Abstract: A tool bit assembly includes a tool bit having a shaft with a first working region disposed at a first end of the shaft and a first reduced diameter portion proximate the working region and disposed between a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A floating sleeve has a rear portion with a pair of opposed window openings, a front portion supporting a magnet, and a pair of balls, with each ball disposed in one of the window openings. The floating sleeve is receivable over the tool bit with the magnet proximate the first working regions and the balls received in the first reduced diameter portion to allow the floating sleeve to move between a first position in which the balls abut the first shoulder and a second position in which the balls abut the second shoulder.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool assembly may comprise one or more body members. A body member may comprise a magnet, a main body and a bit. The main body may comprise various sides, one or more of which may include one or more apertures on its surface and one or more bits protruding therefrom. The bit may include a bit body and a bit head. The body members may include differently configured bits. Bits may be inserted into the apertures to connect the body members. The bit assembly may comprise one or more attachment members. An attachment member may attach two or more bits together.

Abstract: A fortified plastic disposable driver having a plastic generally conical nose with a top and bottom, the bottom formed as part of or affixed to the flat top of a body and the top of the nose having a square channel guide with corners, is disclosed. The channel accepts a tool or shaft. At 90 degree orientation from each other are four pairs of force buttressing ribs wherein they have a bottom affixed at said flat top, and each has a support edge affixed to an annular outer wall of the nose. The four pairs of ribs, each pair being positioned along one of the four sides of the square channel. In some instances, each rib further comprises an interior edge and an outer edge, and each outer edge is aligned with a corner. A body and/or handle are used therewith to impart torque for use.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting a driving device to an expander head configured to expand pipes and hoses and to be actuated via an expanding mandrel driven by the driving device includes a first coupling part associated with the driving device and a second coupling part associated with the expander head. The first coupling part includes a through-hole that acts as a passage for the expanding mandrel and radially outwardly projecting circumferential portions disposed at a circumference, a rear face of the circumferential portions including at least one contact face. When connected, the coupling parts are disposed along an axis along which the expanding mandrel is movable for the actuation of the expander head. The second coupling part includes at least one counter-portion configured to act on a respective one of the at least one contact face of the circumferential portions.

Abstract: A threaded pin remover for a threaded pin in an interference fit in a structure is provided. The threaded pin remover includes a housing. A pin grasper is slidably mounted in the housing and includes: a first end configured to couple to a linear actuator for slidably moving the pin grasper between an extended position relative to the housing and a retracted position relative to the housing. A second end of the pin grasper includes a pin grasping collet configured to, in the retracted position relative the housing, engage with a portion of the housing to cause grasping of the exposed portion of the threaded pin by the pin grasping collet to release the threaded pin from the interference fit, allowing removing of the threaded pin from the structure.

Abstract: Extended adapters for a tool having a shut-off valve assembly used on pressurized refrigeration systems comprises: an extended rod assembly, a 4??L adapter, a 6??L adapter, a 20 degree offset adapter and a 90 degree adapter; the adapters couple the first opening and second opening of shut-off valve assembly; when the 4??L or 6??L extended adapter coupled to second opening of shut-off valve; wherein the extended rod assembly coupled to the adapter and adapted to couple the second opening, the extended rod assembly having a rod adapted to move through the passageway of the extended adapters and the shut-off valve when open, these adapters allow the valve core remover tool to function clear from obstructions.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic tool drives a fastener into a workpiece by energizing an electric motor to drive a first piston and generate compressed air in a first cylinder. The compressed air is then supplied to a second cylinder and causes a second piston to move and drive the fastener into the workpiece. After the first piston has passed through its top dead center, braking is applied to the first piston according to one or more braking parameters. Then, if a control unit determines that the first piston has come to a stop at a position that is outside a predetermined range about the bottom dead center of the first piston, one or more of the braking parameters is changed in a subsequent fastener driving cycle to cause the first piston to stop closer to its bottom dead center after conclusion of the subsequent fastener driving cycle.

