A thrust lifting device that is able to transmit a thrust force for lifting loads, includes at least one articulated lift column provided with at least one meshing part, and with at least one arm directed upward from the meshing part, the lift column made up of links with a link of rank 1 at the upper end of the upwardly directed arm and running links of rank n, where n is between 2 and N, the number of links of the lift column, at least one rotary pinion driving the lift column by the meshing part meshing with the pinion, at least one arm opposite the upwardly directed arm and formed by resting links, the resting links being able to pass to the meshing part and to the upwardly directed arm by rotation of the pinion, and at least one stabilizer that is movable along the upwardly directed arm.

A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of first pieces shaped like a plate and coupled bendably with one another by first hinge sections, and a plurality of second pieces C-shaped or hollow square-shaped in transverse section. Each of the first hinge sections is made up of a shaft, columnar in shape, and bearing sections for the shaft, the bearing sections being provided on front and rear ends of each of the first pieces. A flange, non-circular in shape, is provided at a rear end of the shaft. A receiving section shaped as a recess and configured to accommodate a shape of the flange is provided in the bearing section at the front or rear end of the first piece. The flange is fitted in the receiving section.

A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of first pieces shaped like a plate and coupled bendably with one another by first hinge sections, and a plurality of second pieces C-shaped or hollow square-shaped in transverse section. Each of the first hinge sections is made up of a shaft, columnar in shape, and bearing sections for the shaft, the bearing sections being provided on front and rear ends of each of the first pieces. A flange, non-circular in shape, is provided at a rear end of the shaft. A receiving section shaped as a recess and configured to accommodate a shape of the flange is provided in the bearing section at the front or rear end of the first piece. The flange is fitted in the receiving section.

Robotic limbs and methods of operating robotic limbs are described. In some embodiments, a robotic limb includes a chain and a growing point. The growing point is configured to selectively move links through the growing point, and to rotationally lock and/or unlock each link relative to adjacent links as they are moved through the growing point. In some embodiments, a robotic system includes two or more robotic limbs arranged in a parallel configuration. The growing points of the robotic limbs are connected such that the robotic system steers by selectively growing one robotic limbs relative to the other robotic limb(s). In some embodiments, a method of operating a robotic limb includes drawing a link of a chain into a growing point, rotating the growing point relative to a rigid portion of the chain, and locking a relative angle between the link and at least one other link of the chain.

Robotic limbs and methods of operating robotic limbs are described. In some embodiments, a robotic limb includes a chain and a growing point. The growing point is configured to selectively move links through the growing point, and to rotationally lock and/or unlock each link relative to adjacent links as they are moved through the growing point. In some embodiments, a robotic system includes two or more robotic limbs arranged in a parallel configuration. The growing points of the robotic limbs are connected such that the robotic system steers by selectively growing one robotic limbs relative to the other robotic limb(s). In some embodiments, a method of operating a robotic limb includes drawing a link of a chain into a growing point, rotating the growing point relative to a rigid portion of the chain, and locking a relative angle between the link and at least one other link of the chain.

The invention relates to an actuating device for an approximately horizontal mobile platform that is able to be set in movement in a vertical direction between a high position and a low position, and having a frame supporting the platform, said actuating device having at least one rigid chain actuated by at least one motor secured to the frame, and a guide member for guiding the rigid chain between a position substantially extended in the direction of the ground and a position substantially stowed parallel to the frame.

A retort system includes a vessel having an access opening accessible via a movable door, a basket supporting assembly within the vessel and along which container baskets are movable for loading into the vessel and unloading from the vessel and a heating system for heating containers for treatment within the vessel. A container basket load/unload system moves container baskets into the vessel and for moving container baskets out of the vessel, and includes a rigid chain unit aligned or alignable with the access opening such that a rigid chain can be moved along a chain feed path into the vessel via the access opening.

A retort system includes a vessel having an access opening accessible via a movable door, a basket supporting assembly within the vessel and along which container baskets are movable for loading into the vessel and unloading from the vessel and a heating system for heating containers for treatment within the vessel. A container basket load/unload system moves container baskets into the vessel and for moving container baskets out of the vessel, and includes a rigid chain unit aligned or alignable with the access opening such that a rigid chain can be moved along a chain feed path into the vessel via the access opening.

A robotic picking assembly (100) comprising an arm support arrangement (8) configured to move vertically and to rotate about a vertical axis. A horizontally extendable arm (1) is supported in the arm support arrangement. A gripping tool (20) arranged at a free end (1a) of the arm. The arm comprises arm modules (2) linked together in a chain. The arm modules (2) have a pivot means (4) linking adjacent arm modules together in a pivoting manner and a pivot restriction means (15, 16, 18, 19) limiting curving of the arm to only one direction. The arm support arrangement (8) has an arm guiding arrangement (25, 21, 21a, 21b, 33) guiding the arm between an extended position and a retracted position, and an arm drive arrangement (7) configured to move the arm between said extended and retracted positions.

The invention relates to an actuator with an anti-backbend chain, a drive motor, and a worm which can be driven by the drive motor. The anti-backbend chain has alternating inner and outer chain links, and chain pins which connect the links, wherein at least some of the chain pins have laterally protruding engagement regions which engage with the worm in order to drive the anti-backbend chain. Such an actuator is to have a more advantageous design. For this purpose, the worm is designed as a hollow worm, and the engagement regions of the chain pins engage with an inner helical surface of the hollow worm.