Abstract: Container gripping systems and methods may include a plurality of arm assemblies and at least one fork assembly that are configured to align, grip, lift, transfer, and release a layer of containers between locations. Each of the plurality of arm assemblies and the at least one fork assembly of a container gripping apparatus may move between respective retracted positions, in which portions of containers are gripped or supported, and extended positions, in which portions of containers are released or unsupported. Further, a movement device, such as a robotic arm, may couple to a container gripping apparatus and may manipulate the apparatus to align, grip, lift, transfer, and release a layer of containers between locations.

Abstract: A gripper device is configured to pick up a pliable food product having a tail-like part from a pick-up area and releasing it at a releasing area, where a support is provided. A pair of jaws is mounted to the support for movement of distal ends thereof towards each other defining a closing position of the pair of jaws and away from each other defining an open position of the pair of jaws. A tail bender device is attached to the support and adjacent to one end of the pair of jaws. The tail bender device is moveable in relation to the pair of jaws and is configured to bend the tail-like part while transferring the food product from the pick-up area until releasing it at the releasing area.

Abstract: A grapple for handling logs includes a base portion connectable to a working machine portion and at least one tine connected to the base portion. The at least one tine has a protruding length from the base portion. The grapple further includes a catch arm pivotably arranged relative to the base portion. The grapple can assume configurations with different protruding lengths of the at least one tine.

Abstract: A suspended tire manipulator for use by an operator in lifting a tire having a mounting aperture includes a first handle attached to a first proximal arm. The first proximal arm is connected to a first distal arm at an obtuse angle. The manipulator includes a rotary balancer pivotally mounted to the first distal arm. The rotary balancer provides a pivoting torque to the first distal arm in response to operator movements raising and lowering the manipulator via manual force applied at the handle. A vertical support has a lower end and an upper end. The lower end connects to the rotary balancer. The manipulator includes a pair of gripper shoes. The pair of gripper shoes are slidably mounted on a rail and move in opposite inboard and outboard directions on the rail.

Abstract: A hand includes a pair of finger members disposed separated by an interval and relatively movable in an interval direction, a finger drive unit that moves at least one of the finger members in the interval direction, a pair of holding pads that are provided on the respective finger members, and are supported to face each other and to be rotatable around an axis extending in the interval direction, and a pressing member that is provided to be movable in a direction intersecting a radial direction, at a position separated from the axis in the radial direction, and presses a surface of a workpiece held between the holding pads.

Abstract: A retrieving device 1 includes: a supporting unit 13 configured to support a front portion of the load 120 from a front side of the load 120; a coupling unit 9, 11 configured to be coupled, via a coupling member 142, to a moving device 140 being capable of moving the supporting unit 13 in an up-and-down direction; and a gripping unit 15, 17 provided on a side opposite to the supporting unit 13 with the coupling unit 9, 11 interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A gripping device with linear actuation for a robotic arm for seizing and gripping Petri dishes and other light items. The gripping device has a support and first and second gripping arms slidably retained relative to the support by guide rods. A motorized drive mechanism actuates the gripping arms through an operating member that acts only on the first gripping arm. Through an interconnection mechanism, movement of the first gripping arm actuates a simultaneous and dependent opposite movement of the second gripping arm so that the gripping arms are movable between a slack position and a clamping position. The operating member acts on the first gripping arm through a resiliently compressible member, the distortion of which is measured to provide a clamping limitation mechanism.

Abstract: A transfer device, in particular as a robot gripper, for picking up at least one product disposed on a base section of a product carrier and the product carrier from a conveying and/or processing device for the product and/or for the product carrier and for delivering the product together with the product carrier to a device, in particular a packaging machine, arranged downstream, is characterized in that the transfer device has a pivoting device for pivoting a cover section connected to the base section about a kink line extending between the cover section and the base section.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and a system for the lifting and/or relocation of a large and/or heavy object are disclosed. The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a system comprising a pair of engagement members each independently configurable to external equipment, and a pair of oppositely facing structural members, each coupled to one of said pair of engagement members.

