Abstract: An armrest assembly is provided for a vehicle. A base is mounted to the vehicle and includes a translational member slidably mounted for vertical movement with respect to the base. An armrest is coupled to the translational member. A loadable actuator having first and second ends is coupled at its first end to the armrest. A first support member having first and second ends is pivotally connected at its first end with respect to the base. A second support member having first and second ends is pivotally connected at its first end to the second end of the first support member, and pivotally connected at its second end with respect to the translational member. The second end of the loadable actuator is pivotally coupled with respect to the first support member intermediate the first and second ends of the first support member, whereby to provide a moment arm to facilitate loading of the actuator as the armrest is lowered. A kinematic structure is also provided for use with an air spring assembly.

Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable gas spring for adjustable-height chairs, tables or the like has an external cylinder, in which a piston is guided for displacement, to which a piston rod is secured, which is guided out of the exterior cylinder. The exterior cylinder has a thin hard external nitrided layer and a considerably softer core layer enclosing the inside wall of the exterior cylinder.

Abstract: A wrist rest is disclosed for use with a keyboard. The wrist rest includes a bladder for holding a fluid, a pump operatively connected to the bladder for selectively filling the bladder with fluid and a valve for selectively releasing fluid from the bladder. The bladder preferably includes two elongate lobes interconnected by an isthmus. The lobes are shaped so that the perimeter of a horizontal cross-section through one of the elongate lobes is substantially elliptical in shape.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable desk, table or workstation has a work surface carried between a pair of leg assemblies. The leg assemblies have telescoping sleeves and a ratcheting latch mechanism operatively interconnecting the sleeves. The ratcheting latch mechanism has a toggle preferably in the inner sleeve and a ratchet opening, preferably in the outer sleeve. The opening is defined in part by an edge formed with a series of lateral inclined ratchet slots at which a latch pin on the toggle can set the vertical height. The toggle is spring biased to either of two over-center alignments. Upper and lower edges of the opening respectively toggle the latch mechanism to move the pin out of engagement with the slots at the top limit of travel, and back into engagement with the slots at the bottom limit of travel. The latch pin follows the ratchet slots in progression as the table is raised, and is switched by the top and bottom edge portions to disengage or engage the slots.

Abstract: A rollover vent valve for use in a pneumatic seat mounted in a vehicle. The rollover vent valve allows air to vent from the air bag(s) in the pneumatic seat in the event the vehicle in which the seat is mounted is severely tilted or overturned. The rollover vent valve includes a housing enclosing a pressure chamber and a valve member. The interior of the pressure chamber is in fluid connection with the air bag(s). The rollover vent valve also includes a vent port that connects the interior of the chamber to the ambient environment. The valve member is located within the pressure chamber above the vent port and forms a seal with the vent port when the pneumatic seat in which the valve is mounted is in an upright position. The valve member includes a weight cage in which a spherical weight is movably mounted. One end of the weight cage includes a valve seal that forms a seal on the valve seat of the vent port.

Abstract: A convertible table can be conveniently configured into either a coffee table or a dining table. The convertible table includes a table bottom unit supported by four legs and a table hinge secured to the table bottom unit via four lower hinge brackets. A table top unit is secured to the table hinge via four upper hinge brackets. The hinge moves between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration to vertically move the table top unit away from the table bottom unit and back into contact with the table bottom unit, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shock absorbing suspension system supporting a seat on a floor of a vehicle. The suspension system includes a hydraulic bag filled with a liquid and coupled to support the seat on the floor, the hydraulic bag having a valve orifice. The suspension system also includes a reservoir partially filled with liquid, having a lower orifice, an upper orifice, and a baffle positioned adjacent the lower orifice to impede the liquid from escaping through the upper orifice. An adjustable valve has an internal passageway communicating with the hydraulic bag via its valve orifice and the reservoir via its lower orifice to allow the liquid from the hydraulic bag to pass into the reservoir. The passageway can be made sufficiently small to dampen motion of the seat toward and away from the floor. The reservoir includes a supply of gas in direct communication with the liquid, the gas being compressed when the liquid enters the reservoir through the valve, thereby providing a spring.

