Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing a floating end effector for grasping small precision parts. The end effector includes at least one end effector module having at least: tooling for grasping a part for pickup and placement; a module shaft connected on a first end to the tooling, and having a second end opposite the tooling; and at least two air bearing associated with the second end, wherein the at least two air bearings in combination impart degrees of freedom to the tooling in at least x and y axes and in theta.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting a tank car is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a first arm to surround and not contact a tank car jacket and a second arm to surround and not contact the tank car jacket.

Abstract: A robot arm includes a first hand, a second hand, and a distance adjusting part for adjusting a distance between the first hand and the second hand. The first hand includes a first body portion and a plurality of first protruding portions protruded from the first body portion to a second direction and arranged in a first direction crossing the second direction. The second hand includes a second body portion and a plurality of second protruding portions protruded from the second body portion to the second direction and arranged in the first direction. The first protruding portions and the second protruding portions are disposed between the first body portion and the second body portion.

Abstract: A spread bar device is used to suspend a load from a crane using a lifting harness having a plurality of attachment cables. The spread bar device includes a modular central beam structure assembled from a main beam section and interchangeable end beam sections that are releasably coupled at opposing ends of the main beam section to vary the length of the spread bar device according to the load. One or more truss frames protrude laterally outward from the central beam structure to provide lateral stiffening to ensure sufficient strength while minimizing weight of the spread bar, despite the modular construction of the central beam assembly.

Abstract: A tweezers is provided. In a first aspect, the tweezers comprise a first leg and a second leg. The first leg comprises: a distal portion including a tip, a proximal portion having a first thickness, a central portion disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the central portion having a second thickness, and a flexure portion disposed between the central portion and the proximal portion. The flexure portion has a third thickness less than each of the first thickness and the second thickness. The second leg is coupled to the first leg at the proximal portion. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: The carabiner comprises a C-shaped body (1) and a gate (2) fitted movable between an open position and a closed position. The gate (2) is fitted rotatable with respect to the body (1). The gate (2) defines a cavity (2a) receiving a spring (4). A pusher (5) presses on the body (1). The spring (4) installed in the cavity (2a) of the gate (2) presses on the gate (2) and on the pusher (5) to bias the gate (2) to the closed position. The spring (4) is a coil spring extending along the longitudinal axis of the cavity (2a). The spring (4) and pusher (5) are fixedly mounted on one another to form a monolithic assembly.

Abstract: A non-contact suction cup device (100) with flow recycling. The device is based on the recycling flow of fluid through one or more passage(s) (12) provided inside a suction cup chamber (51). The device further optionally includes a flow diverter (4) configured to divert the flow of fluid, and suction means (5) either directly or indirectly attached with the suction cup of the device (100), configured to suck or draw the fluid (11) from the periphery (52). The said passage (12) allow part of fluid to recirculate within the device chamber, hence causing a recycling effect on fluid used to create suction, which provides lower acoustic noise and higher energy efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-functional robotic end-effector, the method comprising a support platform, a gripper assembly supported from the support platform, and a negative pressure system to be supported, at least in part, from the support platform. The gripper assembly can comprise an opposable gripper arrangement having first and second grippers, at least one of the first or second grippers being actuatable in at least one degree of freedom. The negative pressure system can comprise a suction asset having an object interfacing component comprising an interfacing surface that defines a suction plane, the negative pressure system facilitating a negative pressure within the suction asset. The suction asset can be supported by one of the support platform or the gripper assembly, and can be positioned within a gripping region of the gripper assembly, or alternatively, the suction asset can be positioned outside of the gripping region of the gripper assembly.

Abstract: Provided are a gripper and a robot. The gripper includes a case, a plurality of gripping assemblies respectively assembled to the case, and a driving assembly configured to move the plurality of gripping assemblies. Each gripping assembly is provided with a fingertip at an end portion, and fingertips of the gripper are configured to cooperate with each other for grasping. Each gripping assembly further includes a gear set and a gear carrier rotatably connected to the case. The gear set includes a fixed gear, an intermediate gear and a fingertip gear engaged in sequence. The fixed gear is fixedly connected to the case, and the fingertip gear is fixedly connected to the fingertip. The intermediate gear and the fingertip gear are mounted to the gear carrier and respectively rotatably connected to the gear carrier. The driving assembly is configured to rotate the gear carrier.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus is configured to grasp a closed receptacle having a closure affixed to an open top end of a receptacle. Opposed jaw members capable of lateral movement between an open position, a first closed position, and a second closed position are configured to grasp the closed receptacle when the closed receptacle is situated between the jaw members at the first closed position and to release the closed receptacle at the open position. The gripper apparatus further includes a plurality of fingers configured to grasp a sidewall of the closure beneath a top surface of the closure when the closure is situated between the plurality of fingers and beneath a base of each of the jaw members as the jaw members move laterally toward each other from the open position to the second closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a deformable gripper are described. The deformable gripper comprises a base, a first inner membrane and a second inner membrane coupled to the base, an outer membrane attached to the base such that the outer membrane is positioned to enclose the first inner membrane and the second inner membrane, and an actuator operable to independently expand and contract the first inner membrane and the second inner membrane such that a portion of an outer surface of the outer membrane expands and contracts responsive to the expansion and contraction of at least one of the first inner membrane and the second inner membrane.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus to allow a user to support a can is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated body to engage with a hand of a user. In addition, the apparatus includes a connection mechanism disposed on a first end of the elongated body. The connection mechanism is to engage a rim of a can. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a base disposed on a second end of the elongated body. The base is to apply a force against a side of the can.

Abstract: A finger assembly of a robot hand includes a main frame, a tip portion rotatably connected to the main frame, and a band portion connected to the tip portion.

Abstract: A robotic article management system for acquiring and managing an article, the robotic article management system comprising a platform, a robot positioning member supported by the platform and having a robotic end effector interface, and a robotic end effector supported by the robot positioning member via the robotic end effector interface. The robotic end effector can include an extendable arm comprising a first support member, a capture device, and an article interface system having an actuatable article engagement device operable to interface with the article and to facilitate movement of the article toward the capture device. A computer-implemented method for acquiring and managing an article. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium including instructions embodied thereon for controlling one or more components of a robotic article management system to acquire and manage an article.

Abstract: A vacuum adsorption system includes a cylinder including a cylinder block, a piston, and a piston rod mounted in the cylinder block, and a vacuum pressure control device controlling a vacuum pressure in an inner cavity of the cylinder block. The piston rod has a vacuum suction hole communicating with the inner cavity. The vacuum pressure in the inner cavity is controlled so that a contact force applied by the piston rod on an object adsorbed by the vacuum suction hole of the piston rod is less than or equal to a predetermined contact force.

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.