Abstract: A fastening tool including a magazine securely and releasably retained on the fastening tool by a cam mounted on one of the fastening tool and the magazine. In a single rotary motion, the cam wedges together the housing member of the fastening tool and the housing member of the magazine, while simultaneously rotating cam lobes into respective chambers formed on the fastening tool and the magazine. The cam rotation and magazine retention system is accomplished without tools.

Abstract: A nail feeding device for a magazine of coil nailer, comprising a housing, a handle, a nailer head, a magazine assembly; the magazine assembly comprising a nail receiving chamber, one end of the nail receiving chamber being connected with the handle, and the opposite end thereof being connected with the nailer head; the nail receiving chamber comprising a cover, a nail feeding pallet disposed therein, a post disposed at a center of the nail feeding pallet, and a sliding groove; the sliding groove having an opening; the nail feeding pallet correspondingly comprising an pallet adjuster; wherein the nail feeding pallet can be moved outwardly from the nail receiving chamber, thereby having more space in the magazine, and keeping the handle and the magazine from disturbing the loading process. The coil nails loading process has been improved to a great extent.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a contact trip operatively associated with a contact trip switch to enable a fastener drive system to be fired when the contact trip reaches a firing position, after having engaged a work surface. If a dry-fire condition exists in a magazine connected to the fastening tool, the movement of the contact trip is completely taken up or absorbed by a biasing agent so that the contact trip switch is not closed. The biasing agent also limits the amount of force that can be applied to the contact trip switch in the event an operator slams the contact trip against a work surface or drops the fastening tool nose-first onto an unyielding surface.

Abstract: A driver rebound plate to prevent a fastener driver from rebounding into the drive path and striking additional fasteners at the end of a drive cycle. The driver rebound plate is formed from an elongated body having a mounting portion at a first end and a bearing portion at a second end. A retaining portion is disposed between the mounting portion and the bearing portion and is adjacent to the mounting portion. An impact portion designed to receive the impact of a driver during a return stroke is disposed between the retaining portion and the bearing portion. The impact portion is bent at an oblique angle with respect to the drive axis.

Abstract: A driver return assembly can be positioned to return a concrete nail driver of a cordless electric powered nailer to the home position. A return rack can be fixedly coupled to and positioned along a longitudinal length of the concrete nail driver The driver return assembly can include a solenoid driving a plunger in a reciprocating motion in a homeward direction and a driven direction. A return pawl can be coupled to the plunger and pivotable into a pawl raised position relative to the plunger in which the pawl is engageable with the return rack during movement of the plunger in the homeward direction, and pivotable into a pawl lowered position relative to the plunger in which the pawl is not engageable with the return rack during movement of the plunger in the driven direction.

Abstract: A power take-off (PTO) assembly of a cordless electric concrete driver includes a bracket supporting a solenoid and a compression spring and a linkage arm coupled between a plunger of the solenoid and the compression spring. The linkage arm is biased by the compression spring toward the nail driver. A carrier supports or carries a pinch roller and the carrier is pivotably mounted to the bracket via a pivot pin. An engaging surface is movable with the plunger between an engagement position in which the engaging surface engages a cooperating engaging surface of the carrier and orients the carrier into a corresponding engagement orientation, and a disengagement position in which the engaging surface is spaced away from the cooperating engaging surface of the carrier, allowing the carrier to pivot outside the corresponding engagement orientation.

Abstract: A removable contact trip can be received in an aperture of the barrel and can be slidable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to an end of the barrel. The removable contact trip can define a muzzle aperture aligned with the driver axis and through which a fastener is driven by the nail driver. The removable contact trip can include a latch pocket. A removable contact trip latch can be biased toward a latched position in which the removable contact trip latch extends through a window of the barrel and is receivable in the latch pocket to latch the removable contact trip to the barrel. The removable contact trip latch can also be movable to an unlatched position in which the removable contact trip latch is not receivable in the latch pocket to unlatch and permit removal of the contact trip from the barrel.

