Abstract: A pivoting cradle apparatus for capturing an aircraft wheel on an aircraft tug includes a cradle sized for holding the wheel, mounted on at least one pivot block and configured to pivot between a wheel loading position and a wheel retaining position. A latch mechanism is disposed under the cradle, biased to swing into an upright position wherein it seats in a notch on the cradle, locking the cradle in the wheel retaining position. A latch release mechanism is configured to urge the latch out of the upright position, and when it does so, the latch slides along the underside of the cradle as the cradle pivots down. into the wheel loading position.

Abstract: An intelligent automatic mold-exchanging system and an intelligent automatic mold-exchanging method are provided. The system include a mold storage unit, a mold assembly and disassembly unit, a mold temporary storage unit, a temporary storage mold pick-and-place unit, a plurality of processing machines, a plurality of mold position preparation units, an exchange mold pick-and-place unit, and a central control unit. The central control unit is electrically connected to the mold storage unit, the mold assembly and disassembly unit, the mold temporary storage unit, the temporary storage mold pick-and-place unit, the processing machines, the mold position preparation units, and the exchange mold pick-and-place unit. The mold storage unit, the mold assembly and disassembly unit, the mold temporary storage unit, the temporary storage mold pick-and-place unit, the processing machines, the mold position preparation units, and the exchange mold pick-and-place unit are disposed on a same production line.

Abstract: A gripping device for shells that includes a pair of jaws intended to clamp a shell, each jaw being able to pivot towards a closed position obtained by applying the top end of each jaw to the shell. A locking means links the top ends of the jaws and includes two connecting rods and a central segment linking these connecting rods. The connecting rods are articulated relative to the jaws by a first articulation and by a second articulation to the central segment. A spring links each first articulation to a central point of the segment. A movable stop situated above the locking means is capable of pushing the locking means downwards until it is below an unstable equilibrium position of the locking means.

Abstract: A wafer processing system has a transport vacuum chamber for handling a frame assembly under vacuum conditions, at least one vacuum cassette elevator load lock for housing a cassette and adjusting a vertical position of the cassette under vacuum conditions, and at least one wafer processing module in vacuum communication with the transport vacuum chamber. An actuating assembly changes guide members from an expanded configuration to a contracted configuration to reduce a first cross-sectional dimension of a frame assembly receiving area and to reduce a second cross-sectional dimension of the frame assembly receiving area that is perpendicular to the first cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: A transportation apparatus includes a delivering device, an elevating unit and a loading device. The delivering device is horizontally movable. The elevating unit is disposed under and mounted to the delivering device, and is vertically extendable and contractible relative to the delivering device. The loading device is adapted for loading and unloading an object, and includes a moving unit and a fork unit. The moving unit includes a moving base horizontally movable along a lower first axis parallel to a first direction relative to the elevating unit. The fork unit includes two fork prongs being horizontally spaced apart from each other along a second direction which is transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles. The three-dimensional grid includes multiple storage columns, in which containers may be stored on top of one another in vertical stacks. Each container handling vehicle includes a container lifting device having a lifting frame for releasably connecting to a container, and is operated on rails at a top level of the grid for retrieving containers from, and storing containers in, the storage columns, and for transporting the containers horizontally across the grid. The automated storage system comprises multiple floor elements, each floor element arrangeable at a top end of a storage column on top of a vertical stack of containers, such that an operator may stand on top of the storage column. The floor elements may be stored on top of one another in a vertical stack arranged in a storage column in the grid.

Abstract: A robotic wheel gripper unit that is configured for gripping and transporting a wheel to a predetermined position during an assembly operation with a tire is disclosed. The robotic wheel gripper unit comprises a selectively moveable arm that includes a gripper tool connected thereto. The gripper tool further includes a plurality of gripper fingers and at least one sensor. The gripper fingers are configured for selectively engaging a portion of a wheel. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined element on the wheel, such as a TPMS valve stem, to assist in placement of the wheel during an assembly operation.

Abstract: A conveyor sled assembly is utilized to supply proppant in support of oilfield hydraulic fracturing operations. The conveyor sled assembly includes precisely positioned components where tolerances between components are so small as to prevent significant spillage at component junction boundaries. This manner of fitting proppant pods onto the conveyor sled assembly increases predictability of which pods will discharge their proppant load first. This enhances reliability of the overall proppant delivery system.

Abstract: The hand apparatus includes: a grasper that grasps a work; a grasper driving portion that causes the grasper to operate at a first position at which the grasper grasps the work, a second position at which the grasper is open widest, and a third position between the first position and the second position; a hand mechanism portion having a pair of hand portions that holds both ends in a width direction of the work grasped by the grasper and capable of varying an opening position of the pair of hand portions; an operating portion provided so as to be interlocked with an operation of the grasper and being connectable to the hand mechanism portion; and an actuator that causes the grasper to advance and retract, wherein when the grasper is at the second position, the hand mechanism portion is connected to the operating portion to vary the opening position of the pair of hand portions by being interlocked with the advancing and retracting movement of the grasper according to the actuator, and when the grasper is at

Abstract: A warehouse has a rack with an aisle and rails fastened to the rack extend along the aisle. The rails are made of rail segments that have a first profile section with a top side running surface. A distribution vehicle is movable along the aisle on the top side running surfaces and transports goods to be stored or retrieved from the rack. A pressure distribution bar is arranged where a first rail segment abuts a second rail segment. The pressure distribution bar has first and second length portions. The first length portion is supported against the first profile section of the first rail segment, the second length portion is supported against the first profile section of the second rail segment. A pressure transmission element has a first end supported from below against the pressure distribution bar and a second end supported against a counter bearing arranged at the rack.