Abstract: A universal second handle for attachment to tool members including shovels, brooms, rakes, and pitchforks, that is easily placed on a handle thereof to increase flexibility and leverage for performing various operations by providing the ability to use the tool member with hands on two separate handles.

Abstract: A workbench arrangement supportable by a wheelie bin having a worktop with a base portion with dimensions for a frictional fit engagement with upper internal walls of a lid removed opening of a wheelie bin to be laterally fixable in the opening of the wheelie bin. The worktop further including an outer skirt adapted to rest upon a peripheral upper edge of the lid removed opening of the wheelie bin to support the worktop in an elevated flat user workable position. A worktop table extension adapted to laterally join with the outer skirt of the worktop to support the worktop table extension at one end and at least one support leg fastenable at the other end to support the worktop table extension in the elevated flat user workable position.

Abstract: A portable workstation which includes a hand truck; a toolbox which can be detached from the hand truck, and a tray which can be detached from an upper portion of the hand truck. The hand truck has a mass and angular relation to the toolbox configured to stably oppose a torque created by a weight of the tray and a load supported by the tray if the toolbox is detached from the hand truck portion. The toolbox includes a top cover which is reversible to convert the toolbox into a seat.

Abstract: A canvas tool caddy designed to removably fit over the handle of a rolling tool chest with telescopic handle. The canvas tool caddy is meant to supplement the tool storage of the rolling tool chest. The canvas caddy is removable from the rolling tool chest telescopic handle. The tool caddy optionally has one or more flexible, bendable spines, to bend the flat tool supporting base wall surface substrate into an open planar flat display configuration which retains its shape while supported on the handle of the rolling tool chest. The rolling tool chest's telescopic handles provide upward load forces counteracting downward load forces of the handle, and the equilibrium is spread equally along an internal horizontal spine, to keep the tool caddy open when opened from a close transport state to an open viewable, tool accessible state.

Abstract: The method for controlling a medical manipulator is a method for controlling a medical manipulator which drives a driven part by rotating a motor in accordance with an operation input from an operation part. The method includes: a first step of performing a trial driving when the operation input occurs, and evaluating changes in winding resistance based on a temperature rise of the motor, and setting a driving condition of the motor based on the evaluated changes winding resistance; and a second step of performing driving which corresponds to the operation input based on the driving condition of the motor set in the first step.

Abstract: A system for controlling the position of an articulated robotic arm in a robotic catheter procedure system, includes an articulated robotic arm, a first controller coupled to the articulated robotic arm and a patient table. The patient table includes a user interface and a second controller coupled to the user interface and the first controller. The second controller is programmed to generate a control signal in response to a user input received using the patient table user interface, the user input indicating a change in position of the patient table. The second controller is also programmed to transmit the control signal to the patient table and to transmit the control signal to the first controller.

Abstract: A method for localizing robots and other objects when ranging devices are partially obstructed. The method includes retrieving a digital map of the space and then identifying potential locations for the object in the space. The method involves generating a prediction of expected ranges between the object and surfaces in the space at each of the potential locations. The method includes operating a ranging device to measure ranges to the surfaces in the space and comparing, for each of the predictions, the measured ranges with the expected ranges to identify the most accurate prediction. The comparing includes weighting ranges that are too small neutrally as these are strikes on obstructions, weighting ranges that provide matches positively, and weighting ranges that are too large negatively, and the comparing then involves summing the weighted ranges to identify a most accurate one of the predictions and associated current location for the object.

Abstract: An automated data center management system includes one or more equipment racks housing at least one server farm equipment, each of the at least one server farm equipment having a respective attachment point, a spare equipment repository having at least one replacement equipment, and a hardware management robot. The hardware management robot includes a robotic arm having an interface point, the interface point configured to couple to the attachment point. A hardware management controller is communicates with the hardware management robot, the hardware management controller including at least one processor, and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon computer software comprising a set of instructions to receive a service request indicating a server farm equipment needing service, determine a location of the server farm equipment, generate a path to the location of the server farm equipment, and transmit the path to the hardware management robot.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a holding unit configured to hold data related to a worker; an obtaining unit configured to obtain measurement data for recognizing the worker; a recognizing unit configured to recognize the worker based on the data related to the worker and the measurement data; a determination unit configured to determine work information about a work which the worker and a robot perform on a target object together, corresponding to the recognized worker, based on a physical feature of the recognized worker; and a controlling unit configured to control the robot based on the work information so that the worker and the robot perform a work on the target object together.

