Abstract: An adjustable desk with a desk platform, at least two legs, and a locking mechanism. The legs support the desk platform and make the height of the desk platform adjustable. Each leg has a base, a support coupled to the desk platform, and linkages joining the base to the support. Each linkage has a first link, a second link pivotally coupled to the first link at a first joint, and a third link pivotally coupled to the second link at a second joint. The first link and the third link are pivotally coupled to the base and the second link is pivotally coupled to the support at the top pivot. The first joint is positioned between the top pivot and the second joint and a distance between the first joint and the top pivot may be larger than the distance between the first joint and the second joint.

Abstract: Provide is a vehicle seat capable of inhibiting rattling of a seat cushion provided with a lifting device. One embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle seat including a lifting device for a seat cushion. The lifting device includes a pinion gear, a sector gear engaged therewith, a link rotating, together with the sector gear, with respect to the cushion frame, and a rubber member attached to the cushion frame. The link is displaced between a first position where a position of the seat cushion is lowest and a second position where the position of the seat cushion is highest. When the link is at the first position, or at the second position, or in a region between the first position and the second position, the rubber member is brought in pressure contact with the sector gear along a direction intersecting a rotational axis of the sector gear.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a foot portion (2a) of a medical device, such as gynecological examination bed or a birthing bed. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for moving the foot portion into the required position quickly, effectively and not limiting the actions of medical personnel. An advantage of the present invention is moving the foot portion under the rest area (1) without undesirable protrusion. Movement of the foot portion (2a) under the rest area (1) is performed around a column (5), which is attached under the side edge of a seating portion (3). Such arrangement of the column leaves free space under the rest area (1) for moving the foot portion (2a). Movement of the foot portion (2a) is performed with minimum protrusion over the borderline of the rest area (1) by means of a parallelogram. The foot portion according to the present invention may be also positioned horizontally and vertically, according to the patient's need during the procedure.

Abstract: A balancing arm, comprising a folding arm that extends between a first end that is held in position, and a second end on which a load is carried, a first folding arm portion that extends from the first end of the folding arm being pivotably connected via a hinge to a second folding arm portion that extends to the second end of the folding arm. The balancing arm further comprises a balancing force device that is arranged to act between the first and second ends of the folding arm across the friction hinge to balance the load carried on the second end of the folding arm. The friction hinge is embodied as a friction hinge with adjustable friction, and includes a head and a socket arranged to pivot relative to each other when the folding arm portions pivot.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a residual spring travel controller and an air spring, the residual spring travel controller and the air spring each having a first end that is connected to a first connecting link of the vehicle seat and each having a second end that is connected to a second connecting link of the vehicle seat, and the residual spring travel controller comprising a piston element that is connected to the first end of the residual spring travel controller and a rod element that is connected to the second end of the residual spring travel controller, it being possible to bring the piston element into contact with a valve element or a switch element by means of a rotary and/or sliding movement with respect to the rod element to adjust an amount of air of the air spring.

Abstract: A suspension system for use with a work vehicle. The suspension system may include a suspension tower to which one or more shock absorbers may attach. The tower may permit the shock absorbers to attach at multiple locations, effectively allowing the angular orientation of the shock absorbers, and thus a suspension characteristic of the suspension system, to be altered. The tower may be movable relative to the vehicle, e.g., for crating/shipping.

Abstract: Provided is a base isolation floor structure containing a base isolation frame containing plural frames, and plural base isolation bearings that support the base isolation frame, in which the base isolation bearing contains a base isolation structure that has plural rolling member and is disposed horizontally movably freely on a floor surface, a connecting member that is disposed above the base isolation structure and is connected to the base isolation frame, an elastic plate member that is disposed between the connecting member and the base isolation structure, and a rod member having one end thereof that extends downward and is fixed to the base isolation structure, and the other end thereof that extends upward and is inserted with an allowance into a through hole formed in the connecting member.

