Abstract: Parcel deploying apparatus including package receiving and/or delivering apparatus defining an enclosure and any or all walls of the enclosure being releasably locked to the package receiving or deploying apparatus by an externally controllable locking mechanism and movable from a closed to an open orientation defining a package receiving flat surface. A robot including a body with controllably movable apparatus for aligning movements, the body including a wall releasably attached to the body for movement between a body closing orientation and a horizontal orientation defining a package receiving flat surface. One of the enclosure and the body including package relocating apparatus which moves a package between a stored and an extended orientation on one of the flat surfaces. The controllably movable apparatus controllable to move the robot into alignment with a delivery position. The package receiving and/or delivering apparatus and the robot can be integrated into a single robosafe.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carriage lift assembly including a mast member, a top and bottom bearing assembly, one or more belt members, one or more belt tensioner assemblies, and one or more carriage assemblies. Each belt tensioner assembly defines a first clamping block and a second clamping block for securing a first and a second end, respectively, of a belt member to provide initial tension, and a pair of bolt members adjusted to move a slidable plate member upon which the second block is coupled to provide final tension. Each carriage assembly is removably attached to a corresponding belt tensioner assembly, and defines a center plate and two side plates. Each side plate defines at least a removable set of guiding wheels and a first set of guiding members.

Abstract: A member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes an upper plate that has a wafer placement surface, that contains an electrostatic electrode and an upper auxiliary electrode parallel to each other, and that comprises ceramics; an intermediate plate that is joined to a surface of the upper plate opposite the wafer placement surface with a first metal joining layer interposed therebetween; and a lower plate that is joined to a surface of the intermediate plate opposite a surface joined to the upper plate with a second metal joining layer interposed therebetween and that contains a heater electrode and a lower auxiliary electrode parallel to each other.

Abstract: An aggregate transferring apparatus for elevating aggregate may include a base assembly with a base frame, an unloader structure on the base frame, and a base conveyor on the base frame positioned to receive aggregate from a vehicle positioned on the unloader structure. The apparatus may also include an aggregate elevating assembly with a deployable frame mounted on the base frame and being movable between storage and deploy positions, and an elevating conveyor for receiving aggregate from the base conveyor and conveying the aggregate upwardly on the deployable frame. The apparatus may further include a conveyor extension assembly for conveying aggregate horizontally outward from the elevating assembly. The extension assembly may include an extension conveyor movable between lowered and raised positions and being articulated with an inboard and outboard segments.

Abstract: A lift assembly includes a lift arm having a first arm portion, a second arm portion, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The first arm portion has a first end coupled to a chassis and/or a body of a vehicle. The second arm portion interfaces with the first arm portion and terminates with a second end. The first actuator facilitates repositioning the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion. The second actuator facilitate pivoting the first arm portion about the first end. The first actuator is configured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion when the second actuator pivots the lift arm between a stowed position and a working position such that a relative distance between the first end and the second end changes as the second actuator pivots the lift arm between the stowed position and the working position.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus and method is disclosed, including a grabber clamp apparatus and method for handling, such as grabbing and pulling, elongate binding material. The grabber clamp is capable of gripping one or more elongate binding material strands securely enough to pull it from the bale but without cutting the elongate binding material strand(s). The current invention also provides an elongate binding material puller for removing elongate binding material from a bale. The elongate binding material puller should be capable of automatically, mechanically removing elongate binding material from a bale. The method uses a grabber clamp to grip a strand of elongate binding material between two blunt points such that a portion of the elongate binding material is free from clamping pressure between the two blunt points.

Abstract: A dipper handle includes a dipper tube, a dipper engagement member, and an intermediate member between the dipper tube and the dipper engagement member. The dipper tube has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a contoured inner surface. The contoured inner surface results in multiple wall thicknesses for the dipper tube, including a first thickness proximate a first end and a second, larger thickness, proximate a second end. The second end is configured for coupling to the intermediate member.

Abstract: A holding device for use with a telescopically extensible crane boom (57) in order to keep a load handling tool (4) in a given parking position in relation to the crane boom. The holding device (1) comprises: an attachment (10) to be fixed to an end of a telescopic crane boom section of the crane boom; a tool holder (15), which is detachably mountable to the attachment (10) and configured for engagement with the tool in order to support it against the crane boom and keep it in the parking position, the tool holder being provided with a sliding member (28), through which the tool holder is configured to slidably rest against an external surface on the crane boom; and a locking mechanism (16) for locking the tool holder and the attachment to each other when the tool holder is mounted to the attachment.

