Abstract: This invention relates to a system for efficiently transporting large quantities of initially loose pieces of irregularly shaped scrap sheet metal by temporarily compressing batches of such pieces together into unitary slabs and then forming stacks of numerous slabs, arranged in closely fitted rows within open-top railroad cars or truck trailers. Each slab is formed by ramming a batch of pieces against a vertical plate so that the slab is generally vertically arranged. The slab is then allowed to gravity-fall upon a downwardly tilted table. A second slab is formed and similarly allowed to fall on the table in end-to-end contact with the first slab. The table is then tilted into a horizontal position. A horizontal magnet is positioned to overlap and engage both slabs simultaneously. The magnet is supported by a crane which lifts and moves the magnet over the open-top railroad car or truck and deposits the pair of slabs into an adjacent pair of stacks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a subsea salvage operation using a lifting magnet. In one embodiment, a method of salvaging a submerged production platform includes deploying a salvage vessel to a wreckage site of the submerged production platform; lowering a lifting magnet from the salvage vessel to the submerged production platform; and activating the lifting magnet, thereby capturing at least a portion of the submerged production platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting game with an all terrain vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus may be attached to the hitch of an ATV with an optional secondary attachment for an ATV rack. The apparatus uses a combined lifting and pivoting motion to raise the game from the ground and secure the game to the body of the ATV. This motion secures the game for transport and minimizes alterations to the ATVs center of mass, minimizing ATV tipping hazards when carrying heavy loads.

Abstract: An industrial robot may include an arm unit equipped with a hand structured to place a workpiece on the hand, a column structured to support the arm unit so as to enable the arm unit to move in a vertical direction, a hinge provided at an intermediate position in the vertical direction structured to section and fold the column into a base column and an upper column, supporting members placed on each of the base column and the upper column, screw support members placed on each of the supporting members, a screw shaft that is screwed into the screw support members, a base column side and an upper column side of the screw shaft being threaded reversely to each other, and a screw shaft turning means for turning the screw shaft. The industrial robot carries out transfer work of the workpiece at a predetermined working space.

Abstract: A laboratory system for handling sample tube racks, an alignment element for sample tube racks and a rack tray receiver assembly are disclosed. The laboratory system to handle laboratory sample tube racks comprises a robotic arm (220) with a gripper (222) for gripping primary racks (PR), wherein the primary racks (PR) to be handled comprise a first end surface (76) and a second end surface (78), the first end surface (76) having a first surface geometry and the second end surface (78) having a second surface geometry, and wherein the gripper (222) comprises a first gripping arm (226) and a second gripping arm (228), with the first gripping arm (226) having a gripping surface being complementary to the first surface geometry, and the second gripping arm (228) having a gripping surface being complementary to the second surface geometry.

Abstract: An integrated vacuum and magnetic gripper includes a rigid housing defining an internal chamber, and a flexible vacuum cup operatively connected thereto. A vacuum cavity is defined by the vacuum cup and a vacuum source is configured to reduce pressure in the vacuum cavity. A permanent magnet is disposed within the rigid housing, and a magnet release mechanism is configured to selectively render the magnet incapable of exerting sufficient force to hold the work piece. A pole plate may be interposed between the internal chamber and vacuum cavity, such that the pole plate forms a portion of the internal chamber and may act to provide friction on the work piece. A method of using the gripped includes operating at high acceleration while the vacuum gripper is monitored as fully operational and operating only at lower acceleration while the vacuum gripper is not fully operational.

Abstract: A fork assembly lift mechanism is disclosed that is configurable for use in a material handling vehicle for moving a fork assembly, including a fork trail assembly, between a lowered position and a raised position. The fork assembly lift mechanism comprises a master cylinder coupled to a truck body and the fork assembly for moving the fork assembly between the lowered position and the raised position, and a slave cylinder coupled to the fork assembly and the fork trail assembly for moving the fork trail assembly between the retracted position and the extended position. The slave cylinder is in fluid communication with the master cylinder such that actuation of the master cylinder results in actuation of the slave cylinder to move the fork assembly between the lowered position and the raised position, and to move the fork trail assembly between the retracted position and the extended position.