Abstract: An orientation-sensitive pressure release for the airbag (15) of a vehicular pneumatic seat (11) that includes a rollover valve (21) mounted in the air inlet line of the pneumatic seat is disclosed. The valve (21) releases air from the pneumatic seat (11) when the valve is tilted or overturned, which occurs when the vehicle is tilted or overturned. The valve includes a spring-loaded poppet (43) that encloses an exhaust port (41). Attached to the poppet is a downwardly extending whisker (65) that extends into an inverted conical cup (64). A conically shaped element (78) is affixed to the lower end of the whisker (65). Housed in the inverted conical cup is a relatively heavy ball (67). When the valve (21) is tilted or overturned, the ball (67) hits the side of the conically shaped element (78) causing the whisker (65) to tilt and the spring-loaded poppet (43) to open the exhaust port. Opening the exhaust port (41) releases air from the air bag (15).

Abstract: A foldable wheeled stand is provided for supporting a motor driven pipe threading machine during operation thereof and for transporting the machine from one location to another. The stand includes a scissors-type leg assembly having lower ends which engage an underlying surface when the stand is both folded and unfolded and having upper ends which are respectively elevated and lowered relative to the support surface when the stand is in its unfolded and folded positions. A pipe threading machine is mounted between the upper ends of the stand for pivotal displacement about one of the upper ends and for sliding displacement relative to the other during the displacement of the stand and machine between the folded and unfolded positions of the stand.

Abstract: A machine tool isolation system is disclosed. The preferred system includes a pair of platforms connected by a plurality of legs. A tool is typically connected to one platform, and a workpiece to the other. The legs are able to move one platform with respect to the other which can create vibrations. A base, typically formed by a plurality of legs, is mounted to one of the platforms to support the two platforms and legs connected therebetween. A vibration isolator is disposed between the base legs and the floor or other support on which the entire system is mounted.

Abstract: An adjustable-length column for chairs or the like has an upright tube and a pneumatic or hydropneumatic length-adjusting element arranged in the latter, the housing of the element being radially supported in the upright tube and displaceably guided in the direction of a common axis. A profile guarding against twisting is tightly arranged on the housing in particular by shrinking and has at least one radially projecting web which extends parallel to the axis and engages with a groove-like recess of a guide which is non-rotatably connected with the upright tube.

Abstract: A camera pedestal has a cylinder with a tapering cross-section for providing a uniform counterbalancing force using a compressed gas. Telescoping column sections which make up a column assembly have inner relief channels and outer slots for hardened roller strips. A column drive system has a hydraulic actuator to remotely raise the column assembly, and to lock the column assembly into any selected position. The column assembly is eccentrically positioned on its base tank. The pedestal is engageable to a receptacle on a camera dolly with a telescoping steering drive tube interconnecting a steering assembly on the pedestal with a steering system in the dolly.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a metrology framework for determining the position of a first object, such as an operator, relative to a second object when the first object is moved relative to the second object. The metrology framework comprises a plurality of extensible instrument arms that are operatively connected in proximity to the first object and the second object. A sensor is in communication with each extensible instrument arm to provide a signal indicative of the extension of the instrument arm. The combination of the signals can be used to determine the position of the first object relative to the second object in all six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A telescopic tube mounting device, which includes an outer tube having a coupling at the top, an inner tube made to slide in and out of the outer tube and locked at the desired elevation by a lock screw on the coupling, a C-shaped locating ring fastened to the bottom end of the inner tube to prohibit disconnection of the inner tube from the coupling, a stopper sealed in the bottom end of the inner tube and having a longitudinal through hole with a tapered top orifice for passing air in and out of the inner tube to buffer the falling speed of the inner tube when the inner tube is collapsed.

Abstract: A wound paper roll support including an air inflatable rubber bladder on a planar table support. The inflated tube will support and conform to variables in the length and diameter of each roll which is supported by the table after removal from a winding apparatus positioned adjacent to the table.

Abstract: A machine such as a machine tool includes a pair of spaced platforms. One platform may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle, and the other platform may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the positions of the platforms and, therefore, the object and operator relative to each other. Four of the legs are arranged into two pairs which are spaced apart to provide between them a part of a corridor for moving the workpiece into a working position. The two legs in each pair may cross each other. The other two legs extend away from each other and provide another part of the corridor between their inboard ends.

Abstract: Intermittent stabilization of a load table supported by pneumatic vibration isolators is provided by determining a load shift condition, increasing passage of gas to the pneumatic vibration isolators and imposing external or internal damping on the load table in response to that load shift condition. For internal damping, the pneumatic vibration isolator is provided with damping fluid in one of its pneumatic chambers and a damping fluid friction passage is provided between that damping fluid in that one pneumatic chamber and the other pneumatic chamber.