Abstract: An example hammer disclosed herein includes a handle. The hammer also includes a head comprising a neck. The neck has a tapered receiving surface and an end face. The hammer further includes a cap comprising a tapered mounting surface. The mounting surface is surrounding and engaging the receiving surface to permanently affix the cap to the neck. A first circumference of engagement at a first end of a length of engagement between the mounting surface and the receiving surface is greater than a second circumference of engagement at a second end of the length of engagement. The first end is farther from the end face of the neck than the second end.

Abstract: A hammer has a claw assembly that is linearly moveable relative to the head of the hammer so as to improve leverage and range of prying for nail removal. A locking mechanism secures the claw assembly in a position. The locking mechanism may be automatic or manual, and may comprise a ratcheting mechanism with a pawl and rack, or a clamping mechanism with a deflectable sleeve and engaged bar, or a biased pin lock mechanism.

Abstract: A device for re-securing or applying railroad anchors for improving the efficiency of a railroad worker. The disclosure provides a means for clearing railroad ballast and driving an anchor spike, in a single combined tool. The disclosure describes a device for applying railroad anchors including a hammer head and a handle. The device for applying railroad anchors includes a hammer head having a first end and a second end. The first end is formed as a sledge hammer for driving railroad anchors. The second end is formed as a railroad spike maul shape for clearing ballast.

Abstract: An impacting apparatus includes a spring anvil assembly and a drive mechanism that alternatively engages a the spring anvil assembly to actuate the spring anvil assembly to store potential energy in the spring anvil assembly, and which drive mechanism alternatively disengages the spring anvil assembly to allow the spring anvil assembly to launch and accelerate toward an impact target to deliver impact energy from the spring anvil assembly to the impact target. In an embodiment, the spring anvil assembly is biased to a start position by one of the impact target and the weight of the apparatus. The spring anvil assembly may comprise a gas spring or a spring, for example. The apparatus is capable of delivering multiple impacts to an impact target.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a tool holder for holding a tool along a working axis. A hammer mechanism has a striker that is moved periodically at an impact rate along the working axis between a turning point in the proximity of the tool and a turning point remote from the tool. A drive control of the hammer mechanism sets the impact rate to a set point value. A vibration absorber has an oscillator that moves along the working axis about a resting position and one or multiple springs that drive the oscillator back into the resting position. A first sensor is used to determine a phase of the motion of the striker. A sensor is used to determine a first phase of a compression point of the hammer mechanism. Another sensor is used to determine a second phase of a turning point in the proximity of the tool, of the hammer mechanism. A damping controller adapts the set point value in such a way that a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase is less than a threshold value.

Abstract: A work tool includes a driving motor, a rotary shaft member configured to be rotationally driven by the driving motor, a swinging member configured to be caused to swing by rotation of the rotary shaft member, a tool accessory driving mechanism configured to drive a tool accessory by swinging of the swinging member, a body housing the driving motor, the rotary shaft member, the swinging member and the tool accessory driving mechanism, and a vibration reducing mechanism configured to reduce vibration caused in the body. The vibration reducing mechanism includes a dynamic vibration reducer having an elastic member and a weight, and a connecting member connecting the weight and the swinging member. The vibration reducing mechanism is configured to reciprocate the weight via the connecting member by the swinging of the swinging member.

Abstract: A cuff link that doubles as a multipurpose tool is provided, wherein the multipurpose tool provides both screwdriver and bottle opener functionality. The cuff link tool has a head plat perpendicularly joined to two spaced apart bracket members. Between the two spaced apart bracket members a link post is pivotally connected about an axle that extends between the distal ends of the two spaced apart bracket members. So not only can the link post operate as such, because terminates in a screwdriver interface, can be used as a screwdriver when a user rotates the head plat. An off-center notch is provided in the head plat, so that it too may be discretely used as a bottle opener.

Abstract: A tool combination includes two housings each having a chamber formed by a base panel and two side panels, an axle and a shaft are secured between end portions of the housings, a tool assembly includes one or more tool members having ring members engaged with the axle and to be pivoted out and selectively folded and engaged into the space that is formed between the housings, another tool assembly includes one or more tool members having ring members engaged with the shaft and to be pivoted out and selectively folded and engaged into the space that is formed between the housings, and one or more tool assemblies are selectively and pivotally attached to either of the housings.

