Abstract: A gimbal of the present disclosure includes an outer yoke and an inner yoke coaxially mounted with respect to a Z axis. A first bearing assembly is held by the outer yoke and rotatable about an X axis. A second bearing assembly is held by the inner yoke and rotatable about a Y axis. The first and second bearing assemblies are coupled to each other by a mechanical interface rotatably connected to both the first and the second bearing assemblies. The inner yoke is rotatable about the Z axis with respect to the outer yoke, or vice versa, such that the X axis may be decoupled from the Y axis.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying epoxy to a surface to form alphanumeric characters or other indicia. The apparatus may include a robotic system for facilitating controlled movement in mutually-perpendicular x, y and z directions, with a pen mounted to the robotic system so that the pen can be moved in the x, y and z directions, the pen having access to a supply of the epoxy.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a mount member, a base member with threaded openings and an aperture, two links, and an output member with threaded openings and an aperture. The manipulator also includes three motors mounted to the mount member and three drive trains connected to the motors, respectively.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a mount member, a base member with threaded openings and an aperture, two links, and an output member with threaded openings and an aperture. The manipulator also includes three motors mounted to the mount member and three drive trains connected to the motors, respectively.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a mount member, a base member with threaded openings, a coupling member, and an output member with threaded openings. The manipulator also includes three motors mounted to the mount member and three drive trains connected to the motors, respectively.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system includes a base support and a manipulable support. A plurality of lower link members are pivotally coupled to the base support, and each includes a spherical section capture opening. A plurality of upper link members are rotatably coupled to the lower link members via spherical joints at the spherical section capture openings. The manipulable support is pivotally coupled to the plurality of upper link members.

Abstract: A manipulator includes a mount member, a base member with threaded openings, a coupling member, and an output member with threaded openings. The manipulator also includes three motors mounted to the mount member and three drive trains connected to the motors, respectively.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system includes a base support and a manipulable support. A plurality of lower link members are pivotally coupled to the base support, and each includes a spherical section capture opening. A plurality of upper link members are rotatably coupled to the lower link members via spherical joints at the spherical section capture openings. The manipulable support is pivotally coupled to the plurality of upper link members.

Abstract: A mechanical manipulator (1) selectively positions an output structure (2, 20). The mechanical manipulator (1) includes a base assembly (3), a holder base (4) attached to the base assembly (3), a holder (5, 25) attached to the holder base (4) and being rotatable by a holder rotation motor (9), a first resolver (7) mounted to measure rotational movement of the holder (5, 25), an output structure rotation motor (13) configured to rotate the output structure (2, 20), and a second resolver (11) mounted to measure rotational movement of the output structure (2, 20).