Abstract: According to an illustrative example of the invention, a chair column comprises a base tube with a support plate. A gas spring is accommodated within the base tube. The piston rod of the gas spring is supported on the base tube by a ball bearing. The cylinder of the gas spring is guided at the upper end of the base tube by a guiding sleeve. The guiding sleeve is telescopical with respect to the base tube in response to outward and inward movement of the cylinder with respect to the base tube such that a full satisfactory guiding function is maintained between the cylinder and the base tube, even when the cylinder is in its uppermost position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isolating a load structure from vertical, horizontal and rotational vibrations of a supporting structure operate with the aid of displacement of a pneumatic fluid from and to a fluid chamber of a pneumatic vibration isolation system. A fluid-tight diaphragm extends from a circumferential edge of the fluid chamber into that fluid chamber, and has a circumferential compliance section inside that edge of the fluid chamber. The diaphragm is structured inside of that compliance section with alternate stiffened and reinforced diaphragm portions in the fluid chamber. The diaphragm and the fluid chamber are coupled between the supporting structure and the load structure. Vertical vibrations are damped by displacing pneumatic fluid from and to the fluid chamber with the fluid-tight diaphragm and horizontal and rotational vibrations are damped with the reinforced diaphragm portion in the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A machine such as a machine tool includes a pair of spaced platforms. One platform (11, 31, 185, 72, 159, 142) may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other platforms (10, 20, 180, 170, 144, 163) may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs (20-25, 40-45, 64-69, 145-150, 166, 182-84, 187-89) joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and, therefore, the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders (20-25) or recirculating ball screw driven (195, 197, 198). The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate extensible instrument arms (130, 131, 171) which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device (238, 240) to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer (267) for that purpose.

Abstract: A system for isolating a supported structure from transmitting vibrations to a supporting base in a spacecraft provides six degrees of freedom in a kinematic mounting. Six isolator elements in a symmetric arrangement of three skewed isolator pairs provides viscous damping and vibration and shock attenuation during launch and operation in space. The isolators employ two degrees of freedom flexure joints at each mounting point to assure primarily axial deflection and minimize bending moments, and have tuning springs to optimize performance. The system permits deterministic design and allows calculation of all loads from the nominal geometry and the isolator axial stiffness. Limit stops are provided between the supporting structure and the supported structure to limit excursions of the isolator members.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for a bicycle or similar vehicle to allow shock isolation at the location of the seat or handle bar mounting or other locations. The suspension system includes a hydraulically actuated system as well as a variable rate progressive dampening assembly. The hydraulic fluid is also utilized to lubricate the moving portions of the system to promote proper function and extend the useful life thereof. The system also has a variable spring preload to accommodate different sized riders. The system is cost effective and yet extremely durable and may be retrofit for use with existing bicycles.

Abstract: An oleopneumatic adjustable and deadened support column for a chair having a first cylindrical body, a second cylindrical body, a command bar, a first slidable piston between the first and second body, an annular upper floating piston and an annular lower floating piston, and a valve contained within the second body. The first cylindrical body is connected to a base of a chair and is charged with compressed air. The second cylindrical body is coaxial and telescopically slidable within the first cylindrical body. The upper end of the second body is adapted to be connected to a seat of a chair. The command bar is a lever positioned under the chair seat. The first piston is annularly fixed around the second body and in sliding sealing engagement with the inner surface of the first body. The upper and lower pistons define upper and lower oil chambers between the first and second bodies. The valve is actuable by the command bar so as to control a flow of oil between the first and second oil chambers.

Abstract: A pillar intended to form part of a furniture support, particularly of a seat, and composed of a sliding tube whose frustoconical top end is intended to be engaged with a force fit, by its top part, in a matching frustoconical cavity in the top part of the piece of furniture, and which slides in a support tube fastened to a foot of the piece of furniture. The sliding tube holds captive, with radial clearance, the body of a gas spring whose piston rod is fixed to the bottom of the support tube. A metal reinforcement sleeve is engaged with a force fit inside the frustoconical end part. Its bottom edge serves as a support surface for the top edge of the gas spring body. It is advantageously composed of a split bush carrying a tongue which secures against rotation a pushrod interposed between the locking control finger and an actuating lever.

