Abstract: A stack of products is moved with a robot which has an articulated arm and at least one gripper disposed on the articulated arm to grip the stack of products. The stack of products can be selectively turned. The step of moving terminates at a selected deposit location of a number of deposit positions of a predefined deposit scheme. The stacks of products are moved in an automated way and, in particular, the stacks are deposited in a turned or unturned arrangement.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a robotic gripping system that utilizes vacuum suction and finger grasping, are disclosed. The vacuum suction and finger grasping are actuated based on a dynamic collision model. The dynamic collision model is used to generate collision scenes of a surrounding environment. The collision scenes are used to determine possible collisions in a motion path, which are used to selectively actuate the vacuum suction and/or finger grasping.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage has a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide is disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A hook is connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the hook is engaged with an object, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle.

Abstract: A method for automatically stacking packages of different sizes in layers on a support in a specified spatial arrangement so as to form a stack by determining the order and spatial position of the packages of different sizes in the stack to be formed in a computer-assisted manner, including by placing the individual packages in an order by a conveyor system, and transporting the packages to be loaded from the conveyor system to the pre-calculated spatial positions on the support or the stack being formed on the support using the handling means of a stacking device. The specified order and the specified spatial position of the packages are used to computationally check whether at least two packages following each other on a conveyor system path leading to the stacking device can be transported together to the pre-calculated spatial positions by the handling means.

Abstract: A lifting tool assembly is disclosed, including a crossbar having a long axis spanning between first and second end portions. A first hook member is pivotably suspended from the first end portion and a second hook member is pivotably suspended from the second end portion. The end portions are symmetrically angled relative to the long axis and each hook member includes first and second finger structures.

Abstract: A floating structure installation system includes, on a body capable of traveling on water, a first cradle including a first holding part capable of holding a first portion having a submersible section to be located under the water surface during installation, and a second cradle including a second holding part capable of holding a second portion connectable to the first portion. At least one of the first cradle or the second cradle is movable on the body to connect the first portion held by the first holding part and the second portion held by the second holding part. The first holding part includes a first lifting unit for lifting and lowering the first portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pick and place gripper device and a method for picking up and re-positioning an item carried by a support surface. The gripper device includes a base, at least one jaw pivotally mounted to the base having at least one leading edge, at least one belt of flexible material being wrapped around at least the leading edge of the at least one jaw such that it is sandwiched between the at least one jaw and the item when the at least one jaw penetrates below the item and as the at least one jaw moves below the item there is substantially no relative sliding movement between the sandwiched portion of the at least one belt and the item, wherein the leading edge of the at least one jaw, when coming into contact with the support surface, is configured to adjust to the support surface when penetrating between the item and the support surface.

Abstract: A floating structure installation system includes, on a body capable of traveling on water, a first cradle including a first holding part capable of holding a first portion having a submersible section to be located under the water surface during installation, and a second cradle including a second holding part capable of holding a second portion connectable to the first portion. At least one of the first cradle or the second cradle is movable on the body to connect the first portion held by the first holding part and the second portion held by the second holding part. The first holding part includes a first lifting unit for lifting and lowering the first portion.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cargo handling apparatus includes a first mechanism, a second mechanism, a holding unit, a third mechanism, a fourth mechanism and a conveyor. The first mechanism is movable in a first direction. The second mechanism is connected to the first mechanism and is movable on a first horizontal plane intersecting the first direction. The holding unit is connected to the second mechanism and holds an object to be picked up. The third mechanism is arranged below the first mechanism, the second mechanism and the holding unit, and is movable in the first direction. The fourth mechanism is connected to the third mechanism and is movable on a second horizontal plane opposed to the first horizontal plane. The conveyor is connected to the fourth mechanism, and loads and conveys the object held by the holding unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a transporter includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor. The first conveyor receives an object that is carried by an arm device and conveys the object in a first direction. The second conveyor is configured to receive and convey the object from the first conveyor and is movable in a second direction that crosses the first direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades that provide a versatile means for handling aerogenerator blades without an unbalanced distribution of the loads in the blade. The method comprises positioning an upper mounting part (103) over the blade after the upper mold has been retracted; lifting the blade with the upper mounting part from the under mold using a lifting means; positioning the blade over an under mounting part (104) which is fixedly attached to an inferior movable support (102); attaching the upper mounting part to the under mounting part, wherein the upper and under mounting parts together have the inner surface substantially corresponding to the shape of the blade outer profile section. The invention further comprises an apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades.

