Abstract: The object collecting heads for object collecting systems includes several embodiments of object collecting heads including light and heavy-duty object collecting heads. The object collecting heads are used to grasp and convey differently sized and randomly shaped objects from a surface to an object holding bin of the object collecting system and are attached to the object holding bin using an adjustable support assembly. Both object collecting heads have three blocks including an upper block, a lower left block, and a lower right block. The lower blocks are connected to each other and the adjustable support assembly by an angled lower block bracket. The upper block is attached to the lower blocks by spring-loaded hinges, such that the upper block is urged toward the lower blocks to grasp an object therebetween. The light-duty object collecting head is a chain-based head, while the heavy-duty object collecting head is a roller-based head.

Abstract: The multiple maneuvering systems for various applications includes several embodiments of wheeled, multiple maneuvering systems including multiple parallel maneuvering systems (MPMS). Each MPMS includes two or more parallel maneuvering units (PMUs) attached to one another by a connecting structure. Each PMU includes two or more powered or non-powered wheels, with the wheels being maintained parallel to one another by a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism may include gears, belt and pulley, chain and sprocket, or a rigid linkage. The connecting structure may be rigid, linearly adjustable, rotatable adjustable or both linearly and rotatable adjustable. The adjustable connecting structures allow for relative movement between the PMUs, while maintaining a load support surface(s) of the MPMSs.

Abstract: The parallel maneuvering system is a steering system for portable devices, portable platforms and the like, allowing individual wheels to be steered in a parallel and simultaneous manner. The parallel maneuvering system includes a first coupler and a second coupler, which are slidably mounted with respect to one another, and which each include a pair of arms for eccentric pivotal attachment to a corresponding pair of wheel assemblies. The first and second couplers are mounted within a hollow chassis, and the wheel assemblies are mounted to the hollow chassis such that respective wheels thereof are mounted external to the hollow chassis, and respective eccentric crank arms thereof are mounted within the hollow chassis. At least one linear actuator may be provided for selectively driving sliding movement of the first coupler with respect to the second coupler.

Abstract: The rotation-actuated drum brake uses both inner and outer sets of brake shoes, which are actuated in a radial manner, to contact the inner and outer surfaces of a cylindrical brake drum. The inner and outer sets of brake shoes are disposed within an annular brake housing and are constrained to move radially. An actuator selectively drives rotation of a rotating disc having a plurality of arcuate slots defined therein. This drives roller guides of the inner and outer sets of brake shoes to roll within respective ones of the arcuate slots. The driven rolling of the roller guides drives the radial motion of the inner and outer sets of brake shoes to simultaneously frictionally engage the inner and outer surfaces of the cylindrical brake drum.

Abstract: The mobile work station with versatile tool handler arm is a mobile work station that carries a tool handler arm that can manipulate a tool in multiple global degrees of freedom. The work station has a base housing mounted on a plurality of wheels. A vertical post is mounted on top of the base housing, the vertical post having relative rotation to the base housing. An elongate tool handler arm is pivotally mounted medially at the top of the vertical post, the tool handler arm being defined by a 4-bar linkage including an upper link, a lower link, and front and rear crank blocks pin-jointed together. An elongate handlebar connected to the rear end of the tool provides control of the tool handler, and a tool carrier attached to the front end allows selective attachment of any one of a variety of tools.

Abstract: The multiple small pitch helical drives in linear and rotary actuators uses a plurality of small pitch helical screws in place of a single large pitch lead screw to provide increased power or force in a linear actuator or increased torque in a rotary actuator. The multiple small pitch helical drive includes a plurality of screws disposed between a base panel and a rear panel in a rigid skeleton, the screws having a single degree of freedom, i.e., they are free to rotate, but cannot move axially. A piston head having spaced disks includes floating nuts disposed in sockets on the disks for each of the screws, the piston head being free to travel on the screws between the base panel and the rear panel as the screws are rotated. The helical pitch reduction provided results in increased force output and increased torque for linear and rotary actuators.

