Abstract: A tote handling system and method of handling items includes a tote and a grip hand. The tote includes a tote frame including walls extending above a bottom to define a chamber shaped to receive items. The bottom and/or walls include tool reliefs secured to a wall. The tool reliefs are in an aligned positioned parallel to each other with a tool receptacle defined between the tool reliefs. The tool receptacles are shaped to receive the fingers of the grip hand therethrough for engagement with the items in the chamber. The grip hand includes a bearing movably supported by a robot, a base slidably movable along the bearing, and finger assemblies supported by the base. The finger assemblies are movable by actuators towards a closed position with fingers of the finger assemblies together and an open position with the fingers apart.

Abstract: Provided is a hoisting implement which can change a hoisting posture of a long object with a simple and light-weight configuration and minimize a possibility of occurrence of operational errors. The hoisting implement includes a first connection part and a second connection part disposed so that a center of gravity comes between the first connection part and the second connection part along the longitudinal direction of the long object. The first connection part allows a first end of the hoist rope to be fixed to the long object. The second connection part includes a link having a distal portion to which a second end of the hoist rope is allowed to be connected, a swing supporting portion fixed to the long object to swingably support the link about a proximal portion of the link, and a holding portion that detachably holds the distal portion of the laid link.

Abstract: A spreader for lifting an intermodal transport container includes a main beam extending in a longitudinal direction, the main beam formed of a first, upper C-beam of a relatively thicker material thickness and a second, lower C-beam of a relatively thinner material thickness; and an indicator configured to provide an indication if a distance in a transversal direction between a pair of twist-locks is set in a wide-body position when lowered onto respective lifting castings provided with top openings separated by a transversal distance corresponding to a standard position.

Abstract: An integrated hand and method for manipulating items received in a shipping container. The integrated hand is carried by a tote handler and includes a base with a slotted plate, fingers, and flat plates. The fingers are extendable from and slidably movable along slots in the slotted plate. The flat plates are extendable from the base. The fingers and flat plates are selectively extendable about the base to define a grip space shaped to receivingly grip the items whereby the items are secured in position. The method includes receiving items in an original orientation from the shipping container by: selectively extending fingers and plates of an integrated hand to define an item space shaped to support and grippingly receiving the items; and inserting the items into a tote while maintaining the items in the original orientation by selectively rotating the integrated hand and inserting the integrated hand into the tote.

Abstract: An under the hook lifting device configured to lift an object is provided. The lifting device includes a boom having a first end and a second end, and a strap having a length extending downwardly from the first end of the boom, where the strap is configured to be secured to an object. A winch is positioned on the boom, where the winch is configured to adjust the length of the strap extending downwardly from the first end of the boom. The lifting device also includes a counterweight extending downwardly from the second end of the boom, and a trolley positioned at the second end of the boom, where the trolley is slidable along the boom. The counterweight is supported by and movable with the trolley, where the position of the trolley along the boom is movable to maintain a substantially horizontal position of the boom. Methods of lifting an object with a lifting device are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the collection and sampling of agents (including organisms and pathogens) to determine the health of an animal colony. The apparatus includes a perforated housing that incorporates a collection media. The collection media is configured to collect a sample from a target animal, such as a mouse or rat, through the perforations of the housing when the target animal interacts with the perforated housing. The collected sample may include dust, feces, fur, urine, saliva, or other aspect of the target animal's environment.

Abstract: A gripping and carrying device for moving a container having a longitudinal axis and a transversal axis where in the device comprises a substantially L-shaped frame extending along the longitudinal axis and connected onto a mobile crane, the frame having a distal end provided with at least one hooking device configured to engage onto at least one complementary hooking device provided on the container and a proximal end provided with a grabbing and gripping deck having grab handles rotationally mounted onto the deck and a gripping device translationally mounted onto the deck, mobile between a releasing position wherein the gripping device are disengaged from the container and a gripping position wherein the gripping device are configured to engage into the container.

Abstract: A valve device comprising a valve housing with a flow channel having a fluid outflow side and a fluid inflow side, a leaf spring having a fastening portion and a free portion. The fastening portion is connected to the valve housing such that, in a closed configuration, the free portion bears against a valve seat and that, in order to bring about an open configuration, the free portion, from the closed configuration, can be elastically bent away from the valve seat, and an actuating device which is designed to transfer the leaf spring from the closed configuration to an open configuration against an elastic reset force of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A handling method and apparatus for a stacked box can pull vertically upward and take out a stacked box having an open top surface. The handling method and apparatus gripes and moves the stacked box having an open top surface with the handling apparatus attached to a robot arm. The handling apparatus is moved to above a stacked uppermost box, a wedge member having a flat plate shape is inserted along outer surfaces of two opposite edges of an upper box, a claw provided to the wedge member is projected in a direction approaching the box and engaged with a lower surface of an outer flange of the box, and the box is lifted vertically upward and then a fall prevention hanger is driven on a lower side of the box to cause the box to be gripped by the handling apparatus and then moved by the robot arm.

Abstract: A robot hand includes base body defining gripping position of substrate, first contacting part provided to base body at tip-end side and configured to contact first part of edge part of substrate when substrate is gripped, rotary body provided on base-end side of base body and having second contacting part configured to contact second part of edge part of substrate when substrate is gripped, and mobile body having shaft part to be inserted into shaft hole of rotary body, and configured to move toward tip end of base body to move rotary body toward tip end of the base body. An axial-center line of shaft part extends in thickness directions of base and rotary bodies provided so as to have clearance in axial direction of shaft part with respect to shaft part.

