Abstract: A hydraulically-operated micromanipulator apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: An artificial finger assembly including articulating finger segments constructed of stacked and aligned plates. The finger segments are coupled to adjacent finger segment at common pivot points along a top edge of the assembly. The finger segments are caused to pivot around the common pivot points by a lever arm comprised of a series of articulated lever arm plates. The lever arm plates are coupled to the finger segments along an axis offset to one side of the common pivot points and parallel to the finger segments.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing surgical tasks during laparoscopic procedures which includes an elongated body, a mechanical hand operatively associated with a distal portion of the elongated body and including a plurality of articulated fingers, and an actuation assembly operatively associated with the proximal portion of the elongated body for controlling the operation of the mechanical hand.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical apparatus includes a laparoscopic instrument having a distal end portion insertable through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve into an abdominal cavity of a patient, the distal end portion including a plurality of at least partially opposable articulated manipulating fingers. A glove is provided having a plurality of hollow finger parts, while a position sensing system is operatively connected to the glove for detecting positions and configurations of the hollow finger parts upon insertion of a surgeon's hand into the glove and upon movement the finger parts by the surgeon during a laparoscopic procedure. An actuator assembly is operatively connected to the position sensing system and to the laparoscopic instrument for moving the manipulating fingers thereof to essentially duplicate positions and configurations of the glove finger parts in response to signals from the sensing system.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A master input apparatus of the present invention comprises (i) a joystick apparatus having a joystick mounted as inclinable on a support body fixed at a predetermined position, the joystick apparatus generating a first control signal, based on an operation carried out by a hand of an operator on the joystick, and outputting the first control signal to a micromanipulator, thereby displacing a whole microgripper mounted on the micromanipulator; and (ii) a finger operating apparatus mounted on the joystick, the finger operating means generating a second control signal, based on an operation carried out by the hand of the operator thereon, and outputting the second control signal to the microgripper, thereby opening and closing of a pair of finger portions of the microgripper.

Abstract: A three-dimensional coordinates input apparatus in which a hand detecting plate and finger detecting portions are set into contactless states for the hand and fingers and the hand detecting plate and finger detecting portions are moved or rotated in accordance with the motions of the hand and fingers, thereby obtaining graphic data. When an object of three-dimensional computer graphics is grasped by the hand of the graphics based on the three-dimensional coordinates data, the finger detecting portions are depressed to the fingers in the real space, thereby giving a tactile sensation to the fingers. Further, the motion of the hand is detected by an infrared sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an industrial machine safety system that allows the machine to begin operation only when a plurality of safety push buttons have all been depressed, and that stops the machine's operation when any safety push button is released. The apparatus includes an artificial hand that can depress and, upon command, release one of the safety push buttons, and has a release detector for detecting the release of the artificial hand. The release detector operates optically. A lamp directs a light beam along a path that is blocked by a plunger when releasing the safety push button and not blocked when depressing the safety push button. A photodetector detects interruption of this light beam. Thus release of the safety push button is detected upon detection of interruption of the light beam. The machine begins to stop upon release of the safety push button. A motion detector detects the stoppage of the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a video display that is especially useful in an article handling system to help control a mechanical arm to move an article into a selected position. A video camera is operated to produce a picture of the article on a video screen. At the same time, force sensor are used to measure forces on the article, and a graphical display of those sensed forces is produced on the view of the article on the video screen.

Abstract: A child's toy is a mechanical hand having at least articulated fingers, and perhaps an articulated thumb, associated with a palm section. A control compartment attached to and extending from the palm section includes fingertip controls which selectively move the articulated fingers. A clip-on special effects box, also operated by fingertip control, may be added to the mechanical hand in order to provide a weapon, sound effect, laser beam, or the like. In the embodiment described herein, the weapon is a set of four claws which may extend from or retract into the box.

Abstract: A legged walking robot such as a two-legged walking robot, for example, has an articulated structure with at least two degrees of freedom, one of which is a degree of freedom for angularly moving a leg in a pitch direction about a first axis of a hip joint assembly, comprising an electric motor for angularly moving the leg in the pitch direction. The electric motor has an output shaft which is axially aligned with the first axis about which the leg is angularly movable in the pitch direction. The articulated structure also has a speed reducer having an input shaft which coaxial with the output shaft of the electric motor. The other degree of freedom is a degree of freedom for angularly moving the leg in a roll direction normal to the pitch direction.

