Abstract: A robot hand includes base body defining gripping position of substrate, first contacting part provided to base body at tip-end side and configured to contact first part of edge part of substrate when substrate is gripped, rotary body provided on base-end side of base body and having second contacting part configured to contact second part of edge part of substrate when substrate is gripped, and mobile body having shaft part to be inserted into shaft hole of rotary body, and configured to move toward tip end of base body to move rotary body toward tip end of the base body. An axial-center line of shaft part extends in thickness directions of base and rotary bodies provided so as to have clearance in axial direction of shaft part with respect to shaft part.

Abstract: A load-assisting glove is an apparatus that assists users with the load from a handheld tool such as a shovel. The apparatus may include a work glove and a bracing socket. The work glove maintains the bracing socket at an ergonomic position adjacent to the user's arm. The bracing socket lessens the amount of grip needed to work with the handheld tool. The work glove includes a wrist opening, a palmar portion, and a dorsal portion. The wrist opening enables the user to put on the work glove. The palmar portion protects the palmar area of the hand, while the dorsal portion protects the dorsal area. The bracing socket includes an open socket end and a closed socket end. The open socket end enables the end of the tool handle to be inserted into the bracing socket, while the closed socket end keeps the handle end within the bracing socket.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for the delivery of one or more items onto one or more target surfaces including elevated surfaces and inclined surfaces. An apparatus of this disclosure is operationally configured to be moved in space via lifting equipment while carrying one or more items. An apparatus of this disclosure is also operationally configured to direct one or more items onto one or more target surfaces without manual assistance for removing the one or more items off from the apparatus onto one or more target surfaces. Removal of one or more items off from the apparatus may be performed in a controlled and/or programmed manner. The present disclosure includes maintaining one or more items on or more target surfaces once the one or more items are removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: Examples described herein are directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling an end of arm tool with one or more suction zones to pick up an item. Sensor data regarding the item is obtained. The sensor data is used to determine which of the one or more suction zones should be used to pick up the item. A rotational orientation is also determined that orients the determined suction zone(s) with the item. The end of arm tool is then instructed to create a suction force at the one or more suction zones and to pick up the item using the suction force.

Abstract: A cat litter scoop is provided, which includes a handle component, and a user replaceable scoop attachment. When a scoop attachment is inserted into the handle component, a scoop body contacts with a grip area within the body of the handle component. Further insertion force deflects the grip allowing the body of the scoop attachment to pass over grip teeth. The force of the deflection in concert with the geometry of the grip teeth help to retain the scoop attachment within the handle portion When a button is depressed, a protrusion beneath the button is translated into contact with the grip via a contact surface. As the button is further depressed, it deflects the grip in the same direction as the travel of the button. This move's the grip's teeth away from the scoop allowing the scoop to release from the handle component.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly for disconnecting a payload from a delivery platform includes a disconnect device for providing a releasable connection between the payload and the delivery platform. The disconnect assembly also includes an actuation mechanism for actuating release of the releasable connection, and a trigger mechanism for triggering the actuation mechanism to release the releasable connection. The trigger mechanism is automated such that the trigger mechanism can trigger the actuation mechanism without requiring operator intervention at the trigger mechanism. Also provided is a kit of parts, a delivery apparatus and a method of disconnecting a payload from a delivery platform.

Abstract: A holding mechanism includes a Bernoulli pad that holds a plate-shaped body, a hand on which the Bernoulli pad is disposed, a sensor that is disposed on the hand and detects that the plate-shaped body is held under suction by the Bernoulli pad, a lateral movement restriction section disposed on the hand, a tube that connects an air source supplying air to the Bernoulli pad and the Bernoulli pad, an adjustment valve that is disposed in the tube and adjusts a flow rate of air supplied to the Bernoulli pad, and a control section that controls operation of the adjustment valve. The control section gradually increases the flow rate of the air supplied from the adjustment valve to the Bernoulli pad and, when it is detected by the sensor that the plate-shaped body has been held under suction by the Bernoulli pad, fixes the flow rate of the air.

Abstract: A hook assembly includes a first hook having a first open end and a second hook having a second open end. The first hook is parallel to the second hook where the first open end is adjacent to the second open end. Extensions extend from each of the first hook and the second hook. The extensions extend perpendicular to a hook plane of the first hook and the second hook members. The first hook is a mirror image of the second hook. A hinge connects the first hook to the second hook. The hinge is located at an opposite end of the hook from where the extensions are located. A resilient member exerts a constant force at the hinge to bias the first hook and the second hook toward an open position.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism providing automatically accurate placement includes a pillar, a first clamping plate fixed to a first end of the pillar, and a second clamping plate movably coupled to a second end of the pillar and opposite to the first clamping plate. The first clamping plate includes a base plate. The base plate includes a first surface facing the second clamping plate and two opposite side faces connected to the first surface. The first surface is concave and defines two first positioning slots on opposite sides. Each first positioning slot passes through the two side faces. The first positioning slots are configured to position a carrying frame on a transferring apparatus accurately. A transferring apparatus including the clamping mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is a hoisting block for a crane. The hoisting block includes an engaging element such as a load hook, to which a lifting tool such as a sling or a hoisting frame can be coupled. The hoisting block is provided with winches, outgoing winch cables of which are configured to carry the lifting tool to the engaging element and couple it to the engaging element. Also described herein is a crane provided with the hoisting block. The hoisting block can be applied for carrying a lifting tool to an engaging element and coupling it to the load-bearing means, or for stabilizing an engaging element relative to a support structure.

