A mixed mode robot is provided having an autonomous mode, wherein the robot moves autonomously, and a manual mode, wherein the robot is passive and allows manual manipulation by a user. The mixed mode robot is wheeled and in an embodiment is powered by one or more direct drive motor while in the autonomous mode. One or more handholds are adapted for use by a user to move the robot when the robot is in the manual mode. A processor associated with the robot places the robot in a selected one of the autonomous mode and the manual mode, such that the robot is easily moved by a user when in the manual mode.

The present disclosure provides a grasping device and an alarm method thereof. The grasping device includes: a bendable support part; a bend limiting support part that supports the bendable support part and limits bending of the bendable support part in a first direction, but allows bending of the bendable support part in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a plurality of suction members located on a side of the bend limiting support part away from the bendable support part and connected to the bendable support part.

The present invention provides a lid closing device and a lid closing method, each of which does not require a high degree of accuracy when performing a lid closing operation. A holding portion moves such that a lid is located at a position above a container. Holding of the lid by the holding portion is released at the position above the container. The lid falls to cover the container. Thus, the lid closing operation is performed.

The telescoping back tool kit is a multipurpose tool. The telescoping back tool kit comprises a base apparatus, a plurality of heads, and a threaded connection. The threaded connection removably attaches a head selected from the plurality of heads to the base apparatus. The head forms the working element of the telescoping back tool kit. The purpose of the telescoping back tool kit is changed by interchanging two heads selected from the plurality of heads. The base apparatus is a mechanical structure used to adjust the span of the distance between a user of the telescoping back tool kit and head selected from the plurality of heads.

The telescoping back tool kit is a multipurpose tool. The telescoping back tool kit comprises a base apparatus, a plurality of heads, and a threaded connection. The threaded connection removably attaches a head selected from the plurality of heads to the base apparatus. The head forms the working element of the telescoping back tool kit. The purpose of the telescoping back tool kit is changed by interchanging two heads selected from the plurality of heads. The base apparatus is a mechanical structure used to adjust the span of the distance between a user of the telescoping back tool kit and head selected from the plurality of heads.

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.

A cargo retrieval assembly includes a handle that has a length of at least 1.2 meters and the handle may be extended into a bed of a pickup. A member is slidably positioned in the handle such that the handle and the member combine to have a telescopically adjustable length, and the member has a length of at least 1.2 meters. A rocker is pivotally coupled to the handle and the rocker engages the member when the rocker is in a locking position to retain the handle and the member at a selected length. The rocker disengages the member when the rocker is manipulated for adjusting the telescopic length of the handle and the member. A grapple is removably coupled to the member has the grapple is oriented perpendicular to the member for engaging, and thusly retrieving, cargo when the member is extended into the bed of the pickup.

A magnetic handling device for handling an object in a workspace, the device including a tubular case of a non-magnetic or weakly magnetic material, including adjacent sliding faces, a first end of the tubular case open and in communication with the workspace, a ferromagnetic armature slidably arranged in the tubular case according to the longitudinal axis of the tubular case, a handling shaft extending through the tubular case, the handling shaft coupled to the ferromagnetic armature to slide toward or in the workspace, an actuator outside the tubular case, including magnets forming a magnetic system with the ferromagnetic armature, the actuator configured to make the ferromagnetic armature slide according to the tubular case longitudinal axis, actuator inner surfaces and outer surfaces of the ferromagnetic armature configured to match with the sliding faces, the ferromagnetic armature configured to be pressed on the sliding faces of the tubular case by the magnets.

A magnetic handling device for handling an object in a workspace, the device including a tubular case of a non-magnetic or weakly magnetic material, including adjacent sliding faces, a first end of the tubular case open and in communication with the workspace, a ferromagnetic armature slidably arranged in the tubular case according to the longitudinal axis of the tubular case, a handling shaft extending through the tubular case, the handling shaft coupled to the ferromagnetic armature to slide toward or in the workspace, an actuator outside the tubular case, including magnets forming a magnetic system with the ferromagnetic armature, the actuator configured to make the ferromagnetic armature slide according to the tubular case longitudinal axis, actuator inner surfaces and outer surfaces of the ferromagnetic armature configured to match with the sliding faces, the ferromagnetic armature configured to be pressed on the sliding faces of the tubular case by the magnets.