ADAPTABLE OBJECT HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

An adaptable object holding device, comprising an extendable circular-shaped platform 101 positioned over a fixed surface, a vertical shaft 102 configured with a plate 3 developed to accommodate an object, a strain sensor to monitor strain experienced by the shaft 102 while holding the object, a touch interactive display panel 104 to provide input regrading shape of the object, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 determines dimensions of the object, multiple extendable strips 201 to provide extension to the strips 201 to accommodate the object over the plate 3, multiple motorized hinge joints to regulate shape of the plate 3 for gripping the object in a secured manner, multiple load cells to monitor weight of the object, a speaker 106 to produce a voice command, multiple suction units 202 to affix the object with the plate 3 and a tactile sensor to monitor hardness of the object.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptable object holding device that is capable of accommodating different types of the object by monitoring the different shape and size of the object as well as monitoring the appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the object while holding the particular object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The handling and the holding of the object is the primary and an essential requirement for the completion of any types of the object. For the different shape and size of the objects the different types of the tools are present, like for heavier objects the trolleys or the platforms are required. Some of the small and light objects are held by the hangers and other lifting objects that does not provide the required rigid support for the objects to perform any of the operations.

[0003] Traditionally, the objects were hold by the user manually by the people for the varieties of the objects. Some tools like object holders and hangers were also used but are not feasible for the different shape and size of the objects. Manual holding of the objects creates the damage for the objects and harms the humans too and the tools used does not offer the same facility for all the object. Thus, there exist a requirement to make an invention that is capable of holding the objects of the different size.

[0004] US20080073821A1 discloses about an invention that has a holding device for holding an object having an opening includes: a first member inserted into the opening, having a cylindrical shape, and including multiple divisional portions divided by notches; and a second member including a shaft movable in the cylindrical shape and a head disposed on one end of the shaft and smaller than the opening and larger than an inner dimension of the cylindrical shape. Each divisional portion is expandable by the head so that the expanded divisional portion holds the object when the first member with the second member is inserted into the opening, and the first member is relatively displaced toward the second member. Although US'821 is able to hold and accommodate the objects as required by the user. However, the device fails to accommodate different shape and size of the object.

[0005] US7425311B2 discloses about an invention that has a holding device for at least one object carrier, the object carrier being suitable to receive one or more organic and/or inorganic samples and comprising materials such as glass, plastic, silicon, pyrolytic graphite, and/or metal, this holding device being configured to be gripped by grippers of a robot. The holding device comprising two essentially parallel lengthwise walls and two essentially parallel transverse walls which extend substantially at right angles from the lengthwise walls. Holding devices according to preferred embodiments are constructed in a frame shape, wherein the lengthwise and transverse walls define a frame surrounding at least one opening which completely transverses the device. Holding devices according to further embodiments are constructed a plate shape, in that the region between the lengthwise walls and transverse walls is implemented as a carrying surface. All embodiments comprising gripping surfaces on the external surface profile of the lengthwise and transverse walls. Though, US'311 is able to hold one device at a time effectively by gripping in two ends. However the device fails in evaluating the pressure applied to hold the object.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are present in the market as mentioned in the prior arts that helps the user in holding and accommodating the objects but fails in accommodating different shape and size of the object as well as the device also fails in evaluating the pressure applied to hold the object.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of accommodating different types of the object by monitoring the different shape and size of the object as well as monitoring the appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the object while holding the particular object.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of accommodating different types of the object by monitoring the different shape and size of the object.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of monitoring the appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the object while holding the particular object.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that portable and reliable to nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an adaptable object holding device that is capable of accommodating different types of the object by monitoring the different shape and size of the object as well as monitoring the appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the object while holding the particular object.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adaptable object holding device comprises of an extendable circular-shaped platform positioned over a fixed surface, a vertical shaft is installed over the platform and configured with a plate developed to accommodate an object, a strain sensor is installed overs the shaft to monitor strain experienced by the shaft while holding the object, a speaker installed over the platform to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the exceeded strain, a touch interactive display panel installed over the platform to provide input regrading shape of the object, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the platform to determine dimensions of the object, multiple extendable strips configured with the plate to provide extension to the strips to accommodate the object over the plate and multiple suction units are installed over each of the strip to create a negative pressure to affix the object with the plate.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of multiple motorized hinge joints each installed in between the strips to regulate shape of the plate in accordance with the user-specified shape for gripping the object in a secured manner, multiple load cells installed over the platform to monitor weight of the object, a motorized expandable pulley arrangement installed in the platform to provide extension to the platform for evenly distributing weight of the object over the surface for holding the object in a secured manner, a tactile sensor installed over the plate to monitor hardness of the object and a pressure sensor installed over the plate to monitor amount of pressure over the object while gripping of the object.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an adaptable object holding device; and
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of plate associated with the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an adaptable object holding device that is capable of accommodating different types of the object by monitoring the different shape and size of the object as well as monitoring the appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the object while holding the particular object.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a perspective of an adaptable object holding device and a perspective view of a plate associated with the proposed device are illustrated, respectively, comprising an extendable circular-shaped platform 101 positioned over a fixed surface, a vertical shaft 102 is installed over the platform 101 and configured with a plate 103, a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over the platform 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed over the platform 101, multiple extendable strips 201 configured with the plate 103, a speaker 106 installed over the platform 101 and multiple suction units 202 are installed over each of the strips 201.

