Abstract: Disclosed is a plate cover system having a plurality of plate covers that can be configured to stack upon each other in a protracted configuration and/or or a collapsed configuration. In one embodiment, a first plate cover can be used to support a second plate cover by placing the second plate cover on top of the first plate cover, wherein a volume of space exists between the first plate cover and the second plate cover. The system can be transitioned between the protracted configuration and the collapsed configuration by slidably engaging channels disposed on sidewalls of the plate covers.

Abstract: A beverage container may include an inner structure which received and holds a crystal or other display piece within the container. The inner structure may be a mounting structure which includes a slot for receiving a portion of a crystal to hold the crystal in place while the beverage container is being used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plate cover system having a plurality of plate covers that can be configured to stack upon each other in a protracted configuration and/or or a collapsed configuration. In one embodiment, a first plate cover can be used to support a second plate cover by placing the second plate cover on top of the first plate cover, wherein a volume of space exists between the first plate cover and the second plate cover. The system can be transitioned between the protracted configuration and the collapsed configuration by slidably engaging channels disposed on sidewalls of the plate covers. Some embodiments include a rotation retention mechanism for securing the plate covers in place when in a protected or a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting bracket comprising a body portion adapted to be one or both of connected to or disposed on a support structure and an interchangeable and/or replaceable attachment, adapted to be one or both of connected to or disposed on the body portion.

Abstract: A mat may be transitioned into at least three different operational configurations: (1) a substantially flat work surface configuration, for using the mat as a work or play surface; (2) a funnel like collection configuration, for facilizing collection and/or clean-up of articles upon a top of the mat; and (3) a folded configuration, for storage of the mat. The mat may have a removably sealable trapdoor for emptying of articles collected above the trapdoor. The trapdoor may be utilized in the funnel like collection configuration. Straps and/or handles may be used to transition from the substantially flat work surface configuration to the funnel like collection configuration.

Abstract: An ergonomic modular ergonomic multi-layer platform with a synthetic tapered marginal border including a non-compressible wood base covered with at least one compressible mat disposed between the wood base and a top non-slip mat to provide occupational workers with a therapeutic, forgiving work surface to protect them from the health risks of working, walking and standing on a concrete floor or common anti-fatigue mat used in many factories today. The therapy platform is raised off the floor to offer suspension, thus promoting a spring effect for absorbing and returning compression force resulting in reduced stress loads and compression force for people who work, walk or stand fort extended periods of time. The therapy platform is modular in design so that the tapered borders of separate modular sections connect for a snug fit. The vertical edges of the wood sections also have connection points that provide a leveling effect and further enhance the fit of the module sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods relating to a storage space of a residential consumer after the purchase of an article, and is particularly suitable for ensuring that the storage space to which the carrier delivers the purchase/parcel is a secured space. The secured space includes a receptacle etc. and the cover/door of the receptacle, and a locking mechanism installed on the receptacle and/or the cover/door, which can only be opened by authorized persons/devices. The locking mechanism may include a unique identification and be controlled by a secured device to unlock. The secured device can communicate with access management servers, authorized device or carrier device, etc. The receptacle may be disposed on a folding cart that can be placed outside the house by a lock mode fixing device, an attachment mode fixing device, an embed mode fixing device, a through mode fixing device or an implant mode fixing device.

Abstract: A double-walled cooking utensil having an inner body and an outer body, which are arranged at a distance inside one another, as well as a flat base region and a wall region. A bottom plate is arranged in the base region between the two bodies. The two bodies are connected to one another in a vacuum-tight manner and a vacuum exists between them. In a preferred embodiment, the base region of the outer body has a recess, into which an additional bottom plate is inserted in a vacuum-tight manner. The production takes place in a vacuum chamber or a vacuum is subsequently generated.

Abstract: A electrical cooking appliance, in particular an electric fryer, comprising a cooking assembly, a draining support forming a draining receptacle, and a lid configured to be mounted mounted on the draining support, the electrical cooking appliance configured to assume a drain configuration in which the draining support supports the cooking assembly, the cooking assembly comprising a vessel configured for receiving a cooking bath, the vessel provided with a draining device comprising a valve configured to adopt a closed stable return position and an open position, a control member configured to move the valve into the open position when the electrical cooking appliance assumes the draining configuration. When the electrical cooking appliance adopts the draining configuration, the lid is mounted on the draining support supporting the cooking assembly, the lid is configured to provide a passage for the cooking bath to flow into the draining receptacle from the draining device.

