Abstract: A sunlight collecting system comprises an oval mirror 1 directed downwardly and provided at a given elevation, and a plurality of heliostats 5 arranged on the ground about the oval mirror 1, each heliostat having a concave mirror 13 for reflecting and converging sunlight L onto the oval mirror 1. The sunlight L reflected on the concave mirror 13 of each heliostat 5 is focused to a point at a first focal point of the oval mirror 1, and converged to a second focal point of the oval mirror 1 after reflected by the oval mirror 1.

Abstract: An articulated holding arm 2 comprises a first arm 3 and a second arm 5. The first arm 3 is essentially cylindrical as a whole, and is provided with at an intermediate area but closer to a proximal end 6 of the arm 3 a first spherical element 7 in a freely rotatable manner. The first arm 3 is further provided with at a distal end 4 thereof to which the proximal end 6 of the arm 3 is mounted a second spherical element 8 in a freely rotatable manner. Provided between the first and second spherical elements 7,8 is a locking spindle 9 which is moveable in a longitudinal direction of the arm 3 with a very short interval d. Provided at a proximal end 6 of the first arm 3 is a piston 11 which constantly pressurizes via spring means 12 the first spherical element 7 in a direction of a tip of the piston 11 and can move the first spherical element 7 via hydraulic means 14 or pneumatic means toward the proximal end 6 of the first arm 3 against the spring means 12.

Abstract: In a microscope having one or more separate lenses 11a to 11d arranged in side-by-side relationship within an area equal to or smaller than that of an objective lens for guiding separate beams of viewing light L respectively, the separate lenses 11a to 11d are located off the optical axis S which extends across the center of the objective lens, and a single illumination input 13 is provided across the optical axis S for directing an illumination light R along the optical axis S through the objective lens to a target area to be viewed.

Abstract: A compensating arm is provided extending from the proximal end at a joint to the distal end of a jib arm and arranged identical in the horizontal length to the jib arm. The compensating arm is pivotally joined at its distal end to the distal end of the jib arm and at its proximal end fixedly joined to a pivot which extends across the joint of the jib arm, whereby the pivotal movement of the jib arm about the joint is measured by an encoder which incorporates a compensator and is mounted to the joint with compensation of the relative movement of the pivot to the joint. This allows the encoder to detect the deflecting movement of the jib arm with the relative movement of the pivot to the joint compensated and thus locate the focal point correctly in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stand for optical devices, wherein both the vertical length of a second parallel link 3 and the lateral length of weight-retaining arm 19 are retractable, whereby a counterweight W.sub.4 is moveable along a straight line X connecting the extremity of a supporting arm 9 and a rotational fulcrum S. Moving the counterweight W.sub.4 along the straight line X provides an easy and secured balance adjustment of the weight of operating microscope, etc. W.sub.1-3 both in horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical optical devices wherein balance in a horizontal direction can be adjusted by moving the counterweight horizontally, and the balance in a vertical direction can be adjusted by moving whole the retaining link mechanism vertically. Thus only one counterweight is required, which eliminates a need to interlockedly move two counterweights simultaneously as conventionally, so that movement control of a counterweight is easy and a mechanism therefor can be simplified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stand for optical devices, wherein the lengths of a second parallel link 3 is retractable both vertically and laterally, so that a counterweight W.sub.4 is moveable along a straight line X connecting a connecting point .beta..sub.1 at the extremity of a supporting arm 9 and a rotational fulcrum S.Moving the counterweight W.sub.4 along the straight line X provides an easy and secured balance adjustment of the weight of operating microscope, etc. W.sub.1-3 both in horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: Each pivotal shaft normally urged in one direction by the urging means drives the movable barrel to push the pressure spring, so that the clutch disposed either to the inner ball or to the outer ball in each joint is brought into press contact with the other ball to lock the joint. Accordingly, once the holding arm holds a tool, the holding force of the arm does not decline with time. Since the pressure applied to the pressure spring by the movable barrel is released by turning the pivotal shaft in the opposite direction by the driving means, each joint assumes an unlocked state. Thus, the tool held at the free end portion of the holding arm can be moved to a desired position, and also the holding position can be changed very easily.

Abstract: A crank member 34 is supported to a joint shaft .beta..sub.1, and a horizontal fulcrum .beta..sub.6 on the crank member 34 and a portion .beta..sub.8 of a stand 18 are connected together by a vertical sublink 37, whereas a vertical fulcrum .beta..sub.7 on the crank member 34 and a portion .beta..sub.9 of a front link 27 are connected together by a horizontal sublink 38. Accordingly, the front link 27 supporting a medical optical equipment 33 is always kept in a substantially vertical condition. As a result, there is no danger that the front link 27 may largely swing to strike against any persons in the periphery thereof, thus providing a stand apparatus desirable from the viewpoints of operability and sanitariness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biaxial balance adjusting structure for a medical stand apparatus, containing a retaining link mechanism 4, utilizing a parallel link 2, supported on the pivot S of a frame 1; a medical optical device W.sub.1 and/or auxiliary devices W.sub.2, W.sub.3, disposed to one end portion of the retaining link mechanism and a counterweight disposed on the other end portion thereof relative to the pivot S; characterized in that the counterweight consists of a first counterweight W.sub.4 which can be moved in the horizontal direction and a second counterweight W.sub.5 which can be moved in the vertical direction, and that the balance adjusting structure employs a system for moving the first and second counterweights W.sub.4, W.sub.5 interlocking with each other to be closer to or farther from the pivot S in the respective directions. Thus, balance adjustment in accordance with the weight change on the operating microscope side can be facilitated.