Abstract: A plate lifting clamp may include a body with a slot sized to receive the plate. A contact member may be positioned at a first side of the slot, and a cam may be attached to the body and positioned at the slot across from the contact member. The cam may include a contact section that extends along a first peripheral edge that faces towards the contact member and contacts against the plate when the cam is in a first rotational position. The cam may also include a second peripheral edge that includes teeth that each includes a first face and a second face. A pawl may be pivotally attached to the body to contact the teeth on the cam. The teeth and the pawl may be configured to control rotation of the cam.

Abstract: A method of lifting a boom assembly for a machine along a lift path is provided. The machine has a work implement coupled to the boom assembly. The method includes initially moving the work implement vertically from a lowered position to a first intermediate position forward of the lowered position. The method also includes subsequently moving the work implement vertically from the first intermediate position along a slightly rearwardly inclined direction to a second intermediate position rearward of the first intermediate position. The method also includes subsequently moving the work implement vertically from the second intermediate position along a slightly forwardly inclined direction to a third intermediate position forward of the second intermediate position. The method also includes finally moving the work implement vertically from the third intermediate position along a slightly rearward inclined direction to a final position rearward of the first, second, and third intermediate positions.

Abstract: A grappler for use in grasping and manipulating pipe segments for large diameter pipeline tie-ins has a first frame and a second frame movably secured thereto. A pair of grapple arms is pivotally mounted to each frame and is actuated between a open position and a closed position to engage and grasp the pipe segments. An actuator displaces the second frame relative to the first frame in a first degree of movement to displace one pair of grapple arms relative to the other pair of arms, and a support frame provides the grappler with two additional degrees of movement. When mounted to a backhoe or like device, the grappler facilitates safe retrieval of pipe from hazardous trenches, and provides handling and alignment of the pipe segments for easier and safer welding of the pipe joints.

Abstract: A linkage assembly that includes a pivot pin cartridge disposed to connect pivotably a lift arm and a lever of the linkage assembly along an axis including the cartridge. The pivot pin cartridge includes a pin, at least one bustling pivotably disposed about at least a portion of the pin, and a pair of sleeve bearing inserts free-floatingly positioned about the pin and within at least a portion of the bushing. The rear tilt lever is coupled to the bushing for rotation about the pin, while at least one of a pair of side plates of the lift arm is coupled to the pivot pin.

Abstract: A working machine includes a body and an axle which is mounted so as to be moveable relative to the body, the axle carrying at or towards each end, a ground engaging wheel by means of which the machine can travel over the ground, the machine including a speed sensor sensitive to the machine ground speed, and there being a hydraulic control system including at least one control actuator connected between the body and the axle for controlling movement of the axle relative to the body, and the hydraulic system further including at least one control valve which is operable to restrict fluid flow occurring as a result of the control actuator extending or retracting in response to axle movements relative to the body, depending upon the signal provided by the speed sensor, wherein the control valve is an electrically operated control valve, operated proportionally by a valve controller which responds to changes in machine speed, by adjusting the restriction to fluid flow so as to permit more fluid flow as the machin

