Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a linear actuator, including maintaining the linear actuator in equilibrium when supporting a first load, determining application of a second load on the linear actuator, and selectively actuating the linear actuator in response to application of the second load on the linear actuator.

Abstract: A surface preparation support apparatus includes a creeper and a linear actuator. The linear actuator includes a base-end and a tool-end that is opposite the base-end. The base-end is coupled to the creeper. The tool-end is linearly movable relative to the base-end. A surface preparation tool is coupleable to the tool-end of the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus also includes an actuator-controller. The actuator-controller is coupled to the linear actuator. The actuator-controller is operable to selectively actuate the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus further includes a tool-controller. The tool-controller is configured to be coupled to the surface preparation tool. The tool-controller is operable to selectively energize the surface preparation tool.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a linear actuator, including maintaining the linear actuator in equilibrium when supporting a first load, determining application of a second load on the linear actuator, and selectively actuating the linear actuator in response to application of the second load on the linear actuator.

Abstract: A lifting support device that includes a linear actuator including a first end configured to support an object, and a load sensor positioned to determine application of a first load on the load sensor by at least the object. The linear actuator is maintained in equilibrium when supporting the first load. The lifting support device further includes a controller coupled in communication with the load sensor, and the controller is configured to selectively actuate the linear actuator in response to application of a second load on the load sensor.

Abstract: A surface preparation support apparatus includes a creeper and a linear actuator. The linear actuator includes a base-end and a tool-end that is opposite the base-end. The base-end is coupled to the creeper. The tool-end is linearly movable relative to the base-end. A surface preparation tool is coupleable to the tool-end of the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus also includes an actuator-controller. The actuator-controller is coupled to the linear actuator. The actuator-controller is operable to selectively actuate the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus further includes a tool-controller. The tool-controller is configured to be coupled to the surface preparation tool. The tool-controller is operable to selectively energize the surface preparation tool.

Abstract: A monopodic surface preparation apparatus includes a linear actuator and a base coupled to the linear actuator. The linear actuator is pivotally moveable relative to the base when the linear actuator is in an extended position. A lock restricts pivotal movement of the linear actuator when the linear actuator is in a retracted position. A rotary surface preparation tool is coupled to the linear actuator. The rotary surface preparation tool is linearly moveable using the linear actuator and is pivotally moveable relative to the linear actuator. A control handle is coupled to the linear actuator to pivot the linear actuator relative to the base when the linear actuator is in the extended position. An actuator-controller is coupled to the control handle and configured to selectively actuate the linear actuator. A tool-controller is coupled to the control handle and configured to selectively energize the rotary surface preparation tool.

Abstract: A monopodic sander is provided for an operator to sand a surface. The monopodic sander comprises a rotary sanding head for contacting the surface and an extendable actuator rod having one end pivotally coupled to the rotary sanding head. The monopodic sander further comprises a controller handle operatively coupled to the one end of the extendable actuator rod to allow the operator to select a pressure applied by the rotary sanding head against the surface.

Abstract: A tool-change station includes a base, and a first tool-change member that is coupled to the base and is rotatable relative to the base. The first tool-change member includes a first tool-engagement portion, geometrically complementary with a tool-change-engagement portion of a tool of a rotary drive.

Abstract: A rotary-drive sub-assembly includes a tool and a tool retainer. The tool includes a first body and a second body. The first body includes a tool-change-engagement portion and a first threaded portion that is fixed relative to the tool-change-engagement portion. The second body includes a fastener-engagement portion. The second body is translatable relative to the first body, co-axially with the first body, and is co-axially rotationally fixed relative to the first body. The tool further includes a keeper, fixed within the first body, and a resilient member, captured between the second body and the keeper. The tool also includes a tool retainer, including a second threaded portion, configured to be threadably fastened with the first threaded portion of the first body, and a key, fixed relative to the second threaded portion.

Abstract: A monopodic surface preparation apparatus includes a linear actuator and a base coupled to the linear actuator. The linear actuator is pivotally moveable relative to the base when the linear actuator is in an extended position. A lock restricts pivotal movement of the linear actuator when the linear actuator is in a retracted position. A rotary surface preparation tool is coupled to the linear actuator. The rotary surface preparation tool is linearly moveable using the linear actuator and is pivotally moveable relative to the linear actuator. A control handle is coupled to the linear actuator to pivot the linear actuator relative to the base when the linear actuator is in the extended position. An actuator-controller is coupled to the control handle and configured to selectively actuate the linear actuator. A tool-controller is coupled to the control handle and configured to selectively energize the rotary surface preparation tool.

Abstract: A tool-change station includes a base, and a first tool-change member that is coupled to the base and is rotatable relative to the base. The first tool-change member includes a first tool-engagement portion, geometrically complementary with a tool-change-engagement portion of a tool of a rotary drive.