Abstract: A material handling system in the form of a grappling device or of a robotic or prosthetic limb is provided which can function for performing work. The system includes a plurality of magnets including at least one electromagnet. In preferred embodiments the magnets are hinged together at opposite ends and disposed inside a sheath. By reversing the polarity of selected electromagnets in the limb, the limb or an associated material handling device can be moved from an open position to a closed position for gripping an object. In turn, by again reversing the polarity of the electromagnets, the object can be released and the limb returned to an open position. The limb may be in the form of an anatomical hand, an arm or a foot, and the resilient casing may take the form and appearance of an artificial skin. The outer skin may be a glove with the inside of the glove having electrical conductors deposited thereon with contacts engaging opposite ends of the selected magnets.

Abstract: A generally anthropomorphic prehensor having at least two mechanical finger apparatus which interface directly with an object being grasped by apparatus of mechanical linking and control mechanisms operatively connected to the operator's fingers. Each mechanical finger has at least two finger links adjacent one another, each finger link independently rotatable about parallel axes in a plane of movement in response to movements of the corresponding phalanges of the operator's fingers. The mechanical prehensor is particularly useful in hostile or hazardous environments.

Abstract: A multisection flexible multidigit arm contains hands at each end, each of which hands contains a set of fingers, suitably three, which are similarly formed flexible multidigit arms constructed to a smaller scale. Each hand contains connectors for coupling the hand to a mating connector mounted on an associated structure to provide appropriate power and control signals to the arm. One hand may grip the connector and the other hand is free to move to various positions and perform various tasks. In an additional aspect the arm may move to different locations by somersaulting between spaced connectors in the system. In an assembly system the robotic arms are used to construct frames or other assemblies.A completely self contained arm includes a self contained source of power. Radio communication means are provided to allow electronic interaction with the arm from a remote location.

Abstract: A multisection flexible multidigit arm contains hands at each end, each of which hands contains a set of fingers, suitably three, which are similarly formed flexible multidigit arms constructed to a smaller scale. Each hand contains connectors for coupling the hand to a mating connector mounted on an associated structure to provide appropriate power and control signals to the arm. One hand may grip the connector and the other hand is free to move to various positions and perform various tasks. In an additional aspect the arm may move to different locations by somersaulting between spaced connectors in the system. In an assembly system the robotic arms are used to construct frames or other assemblies.A completely self contained arm includes a self contained source of power. Radio communication means are provided to allow electronic interaction with the arm from a remote location.

Abstract: Strips (20), housed in the slave arms (10) of a remote handling device and used for transmitting to the pair of gripping pliers borne by this arm orientation and tightening movements remote controlled by an operator, rotate pinions (26a) mounted at the extremity of the slave arm (10). These pinions (26a) are normally geared onto pinions (30a) mounted in a ball and socket joint (16) inserted between the pliers and the slave arm. When the ball and socket joint is dismounted, any attempt to remove the strips (20) is made impossible by the locking devices (60a) which come to rest onto the flanks of the pinions (26a) under the action of the spring (72). Any breakage of the strips due to their being pulled during dismantling of the ball and socket joint is thus avoided.

Abstract: The open end of the shaft (10) of the slave arm of a telemanipulator carries two fixed hooks (50) able to encircle two spindles (52) projecting on either side of a toggle joint (16) supporting a gripper (18). Hooks (50) and spindles (52) form a pivot axis, which is displaced from the side of the pivot pin (34) of the gripper with respect to a plane parallel to the pivot axix and containing the longitudinal axis of shaft (10a). On the side of the plane opposite to the hooks (50) and the spindles (52), a latch (54) locks the case (16a) to the end of the shaft, thus, formed coupling device (15).

Abstract: The invention refers to a tool or workpiece storing magazine incorporating a tool- or workpiece-change apparatus adapted to remove a tool or a workpiece from the magazine and to transport the it into a machining apparatus, and to remove a tool or workpiece from the machining apparatus and to transport it back to the storing magazine, respectively. The system comprises a plurality of essentially disc-shaped tool or workpiece supporting members rotatably and coaxially arranged with reference to a first axis of rotation which receive and support a plurality of tools or workpieces along the periphery thereof. A transport arm is pivotally mounted on a second axis of rotation and longitudinally displaceable along said second axis located in a certain distance from said first axis of rotation. The transport arm is adjustable with reference to its length and includes a gripping member mounted on its free end. The transport arm further includes a turning knuckle, the axis thereof extending in an angle of 45.degree.