Abstract: A protective ergonomic case for a device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, etc. is provided that includes a bottom surface with a valley sized and shaped to receive one or two fingers of a user. The fingers in the valley provide support for the case and the device while the device is operated by the user with his other hand.

Abstract: A support apparatus includes an arm assembly attached to a support assembly such that the arm assembly is positionable adjacent to an article of furniture such as a desk or work surface. A mounting device is attached to the arm assembly that is sized and configured to retain a display device. A vertically adjustable attachment mechanism attaches a first end of the counterbalance mechanism to the arm assembly or support assembly. The vertically adjustable attachment mechanism is sized and configured such that a vertical position of the first end of the counterbalance mechanism is adjustable via movement of at least one component of the vertically adjustable attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A support arm includes a bracket supported by a support, a bracket arranged away from the bracket, a parallel link arranged between the bracket and the bracket and coupled pivotally to the bracket and the bracket, and a self-weight compensation device producing a force that cancels a force of gravity acting on the parallel link. The parallel link has an upper shaft and a lower shaft arranged in parallel to each other with spacing, the spacing being changed with a pivoting movement of the parallel link. The upper shaft and the lower shaft are arranged offset with respect to each other in a direction of an axis on which the parallel link is pivoted. With such a structure, a support arm for which a large movable range is achieved is provided.

Abstract: A supporting apparatus used for medical treatment includes a support arm in which a leading end side is coupled to a supporting unit supporting an endoscope, and a moving arm that is coupled to a base end side of the support arm, the moving arm moving the supporting unit and supporting the supporting unit in a moved position of the supporting unit. The support arm includes a leading-end-side coupling unit that is turnably coupled to the supporting unit, a base-end-side coupling unit that is disposed in coaxial with the leading-end-side coupling unit and turnably coupled to the moving arm, and an offset unit laterally offset with respect to an axis line R passing through the leading-end-side and the base-end-side coupling units. The offset unit is freely rotatable about the axis line R with respect to the supporting unit and the moving arm.

Abstract: An adjustable holding apparatus for an endoscope or other medical device having a proximal end and a distal end, the adjustable holding apparatus having a device for holding an endoscope or other medical device that includes a number of arm segments between the proximal end and the distal end, a number of lockable joints that each connect two of the number of arm segments with one another in jointed fashion, and a compensation device for at least partial compensation of the weight impact of the holding apparatus in a pivoting or sliding of at least one arm segment in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A support apparatus includes an arm assembly attached to a support assembly such that the arm assembly is positionable adjacent to an article of furniture such as a desk or work surface. A mounting device is attached to the arm assembly that is sized and configured to retain a display device. A vertically adjustable attachment mechanism attaches a first end of the counterbalance mechanism to the arm assembly or support assembly. The vertically adjustable attachment mechanism is sized and configured such that a vertical position of the first end of the counterbalance mechanism is adjustable via movement of at least one component of the vertically adjustable attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having an oscillatory scissor-type stand and a damper that is articulated at two parts of the scissor-type stand which are movable relative to one another. One end of the damper is articulated at a pin that extends in transverse direction of the seat and extends between two structural parts arranged at a distance from one another in transverse direction of the seat at a part of the scissor-type stand. A bearing bushing is arranged with its axial bushing opening on a tubular component part enclosing the pin, wherein the bushing opening has a spherical longitudinal section with the greatest diameters at the two axial ends and the smallest diameter in the middle of the bushing opening. The bearing bushing is enclosed by a bearing ring of the damper having a shorter axial length than the bearing bushing and is arranged on the bearing bushing at an axial distance from the two ends of the bearing bushing so as to be secured against axial displacement.

Abstract: A smart phone case with carry stand that includes a carry stand centrally disposed on a rear surface of a polymeric case, the carry stand including a parallelepiped member having an aperture centrally disposed therethrough, said aperture configured to removably receive a finger of a user therethrough whereby a user may securely grasp the smart phone case with carry stand with one hand, and wherein an outside edge of the carry stand, disposed parallel the rear surface of the case, contacts an extant horizontal surface when the smart phone case with carry stand is placed on said horizontal surface to prop the smart phone case with carry stand angularly upon said horizontal surface and enable hands free viewing of an extant cellular phone used in conjunction with the present device.

