Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for counter balancing for improved robotic system efficiency. In one embodiment, an example container handling system may include a laterally movable frame moveable in a lateral direction, an upright frame supported by the laterally movable frame, and a header movably coupled to the upright frame and configured to move in a vertical direction, where the header includes an extractor, and a support assembly configured to open and close, where the support assembly is configured to receive an item from the extractor. The system may include a pulley assembly configured to drive vertical movement of the header, and a counter balance coupled to the pulley assembly, where the counter balance provides a force to counter gravitational force exerted on the header.

Abstract: A pendulum queue system for inventory management can include a first queue with a first delivery portion and a first storage portion separated by a first operating space. A second queue can be positioned laterally from the first queue and can include a second delivery portion and a second storage portion separated by a second operating space. Each of the storage portions can include its own storage work cell through which inventory holders can be cyclable, and each delivery portions can include one or more carriers. A transfer apparatus can be configured to move back and forth between the queues and to move within the operating space of each queue to transfer an item between an inventory holder and a carrier within one of the queues during a time interval in which the other queue can undergo cycling of the inventory holders.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus can include a laterally movable frame moveable in a lateral direction, an upright frame supported by the laterally movable frame, and a header movably coupled to the upright frame and configured to move in a vertical direction. The header can include an extractor. The header can also include a claw assembly configured to open and close. The extractor can pull an item over the claw assembly in a closed state, and the claw assembly can open for releasing the item over a carrier.

Abstract: An assembly includes a conveyance mechanism configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and an energy limiting device coupled to the conveyance mechanism. The energy limiting device is configured to move in the first direction with the conveyance mechanism, and move in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction upon an amount of force greater than a threshold amount of force being imparted to the energy limiting device. A sensor is configured to generate sensor data associated with movement of the energy limiting device in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus can include a lateral frame extending in a first direction. An upright frame can be arranged to guide and support movement of the lateral frame in a second direction. A first rotatable head can be coupled to the lateral frame and configured to translate in the first direction. A second rotatable head can be coupled to the lateral frame and configured to translate in the first direction. The second rotatable head can be spaced from the first rotatable head. The second rotatable head can rotate and translate independently of the first rotatable head.

Abstract: A speed select shift mechanism for a belt drive assembly to be installed on a shaft capable of shifting between high, low and neutral speeds is disclosed. The shift mechanism includes a shift collar that is enclosed within an enclosure to prevent debris from contacting the inner operations of the shift mechanism and thereby reduce wear and tear of the shift mechanism along with down time for maintenance of the device. The shift mechanism includes a shaft, a first pulley, a shift collar, a second pulley and a shifter. The shift collar further includes dowels that cooperatively engage corresponding apertures on the pulleys.

Abstract: A speed select shift mechanism for a belt drive assembly to be installed on a shaft capable of shifting between high, low and neutral speeds is disclosed. The shift mechanism includes a shift collar that is enclosed within an enclosure to prevent debris from contacting the inner operations of the shift mechanism and thereby reduce wear and tear of the shift mechanism along with down time for maintenance of the device. The shift mechanism includes a shaft, a first pulley, a shift collar, a second pulley and a shifter. The shift collar further includes dowels that cooperatively engage corresponding apertures on the pulleys.

Abstract: Inserts that are configured to be placed in gaps provide between wheel covers and underlying wheel of wheel assemblies. The inserts are made from materials that are suitable rigid and strong so as to reinforce and protect the overlying portions of the wheel cover from impact damage such as denting in the case of metal wheel covers and cracking or breaking in the case of plastic wheel covers. The inserts further prevent otherwise hollow portions of the wheel assembly from sounding, feeling or seeming hollow.

Abstract: A method of fabricating decorative wheel covers which involves forming decorative wheel covers that have sharp edges such as edges along brake vent windows or openings. The shape edges are dulled by subjecting the wheel covers to a plating process that plates both sides of the wheel covers. The plating process rounds off or dulls the shape edges of the wheel covers. The ability to dull the sharp edges of the wheel covers allows for the design and fabrication of metal wheel covers having profiles that push the limits on the formability of metals such as stainless steel. The plating method also dulls sharp edges on plastic wheel covers.

Abstract: Wheel assemblies that include decorative wheel covers which are bonded to wheels by sound dampening adhesive patterns that include primary adhesive patterns that are sufficient to secure the wheel covers to the wheels and an auxiliary adhesive patterns that include discrete portions that are provided in hollow portions defined by the primary adhesive patterns between the wheel covers and wheels. The discrete portions of the auxiliary adhesive patterns prevent the hollow portions from sounding hollow.

Abstract: Adhesive patterns are applied to one of an outboard side of a wheel and an inner surface of a decorative wheel cover and used to bond the decorative wheel cover to the wheel with a spaced therebetween that is partially filled with the cured adhesive. The decorative wheel cover and wheel each include aligned lug nut apertures and aligned decorative openings. The adhesive patterns are configured to allow ambient fluids to enter throughout the space between the decorative wheel cover and the wheel (and leave) which is not filled with the cured adhesive to prevent corrosion from occurring between the decorative wheel cover and wheel.