Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of over-constrained two-rotation parallel mechanism with same kinematics, which comprises a base, a moving platform and four branches connecting the base and the moving platform, wherein the base and the moving platform are equilateral triangles, both ends of each of the first branch, the second branch and the third branch are respectively connected to end points of the base and the moving platform, both ends of the fourth branch are respectively connected to center points of the base and the moving platform, the first branch and the third branch both consist of a first rotating pair. The parallel mechanism of the present invention has a large rotation space and high rigidity, and can be used for positioning equipment such as missile launchers.

Abstract: A tool tracking and monitoring device is disclosed. The device is made up of: a tool base, having a controller and a transceiver; a tool handle; interchangeable tool bodies with ID tags; and user IDs. The interchangeable tool bodies attach to the tool handle. The transceiver is adapted to receive information from the tool body ID tags and the user IDs and relay that information to the controller; this allows the controller to monitor the use of the tool bodies. The controller is configured to regulate access to the tool bodies according to permissions associated with the tool body ID tags and the user IDs. The device is also adapted to connect with freestanding power tools.

Abstract: A damper for damping vibrations between a support and a device mounted on the same includes two elastic elements which can be attached to the support by means of a bolt and a securement means. The damper should be suitable for different material thicknesses of the support. This is achieved in that a step is constructed on an outer periphery of a first element, wherein a smaller cross-section formed by the step corresponds to the cross-section of an opening in the support which is functionally assigned thereto, and the part having the smaller cross-section is longer than a thickness of the support, and in that a bore hole is included in an end face of a second element, wherein the cross-section of the bore hole corresponds to that of the opening.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections. The linked sections include a plurality of individual sections linked end to end. As the linked sections are extended, each of the individual sections of the linked chains engage individual sections of adjacent linked chains to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual sections of the linked chains disengage from the individual section of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up for compact storage.

Abstract: An operating table column has a column part a head part, and a plurality of actuating drives that each comprise a first element and a second element that can be linearly adjusted relative to this first element and that acts upon the head part. The first element of a first actuating drive is connected to the column part, while the head part is pivotably connected to the second element of the first actuating drive. The first element of a second actuating drive is pivotably connected to the column part, whereby, the head part is pivotably connected to the second element of the second actuating drive. The first element of a third actuating drive is connected at a distance from the head part to the second element of the first actuating drive and the second element of the third actuating drive is connected to the head part via respective universal joints.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections. The linked sections include a plurality of individual sections linked end to end. As the linked sections are extended, each of the individual sections of the linked chains engage individual sections of adjacent linked chains to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual sections of the linked chains disengage from the individual section of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up for compact storage.

Abstract: A shaking apparatus for shaking a seat where a user sits down, including actuators, wherein the seat is supported by supporting parts at least at a front side, a rear left side and a right side, or a rear side, a front left side and a right side. The seat is inclined left or right by complementarily operating the actuators mounted to the left and right supporting parts to complementarily vary the distance from a floor of the left and right supporting parts, and the seat is inclined forward or backward by equally operating the actuators mounted to the left and right supporting parts to equally vary the distance of the left and right supporting parts from the floor.

Abstract: A telescopic adjustable positioning device comprises an outer sleeve; a telescopic tube receiving into the outer sleeve at one end thereof and having a plurality of positioning holes; a retaining seat being a hollow tube and enclosing a connection of the outer sleeve and the telescopic tube; one side of the retaining seat being formed with a receiving portion; a slot being formed in the receiving portion; and a bottom side of the slot having a through hole which is smaller than the slot; a pin capable of passing through the retaining seat and the outer sleeve to be retained to the positioning hole of the telescopic tube; and an operation unit assembled to the receiving portion of the retaining seat. The pin is received in the slot and the through hole; and two springs are attached to the pin.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections. The linked sections include a plurality of individual sections linked end to end. As the linked sections are extended, each of the individual sections of the linked chains engage individual sections of adjacent linked chains to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual sections of the linked chains disengage from the individual section of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up for compact storage.

