The system can include: a container 110, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

According to one embodiment, there is taught herein a family of “branched” variants of the traditional scissor mechanism, in which each stage is formed from more than two arms, joined at their midpoints by a branched rivet. In one embodiment arms in adjacent stages are joined at their endpoints with joints that allow for rotation in a single plane. Each resulting mechanism has one degree of freedom in its motion. It deploys from a compact, collapsed state to an extended state. One embodiment is a grasping member that is mechanically coupled to a scissor mechanism so that when scissor mechanism is collapsed the grasping member is open. Then, when the scissor mechanism is extended the grasping member becomes closed.

A hydraulic control system for linear actuation that includes an electric motor connected to a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic cylinder connected to the pump by a first flow line. A pressure transducer, a pressure control valve, and a check valve are connected to the first flow line between the pump and the cylinder and a tank is connected to the pump by a second flow line and the cylinder by a return line. A control valve is connected between the first flow line and the return line.

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to vertically stabilized platforms. These platforms have a top portion that moves only along a single axis (e.g., vertically up and down), and a bottom portion that remains stationary relative to a reference frame. The top portion is coupled with the bottom portion by scissor linkages that are all configured to slide on one end to allow the top portion to move up and down without any perturbations or movements along any other axes. Stabilization in some embodiments is accomplished by incorporating struts that couple with both the bottom portion (either directly or indirectly) and two of the scissor linkages. Struts can include both a damper and a spring and can be selected based on anticipated load to be stabilized. Embodiments can be mounted on, e.g., truck beds, ships, or other surfaces that can move, giving rise to a need for a stabilized platform.

A lift device includes a base, a platform configured to support an operator, and a scissor assembly coupling the base to the platform. The scissor assembly includes a first scissor layer including a first inner arm pivotally coupled to a first outer arm. The first inner arm is configured rotate relative to the first outer arm about a first middle axis. The first scissor layer has a first end axis center point. An actuator is configured to move the platform between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position relative to the base. The first middle axis is offset vertically from the first end axis center point.

A battery block moving assembly for handling and a manipulation with a battery block is described. The battery block moving assembly includes a trolley, a platform, a lift mechanism and a battery block moving mechanism. The battery block moving mechanism includes a pin and a horizontal pin moving mechanism configured to move the pin. The pin is configured to engage and move a battery block.

A lift assembly including a platform movable to a raised position, a lowered position, and an intermediate position between the raised and lowered positions. A scissor arm system defines a cavity beneath the platform. The scissor arm system includes a pair of scissor arms pivotably connected to each other. The scissor arm system has opposed first and second ends with the first ends of the scissor arm system being coupled to the platform. A stanchion guides the platform between the raised and lowered positions. The stanchion extends from a first stanchion end to a second stanchion end above the first stanchion end. A drive mechanism is mounted to the platform to move with the platform. A flexible member is coupled to the stanchion and the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism winds and unwinds the flexible member to move the platform between the raised and lowered positions.

A pantograph-type lifting system comprises a base; a platform connected to the base by a pair of levers each comprising a first lever and a second lever mutually hinged in a fulcrum, the first lever having a lower end hinged to the base, and an upper end sliding connected to the platform, the second lever having a lower end sliding connected to the base, and an upper end hinged to the platform in a fixed spot; a chain-type actuating system of the levers comprising one chain meshed with a first toothed pulley and with a second toothed pulley rotatable connected to the respective levers, the chain-type actuating system being configured to transfer the motion from motor means to the levers through the toothed pulleys in order to approach or move away the ends of the levers with a scissors-like movement to lift or lower the platform.

Each scissor frame of the patient positioning table has a first and a second scissor arm connected in an X-shaped arrangement to pivot about a common pivot axis via a lifting facility for vertically moving the positioning table. The lifting facility includes a roller arrangement configured to be moved by a traction device. The roller arrangement is arranged between, and guides, arm segments of the scissor frames. The arm segments open in a V-shape, wherein the traction device is fixed in position by at least one end and is led via a roller unit having deflecting rollers, one located upstream of the roller arrangement and one located downstream of the roller arrangement. The position of the roller arrangement between the arm segments is variable with the aid of a drive facility, which interacts with the traction device.

A lift for elevating an object having a base including two legs, lifting apparatus associated with each leg, vertically telescoping guard elements extending along each leg, the lifting apparatus being arranged to lift an object disposed above a plane between said legs, the guard elements telescoping vertically when the lifting apparatus is deployed to exclude a person's limb from a space above said planes.