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a manipulable support, and a plurality of hinged doubled pivoting links rotatably coupled to the base support and rotatably coupled to the manipulable support. A plurality of force imparting members has at least one coupled to one of the plurality of doubled pivoting links so as to be able to cause it to rotate. Also, at least one is coupled to the base support so as to be able to cause that base support to move toward or away. This joint can be used with a similar control joint, coupled thereto by coupling shafts held apart by a slidable separator, to form an extended length inserter for inserting an object positionable by the insertion joint in an obstructed location reached along a constricted passageway. These structures, positioned within a barrel, can rotate together but an activator slider, positioned at least partially about that barrel though not rotatable therewith, is coupled to the separator to cause sliding thereof.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system that permits a controlled motion member, joined to a base member, to selectively move with respect to said base member having a base support, an output structure, and a plurality of securing links including a fixed length securing link that is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the base support and rotatably connected at an opposite end thereof to the output structure. Further included is a variable length securing link that is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the base support and rotatably connected at an opposite end thereof to the output structure and having a force distributor therewith that can be directed to vary a separation distance between said ends thereof by a force imparting member capable of directing the force distributor to vary the separation distance between the variable length securing link ends.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system having a base support, an output structure and a plurality of securing links each rotatably connected at a first end thereof to a selected one of the base support and the output structure with a circumferential motion pair of those securing links having each member thereof rotatably connected at an opposite second end thereof to that remaining one of the base support and the output structure so as to have the second end of each member rotate in a corresponding rotation plane. These second ends also rotate about a common symmetry rotation axis perpendicular to the rotation planes. In addition, there is a force imparting member that is coupled to a selected coupling one of said first and second ends of a selected one of said circumferential motion pair of securing links, and is capable of directing said coupling end to rotate.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system permitting a controlled motion member, joined to a base member, to selectively move with respect to the base member, has a base support, an output structure, and a fork arc structure having a pair of arc output ends with the output structure rotatably connected to a corresponding one of the pair of arc arms adjacent the arc output end thereof so as to be rotatable about an output structure rotation axis. A fork arc structure rotary support has each remaining base end of the pair of arc arms joined thereto and is rotatably connected to the base support so that said fork arc structure is rotatable about a fork axis intersecting the base plane at a selected suspension angle. An output structure force imparting means is connected between the output structure and an operating one of the pair of arc arms. A fork arc structure force imparting means is connected between the base support and the fork arc structure.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system that permits a controlled motion member, joined to a base member, to selectively move with respect to said base member having a base support, an output structure, and a plurality of securing links including a fixed length securing link that is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the base support and rotatably connected at an opposite end thereof to the output structure. Further included is a variable length securing link that is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the base support and rotatably connected at an opposite end thereof to the output structure and having a force distributor therewith that can be directed to vary a separation distance between said ends thereof by a force imparting member capable of directing the force distributor to vary the separation distance between the variable length securing link ends.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a pivot holder and a plurality of pivoting links with the pivoting links rotatably coupled to both the base support and to members of the pivot holder to rotate about axes which extend in different directions for each of these rotatable couplings in a link, typically in accord with specific geometrical arrangements, and in different directions from similar axes in another of such links. The foregoing various rotatable couplings are provided by insertable bearings or bushings in the supports and links. The pivoting links have larger portions thereof outside of the interior of the manipulator parts of which can extend outside in different directions. Such systems can incorporate a variety of force imparting members to control movements of various ones of the pivoting links or pivot holder members.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system having first and second support structures with a controlled output position joint connecting them, and with similar joints on these support structures. One joint is coupled to another controlled relative motion system having an output carrier rotatable in two perpendicular directions through the use of gears therein. This output carrier supports two articulated manipulating systems of which one has a single axis rotatable subbase supporting a rotatable gripping extension, and the other has a shackle connected to a base effector which shackle is supported on a fixed pedestal and another shackle connected to a base effector which shackle is supported on a moveable pedestal.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a manipulable support, a group of link end constrainers each having a first portion movably connected to a second portion thereof so that ends of the first and second portions can be selectively separated from one another in a selected direction so as to have a selected distance therebetween, and two groups of pivoting links. With at least four link end constrainers in the group thereof, the first group of pivoting links has corresponding links each rotatably coupled to force imparting means or to the base support so as to be rotatable about a corresponding base link axis where each of said base link axes extend into regions between adjacent ones of said first group of pivoting links into which regions said base link axes of said adjacent ones also extend, and each coupled to a first portion end of a corresponding one of the group of link end constrainers.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a manipulable support, a group of link end constrainers each having a first portion movably connected to a second portion thereof so that ends of the first and second portions can be selectively separated from one another in a selected direction so as to have a selected distance therebetween, and two groups of pivoting links. With at least four link end constrainers in the group thereof, the first group of pivoting links has corresponding links each rotatably coupled to force imparting means or to the base support so as to be rotatable about a corresponding base link axis where each of said base link axes extend into regions between adjacent ones of said first group of pivoting links into which regions said base link axes of said adjacent ones also extend, and each coupled to a first portion end of a corresponding one of the group of link end constrainers.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a manipulable support, a group of link end constrainers each having a first portion movably connected to a second portion thereof so that ends of the first and second portions can be selectively separated from one another in a selected direction so as to have a selected distance therebetween, and two groups of pivoting links. With at least four link end constrainers in the group thereof, the first group of pivoting links has corresponding links each rotatably coupled to force imparting means or to the base support so as to be rotatable about a corresponding base link axis where each of said base link axes extend into regions between adjacent ones of said first group of pivoting links into which regions said base link axes of said adjacent ones also extend, and each coupled to a first portion end of a corresponding one of the group of link end constrainers.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a pivot holder and a plurality of pivoting links with the pivoting links rotatably coupled to both the base support and to members of the pivot holder to rotate about axes which extend in different directions for each of these rotatable couplings in a link, typically in accord with specific geometrical arrangements, and in different directions from similar axes in another of such links. Such systems can incorporate a variety of force imparting members to control movements of various ones of the pivoting links or pivot holder members. The pivoting links can be bent, and the pivot holder members can be hinged.