Abstract: A system and method to provide a suction device adapted to provide gripping and suction forces to pick up and move a wide variety of objects. This is accomplished through a primary grasping interface composed of a suction compartment, a membrane compartment, deformable membrane sealing said membrane compartment, and at least one pressure mechanism. At least one pressure mechanism is in fluid connection with the suction compartment and is configured to modify properties within the suction compartment to assist in providing gripping and attractive forces. The device will grasp an object with the primary grasping interface by positioning the deformable membrane adjacent to said object, modifying the deformable membrane to conform to and create a seal with said object, and then depressurizing the suction compartment vis the pressure mechanism, providing a suction force onto said object within that sealed area sufficient to grasp said object.

Abstract: A pick-and-place tool includes a bond base and an attaching head. The attaching head is connected to the bond base and configured to attract a chip by a suction force. The attaching head has an attaching surface that is convex toward the chip, the attaching head has a plurality of suction holes penetrating the attaching surface, and the attaching head attracts the chip using the suction force via the suction holes.

Abstract: The present invention will provide a suction device adapted to provide gripping and suction forces to pick up and move a wide variety of objects. This is accomplished through a suction compartment, a membrane compartment, deformable membrane sealing said membrane compartment, and at least one pressure mechanism. The at least one pressure mechanism is in fluid connection with the suction compartment and is configured to modify properties within the suction compartment to assist in providing gripping and attractive forces. The present invention will grasp an object by positioning the deformable membrane adjacent to said object, modifying the deformable membrane to conform to and create a seal with said object, and then depressurizing the suction compartment via the pressure mechanism, providing a suction force onto said object within that sealed area sufficient to grasp said object.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus (10) for a pulley (12), the apparatus (10) including: a first beam section (14) adapted to couple to the pulley (12) in a fitted condition; and a second beam section (16) connected to the first beam section (14) in a spaced apart relationship extending parallel to the first beam section (14). The second beam section (16) includes a lifting arrangement (20) including a pair of lift couplings (22) and a plurality of notches (24), the pair of lift couplings (22) being moveable between a first condition in which each one of the pair of lift couplings (22) are able to be moved between the plurality of notches (24), and a second condition in which each one of the pair of lift couplings (22) is substantially retained in a respective one of the plurality of notches (24). A related method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A soft pneumatic module includes a first frame defining a first path portion, a second frame opposite to the first frame and defining a second path portion, a retainer connected to the first frame and the second frame, a plurality of first crease parts disposed along a circumference of the first frame at two sides of the retainer and obliquely disposed inward from the first frame, and a plurality of second crease parts connected to the plurality of first crease parts and the second frame, disposed along a circumference of the second frame at the two sides of the retainer, and expanded along with the plurality of first crease parts as a fluid is injected into the soft pneumatic module.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting the application of a contact lens to a wearer's eye includes a contact lens support having a viewing tube and a light transmitting tube. A first end of the light transmitting tube is positioned proximate a distal end of the viewing tube, while a second end is exposed to a light source. Light from the source is transmitted through the tube to create a lit fixation target at the first end, ensuring proper gaze alignment during lens application. In one embodiment, the light transmitting tube is a fiber optic shaped to convey ambient room light, with perpendicular local optical axes at its ends. In another embodiment, a passive radioluminescent source, such as tritium gas exciting a phosphorescent material, provides power-independent illumination. The recessed target generates a parallax effect, restricting visibility to a narrow angle for precise gaze alignment and lens placement.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a plurality of linkage arms connected one to another by one of a plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of linkage arms has a first end and a second end, and the first end is adapted to allow for removable attachment of a cold plate from a cooling assembly in a computer server, and a coupling that reversibly connects the second end of the plurality of linkage arms to a location on the cooling assembly, wherein the coupling is adapted to allow the plurality of linkage arms to be held in place at the location on the cooling assembly. The plurality of linkage arms are adapted to move along a predefined travel pathway and adapted to be reversibly converted between at least a lowered configuration and a service configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for rigging and lifting a joined, multi-section assembly of corrugated decking sections for attachment to a Cold-Form Steel. The system and method provide for the utilization of an adaptable rig that securely attaches to a multi-section assembly of corrugated decking sections which have be pre-joined by workers in a safe, preferably terrestrial, workspace. The adaptability of the rig enables it to provide attachment points for lifting and supporting the multi-sectioned decking assemblies of disparate sizes and materials. The location and number of these attachment points being a function of the size, gauge, area and aggregate weight of a given pre-joined multi-section assembly. The system and method are can be utilized with pre-joined multi-section assemblies consisting of individual decking sections fabricated from a variety of materials, including ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, as well as composite materials.

