Abstract: A mechanical device includes opposed frame members and an actuator assembly. The opposed frame members are slidably coupled to each other in a longitudinal direction. The opposed frame members are biased away from each other. The actuator assembly is mounted to the opposed frame members and includes an actuator and a locking member. The actuator includes an engagement pad and at least one lateral protrusion. The actuator being slidably disposed relative to one of the opposed frame members along the longitudinal direction. The locking member is kinematically coupled to the actuator and slidably disposed relative to the other opposed frame member. The locking member includes an inclined surface adapted to engage the at least one lateral protrusion.

Abstract: A beauty sponge gripper and stand that is adapted for being held by a user and gripping a beauty sponge for controlled application and blending of makeup that has been applied to the beauty sponge to the user's face without requiring the user to directly hold the sponge and for supporting the beauty sponge above a countertop without contacting other surfaces that would otherwise be soiled by the makeup for temporarily setting the beauty sponge down or for drying the beauty sponge between uses. The gripper stand includes a base portion with a bottom end that reliably rests on a flat surface and a gripper portion extending upward from the top end of the base portion. The gripper arms include sponge contact portions that collectively define a sponge-gripping gap between the top ends of the left and right gripper arms that is wider in the central area than near the front or rear areas of the gripper arms so that the beauty sponge is held without formation of a fold line.

Abstract: Provided is a human rescue apparatus that comprises a pulley for vertical extraction of a human using a pulley mechanical advantages system and a fan that is powered by rotation of the pulley to generate airflow in the direction of the user so as to cool the user during vertical extraction when direct aid from rescue workers is typically unavailable. The apparatus has a core mechanism and a support structure. The core mechanism comprises a pulley wheel and a fan coaxially connected together by an axle. The core mechanism is held securely and rotatably in a support structure such that it can freely rotate but otherwise be held by the supporting structure. In some embodiments the supporting structure includes one or more passageway allowing removal of the core mechanism.

Abstract: A device for fixing measuring devices perpendicularly on overhead linear objects, especially on overhead power transmission lines, which comprises a fastening element (1) and a swinging element (10) which are permanently connected to each other in such a way that the fastening element (1) is permanently connected to an inner cylindrical element (2) with a longitudinal assembly slot (3), on which inner cylindrical element (2) an outer cylindrical element (4) with a longitudinal assembly slot (3) is permanently pivotally mounted, whereas at one of the edges of the longitudinal assembly slot (3) of the outer cylindrical element (4), a fixing measuring element (5) is fastened, wherein a socket for mounting the measuring device is formed, preferably longitudinally, in the fixing measuring element (5).

Abstract: Mainframes for a self-propelled machine are disclosed. The mainframe includes first and second pockets that extend from the front end to the rear end of the mainframe. A hydraulic reservoir housing extends from the first side to the second side of the mainframe. The hydraulic reservoir housing is disposed between the front end of the mainframe and first and second drive openings.

Abstract: A vacuum cup is disclosed for use in a programmable motion device. The vacuum cup includes an open inlet for coupling to a vacuum source, and a vacuum cup lip on a portion of the vacuum cup that generally surrounds the open inlet. The vacuum cup lip includes an inner surface that defines the open outlet through which a vacuum may be provided, and includes noise mitigation features on an outer surface of the vacuum cup lip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ring holder. The ring holder includes a rotary base, a moveable seat and a ring body. The rotary base and the moveable seat are horizontally rotatably connected, and the ring body and the moveable seat are longitudinally rotatably connected by means of a rotating assembly. The ring holder further includes a limit piece configured to limit an opening angle of the ring body. The limit piece is connected to the rotating assembly by means of a connection piece. The ring holder is simple in overall structure and is convenient to operate. The ring body not only can rotate around the rotating axis of the rotating assembly, but also can perform circumferential motion along with the rotary base, whereby achieving 360 degrees of position adjustment. The adaptability is higher, and the user experience is better.

Abstract: Toolable modules, each having a set of functions and capabilities which are configurable to function cooperatively, to create a set of Robotic arms. Each finger of the module enables a specific task to be accomplished, providing multiple degrees of movements, enabling the Robotic arms to be deployed in highly precise applications and capable of responding to complex tasks. In coordination with an imaging system and a control system the functionality of the Robotic arms are programmable, scalable and configurable in addition to being able to communicate with the external interfaces in a predetermined protocol, thereby providing “Plug and Play” functionality.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel. The body structure may additionally include a suction cup system that comprises a flexible sealing lip at the object engagement region; wherein the chamber opening being positioned within a grasping region of the sealing lip.

Abstract: A climbing instrument that comprises a first ring, a second ring that is larger than and engaged with the first ring. The second ring may comprise a gate that traverses a portion of the second ring and a rotatable cylinder that is positioned opposite the first ring and integrated within the second ring. The climbing instrument may also comprise a plurality of curved protrusions connected to and extending out and away from at least one of the first ring and the second ring.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel.

