Abstract: A positioning apparatus that is configured to assist in the placement of cargo securing chains or similar elements so as to secure a cargo load. The positioning apparatus includes a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable is secured to a weight member. The second end of the cable is secured to a mounting plate. The mounting plate of the present invention is planar in manner having an upper peripheral edge that is arcuate in form. The mounting plate has a first aperture proximate the upper peripheral edge. A pair of lower apertures are formed in the mounting plate along the lower edge thereof. A first fastener and a second fastener are operably coupled to the pair of lower apertures. Chains are secured to the first fastener and second fastener.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism includes an adjusting assembly, a driving assembly and a plurality of clamping assemblies. Each clamping assembly includes a base body slidably sleeved on the driving assembly. The adjusting assembly includes a first adjusting member, and a second adjusting member parallel to the first adjusting member. The first adjusting member is fixed to a base body located on a first end of the plurality of clamping assemblies. Opposite ends of the second adjusting member are fixed to the driving assembly and a base body located on a second end of the plurality of clamping assemblies. Each of the first and second adjusting members respectively define a plurality of first and second steps. The first steps and the second steps slidable resist sidewalls of the base body. An upward direction of the plurality of first steps is reverse to that of the plurality of the second steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device which has multiple holding points. The gripper device according to the present invention comprises: a frame comprising a rotating shaft which is arranged in parallel; a holding means fixed by a bracket to one holding point on the rotating shaft; and a driving means which rotates the rotating shaft and the holding means. The gripper device effectively responds to holding points which vary depending on the type of article held so that the articles can be stably held.

Abstract: A robotic container reorganizer has a robot arm that holds a robotic tool. The robotic tool can reconfigure a plurality of articles from a first configuration to a second configuration. The robotic arm may pick up a collection of articles in a first configuration with the robotic tool, and may reconfigure the articles with the robotic tool into a second configuration. The second configuration of articles may be set down after reconfiguration. The first configuration of articles has a first width and a first length, and the second configuration has a second length and a second width. The first width and the first length of the first configuration differ from the second width and the second length of the second configuration.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for the handling, transporting and/or positioning component parts include a jig assembly for supporting a component part is provided with an elongate spar assembly, a plurality of rib assemblies attached to the spar, and a plurality of tensionable strap assemblies operatively associated with the rib assemblies for capturing and holding the component part against the rib assemblies. The strap assemblies may include a strap ratchet mechanism and a strap, so that operation of the strap ratchet mechanism allows strap slack to be removed thereby tensioning the strap. The jig assembly may be positioned and oriented by suspension cables and a hoist mechanism to allow it to be removably connected to a moveable transport dolly.

Abstract: A robot gripper is provided comprising two robot arms, upper contact parts, and lower contact parts disposed at the ends of each of the two robot arms. The upper and lower contact parts are in contact with a top and a bottom of an article when gripping the article, The upper and lower contact parts are semispherical shaped and have predetermined radii. Sensor units are mounted on the upper contact parts and the lower contact parts. The sensor units measure vertical or horizontal forces applied to the upper contact parts or the lower contact parts when gripping the article. A control unit configured to determine whether the center of gravity of the article is located at a center position between the ends of the arms using vertical and horizontal distances between the ends of the arms and vertical components of the forces measured by the sensor units when gripping the article is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that serves as an attachment for a forklift truck or the like for handling multiple drums simultaneously. The drums to be transported are arranged symmetrically in a cluster about a central vertical axis. The apparatus includes a slidable suspension plate that connects to a latching device adapted to clamp onto the rim of each drum in the cluster. The sliding movement of the suspension plate is confined to a linear path of travel by guide rails. The limited forward/rearward linear movement aids in locating the clamping device accurately relative to the central vertical axis of the cluster.

Abstract: A gripper for a door of a vehicle is provided which may be applied to various types of vehicles. In particular, a gripper for a door of a vehicle as provided may include frames mounted to an end of an arm of a robot, moving units which are disposed on the frames and are configured for reciprocating toward a clamping point of a door panel, angle adjusting units disposed to an end of the moving unit and configured for reciprocating forward and backward with respect to the frame and adjustable according to an angle difference of the door panel, and clamping units which are disposed on each angle adjusting unit and configured for clamping the clamping points of the door panel.

