Abstract: An adjustable gripping assembly having a first or holding end with a trigger assembly rotatably held therein and connected to a wind assembly having a flexible, non-resilient link held by one end therein for operating a pair of gripping elements, movably mounted on a distal end of an adjustable, multipart hollow body. The trigger assembly including a trigger lock thereon and the multipart body including telescoping locking element mounted on the telescoping joints to control adjustment of the length of the assembly when the portions of the multipart body are moved with respect to each other. And, a pivot joint formed on an outer end of the multipart body, adjacent the pair of gripping elements to allow the gripping elements to be pivoted to different angles on the outer end upon release of a locking element held in the pivot joint.

Abstract: A gripper tooling including a gripper, at least one slider, and at least one tooling member configured for gripping a workpiece. Each tooling member including a base slideably mounted to the at least one slider, at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base, a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment, an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one slider and a distal end attached to the distal segment, and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment. The at least one tooling member is configured for autonomously gripping the workpiece as the at least one jaw moves toward the workpiece and the at least one tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the at least one jaw moves away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A lens manipulator that includes an over-sleeve with a suction cup and lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening at the opposite end for receiving an adjustment rod. Adjustment of the length of the adjustment rod in the lumen controls the amount of suction force generated under the suction cup against a contact lens. Removal of the adjustment rod from the lumen eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens.

Abstract: A hook gate or hoist hook having a hook gate that is designed to prevent dynamic rollout. The lockable gate includes one or more release mechanisms that allow the gate to unlock and open upon actuation of the release mechanisms. The release mechanisms reside within a circumferential guard that extends outwardly from the gate. The guards preferably extend at least as far as the release mechanism or beyond the extension of the release mechanism. The hook gate further includes anti-snagging flanges extending generally in the vertical direction from both the top and bottom portions of the guard. The circumferential guard and the anti-snagging flanges in combination make it nearly impossible for an attachment mechanism to become improperly oriented under a load and effectively eliminate the possibility of dynamic rollout.

Abstract: An operation tool as a gripping device includes a first arm and a second arm that move in directions opposite to each other, and a third arm for engaging with a workpiece. The operation tool includes a gear and a gear moving cylinder for causing the gear to move to a first position, a second position, and a third position between the first position and the second position. The first arm and the second arm move when the gear is disposed at the first position. The third arm moves when the gear is disposed at the second position. The gear is separated from all of the arms when the gear is disposed at the third position.

Abstract: A bearing device comprising a hook, housing, and latch and release mechanism for locking and unlocking the hook, the lock and release mechanism having a pivot latch with a lower cavity capable of receiving one end of the hook, a lever and a locking cam. The lever is pivotally mounted in the housing and has first roller and second rollers on the ends thereof, the latch has an upper cavity in which the first roller can rest and roll, the cam has at least one locking arm on which the second roller can rest and roll. A rotation of the cam in one direction causes the lever to tilt in the other direction, releasing the first roller from the latch, and causes the latch to pivot under the weight of the hook until the end of the hook is released from the lower cavity in the latch.

Abstract: An apparatus for a gripping device for a portable computing device according to various aspects of the present technology may include a selectively deployable gripping element. A center section of the gripping element may be connected to the portable computing device by a gripping element retainer. The gripping element comprises opposing ends that extend away from the center section in a first position and curl inwards towards the center section and the gripping element retainer in a second position to form a ring. The opposing ends may comprise a locking mechanism configured to retain the opposing ends in the second position. The gripping element and the gripping element retainer may also be integrated with a cover or case configured to fit around the portable computing device.

Abstract: A suction gripper for handling small piece goods, particularly pharmaceutical packages, is provided. The suction gripper is suitable for handling different small piece goods. The suction gripper includes a main element, a rotary drive arranged on the main element with an axis of rotation which is vertical in the starting position, an end-effector unit coupled to the axis of rotation, wherein the end-effector unit has a holding element, to which a suction arm holder is fastened, wherein the suction arm holder has at least two elongated suction arms which each have a suction head with a suction surface at their distal end, wherein the suction arms are designed such that a negative pressure can be applied to them. The suction arm holder is rotatably mounted on the holding element, and the suction surfaces of the suction heads are dimensioned differently for handling different types of small piece goods.

Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector that includes a pliable body member defining an inner recess and having a sealing surface at a distal end. The sealing surface forms a seal with items and defines a first suction area. The end effector also includes an inflatable bladder that expands into the inner recess. When the bladder is in an inflated state, the bladder defines a second suction area smaller than the first suction area. The end effector also includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the inner recess.

Abstract: A method of (and an associated device for) applying or measuring the force applied to a sample tube is disclosed. The method includes the steps of driving a plurality of gripping fingers from an open position to a gripping position against a tube, while measuring the movement of first and second coaxial gears driving the fingers before the fingers grip the tube, stopping the movement of the first coaxial gear when the fingers grip the tube, and allowing and measuring a further limited movement of the second coaxial gear after the fingers grip the tube.

