A method of manipulating boxes includes receiving a minimum box size for a plurality of boxes varying in size located in a walled container. The method also includes dividing a grip area of a gripper into a plurality of zones. The method further includes locating a set of candidate boxes based on an image from a visual sensor. For each zone, the method additionally includes, determining an overlap of a respective zone with one or more neighboring boxes to the set of candidate boxes. The method also includes determining a grasp pose for a target candidate box that avoids one or more walls of the walled container. The method further includes executing the grasp pose to lift the target candidate box by the gripper where the gripper activates each zone of the plurality of zones that does not overlap a respective neighboring box to the target candidate box.

A lifting system for lifting and/or lowering loads having a lifting apparatus which is suitable for conveying loads along a lifting direction from a first transfer position into a second transfer position and along a lowering direction from the second transfer position to the first transfer position, and a conveyor apparatus which is suitable for taking on, at the first and/or the second transfer position, the loads conveyed by the lifting apparatus. The conveyor apparatus has at least one holding pendulum which is pivotable into a holding position, wherein the lifting apparatus has at least one holding receptacle for the holding pendulum, wherein the holding pendulum, in the holding position, can be placed in engagement with the holding receptacle, by a movement of the holding receptacle in the lowering direction, such that a movement of the lifting apparatus in the lowering direction is blocked, and/or the holding pendulum, in the holding position, can be placed in engagement with the holding receptacle, by a movement of the holding receptacle in the lifting direction, in such a way that a movement of the lifting apparatus in the lifting direction is blocked. The holding receptacle has a first guide track, wherein the first guide track is designed so as, during a movement of the holding receptacle along the lifting direction or the lowering direction, to move the holding pendulum into a first position in which the holding pendulum cannot be placed in engagement with the holding receptacle.

A lifting system for lifting and/or lowering loads having a lifting apparatus which is suitable for conveying loads along a lifting direction from a first transfer position into a second transfer position and along a lowering direction from the second transfer position to the first transfer position, and a conveyor apparatus which is suitable for taking on, at the first and/or the second transfer position, the loads conveyed by the lifting apparatus. The conveyor apparatus has at least one holding pendulum which is pivotable into a holding position, wherein the lifting apparatus has at least one holding receptacle for the holding pendulum, wherein the holding pendulum, in the holding position, can be placed in engagement with the holding receptacle, by a movement of the holding receptacle in the lowering direction, such that a movement of the lifting apparatus in the lowering direction is blocked, and/or the holding pendulum, in the holding position, can be placed in engagement with the holding receptacle, by a movement of the holding receptacle in the lifting direction, in such a way that a movement of the lifting apparatus in the lifting direction is blocked. The holding receptacle has a first guide track, wherein the first guide track is designed so as, during a movement of the holding receptacle along the lifting direction or the lowering direction, to move the holding pendulum into a first position in which the holding pendulum cannot be placed in engagement with the holding receptacle.

A lifting device including a body, at least a first support member and a second support member associated with the body, a power source, a platform movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position, wherein the lifting device is configured to receive an object on the platform, and to raise or lower the object between the first position and the second position; and a platform lifting mechanism associated with the platform, configured to lift and lower the platform so as to lift and lower a subject thereon.

A lifting device including a body, at least a first support member and a second support member associated with the body, a power source, a platform movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position, wherein the lifting device is configured to receive an object on the platform, and to raise or lower the object between the first position and the second position; and a platform lifting mechanism associated with the platform, configured to lift and lower the platform so as to lift and lower a subject thereon.

A sod harvester with an increased sod harvesting rate obtainable through a reduction in the time for completion of a sod handling cycle with the reduction in time obtained through changes in the interactions of transfer mechanisms within the sod harvester.

The safety barrier is for a lift platform that moves between a bottom position and an upper position and safety barrier includes a gate, defining a first plane. The gate includes a surface adapted to engage a cam assembly. The safety barrier has a mount that mounts to the lift platform and a mounting pin, defining an axis, that rotatably mounts the gate. The safety barrier also includes an upright post assembly having an upright post mounted to a non-movable surface, and the cam assembly that applies an upward force to the surface of the gate. When the lift platform moves to the bottom position, the assembly engages the surface and the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into an open position, and when the lift platform moves to the upper position, the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into a closed position.

The safety barrier is for a lift platform that moves between a bottom position and an upper position and safety barrier includes a gate, defining a first plane. The gate includes a surface adapted to engage a cam assembly. The safety barrier has a mount that mounts to the lift platform and a mounting pin, defining an axis, that rotatably mounts the gate. The safety barrier also includes an upright post assembly having an upright post mounted to a non-movable surface, and the cam assembly that applies an upward force to the surface of the gate. When the lift platform moves to the bottom position, the assembly engages the surface and the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into an open position, and when the lift platform moves to the upper position, the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into a closed position.

A grinding mill for pulverizing material includes a platform having an upper surface and defining a recess having a floor, the recess configured to seat a dish in which the material is disposed, and a movable securing frame that is movably connected with the platform, the frame including a lift support having an upper surface that is movable along a path from a first location that is beneath the floor of the recess, through the recess, to a second location that is coplanar with the upper surface of the platform. A motor configured to cause oscillation of the platform and the movable securing frame can be used. A method of using the grinding mill can include placing a dish above a recess defined by an upper surface of a platform, and lowering the frame with respect to the platform, thereby seating the dish within the recess.

A removable display hoist includes a first clamp configured to be removably coupled to a first portion of a telescoping support member, a second clamp configured to be removably coupled to a second portion of the telescoping support member, and an actuator assembly coupled between the first clamp and the second clamp, where the actuator assembly is configured to extend and retract the removable display hoist.