Abstract: A waste collection and isolation device and a method for picking up waste materials without the need for the user to come in contact with the waste are disclosed. The device contains a system for ensnaring solid waste in a bag, a mechanism for activating the system for ensnaring the waste and a system for removing the bag. To use the device, the user installs a bag over a housing containing a plurality of overlapping cords. The user places the opening of the bag over the waste disposed on a surface and then activates the snaring mechanism causing the cords to entangle under the solid waste and to close the bag opening with the waste inside it. The bag comprises a drawstring and a tab in a fixed position. To fully close the bag, the user pulls on the drawstring and pulls the bag onto the tab.

Abstract: A vacuum suction device has a transfer base, multiple suction heads, a vacuum generator, a pressure balance set, and a first pressure blow set. Each one of the suction heads has at least one channel and a withdraw end. The vacuum generator is connected with a vacuum circuit electromagnetic valve. The first end of the pressure balance set is connected with the channel of each suction head. The second pressure blow set is connected with the third pipe and has a second pressure blow electromagnetic valve, a pressure regulator, and a pressure source. The first pressure blow set is connected to the fourth pipe and has a pressure blow electromagnetic valve and a pressure source.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the lid hook is engaged with a cargo vessel lid, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle.

Abstract: A handling module for handling vehicle wheels in an installation for the surface treatment thereof and having at least two gripping units which are supported by a frame structure and each of which comprises a plurality of press-on elements which are pressable onto one or more counter surfaces of an individual vehicle wheel. At least one of the gripping units includes a translation device by which the press-on elements are movable in relation to the frame structure with a movement component which is parallel to the axis of rotation of a gripped vehicle wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for assisting in the carrying of an object having a handle are disclosed. The apparatus is in one embodiment a strap formed into a loop with a reinforcing member attached to a portion of the loop so as to create a rigid portion of the strap. The loop is passed through the handle of the object to be carried, with the rigid portion on the side of the handle away from the user. The user's hand is passed through the loop on the side facing the user and the user lets the weight of the object pull the loop onto the back of the user's wrist. The user can control the object by rotating the hand with minimal pressure by the fingers on the rigid portion of the loop.

Abstract: Brackets having a base and an arm. The base can be connected to a rear window hinge support of a hardtop with the hinge bolts used to secure a rear window hinge. The base has slots that provide for an increased flexibility of bolt patterns or widths. The top of the slots are open with necks to allow for easy insertion and removal of the brackets without removal of the rear window and allows the brackets to be used with multiple models. The base has a central void. An arm having an eye upstands from the base. A relief is provided at the area where the arm is connected to the base. Two brackets (a left and a right bracket) are secured to a hardtop before use. A hoist or lift can connect to the eyes to facilitate removal and storage of the hardtop.

Abstract: A device for transferring a hub ground chain tray. An upper slider and a lower slider parallel to each other are arranged at the head end, a cylinder mounting plate is arranged below the upper and lower sliders, a cylinder is arranged below the cylinder mounting plate, a slider is arranged at the end of a piston rod of the cylinder, the left and right sides of the slider are provided with rotating pins, the two ends of the rotating pins can be installed in the strip through holes respectively in a sliding manner, and the two rotating pins are connected with the tail of the clamping jaw; the head of the clamping jaw is provided with jaw fingers, the jaw fingers are provided with the clamping blocks, and a transferrable tray device is arranged between the clamping blocks.

Abstract: A vacuum holder for articles, a combination of a vacuum holder and an article, a system for holding and conveying articles, and a method for holding and conveying articles are disclosed. The vacuum holder includes a main body having a surface and an air passageway leading to the surface, and a valve joined to the main body and in fluid communication with the air passageway. The vacuum holder includes an extensible skirt gasket with an opening therein. An article can be placed adjacent to the surface of the main body, and a vacuum can be drawn through the air passageway to hold the article to the vacuum holder. The valve maintains the vacuum between the article and the vacuum holder without being connected to a vacuum source, until it is desired to release the article from the vacuum holder.

Abstract: A tendon and rigid element assembly that includes a tendon subassembly, including a tendon having a longitudinal end having a mating portion. Also, a rigid element has a mating portion. Further, a first one of the mating portions includes a set of projections and a second one of the mating portions defines a set of indentations that are sized and shaped to accept and retain the projections and wherein the set of projections are secured in the set of indentations, thereby securing the tendon to the rigid element.

Abstract: A hook with a latch and trigger mechanism assembly. The assembly includes a hook having a body and an open saddle. A latch is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. A finger handle extends from the body. A finger trigger entirely within a space between the finger handle and the body is movable between a closed rest position and a retracted position permitting movement of the latch to the open position.

