Abstract: A quick hitch for coupling and decoupling a tool at a rotator for rotating the tool that has a rotator attachment part that is attachable to an excavator arm or the like and that has a rotary rotator part rotatable relative thereto, wherein the quick hitch has a coupling part at the rotator side that is fastenable to the rotatable rotary rotator part and has a coupling part at the tool side, wherein the two coupling parts can be brought into engagement with one another and can be latched to one another by at least one latch element. A latch operating actuator is provided at the rotator attachment part for actuating a latch adjustment part movably arranged at one of the coupling parts for the unlatching and/or latching of the latch element, the latch operating actuator being rotatable about the rotator axis of rotation relative to the latch adjustment part.

Abstract: Method and systems for capping are described. In one embodiment, an order processing device, a cap device, a plurality of feeders and a capping implement are provided. The order processing device processes orders with containers. The cap device is adapted to cap the container and is communicatively connected to the order processing device. The cap device is adapted to receive dispensation preferences from the order processing device. The cap device includes a plurality of feeders and a capping implement. Each feeder has a unique type of crown portion of a cap for capping. The capping implement is adapted to grasp the crown portion from the feeder. The cap device is adapted to select a feeder from which to grasp the crown portion based on the dispensation preferences. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and apparatus for detecting sample defects in blood samples processed in automated processing systems are described herein. One aspect describes an automated blood sample processing apparatus having a pre-analytic specimen integrity monitoring device. Another aspect describes devices, systems, and methods for identifying blood components and properties in blood samples. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for setting reference ranges for sample defects and interference in blood samples. Additionally, devices, systems, and methods for identifying defective samples are described.

Abstract: A robotic hand includes a servo housing, a printed circuit board (PCB), a motor, a planetary gear transmission assembly and a plurality of claws rotatably connected to the servo housing. The motor is electrically connected to the PCB. An input end of the planetary gear transmission assembly is connected to an output shaft of the motor. An output end of the planetary gear transmission assembly includes a cam having a number of protruding portions in a circumferential direction thereof. Each two adjacent protruding portions are spaced apart from each other by a space, thereby forming a curved circumferential surface. One end of each of the claws stays in contact with the curved circumferential surface, enabling the claws to be rotatable toward or away from one another when driven by the cam.

Abstract: An end effector of the industrial robot has an end effector base portion connected to a robot arm, a first object holding mechanism provided to the end effector base portion so as to hold a first type of object to be handled, a second object holding unit for holding a second type of object to be handled, and a unit holding mechanism provided to the end effector base portion so as to releasably hold the second object holding unit. The second object holding unit which is held by the unit holding mechanism is driven by the first object holding mechanism. The end effector is capable of considerably enlarging a range of kind and size of an object which can be handled while suppressing increase of manufacturing cost and decline in credibility and increase in changing hand installation space accompanying complication of the configuration.

Abstract: A chuck assembly comprising a mandrel portion including an extending member sized and shaped to hold a workpiece; and a piston including a bore receiving the extending member, the piston mounted for supported movement on and relative to the extending member, the piston moving between a first position and a second position, the first position providing for insertion and removal of the workpiece to and from the extending member, the second position causing gripping force to be applied to the workpiece in at least two locations that are spaced longitudinally along the workpiece to inhibit relative movement between the mandrel and the workpiece.

Abstract: A bi-directional quick change tool-less lever and wedge actuated collet chuck, a system and/or a method provide symmetrical tool bit shank holding pressure before, during and after operation of a rotary-style power tool. The collet chuck is attached to and/or is integrated with high speed, variable speed and/or low speed rotary-style power tools, such as, for example, electrically driven rotary-style power tools and/or pneumatically-driven rotary-style power tools. The collet chuck provides tool-less automatic and/or tool-less manual tightening of the collet around a shank of an accessory for the rotary-style power tool. The collet chuck, the system and/or the method provide tool-less manual loosening of the collet for accessory replacement.

