Abstract: A contact lens tool kit for placement of a contact lens on an eye is provided. The tool kit may include a contact lens tool. The contact lens tool may include an outer edge for selectively engaging a contact lens. The tool kit may also include a lens housing for containing a contact lens, the lens housing selectively engageable with the tool. Engagement of the tool and the lens housing permits reception of the contact lens by the contact lens tool and disengagement of the two permits removal of the contact lens by the tool. The lens housing may include a removable seal for draining solution through an aperture of the contact lens tool or lens housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up and positioning an item includes a vacuum assembly capable of applying a suction force to the item. The apparatus further includes an item engaging plate positioned adjacent the vacuum assembly. The apparatus still further has a blocking member positioned adjacent the vacuum assembly. The blocking member is capable of interrupting the suction force. The blocking member is positionable in a first position allowing the item to be picked up and in a second position interrupting the suction force to assist disengagement of the item.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force.

Abstract: A workpiece container stores at least one workpiece having a bottom surface and a peripheral edge. In one embodiment, a workpiece support structure is located within the container enclosure, which forms multiple vertically stacked storage shelves within the enclosure. Each storage shelf includes, in one embodiment, a first tine and a second tine for supporting the workpiece in a substantially horizontal orientation. The bottom surface and peripheral edge of a workpiece seated on a storage shelf extends beyond the outer edge of both the first tine and the second tine. An end effector may engage these extended portions or “grip zones” of the workpiece.

Abstract: Utensils, including forks, with movable components, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative utensil includes a first tool carried by and movable relative to a first arm portion, a second tool carried by and movable relative to a second arm portion, and a hinge coupling the first and second arm portions. A guide structure is coupled to the first and second arm portions to guide motion of at least one of the first and second tools relative to the other.

Abstract: In a gripping device with carriages movably guided in a common guide groove arranged in a base body so as to be movable in a direction parallel to a gripping direction and supported all around in a direction transverse to the gripping direction, the guide groove includes at least one carriage guide track is supported therein and has opposite surfaces which are in contact with a carriage along a contact junction which is inclined with respect to the vertical longitudinal center plane at an angle of 0.3 to 1.3 degrees.

Abstract: An assembly, comprising a handle, a tool head and a sleeve, wherein an end of the handle engages within the sleeve on a first end of the sleeve and the sleeve engages within a socket of the hand tool on a second end of the sleeve, the sleeve thereby securely connecting the handle and the tool hand, and a method of fabrication thereof, comprising providing a handle, providing a sleeve, providing an implement head comprising a socket, inserting the handle, from an end thereof, within the sleeve by a first end of the sleeve, and inserting the sleeve, by a second end thereof, within the socket of the implement head.

Abstract: A spatula, comprising: a blade portion, having a blade surface and a sidewall protruding from the blade surface; a shaft portion, connected to a sidewall of the blade portion along a first extension axis. Wherein an orthographic projection of the first extension axis does not pass through a center of the blade surface, and thus operation of the spatula is more ergonomic and can solve problems encountered when using a conventional spatula that is easier to result in shoulder discomfort and sore muscles.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vacuum generator (3) in a vacuum system (10) for transportation of objects, which vacuum system (10) comprises a vacuum generator (3) driven by a compressed air flow via a first on/off valve (1), wherein the vacuum generator (3) is arranged to be brought in flow connection with the vacuum gripper means (6) comprised in the vacuum system (10), in order to supply vacuum to the vacuum gripper means (6) in result of the compressed air flow, wherein the vacuum system (10) comprises a second valve (2), which is arranged to supply compressed air into the vacuum system (10); one centralized pressure sensor (4) used for monitoring a system pressure (P) inside the vacuum system (10) and for adaptive blow-off; and a vacuum system controller (5), wherein if the on/off valve (1) is not flowing air to the vacuum generator (3), the vacuum system controller (5) indicates a state of no vacuum generation, and the second valve (2) is activated, allowing an amount of compressed air to flow into the vac

Abstract: A handwheel assembly includes a housing. A shaft having a central axis is rotatably supported by the housing. A locking device is rigidly attached to the housing. A rotary gear is circumferentially disposed over the shaft. A handwheel is circumferentially disposed over the shaft. The rotary gear and handwheel are operable to slide along the shaft from a first locked position to a second unlocked position. In the first locked position, the rotary gear is engaged with the locking device to rotationally lock the shaft. In the second unlocked position, the rotary gear is disengaged from the locking device to allow the shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A pet refuse collecting device which is designed particularly around animal waste or excrement embodies a moveable metal plate in coordination with a moveable disposable plastic plate with a specially constructed paper bag to create a scooping action to collect waste. The device can move from a 180-degree non-use position to a 90-degree use position with rotation controlled by two mechanical mechanisms, one a pull-out knob that holds the flat plate in either the 180-degree or 90-degree position, and a two-part lever below the handle that operates the clamping mechanism closing the steel plate into the disposable plastic plate and specially constructed paper bag.