Abstract: A robotic medical apparatus includes a kinematic chain including a stand unit, an articulation device, a positioning device, and a positionable end effector. The apparatus further includes a controller to control the positioning device. The robotic medical apparatus includes a measurement system to determine a force and/or a torque. The force and/or the torque is essentially acting at one point in the kinematic chain. A measurement signal from the measurement system is transmittable to the controller. The controller is configured to determine the force and/or torque that is acting, and as a function of a current position and/or of a current kinematic state, to determine a nominal force and/or a nominal torque. As a function of the difference between the force that is acting and/or the torque that is acting that has been determined and the nominal force and/or the nominal torque that has been determined, a collision is detected.

Abstract: A system for determining and promoting safety of a robotic payload, including: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot comprising: at least one payload region configured to carry a payload; a sensor configured to detect at least one of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the one or more of a payload mass and a payload distribution, the controller further configured to perform, in response to the alert, one or more of determining safety of the payload and promoting the safety of the payload.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the environment of a robot, the robot having a flexible arm having a plurality of joints, a datum carried by the arm, a plurality of drivers arranged to drive the joints to move and a plurality of position sensors for sensing the position of each of the joints, the method comprising: contacting the datum carried by the arm with a first datum on a second robot in the environment of the first robot, wherein the second robot has a flexible arm having a plurality of joints, and a plurality of drivers arranged to drive those joints to move; calculating in dependence on the outputs of the position sensors a distance between a reference location defined in a frame of reference local to the robot and the first datum; and controlling the drivers to reconfigure the first arm in dependence on at least the calculated distance.

Abstract: Robots including projectors for projecting images on identified projection surfaces are disclosed. A robot includes a housing, an electronic control unit coupled to the housing, a projector coupled to the housing, a human recognition module coupled to the housing, and a projection surface identification module coupled to the housing. The projector, the human recognition module, and the surface identification module are communicatively coupled with the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a non-transitory memory that stores a set of machine readable instructions and a processor for executing the machine readable instructions. When executed by the processor, the machine readable instructions cause the robot to recognize a human using the human recognition module, identify a projection surface using the projection surface recognition module, and project an image on the identified projection surface with the projector.

Abstract: A processing machine system includes a processing machine having a machining table, a robot that removes chips produced from processing of the work, a chip collecting hand attached to a distal end portion of the robot to collect the chips, and a robot control unit. The robot control unit acquires a deposition amount of the chips deposited on the machining table, decides whether it is necessary to collect the chips on the basis of the acquired deposition amount. When the chip collection is necessary, the robot control unit operates the robot so as to collect the chips with the chip collecting hand, after the processing is finished.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a five-degree-of-freedom hybrid robot with rotational supports. A first and a second fixed shaft seats are rotatably connected to a first and a second rotational support through a hinge, respectively. One end of a first length adjustment device runs through the first rotational support, and the other end is fixedly connected to a moving platform. One end of each of the second and third length adjustment devices runs through the first rotational support and is then connected to the moving platform, respectively. Middle portions of the first, second and third length adjustment devices are each hinged onto the first rotational support. One end of a fourth length adjustment device runs through the second rotational support and is connected to the moving platform. Middle portion of the fourth length adjustment device is hinged onto the second rotational support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method or a system for the dependable stopping of axes of an industrial robot. The industrial robot comprises a control device (501, 502), power electronics (201, 202, 203) and a DC source (300), as well as at least one axis (700), which is assigned to an electric motor (100) and to a mechanical brake (600). In order to stop the axis a direct current is supplied by the DC source in at least one motor phase of the motor, which generates a braking torque.