Abstract: A device for clamping a stem has a body forming a piston chamber and having an axially outwardly open hole adapted to receive the stem and a plurality of collet jaws in the hole shiftable axially by a piston between an outer releasing position with its axial outer ends radially spread and an inner holding position with the ends more closely radially juxtaposed. The stem is engageable axially in the hole between the jaws and lockable in the body in the inner holding position. A main spring urges the piston and jaws axially inward into the inner position. A cover element has an outer head and is axially shiftable relative to the piston between an extended position with the head engaged radially between the outer ends of the jaws and a retracted position with the head spaced axially inward from the outer ends of the jaws.

Abstract: A chuck has a body rotatable about an axis and formed centered on this axis with a passage. Pivots angularly equispaced about the axis in the chuck body define respective pivot axes. An actuating sleeve axially shiftable in the passage carries a piston disk having a frustoconical outer surface centered on the chuck axis and axially shiftable in the body by the sleeve. Respective shafts journaled in the pivots and rotatable therein about the respective pivot axes each have an outer surface portion that is frustoconical and centered on the respective pivot axis. Respective levers fitted to the frustoconical surface portions of the shafts each have a front arm projecting axially forwardly from the shaft out of the chuck body and adapted to carry a tool-gripping jaw and a rear arm projecting axially rearwardly from the shaft and engageable by the outer surface of the disk.

Abstract: A screwdriver is convenient for changing driver heads. A button is released to drive an arm of the screwdriver in a first position to grasp a fixing portion of the driver head. The button is pressed to drive the arm to rotate from the first position to a second position to deform an elastic member, with the arm releasing the driver head to make the driver head drop out of the handle. Each of the driver head can be easily mounted to the screwdriver, and detached from the screwdriver.

Abstract: A chuck, which is releasably connectable with a tool spindle (1), includes a guide sleeve (3) having a plurality of openings (4), a plurality of locking elements formed as tilt segments (5) each having an axially fixedly supported, support part (7) and a radially tiltable locking part (8) extendable into a respective opening (4) of the guide sleeve (3) for engaging the tool spindle (1), and a manually displaceable locking sleeve (6) for radially locking the locking elements.

Abstract: A premounting device for a cutting ring fitting, the device including a frame part (1), support elements (2), a movable actuator (3), elements for moving the movable actuator (3) and a socket member (10) that is detachably attached to the movable actuator (3), the movable actuator (3) being arranged to move outwardly from the frame part (1). The support elements (2) and the socket member (10) are arranged to cooperate for sandwiching a nut (5) and a cutting ring (6) set on the outer surface of a tubular element (4) between the support elements (2) and the socket member (10) so as to premount a cutting ring fitting. In the premounting device for the cutting ring fitting, the support elements (2) are arranged to be radially adjustable and in operational connection with the socket member (10) to provide the adjustment.

Abstract: An insertable tool connector includes a drive body, a bushing, a locking plate, a restoring spring, a positioning ring, and a push ring. Thus, the insertable tool connector that can be used to connect the tools of different types, such as the saw blade, the screwdriver head or the like, thereby enhancing the versatility of the insertable tool connector. In addition, the tool can be mounted on and detached from the drive body of the insertable tool connector rapidly, thereby facilitating the user operating the insertable tool connector.

Abstract: The apparatus for clamping a work piece in a well defined position within the operating area of a machine tool comprises a chuck member to be mounted within the operating area of the machine tool and a work piece carrier that can be put onto the chuck member and clamped thereto. First positioning members provided on the chuck member and second positioning members provided on the work piece carrier cooperate to define the position of the work piece carrier along three coordinate axes each running perpendicular to each other as well as with regard to the angular orientation. A clamping mechanism fixes the work piece carrier member to the chuck member in the afore mentioned defined position. In order to ensure an increased resistance against tilting momenta and torque occurring during the machining of a work piece, the clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping devices.

