Abstract: A method for performing tasks on items located in a space using a robot, includes receiving an order to perform a task on at least one item and obtaining a pose associated with the at least one item. The pose is in a coordinate system defined by the space and the pose is where the task is to be performed on the at least one item. The method includes navigating the robot toward the pose associated with the at least one item and detecting, when in proximity to the pose, if the pose is obstructed by an object. If the pose is obstructed by an object, halting the robot at a location spaced from the pose and then causing the robot to provide a first signal indicating that the robot is in a holding mode at the location spaced from the pose.

Abstract: A modular sorting station includes a frame defining an inbound bay and an outbound bay, each of the inbound and outbound bays being sized to receive an inventory holder containing inventory thereon. A robotic grasper is mounted to the frame and positioned above one of the inbound and outbound bays and operable to transfer inventory items from the inbound bay to the outbound bay, and a sensor mounted to one of the frame or robotic grasper and operable to identify inventory at the inbound bay when the inventory holder is present in the inbound bay. The frame is sized and arranged to align with a material handling grid and permit drive units to transport inventory holders into and out of the inbound bay and/or outbound bays while moving along the material handling grid; and the frame is portable such that the modular sorting station can be moved as a modular unit for rapid deployment.

Abstract: A transport device for a container has a base, a vertical member extending up from the base and a complementary handling unit extending from an end of the vertical member spaced from the base. The complementary handling unit is configured for releasably engaging a container, such as a bioreactor container, so that the container can be transported to a holding device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading station for a storage frame. In the loading station, the storage frame serves for temporarily holding and transporting rod-like elements, in particular smoking rods, on which sausage-shaped products, like sausages, are stored, and comprises two side parts, wherein each side part has two supports being substantially parallel to each other and wherein the side parts are connected with each other by at least one cross beam, and horizontally arranged trays for accommodating rod-like elements. The loading station comprises at least one position defining device for defining a predetermined position of the storage frame. Moreover, at least one locking device is provided for releasably locking of the storage frame in its predetermined position.

Abstract: An unpowered, self-elevating and self-lowering home appliance assembly cart for supporting and transporting a plurality of home appliance assembly components, such as oven doors, including a base, and a self-leveling and self-lowering door suspension and supporting system having a mast, a rail system moveably coupled to the mast, a plurality of arms extending from the rail system, each pair of arms for supporting a home appliance assembly component, and a self-leveling and self-lowering device that automatically self-levels and self-lowers the pair of arms within a predetermined acceptable ergonomic work zone with respect to a vertical height along the mast based on an unloaded state, a partially loaded state, and a loaded state of the plurality of arms and without power assistance, the predetermined acceptable ergonomic work zone being for loading and unloading the home appliance assembly component from the pair of arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring and moving elements that are removably associable with an operating machine comprises a moving arrangement suitable for receiving and supporting the elements, the moving arrangement being movable for transferring to and/or removing from the operating machine the elements; the operating machine comprises a supporting arrangement configured for receiving from and giving to the apparatus the elements, the supporting arrangement in turn comprising hooking elements suitable for abutting and locking abutting elements of the elements.

Abstract: A maneuvering autonomous rotorcraft cargo attachment system for engaging two mating elements of a coupling mechanism includes a first system on a ship deck to position a first coupling mechanism element in response to positioning commands and a second system attached to a rotorcraft hoist cable to position the second coupling mechanism element in response to positioning commands. A controller calculates and issues the positioning commands to the first and second positioning systems thereby effecting engagement of the two coupling elements.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a continuous track and a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns or rows. Each storage unit is engaged with the track for selective movement along the track. Each storage unit includes two sets of wheels, a first set of wheels for engaging the continuous track, and a second set of wheels for engaging support rails disposed above an upper rail of first and second tracks of the continuous track, so as to support the storage unit as the storage unit passes gaps in the upper rail due to intermediate vertical rails extending downwardly intermediate ends thereof.

Abstract: A tray discharge apparatus which is capable of automatically discharging and storing medicine-filled trays in carts and aligning the carts. The apparatus includes a cart standby portion (13) for putting a cart (8) transported from a cart supply line (48) on standby; and a tray supply portion (14) having a tray shift unit (21) for sequentially storing trays (7) in storage areas (46) of the cart transported from the cart standby portion. The tray supply portion is operable to align the carts with the stored trays relative to a tray discharge line (49) that is juxtaposed to the tray supply line. Also, a cart shift member (15) is provided for moving the cart to the tray supply portion from the cart standby portion.