Abstract: A cooking system for cooking food includes a housing having a hollow interior, a lid movable relative to said housing, and at least one heating element associated with one of said housing and said lid. The cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including an inductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode. In said inductive cooking mode the cooking system is operable as an inductive cooker and in said convective cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker.

Abstract: A device, couplable with another, corresponding device to form a pour-over frame, includes a panel having a body between a first end of the panel, a second end of the panel opposite the first end, a top of the panel, and a bottom of the panel opposite the top. The first end of the panel includes a slot having a width. The second end of the panel includes a tongue that has a region and a lock. The tongue's region has a thickness that is less than the slot's width and is configured to extend into the slot of another, corresponding device. The tongue's lock is operable to hold the tongue's region in the slot of the other, corresponding device. The panel's bottom includes an interface operable to contact a container to support the panel above the container.

Abstract: The present system relates a French Press that comprises a carafe with a removable bottom member. The bottom member is threaded onto the man body of the carafe and forms a watertight seal during use of the carafe. During the preparation of the coffee using the French Press, normal operation is possible. The spend solids collect naturally in the bottom member during use, and are in fact urged there by depression of the plunger during operation. After use, the bottom member can be easily removed from the main body of the carafe and the spent solids can be easily cleaned from the bottom member, along with any stray spent solids that might have remained in the main body of the carafe.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage preparation apparatus (100), said apparatus comprising at least one chamber (1) for receiving and mixing an aqueous liquid and at least one soluble beverage ingredient, said chamber comprising: —a lateral side wall (11) comprising a liquid inlet (2), —a bottom wall (12) comprising a beverage outlet (3), and wherein the liquid inlet is positioned close to the bottom of the chamber, and wherein the liquid inlet is configured so that the liquid is introduced in the chamber as a straight jet of liquid, said introduced straight jet extending transversely through the internal volume of the chamber along a line L, said line L being offset relative to the longitudinal central axis (XX?) of the chamber, wherein, at the area of the cylindrical lateral side wall opposed to the liquid inlet and crossed by the line L, the chamber comprises a bump (4) extending from the cylindrical lateral side wall inside the chamber, said bump presenting a shape designed: —to convert the introduced strai

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage machine (1) having an external housing (10) and a plurality of movable beverage preparation modules (20, 30) that are configured to process a beverage and/or a beverage ingredient to be dispensed via at least one beverage dispensing outlet (25) to a user-cup or user-mug (2). The housing (10) has a front opening (10?) and forms a cavity (10?) for housing the modules (20, 30). The or each movable module (20, 30) is insertable as a unit into an operative position into the cavity (10?) and removable out of the cavity (10?) via the front opening (10?), such as movable along a substantially horizontal direction into and out of its operative position. The or each movable module (20, 30) is insertable as a unit into the cavity (10?) into its operative position and removable out of the cavity (10?) via the front opening (10?) independently of the presence inside the cavity (10?) of any other movable beverage preparation module (20, 30) in its operative position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage machine (1) having an external housing (10) and a movable beverage preparation module (20, 30) that is configured to process a beverage and/or a beverage ingredient to be dispensed. The housing (10) has a front opening (10?) and forms a cavity (10?) for housing the module (20, 30). The module (20, 30) is insertable as a unit into an operative position into the cavity (10?) and removable as a unit out of the cavity (10?) via the front opening (10?). The housing (10) has a cavity connector (11) in the cavity (10?) and the module (20, 30) has a module connector that is connected to the cavity connector (11) when the module (20, 30) is located there against while reaching its operative position and that is disconnected from the cavity connector (11) when the module (20,30) is removed from the cavity (10?).

Abstract: A compact brewing assembly and method is described. The compact brewing assembly includes a vessel, a filter component, an exterior sleeve and a cap. The vessel includes a vessel top and a vessel bottom, wherein the vessel top includes a fastening component. The filter component is removably coupled to the fastening component of the vessel top. The exterior sleeve includes a top exterior sleeve and a bottom exterior sleeve slidably coupled to the filter component. The cap is removably coupled to the top exterior sleeve.

