Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport path for transporting a sheet, and drive and follower roller units disposed in the transport path. The drive roller unit has a drive shaft and at least two drive rollers arranged on the drive shaft in a direction perpendicular to a sheet transport direction. The follower roller unit has a follower shaft and at least two follower rollers contacting the at least two drive rollers. An urging device is attached to the follower shaft for pressing the at least two follower rollers to the at least two drive rollers in a direction with a predetermined angle with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A sheet base, a base portion and a paper feeding roller unit are provided. A fixed inclined portion of the sheet base is raised from the base portion. A movable portion of the sheet base is provided with an arm attached to a later shaft. The arm is attached with a shaft member of the paper feeding roller unit. When an attitude of the movable portion is changed from an erected attitude to a fallen attitude, the paper feeding roller unit is moved down. When the attitude of the movable portion is changed from the fallen attitude to the erected attitude, the paper feeding roller unit is moved up. A drive gear is attached to the lateral shaft and a driven gear for transmitting rotation of the drive gear to an input ring member is attached to the shaft member.

Abstract: A dual lever locking hook comprises a hook member having a mounting portion and a catching portion, first and second locking levers, and a connecting member rotatably coupled to the hook member. The locking levers are affixed to the hook member at the mounting portion and latch onto the hook member at the catching portion. The arrangement of the locking levers at the mounting portion provides a biasing condition which prevents a breach of the locking hook.

Abstract: A ground apparatus for loading and unloading a cargo compartment of an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a frame, a first conveyor frame comprising a first conveyor with a flat cargo-engaging surface, a first actuator, a routing station for receiving cargo advanced thereto by the first conveyor, a second conveyor frame comprising a second conveyor with a flat cargo-engaging surface, a second actuator, a third conveyor, and controls for activating the third conveyor. The second conveyor frame is pivotally supported at the first end of the second conveyor so as to be sideways movable, and the third conveyor is arranged at the routing station. The routing station allows selective routing of the cargo received from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor or onto the third conveyor.

Abstract: A two handled shovel for clearing a surface, the shovel comprising a blade having a leading edge which contacts the surface, a main handle attached to the blade, and an auxiliary handle pivotally attached to the blade near the leading edge. The shovel may be used by one or two users.

Abstract: An articulated finger unit has a two-jointed structure comprising a joint portion on a finger base side, a finger base portion, a joint portion on a fingertip side, and a fingertip portion; the joint portion on the finger base side has a drive-side bevel gear fixed to a rotational output shaft of an actuator, a driven-side bevel gear coaxially fixed to a joint portion that is perpendicular to the rotational output shaft, and a connecting member wherein an annular boss is fixed to the driven-side bevel gear and wherein a tip portion extends in a fork shape; and a cover on the finger base side is connected to the connecting member. A rotation of the rotational output shaft is converted to rotational movement of the joint shaft by way of a pair of bevel gears, and the connecting member fixed to the joint shaft turns right and left at an angle of 90° or more about the joint shaft. The finger unit suitable for use in a robot hand that moves at high speed and with precision can be realized.

Abstract: Sorting/storage device for wafers. A sorting device is provided in which at least two cassettes containing wafers may be present and the wafers are moved from one cassette to the other cassette or vice versa. If appropriate, a measuring station may be present in the sorting device. In the immediate vicinity of the sorting device, the cassettes are stored in a magazine which is designed for this purpose and the cassettes are moved using a handling device for cassettes.

Abstract: A sling for carrying a load comprises two parallel straps that are interconnected by a series of relatively rigid handles. The sling is placed underneath the load while leaving several handles on either side of the load available for gripping. A person at each end of the sling can then choose a handle that is most comfortable for them. Some of the handles, particularly those underneath the load, help keep the two straps properly spaced apart to maintain a broad, stable base upon which the load is supported. The broad base allows each person to use just one arm for lifting, which leaves their other arm available for steadying the load or for opening doors. With this sling, the two persons can face the same direction as they carry the load.

Abstract: A gripper comprises a motor 25, contained within a case 32, for driving a translational nut 23 that is moved in translation, a finger 20 having one end connected to the translational nut 23, with the other end being connected to the case 32, in which when the one end is pulled upon a movement of the translational nut, the finger is expanded in the amount of displacement at a top end, a plate-like stopper member 26 connected to one end of the finger 20 and having a projecting piece 26b around the outer periphery thereof, a holder member 22 for inserting loosely the projecting piece 26b, a locating nut 28 for adjusting a predetermined gap from the stopper member 26 by being threadingly engaged with a threaded portion of the holder member 22, and a spring 29 for pressing the locating nut 28.