Abstract: A gripper of a robot for assembling a vehicle is provided, including: a gripper body that extends vertically; a lower grip that bends forward from a lower end of the gripper body and supports a lower end of an assembly object; an upper grip that is hinged at a rear end to an upper end of the gripper body and grips an upper end of the assembly object when rotating forward by extending forward at a front end of the upper grip; a seat that extends and bends rearward from the upper end of the gripper body; a link assembly that is composed of a first link and a second link that connect an upper end of the seat and the upper grip via the link assembly; and a driving unit that rotates the upper grip forward or rearward by transmitting a driving force to the link assembly.

Abstract: A lifting device is configured to support a bridge cap when lifting the cap onto columns under a bridge deck. The lifting device includes an upper bracket arm configured to extend over an upper surface of the deck, and a lower bracket arm configured to extend under a bottom surface of the deck, and to selectively engage the cap at opposite ends of the cap. A side bracket portion connects the lower and upper arms, and is configured to transmit a force associated with a weight of the cap to the upper arm. The upper and lower arms and the side bracket portion are configured to define an open space extending from free ends of the upper and lower arms to the side bracket portion. The space is configured to receive the deck when the lifting device is supporting the cap as the cap is being lifted onto the columns.

Abstract: An impeller jig for lifting and positioning an impeller having a shaft bore in a pump. The impeller jig includes a frame, a lifting aperture attached to the upper end of the frame and a lifting point attached to the opposed end of the frame adapted to engage the shaft bore of the impeller. A pair of opposed jacks are attached to the opposed end of the frame and adapted to engage at least two opposed outer surfaces of the impeller adjacent to the shaft bore of the impeller thereby forming a stability triangle with the lifting point. Also, the impeller jig may further include a positioning weight adjacent to the lifting aperture for transferring the center of gravity of the impeller jig upwardly and sufficiently close to the lifting vertical centerline to permit the impeller jig to be positioned for engaging the impeller by the operator prior to lifting.

Abstract: A roller for moving, rolling and unrolling rolls of sod. The roller is generally comprised of a top portion including a side shift actuator and at least one attachment member for attachment to a vehicle, preferably a skid steer. The roller also includes a rotary actuator with a shaft, slidably attached to the top portion. A main frame consisting of a top member, side member, base member and an end gate, extends down from the shaft of the rotary actuator. The end gate of the main frame is configured to pivot open and closed. The main frame is configured to rotate with the shaft.

Abstract: A bundle gripper for a palletizing machine for picking up respectively at least one bundle and depositing the bundle on a pallet. The bundle gripper including a frame, an adjustable end stop, and at least one gripper finger such that the gripper finger has a front end and is adjustable on the frame. The gripper finger being movable between a first position and a second position. The bundle gripper also including a hold-down clamp coupled to the frame and positioned against the end stop for clamping the bundle against the gripper finger such that a distance between the end stop and the front end of the gripper finger in the second position is changeable to adapt to different lengths of the bundles. The end stop and the gripper finger are each movable to change the distance and the hold-down clamp is correspondingly adjustable to accommodate different lengths of the bundles.

Abstract: A lift member safety latch combination is disclosed. The lift member safety latch combination has a lift member that supports a drive mechanism and an actuator that is positioned adjacent to the drive mechanism. The lift member safety latch combination also has a confinement member that is in sliding communication with the lift member. The confinement member's position is responsive to the drive mechanism and has a state that is responsive to the actuator.

Abstract: A mixed size product end of arm tooling is used in conjunction with a robot to pick mixed size product and place the product onto a pallet or layers resting on top of a pallet. The end of arm tooling includes two center rails/forks mounted to a base. Two outer rails/forks are mounted to linear bearings that guide the outer rails/forks when moving inwardly or outwardly from the center rails for pre-sizing to the product. Pusher arms are formed of two outer pusher arms and one center pusher arm. These pusher arms are attached to linear bushings that guide the pusher arms forward and backward. The pusher arms push off the product simultaneously as the robot is withdrawing the rails.