Abstract: A conveying mechanism includes a suction part that has a suction pad and sucks and holds a target object by the suction pad, a bracket connected to the suction part through a joint that is swingable, an elastic component in which one end part is fixed to the suction part and the other end part is fixed to the bracket, a negative pressure control unit that controls generation of a negative pressure at the suction part, and a movement unit that moves the bracket. The elastic component permits a swing of the suction part according to tilt or deformation of the target object that is sucked and held and, when suction holding of the target object is released, the elastic component returns the orientation of the suction pad to a predetermined orientation when the suction pad is not sucking and holding the target object.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching implements to skid steer machines having different implement mounting configurations. The implements include or are separately provided with a securement frame defining a mini skid steer pocket engageable with a mini skid steer mount and a larger standard skid steer pocket engageable with a standard skid steer mount. The mini pocket is located between the implement and the standard pocket. A passage opening extends through the standard pocket where through the mini pocket is accessible. For attaching the implement to a mini skid steer, the mini skid steer mount is inserted through the passage opening and engages the mini skid steer pocket while the standard skid steer pocket remains unused. For attaching the implement to a standard skid steer, the standard skid steer mount is inserted directly into and engages the standard skid steer pocket while the mini skid steer pocket remains unused.

Abstract: An adapter for a quick-change system for changing attachments on a construction machine, which contains two parallel pin-like coupling elements arranged between parallel side parts at a stipulated spacing from each other for connection of the adapter to a quick coupler and a coupling member support releasably fastened to one of the coupling elements to secure the coupling elements. In order to permit simplified fastening, the coupling member support is connected directly to the pin-like coupling element secured against torsion via a releasable form-fit connection.

Abstract: A coupler assembly for detachably coupling an arm to a work tool. The coupler assembly comprises a first linkage having an idle link and a power link, a first pin provided on the arm, and a second pin provided on the power link. The first and second pins are receivable in openings on the work tool. The coupling assembly is characterized by a second linkage provided between the first and second pins comprising a first link and a second link joined at a shaft. The first link is fixed to the shaft to prevent rotation therebetween. A portion of the shaft comprises a gear. The second link comprises a body mounted on the shaft so as to be rotatable thereabout, the body comprising a chamber in which a piston is received, the piston including a geared section that is meshed with the gear.

Abstract: A method is for sealing a backplane component of a load port system to an equipment front end module (EFEM). The method includes mounting a leveling block to the EFEM. A conical hole adjustment assembly is coupled between a first distal end of the leveling block and the backplane component. The method further includes rotating a first leveling adjustment bolt in the conical hole adjustment assembly to align the backplane component with the EFEM.

Abstract: This transfer device is a transfer device which transfers an object to be transferred and includes a pivoting arm supported by a frame and configured to be rotatably driven around a pivot axis, a main arm which is rotatably connected to the pivoting arm and to which a support part which supports the object to be transferred is connected at a distal end portion, and an inclination adjustment part which is slidably connected to the main arm in a longitudinal direction of the main arm and has a parallel link mechanism to adjust an inclination of the main arm.

Abstract: A powered trailer unit that includes a support frame, and a bed disposed on the support frame. The frame has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a proximate end and a distal end. The first side has a first guide rail, with the movable wall movingly engaged therewith. There is a mover operatively engaged with the movable wall, the movable wall configured to be moved back and forth along the unit by operation of the mover.

Abstract: Object manipulation space optimization is a challenging task and used in applications such as heat treatment operation and transport packaging. Traditionally manual intervention is involved to grasp and place the objects for ensuring multi object stacking with zero gap between adjacent objects. This leads to higher cost infrastructure and low productivity. Further, conventional gripper devices fail to optimize object manipulation space and are unable to handle objects of different cross sections with larger lengths. The present disclosure provides a gripper apparatus addressing a single gripper design comprising an adaptor holding unit with a provision for different modular object holding units which are varied in accordance with size, shape and length of the object to be grasped and placed by the gripper apparatus. The modular object holding unit comprises a plurality of fingers which are actuated for grasping and stacking one or more objects such that object manipulation space is optimized.

Abstract: A tool can aid in articulating a water heater onto, and off of, an elevated pedestal. The tool can consist of at least a frame that is pivotally attached to a stationary base via a fulcrum feature. The frame may be sized to support a water heater with at least a pair of rails. The stationary base can have at least one rigid pivot stop cantilevered from a base body and shaped to maintain the stationary base at a non-normal tilted orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing debris from job sites are disclosed. Carts for receiving the debris are also disclosed. Each cart has a base, a plurality of wheels extending downwardly from the base relative to a vertical axis, and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the base. The walls and the base of each cart cooperate to define a debris-receiving space. The carts can be engaged by a lifting apparatus that rotates along an arcuate path to position the carts in an unloading position.