Abstract: Devices and methods utilize a lifting beam comprising at least two connectors with a first connector substantially centered on the beam and a second connector disposed closer to an end of the beam which permit a heavy equipment operator to selectively change the vertical orientation of the lifting beam from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. The lifting beam is selectively positionable by the equipment operator downwardly through the top opening of a precast, concrete dome without requiring the operator to leave the protection of the equipment cab. When positioned inside the concrete dome, the lifting beam is oriented substantially horizontally and the concrete dome can be lifted and repositioned by lifting the beam.

Abstract: A gripper device includes a plurality of gripper claws, a plurality of linear motion units, each of which is disposed on corresponding one of the plurality of gripper claws, a synchronization mechanism configured to synchronize movement of the plurality of linear motion units, a first cylinder configured to apply a driving force thereof to the linear motion unit or the synchronization mechanism, a second cylinder having a shorter stroke and a greater driving force as compared to those of the first cylinder, and a transmission mechanism having a clutch which is configured to establish or release mechanical connection between the second cylinder and the synchronization mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an innovative retrieval device designed for the efficient recovery of items from deep wells, plumbing pipes, and similar structures. The device features a body with a plurality of arms attached to its distal end, each arm equipped with specialized gripping features to securely capture and retrieve items. A control cable is connected to the arms, facilitating their movement from an open to a closed position for item capture. The inclusion of a camera device within the body aids in precise item location, while a resilient connecting device allows for adjustment to the retrieval depth through an additional cable at any desired depth. Enhanced functionality is introduced through optional features such as a body tube for length extension, skids for improved navigation within pipes, and different cable configurations for optimized arm closure.

Abstract: A portable ground picking collector includes a picking tool having two picking portions and a control arrangement equipped with a disposable bag. The disposable bag is constructed by two bag layers to define a storage cavity and an opening. The control arrangement is configured to detachably hold at the picking portions of the picking tool at the bag layers respectively. When the picking tool is actuated to move the picking portions thereof away from each other, the opening of the disposable bag is opened up for receiving ground waste in the storage cavity. When the picking tool is actuated to move the picking portions thereof toward each other for picking up the ground waste, the opening of the disposable bag is closed to retain the ground waste in the storage cavity, such that the disposable bag is detached from the picking tool for disposing the ground waste in the disposable bag.

Abstract: Cooking tongs with first and second U-shaped arms hinged at a proximal end with generally flat and inwardly cupped spatulas at a distal end. A lance shaped temperature sensor mounted inside the first arm on a slide carrier and an aperture in the spatula through which a distal end of the lance shaped temperature sensor may be reciprocated on a slide carrier. A slide control attached to the slide carrier through a slot in a sidewall of the first arm for telescopic sliding of the lance shaped temperature sensor through the aperture in the first spatula. An electronic display window on the first arm connected to a data processor on the slide carrier for converting a signal received from the lance shaped temperature sensor into temperature data that is displayed in the electronic display window.

Abstract: While the described shovel can include any suitable component, in some cases, it includes a blade, a shaft, a handle, a handgrip, and/or a coupling component. In some cases, the handgrip is located at a center of weight of the shovel, with substantially half of the shovel's weight distributed on each side of the handgrip. In some cases, the shaft is oriented at an angle relative to the blade and the handle is oriented at an angle relative to the shaft. In some cases, the coupling component is located along the shaft and is configured to selectively and removably connect at least a first modular section of the shaft to a second modular section of the shaft. In some cases, the coupling component is configured to only fully engage when the first and second modular sections are in a single orientation with respect to each other. Other implementations are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chain plate flexible finger including a chain plate framework, a pneumatic elastic bellows artificial muscle, and a plastic annular frame. The axial expansion of the elastic bellows artificial muscle is restricted by the chain plate framework to overcome the elastic force of a tension spring to bend, to generate conformal contact between one or more chain plates and an object to be gripped and generate a contact force for a gripping state. With the control of a high-speed on-off valve, the air pressure in an inner cavity of the elastic bellows artificial muscle is accurately controlled to vertically or horizontally grip a cylindrical object, a cuboid object, a spherical object or an ellipsoid object. The flexible finger has adequate flexible adaptability and a simple structure, and is reliable to use, and adapts to differently shaped objects to be gripped and vertically and transversely placed objects.

Abstract: This workpiece transportation member includes at least one pair of support beams that each have a configuration where a placing portion configured to allow a heated workpiece to be placed is provided at an upper end portion, extend in a predetermined length direction, and are disposed at an interval in a width direction orthogonal to the length direction and a connecting portion configured to connect the at least one pair of support beams to each other at a position below the position of the upper end portion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for providing an end effector. The end effector may be capable of accommodating semiconductor wafers of varying sizes, and may include: a wafer support; a bearing arm capable of interfacing with at least one robotic element, and at least partially bearing the wafer support at one end thereof; a plurality of support pads on the wafer support for physically interfacing with a one of the semiconductor wafers; and a low friction moving clamp driven bi-directionally along a plane at least partially provided by the bearing arm, wherein the low friction moving clamp retractably applies force to a proximal edge of the semiconductor wafer.