Abstract: Remote manipulation method and system of the master-slave type in which an operation procedure plan is prepared for defining each of a sequence of pieces of work as being performed by manual operation or automatic operation at least on the basis of information on the level of skill of a human operator and the sequence of pieces of work is performed in accordance with the plan, whereby work can be done efficiently with human operator's skill taken into consideration.

Abstract: A gripping hand for a manipulator which consists of several hollow elements, simulating the human hand, which are linked to one another by articulations, whereby each member has a corresponding, reversibly actuated positioning drive and a sensor. For programming, the sensors detect the movements of the elements which are derived from a human hand inserted in the gripping hand, and the signals from the sensors determine the program which the elements perform, controlled by the relevant positioning drive. The gripping hand is associated with an arm which can be programmed by the movements of the gripping hand, if a human hand describing these movements is inserted in the gripping hand, and this arm can perform movements in three mutually perpendicular axes and rotary movements.

Abstract: A multi-axle programmable manipulator is described which includes a corresponding multi-axle training arm for programming the manipulator. A support for the training arm is disclosed which allows the training arm to so be anchored to the manipulator that the first axle of the training arm extends constantly in the extension of the first axle of the manipulator. The displacement of the second axle of the training arm is mechanically compensated to be rotatable about the second axis of the manipulator.

Abstract: A joint mechanism for a manipulator movable in the manner similar to human shoulder and elbow joints is disclosed. The joint mechanism comprises three actuators mounted on a shoulder frame, a first gear assembly for moving the shoulder frame back and forth when the first actuator is driven, a second gear assembly for moving the upper and lower arms clockwise or counterclockwise when the second actuator is driven, and a third gear assembly for moving only the lower arm back and forth or up and down when the third actuator is driven. Further, a balance weight and its gear assembly are attached and driven by the third actuator to keep weight balance of the moved lower arm. A fourth actuator and its gear assembly are disclosed for further moving the shoulder frame right and left.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using the same to inspect the interior of a construction such as a vessel, piping, machinery and the like, including jet engine combustion cans, comprises a fiberscope having a probe carrying fiberoptic systems which is inserted into the construction interior through an articulable and rotatable guide insertion tube. The guide insertion tube is articulated and/or rotated to manipulate the fiberscope probe and aim it toward a passage into an adjacent interior section. Once the fiberscope probe is extended out of the guide insertion tube and into the next interior section, it acts as a lead wire over which the guide insertion tube in pushed to extend the guide insertion tube into the next section, and so forth for the desired number of interior sections.

Abstract: A toy is constructed to include two unique linkages with the first linkage including a series of links located in a sequential array with each link pivotally connected to its next immediate adjacent neighbor and every other link operatively connected such that each link can pivot with respect to its neighbor and motion of a link pivotally connected to one side of a link is communicated to the link pivotally connected to the other side of that same link. This allows the linkage to propagate motion along the totality of the sequence in response to movement of any one link. The second linkage includes a first member which is pivotally connected to a rotating crank pin and connected at its upper end to a second lever which is pivotally connected to a body on which the crank pin rotates.

Abstract: Self-contained apparatus able to move along a non-horizontal surface and comprising a first train and a second train (48) connected to the first train by devices allowing to obtain a relative displacement by translation and rotation in a plane parallel to the surface, and first and second holding devices (2) carried respectively by the first and the second trains and able to fix removably the apparatus on the surface, wherein the holding devices carried by at least one of the trains are connected to the train through devices capable of displacing said train with respect to the holding devices in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Preferably, the holding devices (2) of the first train are comprised of a plurality of adherence devices forming a polygon and arranged outside the center of the holding devices of the second train, and the apparatus further comprises a processing or inspection tool (60) mounted so as to pivot with respect to the first train.

Abstract: A device for the disconnectable coupling of a support toggle joint of a gripper to the end of a slave arm of a remote manipulator. The arm and toggle joint each have a case in which are located means for transmitting movements to the gripper. The coupling device comprises at least two latches pivotably mounted on one of the cases and which are able to occupy a coupling position in which they bear against pins fixed to the other case. This couples the toggle joint to the end of the arm and the latches can also occupy a position in which they are disengaged from the pins in order to disconnect the toggle joint. The retractable locking means normally immobilizes the latches with respect to the case supporting them when the latches occupy the coupling position. The invention also provides a disconnection support for the coupling device.