Abstract: The scissor lift includes a horizontally collapsible base, a vertically collapsible frame mounted on the base, a horizontally foldable platform mounted on top of the vertically collapsible frame, and a plurality of wheels mounted on the base. The horizontally and vertically collapsible scissor lift is steerable and the plurality of wheels may be coupled such that they each rotate about a vertical axis synchronously with respect to one another to steer the lift. Further, at least one of the wheels may be self-driving to controllably propel the horizontally and vertically collapsible scissor lift. One or more winches with associated cables may be used to selectively raise and lower the vertically collapsible frame.

Abstract: The linear-to-rotary actuator is a device that has two rotors at opposite ends of a main housing tube, the rotors being driven to rotate by a slider disposed between the rotors, the slider being attached to the piston of a linear actuator. The device may be configured so that angular displacement between the rotors may be adjusted for use with apparatus that may require variable angular displacement between articulated segments, such as a robotic arm, the arm of an excavator or crane, and the like. In one embodiment, the device has rollers mounted on opposite sides of the slider that engage tracks defined in adaptors selectively coupled to the rotors by “boltless” connectors. In another embodiment, the device has gear trains driven by the slider that are coupled to the rotors for multiplying angular displacement between the rotors.

Abstract: The elevating lift with a stabilized movable base includes a base with extendable legs that provide minimum to maximum adjustable stability during use and transport. A lift system is mounted on the base, and a platform assembly is mounted on top of the lift system for selective raising or lowering. Each extendable leg supports a caster, rendering the base movable, and selective extension and retraction of the legs adjusts the stability of the lift. The plurality of legs can be further driven to simultaneously rotate about the vertical axis to steer the lift. The stabilized movable base is further alternatively used in combination with a stool, providing minimum to maximum stability during use and transport of seating, and multiple elevating lifts may be used to support linked platform assemblies in various configurations.

Abstract: The portable collapsible container includes a collapsible frame assembly having a plurality of open frames and a plurality of scissor linkages. Adjacent ones of the open frames are adjustably coupled to one another by a respective one of the scissor linkages. The collapsible frame assembly further includes a plurality of hinged vertically extending panels mounted to and extending between adjacent open frames. A first cover member is secured to a first end frame and a second cover member is secured to a second end frame. A first end of an upper foldable panel is secured to an upper end of the first cover member, and a first end of a lower foldable panel is secured to a lower end of the first cover member. Pulling the second cover member away from the first cover member expands the collapsible frame assembly.

Abstract: The elevating lift with a stabilized movable base includes a base with extendable legs that provide minimum to maximum adjustable stability during use and transport. A lift system is mounted on the base, and a platform assembly is mounted on top of the lift system for selective raising or lowering. Each extendable leg supports a caster, rendering the base movable, and selective extension and retraction of the legs adjusts the stability of the lift. The plurality of legs can be further driven to simultaneously rotate about the vertical axis to steer the lift. The stabilized movable base is further alternatively used in combination with a stool, providing minimum to maximum stability during use and transport of seating, and multiple to elevating lifts may be used to support linked platform assemblies in various configurations.

Abstract: The radially engaging coupling system comprises numerous embodiments for connecting two or more concentric components with radially extending or retracting bolts. Most embodiments include a ring having a plurality of Archimedean spiral slotted segments. Each bolt has a pin extending laterally therefrom to engage a corresponding slot in the ring. Rotation of the ring drives the pins and their bolts outward or inward to engage or disengage an outer component. Some embodiments have inwardly or outwardly spaced pin passages in the ring, rather than the spiral slots. The disc may comprise a snap ring. Another embodiment has two axially spaced spirally slotted rings, with a plurality of cylindrical rollers therebetween. Rotation of the rings drives the rollers inward or outward to engage corresponding axial grooves in the inner shaft. In another embodiment each bolt has an arcuate segment extending thereacross, to engage a corresponding circumferential groove in an outer component.

Abstract: The elevating lift with a stabilized movable base includes a base with extendable legs that provide minimum to maximum adjustable stability during use and transport. A lift system is mounted on the base, and a platform assembly is mounted on top of the lift system for selective raising or lowering. Each extendable leg supports a caster, rendering the base movable, and selective extension and retraction of the legs adjusts the stability of the lift. The plurality of legs can be further driven to simultaneously rotate about the vertical axis to steer the lift. The stabilized movable base is further alternatively used in combination with a stool, providing minimum to maximum stability during use and transport of seating, and multiple elevating lifts may be used to support linked platform assemblies in various configurations.