Abstract: A vacuum cup assembly and a method of lifting an object are provided. The vacuum cup assembly includes a cup structure defining an opening at a proximal end, a recess at a distal end, and a cavity region between the proximal and distal ends, where the cavity region includes at least one cavity. The opening is in fluid communication with the recess and with the cavity region. Inner structures are disposed in the cavity region. The inner structures are configured to hold the cup structure in a gripping position when a negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the cup structure. The cup structure is configured to be in a resting position without the negative pressure being applied to the cavity region. The vacuum cup assembly has a first shape in the resting position and a second shape in the gripping position.

Abstract: An automatic pick-up equipment adapted to pick up components having different shapes includes a base mounted on a manipulator of a robot, a first pick-up device mounted on the base and including a pair of first gripping mechanisms opposite to each other, and a second pick-up device mounted on the base and including a pair of second gripping mechanisms opposite to each other and a rotation mechanism. The first gripping mechanisms are configured to linearly reciprocate relative to each other to grip a first component. The second gripping mechanisms are configured to pivotally reciprocate relative to each other to grip a second component. The rotation mechanism is configured to drive the second gripping mechanisms to rotate relative to the base to change a posture of the second component.

Abstract: A material lifter comprising a vacuum pump, a frame containing the vacuum pump, an arm located on each of two opposing sides of the frame, each arm including—an upper end—pivotally connected to the frame, a cylinder located on each of the two opposing sides of the frame including an end connected to the frame and an end connected to a respective arm, a vacuum pad located on each of the two opposing sides of the frame—and removably connected to a respective arm, the vacuum pads being moveable along the arm to a first location and a first orientation and a second different location and a second different orientation, wherein as the cylinders extend and retract the arms pivot toward and away from one another between a first position and a second different position and the vacuum pads remain in a same orientation during the pivot.

Abstract: A robotic end-effector to provide an anthropomorphic hand with a dorsal actuation system. The hand has a substantially planar palm and fingers extending from the palm and capable of flexion and extension relative to the palm. The dorsal actuation system is supported on the palm and fingers, with actuators positioned at a dorsal side of the palm and links positioned at a dorsal side of the fingers.

Abstract: A dual-material vacuum cup for a vacuum-based end effector includes a bellows having a proximal end configured for connection to the end effector and a distal end. The bellows also defines a pathway for a flow of air. A lip is connected to the distal end of the bellows, the lip defining an opening in fluid communication with the pathway for the flow of air. An insert is then connected to a distal end of the lip, and the insert is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the lip. To engage parcels of various dimension and construction, the lip is composed of a first material (such as silicone rubber or another elastomeric material), while the insert is comprised of a second material (such as a foam material).

Abstract: Generation of dust from a peripheral portion of a substrate can be suppressed, and a processed substrate can be suppressed from being adversely affected by a pre-processed substrate. Further, an actual elevation state of the member configured to be moved up and down to support the substrate can be investigated. A substrate transfer device includes a first supporting portion, a second supporting portion and an elevating mechanism. The first supporting portion and the second supporting portion are configured to support a substrate from below the substrate. The elevating mechanism is configured to elevate the second supporting portion up and down between a first position higher than a height of the first supporting portion and a second position lower than the height of the first supporting portion. The substrate transfer device further includes a detecting mechanism configured to detect an elevation state of the second supporting portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fork (1) for collecting animal excrement, in particular horse droppings, comprising a handle (2) and a plurality of tines (3), which, after activation of an electromechanical actuation element (4), can be set into rapid vibration by a vibration device (5) arranged in the handle (2) so as to separate the animal excrement from shavings and other bedding material. The electromechanical actuation element (4) is mechanically and/or electrically decoupled from the vibration device (5).

Abstract: A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The elongated half sphere can be a one-piece main body comprising a floor with a front edge, a left side wall curving upwardly along the floor's left side, a right side wall curving upwardly along the floor's right side, and a back wall curving upwardly from the floor's back side. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall define a reservoir. The floor extends forwardly from the back side. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

Abstract: A grasp and release mechanism for carrying a load. The grasp and release mechanism includes a frame; a grasp mechanism attached to the frame and including plural permanent magnets configured to magnetically attach to a ferrous load; a release mechanism attached to the frame, wherein the release mechanism includes a drop plate; and an actuator mechanism attached to the frame and configured to apply a force F to the drop plate. The drop plate is configured to suddenly move relative to the frame to apply the force F to the load.

Abstract: A two-handed scissor-action grasping implement has a pair of clasping paddles connected to the distal ends of a pair of arms, which are pivotally connected to each other through a central pivot. The proximal ends of the arms are pressed together in order to press the clasping paddles together in a scissoring action in order to gather debris between the clasping paddles. A plurality of protrusions connected to the clasping paddles aid in capturing debris between them. The clasping paddles are oriented at inward angles relative to the arms so that the clasping paddles are flush with each other when pressed together. A forward angle of the clasping paddles may be selected by the user through a pair of fastening mechanisms through which the clasping paddles are connected to the arms. The clasping paddles may include a specified angle at one or more corners to conform to street curbs.