Abstract: A helicopter load vibration damper having an outer cylinder with closed upper and lower ends. A piston is slidably mounted within the cylinder to define a chamber between the piston and the cylinder's lower end. The chamber is pressurized with an inert gas such as nitrogen, with the gas pressure being adjustable to suit the load which is to be transported. A rod is fixed to one side of the piston, extends through the chamber and protrudes through the lower end of the cylinder for attachment to the load. A hydraulic shock absorber is connected between the opposite side of the piston and the upper end of the cylinder. An anti-rotation mechanism prevents the shock absorber from rotating relative to the rod, around the vibration damper's longitudinal axis. The anti-rotation mechanism incorporates a tube which encircles the shock absorber, within the outer cylinder. A pin used to couple the shock absorber to the piston is also coupled to the tube.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vibration-damping mount (1) for vibration-sensitive equipment and apparatus. The vibration-damping mount (1) has a damping device (10), a supporting structure (20) connected thereto, shock absorption elements (30), and height adapters (40). The vibration-damping mount (1) can be divided, and can be erected without changing the position of the unit being held.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring for damping the relative motion between a vehicle seat and a base upon which the seat is mounted utilizes a rolling lobe sleeve, a plug secured within one end of the sleeve and a piston secured within the other end of the sleeve for movement toward and away from the plug as the sleeve rolls along the outside surface of the piston. The piston, sleeve and plug provide the surfaces of a variable-volume chamber, and the piston includes an internal piston cavity of a fixed size and shape. The variable-volume chamber and piston cavity contain a pneumatic fluid, and an orifice is provided within the piston which permits flow communication between the variable-volume chamber and the piston cavity.

Abstract: A sleeping bed for a motor vehicle which is effectively isolated from jars and vibrations encountered during highway travel comprises a movable frame which is supported by inflatable air bags from a stationary frame affixed to the floor of the vehicle. Three position valves control the in-flow and out-flow of air from the air bags, the valve being mechanically coupled by linkages to the movable frame so that its relative displacement controls the pressure within the air bag. The movable frame is supported on the pistons of the air bags by first and second slide members which permit longitudinal and transverse horizontal movement of the movable frame. Springs are employed to restore the movable frame to a neutral horizontal position following acceleration/deceleration forces tending to move the movable frame and mattress in the fore and aft direction and when longitudinal sway forces act on the bed.

Abstract: An opening which is formed in a cylindrical outer housing of a bush and which facilitates the draining of superfluous working fluid after an assembly process which is carried out totally immersed in the fluid, and which is reinforced by a bridged portion which extends in the direction in which a force and reaction to that force act and spans the opening so as to resist deformation when the bush is force fitted into an associated bracket.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation system which has three groups of airbag springs for supporting a load and isolating the load from vibration, together with a servo-valve system for admitting pressurized air to or exhausting pressurized air from each group of the airbag springs, and a damping system for damping movement of the load. The damping system comprises a plurality of pairs of shock absorbers which are mounted in parallel with and adjacent to the airbag springs. The shock absorbers are arranged so as to provide damping for each of the groups of airbag springs in three mutually-orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A camera pedestal has a cylinder with a tapering cross-section for providing a uniform counterbalancing force using a compressed gas. Telescoping column sections which make up a column assembly have inner and outer slots for rollers. The column assembly is eccentrically positioned on its base tank. The pedestal is engageable to a receptacle on a camera dolly with a telescoping steering drive tube interconnecting a steering assembly on the pedestal with a steering system in the dolly.

Abstract: System for the adjustable, substantially horizontal aligning of an apparatus on at least two points of support in the case of at least one tilt axis, the points of support being connected with the pistons of hydraulic cylinders. A hydraulic connection exists between all cylinders, while at least one pump can be disposed in the hydraulic connection.

Abstract: The housing of an air valve, the valve controlling the height of a vehicle seat supported on a suspension having an air spring, is pivotally connected to one of the frames of the suspension supporting the seat. A manual control lever connected to the housing is operative to change the angle of inclination of the housing for selecting a desired height of the seat. A control arm of the valve is connected by a linkage to the other frame of the suspension. These connections to the air valve control the valve for selecting a desired height and for automatically restoring the height for different weights on the seat.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that overrides the manual controls for filling and emptying an air suspension spring, so that the spring is not over-filled or under-filled. The device also includes a mechanism for limiting the rise of the seat suspension when the driver exits the seat. The invention has a latch bar that slides through two pieces of lubricating plastic. A ramped section of the latch bar contacts one of two switches that prevents the adjustment of a seat suspension below a minimum safe ride position or prevents adjustment above a maximum safe position. The latch bar also includes notches that are engageable with a latch pawl that is operated by a solenoid. When an operator leaves the seat, the solenoid is energized and drives the latch pawl into a notch in the latch bar. An electronic switch also enables the deenergizing of the solenoid, yet the latch pawl locks the latch bar so that the air spring does not cause a substantial rise in the seat suspension.

