Abstract: A constructible scoop is provided as a sheet of planar flexible material having front and back surfaces and bilateral symmetry along a center line that extends from a top edge through a bottom edge. The sheet includes elongate extensions that emanate from a center body, and include left and right lateral extensions, a base extension that terminates at the bottom edge of the sheet and is oriented at ninety degrees relative to the left and right lateral extensions, an optional handle extension that terminates at the top edge of the sheet opposite the base extension. The extensions form a periphery that is shaped so that each extension may be flexed from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional configuration and fixedly engaged to form a scoop having a backwall, opposing sidewalls, a receptacle, and a spout.

Abstract: A handheld grip assist device for use in gripping an object in a sanitary manner. The grip assist device has a clamshell construction, wherein two assemblies are joined at a hinge. The two assemblies have a rigid frame that support elastomeric panels. Movement between an open configuration and a closed configuration are controlled by engaging the grip assist device between a thumb and finger and using the muscles of the hand to open and close the grip assist device. In this manner, the grip assist device can be precisely controlled while preventing any direct contact between a gripped object and the skin of the hand. The grip assist device can be locked in its closed configuration, therein isolating surfaces on the grip assist device that could cause cross-contamination.

Abstract: A bracket is provided having a base and an arm. The base can be connected to a rear window hinge support of a hardtop with the hinge bolts used to secure a rear window hinge. The base has slots that provide for an increased flexibility of bolt patterns or widths. The top of the slots are open with necks to allow for easy insertion and removal of the brackets without removal of the rear window and allows the brackets to be used with multiple models. The base has a central void. An arm having an eye upstands from the base. A relief is provided at the area where the arm is connected to the base. Two brackets (a left and a right bracket) are secured to a hardtop before use. A hoist or lift can connect to the eyes to facilitate removal and storage of the hardtop.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripper is configured to grip a workpiece by being in close contact with the workpiece in a state in which an outer perimeter of the gripper is held, and by the interior of the gripper being depressurized.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism assembly comprising a lifting section, a compression section, and an attaching section.

Abstract: A self-release mechanism. The self-release mechanism includes a counter-weight, wherein the counter-weight is located on a first end of the self-release mechanism; a shaft having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the shaft is coupled to the counter-weight, wherein the shaft defines a perforation, wherein the perforation is adapted to receive a cord; and a hook including a hook bend, wherein the hook is located on a second end of the self-release mechanism, wherein the hook is coupled to the bottom portion of the shaft, wherein the self-release mechanism moves to a first position when a tension is exerted on the self-release mechanism due to gravity caused by coupling of the hook to a payload via the hook bend, wherein the self-release mechanism moves to a second position when the exerted tension is released.

Abstract: Material moving apparatus, systems and methods are presented which can include an air material mover. Airflow through orifices can create a localized vacuum such that the uppermost or top layer of material can be separated from the stack of material. The airflow can interact with the material to produce flutter, which assists in separating lower layers from the uppermost layer. A material gripper can grip the uppermost or top layer of material for removal from the stack and repositioning in a work area.

Abstract: A mechatronic device includes two arms extending from a base in a first direction and shaped to be handheld by an operator, the two arms having free ends forming a gripper and arranged to move closer together by rotation from a rest position to an active position, a motor housed in the base, an actuator mounted between the arms, and a means for controlling said actuator, the actuator connected to the motor so as to be driven in movement in translation in the first direction. The actuator also has a first contact surface that forms a cam with a respective second contact surface on each arm, the first contact surface remaining engaged with the second contact surface. The control means controls the movement in translation of the actuator to produce a movement in rotation of the arms that applies a chosen force of the gripper in its active position.

Abstract: Reusable chopsticks that are foldable into a compact configuration for storage and easily transportable in a storage case. The chopsticks each comprise a rigid external structure and at least one flexible internal member that is foldable to a compact configuration for storage. In a folded configuration, the reusable chopsticks have a significantly reduced length of approximately one-half to one-fourth of their extended length when in use. The external structure of the chopstick is preferably formed of multiple rigid segments connected by the flexible internal member(s) in the extended configuration during use as chopsticks. A storage case is provided to store the chopsticks in the folded configuration in a compact form.

Abstract: A suction device includes a base having a first end surface, at least three suction nozzles and a driving assembly. The at least three suction nozzles are disposed on the first end surface. A load bearing region is defined by the at least three suction nozzles. The driving assembly is configured to adjust the area of the load bearing region. The driving assembly is fixed to the base.

Abstract: A manipulator arm includes at least one arm body for carrying a to-be-carried object. The arm body is provided with a suction plate for sucking the to-be-carried object, and the suction plate is provided with a plurality of vacuum suction holes. The plurality of vacuum suction holes are uniformly distributed in the entire suction plate.

