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.

Abstract: A mobile conductor lift comprised of multiple lightweight subassemblies that may be rapidly assembled manually or using handheld tools by a small crew of workers and that is capable of being quickly and easily placed into multiple potential configurations and in either horizontal or vertical orientations for lifting energized or deenergized conductors away from power poles in order to provide room for work to be performed by workers on such power poles or on other equipment connected to such power poles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of changing a tool on a programmable motion device. The method includes the steps of moving an attachment portion of an end effector of the programmable motion device in a continuous motion; while the attachment portion of the end effector moves in the continuous motion, engaging one of: the attachment portion of the end effector with the tool, or the tool attached to the attachment portion of the end effector with an exchange system, and continuing to move the attachment portion of the end effector in the continuous motion to change a connection status of the attachment portion of the end effector while the attachment portion of the end effector moves in the continuous motion.

Abstract: A self-locking slider for a skewer. The self-locking slider has an engaged end and an opposing push end. The self-locking slider has spaced apart first and second plates to engage an engaged end of the skewer biasedly in a locked engagement, yet the first and second plates are movable to an unlocked engagement. The first plate defines a locking aperture at the engaged end for slidably receiving the skewer in a longitudinal direction and, separately, in a latitudinal direction between a locking end and an unlocking end of the locking aperture. The second plate at the engaged end and the push end provide aligned skewer passageways, respectively, for slidably receiving the skewer in the longitudinal direction. The first and second plates are movable toward each other to the unlocked engagement enabling the self-locking slider to slide along a length of a skewer by way of the skewer passageways.

Abstract: A quick-change system includes a first exchange tool designed as gripper jaws, a second exchange tool, a first receiving part, and a ball catch. The first receiving part includes a first receiving opening for receiving a one of the first exchange tool or the second exchange tool. The ball catch is for temporarily fixing the one of the first exchange tool or the second exchange tool on the first receiving part. The ball catch includes a sleeve that is closed on one side and a spring-mounted press ball arranged in the sleeve. The one of the first exchange tool or the second exchange tool has a ball-receiving opening, and the press ball can be manually engaged and disengaged in the ball-receiving opening.

Abstract: A fishing tool is provided for use in association with the performance of fishing and other similar activities, and more particularly, to a rod-mountable fishing tool exhibiting an integrated aesthetic appearance wherein aesthetic shapes and features also can serve multiple functions associated with tasks typically performed while fishing, such as cutting of lines, nipping of knots, tying of knots, storage of hooks and lines, and other tasks.

Abstract: A stability frame for the installation of a wind turbine on an offshore substructure, wherein the wind turbine comprises a tower configured to be anchored to a rigging assembly below the barycenter of the wind turbine, has a main body configured to be mounted about the upper part of the tower; and a plurality of guides, which extend outwardly from the main body and are configured for constraining parts of the rigging assembly so as to laterally support the wind turbine by the rigging assembly.

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 robot hand module includes a thumb module, a plurality of finger modules, and a palm part to which the thumb module and the finger modules are coupled. The thumb module and the finger modules each include a phalangeal part movably coupled to the palm part, a cable part having a first side connected to the phalangeal part, and a driving part connected to a second side of the cable part and configured to operate the phalangeal part by extending the cable part to the outside or retracting the cable part, wherein each of the driving parts includes an inlet region from which the cable part is extended to the outside, and wherein an acute angle is defined between a first direction in which the inlet region is directed toward the outside and a second direction in which the driving parts are disposed.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus (100) for hoisting a spider (200) of a gyratory crusher has a spreader (110) spanning between two leg members (120) each having an offset arm (121a), clearing arm (121b), cradle arm (121c), and securing arm (121d). The offset arm (121a) forms a second offset distance (131) with respect to an offset axis (C). The arms (121a-121d) form an opening (123) for receiving the spider (200). The leg members (120) oppose each other such that the clearing arms (121b) of the leg members (120) are provided on opposite sides of a plane defined by the horizontal axis (D) and vertical axis (A). The lifting apparatus (100) may be lowered over the spider (200), and rotated approximately 90 degrees in a direction (B) of rotation about the vertical axis (A) to cradle and support the spider (200) from below the spider (200).

Abstract: A coupling tool for connection to an outer end of a tubular element for the purpose of upending the element has an engaging mechanism with which the outer end of the element can be engaged, and a pivotable lifting member with which the coupling tool can be suspended from a lifting device such as a crane. Resilient arms are further mounted on the coupling tool, which arms can be moved from a starting position to a position against a wall part of the outer end of the element for the purpose of aligning the suspended coupling tool relative to the outer end, and for damping movements of the suspended coupling tool. Also described herein is a device which utilizes the coupling tool, and a method which makes use of the device.

Abstract: A grabber used, for example in the lifting and lowering of blocks, includes one or more arms with a damped self-centering mechanism at a distal end thereof. The damped self-centering mechanism dampen a contact force received thereon and facilitates a self-centering of the damped self-centering mechanism relative to a surface of, for example, a block when the grabber is moved relative to the block (e.g., when the arms are lowered through bores in the block).

Abstract: A support assembly including a coupler, a first arm having a proximate end movably coupled to the coupler, a distal end opposite the proximate end, and a second arm having a proximate end movably coupled to the coupler, a distal end opposite the proximate end. The support assembly is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When moving from the disengaged position to the engaged position, the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm move toward each other.

Abstract: A spatula includes a shovel portion, a reinforcing piece, a shovel handle and a coating layer. The reinforcing piece is provided on the shovel portion. The shovel handle has a connecting end connected to the reinforcing piece. The coating layer coats the shovel portion and the reinforcing piece and extends to the connecting end. The spatula has the advantages of smaller thickness, good structural strength and smaller weight.

Abstract: A clamp device for retaining a container in a container-handling apparatus, for example for retaining a drinks container in a container-handling apparatus of a bottling plant, includes two clamp arms which can be moved relative to one another, wherein at least one clamp arm has an interchangeable clamp jaw with a retaining portion for retaining the container which is to be retained, wherein the clamp jaw has a latching element for undergoing a form fit with a recess formed in the associated clamp arm. A clamp jaw and a container-handling apparatus are also described.

Abstract: An attachment unit is configured to secure to an object, such as cargo. The attachment unit includes one or more portions that are configured to secure to the object. The one or more portions are further configured to one or both of mechanically or magnetically removably couple to a clasp assembly.

Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.