Abstract: Provided is a workbench including a utility member having a top face, a bottom face and side walls and a plurality of support legs. The workbench is manipulable between an operative position in which the support legs are detachably attached at leg mounts configured at the bottom face of the workbench, and a stowed position in which the support legs are detached from the leg mounts and are stowed within leg receptacles. At the stowed position the support legs are fully received within receiving receptacles configured at the utility member and do not project from the utility member.

Abstract: A sawhorse having quick release deployable supports. The sawhorse includes a stretcher body having deployable supports pivotally mounted to the stretcher body. The deployable supports pivot with respect to the stretcher body from a storage position wherein the first and second supports are generally parallel to the stretcher body and a deployed position wherein the first and second supports are generally perpendicular to the stretcher body. A single lock mechanism locks the first and second deployable supports in the storage position and releases the deployable supports to the deployed position. Either the first or second deployable supports can be arbitrarily pivoted from the deployed to the storage position, with the other deployable support being pivoted from the deployed to the storage position.

Abstract: There is provided a tool storage assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of modular bases. The bases are selectively connectable together at peripheral side portions thereof. The assembly includes a plurality of retaining members coupled to the bases. The assembly includes a plurality of actuators each associated with a respective ones of the retaining members. Selective actuation of selective ones of the actuators releases corresponding selective ones of the retaining members. Remaining ones of the retaining members form a plurality of customized storage receptacles thereafter.

Abstract: An article conveying device having a temporary placement section and capable of conveying articles. The article conveying device has: a supplying section configured to sequentially convey or supply plural articles; a discharging section configured to sequentially convey plural containers for containing the articles; a temporary placement section on which at least one article can be temporarily placed; a first detecting section configured to detect a position/posture of the article on the supplying section and successively detect an amount of movement of the supplying section; a second detecting section configured to detect a position/posture of the container on the discharging section and successively detect an amount of movement of the discharging section; a working machine configured to convey the article between the supplying section, the temporary placement section and the discharging section; and a controlling section configured to control the working machine based on a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A corpus curation method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium, include mapping a kinematic motion of a robot to a granular feature of an item in the corpus and answering a user question using the mapped kinematic motion embedded in an answer by the robot.

Abstract: An arithmetic processing unit 40 estimates a possible existence region of a specific state quantity by performing polyhedron projection processing for finding a projection region obtained by projecting a convex polyhedron to a subspace representing the specific state quantity, where the convex polyhedron is within a space configured with the contact reaction forces of a plurality of contacting portions (13, 23) of a mobile robot 1 and the specific state quantity as variable components and where the convex polyhedron is specified by a mechanical relation between the contact reaction forces and the specific state quantity and by a linear inequality representing a contact reaction force constraint condition.

Abstract: Specialized robot motion planning hardware and methods of making and using same are provided. A robot-specific hardware can be designed using a tool that receives a robot description comprising a collision geometry of a robot, degrees of freedom for each joint of the robot, and joint limits of the robot; receives a scenario description; generates a probabilistic roadmap (PRM) using the robot description and the scenario description; and for each edge of PRM, produces a collision detection unit comprising a circuit indicating all parts of obstacles that collide with that edge. The hardware is implemented as parallel collision detection units that provide collision detection results used to remove edges from the PRM that is searched to find a path to a goal position.

Abstract: An operation monitoring server includes a storage apparatus configured to store instructions, and a processor configured to operate based on the instructions. The processor is configured to acquire state information on at least one of a monitoring target device or a base location in which the monitoring target device is placed. The processor is configured to select, based on the acquired state information, one of a plurality of service request processing apparatus each having a function of processing a service request received from the monitoring target device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of people are disclosed. In some exemplary implementations, a robot can have a plurality of sensor units. Each sensor unit can be configured to generate sensor data indicative of a portion of a moving body at a plurality of times. Based on at least the sensor data, the robot can determine that the moving body is a person by at least detecting the motion of the moving body and determining that the moving body has characteristics of a person. The robot can then perform an action based at least in part on the determination that the moving body is a person.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining a configuration of a medical robotic arm, wherein the configuration comprises a pose of the robotic arm and a position of a base of the robotic arm, comprising the steps of: —acquiring treatment information data representing information about the treatment to be performed by use of the robotic arm; —acquiring patient position data representing the position of a patient to be treated; and —calculating the configuration from the treatment information data and the patient position data.