Abstract: A carrying arrangement having a carrier arm adjustable in elevation is improved so that a load carried thereby can be easily exchanged. A gas-pressure spring (6) incorporates a latching device in such a manner that the gas-pressure spring self latches when a predetermined blocking position (P2) is reached and the self-latching device is disabled in response to an application of pressure to the carrier arm so as to move the carrier arm beyond the blocking position (P2).

Abstract: A stabilized camera system has a roll frame formed as a parallelogram linkage and pivotably attached to a pan frame. A tilt frame is pivotably attached to the roll frame. Control circuits are provided to compensate for drift, to allow manual aiming of the camera during stabilized camera operation, and for providing rapid leveling. The stabilized camera system is compact with low moments of inertia to allow rapid movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a medical instrument includes an arm, which has a support portion to support a medical instrument at one end, and an intermediate portion of which is supported by a base portion via a support column. The arm moves the support portion horizontally and vertically. The apparatus also includes a rotary connecting member, which is provided at a second end of the arm and moves to a position corresponding to a position to which the support portion has been moved. The apparatus further includes a counterweight, which is connected to the support column to be immovable in the horizontal directions and movable in the vertical directions, and generates vertically downward force. The rotary connecting member is connected to the counterweight so as to be movable in the horizontal directions relative to the counterweight and movable in the vertical directions together with the counterweight.

Abstract: A parallel four-bar mechanism is disclosed, having the second and third bars being parallel to each other and having their opposite ends hinged to the first and fourth bars respectively. A stopping block is provided with a stopping slot, and a movable stopping pin is configured to be engageable with the stopping slot. When an actuating member drives the stopping pin to disengage from the stopping slot, the second and third bars are able to translate relative to each other; and when the actuating member drives the stopping pin into the stopping slot, the second and third bars are locked with each other, with the second and third bars not being able to translate relative to each other, and thus the whole parallel four-bar mechanism is locked in a preset angular position.

Abstract: A support having a transmission mechanism using a thin connecting piece includes a support base body, a transmission plate, a supporting plate and at least one thin connecting piece. The support base body has a base and brackets extending upwardly from the base. The distal end of the bracket is provided with a fixing sleeve. One end of the transmission plate is pivotally connected to the bracket. The supporting plate connected to the other end of the transmission plate. The supporting plate is provided with pivoting sleeves. The thin connecting piece is disposed on the transmission plate. Via this arrangement, the supporting plate can be kept vertical in synchronization with the swinging of the transmission plate. Thereby saving the space greatly and reducing the whole volume occupied by the support and peripheral elements. In this way, the assembling process is simplified, the productivity is increased, and the cost is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental apparatus having a flexible arm for a dental apparatus. A benefit of the inventive flexible arm is the ability to make fine adjustments in orientation of one end of the arm relative to the other. More specifically, the ability to adjust or optimize the horizontal attitude of a movable end of the arm quickly and easily without resorting to expensive and time consuming remanufacture of the arm components. Adjustment of the end of the arm is accomplished via an adjusting mechanism with a rotatable shaft having an offset pin, where rotation of the shaft caused the pin to translate as defined by the offset of the pin center relative to the shaft center.

Abstract: There is provided a stand for a display device. The stand includes a base unit supporting the display device. A main link unit is hinged between the display device and the base unit. A pair of auxiliary links is eccentrically connected to hinges of the main link unit at different positions. A torsion spring includes at least one end connected to the pair of auxiliary links for applying an elastic force to the pair of auxiliary links. The main link unit has a smaller thickness, and thus the size of the stand can be reduced. The stand allows for convenient and smooth operation of the display device. Further, since the spring has a simple structure, the stand can be manufactured through a simple process with less cost. Furthermore, the outer appearance of the stand can be simple.