[0023] The proposed device includes an extendable circular-shaped platform 101 positioned over a fixed surface. A vertical shaft 102 is installed over the platform 101 and configured with a plate 103 developed to accommodate an object. A strain sensor is installed overs the shaft 102 to monitor strain experienced by the shaft 102 while holding the object. The strain sensor works in the manner that the functioning of a strain sensor entirely depends on the electrical resistivity of an object/conductor.

[0024] When the shaft gets stretched within its limits of elasticity and does not break or buckle permanently, it becomes thinner and longer, resulting in high electrical resistance. If the shaft is compressed and does not deform, but, broadens and shortens, results in decreased electrical resistance. The values obtained after measuring the electrical resistance of a sensor gets converted into an electrical signal that gets transmitted to an inbuilt microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller process the signal for understanding the amount of strain had been induced to the vertical shaft 102 on accommodation of the object on to the vertical shaft 102.

[0025] Further, in case the detected level on the strain of the shaft 102 exceeds a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 106 installed over the platform 101 to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the exceeded strain. The speaker 106 works by converting electrical energy into sound energy. When the electric current is sent by the microcontroller, then a coil configured on a magnet of the speaker 106 induces a magnetic field. This makes a diaphragm moves back and forth which creates pressure waves in the air that the user perceives as a sound that notifies the user for the exceeded strain.

[0026] Continually, a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over the platform 101 to enable a user to provide input regarding shape of the object. The touch interactive display panel 104 is made up of insulating material while the surface of the display panel 104 is layered with a thin layer of electrically conducting material ideally an indium tin oxide which helps in creating a low intensity electric discharge conducted towards the internal circuitry of the display panel 104. While touching the surface of the panel by the user, the internal circuitry of the display panel 104 senses the touches on the displayed option and synchronically converts the physical touch into the form of digital bits and transmits the input details to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal fetches the information regarding shape of the object.

[0027] Based on the detected shape of the object, the microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed over the platform 101 that determines dimension of the object. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the object. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 is real-time images of the object. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller.

[0028] Upon receiving the signal in the form of the digital bits, the microcontroller analyses and extract the information for the dimension of the object. Multiple extendable strips 201 ranging 4 to 6 configured with the plate 103 provide extension to the strips 201 to accommodate the object over the plate 103 in accordance with the detected dimensions. The extendable strips 201 used herein are powered by a pneumatic unit that comprises a compressor filled with compressed air valves and the piston attached to the strips 201 that controls the orientations such as extraction and retraction of the extendable strips 201.

[0029] The pneumatic unit also includes air valves and piston attached with the extendable strips 201. The piston is coupled to the extendable strips 201 penetrating the compressed air released from the compressor over the extendable strips 201. The valves used herein, are air valves installed between the compressor and piston that upon actuation enables release of the compressed air through the piston that leads to extension extendable strips 201 to accommodate the object over the plate 103 in accordance with the detected dimensions.

[0030] Multiple motorized hinge joints ranging 6 to 8 installed in between the strips 201 regulates the shape of the plate 103 in accordance to the user-specified shape. The motorized hinge joints are the piece of metal that joins the different portion of the strips 201 that enables the strips 201 to change the shape as required for the different shapes of the object and theses joints are powered by a DC motor. The DC motor is capable of converting the electrical energy to the mechanical energy by rotating the shaft 102 of the motor on the action of any type of the electrical energy. This rotation of the shaft 102 provide the bidirectional motion to the hinge joints that enables the hinges to modulate in different types of the shape in accordance to the shape of the accommodated objects.

[0031] As by formulating the shape of the strip the object is gripped, the microcontroller actuates multiple suction units 202 ranging 4 to 6 installed over each of the strip to create a negative pressure to affix the object with the plate 103. The suction units 202 create partial vacuum within the suction units 202 upon pressing over the object by squeezing out air from the suction units 202 due to a negative pressure created by the suction pump is generated inside suction area. Herein, atmospheric pressure outside the suction units 202 presses down low-pressure area inside the suction units 202 to generate suction to affix the object with the plate 103.

[0032] Further, a tactile sensor installed over the plate 103 to monitor hardness of the object. The tactile sensor works on the principal by converting the external environmental changes in the form of the electric voltages. These electric voltages are in the proportion to the change in the physical pressure of the applied pressure. The signal are then transmitted to the microcontroller in by converting in the form of the digital bit signal. The transmitted signals are the processed by the microprocessor to determine the hardness of the object.

