Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes: a plate having multiple arms extending outward from a center thereof, each arm for engaging a respective portion of a support ring of a fuel tank; and multiple clips, each rotatably mounted on a respective arm. The clips rotate from an unlatched position to a latched position to secure the plate to the support ring of the fuel tank. A swivel device is rotatably mounted on the plate. Each arm has a ledge lowered from an upper surface of the plate for contact engagement with the bottom side of the support ring. Each ledge is sunken or lowered from the upper surface of the plate by a respective shoulder, such that the ledges and shoulders register and stabilize engagement of the plate with the support ring. The clips snap into the latched and unlatched positions and are automatically maintained there until rotated intentionally by hand by a user.

Abstract: Adjustable load leveler apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed automotive manufacturing system includes a hoist supported by a support structure and configured to carry a vehicle component. The automotive manufacturing system also includes a load leveler mechanism attached to the hoist. The load leveler mechanism includes a frame, a weight movably coupled to the frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the weight. The automotive manufacturing system also includes control circuitry connected to the actuator and an input device connected to the control circuitry and configured to generate input data in response to a user interacting with the input device. The control circuitry is configured to move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist based on the input data to adjust a levelness of the hoist.

Abstract: A system and method for handling a dish, comprising: inserting a tapered finger between said dish which is stacked together with another dish; gripping said dish using an end effector having at least two fingers, wherein the distance of separation between said two fingers is configurable; moving said end effector to a plurality of locations using a first rotary arm connected to a second rotary arm, wherein said second rotary arm is connected to said end effector, and said first and second rotary arms rotate about axes that are parallel to each other; moving said first rotary arm at two or more heights using a height arm connected to said first rotary arm, whereby said robot can pick up, hold and drop off said dish.

Abstract: A grabber assembly including a carriage, a pin, a first adapter, a second adapter, and a sleeve. The pin extends through a bushing of a grabber arm. The bushing is pivotally coupled with the pin. The first adapter is coupled with the carriage and configured to receive a first end of the pin. The second adapter is coupled with the carriage and configured to receive a second end of the pin. The sleeve extends co-cylindrically with the pin, the sleeve positioned within a central bore of the bushing between the bushing and the pin.

Abstract: Method and apparatus including a scoop having an elongated frame with handle at the top for manipulating the the bottom of the scoop along the ground at the location of excrement to be scooped. The frame includes a bifurcated double pole section to which a disposable bag may be attached. The bag has an opening which faces the front of a rotatable paddle located at the end of the single pole part of the frame. The rotatable paddle is operated via a switch located adjacent the top handle. A shield is positioned about the paddle to prevent excrement being directed rearwardly of the frame. The rotatable paddle includes at least one but preferably two and more preferably three paddles which are spaced about a central axle which itself extends perpendicular to the single pole part of the frame.

Abstract: A system for lifting a load via a spreader bar includes a spreader bar and a swivel lug assembly. The swivel lug assembly includes an upper swivel, a lower swivel, and a load pin extending between a pair of load pin holes in the upper swivel and the lower swivel. The upper swivel is pivotable relative to the lower swivel about the load pin. The spreader bar includes two opposing sides each having a height, and spreader bar pin holes in each of the sides. The spreader bar pin holes are located at a midpoint of the height of each of the sides. The load pin is detachably attached to the first swivel lug assembly through the pair of load pin holes in the upper swivel and the lower swivel in order to releasably attach the swivel lug assembly to the spreader bar via two opposing spreader bar pin holes.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to interconnect to a heavy and/or long object that facilitates manipulation and movement thereof is provided. More specifically, a lifting apparatus for interconnecting to an elongate beam used in post-frame construction is provided. The lifting apparatus comprises a frame with a selectively closable door that encircles the beam and secures the same. The lifting apparatus includes at least one handle that can be grasped by an individual.

Abstract: A robot hand includes a motor with a rotary shaft, an accommodating member accommodating a distal end of the rotary shaft, a plurality of swing members swinging with respect to the accommodating member due to rotation of the rotary shaft, and a plurality of claw members swinging with the plurality of swing members.

Abstract: A robot hand module includes a thumb module and a finger module each coupled to a palm part, wherein the thumb module or the finger module includes a phalangeal part movably coupled to the palm part and a cable part and a driving part each connected to the phalangeal part, wherein the driving part includes a driving part body extending in one direction and including a rotary shaft configured to rotate by receiving power, a drum member coupled to one side of the driving part body, connected to the rotary shaft, and having an outer periphery surrounded by the cable part, and a tensioner member spaced apart from the drum member in a direction in which the cable part extends outward, wherein the tensioner member is movable in the direction in which the cable part extends to adjust tension of the cable part.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tensioning an electrical cable adapted to be manipulated by one or more remotely operated robotic appendages. Tensioners mounted to a rigid object configured to adjust the tension of a connecting line attached to an electrical cable such that the tension of the connecting line is applied to a length of the electrical cable such that another portion of the electrical cable becomes slack, thereby allowing one or more robotic appendages to remove, replace, repair, or conduct any alteration or modification to said electrical cable or to a rigid object that supports the electrical cable.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a workpiece includes: at least one gripping element configured for contacting the workpiece, the at least one gripping element including a shaft; at least one articulating finger jaw; a mounting block connecting the shaft to the at least one articulating finger jaw, the mounting block including an articulation stop having a first stopping surface and a second stopping surface; and a stopping member connected to the shaft, the stopping member being configured for contacting one of the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface to limit a rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting block, the stopping member being in the form of a fastener which is inelastic.