Abstract: A system includes first and second robotic machines and a task manager. The first and second robotic machines have respective first and second sets of capabilities for interacting with a surrounding environment. The task manager selects the first and second robotic machines from a group to perform a task based on the first and second sets of capabilities of the robotic machines. The task involves manipulating and/or inspecting a target object of a vehicle. The task manager assigns a first sequence of sub-tasks to be performed by the first robotic machine and a second sequence of sub-tasks to be performed by the second robotic machine. The first and second robotic machines are configured to coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine to accomplish the task.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for placing non-destructive marks onto a part via an end effector of a robot. One embodiment is a system comprising an end effector of a robot. The end effector includes an extendable punch that places targets onto a part, and supports that hold a strip of reflective adhesive tape between the punch and the part. Extending the punch cuts out a target from the strip and applies an adhesive side of the target to the part, and retracting the punch leaves a reflective side of the target visible on the part.

Abstract: Methods of correcting positional misalignment of blades in robots, such as dual-bladed robots, are described. The methods include, in one or more embodiments, a robot including moveable arms and an end effector attached to one of the moveable arms, a flag disposed on one of the moveable arms or the end effector, a chamber adapted to be serviced by the end effector, a beam sensor positioned at a distance from the chamber, and correcting misalignment of the end effector wherein the misalignment occurs between an initial linear center-finding location and the estimated center of the chamber. Systems of such electronic device calibration are also disclosed. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a mobile manipulator for tracking a surface. The mobile manipulator includes a mobile base movable in an axial direction of the mobile manipulator and a manipulator supported on the mobile base having an end effector adjustable in a lateral direction of the mobile manipulator. The method includes detecting the surface from the mobile manipulator, including positions of the surface at points along the surface, determining a reference path for the end effector to track based on an offset from the surface detected, determining a tracking error in the reference path determined, and adjusting a position of the end effector in the lateral direction based on the tracking error to compensate for the tracking error in the reference path determined. There is also provided a corresponding mobile manipulator.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating a robot are provided. According to an example of the method, information of a first gesture is acquired from a group of gestures of an operator, each gesture from the group of gestures corresponding to an operation instruction from a group of operation instructions. A first operation instruction from the group of operation instructions is obtained based on the acquired information of the first gesture, the first operation corresponding to the first gesture. The first operation instruction is executed.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically generating waypoints for imaging shelves within a store includes: dispatching a robotic system to autonomously generating a map of a floor space within the store; accessing an architectural metaspace defining target locations and addresses of the set of shelving structures within the store; distorting the architectural metaspace into alignment with the map to generate a normalized metaspace representing real locations and addresses of the set of shelving structures in the store; defining a set of waypoints distributed longitudinally along and offset laterally from a first shelving structure represented in the normalized metaspace based on a known position of an optical sensor in the robotic system; and dispatching the robotic system to record optical data while occupying the set of waypoints during an imaging routine.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable storage devices are for processing natural language commands, such as commands to a robotic arm, using a Tag & Parse approach to semantic parsing. The system first assigns semantic tags to each word in a sentence and then parses the tag sequence into a semantic tree. The system can use statistical approach for tagging, parsing, and reference resolution. Each stage can produce multiple hypotheses, which are re-ranked using spatial validation. Then the system selects a most likely hypothesis after spatial validation, and generates or outputs a command. In the case of a robotic arm, the command is output in Robot Control Language (RCL).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a robot service system and a robot apparatus using a social network service, and comprises: (a) a step in which a terminal device is connected to a robot apparatus by executing a social network service program, and displays a service screen on which an image captured by the robot apparatus is displayed; (b) a step in which the terminal device transmits a robot control command inputted to the service screen to the robot apparatus; (c) a step in which the robot apparatus performs an operation according to the robot control command and transmits operation performance data to the terminal device; and (d) a step in which the terminal device displays the operation performance data transmitted from the robot apparatus on the service screen.