Abstract: A hoist with a cradle for coupling with a pressurized tank. A linear actuator assembly raises the cradle above the floor surface. A base with casters allows a raised tank to be safely lifted and transported by a single operator. The cradle can be rotated and locked in a vertical or horizontal position for cylinder insertion and removal in EMS vehicles with either a vertical or a horizontal stowage compartment. When handling a horizontal cylinder stowage situation, an embodiment of the cradle features a retractable foot to allow the cylinder to be slid from the cradle into the compartment bottom first. Another embodiment has a fixed foot and allows the cylinder to be slid from the cradle into the compartment top first. Safety interlocks are provided to prevent rotation of the cradle if the foot is in the wrong position with respect to the horizontal orientation of the cradle.

Abstract: A cart and detachable hangers system for transporting copper coils that may include: 1) a cart with a substantially rectangular structure that includes at least two opposing side rails and at least two opposing end rails; 2) a plurality of pockets disposed along a top surface of each of the two opposing side rails; and 3) a plurality of hangers, each of the hangers including two projections that are sized such that each may detachably engage one of the pockets. The hanger and the cart are sized such that the distance between the projections correspond approximately to the distance between the pocket on one upper side rail and the opposing pocket on the other upper side rail.

Abstract: Stacker carts for stacking media, printing apparatuses, and methods of stacking media on stacker carts are disclosed. An embodiment of the stacker carts includes a stacking surface including a first end and an opposite second end, the stacking surface sloping downwardly from the first end toward the second end; and a resiliently-biased stop at the second end of the stacking surface, the stop including at least one contact surface defining a height of the stop above the second end of the stacking surface. When the contact surface is in contact with a first surface, a height of the stop (i) decreases as the stacker cart is moved toward the first surface, and (ii) increases as the stacker cart is moved away from the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a work sheet conveying and housing system which can efficiently convey and house work sheets and which, in a housed condition, prevents formed parts of the work sheets from being crushed. The work sheet conveying and holding system includes a work sheet stocker 4 and a work sheet conveying device 2. The work sheet stocker 4 has trays 34 in a plurality of stages the position of which can be switched between an inner position A where the trays 34 are housed in a tray housing portion 32 in a stocker frame 30 and an outer position B where the trays 34 are drawn out of the tray housing portion 32. The work sheet conveying device has work sheet holding means 20 capable of holding a work sheet W2, and moving means having a function of moving the work sheet holding means 20 parallel to a position switching direction corresponding to a direction in which the trays are drawn out.

Abstract: A specimen transport system for transporting a specimen, includes, a preceding section, a succeeding section located apart from the preceding section, a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism attached to the preceding section and/or the succeeding section and configured to transport a rack capable of holding a plurality of specimen containers which contain the specimen, and a car configured to travel between the preceding section and the succeeding section and provided with a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism configured to transport the rack capable of holding a plurality of specimen containers which contain the specimen.

Abstract: A system for lifting of store shelves with merchandise on the shelves. The system employs a lifting member formed of two opposing cross members which sandwich support members of store shelving therebetween. Projecting forks from the two cross members engage sleeves on opposite sides of leveling feet which project from the support member of the shelf toward the floor. Jacks engaged to both sides of each lifting member elevate the shelf with the lifting members in engagement with each support member of the shelf.

Abstract: An oven includes a housing, which is configured to be releasably attachable to a removable set of means such as casters so that the oven may be easily moved particularly during installation.

Abstract: The present invention is a motorcycle wheel holder with the capability of holding four motorcycle wheels simultaneously. The holder is capable of being rolled around and folds into a closed configuration by rotating two arms into its main frame. The arms are lockable in the deployed or stored configuration via actuation of locking pins. The unique geometry of the invention allows it to be oriented vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: A system for transporting inventory includes an inventory holder and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder includes a frame capable of storing inventory items and a docking plate capable of receiving a docking head from underneath. The mobile drive unit, includes a docking head capable of coupling to the docking plate and a drive module capable of propelling the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is further capable to move the inventory holder when the docking head is coupled to the inventory holder.

Abstract: A modified cart and coil hanger assembly wherein vertical support assemblies are provided to receive the coil turns for lifting and transport to and from the field and which are selectively locked to a coil cart main body for ground transport. As such, the assembly of the invention provides the advantages of a fully mobile coil cart including the ability to manage floor lay down space in the field rewind area as well as coil hanging and overhead transport as required for field rewind.