Abstract: An adjustable platform support mechanism for a keyboard includes a platform and a connecting assembly for the platform. The connecting assembly is attached to the platform by means of first and second pivotal connecting arms. The quadrilateral formed by connecting the pivots is in all instances a non-parallelogram. Thereby the platform, when moved from an extended position to a storage position, is pivoted upwardly in order to increase the space available in the kneehole underneath the desk. The shelf also features an adjustable tilt mechanism associated with keyboard platform support bracket so that the operator will be able to adjust the platform to any one of a number of tilt positions.

Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable gas spring has a valve having a valve pin arranged to be moved within a valve body. On both sides of the inner chamber of the valve body annular seals are arranged and bear against the cylindrical sections of different diameters. To bridge at least one annular seal grooves are formed in an associated cylindrical section. When the corresponding annular seal is bridged by a displacement of the valve pin, the respective annular seal remains in its position bearing against the cylindrical external surface of the corresponding cylindrical section, so that the wear of the seals implying the gas spring to become unserviceable is eliminated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seat damper which is adaptable for a seat supporting mechanism for a motor boat and the like. The damper has a supporting column structure and a lower bracket, the supporting column structure is comprised of an outer tube, a damper cylinder arranged within the outer tube, a hollow piston rod movably inserted into the damper cylinder through a piston, an attenuation force generating mechanism arranged within the damper cylinder and a height adjusting mechanism, and the supporting column structure is removably inserted into the lower bracket and fastened by a fastening member. The supporting column structure can be made into a cartridge form and the lower bracket can be standardized.

Abstract: A vibration cancellation mount for use in a vibration cancellation system is provided that includes a fluidic driver providing a modulated air stream to an elastomeric air spring. The pressure of the air stream is caused to fluctuate by an acoustical cancelling signal generated by an electroacoustic transducer electrically coupled to cancellation controller. As this pressure varies the air spring is filled and vented so that it responds at the same frequency and phase as the cancellation signal and thereby cancels the vibrations emanating from a vibrating structure mounted thereto. By employing a fluidic driver, the vibration cancellation mount is not frequency limited and can cancel vibrations having frequencies anywhere in the audio frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A torque-restraint mounting system for connecting an aircraft engine to a structure including at least two hydraulic mountings and at least one other resilient mounting. At least two of the hydraulic mountings are fluidicly interconnected via a fluid filled conduit. This allows for the torque to be reacted between the aircraft engine and the structure by placing the fluid in compression. The relative torque-induced displacement occurring between the aircraft engine and the structure for any specific operating copndition is counteracted by tuning the amount or volume of fluid within the torque-restraint system, or by tuning the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fluid. Thus, as the torque-restraint mounting system heats up, the aircraft engine will change rotational position such that its room temperature untorqued orientation can be maintained. This can have significant benefits in terms of increasing service life of the engine mounting system.

Abstract: A vehicle seat which is adjustable in height and which affords automatic adjustment to the seat occupant weight comprises a gas spring between a seat frame and a base frame, a valve arrangement actuable by an actuating element to adjust the pressure in the gas spring in dependence on the weight of the seat occupant, and a means for setting the desired seat height. Disposed between the seat and base frames is a belt reel device with a coupling means, which like the gas spring, can be subjected to the action of pressure gas from a pressure source. The pressure source comprises a compressor driven by a drive motor, which are disposed on the vehicle seat. The valve arrangement includes a 2/2-way valve which serves only for the release of pressure gas from the gas spring, and a 3/2-way valve between the pressure source and the coupling means of the belt reel device. The valve arrangement may be mechanical/pneumatic in operation or may be controlled by an electronic control arrangement.

Abstract: The invention comprises a suspension system for a bicycle or similar vehicle to allow shock isolation at the location of the seat or handle bar mounting or other locations. The suspension system as well as a variable rate progressive dampening assembly. The hydraulic fluid is also utilized to lubricate the moving portions of the system to promote proper function and extend the useful life thereof. The system also has a variable spring preload to accommodate different sized riders. The system is cost effective and yet extremely durable and may be retrofit for use with existing bicycles.