Abstract: A suction device is attached to a leading-end section of an articulated arm, attached by suction to a plate-shaped structural member having a curvature at least in a predetermined direction. The suction device includes a support part attached to the leading-end section of the articulated arm; a pair of suction mechanisms having a pair of suction surfaces and disposed apart from each other in an X direction with the attachment position of the support part to the leading-end section interposed between the pair of suction mechanisms; and a pair of first angle adjustment mechanisms capable of adjusting the angle of inclination, in the X direction, of each of the pair of suction surfaces of the pair of the suction mechanisms.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide enhancements for soft robotic actuators. In some embodiments, angular adjustment systems are provided for varying an angle between an actuator and the hub, or between two actuators. The angular adjustment system may also be used to vary a relative distance or spacing between actuators. According to further embodiments, rigidizing layers are provided for reinforcing one or more portions of an actuator at one or more locations of relatively high strain. According to further embodiments, force amplification structures are provided for increasing an amount of force applied by an actuator to a target. The force amplification structures may serve to shorten the length of the actuator that is subject to bending upon inflation. According to still further embodiments, gripping pads are provided for customizing an actuator's gripping profile to better conform to the surfaces of items to be gripped.

Abstract: An end effector for use and connection to a robot arm of a robotic surgical system, wherein the end effector is controlled and/or articulated by at least one cable extending from a respective motor of a control device of the robot surgical system, is provided. The end effector includes a wrist assembly, and a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a cam pulley rotatably supported on at least one support plate of the jaw assembly, wherein the cam pulley is operatively connected to a proximal end of each of the jaws of the jaw assembly such that rotation of the cam pulley results in one of an opening and closing of the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A device adapted for handling slippery objects, such as peeled vegetables, is disclosed. The device can include a first finger cover; a second finger cover, in which each of the first and second finger covers includes an outer surface defining an inner volume having an open end; a strap coupling a first side of the first finger cover to a first side of the second finger cover; and a gripping surface formed on at least a portion of at least one of the first finger cover or the second finger cover.

Abstract: Device (1) for carrying an object (2) having a smooth surface, which device comprises a first frame (3) that is arranged to be able to manipulate the device and the object to be carried, as well as a second frame (5) onto which a number of suction cups (6) is attached. The second frame is planar rotatably with respect to the first frame. Furthermore a number of vacuum sources (8, 9) is provided for evacuating the suction cups. The vacuum sources and suction cups are interconnected by means of at least one spiral-shaped hose assembly (10) of which the hoses (11), each being connected to a vacuum source (8) and a suction cup (6), are in the same spiral plane (14).

Abstract: A vacuum cup assembly that generates a local vacuum using a prime mover that may be an electrical motor or a solenoid. The vacuum cup may have one or more ports to remove and vent air between the cup and the atmosphere. The prime mover drives a piston or a flexible membrane, which may be a diaphragm, through one or more reciprocating cycles to generate the local vacuum. The vacuum cup assembly may be used to form a temporary attachment to a work piece, the act on the work piece, such as by moving the work piece, and then release the work piece from the vacuum cup assembly. The vacuum cup assembly disclosed herein is self-contained inasmuch as the assembly may have a power source, such as a battery, located on a housing. This makes its operation quiet and effective.

Abstract: A stabilizing device for a portable computing device, a display system comprising the stabilizing device and a portable computing device, and the use of a stabilizing device for holding a portable computing device are described.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in robotic systems to reduce biological or chemical harborage points on the systems. For example, in exemplary embodiments, robotic actuators, hubs, or entire robotic systems may be configured to allow crevices along joints or near fasteners to be reduced or eliminated, hard corners to be replaced with rounded edges, certain components or harborage points to be eliminated, shapes to be reconfigured to be smoother or flat, and/or or surfaces to be reconfigurable for simpler cleaning.

Abstract: A pair of chopsticks is disclosed, each of which includes a first body, a second body, and a locking member. The first body has at least one positioning slot, a storage space, and an opening communicating with the storage space. The second body can be completely or partly received in the storage space through the opening of the first body, wherein an outer wall of the second body has at least one protrusion which enters the positioning slot when the second body is in a predetermined position in the storage space. The locking member has a locking portion engaged with the first body, wherein the locking member is controllable to make the locking portion enter the positioning slot to prevent the protrusion therein from leaving the positioning slot whereby the chopsticks are retractable and more portable.

Abstract: A suction nozzle includes zirconia-based ceramics. The ceramics includes first grains and second grains. The first grains each contain zirconia, and the second grains each contain a black-colored component. The suction nozzle includes a suction face and a suction hole. The suction hole is in communication with the suction face. In the suction face, an area ratio of an area occupied by the second grains to a measurement face obtained by polishing the suction face is greater than or equal to 17% but less than or equal to 34%. A number of the second grains in an area of 90 ?m2 in the measurement face is greater than or equal to 150 but less than or equal to 250.