Abstract: A crane hook assembly and methods of use for safely lifting large conduits, such as wind generator tower sections. The hook assembly includes a steel frame member and a support member forwardly extending from the front surface of the frame member. The support member cooperates with the frame member to engage and retain an annular flange of the tower section. The hook assembly is secured onto the tower section with a securing mechanism, preferably using a rack and pinion gear assembly to actuate a locking pin. The sliding, retractable, locking pin may be actuated such that it is movable between an unlocked position and a locking position, such that the locking pin is positioned horizontally over the tower section when in the locked position and the locking pin is fully retracted from the front surface when the locking pin is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A lifting aid for lifting and supporting a ground engagement tool has an L-shaped cradle having a longitudinally extending base and back wall. A lifting yoke having at least two tubular arms is slideably connected to the L-shaped cradle through tubular sleeves which extend upward to a lifting point. The tubular arms have an upper portion, and a lower portion angled relative to the upper portion, for forming an inflection point inclined rearward toward the back wall. In a rest position, the inflection point is positioned adjacent the tubular sleeves leaving space for the tool. In a lifted position, the inflection point approaches the back wall for gripping the tool therebetween.

Abstract: A spool handling device (10) for engaging and disengaging a spool (5) having, a base (14), a spindle (15) supported by the base and adapted to receive the spool, a latch assembly (74) pivotally mounted relative to the base and including a latch (76) for releasably securing the spool on the spindle, and an ejection arm (77) for assisting in removal of the spool from the spindle.

Abstract: A coil hook for handling a narrow coil of steel includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw. The lower jaw includes a generally vertical arm with a bottom end, and a bottom arm extending generally orthogonally from the bottom end of the vertical arm. The bottom arm has a distal end and an upwardly extending lip at the distal end. The upper jaw includes a collar disposed around the vertical arm and slidable in longitudinal directions of the vertical arm, and a top arm extending generally orthogonally from the collar in opposed relationship to the bottom arm. The top arm has a distal end and a downwardly extending lip at the distal end. A latch latches the collar to the vertical arm at a selected position.

Abstract: A roll handling hoist defining a vertical direction and an x-y plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The roll handling hoist includes a rigid vertical support assembly, and a chuck assembly movably joined to the rigid vertical support assembly. The chuck assembly may be configured to move in the vertical direction and to be adjustable between a plurality of roll configurations. The roll handling hoist also includes a user control assembly joined to the vertical support assembly. The user control assembly may maintain a fixed position relative to the vertical support assembly when the chuck assembly is moved in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A winding roll lifting device is provided in which the base end side of a supporting arm (5), having a tip side installed rotatably on a hook part (34) of the lifting device (1), is installed on the upper side of a main body (2), and a base end (8b) of a chuck part (8a) to be inserted into a winding roll (30) is installed rotatably on the lower side of the main body (2). The supporting arm (5) is rotated about the upper side of the main body (2) in the direction approaching the chuck part (8a) in synchronization with the rotation of the chuck part (8a) about the lower side of the main body (2) by a drive mechanism of the main body (2) from vertical to horizontal state so as to raise the winding roll (30) from the vertical to horizontal state.

Abstract: A form lift apparatus includes a first support portion which includes a hanger-reception channel and lateral-support-member reception slots. A second support portion is connected to the first support portion at a substantially right angle and includes a lateral support member. The lateral support member has a top lateral support portion and a front lateral support portion connected to the top lateral support portion. The top lateral support portion includes a front transverse portion, slot-received portions connected to the front transverse portion, and a rear transverse portion connected to the slot-received portions. The second support portion includes a form-member-reception cut out portion. The form-member-reception cut out is located medially between ends of the second support portion. The first support portion is oriented substantially vertically, and the second support portion is oriented substantially horizontally.

Abstract: A skid loader attachment for increasing the versatility and ease of use of the skid loader. The skid loader attachment includes a frame assembly having a base portion. The base portion is designed for coupling to booms of a skid loader. The frame assembly has a plurality of tines. The tines forwardly extend from the base portion of the frame assembly opposite the skid loader. A plurality of arm assemblies are coupled to the base portion of the frame assembly. Each of the arm assemblies are articulated such that each of the arm; assemblies is positionable with respect to the frame assembly. Each of the arm assemblies are adapted for being operationally coupled to the skid loader such that articulation of each of the arm assemblies is controlled by an operator of the skid loader. The arm assemblies are adapted for facilitating manipulation of materials engaged by said frame assembly.