Abstract: An articulating food utensil includes a handle and an articulating blade secured to a distal portion of the handle, with the articulating blade configured to rotate or pivot about a pivot axle relative to the handle. The utensil includes a lock assembly configured to selectively retain a rotational position of the articulating blade relative to the handle. The lock assembly may include a lock protuberance configured to engage one of multiple lock receptacles in a proximal portion of the articulating blade. The lock protuberance is disposed on the distal portion of the handle. Each of the lock receptacles may include a hole through the articulating blade or a concavity in a lower surface of the articulating blade. The pivot axle may include a pivot pin disposed in a pivot receptacle in the proximal portion of the articulating blade. The pivot pin is secured to the distal end of the handle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protective shield for use with a plurality of interchangeable cooking tools and/or utensils, such as a spatula, spoon, and the like. The protective shield offers protection from splashes from hot oil and grease, exposed heat and flame, and attaches to a handle end of the utensil via a threaded or other secure mechanism. The protective shield is conically shaped and includes a strap and a latch on a circumference of a base of the structure, which is used to expand and retract the size and circumference of the protective shield.

Abstract: A trench roller lifting adapter is for inserting/removing a trench roller into/from a trench absent intervention with the trench roller within the trench by a worker and saves time required for compacting dirt in the trench. The adapter has an upper portion configured for interaction with a hook attached to a cable dangling from a crane, excavator, tractor, or other type of construction equipment used to insert/remove the trench roller into/from a trench. The upper portion has a front portion and an opposed back portion with a pin and gap extending therebetween. Each of the front and back portions include respective guide members adapted for guiding the hook toward and into engagement with the pin. The adapter also has a lower portion depending from the upper portion that is configured for secure coupling to the trench roller to be moved into or out of the trench.

Abstract: A robot system according to an embodiment may include a robot, a wafer jig that is held by the robot, a positioning base, a positional displacement detection device, a control part, and an offset acquisition part for acquiring an offset that occurs between a command position for the robot and an actual position. The positioning base includes contacting members. The wafer jig has a tapered surface. The tapered surface guides the wafer jig so that a center of the wafer jig approaches a predetermined position as a position where the taped surface contacts the contacting members is relatively higher. The robot places the wafer jig on the positioning base, then holds and conveys the wafer jig to the positional displacement detection device. The offset acquisition part acquires the offset based on a result in which the positional displacement detection device detects a positional displacement of the conveyed wafer jig.

Abstract: A gripper for gripping a workpiece includes: a base; at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment; at least one actuator disposed within the base; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the at least one actuator being configured for linearly and nonrotationally moving the proximal end of the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment, wherein the middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transferring a plurality of cargo units, each cargo unit having a cavity therein, providing a lifter suspended in free floating form by a crane, the lifter having a frame and at least one lifting arm which is detachably connected to the frame wherein the frame has at least one lifting connector for detachably connecting the lifter to the crane; moving the lifter to a position immediately adjacent the plurality of cargo units; causing each free end of the at least one lifting arm to penetrate at least one cavity of one of the plurality of cargo units; raising the at least one of the plurality of cargo units to an elevated position; moving the lifter and the at least one raised cargo unit to a second position laterally spaced from the original position wherein each free end of the at least one lifting arm is elevated compared to each second end of the at least one lifting arm; and depositing the raised cargo unit at the second position.

Abstract: A mechanical hand mimics a human hand having similar degrees of freedom and sensory abilities while appearing visually similar to human hand. The mechanical hand comprises a mechanical hand skeleton and resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin that fully encloses the mechanical hand skeleton. The mechanical hand skeleton may advantageously be molded directly into the resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin such that the hand appears, moves, and feels very similar to a real human hand. The mechanical hand may have applications in robotics, for example as an end-of-arm tool or end effector, or may have other applications. Robotic applications may include prosthetics applications.

Abstract: A vacuum cup connected to a robotic arm for picking and placing items is disclosed. The vacuum cup includes one or more walls that defines (i) a first internal cavity and (ii) an opening to the first internal cavity, wherein the first internal cavity is defined at least in part by an interior surface adjacent to the opening to the first internal cavity, the interior surface defining an internal ridge positioned to mechanically engage a material drawn into the first internal cavity through the opening at an angle such that the mechanical engagement resists the material being removed from the first internal cavity via the opening. In response to the item being engaged and the suction system controlling the pressure within the first internal cavity to create a vacuum seal between the vacuum cup and the item, at least part of the item is caused to enter the first internal cavity at least during engagement of the vacuum seal.

Abstract: A multifunctional tool for holding and handling hot items and products is described. The tool has a horizontal support section. A vertical gripping section is at one end of the horizontal support section. An upper end of the vertical gripping section has a hook element. A pair of arms project downwards from the horizontal support section. A reinforcement section also functions as a second gripping section. The reinforcement section is fixed to ends of the arms and extends diagonally until it joins an end edge of the horizontal support section. A covering layer of thermal insulating material is attached from a top of the hook element, through the vertical gripping section and to the underside of the horizontal support section whereby a gripping surface is defined for the user. The gripping surface allows the user to avoid direct contact with the tool and thus avoid contact with hot parts, items or products that will be grasped by the tool.