Abstract: A one-hand-operable control unit for a bridge crane. A cam, rotated by pointing a control handle in the direction toward which it is desired for the bridge crane hoist to be moved, operates switches which connect power to the appropriate motors of the bridge crane to move the hoist longitudinally, laterally, or diagonally when a thumb-operated traverse power control switch, located on the control unit handle, is closed. Switches are conveniently located on the front of the control handle to control load-raising and lowering operation of the hoist motor. A flexible hollow shaft connecting the control handle with the cam rotates the direction-controlling cam in response to pointing the handle toward the direction of traverse movement desired.

Abstract: A prime mover having a central body with a plurality of elongated legs pivotally connected to said central body for movement both up and down and sideways and individual steerable drive means on each elongated leg to enable the prime mover to move over a wide variety of terrains. The drive means include ground supporting wheels or tracks. Carried on the prime mover are electro hydraulic control means for steering each of the drive means and electric control means for actuating each of the drive means for moving the prime mover along the ground. A work platform is supported on the central body, which is appropriately levelled and stabilized in work position by proper extension or retraction or vertical depression or elevation of the respective elongated legs. The prime mover has four independently mounted drive means or wheels, unconnected by common axles or mechanical linkage and having no fixed track, that are controlled in such a manner that the geometry of steering produces a coherent effect.

Abstract: An articulating waveguide arm assembly, comprising long arm segments, (11, 12, 15, 17, 19) and short corner segments (13, 14, 16, 18) has a single-mode hollow dielectric waveguide located inside each segment and an optically reflecting device (33, 34, 37, 38, 39) located at the end of each segment. The waveguide assembly is mechanically affixed to a robot assembly having protruding side shields (65, 66). The robot assembly includes a pair of long arms (61, 62) corresponding to a pair of the waveguide arms (15, 17). Another waveguide arm segment (12) of the waveguide assembly passes over the protruding side shields and terminates in a pair of successive corner segments (13, 14) for enabling a laser beam propagating through this long arm segment to enter into one of the pair of long waveguide segments (61).

Abstract: A releasable tool mount is provided for protecting tools carried by a manipulator from damage by excessive forces acting upon the tools irrespective of the direction of the force. The tool mount comprises a tool mounting plate, a housing for receiving the plate, support pins peripherally disposed upon the plate, receptacle placed within the housing for receiving the support pins and preload devices for exerting forces along the long axis of the support pins to maintain their engagement with the receptacle. Relative forces between the housing and the plate, sufficient to overcome the preload force, effect dislodgment of the pins from their associated receptacles. Fluidic sensing means are provided for detecting dislodgement of any pin from its receptacle.

Abstract: A telescopic telemanipulator of the master-slave type, wherein the slave arm is equilibrated by means of at least one counterweight mounted on a link articulated to the traversing block on the master arm side, the counterweight moving along the link when an offsetting is introduced between the length of the slave arm and that of the master arm; at least a second counterweight is mounted adjacent the first counterweight on another link, such counterweight moving along the link when a variation in the length of the slave arm is controlled from the master arm.The telemanipulator has application for the remote-controlled handling, among other things, of radioactive products.

Abstract: A control lever structure for a mechanical finger clamp having a grip and first and second members projecting therefrom in opposite directions from each other. The mechanical finger clamp comprises a mounting member, and a plurality of articulate fingers pivotally connected to the mounting member, each articulate finger having a base portion and a leading end portion pivotally connected to the base portion. Pivotal movements of the articulate fingers are caused by hydraulic cylinders. A plurality of switches are mounted on the grip and the first and second members for selectively operating the hydraulic cylinders via solenoid-operated control valves. The arrangement of the plurality of switches is such that the movements of operator's fingers for operating the switches are similar to the movements of the articulate fingers.

Abstract: A robot having an arm and an adapted actuating mechanism of a parallelogram construction, formed of vertical arms having the forward and rearward movement regulated within a fixed range, parallel rods having the up and down movement regulated within a fixed range, upper links and a forward horizontally extending horizontal arm is supported by side plates. At least the above mentioned vertical arms are provided with an X-axis driving device and the parallel rods are provided with a Z-axis driving device and means to balance the load of the work and arm mechanism.