Abstract: A robot with improved cleanliness for use in a clean environment is disclosed, having a uniform flow through the open interface between the clean environment and the interior of the robot housing, passing the particle generation area to an exhaust port, keeping the particles from the clean environment. The uniform flow reduces or eliminates the back flow, and further allows the scalability of the open interface to prevent particles generated from moving mechanisms within the robot housing to contaminate the clean environment. The uniform flow can be established by designing the flow dynamic, centering the exhaust port, or by restricting the flow along the elongated slot, for example, by uniformly restricting the flow along the elongated slot, or by implementing a restrictor along the elongated slot.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a folding knife is provided. More specifically, the locking mechanism is a rotational wedge locking mechanism that maintains the folding knife's blade in an extended position and prevents the blade from inadvertently closing when the knife is in use in the extended position. The rotational wedge locking mechanism also impedes the folding knife from inadvertently opening when the blade is in a closed position of storage. The rotational wedge locking mechanism generally comprises a lock pin, a means for moving the lock pin, and a biasing member, which work in conjunction with the tang of the blade and the back spacer to securely retain the folding knife in an open or closed position.

Abstract: A cutting tool is described. The cutting tool can provide increased safety in residential, commercial, and/or medical applications. The cutting tool includes a container that can catch and/or hold material that is cut by use of the tool. This can prevent the cut material from flying indiscriminately away from the cutting tool at high velocity and can also prevent the cut material from falling to the floor/ground after cutting. The cutting tool can be sterilized for medical use, such as fish hook or jewelry removal.

Abstract: An adjustable comb for use on a clipper having one of a first lower blade of first size or a second lower blade of second size. One of these lower blades is an active blade when attached to the clipper. The adjustable comb includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of a retaining tab that engages a rear edge of the active blade. The adjustment mechanism is shifted in a first direction to position the retaining tab for the first lower blade, and is shifted in a second direction to position the retaining tab for the second lower blade.

Abstract: A powered rotary knife includes a handle, a blade housing, an annular blade, and a blade bushing for rotatably mounting the blade within the housing. The blade housing includes an inner groove that is operable to receive the blade bushing therein. The blade housing and blade bushing are split in order to expand and receive the blade. The blade includes an outer groove that is also operable to receive the blade bushing. Thus, the blade bushing is spaced between the blade housing and blade and rotatably secures the blade within the blade housing.

Abstract: A method for slitting sheet material having a thickness, a width, a leading edge and a shear strength. The slitter has rotatable arbors and knives on each arbor that rotate about their axes and are held adjacent to each other. A computer is used to calculate a first and second spacing for the arbors based on the shear strength, outer diameter, and thickness of the material. The material is inserted between the knives and the leading edge passes through the slitter with the arbors the first position that pinches the material between outer diameters of opposing knives as it moves forward. While the material moves forward the arbors are moved into a second and closer position in which the knives are situated to slit the material as it passes between the knives. This slitting of material behind the leading edge creates a leading tab holding the slit strips together.

Abstract: Saw system, including methods and apparatus, for cutting pieces of stock to be installed end-to-end to form miter joints. In some embodiments, the saw system may include a computer that determines an appropriate saw pivot angle for cutting a proximal end of a second piece of stock, based on a corner angle entered for cutting a distal end of a first piece of stock. In some embodiments, the saw system may compensate for an offset pivot axis of a saw device based on entered lengths of cut first and second pieces generated respectively with the saw device pivoted to the left and to the right.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device for producing adhesive labels, in particular in a self-service area, for example of a drug store. The device comprises a printer for printing a printing pattern based on user inputs onto an adhesive film, a cutting apparatus for cutting the adhesive film along a specified cutting pattern which can be selected by a user, and a transferring apparatus for automatically transferring the printed adhesive film from the printer to the cutting apparatus, wherein the transferring apparatus comprises a first moving unit for automatically moving the printed adhesive film in a forward direction from the printer to the cutting apparatus. A control apparatus controls the automatic transfer of the printed adhesive film from the printer to the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A rotary cutting apparatus including a frame, a die roll rotatably attached to the frame including a cutting member, wherein the cutting member includes at least one tensioning device and the tensioning device includes a body and a tip portion adjacent to the body, the tensioning device having an unsymmetrical profile.