Abstract: Device to automatically attach a first bobbin-bearing mandrel (11) to a second mandrel (15) of a machine, wherein the first mandrel (11) and the second mandrel (15) have substantially the same outer diameter and are suitable to be inserted selectively into the central hole of the bobbin (13), coupling member (40, 50) being provided on the first mandrel (11) to selectively couple with the second mandrel (15), to allow the coaxial transfer of the bobbin (13) from one to the other of the mandrels (11 and 15).

Abstract: Articulated lifting device includes a generally orthogonal support frame having a forwardly extending adjustable lifting arm inserted through a sleeve at the top end of a downwardly extending telescopic leg, a plurality of interchangeable load adapters having elongated adapter arms and a connector that connects telescopic leg with any of the load adapters. The connector may be locked to create rigid frame connection or may be unlocked to allow pivotal movement of the connector in relation to the telescopic leg. An adjustable counterweight may be attached to free end of the adapter arm to balance weight of the heavy adapters. The lifting arm has a hookup point in order to suspend the lifting device off a crane or a hoist. The load adapters may thereby be attached to parts of machinery or other loads located under overhanging structures in order to remove or replace thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying signature bundles are provided that allow for many different sizes of bundles to be handled and manipulated in an easy and very agile fashion for low cycle times and for being deposited in various pallet patterns. The apparatus can include several units adjustably mounted relative to each other with each having bundle gripping members that can likewise be adjusted for varying signature formats. The upper clamp head gripping member preferably has a universal mount so that it self-adjusts to pivot for staying in flush engagement with sloped bundles. The units have a very thin housing to allow an operator to gain a good view of the bundles carried in front thereof. The units preferably include pulley drive systems provided with drive ratios to keep the housing size to a minimum while allowing a large advancing stroke for the gripping members for handling of different sized bundles.

Abstract: Device to automatically attach a first bobbin-bearing mandrel (11) to a second mandrel (15) of a machine, wherein the first mandrel (11) and the second mandrel (15) have substantially the same outer diameter and are suitable to be inserted selectively into the central hole of the bobbin (13), coupling means (40, 50) being provided on the first mandrel (11) to selectively couple with the second mandrel (15), to allow the coaxial transfer of the bobbin (13) from one to the other of said mandrels (11 and 15).

Abstract: Device to automatically attach a first bobbin-bearing mandrel (11) to a second mandrel (15) of a machine, wherein the first mandrel (11) and the second mandrel (15) have substantially the same outer diameter and are suitable to be inserted selectively into the central hole of the bobbin (13), coupling means (40, 50) being provided on the first mandrel (11) to selectively couple with the second mandrel (15), to allow the coaxial transfer of the bobbin (13) from one to the other of said mandrels (11 and 15).

Abstract: Apparatus for handling hollow core rolls of different core diameters, by picking up a roll disposed with its axis vertical, relating the same to a horizontal position, and sliding it onto a horizontally extending spindle. A stepped diameter holder having sets of gripper elements is supported on an angled arm driven by a rotary actuator. After insertion of the stepped diameter into a roll core and outward movement of the gripper elements, the core can be moved to a horizontal orientation by oscillation of the actuator. The stepped diameter holder has a ball locking assembly which is inserted into a receptacle attached to the projecting end of the spindle. After full insertion sensed by blockage of air flow out of a hole in the end of an actuator rod caused by contact with a compressible insert, the actuator rod is moved axially to dock the spindle to the stepped holder by operation of the ball locking assembly and the gripper elements are released, allowing powered push off of the roll onto the spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for grasping odd-shaped objects to relocate the same includes an upright main frame being attachable to a material handling vehicle for maneuvering the main frame between different heights and locations by operation of the material handling vehicle, a support member mounted at a lower end of the main frame and being adapted to engage an edge of an object, an arm member mounted at an upper end of the main frame so as to undergo pivotal movement relative to the main frame, a tine mounting member mounted to the arm member so as to undergo pivotal movement relative to and independently of the arm member, a pair of tines each having a substantially curved configuration and being mounted to and extending outwardly and downwardly from the tine mounting member, and main and auxiliary actuation mechanisms for respectively pivotally moving the arm member relative to the main frame and the tines relative to the arm member through respective first and second arcuate paths toward and away from the support mem