Abstract: An industrial robot of the type comprising a frame mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and having a pivot arm which is pivotally attached to the frame for pivotally supporting a boom, is provided with a counterbalancing device for equalizing the weight of the boom. The counterbalancing device includes a toggle lever mounted for pivotal motion about a fixed horizontal axis that extends at right angles to the axis of rotation of the frame, a counterweight or piston being connected to the toggle lever at a point spaced from one side of the pivot axis of the toggle lever, and a linkage connecting a second point on the toggle lever, located on the other side of its pivot axis, to the pivot arm at a location that is spaced from the pivot axis between the pivot arm and frame.

Abstract: A programmable manipulator is provided in which the manipulator arm is counter-balanced in all of its major axes and these axes are provided with low friction joints so that a relatively small force is needed to move the arm in each of its principal axes. A separate low power driving source is then used to move the arm during the teaching operation, this low power driving source being capable of developing the relatively small force needed to move the arm at low speed during the teaching operation, but being incapable of moving the arm at high speed or exerting a torque on said arm which will be potentially harmful to programming personnel. After the desired path has been taught, the manipulator apparatus is switched over to a playback mode wherein a second relatively high power source is employed to move the arm at relatively high speed during successive playback cycles.

Abstract: An industrial robot is disclosed, which utilizes three like drive units for controlling movement about the three primary axes of rotation. Each drive unit comprises a pair of electrical stepping motors, which act through a differential gear train to control movement about the associated axis. Preferably, the number of teeth in the output drive gear of one motor differs from the number of teeth in the output drive gear of the other motor, whereby both motors may be operated at the same rotational speed to permit accurately controllable relative movement at a relatively slow speed, and one motor may be de-energized to achieve high speed operation.

Abstract: An operating arm for a manipulator with length adjustment by telescoping means has a transmission carriage slidably disposed in an outer telescopic tube and a number of concentric tubes are rotatably supported in the center of the transmission carriage for transmitting motion for various functions of the operating arm by means of bearings which are supported coaxially and on top of each other on a roller housing rotatably supported in the transmission carriage. The innermost of the concentric tubes is connected to the roller housing while the others have circumferential spur gear structure in engagement with spur gears and drive shafts extending into the outer tube outside said spur gear structures for operating said other concentric tubes.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing for the one-handed control of a rotary feedthru includes bi-directional braking means which is controllable by the same element used for imparting rotation to the feedthru.

Abstract: A three-axis wrist mechanism has three independent rotational axes with a point of mutual intersection. A stationary housing contains one of the axes while another axis is disposed in a tool support member. An intermediate axis is disposed in an intermediate housing. A plurality of gear trains provide the independent rotation of components about the three axes to permit selective positioning of a tool mounting surface within a substantially hemispherical envelope. The gear trains are arranged so that an unobstructed gear passage is maintained between the stationary base and the tool support member for accommodating hoses and/or wires which are used to transmit fluid and power to a tool mounted on the mounting surface of the tool support member.

Abstract: Arm having a gravity-balancing function effective for use in welding robots as well as robots employed in a variety of industrial fields. Projectively provided over the fulcrum of an arm (1) is a rotary sheave (2), whose position is perpendicularly maintained regardless of the vertical swaying of the arm (1). A wire (6) is extended from an action point (A) on a line traced by the center of gravity of the arm (1), to the rotary sheave (2), and is connected to a spring mechanism (3) which may extend by the length of elongation equal to the distance between the action point (A) and the rotary sheave (2), whereby a moment due to the weight of the arm (1) is completely balanced to provide an arm with gravity-balancing.

Abstract: Control apparatus for manipulator welding apparatus is provided that includes a vision correction system for workpiece sensing. During an initial teach mode, the manipulator is taught the desired welding path on a workpiece by the appropriate recording of data representing the welding path as an operator controls movement of the manipulator. In addition to the data representing the taught welding path, data representing a reference image or template is also recorded in the teach mode. The reference image or template data is provided by a vision system including a camera carried by the manipulator arm. As successive workpieces are presented to the manipulator for performing the desired welding path, in a repeat work cycle mode the manipulator is controlled to move in accordance with the recorded taught data in a first repeat pass wherein images of the welding seam region are detected at successive points.