Abstract: A tool or workpiece having a mounting collar centered on an axis and for internally with an axially directed shoulder is mounted on a bolder having a drive sleeve also centered on an axis and fitted coaxially over the collar and a plurality of angularly spaced jaws in the sleeve having axially outer ends each formed with a rearwardly directed face. The jaws are displaceable radially between an outer locking position with their faces bearing axially inward on the shoulder and an inner freeing position with their faces out of engagement with the collar. An axially displaceable actuating member in the sleeve moves the jaws between their inner and outer positions. Axially extending retaining fingers each have a rear end secured in the sleeve and a front end with a rearwardly directed face.

Abstract: In the broader aspects of the invention, there is provided a new and improved tool driver having a shaft with a longitudinal axis and opposite ends and tools therefor. A boss is secured at one of said shaft ends by which the tool driver is connected to a rotary tool. A tool collate is secured at the other of the shaft ends by which the tool driver may be driven by a surgical hand piece having a chuck in which the collate may be positioned. The boss has a surface which engages the tool and positions the tool exactly coaxially of the tool driver. A latch mechanism is provided to hold the rotary tool on the boss, whereby the rotary tool is held exactly coaxially of the driver during use. The rotary tool which is used with the driver has a bottom tool driver opening which has the same dimensions as the boss of the tool driver of the invention. The boss thus fills the opening and the opening is complementary to the boss.

Abstract: A collet to be used in conjunction with a container capping device used primarily in the packaging industry, more particularly for gripping threaded container caps in preparation for the rotation of the caps onto threaded containers. The structure comprises separately pivoting segments for engaging the container cap without significant flexture of the segments.

Abstract: An air pressurized chuck has a spindle journalled in a housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis. One means is mounted in a penultimate portion of the spindle and rotatable therewith for longitudinally reciprocating along the axis in one direction in response to the bias of a coil spring disposed concentrically about the axis between the spindle and the reciprocating means and in an opposite direction in response to a pneumatic force selectively applied to the reciprocating means in excess of the bias. Another means is mounted in an ultimate portion of the spindle and rotatable therewith for concentrically reciprocating gripping portions thereof in relation to the longitudinal axis in an outward direction in response to movement of the longitudinal reciprocating means in the one direction and in an inward direction in response to movement of the longitudinal reciprocating means in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A tool retention mechanism is disclosed for clamping a tool holder knob. An elongate rod member is supported lengthwise in a compartment formed within the center of an elongate housing. A knob clamping assembly is mounted on the outer end of the rod member and is constructed of a circular array of claw fingers that are spring biased to urge them to move radially inward. A first piston is slideably supported on the actuator rod rearwardly of the claw fingers and has a cylindrical collar portion which slides over the claw fingers to retain them in a knob clamping position. A second piston is secured to the inner end portion of the actuator rod and slideably supported in the compartment to define a closed chamber with the inner closed end of the compartment.

Abstract: An assembly for use in conjunction with a fulcrum device of an automatic screw machine wherein the cylindrical housing thereof includes a pair of longitudinal recesses disposed on opposite surfaces thereof. The recesses include threaded counterbored openings for receipt of set screws such that the ends of pins supporting a pair of chuck levers may be contacted thereby when the set screws are upwardly moved. The pins are symmetrical and include an end extension which is adapted to contact the upper surface of the set screws and in this fashion secure the pins at both ends thereof so as to insure their fixed position within the housing. In addition, one of the counterbores is of a shallower extent than the other so that such counterbore, in effect, forms a stop end wherein the screw head mounted therein always contacts at least a portion of the pin. In addition, the pin may be positioned end for end so as to, in effect, double the wear life thereof.

