Abstract: A lifting hook includes a hook body with a hook stem and a hook tip; a safety latch with a fastening end and a free latch end, the fastening end of the safety latch being pivotally fastened close to the stem so as to be moved between an open position and a closed position, the safety latch being in its open position substantially against the inside of the hook body in a position that leaves a hook jaw free while in the closed position the latch end extends across the hook jaw to the hook tip, closing the jaw on the inside thereof; and an actuator for actuating the safety latch, the actuator including a spring arranged between the safety latch and the hook body and forcing the latch end into the closed position, a locking pawl structure and a cam surface arrangement for locking the safety latch into the open position, and a release extending across the jaw for releasing the safety latch from the open position. A safety latch for a lifting hook is also disclosed.

Abstract: A twisted string actuator system includes a motor generating rotary motion of a rotor and a twisted string comprised of a pair of cords. One end of the twisted string is attached to the rotor and an opposite end of the twisted string is coupled to a load. The cords are twisted about each other for a first section of the twisted string and untwisted for a second section of the twisted string. A cord guide is fixedly disposed between the cords. The first and second sections of the twisted string are on a first side and second side, respectively, of the cord guide. Rotary motion of the rotor in one direction operates to twist the pair of cords on the first side of the cord guide while pulling a portion of the pair of cords from the second side of the cord guide into the first side.

Abstract: A multilayer electrolaminate structure includes a first electrolaminate layer and a second electrolaminate layer disposed adjacent the first electrolaminate layer. Each of the first and second electrolaminate layers is rotatable about a common axis independently of the other electrolaminate layer when the multilayer electrolaminate structure is in a first state and clamps to the other electrolaminate layer when the multilayer electrolaminate structure is in a second state.

Abstract: A gripper (1), in particular a pneumatically actuated gripper, with a housing (2), in which a preferably pneumatically actuable linear drive (6) is formed. The gripper also has first and second gripping jaws (10, 20), which are respectively mounted pivotably in relation to the housing (2) about a pivot axis (D1, D2). The first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are coupled to the linear drive (6) in such a way that a linear movement produced by the linear drive (6) is respectively converted into a pivoting movement of the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) in an opening or closing direction of the gripping jaws (10, 20). In order to ensure reliable gripping, the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are coupled to one another by way of a synchronizing element (5) in such a way that, when the linear drive (6) is actuated, the pivoting movements of the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are synchronized.

Abstract: A case for holding a mobile device. The case comprises a case defining an interior compartment for receiving the mobile device therein; a rotatable platform connected with the case; a hand-strap connected with the platform for being held by a user; and a pullout stand connected with the platform.

Abstract: A hose handle system is a pump suction hose clamp or pipe clamp with a handle attached that a user can place on a suction hose or the like to lift and move the hose from one location to another. The hose handle system is designed for easy single handed operation and provides quick attachment and positive grip of the connection. The hose handle clamp assembly has a left clamp side that is hinged to a right clamp side, and the right clamp side is attached to a clamp main body. A clamp lock is pivotally attached to the left side of the clamp main body and is able to lock the left clamp side to the clamp main body thereby locking the clamp onto the hose.

Abstract: A pick-up device for picking up balls and other objects, includes an elongated hollow ball container, including an extension section and an attachment unit, which includes a ball valve mechanism, which can include plurality of elastic strings, or springs, configured in a cross-over pattern, such that a user can hold the pick-up device and press the ball valve mechanism onto a ball, such that the ball passes the ball valve mechanism, and is stored inside the elongated hollow ball container. The ball valve mechanism can alternatively include two springs mounted in slots on opposing sides of a lower end of the ball container; or an elastic string, which is woven in a horizontal/vertical interlacing pattern. The pick-up device can be tubular and made from a plastic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper for raising and lowering loads and having the following configuration:—it comprises a coupling part and a connecting part,—the connecting part is guided on the coupling part for movement along a movement axis between a first end position and a second end position, wherein those ends of the aforementioned parts which are oriented away from one another are further apart from one another in the first end position than in the second end position,—at least two catch elements are present on the coupling part and can be moved between a gripping position, in which they use a rear-engagement surface to engage behind a mating element of the load, and a release position, in which they release the mating element,—the connecting part is connected to the at least two catch elements via at least one gear mechanism.

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: The assistive apparatus for hand held vessels or items is a device worn on the hand to facilitate the holding of anything of weight and to reduce the need for gripping strength. The device is a length of flexible material with at least two loops; one at either end; such that the loops are worn over the thumb and the pinky or one or more other fingers. The flexible material hangs like a hammock and allows the weight of an object, such as a glass or tool, to rest on the skeletal structure of the hand rather than depending upon the mechanical gripping force exerted by fingers. The device has application to help individuals suffering from a weakened grip from an ailment, such as arthritis, or that are in professions that require holding heavy objects for extend periods of time.

Abstract: A kit for a securement device to make it much easier for a user to securely hold onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader, a tablet computing device, a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, and a common clipboard, including any of these items that are at least partially contained in protective housings—while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands: A typical device solves this problem by providing a system of one or more finger holds formed with a fabric or pliable material that are disposed on the back side of the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device. In many devices, the position and fit of the finger holds are easily adjustable by a user via hook-and-loop schemes.

