Abstract: A device for supporting a human body is provided having parts which are movable relative to each other including a frame; a rotatable end connected thereto; a base element which is connected to the rotatable end; an adjusting element which cooperates with a frame section; and drive means for adjusting the adjusting element relative to the base element, the base element being an elongated section running parallel to at least one of the parts of the frame and the rotatable end and the adjusting element including first and second arms which are movable by means of the drive means between a position in which it extends along or is accommodated in the section and a position in which it projects relative to the section, which arm can be swivelled about a fixed hinge point of the frame and which forms part of a link mechanism with two arms, of which the second arm is coupled with play in a pivoting manner to a sliding member which can be moved relative to the frame, and which second arm has a part which can cooperat

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving an element, for instance a movable contact of a switch, from a first end position to a second end position and vice versa and selectively keeping the element in each of the noted end positions, the apparatus comprising an energy buffer (1), for instance a spring, mechanically coupled with the element, which can be in two stationary end conditions corresponding with the noted end positions, or in intermediate translation conditions in which potential energy is transduced into kinetic energy and vice versa, a mass (4) driven by the energy buffer (1) which can be moved to one of two end positions corresponding with the end conditions of the energy buffer, and a locking mechanism (8, 34, 31) for locking the mass (4) in its end positions.

Abstract: Device for moving an element between two end positions and for selectively holding this element alternately in one of these positions, comprising an energy buffer mechanically coupled with this element, which buffer may be in one of two corresponding stationary end states, in which the energy is present in the form of potential energy, and in intermediate translation states, in which potential energy is transformed in kinetic energy and vice versa, a mass driven by the energy buffer and moved to one of the two end positions, and locking means for each of the two end states of the energy buffer. According to the present invention the mass is movable elastically over a predetermined distance with respect to the energy buffer and with respect to the element, so that when the element reaches one of its end positions the mass can move further over a predetermined distance towards its end position, thus transforming all kinetic in potential energy.