Abstract: A force exerting device having a force exerting structure including a load arm as a first side, pivotable about a load pivot, a resilient member attached to the load arm and to a termination point and forming a second side of the force exerting structure. The third side of the structure is formed by a line from the termination point to the load pivot. A first adjustment mechanism moves the termination point to change the length of the third side of the structure. A second adjustment mechanism moves the termination point in a direction different than the first adjustment direction so the termination point location can cross a substantially plumb line passing through the load pivot. A force modification device may be included to dynamically adjust the resilient member termination point position in response to motion of the load arm.

Abstract: A spring arm (1) for a camera body support is provided with a parallelogram guide (3, 5) which is made up of two opposing legs (10, 11) disposed parallel to one another and two likewise opposing connecting elements (12, 13) that connect the respective ends of the legs (10, 11) with one another, and an energy storage mechanism (15), which is supported on two pivot points (17, 19) on the parallelogram guide (3, 5), in order to compensate a load acting on the parallelogram guide (3, 5). At least one (19) of these pivot points (17, 19) is adjustable in relation to the parallelogram guide (3, 5) such that both the energy storage mechanism's (15) pretension and also its action of force direction change.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to extension arm apparatuses that are adapted to support user devices throughout a range of positions. A given apparatus may include one or more arms that position the user device remotely from a support position. An extension and retraction device such as a gas cylinder is received within each arm, and provides a force to support the user device as the arm is placed into a given position. A variable force clevis is connected to the extension/retraction device within the arm. The variable force clevis is connected to a pair of locations in the arm as well. As the arm moves, for instance up or down, the variable force clevis rotates within the arm and dynamically adjusts the force provided by the extension/retraction device. Removable and/or pivotable covers are provided for managing cables of the user device attached to the extension arm.

Abstract: A dock seal, such as a head seal mountable above a doorway of a loading dock, includes a compressible body with a support panel. The compressible body can conformably seal against the rear edge of a vehicle's enclosed trailer as the vehicle backs the trailer up against the seal. The support panel provides relatively dense structure for mounting the seal to the wall of a building. Compared to the horizontal distance that the compressible body projects from the wall, the support panel is ultra-thin to avoid consuming compressible space between the wall and the rear of the trailer. In some cases, a flexible panel suspends the compressible body and its support panel from the wall such that the flexible panel allows the dock seal to move relative to the wall.

Abstract: There is provided a surgical microscope having a horizontal movement arm portion which moves a microscope portion in a substantially horizontal direction, and a vertical movement arm portion which moves the microscope portion in a substantially vertical direction. A first elastic force generation mechanism connected with a base bottom portion and the horizontal movement arm portion generates an elastic force which offsets a rotation moment around a first horizontal rotation axis produced when the horizontal movement arm portion revolves around the first horizontal rotation axis arranged in the base bottom portion. Further, a second elastic force generation mechanism connected with the base bottom portion and the vertical movement arm portion generates an elastic force which offsets a rotation moment around a second horizontal rotation axis produced when the vertical movement arm portion revolves around the second horizontal rotation axis arranged in the horizontal movement arm portion.

Abstract: A spring-loaded shelf for an existing beverage cooler, which obviates the need for a user to reach more deeply within the confines of the cooler for a beverage as the contents of the cooler become depleted. The spring-loaded shelf has a base, a platform pivotally attached to the base by two scissor-type linkages, and a lifting mechanism for selectively and automatically raising the platform with respect to the base upon the scissor-type linkages, as the weight of the beverages placed upon the platform gradually decreases. Use of the spring-loaded shelf prevents injury to the user while retrieving a beverage from the cooler, and also provides for increased accessibility and visibility of the contents of the cooler.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining an optical viewing device, for example a microscope (8), on a stand having a parallelogram carrier arm (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), comprises an adjustable-length strut (6) acting through a pivot point of the carrier arm and an opposite link of the carrier arm. The strut (6) provides, in different variants, inclination adjustment, and/or vibration damping of the carriers arm.