Abstract: A rotary knife fixture configured for use in a water knife cutting system includes a ring, defining an internal aperture, and at least two spaced, angularly offset, parallel groups of parallel helically twisted cutting blades, extending across the aperture. The ring is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a hydraulic feed conduit of the water knife cutting system and for rotary motion about a rotational axis extending through the aperture. The groups of parallel blades are oriented generally perpendicular to the rotational axis. Each cutting blade has a sharpened cutting edge at one side thereof and is twisted generally about a center point thereof to define a pair of cutting edges oriented in opposite-facing circumferential directions. A vegetable product, fed through the aperture at a product speed, and with the rotary knife fixture rotating at a rotational speed, is substantially simultaneously cut into multiple helically twisted pieces.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method includes depositing alternating layers of a ceramic powder and a pre-ceramic polymer dissolved in a solvent. Each layer of the pre-ceramic polymer is deposited in a shape corresponding to a cross section of an object. The alternating layers of the ceramic powder and the pre-ceramic polymer are deposited until the layers of the pre-ceramic polymer form the shape of the object. The method includes heating the deposited ceramic powder and pre-ceramic polymer to at least a decomposition temperature of the pre-ceramic polymer. The decomposition temperature of the pre-ceramic polymer is less than a sintering temperature of the ceramic powder. The method further includes removing excess ceramic powder that the pre-ceramic polymer was not deposited onto.

Abstract: A multi-zone cementitious product, which includes a base zone made of a first cementitious material composition and forming a portion of the product. At least one facing zone is adjacent to and bonded to the base zone, the facing zone made of a second cementitious material composition and forming at least one exterior face of said product which is visible when the product is installed. A disrupted boundary layer is between the facing zone and the base zone, and includes material from both the facing zone and the base zone. The disrupted boundary layer bonds the facing zone to the base zone. The facing zone has a thickness sufficient to prevent the base zone from being visible when the product is installed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional molded parts in two method steps and infiltrating the molded part, as well as a material system.

Abstract: A concrete mixing transport truck chute washout system with a container unit with an upper region located above and fluidly communicating with a lower region, the upper region having a container unit sealing and seating feature, the upper region having a container unit open mouth, and a rack unit that receives the container portion and which can have a stationary portion and a movable portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a block splitter device comprising first lower and second upper opposed block splitter assemblies. The block splitter assemblies have first and second forming edges that extend at least the majority of the distance from a first end to a second end of the block splitter assembly and have first ends disposed near a median split plane and second ends disposed further away from the median split plane than the first ends. Methods of using the block splitter device are described.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a cylinder; a screw; a rotary driving unit; a reciprocation driving unit; a pressure detector that detects a pressure of a molding material in front of the screw; a control unit that performs a first type of plasticizing process where the screw is moved backward to a predetermined position and rotated at the predetermined position to transfer the molding material forward to reserve the molding material in front of the screw, performs a first type of filling process where the screw is moved forward to inject the molding material reserved in front of the screw in the first type of plasticizing process from the cylinder to be filled in a mold unit, monitors the pressure in the first type of filling process by the pressure detector, and corrects the setting of the first type of filling process based on a monitored result.

Abstract: An apparatus for reheating and conditioning an elongate preform for forming a blow molded container, said apparatus comprising: a receiver including an elongate annular non-cylindrical inner surface portion, wherein the surface portion defines a cavity and is adapted to engage with an elongate outer surface of an elongate preform to transfer heat thereto by conduction from said surface portion, wherein the surface portion includes a three-dimensional relief to provide substantially non-uniform contact between the receiver and the elongate preform; and means for heating said receiver.