Abstract: A coffee holder includes a holder body and a holder lid. The holder body includes a holder base, a holder sidewall extending from the base and defining an interior configured to receive loose coffee, and an open receiving end opposite the base. The holder lid is configured to engage the holder body to cover the open receiving end. The holder lid includes a recessed portion that extends into the holder body interior when the holder lid engages the holder body, and a passage in the recessed portion configured to allow fluid to flow into the holder body interior from the recessed portion.

Abstract: A brewing assembly for a refrigerator appliance includes a dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a flow of water within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance. A pitcher is removably positioned below the dispensing assembly and includes an upper reservoir for receiving, storing, and slowly distributing the flow of water into a brew module positioned below the upper reservoir and comprising a plurality of canisters for receiving brewing contents and the flow of water to create a brewed beverage. A lower reservoir is positioned below the brew module for receiving the brewed beverage from the plurality of canisters.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a base, a cover body pivotally mounted at the base, a pivot spring provided at a pivot connection member between the base and the cover body, and an attraction assembly including a first attraction member provided at the base and a second attraction member provided at the cover body. The first attraction member and the second attraction member are configured to attract each other to lock the cover body to the base.

Abstract: A convertible multipurpose cooking article for food products includes a mat for receiving food products, the mat including a first side and a second side extending between a first end and a second end, openings disposed throughout the mat, the mat being sufficiently flexible to be repeatedly flexed between an open configuration in which the mat is flat, and a closed configuration juxtaposing the first end and the second end in which the mat defines a continuous sidewall encircling a volume and the first side and the second side encircle opposed upper and lower openings to the volume, and a fastener assembly configured to be repeatedly secured, for securing the first end to the second end when the mat is in the closed configuration, and separated, the fastener assembly including a structure thereof proximate to the first end and a complemental structure thereof proximate to the second end.

Abstract: A solid-fuel cooker, such as a barbecue, oven, or smoker for outdoor use, comprising a body enclosing a fuel chamber configured to act as a firebox for combustion of solid fuel, such as wood, charcoal or briquettes. The fuel is supported within the chamber on a fuel support and a cooking zone is spaced above the fuel chamber for receiving food items to be cooked. The body comprises an outer shell forming an exterior housing of the cooker, and an inner shell encompassing the fuel chamber, wherein the inner shell is housed within the outer shell and is spaced from the outer shell to thermally isolate or insulate the fuel chamber from the exterior housing of the cooker.

Abstract: A unit of a coffee apparatus, in particular a coffee machine for brewing a coffee drink, includes a coffee bean container for storing the coffee beans, a portioner for portioning the coffee beans for an individual portion, and a grinder for grinding the portioned coffee beans. The coffee bean container and the portioner are formed in a common container module. The unit has a module receptacle, by which the container module can be connected during use and removed after use, and the container module has settings for a portion amount and a degree of grinding, which can be selected by the user. The portion amount setting influences the portioner and the degree of grinding setting influences the grinder. A simple, cost-effective and easy-to-use information exchange module between coffee container and coffee apparatus is thereby created.

Abstract: Food heaters for heating food such as hot dogs, sausage links, bratwurst, and the like, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a food heater can include a roller assembly pivotally coupled to a base. The roller assembly can include a drive unit, a plurality of elongate heaters extending outwardly therefrom and generally parallel to one another, and a plurality of rollers removably positioned over corresponding ones of the heaters. The drive unit can include a drive system configured to rotate the rollers to rotate food placed thereon, while the heaters heat the rollers to heat the food. The roller assembly can be rotated away from the base to facilitate removal and cleaning of the rollers.

Abstract: An automated cooking machine includes a lazy susan, bowls, chopper, dispenser arm, rack with powder or liquid dispensers, heater and a pot. The automated cooking machine is controlled by a microcontroller together with sensors to cook foods with flavor like a human being. The automated cooking machine is designed in such a way so that the components that may come in contact with the food ingredients can be removed for machine wash.