Abstract: A rotary-drive sub-assembly includes a tool and a tool retainer. The tool includes a first body and a second body. The first body includes a tool-change-engagement portion and a first threaded portion that is fixed relative to the tool-change-engagement portion. The second body includes a fastener-engagement portion. The second body is translatable relative to the first body, co-axially with the first body, and is co-axially rotationally fixed relative to the first body. The tool further includes a keeper, fixed within the first body, and a resilient member, captured between the second body and the keeper. The tool also includes a tool retainer, including a second threaded portion, configured to be threadably fastened with the first threaded portion of the first body, and a key, fixed relative to the second threaded portion.

Abstract: A rotary-drive sub-assembly includes a tool, a tool retainer, and a retaining member. The tool includes a fastener-engagement portion, a first threaded portion, and a tool-change-engagement portion between the fastener-engagement portion and the first threaded portion. The tool retainer includes a body. The body includes a symmetry axis, a second threaded portion and a key. The second threaded portion is configured to be threadably fastened with the first threaded portion of the tool so that the tool is rotationally anchored relative to the body of the tool retainer about the symmetry axis and is translationally anchored relative to the body of the tool retainer along the symmetry axis. The key is fixed relative to the second threaded portion. The retaining member is removably coupled to the body at a fixed location.

Abstract: A robotic end effector quick change coupling apparatus employs a drive motor assembly having a center drive interface. A coupling component having a magnetic element extends from the drive motor assembly concentric with the center drive interface. An end effector tool has a drive connection adapted to removably receive the center drive interface. A mating coupling component having a mating magnetic element extends from the end effector tool concentric with the drive connection. The magnetic element and mating magnetic element are separably engaged by mutual magnetic attraction to couple the end effector to the drive motor assembly.

Abstract: A monopodic sander is provided for an operator to sand a surface. The monopodic sander comprises a rotary sanding head for contacting the surface and an extendable actuator rod having one end pivotally coupled to the rotary sanding head. The monopodic sander further comprises a controller handle operatively coupled to the one end of the extendable actuator rod to allow the operator to select a pressure applied by the rotary sanding head against the surface.

Abstract: A method of threadably coupling a first fastener with a second fastener using a rotary drive including a tool. The method includes rotationally anchoring the second fastener relative to the tool by co-axially urging a fastener-engagement portion of the tool against the second fastener and rotating the tool relative to the second fastener using a socket of the rotary drive until the fastener-engagement portion of the tool mates with a receiving portion of the second fastener, receiving the first fastener within the socket of the rotary drive co-axially with the fastener-engagement portion of the tool, and rotating the first fastener with the socket of the rotary drive relative to a housing of the rotary drive to cause the first fastener to threadably engage the second fastener.

Abstract: A robotic end effector quick change coupling apparatus employs a drive motor assembly having a center drive interface. A coupling component having a magnetic element extends from the drive motor assembly concentric with the center drive interface. An end effector tool has a drive connection adapted to removably receive the center drive interface. A mating coupling component having a mating magnetic element extends from the end effector tool concentric with the drive connection. The magnetic element and mating magnetic element are separably engaged by mutual magnetic attraction to couple the end effector to the drive motor assembly.

Abstract: A method of coupling or decoupling a tool of a rotary-drive sub-assembly and a tool retainer of the rotary-drive sub-assembly includes rotationally anchoring the tool to a first tool-change member, rotatably coupled to a base, by engaging a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool with a first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member. The method also includes causing relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer.

Abstract: A method of threadably coupling a first fastener with a second fastener using a rotary drive including a tool. The method includes rotationally anchoring the second fastener relative to the tool. The first fastener is received within a socket of the rotary drive co-axially with a fastener-engagement portion of the tool. The first fastener is rotated with the socket relative to a housing of the rotary drive to cause the first fastener to threadably engage the second fastener. When the first fastener is rotated relative to the housing and while the fastener-engagement portion is mated with a receiving portion of the second fastener, the fastener-engagement portion is co-axially translated relative to a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool and relative to the socket so that a fastener-engagement indicator, coupled with the fastener-engagement portion, extends past a surface of a tool retainer, coupled to the tool-change-engagement portion.

Abstract: A rotary-drive sub-assembly includes a tool and a tool retainer. The tool includes a fastener-engagement portion, a first threaded portion, and a tool-change-engagement portion between the fastener-engagement portion and the first threaded portion. The tool retainer includes a body and a retaining member. The body includes a symmetry axis, a second threaded portion, configured to be threadably fastened with the first threaded portion of the tool so that the tool is rotationally anchored relative to the body of the tool retainer about the symmetry axis and is translationally anchored relative to the body of the tool retainer along the symmetry axis, and a key, fixed relative to the second threaded portion. The tool retainer further includes a retaining member that is removably coupled to the body at a fixed location.