A vacuum gripper for gripping an object surface using vacuum suction is configured to be portable or operated by a hoist. Battery conservation measures are included to provide a long term vacuum generation capability, together with manually rechargeable mechanism. A manually-operated vacuum pump is also integrated to the vacuum gripper as a safeguard for the battery-operated vacuum pump failure. The vacuum gripper includes an elastic deformable vacuum seal for gripping objects with irregular surfaces, together with press rods or pin array configured to assist the vacuum seal in filling any gaps between the vacuum seal and the object surface.

A goods picking apparatus includes a goods picking assembly, a sensor, and a depth determining module; the sensor is provided on the goods picking assembly and configured to collect a measurement signal when the goods picking assembly extends; the depth determining module is configured to determine a depth of a goods container according to the measurement signal; and the goods picking assembly is configured to pick or place the goods container according to the depth of the goods container, where the depth is a length of the goods container in an extension direction of the goods picking assembly during goods picking.

The invention relates to a portable device (1) for amplifying an axial force applied to a tool, which includes: means (100) for linking the device to a user; means (2) for guiding the tool (4) it translation along a longitudinal axis (X); means for actuating the tool, including a drain (5) provided with a motor (6) and a rope (7) rigidly connected to the tool (4) and forming at least one turn (8) around the drum (5); and means for controlling the actuating means in order to apply a force to the tool in response to a force provided by the user via a control member. The means (100) for linking, tile device to the user and the means (2) for guiding the tool (4) in translation allow the tool (4) to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis (X) and about at least one axis (Z, Y) extending in a plane (P) which is normal to the longitudinal axis (X).

The invention relates to a portable device (1) for amplifying an axial force applied to a tool, which includes: means (100) for linking the device to a user; means (2) for guiding the tool (4) it translation along a longitudinal axis (X); means for actuating the tool, including a drain (5) provided with a motor (6) and a rope (7) rigidly connected to the tool (4) and forming at least one turn (8) around the drum (5); and means for controlling the actuating means in order to apply a force to the tool in response to a force provided by the user via a control member. The means (100) for linking, tile device to the user and the means (2) for guiding the tool (4) in translation allow the tool (4) to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis (X) and about at least one axis (Z, Y) extending in a plane (P) which is normal to the longitudinal axis (X).

Devices and methods for creating a secure overhead anchor from which to perform tasks such as climbing, hauling, lifting, and rescuing tasks with respect to shipping containers (e.g., intermodal containers) are described herein. The disclosure relates to a device that can be placed, for example, into corner castings on standardized shipping containers at a distance, for example by a pole or other comparable component, and which can securely fit into the standardized corner castings of a shipping container even when a twistlock device or similar component is installed in the casting to hold the target container to another container above or below it. A head of the device can be rotated between a first configuration for inserting the device into the casting, and a second configuration for securing the device to the casting. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Devices and methods for creating a secure overhead anchor from which to perform tasks such as climbing, hauling, lifting, and rescuing tasks with respect to shipping containers (e.g., intermodal containers) are described herein. The disclosure relates to a device that can be placed, for example, into corner castings on standardized shipping containers at a distance, for example by a pole or other comparable component, and which can securely fit into the standardized corner castings of a shipping container even when a twistlock device or similar component is installed in the casting to hold the target container to another container above or below it. A head of the device can be rotated between a first configuration for inserting the device into the casting, and a second configuration for securing the device to the casting. Methods of using the device are also provided.

An apparatus comprises a main arm having links extending from a ground end to an effector end and allowing movement of the effector end from a first position to a second position, the links including at least a base link adapted to be pivotally connected to a base, and a spacing link pivotally mounted to a free end of the base link and extending to the effector end. A first 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the base link of the main arm. A second 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the spacing link of the main arm and an effector link at the effector end adapted to support an object. A serial interconnection is between the first 4-bar parallelogram and the second 4-bar parallelogram constraining the effector link to maintaining a constant orientation in at least two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the base.

A string hanging device for hanging a continuous ornamental string on a physical object having a portion elevated above the upward reach of a user, is disclosed. The string hanging device includes a tubular member having an arcuately curved interior passageway configured for receiving the ornamental string. The passageway includes an entry port and an exit port. A pole member is included that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler portion disposed at the distal end. A coupler is provided for removably coupling the tubular member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole. A hook member includes a coupler for removably coupling the hook member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole.

The invention relates to a device for holding and releasing an object, comprising a main body comprising a housing to at least partially accommodate said object and an opening to enable at least a portion of the object to be removed, a lid that can be moved from a closed position preventing access to said opening and an open position enabling access to said opening, and a stop mechanism designed such that it can be moved to different positions relative to the main body towards the opening of said main body, but blocked in the other direction, to enable the stop mechanism to be brought into contact with or close to the object while preventing any recoil of the stop mechanism. The invention also relates to a corresponding production method and release methods.

The invention relates to a device for holding and releasing an object, comprising a main body comprising a housing to at least partially accommodate said object and an opening to enable at least a portion of the object to be removed, a lid that can be moved from a closed position preventing access to said opening and an open position enabling access to said opening, and a stop mechanism designed such that it can be moved to different positions relative to the main body towards the opening of said main body, but blocked in the other direction, to enable the stop mechanism to be brought into contact with or close to the object while preventing any recoil of the stop mechanism. The invention also relates to a corresponding production method and release methods.