Abstract: Apparatus for suspending an article for movement in a gravitational field incorporates a fixed hanger with one or more axle members stacked below the hanger and connected thereto. For each axle there is a rotor mounted on the axle, with a housing connected to the rotor and defining a horizontal passageway offset with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor. In each passageway there is a slide arm, and a guiding mechanism for guiding the slide arm. In a preferred form, the slide arm defines a horizontal axis about which a swing arm is pivoted, the swing arm supporting an article at the other end. A constant force is generated within the apparatus, and the force is applied to the swing arm in such a way as to consistently counterbalance the weight of the article.

Abstract: A device from which articles can be suspended comprising a suspension post, a first rotor, a first bearing having a shaft and a race rotatable about the shaft, the first end of said shaft of said first bearing being rigidly mounted with respect to said suspension post, said rotor being carried by said race of said first bearing for rotation about the axis of the shaft of said first bearing, a first bearing coupler rigidly mounted with respect to said shaft of said first bearing and adapted to receive in rigid coupling relation one end of the shaft of a second bearing that is similar to said first bearing, an article support arm assembly carried by said rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of an object in the gravitational field includes a piston in a cylinder with one end exposed to atmospheric pressure and the other end exposed to a pressure below atmospheric. The pressure drop across the piston remains substantially unchanged as piston moves between two pistons; therefore, the piston is subject to a substantially unchanged force. A mechanism is provided to apply the substantially unchanging force against a swingable support member through a variable moment arm.

Abstract: A trolley for suspending a weight from an overhead track having a pair of spaced, parallel rails or comprising an I beam. The trolley comprises a pair of slide members slidable along the track; friction elements locatable below the track; and arms interconnecting the slide members and the friction elements to suspend a weight therefrom whereby on suspension of a weight from the interconnecting arms at least the friction elements are moved towards the track to lock the trolley in a preselected position along the track.

Abstract: An adjustable suspension support having a suspensible vertical cylinder, a coaxial shaft in the cylinder, a brake device on the upper end of the shaft, a grip device carried by the lower end of the shaft with an associated lever, a spacer tube between the brake and the grip, and at least one hanger on the support for holding an object. The brake means has a collar carrying spherical bearings and a plug on the end of the shaft retaining the bearings in the cage. The device is rotatable about its vertical axis and it is adjustable vertically by actuating the lever and exerting an upward force on the grip to release the brake.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable suspension support unit having a vertical cylinder and a brake element slidable in the cylinder. The brake element comprises a pair of collars located coaxially in the cylinder with opposed bevels providing a raceway for spherical bearings, the angle of each bevel being between 35.degree. and 70.degree., preferably 45.degree., with respect to a transverse plane of the cylinder normal to its axis. The collars are connected to a grip and are movable towards and away from one another to clamp or release the brake element in the cylinder, the brake element being axially rotatable while clamped.

Abstract: A manual suspension support, in which a pair of tubes are telescoped using a vacuum source. A slidable piston in a cylinder is selectively brakable by manipulation of a handle which also carries a valve operable to vary the vacuum in the cylinder.