and having opposite ends, and at least one of the end caps being removably securable to one of the opposite ends. One of the end caps of the pair of end caps having a clamping mechanism comprising a pair of jaws for assisting in fastening a bracelet to one's wrist; and the at least one end cap having another dressing aid selected from the group consisting of a zipper pull, button threader, emory board, magnifying glass and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The IC mounting/demounting system of the present invention makes it possible to adjust the interval between socket pushers 42 and 43 of mounting/demounting head 25 in accordance with the size of IC socket 1A. Therefore, it is unnecessary to replace mounting/demounting head 25 when changing types of IC's and therefore, the operation efficiency is greatly improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting one or more objects by suction includes a vacuum chamber, a grid element forming the floor of the vacuum chamber, and apparatus for creating a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the grid element includes a two-dimensional array of cells, each of which opens directly onto each opposite major surface of the grid element. Each cell has at least one valve member for closing and opening of the cell. The valve(s) normally assume a first position wherein the cell is open to provide direct communications through the cell between the opposite major surfaces of the grid element but are movable by a sufficient flow of air through the cell into a second position wherein the cell is substantially closed against such communication. Each valve member can include a flap valve pivoted for rotation between the first position and the second position, and a structure for supporting the grid element within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A rotatable arm mechanism capable of acquiring two elements simultaneously for purposes of assembly, disassembly and delivery. At one end of the rotatable arm there is mounted a vacuum cup capable of acquiring generally planar elements such as film samples. In addition, there is a pair of tongs extending from the same end of the rotatable arm. The tongs are movable from a converged, non-engaging position to a diverged engaging position such that objects having opening therein such as sample cups and/or rings can be engaged on an inner surface thereof and lifted. The rotatable arm is supported on a linear slide allowing the rotatable arm to be moved vertically. In such manner, the rotatable arm mechanism can reach into open sample cups and deliver thereto or remove therefrom, simultaneously, both a weighted ring and a sample thereby assembling or disassembling such elements.

Abstract: A component mounting apparatus includes a first pair of clamping members installed to face each other and to move toward and away from a hollow rod, and a second pair of clamping members installed to face each other at a predetermined angle with respect to the first clamping members and to move toward and away from the hollow rod. The first clamping members are driven by a first actuator and the second clamping members are driven by a second actuator. Thus, components of various configurations including any rectangle can be easily clamped. Another component mounting apparatus includes a lightweight component positioning unit. A component is picked up by a component pick-up unit protruding from the component positioning unit whose width becomes larger, positioned, and held by the component positioning unit. Thus, damage of the component can be prevented and component pick-up and mounting operations can be rapidly performed.

Abstract: A mounting head, a mounting apparatus, and a mounting method which are capable of contacting an electronic component with a substrate with a small contact load and mounting the component on the substrate, are provided. A suction device 120 is fit on a splined axis portion 118 of a support shaft 84 via a ball spline 126, is biased downward by a first spring 130, and is biased upward by a second spring 134. A suction nozzle 124 is attached to a nozzle holder 122 by engaging engagement ridges 172 of sheet springs 166 fixed to the suction nozzle 124 with engagement grooves 144 of the nozzle holder 122, respectively. Prior to the mounting of electronic components 178, a relationship between contact load and position of lift 28 is obtained, and a position to which the lift 28 is moved downward for mounting each electronic component 178 is pre-determined. Thus, each component 178 is contacted with a printed circuit board with an appropriate load.

Abstract: A vacuum lifting device that is particularly suitable for lifting refractory slabs used to line aluminum smelting cells incudes suction cups which engage the object to be lifted. A plurality of mechanical supports can be moved so that they extend at least partly underneath the object being lifted when the object is raised from the ground. The mechanical supports can hold the object in case of vacuum failure and improve the safety of the device. An optional automatic override can ensure that the mechanical supports are in the down position in the case of vacuum failure.