Abstract: An articulated modular mounting arm for mounting electronic peripheral devices in a statically balanced adjustable position is disclosed. This mounting arm differs from the prior art in that several of its components are constructed from lengths of stock materials that are cut down to a user specified length within preset limits. This enables the manufacture to reduce inventory of the various components because one stock component may serve the need for several length arms. In addition, molds for each of the various lengths are not required, further lowering the production costs.

Abstract: The sliding, articulated, extension-retraction mechanism combines a four-bar parallelogram linkage with a crank-slider.

Abstract: An extended travel lift system including a support frame and a display device frame. First and second arms are connected at first ends thereof by a hinge connector. A second end of the first arm is pivotally attached to a first slide mechanism on the support frame and a second end of the second arm is pivotally attached to the support frame. Third and fourth arms are connected at first ends thereof by the hinge connector. A second end of the third arm is pivotally attached to a second slide mechanism on the display device frame and a second end of the fourth arm is pivotally attached to the display device frame. A biasing mechanism is provided to bias the display device frame to an extended position. A height control mechanism is provided to retain the display device frame in either a retracted position or the extended position. The first and second arms are typically located in a first plane and the third and fourth arms are located in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

Abstract: A microscope suitable for use together with MRI, and a support stand for the microscope are provided. A microscope 1 is a non-magnet type where any electric motor is not used, and hence does not induce fluctuations of magnetic field having effects on image quality of an MRI 3 by focusing or zooming. Hence, the microscope of the invention is suitable for use together with MRI 13. Since a clutch C is of non-magnet type, a support stand 2 does not induce changes in the surrounding magnetic field environments if the clutch is operated, and hence it is suitable for use, for example, in proximity to the MRI.

Abstract: The surgical microscope with a stand, the microscope having altogether up to six degrees of freedom and being fixed on the microscope mounting by means of elements of the stand which has two vertical pivoting axes and for the height adjustment a parallelogram linkage with weight compensation is distinguished by the fact that the microscope is mounted on the stand by means of a third vertical axis, a first further axis perpendicular to said third vertical axis and a second further axis perpendicular to the first further axis, the further axes being designed such that they are essentially perpendicular to the optical axis of the microscope objective and can be adjusted by motor, and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a lateral pivoting of the viewing direction and the further axis that is arranged between the third vertical axis and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a pivoting of the viewing direction forward/backward or upward/downward.

Abstract: A vibration isolator apparatus for isolating a load from a floor and minimizing disturbances caused by rapid motions of the load components. The vibration isolator comprises a first isolator assembly that employs a parallelogram mechanism to isolate the load in a first direction while maintaining said load leveled and a second isolator assembly that provides passive isolation for the load in a second direction or directions. The second isolator assembly may include a pendulum assembly that is coupled to a dashpot. A homing means to bring and secure the load to an equilibrium home position during rapid movement of the load components and during interacting process between the load and other devices mounted on different platforms.

Abstract: The surgical microscope with a stand, the microscope having altogether up to six degrees of freedom and being fixed on the microscope mounting by means of elements of the stand which has two vertical pivoting axes and for the height adjustment a parallelogram linkage with weight compensation is distinguished by the fact that the microscope is mounted on the stand by means of a third vertical axis, a first further axis perpendicular to said third vertical axis and a second further axis perpendicular to the first further axis, the further axes being designed such that they are essentially perpendicular to the optical axis of the microscope objective and can be adjusted by motor, and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a lateral pivoting of the viewing direction and the further axis that is arranged between the third vertical axis and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a pivoting of the viewing direction forward/backward or upward/downward.

