Enhanced Lift Assist Device Systems and Methods are described. The systems and methods are suitable for a lift assist device or an enhanced lift assist device, and include, but are not limited to, a gripper for retention, movement and subsequent placement of an object such as a building element, power saving systems and methods, power down and power restore systems and methods, power and signal handling systems and methods, and impact sensor system systems and methods.
B23Q 7/04 - Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting by means of grippers
An Enhanced Lift Assist Device is described. The device allows a user to lift and manipulate large, heavy or bulky items by applying force to the item as opposed to traditional control methods such as buttons. This force based system provides ease of movement of the item, making it appear much lighter than it actually is. The Enhanced Lift Assist Device also includes an adjustable base that allows for change of orientation of the device that may include leveling or self-leveling functionality, allowing the device to be operated in non-traditional environments that require leveling or operational adjustments for proper functioning.
B66C 23/04 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes with jibs the effective length of which is variable in operation, e.g. longitudinally displaceable, extensible
B66C 23/68 - Jibs foldable or otherwise adjustable in configuration
B66D 3/20 - Power-operated hoists with driving motor, e.g. electric motor, and drum or barrel contained in a common housing
An Enhanced Lift Assist Device is described. The device allows a user to lift and manipulate large, heavy or bulky items by applying force to the item as opposed to traditional control methods such as buttons. This force based system provides ease of movement of the item, making it appear much lighter than it actually is. The Enhanced Lift Assist Device also includes an adjustable base that allows for change of orientation of the device that may include leveling or self-leveling functionality, allowing the device to be operated in non-traditional environments that require leveling or operational adjustments tor proper functioning.
B66C 1/42 - Gripping members engaging only the external or internal surface of the articles
B66C 23/26 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes for use on building sitesCranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes constructed, e.g. with separable parts, to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling, for operation at successively higher levels, for transport by road or rail
B66C 23/68 - Jibs foldable or otherwise adjustable in configuration
B66D 3/04 - Pulley blocks or like devices in which force is applied to a rope, cable or chain, which passes over one or more pulleys, e.g. to obtain mechanical advantage
B66D 3/06 - Pulley blocks or like devices in which force is applied to a rope, cable or chain, which passes over one or more pulleys, e.g. to obtain mechanical advantage with more than one pulley
B66D 3/20 - Power-operated hoists with driving motor, e.g. electric motor, and drum or barrel contained in a common housing
An intuitive control system for lifting equipment is described. The intuitive control system translates user defined inputs into machine expressions of movement that are in turn used to control a construction lift or similar piece of construction equipment. Orientation and relative position sensors may be incorporated into the translation and control system for correct user control of the lifting equipment in various operating conditions.
B25J 13/06 - Control stands, e.g. consoles, switchboards
B25J 13/08 - Controls for manipulators by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
B66F 9/065 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks non-masted
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.
B66C 23/02 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes with non-adjustable and non-inclinable jibs mounted solely for slewing movements
B66C 1/44 - Gripping members engaging only the external or internal surface of the articles and applying frictional forces
B66C 23/26 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes for use on building sitesCranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes constructed, e.g. with separable parts, to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling, for operation at successively higher levels, for transport by road or rail
G05B 19/042 - Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
B66C 1/02 - Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting, lowering, or hauling gear of cranes, or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting forces to articles or groups of articles by suction means
B66C 23/36 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes mounted on road or rail vehiclesManually-movable jib cranes for use in workshopsFloating cranes
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 budding element and converts that user applied force to mechanically assisted fore-e 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.
B66C 21/04 - Cable cranes, i.e. comprising hoisting devices running on aerial cable-ways with cable-ways supported at one end or both ends on bodily-movable framework, e.g. framework mounted on rail track
B66C 23/00 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes
B66C 23/26 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes for use on building sitesCranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes constructed, e.g. with separable parts, to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling, for operation at successively higher levels, for transport by road or rail
A Mortar Delivery System is described. The Mortar Delivery System provides precise control of the delivery and application of mortar in addition to the mixing and tempering of mortar. Such control eliminates the use of a hand trowel in brick, block and stone laying applications. Sensing and control are integrated with the Mortar Delivery System to make it an important element of a robotic brick laying system. The Mortar Delivery System contains sensors to measure mortar viscosity and workability, mortar flow rate, and mortar nozzle pressure. The data from the Mortar Delivery System sensors can be used to change the rotational speed of the shear blades, change the amount of water being used for mixing or tempering, and change the delivery speed of the mortar. Such changes result in precise control of mortar that is in turn suitable for automated or semi-automated building processes.
A laser positioning system is described. The laser positioning system provides a positioning and guidance system that is suitable for environments that have external disturbances such as those caused by wind, equipment movement, vibration, and the like. The laser positioning system of the present invention uses at novel laser line beacon positioning system in optical communication with a novel laser line receiver to achieve accurate positioning in environments with external disturbances, something that has previously not been attainable. In some embodiments, a target or series of targets are used to create a reference by which the laser line receiver and an associated moveable assembly such as a robotic arm assembly are able to accurately place building elements such as bricks. Exemplary applications of the laser positioning system include, but are not limited to, accurate positioning of bricks in a wall under construction by a robotic brick laying system.
G01D 5/26 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
G01C 15/00 - Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups
A Mortal' Delivery System Is described. The Mortar Delivery System provides precise control of the delivery and application, of mortar in addition to the mixing and tempering of mortar. Such control eliminates the use of a hand trowel in brick, block and stone laying applications. Sensing and control are integrated with the Mortar Delivery System to make it an important element of a robotic brick laying system. The Mortar Delivery System contains sensors to measure mortar viscosity and workability, mortar flow rate, and mortar nozzle pressure. The data from the Mortar Delivery System sensors can be used to change the rotational speed of the shear blades, change the amount of water being used for mixing or tempering, and change the delivery speed of the mortar. Such changes result, in precise control of mortar that is in turn suitable for automated or semi-automated building processes.
B28C 5/14 - Mixing in containers not actuated to effect the mixing with stirrers sweeping through the materials the stirrers having motion about a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis
A brick laying system where an operator such as a mason works proximate a moveable platform having a robotic arm assembly, a mortar applicator with a mortar transfer device, and a brick transfer device to build structures. The robotically assisted brick laying system may also contain a stabilizer having a disturbance sensing and a disturbance correcting component that provides compensation for disturbances caused by load shifting, movement of the platform, wind, operator movement, and the like. In addition, the robotically assisted brick laying system has a sensing and positioning component for controlling placement of the moveable platform and robotic arm assembly. The interoperability of the system with a mason or skilled operator removes much of the manual labor component of brick laying, allowing the mason more time to focus on craftsmanship and quality, thus improving the end product and the overall working conditions of the mason.
E04G 21/22 - Tools or apparatus for setting building elements with mortar, e.g. brick-laying machines
B25J 5/04 - Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages travelling along a guideway wherein the guideway is also moved, e.g. travelling crane bridge type
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