Abstract: A mechanism for picking up and centering a component which is to be placed on an object includes a suction nozzle for holding the component. A first actuator moves the suction nozzle vertically to position the component at a preselected height relative to centering fingers of the mechanism. A second actuator moves the centering fingers horizontally toward the component to center the component being held by the nozzle. A third actuator rotates the suction nozzle (and component) about a vertical axis. The fingers may form vertically spaced component-engaging zones of different shape (e.g., different width and/or thickness) for receiving components of correspondingly different shapes.

Abstract: A sow lifter includes a vacuum hood with a gasket which establishes a seal between the hood and a sow to be lifted from a mold. Preferably, the gasket is of a circular cross section before use and includes a core of a first material surrounded by a high temperature resistant fabric. The gasket is detachably mounted to the vacuum hood. A sow gripper may be provided and may take the form of fluid cylinder actuated arms with sow gripping elements. The gripping elements are shiftable from a first position in which the elements are not positioned beneath a lifted sow to a second position in which the gripping elements are at least partially positioned beneath the sow. The sow lifter is preferably utilized in combination with a sow train to facilitate the cyclical removal of at least partially solidified sows from cars or molds in the train as such molds pass a sow removal location.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting device of the type including a head movable along the upper surface of a substrate and in the directions of X- and Y-axes for, arranging electronic parts at predetermined locations on the substrate. The device comprises a frame, a spindle mounted on the frame rotatably and movably in the vertical directions with the upper end being connected to the vacuum source and the lower end having a nozzle for absorbing the electronic parts, a rotatable device rotatable relative to the frame and connected to the spindle displaceably in the axial directions and not rotatably relative thereto.

Abstract: A work positioner of a chip mounter comprising a positioner mechanism section for positioning a work such as a chip-shaped electronic part and a positioner driving section for driving the positioner mechanism section. The positioner mechanism section includes: guide plate; positioner blocks reciprocatively moving along at least one pair of guide grooves formed in a straight line and opposed to each other on the guide plate; and two pairs of positioner tips connected to the respective positioner blocks while clamping the guide plate in cooperation with the positioner blocks and adapted to open or close in operational association with the reciprocatory motions of the positioner blocks so as to clamp the chip-shaped work therebetween or to release it. The guide plate is clamped between the positioner blocks and the positioner tips, so that the positioner blocks and the positioner tips are caused to move along the guide grooves.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a device attachable to a grapple having tined jaws for scooping debris. The device comprises a first and second plate each having a front, a back, a rear edge, a leading edge, and two side edges. The device further comprising a first and second fastener for securing the first and second plate to the grapple jaws. Each fastener comprises a chock mounted to the back of each plate. The chock is adapted to fit snugly between the tines of the grapple jaw.

Abstract: The grab bucket of the present invention comprises the grabbing claws provided for opening and closing around the main body suspended from a crane, the electromagnet provided movably upward and downward from the ordinary location just underneath the main body to the dredging position on the bed and the side claws provided movably upward and downward to prevent the scrap from overflowing so as to increase the amount of the scrap to be loaded and unloaded. The side claws prevent the side plates and bed surface from being damaged. In the case of dredging the scrap on the bed, only the electromagnet proceeds unloading, thus the bed is not damaged by the grabbing claws.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cover-plate on an automotive vehicle, wherein the plate lies in line with the vehicle outer body panel and can be swung between an open and a closed position about a vertical or horizontal hinge axis and covers the space in which the mouth of the vehicle refuelling pipe is located. The cover-plate is opened in two stages, wherein the plate is opened slightly to a limited open position by a first opening device in a first opening stage, thereby enabling a second opening device to be inserted between the cover-plate and the outer body panel, and wherein the plate is opened completely by the second opening device in a second opening stage. The cover plate is swung from its open to its closed position by the second opening device.

Abstract: A gripping tool having a main body with a plurality of gripping ends. A first body arm is integral to and extends outward from the main body at one of the plurality of gripping ends. A first upper jaw is formed on the first body arm with a first clamping arm flexibly mounted to the first body arm by a pivot member. The first clamping arm has a first lower jaw formed thereon. Also, a method for grasping a tool by first applying a compressive force between a fixed arm and a clamping arm on one side of a pivot member to open a set of jaws on the opposite side of the pivot member. The open jaws are then moved in a direction perpendicular to the compressive force to arrange the open jaws around the shaft of a tool such that the tool is grasped when the compressive force is released.