Abstract: Provided is a cutting board including a first board section, a second board section, and a hinge assembly pivotally coupling the first and second board sections together. The first board section has a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first inner surface, a first outer surface, a first front surface, and a first rear surface and the second board section has a second top surface, a second bottom surface, a second inner surface, a second outer surface, a second front surface, and a second rear surface. The hinge assembly pivotally and removably couples the first and second board sections together such that the first and second inner surfaces face one another in an unfolded position and the first and second bottom surfaces face one another in a folded position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting board of the present invention with an integral, recessed tray, to hold the cut-up pieces of vegetables or fruits from rolling or sliding off the edges of the cutting board and sloped walls to facilitate the cut-up pieces of fruits and vegetables easily sliding out of the recessed tray when transferring them, recessed drain channels, which catch juices and liquids, and drain them into the recessed tray, and a recessed drain spout in each of the two outside corners of the recessed tray, to allow the liquids in the tray to be easily drained out of the tray, without any spills or mess.

Abstract: A soap dispenser showerhead for releasing soap directly into the shower stream for easier soap application includes a showerhead comprising a handle portion and a head portion. A water flow channel extends through a bottom side of the handle portion up through the head portion to be released through a plurality of flow apertures. A valve is coupled within the water flow channel and has a valve control extending through the handle portion. A soap dispenser is selectively engageable within a cavity of the handle portion of the showerhead adjacent the valve. The soap dispenser has a storage compartment configured to store liquid soap and a nozzle in fluid communication with the storage compartment and the valve. The valve control regulates the flow of liquid soap into the water flow channel.

Abstract: A loose hair collection device that attaches to the shower wall for collecting lost hair while a person with long hair takes a shower. The device includes a pair of bristle pads that can be selectively disposed in a side-by-side (vertical) position, in an shelf (“L”) position, or in a face-to-face (“U”) position. A flex connector restrains the bristle pads in these positions without additional support. The face-to-face position facilitates collection of loose hair, the shelf positions provides a soap holder, while the side-by-side position facilitates cleaning of the collected loose hair from the device. The device may also include a water-tight pouch for holding a mobile device, or a speaker (and display screen if desired) and Bluetooth capability for wirelessly connecting to a mobile device locate outside the shower.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a container assembly for dispensing products such as wipes or sheets, or collecting and/or storing products, including waste products. The container assembly has diaphragm with a central aperture and at least one petal. The diaphragm is a portion of the lid or the container. The aperture allows a user to insert one or more fingers (or hand) to pull the first sheet out or alternatively, deposit an item into the container. The diaphragm has one or more slits separating the outer periphery of the diaphragm from portions of the petals, thereby reducing the force required to deflect the diaphragm.

Abstract: Refill for a dispenser, with a material web wound to form a roll and at least one substantially axially adjustable bearing journal. The at least one substantially axially adjustable bearing journal is adjustable substantially axially outwards away from the roll starting from a defined inner end position in which it protrudes axially beyond the roll. A bearing unit for such a refill, and a dispenser for housing the refill and dispensing the material web are also provided.

Abstract: A pneumatically inflatable toilet comprises an inflatable chamber having a shape including a bowl portion for receiving human waste and a rim portion surrounding the bowl portion on which a human can be seated. An inflation port may be configured to engage with a compressed gas cartridge and coupled to the inflatable chamber to provide a gas passageway from the compressed gas cartridge to an interior portion of the inflatable plastic chamber to allow the inflatable chamber to be inflated by the compressed gas cartridge. The inflatable chamber has: a stowed position, in which gas is substantially absent from the inflatable chamber; and a deployed position in which the inflatable chamber is inflated for use.

Abstract: Two polymeric, cylindrical, and tubular bushings that each have an inner surface defining inner diameter, an outer surface defining an outer diameter, an upper end, a lower end opposing the upper end of the bushing, a bushing length separating the upper and lower ends of the bushing, and a bushing channel defined by the inner surface of the bushing and spanning the bushing length, disposed, respectively, within bowl bores defined by a toilet bowl, and with a threaded screw, coupled to a toilet seat, disposed within the bushing channel and coupled to the inner surface of the bushing, wherein the bushings prevent inadvertent loosening of the toilet seat when attached to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is described including a floor head, a housing supporting a suction source and a dirt collection container having an elongate axis (A). The device further includes an elongate member having an elongate axis (B), said elongate member connecting the floor head to the housing, said elongate member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container. The elongate axis (B) of the elongate member intersects or substantially intersects the elongate axis (A) of the dirt collection container.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an adjustable gas detection device for coal bed comprising a detection direction adjustment assembly, a suction head angle adjustment assembly and an analysis bin, wherein the suction head angle adjustment assembly includes a suction head first-level angle adjustment assembly and a suction head second-level angle adjustment assembly, and the suction head first-level angle adjustment assembly includes a suction head that sucks a gas through a suction pump and sends it into the analysis bin through a suction pipe for analysis; the detection direction adjustment assembly and the suction head angle adjustment assembly jointly adjust a position and a direction of the suction head. The gas detection device for coal bed of the present invention has many degrees of freedom, can quickly complete the angle adjustment, and realizes rapidly-oriented detection, as well as having advantages of high control efficiency, rapid response, flexibility and reliability.