Abstract: A machining system having plural machining devices installed at plural points in a robot arm. the machining system carrying out machining to a processed object made of metal be by using these machining devices, the machining system further having a control device that controls drive of the machining devices so as to offset processing reaction forces by at least one of a thrust force and a torque to be obtained when the machining devices carry out machining to the processed object simultaneously between the machining devices.

Abstract: A robot includes a body, a handle provided on the body and holdable by a user, a detector that detects a load applied to the handle, a movement device that includes a rotation member and moves the robot by controlling rotation of the rotation member in accordance with the detected load, and a generator that generates tendency data, which indicates tendency of the load applied to the handle, on the basis of past load data regarding the handle obtained while the robot is moving. The movement device includes an actuator that controls a rotation speed of the rotation member on the basis of the detected load and the generated tendency data.

Abstract: A robot includes a manipulator including an n (n is an integer equal to or larger than 1)-th member capable of turning around an n-th turning axis, an (n+1)-th member provided in the n-th member to be capable of turning around an (n+1)-th turning axis having an axial direction different from an axial direction of the n-th turning axis, and an (n+2)-th member turnably provided in the (n+1)-th member. The n-th member and the (n+1)-th member are capable of overlapping each other when viewed from an axial direction of the (n+1)-th turning axis. A specific portion of the (n+2) -th member does not intrude into an inside of a first region including a turning center on the (n+1)-th turning axis. The first region includes a singular point of the manipulator and an immovable region of the manipulator.

Abstract: In a robot, each of a first flexible member and a second flexible member has a portion fixed to an n-th arm, a portion that is fixed to an (n+1)-th arm, and a portion that is positioned between the n-th arm and the (n+1)-th arm and is wound around a member in a folded state. The portion of the first flexible member that is fixed to the n-th arm is positioned on the member side from the portion of the second flexible member that is fixed to the n-th arm. The portion of the second flexible member that is fixed to the (n+1)-th arm is positioned on the member side from the portion of the first flexible member that is fixed to the (n+1)-th arm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power-assisted folding knife, including: a blade holder; a blade arranged in the blade holder; a handle rotatably connected to the blade holder; a locking mechanism for locking the blade holder in an unfolded position and/or a folded position; the power-assisted folding knife further includes a power-assisting mechanism connected to the blade holder and the handle, for providing assisting power when unfolding a power-assisted folding knife. The power-assisted folding knife in the present invention uses an assisting mechanism for providing assisting power when unfolding a folding knife, so as to facilitate easier unfolding of the folding knife and to allow single hand operation; the blade holder can be locked in an unfolded position and/or a folded position to ensure safe use of the power-assisted folding knife.

Abstract: A handle for a craft knife that is configured to securely hold a cutting blade by forming a friction fit with the cutting blade and without engaging with a hole or notch in the cutting blade. The craft knife handle includes a blade slot recess that is formed with a ridge or tapered section that is adapted to abut with the edges of the cutting blade that are inserted into the blade slot. The craft knife handle also includes a collar that engages with the handle body of the craft knife handle to secure the cutting blade within the blade slot. The craft knife handle may also incorporate a no-roll design with at least one facet of the handle being flat.

