Abstract: A pivoting shovel assembly for reducing the effort required to lift and empty a shovel includes a tool. The tool includes a shaft. A first handle is attached to and extends upwardly away from the shaft. A head is attached to and extends downwardly away from the shaft opposite the first handle. A pole has an upper end and a lower end with a foot attached to the lower end. A coupler is attached to and extends between the pole and the shaft such that the pole and the shaft are pivotable with respect to each other. The coupler allows pivoting wherein upper halves of the pole and the shaft are positionable in a first position orientated parallel to each other and in a second position wherein the first handle is pivoted rearwardly with respect to the upper end.

Abstract: A slim and long multifunctional gripping mechanism has a bending- and torsion-resistant structure, on which several finger, suction, magnetic head and other mechanisms for a multitude of tasks are arranged. The gripper arm is composed in sandwich configuration of several cages placed on top of each other, like a multi-stage tower. The individual cages consist of two plates in parallel in lightweight construction, with their mutual distance being ensured by several rods, spokes, wires, ropes and strings. Most of the drives are contained within the first cage after the flange. From that position, all mechanisms participating in the action of the gripper are driven by rods, shafts, ropes, chains or belts traversing the cages. Further cages are used to attach and accommodate the components of finger mechanisms. Movable cages are used as drives for finger, suction or magnetic head mechanisms. Several finger mechanisms perform a different task each.

Abstract: A drilling end effector is provided for drilling a workpiece having a workpiece surface. The drilling end effector includes a chuck configured to hold a drilling tool, and a nosepiece configured to at least partially surround the drilling tool when the drilling tool is held by the chuck. The nosepiece includes an end portion, at least one suction cup, and at least one suction feed line. The at least one suction cup is fluidly connected to the at least one suction feed line that is configured to be fluidly connected to a suction system. The at least one suction cup is configured to be engaged in physical contact with the workpiece surface and pulled under suction by the suction system such that the at least one suction cup adheres to the workpiece surface to thereby hold the end portion of the nosepiece on the workpiece surface.

Abstract: A lifting system may comprise a rod comprising a threaded portion and a lifting bracket assembly configured to be moved up and down the threaded portion. The lifting bracket assembly may comprise a bushing component, a lifting bracket comprising a receiving portion that includes a receiving hole, and a threaded component configured to be inserted over the bushing component. The receiving portion may be configured to be inserted over the bushing component via the receiving hole.

Abstract: Systems and methods to grasp objects using vacuum-actuated end of arm tools may include moving pistons, pinching or stabilizing arms, and suction cups. For example, responsive to application of negative pressure and responsive to grasping an object by a suction cup, a piston may move between a retracted position and an extended position. The movement of the piston may cause corresponding movement of one or more pinching or stabilizing arms around the object to pinch and/or stabilize the object grasped by the suction cup.

Abstract: A vertical lift system includes a cable with a pair of mounting loops positioned at opposite end portions of the cable, a lift bar, and a pair of cable blocks mounted to the lift bar at opposite end portions of the lift bar. The cable is mountable to the lift bar at the pair of cable blocks. A lift block is mounted to the lift bar between the pair of cable blocks. A spreader bar is mountable to the cable. The spreader bar includes an elongated shaft and a pair of cable couplings mounted to elongated shaft at opposite end positions of the elongated shaft. The cable is extendable through the pair of cable blocks on the lift bar and the pair of cable couplings of the spreader bar such that spreader bar is positioned between the lift block and the pair of mounting loops of the cable.

Abstract: An automatic tool exchange coupler and an automatic tool exchange device are provided that achieve further improvement in the user-friendliness of the automatic tool exchange device. The coupler includes a coupler body, a first direction switching valve and a second direction switching valve that are provided to a first side surface of the coupler body. The coupler body has: in a first side surface, an uncoupling input port being connected to a pipe for introducing a gas for uncoupling; and in the second side surface opposite to the first side surface, an uncoupling output port being configured to connected to the uncoupling port. The uncoupling input port is located at a position where a center of the uncoupling input port is radially offset with respect to the uncoupling output port by at least an amount corresponding to a length of a diameter of the uncoupling input port.

Abstract: A spreader for lifting an intermodal transport container includes a main beam extending in a longitudinal direction, the main beam formed of a first, upper C-beam of a relatively thicker material thickness and a second, lower C-beam of a relatively thinner material thickness; and an indicator configured to provide an indication if a distance in a transversal direction between a pair of twist-locks is set in a wide-body position when lowered onto respective lifting castings provided with top openings separated by a transversal distance corresponding to a standard position.

Abstract: A light-weight shovel for use in varied conditions, which include, for example, sand, soil, snow, gravel, and loose solids of varying kinds. A shovel blade is connected to a first end of a hollow shaft and a hollow handle is connected to a second end of the hollow shaft. In one embodiment, the front side of the shaft is smooth and the rear side is a hollow rectangular shaped channel with rounded edges extending substantially into the blade on the first end and completely into the D-shaped handle in the second end. The hollow channel is reinforced by geometrical structural inlays or ribbing that extends through the entirety of the shovel's handle, shaft, blade's stem, and at least partially into the blade itself.

