Abstract: A process and an arrangement handles a person in a rocking movement on a couch relative a base by means of pressure medium driven actuating means in the couch. The couch is converted from a substantially planar or slightly bent starting position, with the person resting against the couch to a C-shaped holding position, bent about the longitudinal axis of the person. The person is rocked relative to the base in a rocking movement from side to side on the base maintained in aid C-shaped holding position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool is provided for gripping an object while in another embodiment, the tool is provided for supporting or tuning a person or object resting on a bed or other support. The tool is comprised of a hollow body which can be deformed under a pressure-loaded condition into a concavely curved main surface with an opposite convexly curved back surface. The hollow body has a plurality of parallel chambers on opposite sides of a housing which is transversed to the chambers so as to receive a pressurized medium via the housing. When pressure medium is applied to the chamber, the chamber deforms from a rectilinear condition into a curved condition.

Abstract: A pressure actuated gripping apparatus for use as a robot hand or in other applications. The device comprises a plurality of fingers moveable in response to pressurization with a fluid such as hydraulic oil. The apparatus includes a casing made of soft flexible material which is pre-shaped to assume an end flexed equilibrium position in response to pressurization with fluids. Each finger includes a longitudinal stiffening member which is flexible in a bending plane defined by motion of the finger between a flexed and an extended release position. In planes perpendicular to the bending plane, the stiffening member is substantially rigid. Each finger includes two longitudinally extending fluid chambers, and means for alternately charging and discharging the chambers. A set of first chambers, one in each finger, is connected to a common source of pressure, and the chambers communicate with one another.

Abstract: The lifting apparatus employs a plurality of stacked annular discs, each of which is secured at the inner and outer periphery to an adjacent disc to define a hollow space. Circular discs are secured at the opposite ends of the stacked annular discs to enclose the hollow space. The lifting apparatus is collapsible from an extended elongated position to a collapsed position. A nipple is provided to permit the entry of compressed air into the hollow space when the lifting apparatus is in the elongated extended position to allow the hollow space to be radially expanded while being longitudinally contracted in order to effect lifting of an object secured to the lower end of the listing apparatus.

Abstract: Pliers comprising a stationary pliers member (10) with associated first jaw member (11) and a moveable pliers member (12) with associated second jaw member (13). Jaw member (13) of the moveable pliers member is moveable towards and away from jaw member (11) of the stationary pliers member by means of an actuating handle (21) pivotable relative to the stationary pliers member (10). The second jaw member (13) is moveable towards the first jaw member (11) in a two-step movement, that is to say with a first movement with relatively long length of movement and with relatively little force by means of a first actuating means (17, 19) between the actuating handle (21) and the moveable pliers member (12) and with a second movement with relatively short length of movement and with relatively large force by means of a second actuating means (26) between the actuating handle (21) and the moveable pliers member (12).