Abstract: A lift frame for engaging and transporting a slatted vehicle grill. Two U-bolts extend from a rectangular frame with a crane lift point and a securing fastener. The U-bolts slideably slot between a pair vehicle grill slats while a fastener bolt clamps the U-bolts and slats together. Two locking clamps attach the lower frame rail to a second set of slats, securing the entire assembly against the vehicle grill for removal and transport. The frame provides a tool that improves safety and reduces effort required to lift a large vehicle radiator grill when access to the internal engine compartment is necessary for maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: An aerodynamically controlled grapple assembly includes a frame member secured to an associated load line and a streamlined body mounted to the frame member. The streamlined body includes a main lifting surface extending away from the body in a first direction and a vertical stabilizer extending away from the body in a second direction. A pair of grapple arms are movably connected to the frame member.

Abstract: A method of moulding a wind-turbine blade in a mould is described. The method includes arranging a number of markers on an interior of the mould; arranging a composite layup in the mould; and assembling and curing the composite layup in the mould such that a negative impression of a marker is formed on a surface of the composite layup, which negative impression facilitates correct positioning of the blade relative to a component in a subsequent assembly step. A mould for moulding a wind-turbine blade; a wind-turbine blade moulded using such a mould; and a positioning device for positioning a drilling and/or milling tool relative to a root portion of a wind-turbine blade moulded using the inventive method are disclosed. A method of manufacturing a wind-turbine blade is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a gripping head for packages of a wedge-like form. The invention also concerns a method of gripping a group of packages and transferring them into a box. The gripping head has side steering plates and pressure finger plates on two opposite sides. At one end of the gripping head a stop plate is arranged between the side steering plates and the pressure finger plates, while the opposite end is open. The side steering plates each has a number of steering plates and fingers of the pressure finger plates are placed on either side of the steering plates, which fingers are received in notches of the side steering plate. The fingers have folded lower ends. The side steering plates and the pressure finger plates are arranged mutually moveable bringing the folded lower ends of the fingers into and out of a position below the side steering plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a common fender mounting jig apparatus for use with multifarious vehicles including a plurality of common clamping units for clamping fender panels of multifarious vehicles by using, selectively, a plurality of fixing blocks processed in compliance with the shape of a fender panel associated with each vehicle model. Additionally, the common fender mounting jig may also include a clamp movement unit for moving the common clamping unit upwardly and downwardly, forwardly and backwardly; a fender mounting jig mounted on its upper face with the common clamping unit and loading the fender panel clamped by the common clamping unit on a body-in-white; and a jig movement unit for moving and rotating the fender mounting jig. By using only one common clamping unit, the present invention is able to comply with various shapes of fender panels of multifarious vehicles.

Abstract: A seed handling tool includes a handle connected to a working body. The working body includes a working surface, which further includes a plurality of seed retention points. A seed retention source is provided to allow the seed handling tool to pick up and retain seeds at the seed retention points. In some embodiments, the seeds may also be released from the seed retention points. A method for retaining a plurality of seeds by the seed handling tool includes moving the seed handling tool to a position where the working surface is adjacent to a plurality of seeds, and picking up and retaining seeds at a plurality of seed retention points fixed at the working surface. In some embodiments, the method may also include releasing the plurality of seeds from the seed retention points.

Abstract: A lift frame for engaging and transporting a slatted vehicle grill. Two U-bolts extend from a rectangular frame with a crane lift point and a securing fastener. The U-bolts slideably slot between a pair vehicle grill slats while a fastener bolt clamps the U-bolts and slats together. Two locking clamps attach the lower frame rail to a second set of slats, securing the entire assembly against the vehicle grill for removal and transport. The frame provides a tool that improves safety and reduces effort required to lift a large vehicle radiator grill when access to the internal engine compartment is necessary for maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganisation of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.

Abstract: A head block assembly (105) comprising a first head block (120) having a first pair of cable engaging sheaves (130); a second head block (125) having a second pair of cable engaging sheaves (135); a separation device (140) mounted intermediate the first and second head blocks (120, 125), for effecting relative transverse movement of said head blocks; wherein the first pair of sheaves (130) are selectively disengagable from the first head block (120), and selectively engagable with the second head block (135).

Abstract: A frame (35) for supporting a detection system whilst said frame in attached to a lifting frame, said lifting device used for lifting freight, the frame (35) comprising attachment brackets (52 A, B) for attaching the frame (35) to the lifting device; at least one mounting bracket for mounting the detection system to the frame, such that the frame (35) is in spaced relation to the freight whilst mounted to the lifting device.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a lifting assembly has a frame structure with a translatable support element. The support element has a load-bearing surface and a screw-form. The screw-form is threadedly connected to a gear which is in mechanical communication with a power source, which may be an electric motor. The load-bearing surface is fixed to a shaft of the translatable support element and at least a portion of the load-bearing surface is angularly oriented with respect to the shaft. A guide with at least one end fixed to the frame structure is adapted to adjust the rotational orientation of the load-bearing surface.

