Abstract: A scoop-spatula that includes an elongated handle, a blade and a transitional connection between the elongated handle and the blade such that the handle is set above the blade. The blade includes a side edge, a rear wall, a front-side wall, a back-side wall and a top working surface that all define a trough on the top-side of the blade that is operable to hold ingredients and juices.

Abstract: A lifting devices can include a tube with a first slot and a second slot. The devices also include an insert with a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion. The first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot. A first plate and a second plate are each connected to the central portion of the insert. The lifting devices can be used in a method of lifting a tanker truck or other structures.

Abstract: Pickup stick assemblies suitable for picking up objects and discharging the retrieved objects into a trash or other receptacle may include an assembly housing having a proximal housing end and a distal housing end. A spring retaining member may be disposed between the proximal housing end and the distal housing end. An assembly shaft may be slidably disposed in the assembly housing. The assembly shaft may have a proximal assembly shaft end protruding beyond the proximal housing end of the assembly housing and a distal assembly shaft end opposite the proximal assembly shaft end. The assembly shaft may be deployable in an extended shaft position in which the distal assembly shaft end protrudes beyond the distal housing end of the assembly housing and a retracted shaft position in which the distal assembly shaft end is recessed with respect to the distal housing end of the assembly housing. A shaft retention spring may be provided in the assembly housing.

Abstract: System and methods for manipulating and sorting of objects being moved along a conveyor are disclosed, whereby control of the object is achieved through the application of one or more of vacuum, impaling, or mechanical grasping. One embodiment is directed to a robotic arm and vision detection system operable for detecting a target object to be grasped from a stream of objects being moved on a conveyor, and moving a suction head into position over the target object that has been detected on the conveyor, the suction head having a flexible cup section disposed at a distal end thereof, the vacuum item pick-up system/method using high subsonic air flow (e.g., on the order of 60 scfm or more) through a suction cup having a flow opening area large enough that an airflow of 60 scfm does not result in an airspeed exceeding Mach 0.2 under standard conditions of temperature and pressure, and further having a flow opening area whose ratio to cup opening area falls between 0.36 and 1.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a clamp having a linkage coupled to a first end of a first and second clamp member. Based on applying a first directional force to the linkage, the linkage generates a force that moves the second ends of the first and second clamp member towards one another, thereby biasing the clamp to the closed position. The clamp secures a strap when the clamp is in the closed position and releases the strap when the clamp is in an open position.

Abstract: A gripping device for the gripping, holding and guiding of in particular bottle-like containers includes at least one gripper arm pair of a first gripper arm as well as a second gripper arm of complementary form to the first gripper arm, wherein the gripper arms each include a respective base body and gripping section; at least one spring for closing the gripper arm pair from an open position into a gripping position as well as at least one cam for opening the gripper arm pair from the gripping position into the open position. The at least one spring or the at least one cam is thereby arranged on the gripping device so as to be replaceable.

Abstract: One example embodiment is a waste collection and storage device, comprising: (a) a disposable container with a body and a base; (b) a plurality of panels extended from the base, each of the panels has a panel distal end extending away from the body, the panel distal ends of the panels pointing inwardly and defining an opening therebetween in an open state; and (c) at least one locking mechanism disposed on at least one of the panels. When a force is applied on the body to the panel distal ends against a target surface having a waste, the panel distal ends move inwards towards each other and in turn close up the opening to form a closed state, and the body and the panels together create a cavity, such that the waste can be scooped up from the target surface and accommodated within the cavity. The locking mechanism locks the panels in the closed state to store the waste within the cavity. Other example embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A hygienic self-cleaning animal dropping collection and transfer device to collect and transfer an animal's droppings includes a support assembly having a support member with a handle on one end. A collection assembly is mounted to a lower portion of the support member and has a collection tray dimensioned to be positioned under a rear portion of an animal to collect the animal's droppings thereon. A cover assembly includes a cover member which is disposable between an open collection orientation and a closed transfer orientation relative to the collection assembly. A dispenser assembly includes a reservoir containing an amount of a cleaning fluid mounted to a portion of the support assembly, the dispenser assembly having a dispenser nozzle operable to dispense an amount of the cleaning fluid onto the collection tray. An illumination assembly may be mounted to a portion of the device for use at night.

Abstract: Systems are provided for gripping one or more workpieces. A tooling system includes a plurality of grippers configured to engage and grip the workpieces. An arm is connected with each gripper. A lock releasably locks each arm in a number of positions, including a home position. A pneumatic circuit is coupled with the grippers. A valve is disposed in the pneumatic power supply circuit and is positionable in an open state and in a closed state. When the arm is moved to the home position, in response the valve is mechanically moved to the closed state, idling the gripper.