Abstract: A carrier for a chalkboard eraser includes a C-shaped eraser holder having a top surface and depending sidewalls which have projections that engage the body of the eraser. A handle is connected to the eraser holder and it has a hollow portion which contains a collapsible pointer. To more positively retain the eraser within the carrier, a lever is pivotally connected to the eraser holder at a first end portion and a second end portion of the lever extends generally parallel to, but is resiliently spaced apart from the handle. The first end of the lever passes through an opening in the eraser holder so that as the second end portion of the lever is squeezed toward the handle, the first end of the lever pivots to positively engage the eraser for maintaining it at a fixed position within the eraser holder.

Abstract: A robot for depalletizing open top boxes having a product from a pallet, removing the box from the product, unloading the product onto a magazine conveying surface and picking up slip sheets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bag blank that is manipulatable to form a bag for capturing feces, ordure and the like and particularly to a bag blank that has a flat silhouette in profile and features a pair of hinge-like transverse foldlines normal to usual side foldlines. The side foldlines form termini for a pair of broad walls wherein such transverse foldlines are manipulable to permit an associated pair of skirt sections to undergo inverting movement relative to and interior of the pair of broad walls to create an inverted cavity of a transformed bag whose open end is horizontal adjacent to the transverse foldlines. In accordance with operational aspects, the user places his hand interior of the broad walls of the transformed bag wherein his palm fits adjacent to the apex section of the inverted cavity and his fingers and thumb reside in contact with continous terminus of the cavity.

Abstract: A load-lifting device includes a load carrying beam at whose underside are arranged load-lifting magnets and which has on both sides vertical support columns, wherein securing arms of a load securing device are arranged on the vertical support columns so as to be swingable and in out about a vertical axis. The securing arms engage underneath a suspended load when oriented toward each other in a secured position. The support columns are each arranged on upper support arms which are swingably fastened to a lifting device. The lifting device is supported by the load carrying beam. The securing arms engage in the secured position thereof underneath a suspended load and can be placed against the underside of the load.

Abstract: This improved cable-scooping hook device with upper and lower portions and with a pivot pin and hubs is better able to snatch and scoop up a load cable than previous designs. Its tongs-like configuration can have a combination of magnetic hammerheads, weights on top and an extension spring to help force its lower portions, including jaws, to separate, when suspended cargo makes a touchdown onto a platform. To ensure that the load cable is snatched, a bar magnet is suspended from one or both hubs of the pivot pin. A ferrous metal load cable is attracted by the suspended magnet and held in place until the device's jaws close, as a load is lifted by the hoist cables. A person holding a long pole with a hook on its end guides the device to the load cable's location. When the hook reaches the load cable, attached to a load, the device is lowered to make contact with it, whereupon the cable is quickly snatched and scooped up, aided by the magnet's attraction.

Abstract: Carriers of a type, each with two elastically bendable holding pieces extending inwardly from its frame-like housing to hold a thin integrated circuit (IC) therebetween, are delivered to a specified pick-up location. A robotically operated pick-up module has a frame-like structure with windows, admits these carriers individually into these windows, and clamps them within these windows by means of an actuator-controlled clamping member. After they are brought to a transfer station having seats with openings connected to a negative pressure source, their holding pieces are pushed apart by activating another actuator within the module so as to move claw-like unlatching members. The ICs, which are then placed on the seats of the transfer station and released from their carriers, are picked up by vacuum suction pipes connected to vacuum pumps.

Abstract: An improved hand tool having a plurality of semispherical projections, which can be attached to or formed integral with, the handle of a hammer and which enables a carpenter to use his hammer to quickly and easily carry sheet material and to hold the sheet material in place and to nail it without the loss of time entailed in setting his hammer down and subsequently retrieving it.