Abstract: A device for, and method of, handling and mounting a boat sundeck. The device includes a platform having first and second ends. A clamp structure is connected to the first end of the platform such that the clamp structure can be used to hold and move the sundeck of a boat. In addition, control modules are connected to the second end of the platform to aid in manipulation of the sundeck by the device. A lift connection location is positioned between the first and second ends of the platform and allows the device to be connected to an articulated boom.

Abstract: An end arm manipulator includes a base, an arm pivotably mounted to the base and a workpiece interfacing member coupled to the arm. In another aspect of the present invention, multiple arms are coupled to the base and are movable independent of each other. In still another aspect of the present invention, generally spherical balls are adjustably mounted between a clamping member and a cavity of the base.

Abstract: A clamp device (1) is intended for connecting a tarpaulin (23) to a movable beam assembly (25) in a tarpaulin handling machine. The clamp device (1) has as its clamping member a freely rotatable, eccentric roller (4) adjacent a base member (7), the tarpaulin being inserted between the roller and the base member and held there by the roller.

Abstract: A gripping device, adapted to be mounted on a robot arm, includes a central beam (1) having high characteristics of inertia in flexure and in torsion, and at least one arm (11-27) secured removably to the beam and adapted to support a member for positioning, holding or gripping a piece of automobile body work.

Abstract: Transfer machine, intended for transferring loads (K), especially containers, wherein the transfer machine comprises a frame (R) equipped with a wheelwork (P); a horizontal support plane (1) located in connection with the frame (R) for supporting the load (K) during the transfer, and a vertical transfer apparatus (S) for lifting the load (K) on the support of the support plane (1) and off the support of the support plane (1), wherein the vertical transfer apparatus (S) is arranged to lift and lower loads (K) from the side of the transfer machine and thereby from the side of the support plane (1). The vertical transfer apparatus (S) of the transfer machine is placed in connection with the frame (R) on the first side of the support plane (1), and the vertical transfer apparatus (S) is arranged to reach over the support plane when lifting or lowering the load (K), in order to move the load (K) onto the support plane (1) or off the support plane (1) from the second side of the support plane (1).

Abstract: A device used to simultaneously lift three concrete blocks from a pallet using a backhoe or crane and reposition them for exact placement on a wall. The device comprises a lifting bar that is suspended in a horizontally aligned position from a cable or chain connected to the shovel or hook on a backhoe or crane, respectively. Extended downward from the lifting bar are three block lifting assemblies. Each block lifting assembly includes two connecting rods that fit into vertically aligned holes formed on the concrete blocks. Each connecting rod is pivotally connected at its upper end to a short segment of chain or cable which pivotally connects to a rigid transfer plate. Each assembly also includes two long segments that pivotally connect to the upper edge of the transfer plate. The upper ends of the two long segments are spaced apart and pivotally connected to the lifting bar so that the long segments converge and are aligned diagonally when the connecting rods are placed inside the holes.

Abstract: A device used to simultaneously lift three concrete blocks from a pallet using a backhoe or crane and reposition them for exact placement on a wall. The device comprises a lifting bar that is suspended in a horizontally aligned position from a cable or chain connected to the shovel or hook on a backhoe or crane, respectively. Extended downward from the lifting bar are three block lifting assemblies. Each block lifting assembly includes two connecting rods that fit into vertically aligned holes formed on the concrete blocks. Each connecting rod is pivotally connected at its upper end to a short segment of chain or cable which pivotally connects to a rigid transfer plate. Each assembly also includes two long segments that pivotally connect to the upper edge of the transfer plate. The upper ends of the two long segments are spaced apart and pivotally connected to the lifting bar so that the long segments converge and are aligned diagonally when the connecting rods are placed inside the holes.

Abstract: A clamp device (1) is intended for connecting a tarpaulin (23) or the like to a movable beam assembly (25) in a tarpaulin handling machine. The clamp device (1) has as its clamping member a freely rotatable, eccentric roller (4) adjacent a base member (7), the tarpaulin being inserted between the roller and the base member and held there by the roller.

Abstract: A gripping device, adapted to be mounted on a robot arm, comprises a central beam (1) having high characteristics of inertia in flexure and in torsion, and at least one arm (11-27) secured removably to the beam and adapted to support a member for positioning, holding or gripping a piece of automobile body work.