Abstract: A torque device for selectively securing, engaging, or gripping an elongate medical device is disclosed. The torque device can be configured to permit torquing of the elongate medical device by manipulation of the torque device. A securement mechanism for selectively securing, engaging, or gripping an elongate medical device is also disclosed. The securement mechanism may be adapted for use with the disclosed torque device, or the securement mechanism may also be adapted for use with other medical devices. For example, the securement mechanism may be adapted for use with a suture securement apparatus.

Abstract: A ball collecting device with ball collecting module having a collecting component and at least one ball collecting module is disclosed. The collecting component has an accommodation space for accommodating at least one ball such that the ball can be collected into the accommodation space by rotating the collecting component. The ball collecting module is pivoted on the collecting component such that an angle is formed between the ball collecting module and a rotation axle of the collecting component, and the angle is smaller than 90 degrees or equal to 90 degrees. A constant distance between the ball collecting module and a plane is maintained when the ball is collected by the ball collecting device.

Abstract: A hand at a robot arm leading end is provided with a mounting portion for a finger. The mounting portion includes a guiding unit that guides a supported portion of the finger so as to enable the supported portion to pass through from one end part of the guiding unit 31 to another end part thereof. The mounting portion further includes a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism moves the supported portion from any of end parts of the guiding unit 31 toward a mount position between the end parts, to thereby bring the supported portion of the finger into a restricting state at the mount position. Moreover, the lock mechanism moves the supported portion toward any of the end parts from the restricting state, to thereby bring the supported portion from the restricting state into a releasing state.

Abstract: Needle gripper features a gripper unit with a gripping surface facing a workpiece to grip, and a needle carriage with a gripping needle. The needle carriage moves into an active position extending the gripping needle beyond the gripping surface by one needle stroke depth, and in a passive position retracting the gripping needle, and features a drive unit with a drive actuator driven forward/backward along a drive direction that couples to the needle carriage so it moves into the passive/active positions by driving the drive actuator forward/backward. A setting device for setting the needle stroke depth includes a guide carriage displaceable perpendicularly to the drive direction along a guide direction, and a stop for the guide carriage. The drive actuator couples via connection arm to the guide carriage so when the drive actuator moves backward, the guide carriage moves in the direction toward the stop, which prevents further backwards movement.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool system that can be assembled into multiple configurations by a user. The tool system may comprise a plurality of components, including tool heads, shaft segments, and handle ends. The components of the tool system can be combined in various configurations to provide different functions, at different lengths. Connectors may be utilized to connect the various components of the system using a twist lock mechanism. The connectors may include a tubular sleeve member having a biased locking shaft that interacts with a locking groove.

Abstract: A zipper pulling device for allowing a user to more easily zip up a dress or other similar garment. The zipper pulling device includes a rod having a first end and a second end, wherein the rod is telescopic such that it can be extended or retracted to a desired length. The first end comprises a magnet thereon that can be used to engage a metal zipper. The second end of the rod includes a hook thereon, wherein the user can alternately use the hook to engage the zipper. In this way, the user can grasp an end of the rod and pull the rod upward so that the hook or magnet temporarily engaged with the zipper pulls along the teeth of the zipper, allowing a user to more easily zip up a dress.

Abstract: An extension-type holder comprising a cover, a movable base, a tube and an extensible rod assembly, the cover has an eccentric rod, the movable base has an eccentric pipe, a rotating joint is disposed between the extensible rod assembly and the tube, wherein the eccentric pipe can contain the eccentric rod, the tube can contain the movable base, a holding space can be formed between a cover and a movable base when the eccentric rod and the movable base is in an extending state.

Abstract: Examples described here include a device that has a housing defining a cavity, and a force sensor. The device also includes a first hydraulic actuator positioned in the cavity, and a second hydraulic actuator positioned in the cavity. The first and second hydraulic actuators move between respectively relaxing modes and thrusting modes along respective longitudinal axes. The longitudinal axis of the first hydraulic actuator is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second hydraulic actuator. The device also includes a first actuated member coupled to the first hydraulic actuator, and a second actuated member coupled to the second hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A manure fork has an elongate handle with a fork head mounted thereupon. The fork head includes a rear frame, a tine frame, and a pair of side panels. The rear frame has a pair of side edges, a lower edge that extends a width. The tine frame includes a lateral body that abuts the lower edge of the rear frame and extends the width of the rear frame, and a plurality of tines extending outwardly from the lateral body such that the tine frame is disposed in a generally planar configuration, the tine frame further having side edges. A plurality of cable ties are provided that each wrap around the lower edge of the rear frame and the lateral body of the tine frame for further securing the tine frame to the rear frame.

Abstract: In certain aspects, devices and methods for moving a toilet are provided that can include an elongated member, a first engaging member, and a second engaging member. The engaging members can be coupled to the elongated member and extend radially away from the elongated member. The engaging members can include contact surfaces that are disposed distal to the elongated member and that are configured to engage the toilet. In other aspects, devices and methods for moving a toilet can include a handle, a first collar, and a second collar. The collars can be coupled to the handle and can be configured to slide along the handle in unlocked modes and to positionally secure along the handle in locked modes. The collars can be configured to receive and secure to one or more removable shackles.