Abstract: A wafer carrier opener is provided. The wafer carrier opener may eliminate the use of two separate actuators by using a four-bar linkage mechanism. The wafer carrier opener includes a wafer carrier door receiver, a horizontally stationary member, and a link coupled between the wafer carrier door receiver and the horizontally stationary member so as to allow horizontal movement of the wafer carrier door receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading particulate catalytic material into reactor tubes comprising an axial shaft capable of rotational movement around its axis in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction and having attached at its lower end perpendicular to the axis a horizontal distribution shaft, the length of which can be varied, one end of a flexible hollow catalyst supply hose being attached to the end of the horizontal distribution shaft extending into the reactor space, the other end of the flexible catalyst supply hose being available for entrance of catalyst particles external to the reactor tube. The invention also concerns a method of loading particulate catalytic material into a reactor tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a container between stations, for example, from a rotary machine to a conveyor is provided having a rotary apparatus having a plurality of grippers constructed and arranged to receive and retain containers, a mechanism for rotating the grippers by about 90°. For example, the containers can be in a vertical position when received by the grippers and in a horizontal position when released by the grippers. A method for transporting a container between stations is provided. For example, the method can include receiving and retaining containers proximate a rotary machine and rotating the container to by about 90° proximate a conveyor and releasing the container to fall by gravity onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving magnetic material includes an electromagnet for lifting the magnetic material where upon its release, the residual magnetic flux of the lifted magnetic material is reduced. The apparatus includes a generator coupled to the electromagnet. The generator includes a control input and an armature having a voltage output. A controller has an output coupled to the generator's control input and armature voltage output, whereupon receiving a release material signal from an operator interface panel to release the magnetic material from the electromagnet, the controller transmits a plurality of control signals, one of which is at least partially dependent upon the duration of a previously transmitted control signal, to effectively alternate the polarity and reduce the magnitude of the magnetizing force of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A robotic arm-end gripping device having a belt-driven drive train is provided. The gripping device includes a set of opposing gripping arms, a variable speed motor, a motor controller adapted to control the operation of the variable speed motor, a drive train driven by the variable speed motor, the drive train comprising a drive belt, a plurality of sheaves, and a plurality of belt clamps mounted to the drive belt and operatively connected to the opposing gripping arms, and a robot arm-end interface. The gripping device may include a fail-safe method and apparatus for prevent the dropping of the gripped article. The belt drive and associated controls provide smooth and rapid operation. The gripping device may be adapted to any arm-end tooling.

Abstract: A conveyance device suitable for an automobile assembling plant has an object loading and unloading conveyance device between a hanging conveyance line, in which a pallet supporting a door is conveyed while being supported by a hanging hanger, and an object loading and unloading position on the floor side. The conveyance device also has a pallet transferring position set above the object loading and unloading position, a horizontal conveyance device, which conveys a pallet between the pallet transferring position and a hanger stop position, and an elevating conveyance device which conveys the pallet vertically between the object loading and unloading position and the pallet transferring position. The elevating conveyance device rotates a plurality of pallet mounting bases in an endless cyclic elevating path while holding these in erect postures, and the pallet mounting bases are arranged at even intervals equal to the distance between the upper and lower positions.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a passive substrate gripper, including first and second segments, is provided. The second segment may be connected to the first segment, and the first and second segments may jointly form a substrate support. The substrate support may be shaped to support a substrate in first position within the substrate support when the substrate support is in a first angular orientation. The substrate may be removable from substrate support in a first direction when in the first position. The substrate may move into a second position when the substrate support is moved into a second angular orientation. The substrate may not be removable in the first direction when in the second position within the substrate support. The passive substrate gripper may also include a support ledge extending from opposing inner surfaces of the first and second segments, on which the substrate is supported.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus capable of preventing contaminants from sticking to a substrate again when the substrate is unloaded, wherein a first support member and a second support member are provided on an arm, the first support member supporting the substrate when the substrate is loaded into a processing machine and the second support member supporting the substrate when the substrate is unloaded from the processing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing an unvulcanized are tread from a storage device (14) includes the step of inverting the tread (12) and transporting it to a roller conveyor in a single step. The tread (12) is picked up by a vacuum bar (80) fitted with a series of suction cups (76). Individual suction cups (76) can be selectively supplied with vacuum depending on the length of the tread (12). After the suction cups (76) have engaged the tread, the tread is raised from the storage device (14), inverted through 180 degrees, and then set onto a special slotted roller conveyor (130). The slotted roller conveyor (130) has a center slot (142) to receive the vacuum bar (80) as it passes therethrough. Side slots (144,146) in the conveyor receive arms (90,92) attached to the vacuum bar (80).

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus capable of preventing contaminants from sticking to a substrate again when the substrate is unloaded, wherein a first support member and a second support member are provided on an arm, the first support member supporting the substrate when the substrate is loaded into a processing machine and the second support member supporting the substrate when the substrate is unloaded from the processing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting, rotating, and positioning heavy objects using a toggle device attached to a prime mover. The toggle is vertical at rest and can be inserted into the opening in the side of a pipe. The toggle is rendered horizontal inside the pipe by the activation of a solenoid and the pipe can then be lifted by the prime mover. The pipe can be rotated to any desired fixed position by a hydraulic cylinder moving a piston through a piston sleeve having spiral grooves. The entire lifting and positioning of a heavy object with the toggle device can be completed by a single user operating from within the prime mover.