Abstract: The simultaneous maneuvering system includes a base, a plurality of wheel assemblies including at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the base, a plurality of steering rotors rotatably mounted to the base and the wheel assemblies, and a drive assembly having a drive frame coupled to each of the rotors. Operation of the drive assembly causes simultaneous rotation of the rotors and, thereby, positions the wheel of each corresponding wheel assembly in a desired direction.

Abstract: The elevating lift includes a stabilizer base with extendable legs to provide minimum to maximum stability during use and transport. A lift system is fixed to the stabilizer base, and a platform assembly is mounted to the top of the base to be selectively raised or lowered by the lift system. The lift system utilizes a plurality of telescoping cage assemblies interconnected to extend or retract relative to each other. A drive assembly with an extendable lift mast is mounted to the stabilizer base to act on the cage assemblies to raise or lower the same. A drive train coupled to the telescoping cage assemblies enables relative extension and retraction of the cage assemblies. An adjustable guardrail is mounted to a platform of the platform assembly to provide safety for the user.

Abstract: The simultaneous actuating mechanism for parallel axis rotors includes a base and a plurality of rotating rotors mounted in spaced relation inside the base, the rotors having parallel axes of rotation. A crank pin extends from each rotor at a position offset from the corresponding axis of rotation. A driving assembly is coupled to the crank pin of all the rotors. Operation of the driving assembly causes simultaneous rotation of the rotors to facilitate various mechanical functions, such as threading, steering, and reciprocation of multiple elements.

Abstract: The radially engaging coupling system comprises numerous embodiments for connecting two or more concentric components with radially extending or retracting bolts. Most embodiments include a ring having a plurality of Archimedean spiral slotted segments. Each bolt has a pin extending laterally therefrom to engage a corresponding slot in the ring. Rotation of the ring drives the pins and their bolts outward or inward to engage or disengage an outer component. Some embodiments have inwardly or outwardly spaced pin passages in the ring, rather than the spiral slots. The disc may comprise a snap ring. Another embodiment has two axially spaced spirally slotted rings, with a plurality of cylindrical rollers therebetween. Rotation of the rings drives the rollers inward or outward to engage corresponding axial grooves in the inner shaft. In another embodiment each bolt has an arcuate segment extending thereacross, to engage a corresponding circumferential groove in an outer component.

Abstract: The simultaneous actuating mechanism for parallel axis rotors includes a base and a plurality of rotating rotors mounted in spaced relation inside the base, the rotors having parallel axes of rotation. A crank pin extends from each rotor at a position offset from the corresponding axis of rotation. A driving assembly is coupled to the crank pin of all the rotors. Operation of the driving assembly causes simultaneous rotation of the rotors to facilitate various mechanical functions, such as threading, steering, and reciprocation of multiple elements.

Abstract: The torque converter includes an elongate housing having a main section and a collar section. A piston assembly is reciprocable inside the main section. A plurality of elongate helical bolts with outer helix extends axially from one side of a piston. The opposite side of the piston is entirely exposed to hydraulic forces to maximize potential work thereon. The helical bolts are mated with a rotator in a helical rotation assembly, converting linear motion into rotation, each mated pair generating a given torque. A torque accumulator combines the given torque to generate total output torque greater than the given torque. One or more output endcaps can be provided on the ends of the housing to produce work from the greater output torque.

Abstract: The linear-to-rotary actuator includes an elongated drive member constrained to linear movement, and a rotary member constrained to rotary movement. The elongated drive member has a coupling end and an engaging member that projects from the coupling end. The rotary member has a track defining an Archimedean spiral. The track is adapted to receive the engaging member. The engaging member is constrained to slide in the track such that linear movement of the elongated member effects rotation of the rotary member. The track may be a slot, a groove, or other guide. Alternatively, instead of a track defined directly in the rotary member, the actuator may include a linking member (such as a disk or rectangular bracket) attached to the rotary member, the linking member having a track defining an Archimedean spiral defined therein, the engaging member being slidable in the track to convert linear motion into rotary motion.