Abstract: An apparatus that supports a load and limits shock force from being transmitted through the four elongated struts that are positioned to support the load. The struts are aligned at an acute angle relative to a base when no shock force is applied to the load. The struts pivot to a second smaller acute angle relative to the base when a shock force is applied to the load. A pair of leaf-springs, which may consist of a stack of several leaf-springs, is associated with each pair of struts so that when a shock force is applied to the load, the leaf-springs apply a return force that drives the struts back to the first acute angle alignment with the base. Restraint members coupled to the struts are used to align them at the first angle relative to said base when no shock force is applied to the load.

Abstract: A height adjustable mechanism for supporting a work support for vertical movement relative to a base includes a counterbalance mechanism for providing a force opposing a downward force tending to lower the work support; a lock mechanism for releasably retaining the work support in a desired vertical position; and a manual operator for selectively releasing the lock mechanism to permit vertical movement of the work surface, while preventing operation of the lock mechanism if the counterbalance force and the downward force are out of balance by some given extent. In the preferred construction, the lock mechanism is pivotally supported by a pin normally supported for axial sliding movement under the control of the manual operator, and the lock mechanism applies loading to the pin, when the counterbalance force substantially differs from the downward force, sufficient to constrain the pin against sliding movement, and thereby prevent release of the lock mechanism by the manual operator.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat mounted on a knee action suspension mechanism and hand controls for the operation of the vehicle that are mounted on the same suspension mechanism as a seat. More particularly, a seat assembly for a vehicle including a seat having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The seat assembly includes a knee action suspension mechanism mounted under the seat and resiliently supporting the seat for resilient movement such that the rearward portion of the seat is vertically movable and the forward portion of the seat is generally pivotable about a longitudinal axis adjacent the forward portion of the seat. The seat assembly has an armrest assembly supported for movement with the seat, the armrest assembly has a forward end and a hand control is connected to the forward end of the armrest assembly.

Abstract: A seat including a base; a housing vertically movable relative to the base; a pivot arm assembly pivotally movable relative to the housing between upwardly and downwardly pivoted positions; a seat cushion bracket movable relative to the housing in response to pivotal movement of the pivot arm assembly; and an air spring having a lower end fixed relative to the housing for movement therewith relative to the base, and the air spring having an upper end connected to the pivot arm assembly to bias the pivot arm assembly toward the upwardly pivoted position.

Abstract: A suspension mechanism for a manually manipulated power tool which, upon actuation of the power tool momentarily relieves the tension supporting the power tool and enables the power tool's weight to be utilized to augment the axial force required to perform work such as screwdriving, drilling and grinding. A sensor mechanism which is part of the invention may also be used to obtain similar benefits from prior art suspension mechanisms.

Abstract: In a personal recreational watercraft, an improvement resides in a suspension mechanism, which permits greater maneuverability and stability, and reduces driver fatigue. To overcome the strong forces, a suspension system is employed which permits up and down vertical movement, while resisting lateral movement and torsional forces. The suspension apparatus also reduces shock effects caused by choppy or rough water.

Abstract: A ball tilt joint permits a wired mounted unit, preferably a TV (monitor) to be rotated and tilted for viewing, without breaking wires. An axial hole through the ball stem allows electrical wires to be fed to the unit. The ball stem has limited rotation, due to stop screws. A ball socket carries the wired unit, and the socket can tilt about the ball center, but not rotate on the ball around the ball stem axis, because of a socket pin which extends into a slot machined into the ball. The pin is oriented radially towards the ball center, and everything is mounted to the end of an articulatable arm.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for mounting a vibration producing device onto a spacecraft structure and also for isolating the vibration forces thereof from the structure. The system includes a mount on which the device is securely mounted and inner and outer rings. The rings and mount are concentrically positioned. The system includes a base (secured to the structure) and a set of links which are interconnected by a set of torsion bars which allow and resist relative rotational movement therebetween. The set of links are also rotatably connected to a set of brackets which are rigidly connected to the outer ring. Damped leaf springs interconnect the inner and outer rings and the mount allow relative translational movement therebetween in X and Y directions.