Abstract: A floor tool unit for a surface treating appliance, the floor tool unit having: a coupling member; a floor tool pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a first axis; a support member having a longitudinal support member axis, the support member being pivotally coupled to the coupling member about a second axis such that the support member axis and second axis are non-perpendicular; and a tube member attached to the floor tool and to the support member; wherein the tube member extends through the coupling member. A surface treating appliance comprising the floor tool unit and a vacuum cleaner comprising the floor tool unit are also provided.

Abstract: A cleaner head comprises an agitator supported for rotation about a rotation axis. The cleaner head has a spool which comprises a narrowed waist positioned axially between two radially enlarged portions. The axial end of the agitator terminates in a rim positioned radially outward from and axially in line with the narrowed waist, and is configured to allow hair wrapped around the agitator to travel axially along it and slip off the rim onto the narrowed waist.

Abstract: A suction head of a vacuum cleaner including a housing having a suction port, a drum brush rotatably installed in the housing, a foreign substance removal pad provided on an inner surface of the housing to remove foreign substances wound on the drum brush by friction, and an anti-slip pad provided on the drum brush to prevent the foreign substances from slipping upon experiencing the friction with the foreign substance removal pad.

Abstract: A remaining water suction device having an air blowing function according to the present disclosure includes a suction and blowing integrated nozzle, a suction motor unit for providing a suction force to suction remaining water into the suction and blowing integrated nozzle, a drain tank for storing a liquid from the suction and blowing integrated nozzle, an air blowing module for supplying pressurized air to the suction and blowing integrated nozzle, and a main body with the suction and blowing integrated nozzle, the suction motor unit, the drain tank and the air blowing module mounted therein.

Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an agitator, an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate, and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a surface type corresponding to a surface to be cleaned and to transition the surface treatment apparatus between a first operational mode and a second operational mode based, at least in part, on the determined surface type. Determining the surface type may include measuring a plurality values corresponding to a current draw of the agitator motor over a predetermined time window at a predetermined time interval, determining an average corresponding to the measured values, comparing the average to at least a first threshold, and transitioning the surface treatment apparatus between the operational modes based, at least in part, on the comparison.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a primary dust container that includes a container body, the container body delineating a dust collecting chamber that accumulates dust sucked into the vacuum cleaner and including a waste outlet that discharges the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber, the primary dust container also including a waste-outlet lid that opens and closes the waste outlet. A station includes a secondary dust container that accumulates the dust discharged from the primary dust container, and a driving source that generates opening driving force and closing driving force for the waste outlet. The electric vacuum cleaner generates a driving force for opening and closing an air passage connecting a primary dust container and a secondary dust container, without impairing convenience of a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor surfacing machine (1) comprising a frame (2) that is carried by a first wheel (3) and a second wheel (4). The floor surfacing machine (1) further comprises a first motor (6), a handle arrangement (7), at least one planetary head (15) that is rotatably mounted to the frame (2) and at least one satellite surfacing head (19, 20, 21) that is rotatably mounted to the planetary head (15), where the first motor (6) is arranged to propel the planetary head (15). The floor surfacing machine (1) comprises a first control unit (10), and a remote control panel (11) which in turn comprises a second control unit (12) that is arranged to communicate with the first control unit (10). The floor surfacing machine (1) also comprises a second motor (22) that is arranged to propel the satellite surfacing heads (19, 20, 21) such that the planetary head (15) and the satellite surfacing heads (19, 20, 21) are independently operable.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for providing a notification of a wet floor are provided. A scrubbing robot for scrubbing a floor and having one or more liquid carrying components has a sensor coupled to it positioned for collecting data about an area of the floor proximate to the scrubbing robot and along a path over which the robot has travelled. An application is stored on the computer for determining that liquid is on the floor by analysing the data for a presence of a second set of parameters corresponding to or crossing (from above to below or from below to above) a set of threshold parameters that is indicative of the presence of liquid on the floor. A notification module coupled to the scrubbing robot issues at least one of a human detectable and a computer detectable notification in response to the application determining that liquid is on the floor.