Abstract: A ring handle for a craft knife that is configured to securely hold a cutting blade by forming a friction fit with the cutting blade and without engaging with a hole or notch in the cutting blade. The craft knife handle includes a blade slot recess that is formed with a ridge or tapered section that is adapted to abut with the edges of the cutting blade that are inserted into the blade slot. The craft knife handle also includes a collar that engages with the handle body of the craft knife handle to secure the cutting blade within the blade slot. The craft knife handle may also incorporate a no-roll design with at least one facet of the handle being flat.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for trimming an article, the apparatus has a manually grasped power element with a reciprocating arm having a removably engagable rotatable couple including a selectable rotational index position lock. Also included is a cutting head assembly that is removable and rotationally indexable relative to the power element, the cutting head having a pair of cutting blades for trimming the article. Wherein operationally, the reciprocating arm drives the cutting blades that have scissor movement with the cutting head selectably rotatable to the power element, user wrist fatigue is reduced, also with the cutting head being removable from the power element, the cutting head assembly is easier to clean.

Abstract: A razor cartridge, a razor blade, and a process of producing a razor cartridge and razor blade is provided including at least one blade positioned between the guard and the cap where the visible surface of the at least one razor blade includes a printed object wherein the printed object has a height dimension of from about 0.04 mm to about 0.60 mm. The printed object may extend continuously along the length of the razor blade and/or may have multiple portions having a comb-like structure. The printed object appears as a solid object to a viewer's naked eye. The solid object includes a plurality of printed ink dots not visible to the viewer's naked eye. The printed object of flexible, polymer ink may act as a guard element on the razor blade which helps with glide and to manage a user's skin (e.g., bulge) during shaving.

Abstract: A shaving aid for razor cartridges comprising water soluble filaments exhibiting lubricating properties and with improved visual and tactile aesthetics.

Abstract: A shaving aid for razor cartridges comprising water soluble filaments having nano-sized diameters and exhibiting lubricating properties and with improved visual and tactile aesthetics, wherein said nano-filament has a core and a sheath.

Abstract: A shaving aid for razor cartridges comprising water soluble filaments having nano-sized diameters and exhibiting lubricating properties and with improved visual and tactile aesthetics.

Abstract: A shaving device comprising a head assembly including a support member having at least one support member magnet and a blade cartridge having at least one face with at least one razor blade and configured to be rotatably coupled to the support member about a pivot axis. The blade cartridge includes at least one blade cartridge magnet having a pole aligned with a pole of the support member magnet to generate a magnetic force that urges the blade cartridge about the pivot axis towards an initial starting position (ISP), wherein the blade cartridge is further configured to rotate about the pivot axis away from the ISP upon application of an external force sufficient to overcome the magnetic force between the support member magnet and the blade cartridge magnet.

Abstract: A razor blade having an improved lubricious material deposited thereon and a method of making a razor blade for a razor cartridge having such a material disposed thereon are described herein. A novel printing process and printing material are provided where at least one printing material is deposited on one or more razor blades via a printing process which includes one or more print heads for printing the at least one printing material and forming at least one printed object on a tip or one or more sides of the razor blade. The printing material may comprise about of about 0.25% solid to about 50% solids by weight of composition of telomer and further desirably comprises glycerol and/or an antifoam material. Optimizing coverage of the printing material may be achieved by changing materials, print heads, the firing frequency of the print head or angling or rotating the print heads.

Abstract: A device for measuring fabric and methods of making the device in accordance with the present disclosure are primarily characterized by a substantially rigid translucent base material and a flexible removable coating which resists the movement of the fabric. The removable coating is applied in liquid form, such as through spraying, and can cure at room temperature and under ambient lighting. The removable coating may be configured to be selectively removable, such that a user may selectively modify the degree to which the base removable coating resists movement of the fabric. In one embodiment, the liquid form of the removable coating is sprayed through a template so as to cure into a plurality of separately removable sections.

Abstract: A cooking pan includes guidelines configured to aid in precisely cutting a food product into slices with desired shapes. The cooking pan includes a flat base, at least one raised wall surrounding the flat base, and a rim at a top of the raised wall. The pan further includes a plurality of the guidelines formed upon the pan, each guideline comprising a depressed groove, wherein each guideline extends contiguously from the flat base, up the raised wall, and onto the rim.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a cutter. The cutter includes a first blade and a second blade, and cuts a printing medium by causing the first blade to be in frictional contact with the rotatable second blade to be moved, in which a rotation center of the second blade is disposed on a first blade side with respect to a moving surface of the first blade.