Abstract: A robot control apparatus for controlling a robot manipulating a target object includes a measurement unit configured to measure a change of a gripping unit configured to grip the target object when the gripping unit contacts the target object, a first acquisition unit configured to acquire the change of the gripping unit measured by the measurement unit, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a gripping state, which is a state of gripping of the target object by the gripping unit, based on the change of the gripping unit acquired by the first acquisition unit, and a control unit configured to control an action of the robot based on the gripping state acquired by the second acquisition unit.

Abstract: A dispensing tool for dispensing material from a cartridge includes a cartridge holder defining an opening sized to receive the cartridge and including a cartridge rail. The tool further includes a plunger coupled to the cartridge holder such that it is movable axially through the cartridge holder opening, a plunger restraining member coupled to the cartridge holder, a handle coupled to the cartridge rail, and a trigger pivotably coupled to the handle. The handle may be repositionable along the cartridge rail and the plunger restraining member may disengage with the plunger to allow axial movement when the trigger is pivoted relative to the handle.

Abstract: A suction and dispensing tool (1) comprises: a cylinder (10) storing the fluid; a nozzle (20); a piston moving forward and backward in the cylinder (10); a piston rod (40) for driving the piston; and two ratchet type driving mechanisms (60) for driving the piston rod (40) forward and backward. The driving mechanism (60) comprises: a frame (50) having a handle (52), mounted to the cylinder (10), and two triggers (80) rotatably attached to the frame (50) at the front and rear sides of the handle (52). By rotating each of the triggers (80) to the handle (52), the piston rod (40) can be moved forward or backward. The rotating operation of the trigger (80) requires power smaller than an operation for directly pushing and drawing the piston rod by hand. Accordingly, it becomes possible to refill and dispense a high viscosity oil easily.

Abstract: A coupling comprises a pair of clutch end members, a clutch centre member disposed between the clutch end members, and an actuator coupled to one of the end members. Each end member includes concentric V-grooves disposed on a respective face thereof. The centre member is axially movable between the end members, and includes a pair of opposing surfaces. One of the opposing surfaces includes concentric V-grooves configured to mesh with the V-grooves of one of the end members. Another of the opposing surfaces includes concentric V-grooves configured to mesh with the V-grooves of another of the end members. The actuator is configured to couple the end members and the centre member together by urging the V-grooves of the end members into engagement with the V-grooves of the centre member.

Abstract: A robotic gripping apparatus includes one or more constraining plates each having a plurality of holes formed therethrough and a plurality of elongate members. The elongate members are independently movable relative to one another. Each elongate member extends through a respective hole or set of aligning holes in the constraining plate(s). A distal end portion of one or more of the elongate members is capable of exerting a force for drawing an object against the distal end portion to thereby hold or grip the object.

Abstract: A ratchet assembly includes a threaded rod and a support collar that defines a bore. A portion of the threaded rod is disposed in the axial bore of the support collar. A ratchet pawl is pivotable carried by the support collar between locked and unlocked positions. The ratchet pawl has at least one tooth that threadably engages the threaded rod when the ratchet pawl is in the locked position to allow the threaded rod to threadably rotate with respect to the support collar for fine position adjustments. The ratchet pawl automatically pivots to the unlocked position when the threaded rod is forced in a direction from the first end toward the second end to allow for gross position adjustments.

Abstract: A gear stage (14) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, has a driving shaft (16) and a driven shaft (18). The gear stage (14) reduces the rotational speed of the driving shaft (16) to a lower rotational speed of the driven shaft (18). The gear stage (14) comprises at least one row (24) of transmission balls upon which tangentially lie at least one, and in particular two driving surfaces (22) of the driving shaft (16), at least one driven surface (26) of the driven shaft (18) and at least one housing surface (28) of a housing (32).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the separation of a first structure from a second structure at a connecting point thereof, wherein damage to the first structure is minimized.

