A method and apparatus for positioning a manufacturing tool. A wheel assembly comprises a wheel plate and rollers. The wheel plate has a perimeter and an axis of rotation that is tiltable about a tilt axis. The rollers are arranged near the perimeter of the wheel plate, each of the rollers having an axis of rotation parallel to the tilt axis. An apparatus comprises an upper frame, a lower frame associated with the upper frame, a wedge slideably located between the upper frame and the lower frame, and a force applicator associated with the wedge.

A tool device, such as a lawnmower, or a steerable-wheel assembly therefor may include a frame, a walking element, a drive motor, a steerable-wheel assembly (SWA), and one or more controllers attached to the frame. The walking element may be coupled to the frame. The drive motor may selectively power the walking element. The SWA may be attached to the frame apart from the walking element. The SWA may include a caster connector pivotably mounted to the frame to rotate about a pivot axis, a steerable wheel rotatably coupled to the caster connector, a first sensor configured to detect a pivotable position of the caster connector, and a second sensor configured to detect the set reference point.

A tool device, such as a lawnmower, or a steerable-wheel assembly therefor may include a frame, a walking element, a drive motor, a steerable-wheel assembly (SWA), and one or more controllers attached to the frame. The walking element may be coupled to the frame. The drive motor may selectively power the walking element. The SWA may be attached to the frame apart from the walking element. The SWA may include a caster connector pivotably mounted to the frame to rotate about a pivot axis, a steerable wheel rotatably coupled to the caster connector, a first sensor configured to detect a pivotable position of the caster connector, and a second sensor configured to detect the set reference point.

A tool device, such as a lawnmower, or a steerable-wheel assembly therefor may include a frame, a walking element, a drive motor, and a steerable-wheel assembly (SWA). The walking element may be coupled to the frame. The drive motor may selectively power the walking element. The SWA may be attached to the frame apart from the walking element. The SWA may include a caster connector pivotably mounted to the frame to rotate about a pivot axis, a steerable wheel rotatably coupled to the caster connector, a primary drive gear, a primary driven gear, and a secondary driven gear.

A tool device, such as a lawnmower, or a steerable-wheel assembly therefor may include a frame, a walking element, a drive motor, and a steerable-wheel assembly (SWA). The walking element may be coupled to the frame. The drive motor may selectively power the walking element. The SWA may be attached to the frame apart from the walking element. The SWA may include a caster connector pivotably mounted to the frame to rotate about a pivot axis, a steerable wheel rotatably coupled to the caster connector, a detectable magnet fixed to the caster connector to pivot therewith about the pivot axis, and an encoder including a magnetic sensor fixed to the frame apart from the caster connector to detect a pivotable position of the detectable magnet.

A cart stabilization system and rolling cart elements for robotic surgery and other medical instrumentation are disclosed. The cart stabilization system includes a base and lifting caster systems coupled to a bottom portion of the base. Each lifting caster system includes a rolling element, a swivel foot assembly moveably coupled to the rolling element; and a hydraulic mounting base coupled to a portion of the swivel foot assembly. Methods of assembling a lifting caster system and for using a cart stabilization system are also disclosed.

A sturdy lightweight table support system offers advantages of self-squaring, sturdy design, a low unassembled volume combined with simple parts that enable easy assembly, a system that enables user specification of table size that will result in easily prepared components thus all but eliminating stocks of different sized components, and sturdy lockable height adjustments. The self-squaring is achieved with a corner bracket system that uses a corner bracket that is inset with respect to a cross member within which it is mounted so that bolted assembly will result in a large, even pressure about the butt end of the cross member against the post that is extremely resistive to angular displacement of the cross member with respect to the post in any direction.

A sturdy lightweight table support system offers advantages of self-squaring, sturdy design, a low unassembled volume combined with simple parts that enable easy assembly, a system that enables user specification of table size that will result in easily prepared components thus all but eliminating stocks of different sized components, and sturdy lockable height adjustments. The self-squaring is achieved with a corner bracket system that uses a corner bracket that is inset with respect to a cross member within which it is mounted so that bolted assembly will result in a large, even pressure about the butt end of the cross member against the post that is extremely resistive to angular displacement of the cross member with respect to the post in any direction.

A free wheel mechanism includes a basic assembly, a fastening member, a sleeve, a rotating member, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member. The basic assembly comprises a base, a guiding rod, and a free wheel. A guiding hole is defined in the fastening member to receive the guiding rod. One end of the sleeve is received in the guiding hole. The rotating member is positioned in a through hole of the sleeve. The first elastic member is coiled around the guiding rod, and opposite sides of the first elastic member resist against the base and the sleeve on opposite sides. The second elastic member is received in the through hole, and opposite sides of the second elastic member elastically abuts the rotating member and the guiding rod on opposite sides. Meanwhile, a moving apparatus with the free wheel mechanism is provided.

Wheel with an in-wheel suspension system, and suspension member thereof. Wheel includes: stationary member including an axis, rotary member rotatable about the axis, and selective suspension system. The selective suspension system has at least one suspension member positioned between the stationary member and the rotary member, thereby providing a fixed distance therebetween, and retains the fixed distance when stressed up to a threshold value, and recoverably alters the fixed distance when stressed over the threshold value. The suspension member includes: cylindrical housing, piston slidably movable in the cylindrical housing, and compression spring whose first end is connected to the piston and second end is connected to the housing. The compression spring, when fully relaxed or compressed under the threshold value, maintains the housing and piston at a normally fixed distance. Applicable to wheelchairs and bicycles, among other self-propelled and powered vehicles.