Abstract: A stand device for use with objects such as musical instrument cases. The stand can be attached to an instrument case for supporting the instrument case in an upright position. The musical instrument may be stored within the case for protection against the elements or accidental damage. The stand may be placed in an extended position for supporting the musical instrument case, or the stand may be retracted to a compact configuration to facilitate transporting, storing and handling the stand. The stand may include a body that may be attachable to the instrument case through a pair of connectors and a brace member. The body may also have a pair of legs for providing additional stability to the stand. When the stand is retracted, the connectors, brace member and legs may be received within the body so as to be out of view.

Abstract: Disclosed is a parallel mechanism structure for controlling three-dimensional position and orientation. In the parallel mechanism structure according to the present invention, three links are connected to the main spindle of the mechanism and driven in vertical and horizontal direction, with a consecution that the main spindle connected to the three links achieves the six d.o.f motions. The structure includes three links comprised of a first link transferred along a circular vertical guide and second and third links transferred along corresponding rectilinear vertical guides and a circular horizontal guide on which the circular vertical guide and the two rectilinear vertical guides are horizontally transferred.

Abstract: A three-axis machine control structure includes a support structure and a machine component to which a workpiece or tool can be attached. Three control arms are connected between the machine component and the support structure. Preferably, each control arm is pivotably connected to the support structure and to the machine component and includes a pair of four-bar linkages connected in series. The control arms are oriented to permit rapid movement of the machine component along any or all of the three linear axes, while restricting movement of the machine component along the rotational axes.

Abstract: A powered material handling apparatus or lift provides for the movement and positioning of large, heavy and/or bulky objects using six degrees of freedom of motion. The lift may be used for the handling of virtually any such materials, but is especially suited for the handling of such objects as jet aircraft engines and aircraft external stores. The lift may be remotely operated by a hand controller which is mechanically arranged in the same manner as that of the lift, through a power supply and servo device. Feedback may be provided to the hand controller by the power supply and servo device, thus enabling the operator of the control to sense the forces occurring at the lift as it is actuated. Additionally, provision is made for the recording of a history of the forces, torques and linear actuation of the struts of the apparatus in the event of some subsequent question regarding a particular operation.

Abstract: A safe lift device for a slicing machine as provided which enables at least a portion of the slicing machine to be raised from the table or counter upon which it rests. Intermediate the two legs to be raised, a retention leg is pivotally attached to the slicing machine. Also connected to the slicing machine and the retention leg is a lever arm assembly. As the lever arm is raised, the retention leg descends toward the table or counter. Continued raising of the lever arm causes the retention leg to exert a downward force on the table, and thus an upward force on the slicing machine. A ratchet and pawl mechanism connected to the retention leg and the lever arm assembly allows the user to lock the lever arm while the slicing machine is in a raised position thus preventing the slicing machine from falling. A safety switch disenables the motor driving the slicing knife as soon as the machine is lifted approximately one inch or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism comprising an arm hinged on a connecting rod to make a choice, on the basis of a translational motion along two opposite directions, between "lowered arm" and "outstretched arm" positions that are substantially orthogonal to each other. In this mechanism, the rod and the arm, when the latter is lowered, form an obtuse angle, and the rotation pins other than the pin common to the rod and to the arm are fixed as regards the pin of the connecting rod, and undergo translational motion as regards that of the arm. The free end of the arm coming to the lowered arm position thus follows a trajectory with downward sliding and passage through a "hard point" which ensures that the arm is efficiently kept in the lowered position.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and supporting fire fighting ventilation equipment is disclosed. A fan support frame supports one or more ventilation fans thereon. Extending in an upward direction from the fan support frame are a pair of arms whose length may be adjusted. Pivotally attached to each arm near its upward end is a rearwardly extending leg. The length of each of the rearwardly extending legs may be individually adjusted. An adjustable length bracket is provided for each leg and arm combination to hold the two components apart at the desired angular distance. An extendable leg is also provided at the front of the fan support frame. Wheels are provided on the fan support frame so that one or more ventilation fans may be transported by an individual and the fans may be aimed at any angle of inclination by extending the legs so that they contact the surface underlying the apparatus.

Abstract: A three-dimensional positioning apparatus comprising a base (180), a first element (182) and a second element (186) is constructed in the form of a sawhorse bracket. The first element (180) is pivotable about a first pivot axis (184) only, and the second element (186) is pivotable about two axes, one substantially parallel to and one substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis (184). The first element is positioned by a first axially elongatable cylinder (188), lying at an angle to a first plane extending through the first element and through the first pivot axis. The second element is positioned by a pair of second axially elongatable cylinders (194), arranged in a plane generally parallel to the first plane, and angled with respect to each other and converging towards each other from the base to the second element.

