Abstract: A system and method for real-time management of liquid bottles contents in a restauration establishment includes a controller and at least one bottle support base coupled to the controller. Each bottle support base includes a bottle-receiving surface, a first sensor that produces a first signal indicative of a weight of a bottle deposited on the surface; a second sensor for reading an identification element on the bottle and for producing a second signal indicative thereof; and a transmitter for transmitting to the controller data indicative of the first and second signal. The controller implements numerous functionalities that are derived from its assessment of the volumes of alcohol in the bottles using the data received from the support bases.

Abstract: A patient lift connector for attaching and detaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system is described. The connector includes a connector body including a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patient lifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to the load supporting member and configured to be inserted through the connector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the connector body. When the attachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supporting member.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for sampling and analyzing organic material, including soil, fertilizer, manure and leaves. A sample container having porous sidewalls and a unique identifier is provided. A geographic position corresponding to a location where a sample was taken is associated with the unique identifier. The sample container with the sample contained therein is received, and the sample is compacted while inside the sample container. The sample is analyzed while inside the sample container using a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system and analysis results are generated. The analysis results of the sample are associated with the unique identifier of the sample container.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time management of liquid bottles contents in a restauration establishment includes a controller and at least one bottle support base coupled to the controller. Each bottle support base includes a bottle-receiving surface, a first sensor that produces a first signal indicative of a weight of a bottle deposited on the surface; a second sensor for reading an identification element on the bottle and for producing a second signal indicative thereof; and a transmitter for transmitting to the controller data indicative of the first and second signal. The controller implements numerous functionalities that are derived from its assessment of the volumes of alcohol in the bottles using the data received from the support bases.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for sampling and analyzing organic material, including soil, fertilizer, manure and leaves. A sample container having porous sidewalls and a unique identifier is provided. A geographic position corresponding to a location where a sample was taken is associated with the unique identifier. The sample container with the sample contained therein is received, and the sample is compacted while inside the sample container. The sample is analyzed while inside the sample container using a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system and analysis results are generated. The analysis results of the sample are associated with the unique identifier of the sample container.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for sampling and analyzing organic material, including soil, fertilizer, manure and leaves. A sample container having porous sidewalls and a unique identifier is provided. A geographic position corresponding to a location where a sample was taken is associated with the unique identifier. The sample container with the sample contained therein is received, and the sample is compacted while inside the sample container. The sample is analyzed while inside the sample container using a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system and analysis results are generated. The analysis results of the sample are associated with the unique identifier of the sample container.

Abstract: An apparatus displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration. The apparatus includes a grouping station, a grouping manipulator using at least two degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector and a placing manipulator using at least four degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector. The grouping manipulator is configured to pick items at a first item location, displace the items towards the grouping station, and release the items at the grouping station to form a group of items. The placing manipulator is configured to pick the group of items at the grouping station, change an orientation of the group of items, and release the group of items at a receiving station in the predetermined configuration. A method displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: It is often required in the medical industry to have devices, such as patient lifters, anchored to the ceiling. A system and method have been developed to resolve various challenges posed by installation of ceiling tracks intended to be used with patient lifters. The QTTB allows gaining in installation speed while increasing its inherent safety by the reduction of component hence the reduction of required human operations and verifications. The system comprises a bracket for supporting the track and a load, the bracket comprising a T-shaped member; and an attachment member affixed to the ceiling and adapted for receiving the bracket; the T-shaped member being adapted to rotate within the track from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the second position, the track is substantially unable to move along an axis of the attachment member. A tool may be used to rotate the bracket.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for sampling and analyzing organic material, including soil, fertilizer, manure and leaves. A sample container having porous sidewalls and a unique identifier is provided. A geographic position corresponding to a location where a sample was taken is associated with the unique identifier. The sample container with the sample contained therein is received, and the sample is compacted while inside the sample container. The sample is analyzed while inside the sample container using a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system and analysis results are generated. The analysis results of the sample are associated with the unique identifier of the sample container.

Abstract: A patient lift connector for attaching and detaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system is described. The connector includes a connector body including a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patient lifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to the load supporting member and configured to be inserted through the connector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the connector body. When the attachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supporting member.

Abstract: An apparatus displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration. The apparatus includes a grouping station, a grouping manipulator using at least two degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector and a placing manipulator using at least four degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector. The grouping manipulator is configured to pick items at a first item location, displace the items towards the grouping station, and release the items at the grouping station to form a group of items. The placing manipulator is configured to pick the group of items at the grouping station, change an orientation of the group of items, and release the group of items at a receiving station in the predetermined configuration. A method displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A patient lift connector for attaching and detaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system is described. The connector includes a connector body including a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patient lifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to the load supporting member and configured to be inserted through the connector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the connector body. When the attachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supporting member.