Abstract: A self adjusting shim device has an elastic outer bladder formed of resilient material filled ith bouncing putty. The bouncing putty filler will deform slowly under the slightest force like a highly viscous liquid but will resist rapidly applied loads as if it were a solid. The shim device is placed between the bottom of an article, such as one or more legs of a piece of furniture, and the weight of the article supported on the shim device will, in a short time, cause the shim device(s) to deform and the article supported will assume a state of equilibrium, even if the legs are of unequal length. A sudden downward force applied to the supported article will create a compressive force on the resilient bladder causing the bouncing putty filler to become rigid and resist the downward force. When the downward force is lessened or removed, the bladder tends to return to its original shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to a six-axis machine for locating an operator with respect to an object, and more particularly to a versatile machine tool in which the tool can be moved in three lineal directions and three rotational directions in relation to the surface of a workpiece.

Abstract: A vibration isolating support apparatus comprises an air spring in the form of the bellows and a multiple laminated rubber assembly. The air spring and the multiple laminated rubber assembly are vertically stacked and integrally connected each other. The multiple laminated rubber assembly is composed of a plurality of stacks of a plurality of laminated rubbers and a plurality of stabilizing plates which are inserted between and connected to the upper and lower ends of the adjacent laminated rubbers in the stacks.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting structure includes a base, a seat mount, and a mechanism operably interposed between the base and mount for controlling relative motion thereof. The mechanism includes a platform, air springs to cushion roadway induced shock, and linkage arms to couple the base, seat mount and platform. The mechanism produces a rearward tilting of a seat which is mounted on the structure when vehicle movement tends to throw the seat toward the front of the mounting structure.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the inclination of the backrest and/or seat of chairs, particularly office chairs, has a gas spring, a head member connectable to the gas spring, an L-shaped lever member pivotally connected to the head member and including a first arm, a second arm, and a rod acting on the first arm so as to cause rotation of the L-shaped member and consequent pushing action of the second arm on the driving shaft of the valve of the gas spring.

Abstract: An adjustable oleopneumatic support, particularly for the height adjustment of the seats of office chairs with central columns, is disclosed. The oleopneumatic element includes a hollow cylindrical body with a packing member realizing an upper and a lower cavity, the respective lower end being rigidly linked to the base of the chair, and a coaxial hollow stem, the head of which is rigidly linked to the seat of the same chair, the hollow coaxial stem being rigidly connected to a piston which defines inside the upper cavity two chambers, an upper and a lower chamber, respectively, both containing fluid; the hollow coaxial stem is provided inside with valvular coaxial actuation means controlling a passage for a hydraulic fluid, the respective outlets being placed above and below the piston, respectively; the lower cavity being able to contain compressed gas.

Abstract: A machine includes a pair of spaced supports, one of which may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other of which may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and therefore the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders or recirculating ball screw driven. The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate instrument arms which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer for that purpose. The changes in the instrument arm's lengths may be used to generate signals which are used to control the extension and contraction of the powered legs.

Abstract: In a lockable elevating mechanism for the continuous adjustment of chair seats, table tops or the like, a guide sleeve (1), attachable to a pedestal (4), and a length-adjustable lockable gas spring (8) are proposed, the piston rod (10) of which is connected axially fixed but detachable with the bottom of the guide sleeve (1). The housing (9) of the gas spring (8) can be connected axially fixed, but basically detachable, with a chair seat or the like by means of an upper fastening segment (21) seated in corresponding collar (22). An activating rod (26) extends upwardly from the housing (9). In order to easily detach the gas spring (8) from the chair seat or the table top, the housing (9) of the gas spring (8) is disposed radially fixed in an additional tube (20) having the fastening segment (21), wherein one end of the housing (9) axially rests against a stop in the area of the fastening segment (21) and wherein the other end rests against a fastening element (24), detachably connected with the tube (20).

Abstract: A housing (50, 52) defines a slide chamber (54) in which a slide member (34) reciprocates between three positions. A coil spring (86) holds the slide member (34) into a center position. In this position, slide member (34) blocks fluid flow through a port (28) and positions an electrical conductor (96) away from electrical contacts (110, 112). A push on the slide member (34) moves the electrical conductor (38) into circuit making contact with the contacts (110, 112). A pull on slide member (34) moves an exhaust passageway (36) in the slide member (34) into communication with the fluid port (28). The switch function activates a compressor which pumps air into an inflatable seat actuator. The valve function exhausts air from the inflatable seat actuator.