Abstract: A tooling support apparatus in which a linear tooling boom has one end adapted to support a tooling member and its opposite end connected to a scissors-lift apparatus for adjusting the height and horizontal position of the tooling boom.

Abstract: A manipulator comprises three arms 1 which can pivot at different points on a supporting structure 6 and which can be driven longitudinally to adjust their effective lengths. The longitudinal axes of the three arms intersect at a common point but their lower ends are offset from this point and are pivoted about respective axes which also intersect at the aforementioned common point. They are pivotted to an end effector mounting flange 8 which optionally comprises a fourth arm 11 which slides and pivots on the supporting structure. The fourth arm serves to ensure that the flange 8 always faces at a known orientation. It can also be used in co-operation with suitable sensors to produce signals on lines 15, 16 and 18 to a control unit which drives the arms 1 in their linear directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball goal comprising a telescoping support pivotally mounted to form a diagonal within a deformable parallelogrammatic structure. The telescoping support has an outer cylinder slidably connected over a concentric inner cylinder. The inner cylinder has a slot with a plurality of notches on its underside and the outer cylinder has a post disposed inside the outer cylinder and in sliding engagement with the slot. The inner cylinder is pivotally mounted such that it may be rotated about its longitudinal axis enough to align the post with either a notch or the slot. The notches are configured such that when a notch engages the post, the telescoping support is held and restricted from extending. A release mechanism is provided to rotate the inner cylinder causing the notch to disengage the post and to align with the slot for sliding engagement with the post.

Abstract: The inclination adjusting arrangement is applied to a keyboard having a base structure in which a plurality of keys is mounted. The keyboard is provided in its lower portion with fixed front support feet and rear support feet. The rear feet can project by varying amounts from the bottom of the base structure in such a way that the angle of inclination of the plane of the keys is variable with respect to the desk top. For the purposes of adjusting the degree of projection, the rear feet are pivoted and movable along their own axis by means of a slot which co-operates with a fixed pivot pin on the base structure. Each rear foot comprises a positioning tooth which is disposed opposite a support surface and which is capable of selectively engaging with a seat of a series of seats of the base structure. Resilient means which co-operate with the pin hold the positioning tooth engaged with one of the seats.

Abstract: A height adjust mechanism which may be advantageously used to set a keyboard to a predetermined number of angles with respect to a support surface upon which the keyboard sits. The apparatus is integral with the keyboard base and includes an adjustment foot member having a ratchet surface with four detents therein. The foot member is pivotally mounted within the keyboard base and extends downward through a hole in the keyboard base. An adjustment lever is also pivotally mounted within the keyboard base and includes a pawl which engages one of the detents of the adjustment foot member. A single spring is connected to the adjustment foot and to the adjustment lever. This spring biases the adjustment foot in a downward direction, while at the same time biasing the adjustment lever so that the pawl positively engages one of the detents of the ratchet surface.

Abstract: This platform provides a portable and convenient support for a slide projector. Primarily, it consists of a plate, which is received on the bolt of the head of a tripod. It further includes a knurled nut, for tightening the plate secure to the tripod, which may be elevated to any desired height and angle.

Abstract: A drill press includes an overhead mount for supporting a power-operated drilling unit from an existing structure at locations above a work area, thereby enabling the accurate drilling of holes in large workpieces. An upright member is attached to one portion of the existing structure, such as a ceiling, and provides vertical support for a power-operated drilling unit. The upright member is extensible, enabling the drilling unit to be raised or lowered to accommodate workpieces of various sizes. Lateral support for the upright member is provided by brace members which connect the upright member to spaced portions of the existing structure.

Abstract: A projector adjustable in height includes a housing formed with a longitudinal slit at one side thereof, which slit is transverse to the axis of projection of the projector, a handle which has an axis of rotation transverse to the projection axis and to the slit, and which penetrates the housing at least partially. The handle projects from the lower portion of the housing through the slit, and may be pivoted about a point within the housing to a selected position in a direction transverse to the direction of the axle, as well as be rotated about the axis. A clamping device is substantially disposed about the housing point for clamping the handle at a selected position.