Abstract: A lever operated rotary drive mechanism, the mechanism including a mounting frame carrying a rotary output member adapted for driving engagement with a rotary drive input, such as a shaft, an operating lever pivotally mounted on the mounting frame for pivotal angular displacement relative to the frame, biasing means for biasing the lever to a rest angular position, the lever being movable within a first angular displacement region located on one side of said rest position and movable within a second angular displacement region located on the opposite side of said rest position and a drive transmission which drivingly connects the lever to the output member to cause rotation of the output member in one rotary direction only on displacement of the lever within said first angular displacement region and to cause rotation of the output member in the opposite rotary direction only on displacement of the lever within said second angular displacement region.

Abstract: A shiftable clamping-type locking mechanism, includes two track-defining elements and a plurality of clamping members, e.g. rollers or balls, arranged between the tracks of the elements and so spring-biased as to seek a clamped position. The clamping members are shiftable by a control unit from the clamped position into a release position in which the clamping members are liberated from the tracks so that the two elements can be freely moved relative to one another. A coupling unit positively connects the two elements to one another in order to prevent an undesired slip between the elements.

Abstract: An improved pistol gripped semi-automatic manually operated screwdriver is provided which provides advantages over conventional semi-automatic pistol gripped screwdrivers. The prior art screwdrivers are generally in the form of a pistol having a handle and a trigger. The trigger is squeezed to activate a sliding rotation actuator mounted on a helically grooved shaft. Pulling the trigger causes the actuator to move along the shaft thereby creating rotation of the shaft as well as a collet or chuck which holds the screwdriver bit. Such prior art devices also include a coiled spring which is adapted to provide a recoil mechanism for the actuator. In the improved device of this invention the screwdriver further includes a ball bearing located in a cup attached to the top of the actuator and a slide slot located within the housing for rolling engagement with a portion of the ball bearing which protrudes into the slot.

Abstract: An infinitely positionable backrest lock for a recliner seat has an upper plate hinged to a lower frame, and a gear train mounted to the lower frame and drivingly engaging the upper plate. The gear train includes a drum surface on which is wound a brake spring normally gripping the drum against rotation for locking the upper plate against pivotal movement. Positive locking of the drum and gear train is assured by an auxiliary spring and associated lever mechanism acting on the brake spring for increasing the frictional engagement between the brake spring and drum surface by more tightly winding the brake spring about the drum. Fail safe operation is assured by a bolt element spring loaded towards interlocking engagement with a toothed periphery of the drum wheel in the event of slippage between the drum surface and brake spring.

Abstract: This actuating and locking apparatus comprises an actuating shaft (1) mounted in two bearings (2) and (3) and on which is mounted a control lever (6), a second lever (25), a spring (15), a part (20) rigidly connected to the shaft (1) and an arm (45) rigidly connected to this shaft and bearing a small plate (43) intended to co-act with an electromagnet (41). The control lever (6) is mounted freely on the actuating shaft (1), while the second lever (25) is rigidly connected to this shaft. In normal operation a connecting rod (14) causes the control lever (6) to pivot around its axis, thus driving via the lateral pin (23) and the recess (24) the second lever (25) and consequently the driving shaft (1). In order to lock e.g. a paper gripper (36), the electromagnet (41) is excited, thus locking the small plate (43), the actuating shaft (1) and the lever (25) in the upper position, allowing free displacement of the control lever (6) and generating torsion on the spring (15) during each cycle.

Abstract: An electrically driven log splitter comprises a frame with a double wedge assembly on one end and a ram carriage slidable along the frame towards and away from the wedge assembly so that a log on the frame will be engaged against the wedge assembly and be split thereby when the ram carriage engages the other end of the log. An electric motor drives an endless chain at a constant speed with the chain extending around sprockets mounted on the frame and being driven by the electric motor through reduction components. The ram carriage mounts a pair of sprockets with the chain passing over one sprocket and under the other. This permits the carriage to be moved manually along the frame with the chain idling over these two sprockets. A log is mounted on the frame against the wedge assembly and the carriage is moved manually along the frame to engage the rear end of the log with the chain idling around the two sprockets within the carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting torsion to a tubular member, including a body member, an arm member, a saddle member, and a loop means such as a chain. Torsion is imparted to the tubular member by inducing tension into the chain entrained around the tubular member so that the tubular member is brought to bear against the body member or dies in the body member. A variety of configurations of the apparatus are possible, permitting adjustment to accept different diameter tubular members and assuring maximum positive load reaction.