Abstract: An open base patient lifting machine has generally upwardly extending first and second masts. There is a space between the lower end portion of the second mast. A patient support extends forwardly from the upper portion of the frame. A base at the lower portion of the frame supports the frame. The base has a forwardly extending first leg that is pivotably coupled to the lower end of the first mast about a vertical first axis. An opposed outer end portion of the first leg is positioned forwardly of the first mast. A second leg extends generally forwardly from the second mast. The second leg is pivotably coupled to the lower end portion of second mast about a vertical second axis. A portion of the second leg is positioned forwardly of the second mast. The legs are pivotable about their axes towards and away from each other.

Abstract: A patient lift connector for attaching and detaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system is described. The connector includes a connector body including a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patient lifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to the load supporting member and configured to be inserted through the connector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the connector body. When the attachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supporting member.

Abstract: An open base patient lifting machine has generally upwardly extending first and second masts. There is a space between the lower end portion of the second mast. A patient support extends forwardly from the upper portion of the frame. A base at the lower portion of the frame supports the frame. The base has a forwardly extending first leg that is pivotably coupled to the lower end of the first mast about a vertical first axis. An opposed outer end portion of the first leg is positioned forwardly of the first mast. A second leg extends generally forwardly from the second mast. The second leg is pivotably coupled to the lower end portion of second mast about a vertical second axis. A portion of the second leg is positioned forwardly of the second mast. The legs are pivotable about their axes towards and away from each other.

Abstract: A head component for an anchor assembly for mounting a load bearing track to a hanger component attached to an overhead structure (e.g. a ceiling or ceiling structure), the track comprising a rail element and a mounting element, the mounting element comprising one or more retaining formations, each retaining formation defining a holding cavity and an (cavity) opening communicating with the holding cavity, the holding cavity being sized larger than the (cavity) opening communicating therewith, the head component comprising a support member and a flarable member, the flarable member being attached to and flarable from the support member, the head component being sized and configured such that the head component is able to pass through the (cavity) opening into the holding cavity wherein the flarable member is able to flare (i.e.

Abstract: A patient hoist is provided on a trolley which tides along a track, with the hoist being powered by a conductor extending along the track. A contact carrier is loosely fit within the trolley, and it bears a contact which elastically biased against the track conductor, with die contact being in electrical communication with the hoist: The contact carrier is tree to laterally displace with respect to the trolley so that it (and its contact) follows the contour of the track, with the contact remaining in electrical communication with the track conductor.

Abstract: A head component for an anchor assembly for mounting a load bearing track to a hanger component attached to an overhead structure (e.g. a ceiling or ceiling structure), said track comprising a rail element and a mounting element, said mounting element comprising one or more retaining formations, each retaining formation defining a holding cavity and an (cavity) opening communicating with the holding cavity, said holding cavity being sized larger than the (cavity) opening communicating therewith, the head component comprising a support member and a flarable member, said flarable member being attached to and flarable from said support member, said head component being sized and configured such that said head component is able to pass through said (cavity) opening into said holding cavity wherein the flarable member is able to flare (i.e.

Abstract: A winch assembly comprising a) a person lowering and raising winch component attached to a carriage component, the carriage component being configured for coupling to a carriage track of an overhead support for displacement thereof along the carriage track and b) a carriage displacement component for inducing displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track, the carriage displacement component comprising an electric motor element and a clutch coupling element the electric motor element being configured for providing driving effort for the displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track the clutch coupling element being configured for coupling and de-coupling the driving effort of the electric motor element such that when the driving effort of the electric motor element is coupled and the electric motor element is energised the carriage component may be urged along the carriage track by the electric motor element and when the driving effort of the electric motor element is de

Abstract: A winch assembly comprising a) a person lowering and raising winch component attached to a carriage component, the carriage component being configured for coupling to a carriage track of an overhead support for displacement thereof along the carriage track and b) a carriage displacement component for inducing displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track, the carriage displacement component comprising an electric motor element and a clutch coupling element the electric motor element being configured for providing driving effort for the displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track the clutch coupling element being configured for coupling and de-coupling the driving effort of the electric motor element such that when the driving effort of the electric motor element is coupled and the electric motor element is energised the carriage component may be urged along the carriage track by the electric motor element and when the driving effort of the electric motor element is de-cou