Abstract: A robot includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm have different mechanisms from each other.

Abstract: A synthetic load transfer assembly. The assembly generally includes a load portion connectable to a connection point (e.g., a shackle) of a load, a first lifting portion connectable to a first lifting device (e.g., a crane of a vessel, a winch of a production system, etc.), and a second lifting portion connectable to a second lifting device (e.g., another crane of the vessel, a crane of another vessel, another winch of the production system, etc.). Load bearing portions connect the load portion to the respective lifting portions. The portions are formed of one or more synthetic materials.

Abstract: A finger grip for a smart device, including: a bonding sheet having a bonding surface attached to one side of an outer surface of the smart device; a guide sheet coupled to one side surface of the bonding sheet and having a guide slot formed on one side thereof and a coupling groove formed on the other side thereof; a variable sheet laminated on one side surface of the guide sheet and having a fusion portion formed correspondingly to the coupling groove and a slide pin formed protrudingly therefrom to pass through the guide slot; a fixing rivet coupled to the slide pin of the variable sheet to prevent the slide pin from escaping from the guide slot; and a printed film coupled to one side surface of the variable sheet.

Abstract: A support for a hand held phone or computing device is formed by a curved, elongated projection extending from a first end engagement with the phone or computing device to a distal end extending a distance past a portion of the perimeter edge of the phone or computing device. A curve formed on a first surface of the projection is adapted to contact the curved surface of a finger of a user placed against the perimeter edge of the phone or computing device to support it during use. The first end engagement can be formed as a permanent, rotational or removable engagement.

Abstract: Devices and methods for creating a secure overhead anchor from which to perform tasks such as climbing, hauling, lifting, and rescuing tasks with respect to shipping containers (e.g., intermodal containers) are described herein. The disclosure relates to a device that can be placed, for example, into corner castings on standardized shipping containers at a distance, for example by a pole or other comparable component, and which can securely fit into the standardized corner castings of a shipping container even when a twistlock device or similar component is installed in the casting to hold the target container to another container above or below it. A head of the device can be rotated between a first configuration for inserting the device into the casting, and a second configuration for securing the device to the casting. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: An end effector is configured to grasp articles that have deviated from their original shape. The end effector can return the article to its expected condition. The end effector can include a main platform, a first sub-platform and a second sub-platform. A first suction cup extends vertically below the main platform. Each of the sub-platforms includes one or more suction cups, respectively, that protrude vertically below the sub-platforms. Each sub-platform is connected to the main platform via a bellows actuator that can be extended and retracted via positive and negative pressures. The main platform can include fittings to allow the end effector to be attached to a wide variety of robotic arms, such as a delta robot.

Abstract: An adaptable end effector useful to accommodate a wide variety of components, component geometries and variations in component geometries. In one example, the end effector includes a movable arm and at least three fingers each having a gripping tool for engagement of the component with variable and/or programmable holding force preventing relative movement.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for lifting a load including a frame and a rotation member. The frame includes a central portion interconnecting two spaced apart lifting portions and a suspension space defined below the central portion and between the lifting portions. The central portion includes an aperture. Each lifting portion is configured to engage a lifting device, such as a fork lift. The rotation member is disposed above the aperture of the central portion. The rotation member is a ball joint including a ball member that rotates and pivots within a rotation cavity. A fastener member attaches to the ball member and is suspended through the aperture of the frame's central portion. The fastener member is attached to a load to lift and suspend the load within or below the suspension space while allowing rotation and pivoting of the load relative to the frame.

Abstract: A mechanical finger has a base adapted to be connected to an actuator for being displaced in at least one degree of actuation, and has two or more phalanges. A first phalanx is rotationally connected at a proximal end to the base, and a second phalanx is rotationally connected at a proximal end to a distal end of the first phalanx. A transmission linkage providing at least one rotational degree of freedom (DOF) between the base and a distal-most one of the phalanges.