Abstract: A C-hook for lifting heavy coils, such as coils of steel, includes a lifting frame which has an upper arm that is formed with a lifting point in the form of integrally formed lug for receiving a lifting hook of a crane. A counterweight is fixed at a forward end of the upper arm. The lower end of the frame is formed with a slide that receives a slideable load support member in the form of foot. The foot has a forward front foot end for penetration of the lumen of a coil to be lifted. The opposite, rearward end of the foot is mechanically interlinked by a mechanical linkage to a coil backstop member. The mechanical linkage includes a lever arm, which pivots about a fixed pivot point that is fast with the frame. The foot and backstop member facilitate the balanced transportation of steel coils of varying widths.

Abstract: A tool to enable removal of a wind turbine blade, wherein the weight of the blade itself secures the blade without need for additional fixation. The tool includes an articulated structure, composed of an upper part and a lower part articulated to each other; a cradle-shaped support attached to the lower part of the structure and configured to house a blade, the cradle-shaped support having two portions being moveable to each other; a hooking element which allows the tool to be suspended from a first crane; and springs fixed to the structure for exerting an aperture force on the structure, which allows automatic aperture of the structure in the absence of blades in the interior of the cradle.

Abstract: A disclosed lift device serves as a work piece handling tool for performing service operations on a mechanical component, such as a power cylinder head of a gas engine compressor. The lift device may be attached to the cylinder head and used to securely and efficiently remove (and install) the cylinder head from the gas engine compressor. The lift device may also provide a free-standing base for holding the cylinder head securely in a manner that provides access for servicing operations. The advantages of the lift device include a single mounting and unmounting operation for the entire duration of the servicing operations.

Abstract: A vertical bore coil lifter for lifting coils of steel with reduced risk of the coil telescoping includes a pair of inside legs dimensioned to fit inside the bore of the coil with remote legs to support inner wraps of the bottom of the coil. Opposed outer legs traverse the outside of the coil and terminate in outer legs that oppose the inner legs. The outer legs supporting outer wraps of the coil and prevent telescoping of the coil while it is being lifted. The lifter may be selectively brought from an open configuration, in which the feet are drawn apart to release or receive a coil to a closed configuration in which the opposed feet are drawn together to cooperate in supporting the underside of the coil. In one embodiment an automatic latching and unlatching mechanism is provided to alternate between the release and closed configurations without need for operator intervention.

Abstract: A pipe flange lifting device for supporting and leveling a blind flange during installation onto a pipe end. The device comprises a pair of closed fittings having a plurality of apertures through which to place a first and second lifting bolt. The fittings are positioned on opposing sides of a pipe flange and rotate freely with respect to the pin prior to installation, whereafter the lifting bolts fitted through the flange and opposing fittings for stable support during operation. The lifting bolts comprise a pair of bolts inserted into eyes of the flange prior to the lifting operation. Spacers along the pin allow the fittings to be separated by a desired distance and prevent pinch points due to fitting inclination. The pin includes an attached crane hoist fitting for lifting the assembly and a secured flange during flange installation.

Abstract: A package moving system has a jaw device movable between an open and a closed position. The jaw has a pair of opposite support structures that each support at least one support arm. The at least one support arm moves between a first and second position. In the first position, it receives a package. In the second, it supports the package. At least one retaining member is biased downward to engage the package when the jaws are in a closed position. The retaining element urges against an upper surface of the supported package to retain the package in the support arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for grabbing and lifting a case having side walls each formed with a hole has a plurality of grabs each having a plurality of pivotal lift arms each having a lower end provided with a horizontally projecting finger engageable into one of the holes. The fingers of each grab are vertically offset from one another.

Abstract: An elongated body belonging to a subsea structure may be moved to the surface. A lifting beam may be lowered to the body and then may be pivoted until the lifting beam is substantially parallel to the body. Grippers connected to the lifting beam may rotate to encircle the body and/or connect the body to the lifting beam. After the body has been released from the subsea structure, the body may be turned until the body is in a substantially upright position, and then the lifting beam may move the body through a splash zone to the surface.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a grasping and lifting device for moving a plurality of different-sized containers. The device contains a set of clamps which securely attach to a plurality of different-sized containers and allow them to be quickly lifted and relocated by an operator. A toggle device may also be used to hold the clamps in the open position for added security and efficiency. A hoisting device with a translating mechanism provides lift and motion assistance to the operator so that the risk of repetitive motion injury is reduced.

