A vacuum operated object lifting system is disclosed that can use air pressure differentials to anchor the lifting system to the floor or other structure. The vacuum lifting system includes a main structure having a space defined in the bottom thereof and a lifting arm system extending from the main structure for grasping and moving a load. The vacuum lifting system includes a vacuum pumping system including an air pump and a conduit system extending from the air pump to the space in the bottom of the main structure. Use of the air pump to draw air out of the conduit system creates pressure differential between ambient air pressure and air pressure in the space of the main structure to anchor the vacuum lifting system to the ground. The vacuum pumping system may also grasp the load by suction.

An elongated container has a convex shape with a bulge defining a center width of the elongated container. An apparatus and method for lifting the elongated container are described. The apparatus performs a pick operation from a front side of the elongated container. The pick operation includes approaching and gripping the elongated container from the front side. During the pick operation, an outer dimension of the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to an elongated direction defined by the elongated container is smaller than the center width of the elongated container.

A suction device for retaining and/or transporting objects, comprising a main supporting body (2) and at least one operating plate (3) provided with suction holes (7) connected to and suction means, in which the operating plate (3) is removably associated with the main supporting body (2) and has a second connecting face (5) coupled to a first connecting face (4) of the main supporting body (2), and in which the device also comprises one or more magnets (13) and one or more ferromagnetic bodies (14), each ferromagnetic body (14) being magnetically coupled to one or more magnets (13) when the operating plate (3) is associated with the main supporting body (2) for keeping the operating plate (3) fastened to the main supporting body (2), each magnet (13) and the ferromagnetic body (14) magnetically coupled to it being constrained respectively one to the operating plate (3), the other to the main supporting body (2).

A portable vacuum lifter system having a power source, drive motor, vacuum pump and reservoir contained in a readily carriable case. The system also has a vacuum pad in fluid communication with the vacuum pump via a vacuum line and a solenoid operated valve. The system is removably mountable on a small host vehicle for use in confined areas.

A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

A cover assembly may include a cover having a top surface which is generally planar and substantially void of any features formed thereon and an attach and release mechanism mechanically coupled to the top surface and configured to mechanically engage with a corresponding engagement feature of a physical object in order to mechanically retain the cover assembly in a fixed position relative to the physical object.

A vacuum lifter of this disclosure includes a spreader bar having a lifting lug at a top end and pad hanger locations at a bottom end; a pair of legs rotatably connected at a corresponding end of the spreader bar, each leg including a foot at a lower end of the leg; each leg having a first locking position in which the foot is below the spreader bar and a second locking position in which the foot is above the spreader bar; and a pair of vacuum pads adapted for connection to a vacuum source and to the pad hanger locations of the spreader bar. The spreader bar may be extendable. The vacuum source may be mounted on the spreader bar. The vacuum lifter is useful for lifting objects out of confined spaces below grade.

A traffic barrier lifter mountable on a boom and having a gearbox with a first and a second rotating axis; a pair of opposing arms directly mounted to the first and second rotating axis and a rotator capable of rotating the lifter relative to the boom, wherein the gearbox is capable of moving the pair of opposing arms from an open position to a closed position such that the arms can clamp onto a traffic barrier. The rotator being capable of rotating the arms and traffic barrier relative to the boom.

A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.

Device for manipulating a flat object (1), comprising a lifting hook (2) and a traverse (4) with suction cups (5), which are evacuated by a vacuum pump (6). The traverse is connected to the hook via a bearing structure (7), so that the traverse can be rotated (R) and be tilted (K). The vacuum pump tilts but does not co-rotate with the traverse and the object.