Abstract: A support system for a boiler includes a plurality of support assemblies arranged intermediate a ground surface and the boiler. Each of the support assemblies include a first support leg having a lower end operatively connected to the ground surface and an upper end operatively connected to the boiler, a second support leg having a lower end operatively connected to the ground surface and an upper end operatively connected to the boiler, and at least one spring operatively connected to the first support leg and the second support leg and extending generally horizontally between the first support leg and the second support leg.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module mounted on an uneven surface (a curved surface or an irregular surface) to reduce thermal boundary resistance and significantly improve thermoelectric power generation efficiency is provided. The thermoelectric module includes one or more first thermoelectric elements, one or more second thermoelectric elements having opposite polarity to that of the first thermoelectric elements and alternating with the first thermoelectric element. An electrode unit in provided and includes upper and lower electrodes configured to electrically connect the first and second thermoelectric elements. A connection member is configured to connect the first and second thermoelectric elements to vary the relative positions of the first and second thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: A lighting device (10) is disclosed comprising a flexible arrangement including a chain of strips (11) wherein respective end portions of neighboring strips (11) are interconnected by a hinging joint (13) and a plurality of LEDs (15) positioned at regular intervals along the flexible arrangement. The pitch of the LEDs (15) in such a lighting device (10) may be adjusted by adjusting the angle between neighboring strips (11) interconnected by a hinging joint (13). A lighting system (100) comprising such lighting devices (10) and a central controller (110) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoelement including a body including a plurality of joint portions, at least two of the plurality of joint portions being rotatably connected to each other, a shaft provided to the body and configured to provide a center of rotation of the plurality of joint portions, and a thermoelectric material provided between the plurality of joint portions.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module mounted on a non-flat surface of a heating source component to reduce thermal resistance to enhance thermoelectric generation efficiency is provided. The thermoelectric module includes at least one electrode component having a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate connected to be pivoted with respect to each other. Additionally, least one semiconductor component includes a first semiconductor element electrically connected to the first electrode plate and a second semiconductor element electrically connected to the second electrode plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting and articulating a payload using stabilization platform. The stabilization platform may be configured to avoid gimbal lock. The stabilization platform may be configured to automatically transition between different modes of orientation.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a motorized monopole for a camera, including: a monopole; an offset arrangement attached to the monopole; a camera mount; the offset arrangement rotating with respect to the monopole; the offset arrangement terminating in a connection attaching the camera mount; and a first motor imparting tilt movement to the camera mount with respect to the connection. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A holding device for medical instruments, having a bracket on which at least one medical instrument can be affixed, at least one joint to position the bracket and a weight-relieving system to compensate the bracket load. The holding device is of compact and light structure and for cleaning purposes is completely autoclavable together with the bracket. The weight-relieving system is configured as a resetting element that is coupled with the bracket and is made of a material that essentially includes a plateau stress.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a counterbalancing arrangement, including: a pin arrangement attached to a monopole; the pin arrangement rotating with respect to the monopole such that roll movement of the monopole imparts yaw movement to the pin arrangement; the pin arrangement having a gimbal; a camera mounting platform having an upper and lower surface; the gimbal connecting to the lower surface of the camera mounting platform; the gimbal having a yaw degree of freedom locked with respect to the camera mounting platform; and a counterbalancing arm attached to the camera mounting platform. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supporting a heavier hand-held tool, particularly a spot welding gun, comprising a tool stand provided with a support arm arrangement mounted thereon, and a constant force spring having a first end and a second end, said first end of the constant force spring being attached to said support arm arrangement, and said hand-held tool being hung from said second end of the constant force spring, wherein the constant force of the spring is such that a user of the hand-held tool is relieved from at least a substantial portion of the weight of the tool, and the drawn-out length of the spring is long enough to enable the tool to be hung in a plurality of different operation heights. Preferably, the constant force of the spring is such that the tool is hung in a weight-balanced state. A line element may be connected between the constant force spring and the tool.

Abstract: An arm assembly for supporting a surgical lighthead of a surgical light apparatus includes a first arm and a first clevis appended to the first arm and having a first stop surface and a second stop surface. The arm assembly also includes a second arm formed to include an interior region and a second clevis appended to the second arm and having a third stop surface and a fourth stop surface. The surigcal lighthead is supported by the second arm.