Abstract: A head case accommodates an axially movable suction nozzle that holds an electric component on a chip by suction at its center. At least four jaws, which are disposed around the center axis of the suction nozzle and adapted to move parallel to the bottom plate of the head case through guide slots radially extending with respect to the same axis, are attached to the bottom plate. Two each of the facing jaws on both sides of the axis are coupled together by means of links and always urged toward the suction nozzle by springs. While expanding rods actuated by pistons open the jaws, the suction nozzle picks up the electric component on a chip by suction. When released on completion of the pick-up, the jaws urged by the springs move an equal distance toward the axis of the suction nozzle parallel to the surface of the bottom plate to squarely hold the four sides of the electric component on a chip, with its center thus held in alignment with the axis of the suction nozzle.

Abstract: An assembly head for handling devices for programmed automatic mounting of components on a workpiece, in particular for assembling electronic components on printed circuit boards, comprises a sleeve which slides longitudinally in the central bore of a rotary star mounted in the assembly head, at least one pair of tongs which pivot in the direction of a suction pipette arranged at the lower end of the sleeve and which hold and adjust the components, and an ejection device which is guided in the sleeve and actuated by a transmission mechanism in synchronization with the movement of the sleeve so as to eject a component held by the assembly head and to stop the suction of the suction pipette. The ejection device guided in the sleeve can be actuated by a control element acted on by a tensile load.

Abstract: A vacuum pickup arrangement, particularly for a pick and place system for automated testing of integrated circuits, employs a resilient, bellows-like retractable device for making a secure vacuum-tight engagement with the integrated circuit specimen. The creation of the vacuum-tight engagement causes axial collapse of the bellows-like arrangement whereby the specimen is brought into communication with one or more protuberances or edges which define a predetermined angular orientation of the integrated circuit specimen desired to be achieved. Laterally disposed alignment jaws are employed to align the integrated circuit specimen with a test socket at a remote location. However, when the specimen is returned, the resilient nature of the bellows automatically realigns the integrated circuit specimen with the location at which it was originally picked up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching semiconductor dice to substrates includes a novel die-grasping apparatus and technique which employs a tweezer-like clamping device which has one fixed leg. The second leg of the clamping device is movable laterally towards the fixed leg by means of a linear actuator coupled to the movable leg through a spring. Lateral spacing between the linear actuator and the movable leg is adjustable, allowing the spring to be prestressed to a precisely adjustable value, thereby resulting in a precisely pre-adjustable side-gripping force on the lateral sides of a semiconductor chip or die, ensuring that the fragile die will not be broken by the grasping action. The preferred embodiment employs a micro-manipulator to precisely position a die in place on a molten solder pre-form on a substrate, and a vacuum probe for first placing the pre-form on the substrate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a hand held tool for connecting to an injection port of an intravenous administration set used to infuse a patient with an intravenous solution having apertures therethrough for receiving and removing the cover of a needle connected to a syringe and a handle for grasping by the user which is remote from the injection port, and a method for handling syringe needle covers during the injection of solutions into an injection port of an intravenous administration set.

Abstract: A deer dragging and hanging system for engaging a deer for dragging or hanging of the deer. The system can be used by either a single person or two persons, and provides for either a single point of engagement or two points of engagement. The device includes a cylindrical member, a center yoke affixed to the cylindrical member, two handles at outer ends of the cylindrical member, and two V-screws threaded into nuts in the ends of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: The output of a high speed press or bindery is formed into stacks which are then combined into four stack "cubes". The cubes are handled as units and formed into tiers which can be loaded onto pellets. A pickup head for manipulating the cubes is carried by a transport device such as a gantry or robot arm. It has a top plate which is connected to the transport device. The top plate carries horizontal guide members from which depend four side panels. The side panels may be retracted to grasp the sides of the cube or extended to release the cube. Fingers mounted along the bottom edges of the side panels are designed to extend between the bottom sheets of the cube and the surface on which it sits. They can be locked into this position, permitting the cube to be lifted and transported by the pickup head. Also disclosed is a gantry-type transport device with a telescoping extender to which the pickup head is connected.