Abstract: A tool exchange device includes a male member and a female member. The male member is attached to a side of a main body of an apparatus. The female member is attached to a side of a tool. The male member and the female member includes a plurality of coupling portions mechanically connected to each other, and a connector portion that connects a power supply path arranged in the main body and the tool to each other. The plurality of coupling portions and the connector portion are provided in each of joining surfaces of the male member and the female member. The plurality of coupling portions are arranged around the connector portion.

Abstract: A closed strap collar for securing cargo by friction, a device for lifting cargo and a lifting method, the collar being formed by a strap and a tensioner which, by tightening the strap around an element, allows cargo to be secured to the element being held or the held element to be raised by pulling the strap collar.

Abstract: A shovel handle connecting device includes a connecting assembly configured to connect a shovel handle and a shovel scoop. The connecting assembly includes a connecting seat embedded in the shovel scoop and a connecting member inserted and fixed in the connecting seat; a front end of the connecting member is provided with a connecting portion and a limiting portion, a limiting fastener is arranged on the connecting portion; the connecting seat is internally provided with a connecting groove allowing the connecting portion to be inserted therein, and an inner wall of the connecting groove is provided with a limiting groove allowing the limiting fastener to be snapped therein; an outer side wall of the limiting portion and an inner side wall of the connecting seat are formed into an accommodating cavity in an enclosure mode, and one end of the shovel handle is inserted and fixed in the accommodating cavity.

Abstract: An adapter system for connecting the last element of a kinematic chain of a handling device to same, wherein the last element has a computer-storage module, as well as at least one actuator and/or at least one sensor. At least three sequentially positioned system modules are arranged between the penultimate and the last element. A first system module is a mechanical module, via which electrical and/or pneumatic connection lines are guided. In a second system module, the connection lines are connected with transition points of a negative adapter geometry of a mechatronic combi-interface. At least one further system module is arranged in a couplable manner between the second system module and the last element. A third system module has an electronics assembly which adapts the predefined system architecture to the device interface of the last element.

Abstract: A handheld measurement, search and safety device that includes a main frame having a handle, an extendable member that slides outwards from the main frame in measured increments, and an interchangeable support brace comprising either a buttstock or arm brace to allow responders to use the extendable member to survey hazardous materials at a distance, or a one-handed configuration used to survey hazard materials in confined areas. The handheld measurement, search and safety device includes a plurality of picatinny rails disposed on both the main frame and extendable member to removably mount a host of different field survey instruments and/or tactical accessories for detecting, locating, identifying, measuring, or sampling hazardous materials including radioactive materials or toxic chemicals.

Abstract: An improved removal tool device configured as tool to aid in the removal of items from hot skewers and campfire roasters. The device having an interior space defined by a first wall, a second wall, a pair of adjacent sidewalls, and a bottom portion. The first wall includes a notch extending a substantial height of the first wall and configured to be utilized in the removal of a roasted food item. The device further includes a handle portion extending outward from the second wall opposite the interior space and culminating in a curved end with a pair of notches.

Abstract: A customizable shovel, including a telescopic assembly, including a first shaft section, a second shaft section movably disposed within a first end of the first shaft section, a plurality of adjustment buttons disposed on at least a portion of the first shaft section to extend the second shaft section from retracted to away from the first shaft section in response to depressing one of the plurality of adjustment buttons, a socket disposed on a second end of the second shaft section, and a blade connected to the socket to receive at least one item therein, an attachment assembly to removably connect to the blade, and a connecting assembly disposed on at least a portion of the attachment assembly to lock the attachment assembly to the telescopic assembly in a first position and unlock the attachment assembly from the telescopic assembly in a second position.

Abstract: A compressed fluid pet waste cleanup apparatus for cleaning up pet waste includes a handle coupled to a shaft. A housing is coupled to the shaft and has a housing bottom side with a receiving aperture and a release aperture extending through to a housing inside. A separator is coupled to a housing bottom side between the receiving aperture and the release aperture. At least one compressed fluid tank is coupled to the shaft with a fluid tube is extending through the housing. At least one spray nozzle is coupled to the fluid tubes adjacent the receiving aperture of the housing. Each spray nozzle has a release valve. At least one trigger is coupled to the handle and is in operational communication with the release valve of one of the spray nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is disclosed for a riser hanging system. The apparatus includes a first elongated member with a provision for a first external mechanical coupling at a distal location on the first elongated member. A second elongated member is mechanically coupled to the first elongated member at proximal locations on the first elongated member and the second elongated member. A third member is mechanically coupled to a first portion of the first elongated member. The third member includes a fourth member to move through at least a second portion of a length of the second elongated member. Mechanical couplers associated with the second elongated member are provided for a second external mechanical coupling of the riser to the apparatus. The riser may be hoisted using the apparatus for better control during coupling to the wellhead.

Abstract: A gripping device (10) for sheet-shaped elements (L) comprising: at least one longitudinal bar (20) adjustable in length and provided with a plurality of suction gripping members (30) connected along a longitudinal axis (A) of the longitudinal bar (20).

Abstract: A robotic tool changer is provided including a tool adapter. The tool adapter includes a body having a robot wall, a tool wall, and a side wall extending from the robot wall to the tool wall. A rear opening is formed in the side wall and the tool wall through which a tool element extends to enter a tool hole formed in the body. The tool adapter also includes a locking member movable relative to the body between an open position in which the locking member permits positioning of the tool element into or out of the tool hole through the rear opening, and a closed position in which the locking member prohibits positioning of the tool element into or out of the tool hole through the rear opening.