Abstract: A highly compact, stable mechanism for enabling a chair to perform rocking and gliding movements, and optionally swiveling movement, includes a channel-shaped frame mounting member mounted to a chair frame, and an inverted channel-shaped base mounting member mounted on a base. The mounting members are interconnected by one pair of front and one pair of rear swing arms, and also by a pair of tensioned springs operative for restraining the rocking and gliding movements.

Abstract: A suspension system for a surgical instrument provides balancing in the vertical plane, and comprises a generally vertical support structure, a levered assembly extending out from the support structure, an attachment mechanism for mounting the surgical instrument to an outer member of the levered assembly, and a spring connected at a first end thereof to the levered assembly adjacent the attachment mechanism, movably extending across an upper portion of an inner member of the levered assembly, and connected at a second end thereof to a vertically movable portion of the levered assembly adjacent the support structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a new bicycle seatpost with an integrated suspension system are disclosed in which the seatpost may be mounted on a bicycle and upon which a seat may mounted and in which a rider is cushioned from bumps by two parallel linkages with resilient means interposed allowing the seat to react to bumps by resiliently rocking to the rear and downward while maintaining constant saddle angle and minimizing change in seat to pedal distance due to suspension movement.

Abstract: A yieldable protective mounting mechanism for trolling motors incorporates a mounting base that is fixed to the deck structure or the stern structure of a small boat such as is typically used for recreational activities such as fishing. A motor support element is pivotally connected by hinge structure to the base and is continuously urged by tension springs to an operating position where the trolling motor is positioned for its normal operation. In the event the trolling motor should strike a submerged object, the tension springs permit pivotal movement of the trolling motor to prevent it from being overstressed and bent or otherwise damaged. The tension springs also provide a braking force to the boat causing the boat to come to a complete stop from its slow movement so that the motor can be reversed and the boat and trolling motor backed clear of the submerged object.

Abstract: An adjustable arm structure capable of being used to support comparatively heavy lamps, books and the like can be constructed so as to use two adjustable arm assemblies. Each of these assemblies uses two parallel links, one of which is attached to a sector plate. The sector plates are clamped together in the structure in a connecting joint at a location remote from where the links are pivotally connected to or in the connecting joint.

Abstract: A spring counterbalanced arm assembly including a base member, a lower arm, an upper arm, a knee bearing member and object supporting means. The lower arm has an elongated, generally tubular member defining an elongated cavity therein. The base end of the tubular member includes means defining a forwardly extending bracket and has pivot means thereon positioned forwardly of an exterior front wall of the tubular member for pivotally connecting the base end bracket of the lower arm to the base member at a first pivot axis of the base member. The knee end of the tubular member includes a forwardly extending bracket having pivot means thereon positioned forwardly of the exterior front wall for pivotally connecting the knee end of the lower arm to a knee end of an upper arm and to the knee bearing member at a first pivot axis of the knee bearing member. The lower arm includes a slider and tension spring enclosed within it to provide counterbalancing force.

Abstract: A stand (10) is disclosed for supporting a computer display (8) workstation for easy adjustment without tools to a desired position by rotating the stand, tilting a platform (60) attached to the stand and lifting the stand. The stand comprises a six bar (20, 22, 16, 30, 32, 54) pivotable linkage having spring (44, 48, 52) means for compensating for the load, the spring force being adjustable to accommodate changes in load without affecting the spring rate.

Abstract: An equipoising arm structure which can support relatively heavy objects, yet is compact in shape, and which can be counterbalanced by commercially available springs. The mechanism employs conventional parallelogram linkages for its lower and upper arms, with the lower arm being connected between a base bracket and a floating bracket, and the upper arm being connected between the floating bracket and a support bracket for the object. The upper arm includes a unique springing arrangement in which the ends of the springs attached to the brackets are connected beyond the conventional point of connections so as to maximize the lift of the springs when the upper arm is horizontally disposed. Means are provided for compensating for the non-linearity of such a springing arrangement over the range of angles of the upper arm that would otherwise normally occur.

Abstract: Equipment for use with hand-held motion picture and video cameras comprises a pair of interconnected spring loaded arms, one end of which is pivotally supported by a carrying brace worn by a cameraman and the other end of which is connected to a handle positioned to mount the camera equipment at approximately the center of the moment of inertia. The camera and its associated equipment are mounted in exploded, balanced relation about the handle. The weight of the camera equipment is substantially counterbalanced by the action of the spring loaded arms without employing counterweights. A camera viewed is provided with an extended, flexible cord to facilitate viewing from a position remote from the camera itself and not necessarily governed by the camera orientation.