Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached. A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies, including a magnetic braking assembly.

Abstract: A support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end attached to a master sled and slave sled, respectively. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion at the master sled at the slave sled. The replication mechanism includes a series of pulleys and arced components coordinated with lines that pass through an inner ring of a central gimbal.

Abstract: An equipoising arm structure that can selectively exert force in any direction—lifting, pressing down, or applying lateral bias—with consistent force throughout its range of articulation, comprises a force exerting device having a force exerting structure including a load arm as a first side pivotable about a load pivot, a resilient member attached to the load arm and to a termination point and forming a second side of the force exerting structure. The third side of the structure is formed by a line from the termination point to the load pivot. A first adjustment mechanism moves the termination point to change the length and disposition of the third side of the structure to positions above or below the load pivot. Additional adjustment mechanisms may alter the mounting angle of the entire force exerting structure, and/or the angular relationship between a plurality its force-exerting component devices.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed having a supporting bar with a twisted configuration. At least one lens is slidably connected to the supporting bar such that the lens rotates when slid longitudinally along the supporting bar. The optical device further comprises a nose piece connected to the supporting bar, which may be stationary or adjustable with respect to the supporting bar. As the lens or lenses are slid along the supporting bar, they achieve a continuously changing angle relative to the nosepiece.

Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly incorporated into a device holder.

Abstract: A support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end attached to a master sled and slave sled, respectively. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion at the master sled at the slave sled. The replication mechanism includes a series of pulleys and arced components coordinated with lines that pass through an inner ring of a central gimbal.

Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached. A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies, including a magnetic braking assembly.

Abstract: A support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end attached to a master sled and slave sled, respectively. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion at the master sled at the slave sled. A gimbal and handle assembly with a motion dampening capabilities is also included.

Abstract: An image-capture device stabilizer comprising a plurality of frictionally engaged components. The components are, or are configurable into, parts such as an image-capture device platform, a gimbal apparatus, and one or more balancing arms. The image-capture device stabilizer is pre-balanced for a specific image-capture device, and can be constructed to be suitable with an image-capture device weighing less than 1 lb. The image-capture device stabilizer can be provided in a kit. The invention also includes a method of fabricating an image-capture device stabilizer.

Abstract: A force exerting device having a force exerting structure including a load arm as a first side, pivotable about a load pivot, a resilient member attached to the load arm and to a termination point and forming a second side of the force exerting structure. The third side of the structure is formed by a line from the termination point to the load pivot. A first adjustment mechanism moves the termination point to change the length of the third side of the structure. A second adjustment mechanism moves the termination point in a direction different than the first adjustment direction so the termination point location can cross a substantially plumb line passing through the load pivot. A force modification device may be included to dynamically adjust the resilient member termination point position in response to motion of the load arm.

Abstract: A folding, adjustable camera support having a central post secured in one or more central post holders. A first camera equipment support component having a distal end and a proximate end is adjustably attached at its proximate end to one of the one or more central post holders, and is configured to adjust between an operative position and a folded position via an adjustment mechanism. The distance of the camera equipment is adjustable radially from the central post. A second camera equipment support component is similarly configured and adjustable with respect to the central post, and can balance the first camera equipment component.

Abstract: A tool support system is disclose having a yoke; a plurality of concentric rings having at least one ring pivotally connected to the yoke; a tool fastening mechanism to secure a tool in the support system; and one or more rotation components to permit the tool to rotate within a ring of the support structure. One or more of the concentric rings can be added to the system or can replace one or more concentric rings to accommodate tools of different sizes. The invention includes a method of configuring a support apparatus and a support apparatus kit with various interchangeable parts, and parts that can be built out to varying degrees to permit the support structure to be used on numerous types of tools.

Abstract: An upper body appendage support apparatus having an articulating parallelogram support structure connected to an articulating upper body appendage support structure, the latter accommodating a user's forearm, wrist, and/or heel-of-hand. The apparatus analogously jointed to the human arm and moving synchronously therewith.

Abstract: A support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end. Master component masses are connected to and balanced at the balance pole master end on a master sled with a master gimbal apparatus, and slave component masses are connected to and balanced at the balance pole slave end on a support structure or slave sled with a slave gimbal apparatus. A tertiary gimbal is attached to the balance pole at its center of balance. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion of the master gimbal at the slave gimbal so the orientation of the master sled is mimicked by the slave sled.

Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached, A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies comprising resilient components.

Abstract: A supporting and orienting apparatus that is angularly agile and can balance the weight of tools, and permits quick tool replacement is disclosed. An inner gimbal portion holds the tool at its center of balance and is rotationally disposed within an outer gimbal portion. The gimbal portion combination is rotationally attached to an articulated arm. The tool with one or both gimbal portions attached can be removed and replaced with another tool, also having gimbal portions attached such that the tool is automatically balanced when inserted into the support apparatus.

Abstract: A support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end attached to a master sled and slave sled, respectively. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion at the master sled at the slave sled. A gimbal and handle assembly with a motion dampening capabilities is also included.

Abstract: A folding, adjustable camera support having a central post secured in one or more central post holders. A first camera equipment support component having a distal end and a proximate end is adjustably attached at its proximate end to one of the one or more central post holders, and is configured to adjust between an operative position and a folded position via an adjustment mechanism. The distance of the camera equipment is adjustable radially from the central post. A second camera equipment support component is similarly configured and adjustable with respect to the central post, and can balance the first camera equipment component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end. Master component masses are connected to and balanced at the balance pole master end on a master sled with a master gimbal apparatus, and slave component masses are connected to and balanced at the balance pole slave end on a support structure or slave sled with a slave gimbal apparatus. A tertiary gimbal is attached to the balance pole at its center of balance. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion of the master gimbal at the slave gimbal so the orientation of the master sled is mimicked by the slave sled.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus and a method of biasing a hinge are disclosed having a hinge body, at least one end block attached to the hinge body and pivotal therewith around an axis, and a biasing component attached to the hinge body to selectively influence the resting angle of the hinge body with respect to the first end block.