Abstract: A device for pivoting a structural member about the axle of a hinge, and hinge being fitted to the structural member and to an object so as to permit pivoting of the member relative to the object, the member having at least one edge portion which is magnetic and which swings along a planar path when the member pivots about the hinge axle relative to the object, the device including: an arm pivoted for rotation about an axis which is parallel to the hinge axle; at least one magnet carried by the arm, the arrangement being such that, upon pivoting of the arm, the magnet moves in a path parallel to the path of the magnetic edge portion of the member and spaced a small distance from the path of the magnetic edge portion to provide an air gap between the magnet edge portion and the magnet, whereby the magnet and the magnetic edge portion are out of contact with each other but can be magnetically coupled so as to move simultaneously in their respective paths upon pivoting of the member relative to the body; and a m

Abstract: A robot arm usable for an industrial robot adapted to freely bend to realize a pattern of movement having a high ability of movement, excellent reachability and high accuracy by virtue of a comparatively small amount of rotational movement and a comparatively large amount of translational movement. The robot arm has cylindrical arm portions (14, 15, 16) flexibly connected to one after another via joints, and the arm portions comprise one upper arm (14), at least one intermediate arm (15) and one lower arm (16). An arm portion which belongs to a certain joint is formed with joint faces (21) which are inclined with respect to a longitudinally extending axis (29). A joint axis (22) of this joint extends at a right angle with respect to each of the joint faces (21). Each of the arm portions is freely turnable about the joint axis (22) independently of adjacent one or plural arm portions.

Abstract: A device for torsion-proof connection of a number of elements (11, 12) in direct or indirect rolling contact with each other, which together make a robot arm or the like, whereby the elements are held together and actuated by force transmitting actuators, for example cords. The object of the present invention is to provide a device with which the individual elements of a robot arm can be torsionally locked so that it can bear significant torsional forces without detoriating the rolling characteristics of the elements. This object has been achieved by the fact that the elements (11, 12; 15) pairwise, with their rolling surfaces (13) turned towards each other, being connected with each other through a torsion member (14) which is flexible and/or joined in the rolling direction of the elements (11, 12) and which has a great stiffness across the rolling direction.

Abstract: A flexible actuator, comprising at least a pressure tube, which is axially extendable and/or contractable under influence of a pressure fluid. The object of the invention is to provide a flexible actuator, which can perform straight axial movements as well as curved movements in one or more planes and which can also operate at very high pressures. These objects have been achieved by the fact that the tube (12) with the exception of its end, connection or attachment parts (13) is corrugated and that at least the portions (10) of the corrugated tube, which are located between its outward projecting folds (9), are equipped with means (8) of a material which is unextensible as compared to the material of the tube, and arranged substantially to prevent a radial expansion and/or contraction of the tube in said portions (10).

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a web downwardly from a vertically arranged tubular roll of the web provides for preventing unwanted dispensing of the web under the influence of gravity. Each unwanted dispensing is achieved by applying a restraining force to an appropriate location on the roll or on the web, the force being of a magnitude such that the web is restrained against unwinding by gravity yet the web can be pulled downwardly from the roll without tearing. The restraining force can be applied in any of several ways including applying a strip of adhesive tape to one end of the roll, pressing a groove into one end of the roll, applying adhesive spots at spaced intervals along the web before it is wound into a roll or by providing a mechanical arm or the like which presses against the periphery of the roll.