Abstract: A suction gripper apparatus with a suction head, which is mounted with at least one elastic mounting member on a working head of an actuation device, the suction head having an elastic suction cup which possesses a suction body and a suction lip forming an open edge portion of the suction body and running in a suction plane, wherein the suction head possesses a retaining plate connected to the suction cup and surrounding it like a ring and having a flat contact surface running in a contact plane parallel to the suction plane.

Abstract: A handling device is used for handling a substrate. The handling device includes a holder, a moving element, at least one first adhesive chuck, and at least one second adhesive chuck. The moving element is located adjacent to the holder for moving relative to the holder along a first axial direction. The first adhesive chuck is located on a first surface of the holder and the second adhesive chuck is located on a first surface of the moving element, in which the first adhesive chuck and the second adhesive chuck are used to be respectively separated from the substrate adhered thereon. In addition, another embodiment of the invention discloses a handing method of the handing device.

Abstract: A puller, preferably made of bent metal wire, for removing pickles and the like from a jar in which the pickles are tightly packed is preferably made of bent wire, has a handle end, a hook end, and a shank connecting them. The hook of the puller faces in generally the same lateral direction relative to the shank axis as does the handle. And the hook has a jog, comprising two portions which are differently angled relative to the plane in which lies the handle of the puller; and outer portion angles upwardly in the shank-direction where lies the handle.

Abstract: Example embodiments may provide for control of a suction gripper with multiple suction cups. One example system includes a suction gripper and a control system. The suction gripper may include a vacuum pump, a plurality of suction cups coupled to the vacuum pump, and a plurality of sensors corresponding to the suction cups, where a sensor is positioned between the vacuum pump and a suction cup and measures a vacuum pressure of the suction cup. The control system may be configured to activate the vacuum pump to cause the suction gripper to apply suction to an object through one or more active suction cups, receive sensor data indicative of the vacuum pressure of the one or more active suction cups from the corresponding sensors, identify at least one suction cup to deactivate from the one or more active suction cups, and deactivate the at least one identified suction cup.

Abstract: A blade gripping tool of a blade gripping device for gripping a rotor blade, in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine is provided. The tool comprises a sling and an automatic sling handover mechanism comprising a sling-conveying element and a sling-receiving element, whereby the sling-conveying element is realized to convey a connection means of the sling along a two-dimensional predefined path of travel around a part of the rotor blade towards the sling-receiving element to connect to a receptor of the sling-receiving element. A method of gripping a rotor blade is also disclosed, in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine by means of a number of blade gripping tools is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-balancing, shoulder type elevator is comprised of two opposing jaws pivotally connected to a hinge plate. The jaws are engaged for rotation at the hinge plate by corresponding sets of gear teeth. Hangers on said jaws attach the elevator to suspending bails. An offset alignment linkage pivotally attaches each jaw to the hinge plate and a rotatable spindles pivotally attached perpendicular to the jaws. The alignment linkage maintains the spindles angularly congruent in orientation with the bails when the opposing jaws are pivoted open and closed.

Abstract: A grasping apparatus that can be miniaturized and compacted to be mountable in small-size equipment or the like and reduced in weight, and a construction machine in which the grasping apparatus is mounted. The grasping apparatus has a gear mechanism 30 in which an annular inner gear 71 is disposed concentrically with a sun gear 73, plural intermediate gears 68 are interposed in an annular space between the inner gear 71 and the sun gear 73, the plural intermediate gears 68 are freely rotatably supported by a bracket secured to a construction machine or the like, a grasping apparatus swing cylinder 23 rotated by the sun gear 73 or the inner gear 71 is equipped to the construction machine or the like as equipment, an upper fork 36 is secured to the inner gear 71, a lower fork 32 that grasps a conveyance target object 90 or the like in cooperation with the upper fork 36 is secured to the sun gear 73 to which rotating force is transmitted from the inner gear 71 through the intermediate gears 68.

Abstract: A pet waste collector including a shaft including a first end and a second end, a clamp mechanism connected to the second end of the shaft, and an actuator mechanism operably connected to the clamp mechanism, the actuator mechanism be disposed at the first end of the shaft. The clamp mechanism is movable between an open position and a closed position. The clamp mechanism is configured to retain a bag in the open position. The clamp mechanism moves to the closed position in response to actuation of the actuator mechanism to capture pet waste within the bag.

Abstract: Non-contacting conveyance equipment for conveying a plate-like member in a non-contacting manner comprises a plate-like base body and a plurality of swirl flow-forming bodies provided at the base body. Each of the plurality of swirl flow-forming bodies includes a column-shaped main body, a cylindrical chamber formed inside the main body, that has an opening at one end, a flat end face formed at a surface of the main body, in which the cylindrical chamber is opened, a jetting port provided at an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical chamber, a fluid introduction port provided at an outer circumferential surface of the main body, and a fluid passage that connects the fluid introduction port to the jetting port.