Abstract: A manipulator consisting of a slave assembly, a master unit, and a control circuit. The movement of the various components of the slave assembly are actuated by electric stepping motors, and the slave assembly itself comprises a pantograph linkage having a wrist at one end of an extended link of the linkage. A jaw assembly connected to the wrist is arrranged to be operated by a fluid circuit which is pressurized by an electric pump and regulated by the action of a throttling device that has a plunger held over an opening by an electric solenoid. Movement of the plunger is detected by the change of impedance of a sensing coil as the plunger enters the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the feasibility of performing a programmed sequence of motions with a robot. Included is a work robot at a first location having a plurality of power-driven, signal-controlled, relatively massive links interconnected to permit relative motion in plural degrees of freedom, the work robot having a given mechanical response characteristic. Associated with each link of the work robot is a position transducer which generates a signal representative of the actual position of its associated work robot link. Also included is a portable, relatively lightweight, manually manipulable simulator robot located remote from the work robot. The simulator robot has a plurality of different interconnected links adapted for manual movement in different degrees of freedom for setting a program of desired mechanical responses, with the links and degrees of freedom of the simulator robot simulating those of the work robot.

Abstract: A counterbalance device for operation with the manipulator of a laser knife in which the moment of the knife is maintained in a balanced state over the entire range of movement of the knife so that the movement of the knife is smooth over its entire range and its operability highly increased. A counterbalance device of the invention is coupled to the manipulator at a fulcrum point. The centers of gravity of the manipulator and counterbalance device are in the same vertical plane. The center of gravity of the counterbalance device is moved in parallel with the movement of the center of gravity of the manipulator. In preferred embodiments, the counterbalance device includes arm sections which are geometrically similar to the arm structure of the manipulator device. A rotatable arm of the counterbalance device is coupled through rotatable links to the corresponding rotatable arm of the manipulator so as to maintain dynamical balance.

Abstract: A mechanical hand amusement device consisting of a movable grip member joined by a rod, which extends through a tubular arm, to a hand member having a fixed thumb and four finger members which bend inward when the grip member is squeezed. Each finger member includes three hollow segments which are joined by flexible hinges at the tops, and have a flexible strap which is anchored within the fingertip segment running along the bottoms. The strap extending through each of the finger members is coupled to the rod so that a portion of the strap is retracted into the hand member when the grip member is squeezed. The resulting forces move the finger members inward in a grasping motion. A spring within the hand member returns the elements to their at-rest positions when the grip member is released.

Abstract: An articulation for a manipulation arm at one end of which a tool, e.g. a spray gun, is to be mounted has two supporting elements such as plates or rings which are intercoupled by connecting rods, and joints between the connecting rods and the supporting elements have at least two degrees of freedom. A preferred number of rods is three, and two of the joints may be pivotally mounted to one of the supporting element but a third is non-rotatably mounted. By independent angular driving of two of the coupling rods a wide range of articulation displacements may be caused as between the supporting elements and hence communicated to a tool mounted on one of them. Furthermore the attitude of the tool about an axis perpendicular to the ring may be controlled by a rotatable drive rod linking pivots disposed centrally of each supporting element.

Abstract: A control system for programming operations of a spraygun robot for spraying paint comprises a mobile control structure having jointed parts of the robot, and also possesses transducers corresponding to transducers of the robot, for transforming electrical signals respectively from and into operations of the mobile structure and of the robot. The control structure is relatively light and mobile to facilitate manual operation. The robot is sufficiently massive and heavy to permit numerous operations of the joint devices thereof in a point-spray atmosphere.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, carried by a first vehicle such as an orbiting space shuttle, having a plurality of contact members for engaging and holding an annular ring on a second vehicle such as an orbiting payload. The contact members are connected to manipulator arms which are mounted at a fulcrum point and which are moved by an iris-type mechanism. Movement of the manipulator arms causes the contact members to grasp or release the annular ring. Bumper devices are provided to axially align the annular ring and draw the contact members into engagement therewith.

Abstract: A guide device for the supply lines that lead to the work tool at the work end of a multi-axis manipulator's boom. The guide device includes a slidable block positioned to the rear of the wrist assembly of the boom and connected by a flexible cable to the work tool for controlling bending of the supply lines so as to minimize twisting thereof as the work tool is moved about a pair of intersecting axes.