Abstract: An insert for a mop includes a rail and a cleaning element at least partially disposed in an internal channel of the rail. Two protrusions are disposed on the body, each forming a leg connected to the body and a cylindrical wall defining an actuation bore connected to the leg. Each actuation bore is adapted to overlap a substantial portion of a tine, the tine being associated with a sponge mop having a hand lever that operates to pull the tine, the tine being disposed in the actuation bore and configured to impart a force onto the body through the actuation bore to pull the rail and the cleaning element through a set of rollers to wring out fluids that may be present in the cleaning element.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a dish washer. The dish washer includes a container, a spraying duct, and a water supply system. The container has a cleaning area therein. A plurality of spraying devices are provided, and each spraying device is provided with a spraying hole and has a water inflow end. The water supply system is in communication with a water supply and the water inflow end of the spraying device. According to the dish washer of the present disclosure, water spray can be individually controlled by the multiple water supply systems or by cooperation between one water supply system and the diverter valve. Thus, the dish washer has satisfactory water usage efficiency.

Abstract: Flexible frameworks are described including a plurality of at least one structural component having a waveform axially stacked and configured to form at least one internal conduit.

Abstract: An image processing device for an endoscope outputs a video signal to an image display part that displays an observation image based on the video signal. The image display part is configured such that a first side of a display screen that displays the observation image is shorter than a second side intersecting with the first side, and is configured to be set in both a first setting state in which the first side is along a vertical direction and a second setting state in which the second side is along the vertical direction. The image processing device includes: a setting state recognition part configured to recognize the setting state; and a video signal generation part configured to generate the video signal such that the subject image in the observation image has an orientation corresponding to the setting state of the image display part.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus includes: a tube in which a water feeding communication hole opens on an outer peripheral surface of the tube; a tube connector in which a water feeding branch conduit which allows an inner surface of a tube insertion hole to communicate with an outside is formed, and a second stopper portion which protrudes toward the inside of the tube insertion hole is formed; an O ring which is positioned by contacting with the second stopper portion; a spacer which is positioned by contacting with the O ring, and in which a communication hole which allows an inner surface side and an outer surface side of a wall portion to communicate with each other is formed; and an O ring which is positioned by contacting with the spacer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a calibration apparatus includes a jig body, a camera, an elongated strip which is deflectable and resilient, a lower groove which is disposed in the jig body, and is configured to receive and grasp the camera therein, an upper groove, which is disposed in the jig body above the lower groove, and is configured to receive and grasp the elongated strip therein so as to position the elongated strip above, and in a fixed relation to, the camera, the upper groove being wider than the lower groove, and an alignment element, which is disposed in the jig body, and is configured to align an end of the camera with an end of the elongated strip.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope that allows the distal end portion of a wire and a treatment tool-elevator to be easily connected to each other. An engaging portion (100) is provided at the distal end portion of a wire (60). An elevator (30) is provided with a contact portion (101) that applies a rotational moving force acting in a fallen direction to the elevator (30) in a case where the engaging portion (100) is in contact with the contact portion. The elevator (30) is provided with a housing portion (102) in which an opening (104) is formed. A wall portion (81) is provided at a position that faces the movement trajectory of the engaging portion (100) in a case where the elevator (30) is moved between an elevated position and a fallen position in a state where the engaging portion (100) is in contact with the contact portion (101).

Abstract: A laminate linkage with soft actuation includes a plurality of rigid plates joined at flexible joints; at least one balloon bonded to at least one of the rigid plates and configured to generate a displacement (extension, a change of yaw, and/or a change of pitch) of at least one of the rigid plates; and a fluid source in fluid communication with an interior volume of the balloon and configured to pump fluid into the balloon to generate the displacement of at least one of the rigid plates.