Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to 3D-architected soft machines with topologically encoded actuation, and methods of making and using the 3D-architected soft machines.

Abstract: A gripping device includes: a palm portion; a plurality of finger portions protruding from a periphery of the palm portion and configured to fall toward the palm portion by deforming the palm portion in a thickness direction; a connecting portion formed in a position surrounding an outer edge of the palm portion on a side opposite to a side formed with the finger portions, the connecting portion connected to a case; a high-strength portion provided between the palm portion and the connecting portion, the high-strength portion having a predetermined length from the outer edge of the palm portion in the thickness direction of the palm portion, and the high-strength portion being less likely to be deformed than the palm portion; the case connected to the connecting portion, the case coming into contact with a base end of the high-strength portion; and an actuator configured to deform the palm portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device (10) for inserting a tool (18) into a tool receptacle (14), said device comprising a first holding means (12), which is configured to hold a tool receptacle (14), a second holding means (16), which is configured to hold a tool (18), a linear guide (20), by means of which the second holding means (16) is able to move in relation to the first holding means (12) in an axial direction running along or parallel to a main axis (X) in order to move the tool closer to the tool receptacle and insert it into the tool receptacle, a sensing arrangement (40), which is able to move in an axial direction and is configured to sense in a contact-free manner an axial position of a first reference point (R1) associated with the first holding means and to sense in a contact-free manner an axial position of a second reference point (R2) for a tool held by the second holding means, and a measuring arrangement, which measures an axial displacement path of the sensing arrangement.

Abstract: A glass bottle array lifting and transferring apparatus is operable to vertically lift a two-dimensional arrayed layer of bottles, and in particular glass bottles, and transfer the lifted arrayed layer of bottles horizontally from a stack of bottles. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an apparatus having pluralities of pairs of rails that are operable to lift a top, two-dimensional arrayed layer of glass bottles from the top of a stack of bottles on a pallet, then transfer the lifted bottles horizontally to a position over an accumulator table and then lower the bottles onto the surface of the accumulator table.

Abstract: A universal garbage pick-up tool includes a main body, an inner support tube, at least two guard members positioned between the main body and inner support tube, a pushing rod positioned within the inner support tube, a push button operatively connected to a proximal end of each guard member and a proximal end of the pushing rod, and a plurality of spring claws attached to a distal end of the pushing rod. The spring claws are positioned within the inner support tube, and the guard members and the spring claws are released upon the actuation of the push button, thereby allowing the spring claws to extend axially from a distal end of the main body. An adjustment ring may be attached to the distal end of the main body, including at least two pins circumferentially spaced apart. A magnet may be positioned within the push button of the pick-up tool.

Abstract: A robot gripping device (60) where each finger part has a finger part body (1) which is comprised of a plate-shaped elastic member, a first anti-slip part (2) which is provided at an inside of a front end side of the finger part body, and a reinforcing member (20) which is arranged along an outer surface of the finger part body, is connected to the front end of the finger part body, and is higher in rigidity than the finger part body, the reinforcing member having a first rotary joint (4) which makes the reinforcing member pivot about a first axis of rotation which is vertical to a longitudinal direction of the finger part body, and the robot gripping device having a drive part (62) which makes a base end of the finger part body move along the center of grip to make the finger part open and close.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for engaging an article. The apparatus has a longitudinal centerline, a disengaged configuration and an activated configuration. The apparatus further includes a base portion, first and second engaging arm portions joined to the base portion, first and second moveable portion operatively associated with the first and second engaging arm portions, respectively, and one or more engaging arm bands extending between the first and second moveable portions and the first and second arm portions, wherein at least one of the arm bands bends away from the longitudinal centerline of the engaging arm when the apparatus is changed from the disengaged configuration to the activated configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for a microtechnical gripper. The tool of the invention comprises a tip having a support and first and second fingers disposed opposite one another in a chosen position. Each finger is connected to said support by a connecting element so as to be held in a rest position corresponding to said chosen position, the connecting element being flexible in order to allow said fingers to move with at least one degree of freedom relative to the support.

Abstract: A device for gripping a cylindrical object comprises two gripping springs and an actuator, wherein: each gripping spring comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an arcuate section disposed therebetween; the gripping springs are disposed on the device such that the first ends are pivotally coupled to the device, and the arcuate sections oppose each other so as to define an opening through which the cylindrical object is inserted; and the actuator is mechanically coupled to at least one of the second ends of the gripping springs such that movement of the actuator causes the arcuate sections of the gripping springs to grip the cylindrical object when inserted into the opening.

Abstract: A gripping device comprising holders which exhibit a two-directional elasticity for picking up products with large dimensional tolerances. The gripping device may comprise two grippers disposed in opposed relationship with one another. At least one of the grippers may be movable towards the other. Each of the grippers may include a holder and a gripping jaw attached to the holder. The holder may be a C-shaped portion that exhibits a two-directional elasticity to allow horizontal as well as a vertical movement of the gripping jaw. At least one of the holders may be coupled to a linear actuator to move the gripper in at least a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: A gripping device includes a gripping-device body mounted to an end of a working arm; two gripping members pivotably supported by this body in an opening-closing direction; and a driver that drives the gripping members to open and close them. At least one of the gripping members includes one of various kinds of detachable sections each including a gripping segment; a holding section pivotably connected to the gripping-device body about a central pivot shaft and selectively holding the detachable section in a detachable manner; and a coupling member for detachable coupling. The detachable section has a restrained segment having a detachable-section through-hole extending parallel to the central pivot shaft. The holding section has an opening-closing-direction restraining segment that restrains the restrained segment in the opening-closing direction and a holding wall to which the restrained segment is fastened with the coupling member from a direction parallel to the detachable-section through-hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for the micromanipulation of micro-sized objects includes a micromanipulation device in the form of a hollow frame having a base, resiliently deflectable arms projecting from the base and defining a gap for receiving a micro-sized object, and a saddle connected to the tips of the arms between the base and the tips. A force generating device applies a force to the saddle to deflect the tips inwards to close the gap about the micro-sized object. A fixture is provided for supporting the micromanipulation device and force generating device. The force generating device can be a micrometer. The micromanipulation device is configured for production using micro-fabrication techniques. The micromanipulation device may include a piercing element for piercing an object positioned between the arms of the device, and may further include a notch aligned with the piercing element for retaining the object.

Abstract: A body jewelry applicator includes a gripping member adapted to receive and retain the backing of a piece of body jewelry within a hole or opening. The gripping member may be made of a foam and have one or more holes in the ends thereof for receiving the backing. The body jewelry applicator may also include a body or handle to which the gripping member is secured. A release rod may be slidably positioned within the body and movable between a first position and a second position, movement of the release rod from the first position to the second position causing the release rod to engage and expel the backing from the gripping member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping device comprising holders which exhibit a two-directional elasticity for picking up products with large dimensional tolerances.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gripper device for gripping solid or hollow items, objects or bodies, which includes a supporting body (11, 11a) holding a plurality of gripper modules (12, 12a) positioned around the geometric axis of the body, parallel and spaced at an angle. Each module includes a flexible prehensible arch-shaped element (21, 21a) having an extrados in line with a radial slot (18, 18a) along one side of the housing and engaged by an actuator piston. All the prehensile elements are movable between a decontracted rest condition, in which their extradossis are retracted in the respective slots (18, 18a), and a compressed/contracted work condition, in which their extradossis protrude from the radial slots (18, 18a) to engage from time to time the item, object or casing to be gripped.