Abstract: A hoist for transferred materials in an underground auxiliary transportation system and a method thereof. The hoist includes a hoist body, guiding plates mounted at two ends of the hoist body through bolts, twist locks mounted at four ends of the hoist body, a driving unit configured to drive twist locks to rotate, transmission assemblies configured to connect the twist locks with the driving unit, ejector pins configured to prevent the twist locks from rotating mistakenly, and a sensor configured to control the hoist to operate and provide protection safety.

Abstract: An Ocular Force Measuring Apparatus (OFMA) is provided. The OFMA can include a lens manipulator arranged on a carrier operably connected to a strain gauge load cell. The OFMA can be manipulated by hand or with an actuator mechanism. When the lens manipulator is engaged with a contact lens attached to an eye, the strain gauge load cell can measure the force required to remove the contact lens from the eye. Conversely, if a contact lens is arranged on the lens manipulator, the force required to deposit the contact lens on the eye is measureable by the strain gauge load cell.

Abstract: A leash vacuum apparatus for walking a pet and cleaning up the pet's solid waste. The leash vacuum apparatus comprises a leash component, a vacuum component, and a tubing component. The leash component is configured to function as a retractable pet leash capable of restraining the pet. The vacuum component is integrated with the leash component in a housing with a handle. The vacuum component is configured to draw the pet waste into a reservoir in the housing via suction though the tubing component. A disposable solid waste bag is insertable into the reservoir to contain the waste. The tubing component is extendable for picking up the waste and retractable when not needed.

Abstract: Described is a system for connecting a lifting device to a load to be lifted. The system includes a first connector member and a second connector member. The first connector member includes at least one pin. The second connector member includes an indexer mechanism defining a track that includes at least one track opening. At least a portion of the second connector is receivable in at least a portion of the first connector. At least a portion of the at least one pin is receivable in the track via the at least one track opening. The first connector member is reversibly coupleable to the second connector member via the pin and the indexer mechanism in response to a first series of longitudinal movements of the first or second connector members.

Abstract: A gripping device includes a body defining a constraint opening. A gripping member is engaged to the body and is configured to grasp a container. The gripping member includes deformable gripping elements arranged in correspondence of the constraint opening and configured to embrace, when the gripping device is in use, a respective portion of the container. The gripping elements are configured to form an inner gripping space. The gripping member is configured to operate at least between a rest configuration and a gripping configuration wherein the deformable gripping elements are deformed and retain, when the gripping device is in use and in correspondence of the inner gripping space, a container.

Abstract: A lifting lug for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first flange configured to be secured against a surface of the HVAC unit, a second flange configured to be secured against the surface of the HVAC unit, and an intermediate portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. The intermediate portion is offset from the first flange and the second flange to form a space between the intermediate portion and the surface of the HVAC unit in an installed configuration of the lifting lug, and the intermediate portion includes an edge and a notch formed in the edge and through a thickness of the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A device for a microactuator comprises a body (110), two terminal members (20, 22) articulated (136, 138) on the body (110), which are situated on one side of the latter, and two deformable bowl-shaped walls (120, 122) which face one another. The walls are configured to house an actuator, with two respective first edges (1202, 1222) of these walls (120, 122) situated on one side being fixed (1264) to the body (110), whereas two respective second edges (1204, 1224) of these walls (120, 122) situated on another side move consecutively to a deformation of the walls (120, 122) under the effect of the actuator. This movement is transmitted by two arms (132, 134) which terminate at the two respective terminal members (20, 22).

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

Abstract: A card gripping apparatus includes a body extending from a first end to a second end, the body being composed of a rigid material; and a securement device extending from the body, the securement device having a first side and a second side creating an opening therebetween; the first side and the second side are to secure to a card; and the body provides for a gripping location to maneuver the card.

Abstract: A soft bodied robotic member has the appearance of a finger and has a deformable rubber elongated body surrounding an array of rigid ribs interconnected by a perpendicular constraint. The plates form a series of parallel protrusions extending from opposed sides of the body and have a serrated, sawtooth or wavelike appearance. A tether runs through each row of protrusions and draws the corresponding protrusions together in a compressive manner to bend or dispose the finger toward the compressed side. Gaps between the protrusion allow movement of the protrusion towards adjacent protrusions to dispose the body in an arcuate shape. The constraint is a planar sheet that bends with the arc along its width, but resists lateral twisting, thus limiting movement outside a plane defined by the arc and the tether. Multiple finger members may be placed in close geometric proximity for gripping a common object.