Abstract: A seizing head for objects is described that includes a support frame adapted to be coupled to a manipulator robot, and a plurality of picking apparatuses arranged mutually flanked according to a predefined flanking direction and individually adapted to take and withhold at least one object, wherein each picking apparatus is installed on a respective mobile frame, which is slidably coupled to the support frame according to a sliding direction parallel to the flanking direction, and wherein the seizing head further includes a plurality of functionally independent activation devices, each of which is adapted to activate a respective mobile frame along said sliding direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate treating apparatus. The substrate treating apparatus includes an index unit including a load pot, in which a container is seated, and an index chamber connected to the load pot, and a process executing unit having a load lock chamber connected to the index chamber and a process chamber that treats a substrate transferred to the load lock chamber, the index unit further includes an alignment unit provided in the index chamber and that aligns a substrate type sensor transferred to the process chamber.

Abstract: This device is intended to provide a quick and easy way for one person to load and transport a relatively large number and weight of tree leaves without a great amount of strain or strength. It's size and configuration allows leaves to be collected on the specially designed tarp which is then hooked to the top of the device, and then easily rolled away with one hand.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a lock, a tailgate, an ejector, an actuator, a second actuator, and a processor. The body defines a receptacle for storing refuse. The lock is coupled to the body and is configured to releasably secure a movable tailgate. The receptacle contains the ejector. The ejector can transition from a first position that is spaced from the tailgate to a second position proximate the tailgate. The actuator is configured to transition the ejector from the first position to the second position. The second actuator is configured to move the tailgate. The processor is configured to selectively unlock the tailgate and transition the ejector from the first position to the second position in response to receiving a single input to thereby eject refuse from the receptacle without receiving multiple inputs.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system including a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each adjacent grid cell includes a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks; and a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening.

Abstract: A robotic end effector is disclosed. The end effector is configured to grasp, move, and place one or more objects without assistance from another robot. The end effector includes a lateral member configured to be coupled to a robotic arm, a passive side member coupled substantially rigidly to the lateral member at a first distal end and configured to engage mechanically with a first recess on a first side of an object to be grasped, and an active side member coupled to the lateral member at a second distal end opposite the first distal end and configured to engage mechanically with a second recess on a second side of the object to be grasped, the second side being opposite the first side of the object to be grasped. The passive side member and the active side member each include a structure, and the structure on the passive side member and the active side member have different profiles.

Abstract: A latching system associated with a dipper door of a dipper includes a latch bar that engages with a body of the dipper. The latch bar defines a longitudinal axis. The latch bar includes a housing, one or more shims, and a wear member removably coupled to the housing. The wear member defines a wear surface and a wear axis extending parallel to the wear surface. An angle defined between the wear axis and the longitudinal axis is less than 45 degrees. The latching system also includes an arm member pivotally coupled to the dipper door such that the arm member is pivotable along a first pivot plane. The arm member contacts a portion of the latch bar for moving the latch bar along the longitudinal axis. The latching system includes a guide assembly having a guide pulley and an actuation member that causes pivoting of the arm member.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift system for a vehicle comprises: a platform for accommodating a wheelchair; a lifting arm; a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic actuator arranged to act on the lifting arm to raise and lower the platform; a barrier mounted on the platform and pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position; a plurality of sensors each arranged to generate a sensor output; a user input device arranged to generate control signals to control operation of the lift; and a control unit. The control unit is arranged to receive the control signals and to receive the sensor output from each of the sensors and to control the hydraulic circuit thereby to control of the lift to perform a number of different operations. The control unit is also operable in a fully operational mode and a safety mode and is arranged to perform a plurality of checks on the sensor outputs, and to record a result of each of the checks, and to switch between the fully operational mode and the safety mode based on the results.

Abstract: A conveyor carriage movable on a guide rail. The conveyor carriage includes a conveyor frame; a pair of side rails spaced apart from each other; and a load carrying portion coupled to the pair of side rails. A drop-down plate hingedly mounted to the conveyor frame and positioned in between the pair of side rails. The drop-down plate is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the drop-down plate encloses a component of the conveyor carriage in the closed position. The conveyor carriage to pick up and deposit loads from and to a load handling station. The load handling station including a control box with a pivotable lid to enclose one or more components of the load handling station in the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method of autonomous Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) comprising a fully autonomous growing environment. More specifically, disclosed herein is an apparatus and method in which a plurality of frame assembly may be stored and manipulated within a track assembly that is configured within a rack through the motivational input a carriage-mounted manipulators. Each frame assembly is configured to be coupled to an adjacent frame assembly supported by the track assembly by at least one coupler disposed on a forward end and a rearward end of each frame assembly. With the frame assembly including a low friction bearing surface to orient within a track assembly, it may be configured to satisfy various utilities necessary within the farm, such as but not limited to the housing grow media for the cultivation or the housing of electromechanical systems.

Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movements and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of storage container handling vehicles. Each vehicle includes a vehicle body, a thereto connected wheel assembly configured to guide the vehicle along the track system, a container picking device for releasably attaching to a storage container, which include one or more arms. The configuration of the container picking device is such that it is movable between a first lifting position enabling the container picking device to lift at least one storage container from a position outside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body and a second transport position enabling the container picking device to hold the at least one storage container at least partly inside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body.