Abstract: A handheld scooping and shaping device comprising a snow shaping section, a first hollow rigid shaft segment, a plurality of additional hollow rigid shaft segments, and a handle. The snow shaping section comprises a scooping panel, back panel, first sidewall, second sidewall, and bottom panel. The scooping panel comprises a distal end having a plurality of teeth extending outwardly. The back panel opposes the scooping panel. The first sidewall opposes the second sidewall. The bottom panel is coupled or integrated to the scooping panel, back panel, first sidewall and second sidewall. The first hollow rigid shaft segment is removably coupled to the snow shaping section. The plurality of additional hollow rigid shaft segments are configured to nest within at either the first hollow rigid shaft segment or an additional hollow rigid shaft segment. The handle is coupled or integrated to one of the additional hollow rigid shaft segments.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool system that can be assembled into multiple configurations by a user. The tool system may comprise a plurality of components, including tool heads, shaft segments, and handle ends. The components of the tool system can be combined in various configurations to provide different functions, at different lengths. Connectors may be utilized to connect the various components of the system using a twist lock mechanism. The connectors may include a tubular sleeve member having a biased locking shaft that interacts with a locking groove.

Abstract: The present invention are methods for fabrication of micro- and/or nano-scale adhesive fibers and their use for movement and manipulation of objects. Further disclosed is a method of manipulating a part by providing a manipulation device with a plurality of fibers, where each fiber has a tip with a flat surface that is parallel to a backing layer, contacting the flat surfaces on an object, moving the object to a new location, then disengaging the tips from the object.

Abstract: A workpiece holding apparatus, including: a rigid body having a vent; a suction pad adhered onto the lower end face of rigid body and having an opening communicating with vent, being configured to suck and hold a workpiece; an air controlling mechanism communicating with the vent, being configured to aspirate or discharge air through vent to aspirate or discharge air from opening; and a swelling portion being configured to be supplied with air by air controlling mechanism through the vent to swell out at least part of an area of suction pad to be in contact with the workpiece toward the workpiece in detaching workpiece from suction pad; wherein suction pad is configured to suck and hold workpiece by bringing the opening into contact with workpiece while aspirating air by air controlling mechanism through opening, and is configured to detach the workpiece from suction pad by discharging air from opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder-driven mechanical gripper with a series-connection plate spring framework. The mechanical gripper consists of a palm and two flexible fingers or a palm and three flexible fingers. The flexible fingers are identical in structure. Each flexible finger consists of an elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder and a series-connection plate spring. Dimensions of all plate springs connected in series are optimally designed according to grasping objects. The mechanical gripper is driven by the elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder to generate a grasping force. The mechanical gripper applies to the grasping of fragile, brittle objects or the grasping of objects varying with shapes and dimensions. When connected with a robot body, the mechanical gripper particularly applies to the production and logistic fields for grasping, sorting and packing of foods, agriculture products and light industrial products.

Abstract: An attachment to a mobile device, allowing a user to grasp and use the device. The attachment may include three concentric, interlocking rings. An outer ring adhered to a backing plate may be affixed to a surface of a device, such as a rear surface of a cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, calculator, MP3 player, iPod, iPad, tablet computer or other mobile device. An inner ring attaches to a middle ring via a hinge mount. The grasping device may resemble a ring for a finger of a user, by which a user grasps the attachment and thus the mobile device. The inner and outer rings may be connected and interlocked by a mating middle ring. The middle ring allows the inner ring to rotate relative to the outer ring, allowing the user to conveniently position or orient the mobile device as desired. Other shapes may be used.

Abstract: A robotic gripper includes a gripper palm, a first pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the first pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint, and a second pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the second pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint. A web member is attached to the first pair of adjacent fingers, the web member having a web portion having a gripping face, the web portion disposed between a first one of the first pair of adjacent fingers and a second one of the second pair of adjacent fingers.

Abstract: A lifting and support device comprises a first yoke having a first support arm that defining a first wedge slot above the first support arm and a second yoke pivotally coupled to the first yoke having a second support arm inwardly extending toward and laterally spaced from the first support arm and defining a second wedge slot above the second support arm. The first and second wedge slots are substantially aligned when the first and second yokes are in a closed position. A wedge is configured for insertion within the first and second wedge slots when the first and second wedge slots are substantially aligned to hold a structure between the wedge and the first and second support arms of the first and second yokes in order to support a structure relative to the lifting and support device.

Abstract: An example robotic gripping apparatus includes a robotic wrist and a motor contained within the robotic wrist. The motor includes a drive shaft that rotates about a primary axis during motor operation. The robotic gripping apparatus also includes a cylindrical worm gear, connected to the drive shaft, that encircles the motor and rotates about the primary axis during motor operation. Additionally, the robotic gripping apparatus includes two or more robotic fingers, each having a proximal end and a distal end. The robotic gripping apparatus further includes two or more spur gears corresponding to the two or more robotic fingers. Each spur gear is attached to the proximal end of the corresponding robotic finger. Each spur gear engages the cylindrical worm gear and rotates the corresponding robotic finger when the cylindrical worm gear rotates about the primary axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus for moving objects from above that need support at eccentric locations thereof during moving and methods of using the apparatus to move such objects. The apparatus restricts objects from moving relative to the apparatus in multiple directions and, together with the apparatus' support of the objects from below at multiple eccentric locations, provides stability and reduces the possibility of the user being injured or other things being damaged during the object's movement. According to an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hand tool having a handle and a plurality of interface members secured to the handle. The handle has an ergonometric shape for comfortable grasping by a user. The interface members depend from and extend outward from the handle to interact with and support an object being moved at multiple eccentric object locations.