Abstract: A concrete product molding machine has a mold removal and replacement mechanism which includes a transfer carriage movable from a location remote from mold supports on the machine along a pathway leading longitudinally abeam of the mold supports. Motor mechanism is activatable for moving a transfer carriage longitudinally adjacent to the machine, moving a cross carriage transversely inward, raising an elevator platform to deposit a mold thereon, returning the cross carriage transversely, and moving the transfer carriage longitudinally to remove the mold to a position adjacent to a mold deposit and replacement station. The mold is deposited at the mold deposit and replacement station and a replacement mold is deposited on the removal and replacement mechanism to be transferred to the concrete molding machine.

Abstract: A boom assembly has articulated boom section which permit a lifting bucket or working tool to a raised position in which the boom end moves substantially vertically for a selected portion of its movement of the boom above which the boom end moves upwardly and forwardly. The links are used are selected in length to permit this travel. The links are supported close to the loader support axles to transfer loads to the ground through a short load path.

Abstract: A method provides an exact measurement of the tool center point (TCP) being carried out, preferably in the whole working area of the robot. In this measurement, the robot moves very slowly so that little heat is generated by the driving assemblies and the temperature gradients are as low as possible. The measurement can be made, for example, using a high-precision laser distance and angle measurement system. The measurement is carried out such that a measuring point is moved to working area points and then the deviations of the positions and/or orientations of the measuring point are determined using the laser distance and angle measurement system, i.e. a nominal/actual comparison is made. The TCP can preferably serve as the measuring point. The point must always be selected so that the positioning and orientation deviations of the kinematic chain with respect to the PCT can be determined with sufficient accuracy.

Abstract: A group of bolts are suppled into a placing surface of a tray, an isolated bolt is searched for by a visual sensor, and its deviation from a standard position at the time of teaching is determined. The isolated bolt is picked up by a robot that has been taught how to pick up an isolated bolt laying in a standard position. The position of the robot's hand is corrected according to the deviation from the standard position before the robot attempts to pick up the located isolated bolt. If no isolated bolt is found, a shaking device 1 is operated to loosen the piled-up bolts, and a new isolated bolt is again searched for by the visual sensor. The isolated bolt, if found, is picked up. The picking-up operation may be performed by searching for an isolated small set of bolts using a three-dimensional visual sensor. The oscillating excitation can also be provided by a robot.

Abstract: A device is provided for unloading a mold from the mold support surface of a concrete products producing machine and moving it to a remote mold replacement station, and then loading a replacement mold to the support surface of the machine. It incorporates a carriage supporting framework, a mold carriage transport system on the framework extending into the molding machine from the mold replacement station, which is mounted by the framework for vertical travel, and a mold transport carriage for moving from the replacement station along the transport system to a position juxtaposed vertically with the machine mold support surface. An actuatable mechanism interacts with the transport system for moving the transport system vertically relative to the carriage supporting framework from a remote support position aligned vertically with the mold to a mold support position in which the transport system can move the mold out of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning an end effector that is attached to a robotic arm of a disk certification system. The end effector includes a disk paddle that is pivotally connected to an end effector housing. The end effector housing has a center opening that can receive a gripper subassembly. The disk paddle grabs a disk which has a center opening. The disk paddle is aligned by placing the end effector onto an alignment plate so that a center alignment pin of the plate is inserted into the center opening of the housing, and an outer alignment pin is inserted into the center opening of the disk. The end effector has an adjustment screw that can be adjusted to vary the position of the disk paddle so that the outer alignment pin is accurately positioned within the disk center opening. After alignment the end effector can be attached to the robotic arm.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to lift and transport a bulky load, such as a round bale of hay. The apparatus of the invention is a planar frame equipped with sliding block adapted to contact and maintain the load to be lifted against the frame during lift and transport. The frame is further equipped with a cable and associated sheave and attachment means adapted to cause the sliding block to move or not to move relative to the frame upon movement of the frame relative to a support, such as the ground depending upon the method of anchoring the cable. The frame is still further equipped with sites adapted for lifting/rotatable attachment to a 3-point lifting device, such as a farm tractor, having the capability to lift the apparatus and load.