Abstract: A separating device that separates particulate superabsorbent polymers and liquid absorbent fibers included in a material of an absorbent article. The device includes: a belt member that moves along a predetermined moving direction while receiving the falling material on an upper surface; and an airflow supply mechanism that supplies an airflow in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the belt member, along the upper surface from a downstream side of the moving direction relative to a position where the material falls. In a case the superabsorbent polymers are sent to the downstream side of the moving direction by movement of the belt member, the airflow rolls the liquid absorbent fibers on the upper surface of the belt member and forms fiber balls while regulating movement of the liquid absorbent fibers to the downstream side of the moving direction, to separate the liquid absorbent fibers and the superabsorbent polymers.

Abstract: A device for imparting vibrational energy to polymeric pellets in a feed path of an extruder is disclosed. The device includes a feed path vibrator having an elongate imparting portion for being disposed within the feed path of the extruder, and a transfer portion extending from the imparting portion. The transfer portion is configured for coupling to a source of vibration energy, and the elongate imparting portion includes at least one twisted portion along its length.

Abstract: A reusable surgical implement is provided that is formed of a core positioned within an enclosure. The core is formed of a suitable flexible material to enable the implement, which can be any suitable device such as a reusable surgical trial implant, rod template or flex driver, among others, to be bent to conform to the desired shape for an actual implant to be placed in the location of the implement. The material forming the enclosure is also flexible to accommodate the flexing of the core, and is biologically inert to enable the implement to be sterilized after use for use in subsequent surgical procedures.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite product includes folding a first layer of material to create a first folded layer having a first and a second superposed portion extending from a respective first and second free end to a first bend, folding a second layer of material in order to create a second folded layer having a third and a fourth superposed portion extending from a respective third and fourth free end to a second bend, laying the first folded layer over a first element with the first portion in contact with the first element, laying the second folded layer over the first folded layer laying a second element over the second folded layer, compressing the plurality of the fiber layers by either vacuum or gravity, pulling two free ends of the first folded layer and of the second folded layer in order to let them contact each other.

Abstract: A shape forming system according to one embodiment includes a mold assemblies; a heating unit; a pressing unit; a cooling unit; an isolation chamber configured to accommodate therein the heating unit, the pressing unit, and the cooling unit arranged in parallel with each other; and a conveyance unit configured to move the plurality of mold assemblies each of which is arranged on a plate provided in each of the heating unit, the pressing unit, and the cooling unit to thereby convey the mold assemblies in sequence.

Abstract: A mold comprises a main body and a separable feature. One or more weakened regions join the separable feature to the main body. The one or more weakened regions are breakable to enable the main body to be removed from a shell independently of the separable feature after the shell is formed over the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a tool capable of holding a part during curing of the part, and a passive temperature control system. The passive temperature control system may have a phase change material selected as having a phase change temperature that may be capable of controlling heat generated by the part during curing of the part held by the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: There is provided a contact lens (60) which is produced by cast molding. The cast molding is achieved by the use of an anterior face mold insert (30) which has a cap (24) with a domed surface (26) and a body (10). The domed surface has provision for a distance vision segment (31) and a reading segment (32) separated by a demarcation (33). Further, the cap (24) has a cutaway portion (20) for producing a lower ledge and the body (10) has a projection (18) for producing a lower truncation in the resultant lens. Means is also described for forming a posterior face of the contact lens (60).

Abstract: One method for creating barrier products (for example, condoms and gloves) includes: (a) dipping a former into a tank of elastic compound. The former has an indentation extending inwardly from an outer surface for creating a first protrusion on a first face of the barrier product. The method further includes: (b) removing the former from the tank of elastic compound, whereby some of the elastic compound removably adheres to the former and fills the indentation; (c) applying supplemental material to the elastic compound, whereby creating a second protrusion on a second face of the barrier product; and (d) fully drying the supplemental material. One barrier product includes an elastic wall having opposed faces, and first and second protrusions respectively extend from the opposed faces. The first and second protrusions are in cross-sectional alignment whereby rotational input forces on the first protrusion create rotational output forces on the second protrusion.