Abstract: A medical locating apparatus including a main parallel link and subsidiary parallel links are formed by first second and third links, first, second and third sub-links and a crank member, in which the respective links are interlocked with corresponding parallel links, respectively. Accordingly, clutch means need not be disposed to all of the connection shafts of the links, but they may be located close to a pivot at a relatively low position, to a connection shaft connecting the first auxiliary link with the first sub-link and to a connection shaft connecting the second auxiliary link with the second sub-link. Thus, the links need not be operated by the respective heavy clutches. The present apparatus enjoys excellent operability, and such a structure is also advantageous from the standpoint of stability of the entire apparatus.

Abstract: A two-stage detection noncontact positioning apparatus comprises a light position-detecting mechanism 3 which includes a first light position detector 15 having a slit 17 at a central location corresponding to an optical axis K.sub.4, and a light position detector 16 for receiving a measuring beam S.sub.9 having passed through the slit 17. The first light position detector 15 can be switchably operated such that while the second light position detector 16 receives the measuring beam, the first light position detector 15 is made inoperative not to detect light. The apparatus also includes an optical mechanism 2 having focusing lenses 13 and 14 provided in a manner corresponding to the first and second light position detectors 15 and 16, respectively.

Abstract: A medical three-dimensional locating apparatus includes an arm unit comprising a first arm pivotally supported for tuning about a first axis, a second arm pivotally supported on the first arm for tuning about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and an indicating unit or an echo probe held on the second arm so as to be moved toward and away from the intersection point of the first and second axes. A support unit supports the arm unit, and position detectors are provided for detecting the position of the intersection point of the first and second axes and the position of the tip of the indicating unit or the like relative to the intersection point.

Abstract: In a parking brake operating device for a motor vehicle, an operating lever and an intermediate lever are pivotally mounted around a transverse common shaft. The intermediate lever is pivotally mounted to a locking lever at its upper part. The locking lever is engaged with an engaging pin of the operating lever. A release lever is pivotally mounted at an upper part of the operating lever and is engaged with the locking lever in a locking position. By pressing an operating portion of the release lever manually, the release lever is disengaged from the locking lever, which is, then, disengaged from the engaging pin of the operating lever. Thus, the operating lever can easily be brought down by one hand of a driver while the parking brake is applied, and the inside of the motor vehicle is effectively utilized without keeping the operating lever upright.

Abstract: Counterbalanced parallel linkage supporting mechanism comprising a pair of interlocked parallel links, each provided on the opposite side of the center shaft, a weight supported on one of the parallel links, a counterweight supported on another parallel link for counterbalancing the weight, and a shaft bushing provided on a center shaft for pivotably supporting the center shaft, the shaft bushing supported pivotably about a horizontal axis orthogonal to a center shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic focusing mechanism for an operation microscope. In the apparatus in accordance with the invention, when the position and angle of the operation microscope is altered by the operator, a constant moving margin is always secured so that the automatic focusing mechanism has sufficient room to perform the focusing function. This is accomplished by setting an optional origin position within the moving range of the drive objective section of the operation microscope. When the operation microscope is brought to a free condition by a switch section, a driver mechanism operates so as to return the drive objective section to the location of the origin position. Thus, when the position and angle of the microscope is altered, a constant moving margin of the drive objective section is always maintained. Thus, the location of the drive objective section always has sufficient room to perform the automatic focusing function.

Abstract: The invention provides a stand apparatus for a medical optical instrument, in which a rear-side parallel link mechanism and a counterweight are arranged below those of a conventional arrangement.The rear-side parallel link mechanism having the counterweight is arranged below that of the conventional arrangement, and operation of a front-side parallel link mechanism is transmitted to the rear-side parallel link mechanism through a transmission mechanism. Accordingly, a weight balance of the medical optical instrument is surely tried by the counterweight similarly to the conventional arrangement. Further, an upper rear space, which has conventionally been occupied by the rear-side parallel link mechanism, can freely be used by an operator and an assistant and, therefore, this becomes very convenient. Furthermore, a position of the center of gravity of the entire stand apparatus is lowered considerably, and stability of the stand apparatus increases.

Abstract: In a stand apparatus for a medical optical instrument, a first link mechanism including a first pantograph arrangement has a proximal end which is mounted on a body having a horizontal groove. The body is rotatable about a vertical axis. The first pantograph arrangement has an intermediate section which is slidably engaged within the horizontal groove. The first pantograph arrangement reciprocating linearly along a horizontal direction has a forward end on which a horizontal moving element having a vertical groove is mounted. A second link mechanism including a second pantograph arrangement has a proximal end which is mounted on the horizontal moving element. The second pantograph arrangement has an intermediate section which is slidably engaged within the vertical groove in the horizontal moving element. The medical optical instrument is supported at a forward end of the second pantograph arrangement which reciprocates linearly along a vertical direction.

Abstract: An interferometer having a beam generating section and a reflecting section. Mechanisms are provided to direct a beam from the generating section to the reflecting section even when the reflecting section moves freely in three dimensions. Mechanisms are also provided to direct the beam back from the reflecting section to the generating section even when the reflecting section moves freely in three dimensions. A method is presented that enables the absolute distance between the generating and reflecting sections to be determined.