Abstract: The adjustable socket comprises a plurality of fingers pivoted by one end thereof to a socket body and enclosed within a partially rotatable shell covering the socket body. A spiral slot in the shell is engaged by a pin or the like extending from the body so that when the shell is partially rotated, the shell extends or retracts axially relative to the body portion thus opening or closing the distal ends of the fingers due to the engagement of the outer surfaces of the distal ends of the fingers with the curved inturned end of the shell. This shell and fingers can be detachably locked in the desired position. This enables the fingers to adjust in order to grasp or grip a nut or bolt within the size range governed by design parameters. A spring reacts between the shell and the body portion normally retracting the shell so that the fingers are in the widest position.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench comprises a supporting member having a plurality of gripping arms pivotally supported thereon. The gripping arms are moveable into and out of engagement with a hex-headed nut or bolt. The apparatus may be modified to use two or four or eight arms for gripping square-headed or octagonally-headed nuts or bolts. Obviously, the gripping structure could also be used for gripping other objects, as in a drill chuck or lathe.The apparatus has a second moveable member capable of rotary motion adjacent to the supporting member. The second moveable member has supported thereon a cylindrical cam member moveable longitudinally of said gripping arms and engageable with cam surfaces thereon to move said arms pivotally inward into gripping relation.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a tight seal between a coupling and a tube of variable sizes. A cylindrical housing defining an opening therein is provided such that a plurality of jaws having gripping teeth and gear teeth are mounted within the housing by being rotatably secured on a pin. A sleeve having rack teeth for engaging the gear teeth of the jaws is provided for rotating the jaws such that the inward extension of the gripping teeth may be varied. A piston having a seal mounted thereon and a projecting member extending therethrough is slidably maintained within the cylindrical opening such that a joint may be formed between the tube and the coupling. The piston defines together with the housing an expansible chamber which may be filled with a pressurized fluid to move the piston against the tube to assure a tight seal. A limit switch may additionally be provided such that if the gripping teeth do not properly engage the exterior of the tube the piston will be displaced sufficiently to engage the limit switch.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus for lifting objects remotely utilizing three pivotally mounted gripping arms driven by integral cam followers located on extremities and roller grasping means located on their opposite extremities. The cam followers are carried in tracks, located in a rotatable can which moves the gripping arms and rollers inwardly or outwardly upon rotation of the cam by a remotely controlled bi-directional electric motor. A positioning cone centers the gripping arms over the load to be gripped thereby preventing an unsymmetrical grip which could cause inadvertant or premature release of the load. A bottom limit switch senses tension in the cables upon which the apparatus is suspended to prevent activation of the gripping fingers unless the apparatus is fully lowered, and an inertia switch senses rotation of the apparatus for preventing excessive torque on the cam by reactive torque of the motor which could cause the entire apparatus to twist.

Abstract: A tool chuck includes a spindle having a barrel with an axial bore therein, and a collar slidably disposed about the barrel. A diametrical slot within the barrel receives a pair of opposed, pivoting toggles which engage and retain the end of a tool inserted in the barrel bore. The toggles are pivoted by a pair of linking members secured to a cylindrical member disposed in axially translatable fashion in the upper end of the bore. The cylindrical member is translated by the collar by means of an annular slot therein which receives opposed shoulders extending from the cylindrical member through another diametrical slot. Axial translation of the collar releases or secures a tool in the bore while the chuck is rotating at operating speed.

Abstract: A chuck for holding a tool in a drill press includes a sleeve having an open end spaced above a workpiece to be drilled. A plurality of levers are pivotally mounted in the sleeve and the lower ends of the levers are fitted with jaws which grip the side of the tool shank entered into the sleeve. The innermost end of the tool abuts a cam member which is endwise movable in the sleeve. Springs are provided to hold inner ends of the levers in engagement with the cam member and to lightly hold the jaws against the tool shank. When the rotating tool is applied to the workpiece, the cam member is moved inwardly of the sleeve and the levers are rocked to increase the grip of the jaws upon the tool shank.

Abstract: A chuck for gripping a glass container has jaws in the form of arcuate segments of a tube. The jaws hang on pins that project outwardly from a central base, and they are cammed inward to a container finish-gripping position by a spindle mounted annular sleeve whose weight is applied to the jaws only, at a position that is substantially radially outwardly of the line along which the jaws engage the container.