Abstract: A load-assisting glove is an apparatus that assists users with the load from a handheld tool such as a shovel. The apparatus may include a work glove and a bracing socket. The work glove maintains the bracing socket at an ergonomic position adjacent to the user's arm. The bracing socket lessens the amount of grip needed to work with the handheld tool. The work glove includes a wrist opening, a palmar portion, and a dorsal portion. The wrist opening enables the user to put on the work glove. The palmar portion protects the palmar area of the hand, while the dorsal portion protects the dorsal area. The bracing socket includes an open socket end and a closed socket end. The open socket end enables the end of the tool handle to be inserted into the bracing socket, while the closed socket end keeps the handle end within the bracing socket.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for the delivery of one or more items onto one or more target surfaces including elevated surfaces and inclined surfaces. An apparatus of this disclosure is operationally configured to be moved in space via lifting equipment while carrying one or more items. An apparatus of this disclosure is also operationally configured to direct one or more items onto one or more target surfaces without manual assistance for removing the one or more items off from the apparatus onto one or more target surfaces. Removal of one or more items off from the apparatus may be performed in a controlled and/or programmed manner. The present disclosure includes maintaining one or more items on or more target surfaces once the one or more items are removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: Examples described herein are directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling an end of arm tool with one or more suction zones to pick up an item. Sensor data regarding the item is obtained. The sensor data is used to determine which of the one or more suction zones should be used to pick up the item. A rotational orientation is also determined that orients the determined suction zone(s) with the item. The end of arm tool is then instructed to create a suction force at the one or more suction zones and to pick up the item using the suction force.

Abstract: A cat litter scoop is provided, which includes a handle component, and a user replaceable scoop attachment. When a scoop attachment is inserted into the handle component, a scoop body contacts with a grip area within the body of the handle component. Further insertion force deflects the grip allowing the body of the scoop attachment to pass over grip teeth. The force of the deflection in concert with the geometry of the grip teeth help to retain the scoop attachment within the handle portion When a button is depressed, a protrusion beneath the button is translated into contact with the grip via a contact surface. As the button is further depressed, it deflects the grip in the same direction as the travel of the button. This move's the grip's teeth away from the scoop allowing the scoop to release from the handle component.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly for disconnecting a payload from a delivery platform includes a disconnect device for providing a releasable connection between the payload and the delivery platform. The disconnect assembly also includes an actuation mechanism for actuating release of the releasable connection, and a trigger mechanism for triggering the actuation mechanism to release the releasable connection. The trigger mechanism is automated such that the trigger mechanism can trigger the actuation mechanism without requiring operator intervention at the trigger mechanism. Also provided is a kit of parts, a delivery apparatus and a method of disconnecting a payload from a delivery platform.

Abstract: A holding mechanism includes a Bernoulli pad that holds a plate-shaped body, a hand on which the Bernoulli pad is disposed, a sensor that is disposed on the hand and detects that the plate-shaped body is held under suction by the Bernoulli pad, a lateral movement restriction section disposed on the hand, a tube that connects an air source supplying air to the Bernoulli pad and the Bernoulli pad, an adjustment valve that is disposed in the tube and adjusts a flow rate of air supplied to the Bernoulli pad, and a control section that controls operation of the adjustment valve. The control section gradually increases the flow rate of the air supplied from the adjustment valve to the Bernoulli pad and, when it is detected by the sensor that the plate-shaped body has been held under suction by the Bernoulli pad, fixes the flow rate of the air.

Abstract: A hook assembly includes a first hook having a first open end and a second hook having a second open end. The first hook is parallel to the second hook where the first open end is adjacent to the second open end. Extensions extend from each of the first hook and the second hook. The extensions extend perpendicular to a hook plane of the first hook and the second hook members. The first hook is a mirror image of the second hook. A hinge connects the first hook to the second hook. The hinge is located at an opposite end of the hook from where the extensions are located. A resilient member exerts a constant force at the hinge to bias the first hook and the second hook toward an open position.

Abstract: Described herein is a hoisting block for a crane. The hoisting block includes an engaging element such as a load hook, to which a lifting tool such as a sling or a hoisting frame can be coupled. The hoisting block is provided with winches, outgoing winch cables of which are configured to carry the lifting tool to the engaging element and couple it to the engaging element. Also described herein is a crane provided with the hoisting block. The hoisting block can be applied for carrying a lifting tool to an engaging element and coupling it to the load-bearing means, or for stabilizing an engaging element relative to a support structure.

Abstract: A hoist for transferred materials in an underground auxiliary transportation system and a method thereof. The hoist includes a hoist body, guiding plates mounted at two ends of the hoist body through bolts, twist locks mounted at four ends of the hoist body, a driving unit configured to drive twist locks to rotate, transmission assemblies configured to connect the twist locks with the driving unit, ejector pins configured to prevent the twist locks from rotating mistakenly, and a sensor configured to control the hoist to operate and provide protection safety.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism providing automatically accurate placement includes a pillar, a first clamping plate fixed to a first end of the pillar, and a second clamping plate movably coupled to a second end of the pillar and opposite to the first clamping plate. The first clamping plate includes a base plate. The base plate includes a first surface facing the second clamping plate and two opposite side faces connected to the first surface. The first surface is concave and defines two first positioning slots on opposite sides. Each first positioning slot passes through the two side faces. The first positioning slots are configured to position a carrying frame on a transferring apparatus accurately. A transferring apparatus including the clamping mechanism is also disclosed.