Abstract: A gripping tool, which can be used by a manipulator device for picking-up and handling pieces, includes a plurality of gripping devices (50), distributed in groups, each group consisting of one or more gripping devices. The gripping devices (50) of each group of gripping devices are mounted on a same supporting body (P), which is made in one-piece by an additive manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A system for lifting a deformable object includes a support structure, two pairs of opposing arms coupled to the support structure, and a fluid power driver operatively coupled in parallel to the pairs of opposing arms via a fluid power system. Each of the arms includes inclined surfaces configured to contact the deformable object. When the support structure is positioned above the deformable object on the surface, the fluid power driver is configured to increase pressure in the fluid power system until the pressure in the fluid power system reaches a predetermined level such that (i) each of the pairs of opposing arms independently closes a distance until the inclined surfaces are in contact with sides of the deformable object, and (ii) the pairs of opposing arms exert a compressive force on the deformable object that causes the deformable object to slide up one or more of the inclined surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and discharging drums (6) comprises an interface device comprising an open cylindrical tubular element (2) with its opposite ends (2a, 2b) closed by respective diaphragm closures (3, 4) having a respective first portion (3a, 4a) firmly fixed to said cylindrical tubular element (2) by quick-release fixation means (8) through changes in internal pneumatic pressure.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a magnetic liquid metal includes: 1) placing A parts by weight of a liquid metal in a container; 2) placing B parts by weight of a metal powder in the container; 3) adding an acidic solution into the container until the liquid metal and the metal powder are submerged; 4) stirring until the liquid metal and the metal powder are sufficiently mixed; and 5) adding water for cleaning the acidic solution, to obtain the magnetic liquid metal by removing the acidic solution. The viscosity and stiffness of the prepared magnetic liquid metal can quickly respond to the stimulus from an applied magnetic field, and a reversible change from liquid to semisolid or solid exists. With a change in magnetic field strengths, the Young's modulus can be regulated in a range from the level of kPa to the level of MPa.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gripper and a method for moving piece goods. The gripper has a deposit table extending in first and second directions and a gripping assembly guide arrangement having a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly has a unilaterally flexible chain including a bending limitation device, a first end remote from the gripping assembly guide arrangement and a second end close to the gripping assembly guide arrangement. The unilaterally flexible chain is moved and is deflected by a deflection device in an articulation direction at an angle of between 70-110° to the first direction. The unilaterally flexible chain is arranged in such a way that pushing forces are transmitted to a piece good, and the unilaterally flexible chain has an alignment device which, in the non-articulated state, holds the chain links in a mutually non-pivoted, stretched alignment.

Abstract: In one aspect, provided is a robotic end effector, comprising a palm; a plurality of robotic fingers that are operatively connected to the palm, each finger comprising: a finger base having a proximal end portion that is operatively connected to the palm and an opposing, distal end portion; and a suction cup, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is operatively connected to the palm at the proximal end portion and is configured to be rotatable and/or movable relative to the palm, and wherein the suction cup is configured to be movable about a pivot of the distal end portion. Other example embodiments are described herein. In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides a versatile, multi-modal robotic end effector for grasping with enhanced picks per hour (PPH).

Abstract: A hanging device includes an accommodation main body, a sliding assembly, a hook, and the accommodation main body that includes two parallel sidewalls, in which a first vertical path is defined between the two sidewalls. The sliding assembly is movably connected between the two sidewalls to move relative to the main body along the first vertical path. The sliding assembly further includes a sliding rail which defines a second vertical path, and the hook is movably connected to the sliding rail to move relative to the sliding assembly along the second vertical path.

Abstract: A robotic arm system comprising a deployment system or a base, a first joint, and a manipulator coupled to the deployment system or base at the first joint and movable relative to the deployment link or base about the first joint. The manipulator includes a manipulator link, a second joint coupled to the manipulator link distal from the first joint, an elevation linkage coupled to the manipulator link at the second joint, a wrist coupled to the elevation linkage distal from the second joint, and an end effector coupled to the wrist. The end effector can change elevation via the elevation link without changing orientation.

Abstract: A robotic system for grasping an object including a set of movable robotic fingers that may be in the form of a fin gripper or other moldable robotic finger similarly formed. The robotic fingers include a mechanism that is embedded in one or both of the fingers that allows the fingers to more firmly grasp an object. Further, an actuator may move the mechanism to further grip an object and perform an action on the object.

Abstract: A grasping device of the embodiment includes claw holding parts, a cam, pins, a motor, and a rail holding part. The claw holding parts are supported by rails in a slidable manner. The cam includes grooves or curved holes having a spiral shape provided around the rotation center and a hole provided at the rotation center. The pins each have one end engaged with the claw holding parts side and the other end engaged with the grooves or the curved holes of the cam. The motor includes a shaft to be fixed to the hole of the cam. The rail holding part is configured to hold the rails and engage a positioning jig with an end portion of the shaft at the side fixed to the cam and including a hole part with an inner peripheral surface where the outer peripheral surface of the jig is contactable.

Abstract: A disc golf disc retrieval device that is simple to operate and allows a disc golf disc player or user to conveniently, quickly, and efficiently to engage with and retrieve a disc golf disc in hard to reach or unreachable places that can reduce downtime during a disc golf game, among other uses and advantages. Here, the disc golf disc retrieval device can include a retrieval head, a plurality of flexible post members extending from the retrieval head, wherein each of the flexible post member comprise a suction cup, and wherein the suction cup is configured to enable engagement of a disc golf disc thereto. The device can further include a telescoping pole member and a securement member configured to secure the retrieval head to the telescoping pole member.

Abstract: An apparatus for collection and removal of animal waste is disclosed. The collection apparatus may have a plurality of panels connected with one another by a plurality of hinges. The plurality of panels of the collection apparatus may be manipulated by a user to move the collection apparatus from a collapsed position to an expanded position. In the expanded position, a bag may line the interior of the plurality of panels to collect the animal waste. A user can then manipulate the animal waste into the bag lining the collection apparatus. The bag containing the animal waste may then be secured to the collection apparatus by way of panel clip for later disposal.