Abstract: A suspension seat for an automotive vehicle has a seat frame which is vertically movably supported on a parallel link mechanism. A compression spring and a shock absorber of a suspension unit are coaxially assembled. A spring bracket is disposed on the compression spring and screwed with a rod of the shock absorber. A fixing nut is fixed to the rod on the spring bracket to adjust elastic force of the compression spring by changing the position of the spring bracket. A projection of the spring bracket projects from a slit of a suspension unit support bracket with scale division. A resilient bracket supports the parallel link mechanism and outwardly projects to function as a bumper for a seat frame. Therefore, the suspension seat suppresses shock or sound due to impact during an operation of the seat and realizes a simple adjustment of hardness of the suspension unit.

Abstract: A swing-away joystick mounting assembly (20) for mounting a joystick (12) to a wheelchair frame member (11). The joystick mounting assembly (20) produces pantographic movement of the joystick device (12) between a retracted position and an extended position to adjust the placement of the joystick (12). Ingress and egress to and from the wheelchair are eased while, further, permitting the wheelchair to be moved closer to a table or desktop (14). A pair of arms (24, 24') are pivotally mounted at first ends (25, 25') to a first mounting mechanism (21) at spaced apart locations and pivotally mounted at second ends (26, 26') to a second mounting mechanism (22) at spaced apart locations. This four-bar configuration produces pantographic movement of the second mounting mechanism with the joystick device (12) carried thereby between the retracted position and the extended position. A latch mechanism (27) releasably secures the arms (24, 24') together in either the retracted position or the extended position.

Abstract: A balanced suspension system for a surgical investigative instrument, such as a surgical microscope, is configured so that the amount of force to move the microscope in any direction is approximately equal, and when the suspension system is unlocked to move the microscope no residual forces will spontaneously move the microscope. The suspension system comprises a generally vertical support structure, a levered assembly extending out therefrom, a gimbal mount assembly connected adjacent one end of the levered assembly. The gimbal mount assembly includes a bracket arm having a first joint member at one end thereof and an instrument bracket, for holding the microscope, connected to a second end thereof by a second joint member. The instrument bracket includes a third joint member, so that the center of mass of the microscope lies within the three planes of motion permitted by the first, second and third joint members.

Abstract: A pull down display and storage device in one aspect has a member movable with respect to a fixed support having pivot apparatus interconnected between the fixed support and the movable member, the movable member moving out and down from the fixed support, and in one aspect a spring or springs and/or a dampener controlling motion of the movable member and permitting balanced movement of the movable member or of the movable member and a load thereon; in one aspect, the device including the fixed support; and in another aspect, the device being releasably locked in a downward position due to the disposition of the pivot apparatus and spring. A support, shelf or case with one or more such devices.

Abstract: A seat suspension for resiliently mounting an operator's seat on a vehicle for floating movement in fore-to-aft and vertical directions. The seat suspension includes a base part that has lower front and rear pivot axes and a lower spring end seat; and a support part on which the operator's seat can be mounted with the support part having upper front and rear pivot axes and an upper spring end seat. One of the spring seats has a fulcrum and a lateral movement retainer while the other spring seat has an anchor. Front and rear links pivotally interconnect the upper and lower front pivot axes and the upper and lower rear pivot axes, respectively. Compression springs each having an axis and spaced apart upper and lower end portions that are generally transverse to the spring axis are mounted between the base part and the support part. One transverse end portion of each compression spring is mounted in the anchor and secured thereby against movement.

Abstract: A stand for supporting an apparatus includes a main frame; a linkage parallelogram connected to the main frame; a first supporting arm connected to the linkage parallelogram; an energy storing element connected to the linkage parallelogram at a plurality of places; and a device for displacing the center of gravity of the apparatus. The displacing device includes a second supporting arm having a first non-vertical axis (A--A). The second supporting arm is rotatably connected to the first supporting arm and is connected to the apparatus by a connection point having a second non-vertical axis which is perpendicular to the first non-vertical axis. The displacing device displaces the center of gravity of the apparatus into a point of intersection of the first non-vertical axis and the second non-vertical axis.