[0033] Based on the detected hardness of the object the microcontroller evaluates an appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the object while gripping of the object. Hence to have control over the pressure applied over the object, a pressure sensor installed over the plate 103. The pressure sensor has a sensing element that is installed over the concerned area of the plate 103 plate 103 where the object is placed over the plate 3 to be gripped. As the pressure is applied over the object that hits the diaphragm and make the changes over the sensing element. The transduce present in the sensor changes the movement of the diaphragm to the electric signal and send it to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal monitors the pressure applied to the object.

[0034] Further, multiple load cells ranging 4 to 6 installed over the platform 101 to monitor weight of the object. The load cells present over the platform 101 has the load transduce that is placed over the platform 101. The load transducer used herein are capable of converting the applied forces to the readable form of the electric signals. When the object is placed over the platform 101 it applies the force on to the platform 101 that is monitored by the present load cells and the transducer present converts the applied force in the form of the electric signal. These signals are then transferred to the microcontroller fetches the electric signal and analyses the weight of the accommodated object.

[0035] Based on the determined weight of the object, the microcontroller actuates a motorized expandable pulley arrangement installed in the platform 101 to provide extension to the platform 101 in view of evenly distribute weight of the object over the surface. The motorized pulley arrangement herein discloses comprise of multiple links attached to a central rotating disc that gets rotated
at a uniform speed via a motorized mechanism conjoined with a central disc. A
motor is paired with the arrangement that is activated by the microcontroller for
providing a rotational motion to the platform 101.

[0036] Upon rotating of the motor in anti-clockwise, then the central disc starts rotating in a clockwise direction that helps in thrusting studs fastened with links in outward orientation results in expansion of the pulley. Similarly, the motor starts rotating clockwise, then the central disc starts rotating in an anti-clockwise direction that helps in thrusting studs fastened with links in inward orientation that in turn contract the pulley to contract the structure. The expansion and retraction of the platform 101 results in the evenly distribution of the weight over the platform 101 thereby results in the proper holding of the object in the appropriate manner for holding the object.

[0037] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0038] The present invention works best in the following manner where the extendable circular-shaped platform 101 positioned over the fixed surface, the vertical shaft 102 is configured with the plate 3 developed to accommodate the object. The strain sensor monitors the strain experienced by the shaft 102 while holding the object. As the weight of the object is monitored and found to exceed the threshold value, the speaker 106 sends the notification for the user to make them notified. The touch interactive display panel 104 enable the user to provide input regrading shape of the object. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 determines dimensions of the object. Based on the shape and the dimension of the object the extendable strips 201 that get extended or molded with the help of the motorized hinge joints in different shape and size to properly accommodate the object within the platform 101 with the help of the multiple suction units 202 present over the strips 201 to affix the object with the platform 101.

[0039] Additionally, the hardness of the accommodated object is also monitored based on the hardness the appropriate pressure for the gripping of the object is presented. The pressure applied over the object is monitored using the pressure sensor. The load cells are present over the platform 101 monitors the weight of the object that enables the motorized pulley arrangement to expand and properly accommodate the object to the platform 101.

[0040] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An adaptable object holding device, comprising:

i) an extendable circular-shaped platform 101 positioned over a fixed surface, wherein a vertical shaft 102 is installed over said platform 101 and configured with a plate 3 developed to accommodate an object;
ii) a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over said platform 101 to enable a user to provide input regrading shape of said object, wherein based on said user input, said microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed over said platform 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of said object positioned over said plate 3, based on which a microcontroller linked with said processor, determines dimensions of said object;
iii) plurality of extendable strips 201 configured with said plate 3 and actuated by said microcontroller to provide extension to said strips 201 to accommodate said object over said plate 3 in accordance with said detected dimensions, wherein plurality of motorized hinge joints each installed in between said strips 201 and actuated by said microcontroller to regulate shape of said plate 3 in accordance with said user-specified shape in view of gripping said object in a secured manner;
iv) plurality of load cells installed over said platform 101 to monitor weight of said object based on which said microcontroller actuates a motorized expandable pulley arrangement installed in said platform 101 to provide extension to said platform 101 in view of evenly distribute weight of said object over said surface, thereby holding said object in an appropriate manner.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a strain sensor is installed overs aid shaft 102 to monitor strain experienced by said shaft 102 while holding said object and in case said monitored strain exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates a speaker 106 installed over said platform 101 to produce a voice command to notify said user regrading said exceeded strain.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of suction units 202 are installed over each of said strip that are actuated by said microcontroller upon gripping of said object to create a negative pressure to affix said object with said plate 3.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor installed over said plate 3 to monitor hardness of said object based on which said microcontroller evaluates an appropriate amount of pressure over said object while gripping of said object as monitored via a pressure sensor installed over said plate 3.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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