Abstract: A "master-slave" remote manipulation apparatus having six degrees of freedom. The apparatus includes a flexible parallelogram with two parallel arms hinged to a cross member with one degree of rotational freedom and to a frame with two degrees of rotational freedom; two parallel-hinged "master" and "slave" devices at the end of each respective arm; and five two-way linear motion transmitting devices between the "master" and "slave" devices.

Abstract: A parallel structure manipulator device for displacing an object in a cylindrical work space about a predetermined axis (X) includes at least three drive mechanisms (A, B, C) interposed between a base (2) and a moving element (1). Two of the mechanisms (A, B) each include: mover (V) movable along a circular path (L) in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axis (X); a connecting rod (7) extending between the mover and the element (1) and connected thereto by a hinge (8) capable of two-directional rotation; and an attitude transmission member (9) associated with the connecting rod for maintaining the element (1) parallel to the transverse plane. The mechanisms (A, B) act together on the element (1) to define its angular position about the axis (X) and its distance (D) from a notional axis (W) passing through those ends of the connecting rods that are connected to the mover. A third mechanism (C) is free to rotate relative to the base about an axis parallel to the axis (X) and away from the transverse plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of robot manipulators comprised of a macro-manipulator combined with a micro-manipulator with a load grasping device. The control is accomplished from set-point values of force (F.sup.d) and set-point values of position (.chi..sup.d), which are compared to real values (F.sup.m, .chi..sup.m) in order to produce increments of displacement (.DELTA.x, .DELTA.y, .DELTA.z, .DELTA..theta.x, .DELTA..theta.y, .DELTA..theta.z) intended for the load grasping device. Added to values (.chi..sup.m) representing the actual position, these increments yield new set-point values of position (.chi.'.sup.d) of the load grasping device. These set-point values are distributed (at 29) between the macro-manipulator and the micro-manipulator, taking into account the deformation (.DELTA.X ) and the mobility that are acceptable for the macro-manipulator. Specific application: robot manipulator of large size and high capacity for outdoor use, especially on construction sites.

Abstract: A handling device enabling an object to be displaced in such a manner that it retains a predetermined attitude, the device having:a fixed base (1); a moving object (2); and three actuators (3) interposed between the base (1) and the object (2), with each actuator comprising: a hinge (9) that is displaceable over a circular trajectory (C) in a vertical plane; at least one driving actuator (4) pivotally supported (6) by the base and connected at its moving end to the hinge whose circular trajectory is centered on a fixed point (O) of the base which is separate from the pivot axis (6) of the actuator; and a connecting bar (10) of fixed length between the object (2) and the hinge (9), the bar supporting two wheels (11) that are coupled together to rotate in the same direction and with the same amplitude by an attitude transmission member (14).