Abstract: A tool for raising and lowering a wind turbine blade, wherein it allows removal of a wind turbine blade (2), wherein the weight of the blade (2) itself secures said blade (2) without need for additional fixations by means of a tool (1) that includes an articulated structure (3), composed of an upper part and a lower part articulated therebetween; a cradle-shaped support (16) attached to the lower part of the structure and configured to house a blade (2), said cradle-shaped support (16) comprising two portions (17) being movable therebetween; a hooking element (20) which allows the tool (1) to be suspended from a first crane (22); and springs fixed to the structure (3) for exerting an aperture force on the structure (3), which allows automatic aperture of said structure in the absence of blades (2) in the interior of the cradle (16).

Abstract: Apparatus for the lifting of pipelines, includes a frame having two vertical side beams and a transverse top beam interposed between the vertical beams. Two concave and symmetrically disposed supporting members pivotally connect to the two vertical beams, respectively, and are configured to achieve a pipe supporting position without applying a radial inwardly directed force to the bottommost portion of the pipe when the frame is suitably lowered and the supporting members are suitably pivoted. A driving unit is disposed within, and fixedly attached to, each of the supporting members, for generating a linear downwardly directed force; a force transmitting element connected to a driving unit rod along which a corresponding driving unit housing is slidingly displaceable. A control unit independently controls each of the driving units; and at least one connector releasably connects the two supporting members to one another when the supporting members are in a pipe supporting position.

Abstract: A bottom block assembly for an overhead crane includes a main bottom block, an outer frame carried by the main bottom block and rotatable relative to the main bottom block about a vertical axis of rotation, and a pair of paddles carried by the outer frame and downwardly extending from the outer frame on opposed sides of the main bottom block. Upper ends of the paddles are pivotably secured to the outer frame about horizontal axes so that lower ends of the paddles pivot toward and away from each other. The paddles are pivotable between a closed position wherein each of the paddles is substantially vertical and an open position wherein the lower end of each of the paddles is outwardly pivoted away from a vertical central axis. Each of the paddles has a keyhole-shaped closed-section opening near its lower end.

Abstract: Improved sheet-metal working machine comprising at least one manipulator for manipulating metal sheets (25), characterised in that the manipulator is provided with at least one stop surface (22-24) against which sheet-metals (25) which are manually supplied can be positioned.

Abstract: An end effector for a pod loader interface includes a gripper plate that attaches to the articulated arm. A pair of gripper blades are separated from each other along and are coupled to the gripper plate. During gripping of a wafer carrier, the gripper blades initially close toward each other and then draw nearer to the gripper plate. Nested outer and inner U-shaped yokes, which may attach the gripper plate to the articulated arm, are joined by rotational joints to permit their relative rotation for reorienting the wafer carrier. Yet other aspect of the present invention are a mechanical forearm drive that provides substantially linear motion of an articulated arm's wrist joint, and an end effector rotary-drive included in a forearm of the articulated arm.

Abstract: The invention provides a robotic gripper mechanism having a thin, protrusion-free profile for maneuvering through tight areas, which mechanism includes a finger assembly mounted at the distal end of a gripper arm, which arm extends from a movable housing. The finger assembly is normally biased to a retracted position, but may be moved to an extended operative position by a drive member operating on a slide in the arm through suitable intermediary components. The invention also includes a mechanism for permitting retraction of the arm when an obstacle is encountered during vertical downward movement of the gripper mechanism so as to protect the arm and the finger assembly from damage.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a load has a boom with a lower end and an upper end and a base having a front end and a rear end. The front end of the base is pivotably connected to the lower end of the boom along a pivot axis, wherein a lower surface of the base rests on a support surface while a load is being moved. A first restricting mechanism restricts relative movement between the boom and the base about the pivot axis in a first direction and a second restricting mechanism restricts the relative movement between the boom and the base about the pivot axis in a second direction. A pulley mechanism is disposed proximal to the upper end of the boom. A rope having a load end is provided, wherein the load is attachable to the load end of the rope. The rope is threaded through the pulley mechanism.

Abstract: A movable device for transporting a non-ambulatory patient, the device having a frame member which has opposed tubular arms, each pivotally linked to torso grasping chest supports, the device may be supported by and carried by a lift device.