Abstract: A device adapted to operably engage a vehicle to load and unload a container between the vehicle and a surface, and to cooperate with the vehicle to transport the container, is provided. Such a device includes a pair of laterally separated horizontal lifting members configured to be vertically movable with respect to the vehicle and a vertically-movable member operably engaged with the forward ends of the lifting members. A tether is operably engaged between each lifting member and the container so as to secure the container thereto. A translatory device is engaged between the vehicle and the vertically-movable member and configured to support the lifting members as well as move the lifting members longitudinally with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A manually operated mechanism for locking the first table of a bale wagon in the raised position. The mechanism uses gravity to both engage and disengage the lock to permit an operator to safely service the components of the wagon below the first table.

Abstract: A coin handling machine includes a coin sorting passage formed with a reference guide rail, a sensor for detecting optical properties and magnetic properties of the coins, a coin sorting opening along the inner wall of the reference guide rail and a coin sorting member provided in the vicinity of a side portion of the coin sorting opening on the side of the reference guide rail, the coin sorting member including a coin supporting section having a coin supporting surface for supporting one edge portion of the coin being transported in the coin sorting passage and a coin press section for pressing the coin, and it further includes a rotary solenoid for moving the coin supporting section between a coin support position where the coin supporting surface can support one edge portion of the coin being transported in the coin sorting passage and a retracted position where the coin supporting surface cannot support the coin and moving the coin press section so as to press the coin downward in synchronism with the mov

Abstract: Embodiments of an end effector assembly for a substrate robot are provided herein. In one embodiment, the end effector assembly includes a wrist and a first and a second end effector coupled to the wrist in a spaced apart relationship. The first end effector includes a base coupled to the wrist and a tip coupled to the base opposite the wrist. The base and the tip may be made of the same or different materials. The first and the second end effectors may have different resonant frequencies to minimize vibration. Optionally, a low emissivity coating may be provided on the first and second end effector. The low emissivity coating may further have a plurality of stress relief grooves to reduce or prevent flaking of the coating due to differences in rates of thermal expansion between the coating and the underlying end effector.

Abstract: An automated warehouse system row cart includes a lifter that uses cams to raise and lower pallets. Three symmetrical cam lobes are cut into a hollow cylinder. Three matching cam lifters ride these lobes and are attached to an elevator plate. A stepper motor running in one direction is used to raise and lower the elevator plate by virtue of the action between the cam lobes and lifters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a wheeled device such as a shopping cart is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a body having a pair of spaced stops with an intermediate trough. In use, the wheels of the cart are rolled along an upwardly extending face of one of the stops, over the stop and into the trough between the stops. In one embodiment, advertising is located on the surfaces of one or more of the stops. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an LCD display located on one of the faces and a control system for presenting advertising and other information using the display.

Abstract: A manual/automatic side loading and rear discharge refuse collection truck body as disclosed which incorporates full ejection without truck body tipping. A unique packing system as provided which includes a low profile packer panel which operates in a low profile charging material receiving hopper which also features lowered or dropped floor to facilitate optional manual loading. The charging hopper features a low profile which creates a dropper area beneath the forward portion of the storage enclosure so that material deposited in the charging hopper can be fed by the packing system into the storage enclosure through a bottom forward charging opening. A packer-ejector assist panel is provided to assist in clearing material from the dropped area portion of the charging hopper.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the monetary value of coins included in a plurality of stacks of coins arranged for dispensing from an automatic coin dispensing machine are provided. The method and system employ a sensor arranged to determine the height of the stack of coins in each of the plurality of stacks of coins and a microprocessor in communication with the ultrasonic sensor. The microprocessor is adapted to determine the monetary value of coins in each of the plurality of stacks of coins.

Abstract: A concrete block lifting device used to lift at least two blocks off a pallet for repositioning on a wall. The device includes a rigid, horizontal, support bar with a block gripping assembly attached thereto designed to selectively attach to blocks on a pallet and then securely engage the blocks when the device is lifted by the backhoe. The block gripping assembly includes a insert member perpendicularly aligned and extending downward from the support bar. Mounted pivotally on each insert member is an actuator arm. The upper end of the actuator arm is pivotally connected to a linking arm and a release handle. The upper ends of two linking arms converge and attach to a central plate. A cable connects the central plate to a bucket on a backhoe. When the central plate is lifted, the linking arms force the upper end of the actuator arms inward which forces the lower ends of the actuator arm outward to engage the inside wall of a central hole formed on the block.

Abstract: An extension pole suitable for use in light bulb changing operations. The extension pole comprises first, second, and third telescopically intercoupled sections. A first locking assembly selectively locks the first and second sections to one another, and a second locking assembly selectively locks the second and third section to one another. The extension pole is made entirely of non-conductive materials to thereby reduce the risk of electrical shock to the operator.

Abstract: A method and system for transporting a plurality of substrates between a transfer chamber and at least one processing chamber. The system includes a chuck assembly with a plurality of chucks configured to receive wafer substrates, where the chuck assembly is movably configured to provide for transfer of the plurality of substrates between a transfer chamber and a processing chamber. The system provides a structure that allows for the processing of one substrate on a first chuck, while a second substrate is loaded onto a second chuck and prepared for processing.