Abstract: A compliant structure including a frame and a shuttle distant from the frame mounted on a cantilever that is supported by the frame. The cantilever and shuttle together are movable transversely to and out of a plane of the frame. The structure also includes one or more flexures that connect the cantilever with the frame. The cantilever includes a body at least in part extending in a first direction which points to the shuttle. The one or more flexures connect to the shuttle and/or to the cantilever in the vicinity of the shuttle. The flexures are oriented in a second direction, which second direction is generally transverse with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: An energy harvester comprising a mass that is subjectable to environmental forces for bringing it into the status of a moving mass, and means linked to the mass for converting and storing of energy embodied in the moving mass, which means are arranged for subsequent release of said energy, wherein the mass is part of a compliant system comprising a frame and first and second elastic beams connecting the mass to the frame, wherein the first and second elastic beams are provided with opposite stiffnesses so as to arrange that in a predefined range of excursions of the moving mass, said mass experiences a preselected stiffness.

Abstract: System for moving a mobile tendon controlled platform robot, comprising a mobile platform, at least one drive and at least one tendon connected to the mobile platform, wherein the relative position of the at least one tendon with respect to the mobile platform is controllable with the at least one drive, and wherein the at least one tendon is enabled to move without chafing past a surface of an object external to the mobile tendon controlled platform robot.

Abstract: System for moving a mobile tendon controlled platform robot, comprising a mobile platform, at least one drive means and at least one tendon connected to the mobile platform, wherein the relative position of the at least one tendon with respect to the mobile platform is controllable with the at least one drive means, and wherein the at least one tendon is provided with means to enable the tendon to move without chafing past a surface of an object external to the mobile tendon controlled platform robot.

Abstract: An energy harvester comprising a mass that is subjectable to environmental forces for bringing it into the status of a moving mass, and means linked to the mass for converting and storing of energy embodied in the moving mass, which means are arranged for subsequent release of said energy, wherein the mass is part of a compliant system comprising a frame and first and second elastic beams connecting the mass to the frame, wherein the first and second elastic beams are provided with opposite stiffnesses so as to arrange that in a predefined range of excursions of the moving mass, said mass experiences a preselected stiffness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical device for tissue-regeneration inside a patient, comprising means (2, 3) to place a scaffold for the tissue under mechanical stress. Said means comprise a first device-part (2) and a second device-part (3) which parts are arranged to be movable with respect to each other, and wherein the first device-part supports a first receptacle (4) and the second device-part supports a second receptacle (5), which receptacles both have open tops (6, 7) that are pointed towards each other so that both receptacles together define a confined area (8) for holding the scaffold.

Abstract: A delta robot comprising a stationary base and a movable platform that is connected to the base with three chains of links, and comprising a balancing system incorporating at least one pantograph for balancing the robot's center of mass, wherein the at least one pantograph has a first free extremity at which it supports a countermass which is arranged to balance the center of mass of the robot.

Abstract: An apparatus for exerting a force on a load, comprising at least a first spring system and a second spring system, which two spring systems are coupled with the load and produce forces that are applied to the load, wherein an adjusting device is provided coupled with the load, which is equipped with at least one coupling with which the first spring system and/or the second spring system are/is coupled, and which adjusting device is designed for moving the coupling subject to an adjustment of the load, wherein the first spring system has a linear spring characteristic and is coupled with the load, and wherein the second spring system is coupled with the coupling at a side of the coupling removed from the load, and wherein the coupling is designed for adjusting the second spring system subject to a predetermined spring characteristic of the second spring system such that, at the side of the load, the combination of the coupling with the second spring system possesses a force path diagram having a linear charact

Abstract: An apparatus for exerting a force on a load, comprising at least a first spring system and a second spring system, which two spring systems are coupled with the load and produce forces that are applied to the load, wherein an adjusting device is provided coupled with the load, which is equipped with at least one coupling with which the first spring system and/or the second spring system are/is coupled, and which adjusting device is designed for moving the coupling subject to an adjustment of the load, wherein the first spring system has a linear spring characteristic and is coupled with the load, and wherein the second spring system is coupled with the coupling at a side of the coupling removed from the load, and wherein the coupling is designed for adjusting the second spring system subject to a predetermined spring characteristic of the second spring system such that, at the side of the load, the combination of the coupling with the second spring system possesses a force path diagram having a linear charact

Abstract: A method for separating a lump piece of rosette plants. The method includes the steps of gripping a rosette plant and positioning it parallel to a longitudinal axis of an elongated holder which has a longitudinal opening at least along the longitudinal axis; introducing a part of the lump piece of the rosette plant into the holder via the mentioned longitudinal opening; cutting off the lump piece along a cutting plane parallel to the longitudinal axis, while closing the longitudinal opening, such that the introduced part of the lump piece is enclosed in the holder; and removing the enclosed cut-off part of the lump piece from the holder. The method includes the further step of cutting off a part of the rosette plant enclosed in the holder along a second cutting plane.

Abstract: A balancing device for a mass, comprising an arm that is adjustable about a pivoting point and with which the mass is coupled, and an adjustable spring system that is coupled with the arm, which spring system comprises at least one spring, wherein the spring system comprises an adjusting mechanism that is connected with the at least one spring, which adjusting mechanism is designed for adjusting the at least one spring so as to aid balancing the mass that is coupled with the arm, wherein a predetermined energy content of the spring system remains substantially the same.

Abstract: A seating unit for supporting a body or part of a body comprises a base part and at least one supporting part for supporting the body or part of the body. The supporting part is situated or can be placed in a set nominal height position relative to the base part. In addition, the supporting part is movable at least in the vertical direction over a certain movement range relative to the nominal height position, in such a way that within this movement range the supporting part can take up various positions of equilibrium when there is a certain weight on the supporting part.

Abstract: The invention relates to manipulating pliers especially but not exclusively for surgical purposes, comprising a frame, at a first side of the frame a control handle and at a second side opposite the first side of the frame a gripper as well as a coupling between the control handle and the gripper. The control handle and the gripper are each coupled to the frame by means of a roller bearing.