Abstract: The robot joint structure includes a first body, a second body disposed to be spaced apart from the first body, a first joint configured to connect the first body and the second body, and a second joint disposed to face the first joint and configured to connect the first body and the second body. The first joint includes a first connector and a second connector that cross each other and the second joint includes a third connector and a fourth connector that cross each other.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes: a plate having multiple arms extending outward from a center thereof, each arm for engaging a respective portion of a support ring of a fuel tank; and multiple clips, each rotatably mounted on a respective arm. The clips rotate from an unlatched position to a latched position to secure the plate to the support ring of the fuel tank. A swivel device is rotatably mounted on the plate. Each arm has a ledge lowered from an upper surface of the plate for contact engagement with the bottom side of the support ring. Each ledge is sunken or lowered from the upper surface of the plate by a respective shoulder, such that the ledges and shoulders register and stabilize engagement of the plate with the support ring. The clips snap into the latched and unlatched positions and are automatically maintained there until rotated intentionally by hand by a user.

Abstract: Adjustable load leveler apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed automotive manufacturing system includes a hoist supported by a support structure and configured to carry a vehicle component. The automotive manufacturing system also includes a load leveler mechanism attached to the hoist. The load leveler mechanism includes a frame, a weight movably coupled to the frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the weight. The automotive manufacturing system also includes control circuitry connected to the actuator and an input device connected to the control circuitry and configured to generate input data in response to a user interacting with the input device. The control circuitry is configured to move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist based on the input data to adjust a levelness of the hoist.

Abstract: A system and method for handling a dish, comprising: inserting a tapered finger between said dish which is stacked together with another dish; gripping said dish using an end effector having at least two fingers, wherein the distance of separation between said two fingers is configurable; moving said end effector to a plurality of locations using a first rotary arm connected to a second rotary arm, wherein said second rotary arm is connected to said end effector, and said first and second rotary arms rotate about axes that are parallel to each other; moving said first rotary arm at two or more heights using a height arm connected to said first rotary arm, whereby said robot can pick up, hold and drop off said dish.

Abstract: A grabber assembly including a carriage, a pin, a first adapter, a second adapter, and a sleeve. The pin extends through a bushing of a grabber arm. The bushing is pivotally coupled with the pin. The first adapter is coupled with the carriage and configured to receive a first end of the pin. The second adapter is coupled with the carriage and configured to receive a second end of the pin. The sleeve extends co-cylindrically with the pin, the sleeve positioned within a central bore of the bushing between the bushing and the pin.

Abstract: Method and apparatus including a scoop having an elongated frame with handle at the top for manipulating the the bottom of the scoop along the ground at the location of excrement to be scooped. The frame includes a bifurcated double pole section to which a disposable bag may be attached. The bag has an opening which faces the front of a rotatable paddle located at the end of the single pole part of the frame. The rotatable paddle is operated via a switch located adjacent the top handle. A shield is positioned about the paddle to prevent excrement being directed rearwardly of the frame. The rotatable paddle includes at least one but preferably two and more preferably three paddles which are spaced about a central axle which itself extends perpendicular to the single pole part of the frame.

Abstract: A system for lifting a load via a spreader bar includes a spreader bar and a swivel lug assembly. The swivel lug assembly includes an upper swivel, a lower swivel, and a load pin extending between a pair of load pin holes in the upper swivel and the lower swivel. The upper swivel is pivotable relative to the lower swivel about the load pin. The spreader bar includes two opposing sides each having a height, and spreader bar pin holes in each of the sides. The spreader bar pin holes are located at a midpoint of the height of each of the sides. The load pin is detachably attached to the first swivel lug assembly through the pair of load pin holes in the upper swivel and the lower swivel in order to releasably attach the swivel lug assembly to the spreader bar via two opposing spreader bar pin holes.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to interconnect to a heavy and/or long object that facilitates manipulation and movement thereof is provided. More specifically, a lifting apparatus for interconnecting to an elongate beam used in post-frame construction is provided. The lifting apparatus comprises a frame with a selectively closable door that encircles the beam and secures the same. The lifting apparatus includes at least one handle that can be grasped by an individual.

Abstract: A robot hand includes a motor with a rotary shaft, an accommodating member accommodating a distal end of the rotary shaft, a plurality of swing members swinging with respect to the accommodating member due to rotation of the rotary shaft, and a plurality of claw members swinging with the plurality of swing members.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a workpiece includes: at least one gripping element configured for contacting the workpiece, the at least one gripping element including a shaft; at least one articulating finger jaw; a mounting block connecting the shaft to the at least one articulating finger jaw, the mounting block including an articulation stop having a first stopping surface and a second stopping surface; and a stopping member connected to the shaft, the stopping member being configured for contacting one of the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface to limit a rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting block, the stopping member being in the form of a fastener which is inelastic.

Abstract: A robot hand module includes a thumb module and a finger module each coupled to a palm part, wherein the thumb module or the finger module includes a phalangeal part movably coupled to the palm part and a cable part and a driving part each connected to the phalangeal part, wherein the driving part includes a driving part body extending in one direction and including a rotary shaft configured to rotate by receiving power, a drum member coupled to one side of the driving part body, connected to the rotary shaft, and having an outer periphery surrounded by the cable part, and a tensioner member spaced apart from the drum member in a direction in which the cable part extends outward, wherein the tensioner member is movable in the direction in which the cable part extends to adjust tension of the cable part.