Abstract: A mechanism for handling and manipulating a load including a horizontal work beam formed of a parallelogram linkage with a pair of arms interconnected by links. The work beam is pivotally mounted on a retaining part which is adjustably vertically mounted on a rotatable pillar. A counterweight is provided on the work beam for counterweighting its weight. A roller is movable horizontally in a trackway and connected to the work beam with the trackway elevated by a piston and cylinder along the pillar.

Abstract: An X ray unit for podiatry wherein the base platform is disposed approximately three inches above floor level. The X ray machine is disposed above the base platform and is adapted to be moved to various positions by a mounting system which includes a pivotable rectangular frame or trunnion to which vertical mounting members are pivotally mounted. A first yoke extends from one of the vertical mounting members and is connected to a pivotable block to which a second yoke is pivotally connected. A fastener is threaded in the second yoke and is attached to one end of a chain member which is seated in a chain sprocket mounted in a pivotable sprocket block. The remaining chain end is fastened to a compression spring assembly disposed in a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A parallelogram arm assembly having a vertical arm for suspending a load at lower end thereof and a pair of horizontal arms one of which is guided in a horizontal path is provided. The other horizontal arm is guided in a vertical path. The paths are defined in a supporting structure which is mounted rotatably on a standard or the like. Apparatus, such as a piston/cylinder actuator is provided for maintaining in cooperation with the parallelogram a floating balanced state of the arm assembly independently of the loaded or no-load state.

Abstract: A cord weight pulley assembly for traverse rod installations in which the housing is formed in one piece and includes a first housing section having a lower weight receiving cavity and an upper pulley receiving cavity, a second housing section integrally connected to the first housing section and movable to a closed position overlying the weight receiving cavity, and a third housing section integrally connected to the second housing section and movable to a closed position overlying the pulley receiving cavity.

Abstract: A filter bag tensioning device for use in a bag house is disclosed. The tensioning device comprises a straight lever arm adapted to be pivotally mounted in the upper reaches of a bag house and carrying, on the end of the lever arm opposite that of filter bag attachment, a semi-fixed counterweight. The semi-fixed counterweight is prevented from rotating as its end of the lever arm moves in an ascending direction from a horizontal position but is free to rotate as its end of the lever arm moves in a descending direction from horizontal, to thereby continuously maintain a desired design tension on an attached filter bag. In a preferred embodiment, the lever arm can also be rotated to a vertical position and then moved longitudinally of its pivot to substantially lower the filter bag attachment point, thereby greatly facilitating attachment and replacement of filter bags and, in a further preferred aspect, to permit these operations to be performed by a workman having both hands free.

Abstract: An overhead arm assembly particularly suited for selectively positioning ultrasonic medical diagnostic equipment. The assembly is comprised of three interconnected pivot arms having both dynamic and static counterweights and arranged so that the outermost or third arm is always vertically oriented. A work element manipulation assembly is rotatably mounted to the third arm adjacent the distal end thereof and a scan arm assembly is mounted to the manipulation assembly. The manipulation assembly includes means for setting the angular orientation of a plane in which the scan arm assembly is constrained and means for selectively shifting the scan arm assembly to other, parallel planes of constraint. The scan arm assembly is dynamically counterweighted and is comprised of pivotally interconnected scan arms which carry a work element such as an ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A pivot support element is fixed in position to extend essentially vertically, and carries a horizontally projecting pivot pin. The movable pivotable member on which the weight is suspended is pivoted and connected to the pin by means of a plate-like pivot rod secured laterally to the pivotable member, so that the pivot pin will form the pivot axis for the plate-like element. The pivot pin additionally has fixedly attached thereto a link element, such as a short plate-like member to which a balance rod is pivotally attached which is connected with an intervening spring, typically a compression spring, to the weight-supporting member. Two plate-like pivot rods may be used, one on either side of the support member to provide for balanced attachment. The entire assembly is readily encapsulated in shell-like housing halves, to be essentially dust and contamination-proof, with minimum handling in assembly, or for cleaning and maintenance.