Abstract: A specimen transport system for transporting a specimen, includes, a preceding section, a succeeding section located apart from the preceding section, a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism attached to the preceding section and/or the succeeding section and configured to transport a rack capable of holding a plurality of specimen containers which contain the specimen, and a car configured to travel between the preceding section and the succeeding section and provided with a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism configured to transport the rack capable of holding a plurality of specimen containers which contain the specimen.

Abstract: A warehouse palette rack repositioning assembly which can move a palette rack in its fully loaded state from one area of the warehouse to the other area of the warehouse. The warehouse pallet rack repositioning assembly can be installed onto a pallet rack by one workman. The assembly has a lifting unit and four wheeled skate units which provide the transportation means. The lifting unit is attached to the palette rack upright legs in the transverse direction, and a jack is used to actuate the lifting unit and lift the palette rack. The wheeled skate units are then installed underneath the palette rack uprights, with the pallet rack then being loaded onto the wheeled skate units for transportation.

Abstract: An automated cart unloading/conveyor system for automated unloading of articles from a transport vehicle or cart to one or more transfer surfaces, conveyors, or other platforms. A specially configured cart carries articles to be transferred upon shelves. The cart is engaged by a cart drive mechanism which propels the cart along a path which interfaces with one or more diverter arms configured to interface with the cart to transfer articles from the cart onto one or more conveyors. In one embodiment, the cart may have multiple shelves which interface with multiple conveyors along the cart drive path, and further each shelf of the cart may be divided with a diverter arm positioned to interface with each divided portion of each shelf of the cart.

Abstract: A system for delivering products for human consumption from a manufacturing center to passenger carrying vehicles comprises packaging the products in a manufacturing center into carriers. Each carrier carrying a plurality of products. The carriers are delivered in bulk to a distribution center. At the distribution center predetermined numbers of carriers are loaded into respective containers for distribution to the vehicles. In transit in the vehicles the products are distributed to the passengers from the containers.

Abstract: A magazine with removable inclined frames comprising a plurality of inclined frames arranged side by side in a parking area, each frame having, at its base, a carriage-like structure which carries the inclined frame so that it is mounted on, and slideable in, a pair of rails dedicated thereto in the parking area. A transfer structure is provided to the side of the parking area and comprises a shuttle to receive one or more carriages and to convey the carriage at right angles to the plane of arrangement of the frame. A motor is provided for producing the translational motion of the carriages on the shuttle, and additional motors are provided for producing the translational motion of the shuttle parallel to the parking area of the set of frames.

Abstract: A method for temporarily storing a plurality of endless, intermediate articles of manufacture being characterized by: (i) placing an endless, intermediate article of manufacture in a load/unload position on the storage device 10; (ii) indexing the article out of the load/unload position and into a storage position; and (iii) repeating these steps with additional articles. In the preferred method, the step of indexing the article into a storage position being further characterized by the steps of: (i) detecting the presence of the article in the load/unload position; (ii) moving the article away from the load/unload position; and (iii) stopping the article when the presence of the article in the load/unload position is no longer detected.

Abstract: A cart for the changeout of modules such as a laser chamber module. In one example, the cart includes at least two platforms that are movable with respect to a frame of the cart and that are coupled together such that an upward force for a vertical movement with respect to the frame of one platform provides a vertical movement with respect to the frame of a second platform at an elevated position. The platforms are coupled to each other with chains, wire, or linkage structures. With some carts, the platforms are removable from the rest of the frame. Also with some carts, an upper platform is collapsible on a lower platform. Some carts include two wheel bases that are foldable with respect to one another so as to allow the cart to traverse a surface obstacle by folding one wheel base down over the surface obstacle and transferring a load to that wheel base from another wheel base located on the opposite side of the surface obstacle.

Abstract: A unit for sorting and transferring sheets of glass has a number of carriages, each having a number of compartments for receiving respective sheets of glass; and a sorting device for supporting the sheets and feeding each of the sheets into a respective compartment; the sorting device having a support for supporting a sheet and rotating about an axis of rotation; and the carriages being arranged in a ring about the rotary support.

Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring sheets from which cards with a monetary value and/or identity cards are punched, where the cards are arranged in rows on the sheets. The device is configured such that the number of cameras used is independent of the number of rows of cards. The device has a table on which at least two sheets can be laid. A camera can be moved along and across the table, and a conveyor device travels along the table above the camera.

Abstract: A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a library cart is provided for a cart having a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members. The loading system includes a cart tilting mechanism for receiving and tilting the cart so as to raise the second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that the shelves are at a selected angle relative to the ground plane. The loading system also includes a placer device having a rack member for supporting an individual item and a pusher element for pushing the individual item off of the rack member.