A vacuum-assisted panel lifter includes a lifter attachment jib having a proximal end for mounting the vacuum-assisted panel lifter to an arm of a work vehicle and having a distal end that includes a rotator. The lifter includes a lifter frame rotationally mounted to the rotator and a plurality of modular vacuum-assisted lift pad assemblies. Each of the plurality of modular vacuum-assisted lift pad assemblies comprises a suction cup and a double-acting pneumatic actuator to displace the suction cup into engagement with a panel to be lifted. The double-acting pneumatic actuator furthermore creates a vacuum inside the suction cup when the suction cup engages the panel.

A vacuum-assisted panel lifter includes a lifter attachment jib having a proximal end for mounting the vacuum-assisted panel lifter to an arm of a work vehicle and having a distal end that includes a rotator. The lifter includes a lifter frame rotationally mounted to the rotator and a plurality of modular vacuum-assisted lift pad assemblies. Each of the plurality of modular vacuum-assisted lift pad assemblies comprises a suction cup and a double-acting pneumatic actuator to displace the suction cup into engagement with a panel to be lifted. The double-acting pneumatic actuator furthermore creates a vacuum inside the suction cup when the suction cup engages the panel.

An automated guided vehicle includes a frame forming a payload area, a vacuum case transfer mechanism having one or more degrees of freedom and configured to vacuum-couple with a case, and a friction case transfer mechanism that is configured to grip the case and at least cooperate with the vacuum case transfer mechanism to effect transfer of the case to the payload area.

Building material installation equipment includes: a sucking device for sucking panels, a rotating device for driving the sucking device to rotate, a cross translation device, a swinging device and a mechanical arm; a slip ring is arranged in the rotating device and electrically connected with the sucking device; the cross translation device comprises longitudinal translation plate and transverse translation plate which are capable of driving the sucking device to make a translational movement; the longitudinal translation plate and the transverse translation plate are arranged in a direction parallel to gravity, and are fitted; and the swinging device can drive the cross translation device to swing to one side of the mechanical arm.

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 gripping equipment for lifting apparatuses includes a rigid supporting framework which is adapted to be fixed/attached to the lifting apparatus. The equipment has one or more manually-operated gripping members that are fixed on the rigid supporting framework and are adapted to grasp and hold a specific object to be moved. A revolving joint is interposed between the rigid supporting framework and the lifting apparatus and allows the rigid supporting framework to rotate with respect to the lifting apparatus about a substantially vertical, first rotation axis. At least one adjustment assembly is interposed between the revolving joint and the rigid supporting framework or between two rigid elements of said rigid supporting framework and allows the position/orientation of the rigid supporting framework with respect to the vertical to be manually adjusted.

A photovoltaic power generation module installation support system according to the present invention comprises: a conveyer device, which assembles a plurality of photovoltaic power generation modules into one string and moves same in one direction; and a loading cart including an accommodation space in which the string moved from the conveyer device is loaded in the direction that is horizontal to the ground, wherein the conveyer device includes one or more end stoppers for providing a vertical alignment line of the photovoltaic power generation module first arranged at one end of a conveyor.

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.

A Building Element Lift Enhancer is described. The Building Element Lift Enhancer provides for the movement and precise placement of building elements such as blocks or sheet products by one worker. The Building Element Lift Enhancer senses the force applied by a user to the building element and converts that user applied force to mechanically assisted force from the Building Element Lift Enhancer, allowing the user to precisely move and handle large, heavy or bulky building elements by direct interaction with the building element.

Generally, a transportable lift system operable to capture and raise materials from a first height to a second height. Specifically, a lift having first and second length adjustable supports having second ends pivotally coupled to allow opposite first ends to be secured to a surface a distance apart to allow a line pay-out device coupled to the first length adjustable support to pay out a line proximate the first length adjustable support second end, whereby materials attached to the line can be raised from a first height to a second height.