Abstract: A suction-cup end effector conforms to and grasps objects upon application of vacuum force. The suction cup assembly can have isotropic stiffness in a plane defined by a contact surface of the suction cup assembly and thus can conform regardless of the orientation of the suction cup to the object. The suction cup includes a foam suction cup body, a thin structural ring to provide a spring bias toward a rest position, and a sealing membrane within the structural ring to seal the suction cup.

Abstract: A robotic system includes an end effector with one or more fin grippers that have one or more vacuum ports. The fin grippers are made of elastic material. The fin grippers each include contact and exterior flanges joined together with a series of crossbeams. The crossbeams each define a tube opening to form a tube guide channel between the contact and exterior flanges. In one form, the vacuum ports are located at fingertip ends of the fin grippers, and the vacuum ports include vacuum cups.

Abstract: A gripper arm for a device for gripping, holding and guiding bottle-like containers having a bore to support a bearing pin to pivotably fix the gripper arm in the device and including an energy store for moving a gripping section of the gripper arm by a control cam from an open position into a gripping position and vice versa, wherein the energy store is spring tongue integrally formed on the gripper arm and elastically deflectable so as to operatively engage the spring tongue of another gripper arm of the device in a mirror-inverted configuration. The gripper arms produced from a fiber-reinforced plastic, so as to remain sufficiently free of contaminants and germs, and be easily cleaned as well as being faster and easier to produce.

Abstract: A magnetic hand tool and method of assembly for manipulated conveyance over a surface for magnetic collection of ferrous articles, by which procedure a quick-release cap is used to release any and all collected ferrous material. This tool utilizes an alignment insert in a central opening of the magnet to coaxially align fastener guide holes through polar plates or protective covers on opposing planar sides of the magnet and a fastener guide hole in the insert, whereby insertion of the fastener through the guide holes laterally aligns the components of the assembly. The invention is the release device/cap, that is part of the assembly by means of a self-adhering or hinged cap with a lip, square, circular or other shape, to aid in the separation of ferrous material from the magnetic tool by pushing away the cap from the magnetic hand tool by holding the lip for that purpose. The divots make it that the release lever device/cap is held onto the magnetic hand tool assembly.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to pressurizable housings for a soft robotic actuator. The pressurized housings may be divided into an upper chamber in fluid communication with an internal void of the actuator, and a lower chamber connected to an inlet and an outlet. The upper chamber and lower chamber may be separated by a piston. By supplying a fluid to the lower chamber via the inlet, the piston is moved into the space previously occupied by the upper chamber, which reduces the volume of the upper chamber and increases the pressure in the internal void. This action allows the actuator to be rapidly inflated, and further simplifies the pressurization system and reduces its weight.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to various improvements in soft robotic actuators, and techniques for manufacturing the improvements. For example, techniques for manufacturing a rigidizing layer for reinforcing a soft robotic actuator is provided. In another embodiment, a soft robotic actuator having integrated sensors is described. A flexible electroadhesive pad for achieving a conformal grip is also described. Still further, exemplary embodiments provide hydraulically-actuated soft robotic grippers, which allows for a reduction in the size of the actuation system and improved underwater operation.

Abstract: A sanitary excrement removal and bagging system is provided that is capable of collecting multiple, individual portions of dog waste or other excrement and storing them within separate sealed packets of a flexible elongate bag. The excrement removal and bagging system includes a disposable bag and a waste collector including an elongate tube for supporting the disposable bag and a retraction mechanism for drawing the disposable bag into an interior space of the elongate tube. A retraction mechanism can pull the bag into the waste collector. As the bag is pulled into the waste collector, a bag sealing mechanism can close the bag at discrete locations along the length of the bag forming a series of pockets capable of safely and hygienically holding dog waste or other excrements. The bag sealing member can include heating elements for heating and welding the bag to seal the pockets.

Abstract: A workpiece holding mechanism includes a first and second support having a first and second surface part, third support having a third surface part located closer to second than first surface part and located at a height corresponding to first surface part's lower end, fourth support having a fourth surface part located closer to first than second surface part and located at a height corresponding to second surface's part lower end, a fifth support having a fifth surface part located, at first surface part one end in first direction, closer to second than first surface part and located above third surface part, and a sixth support having a sixth surface part, at second surface part's end portion, closer to the first than second surface part and located above fourth surface part. At least one third and fourth face part includes one face or plurality of faces extending in first direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The gripping tool grips a workpiece by depressurizing the interior of the gripper in a state in which the gripper is caused to contact the workpiece. At least a portion of the gripper includes a resin member and a fibrous member. The fibrous member is provided inside the resin member.