Abstract: A clamping device for releasably clamping an article has a pair of arm members. Each arm member has a clamping jaw at an end thereof. The arm members are arranged with the clamping jaws in opposition and are interconnected kinematically to enable movement relative to each other in a predetermined direction to attain a self-locking relationship. A spring assembly is provided coupled to the arm members for urging the clamping jaws toward each other to grip the article. A loose fit linear guide is arranged parallel to and a predetermined distance from a line along which a clamping force of the clamping jaws is exerted on the article. The spring assembly is pre-stressed and located in close proximity to this slide guide.

Abstract: A logical toy containing movable and/or rotatable elements or element groups, the path of motion or axis of rotation thereof, including sensors staying in an actuating forced connection directly or through a mechanic transmission. One or two circuit switches are suitable for closing and opening the path of electric, magnetic or optical signals, which form, individually or in groups, one or more logical nets serving as signal transmitters. The outputs thereof are connected directly through mechanic connecting elements (4, 5, 9, 11) to an electric counter (2). The sensors, i.e. the signal transmitters (1) containing the sensors, can be connected to an electronic chronometer (6). One or more axes of the toy are hollow or tubular, and the sensors and/or their leads are arranged in the inside of the tubular axes (22) and/or in the hollow of the center-plate elements (18).

Abstract: An array of plate-like elements is retained by endless filaments looped on the elements to form migrating hinges between individual elements and other elements adjoining same. Grooves are formed in the surfaces of each plate, the grooves being in two groups, with the members of each group being mutually parallel, and the grooves of each surface being in overlying registration. The filaments lie within the grooves in a selected pattern, with filaments forming anchor points at plate sides at which the filament wraps around the side of the plate to enter a groove from the other group of grooves on the opposite side of the plate, and hinge points at plate sides where the filament passes from one plate to an abutting plate, proceeding from one surface to the opposite surface in doing so. Manipulation of the resulting array allows two such plates to rotate mutually about an axis defined by hinge points lying on their abutting sides.

Abstract: A composite array consists of plate-like elements or solid bodies interconnected by endless filaments. The front and rear surfaces of each element are provided with grooves, the grooves being divided in two groups, with grooves of each group running parallel with one another. The filaments lie within the grooves and are not attached to the elements. The filaments are arranged upon the elements so that each filament, upon reaching a lateral side of an element, is led into a groove on the opposite surface of the array. If the lateral side lies at the outmost edge of the array, the grooves are of different direction, while at lateral sides forming a line of contact, the grooves run in the same direction. On one or both surfaces of the elements, markings, numbers, letters, text or pattern elements may be found, for differentiating and determining the elements' positions.