Object engaging tool and method of manipulating object using same

摘要

An object engaging tool and method for using same for manipulating bottle shaped objects with a mechanical arm are described. A first and second contact surface of the object engaging tool engage the body of an object when positioned over the object while the object is resting upright. The position of the object engaging tool is changed generally downwardly so the weight of the object is transferred to the object engaging tool and is supported in cantilevered relation thereupon. The object is moved into position and placed on a resting surface whereupon the object engaging tool is disengaged when the weight of the object is transferred to the resting surface. The object engaging tool may further be positioned over the object when resting in a horizontal position and the object engaged and weight transferred to the object engaging tool by changing the position of the object engaging tool upwardly. Multiple object engaging tool may be coupled to a mechanical arm and multiple objects engaged and moved in a like manner.