Abstract: A stand adjustment device has a tripod-connecting member, a connecting seat, two clamping plates, a boom-connecting tube, a locking shaft, and a manual operating member. The connecting seat is rotatably located around the tripod-connecting member. The two clamping plates are detachably attached to two opposite sides of the connecting seat respectively. One end of the locking shaft is movably disposed in the boom-connecting tube. The boom is slidably mounted through the boom-connecting tube and the locking shaft. The locking shaft is slidably mounted through the boom-connecting tube, the two clamping plates, and the connecting seat such that the boom-connecting tube is rotatable relative to the connecting seat. The manual operating member and the locking shaft are configured to clamp the boom-connecting tube, the two clamping plates, and the connecting seat therebetween into a locked condition.

Abstract: A rotary joint includes an outer shell segment having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment having a plurality of openings arranged in the outer surface; an inner shell segment having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment, the inner shell segment being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment and spaced apart from the outer shell segment by a compensation gap; and a plurality of strut holding fixtures, the strut holding fixtures having a hollow interior and a flange portion, wherein each of the strut holding fixtures is arranged in one of the plurality of openings and the flange portion extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment and the outer shell segment in each case.

Abstract: A medical assembly includes a platform which is securely mountable to an operating room fixture, and a plurality of arms or arm modules coupled to the platform and each with a grasper for holding a surgical instrument or port. The medical assembly is particularly applicable for laparoscopic surgery although it is not limited thereto.

Abstract: An articulating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end includes a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective articulation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler. A support shaft connects the handle to the end effector. An articulation mechanism is positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A broom assembly includes a head structure and a rod structure. The head structure includes a base having a coupling face formed with a reception chamber and an opening for access into the reception chamber, and a plurality of resilient ribs provided at the periphery confining the opening and extending inwardly and radially toward a center axis of the opening. The rod structure includes a coupling member provided partially, rotatably and detachably within the reception chamber in the coupling face of the base. When the coupling member is detachably received within the reception chamber, the coupling member biases against and engages the resilient ribs so as to be prevented untimely disengaging from the base.

Abstract: Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart are disclosed which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a desired position and subsequently locked into position with a simple operation of a single locking actuator. Further disclosed are stabilizer devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle is securable to a tubular member that defines a central axis and is secured to the vehicle. The mirror assembly comprises a clamping assembly including a concave surface that is engagable with the tubular member. A housing is coupled to the clamping assembly and supports a mirror. A latching assembly engages the clamping assembly and the housing and is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the housing is held substantially fixed with respect to the tubular member. In the unlatched position, the clamping assembly is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis and is pivotable about the central axis, and the housing is pivotable with respect to the clamping assembly about a pin axis that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jointed support structure, in particular for the adjustable attachment of objects, such as medical instruments, to a support, such as a surgical operating table, comprising at least one clamping element having a movable clamping jaw; at least one elongate connecting element connected at one end to the clamping element and preferably made as a tube; an actuating block connected to the other end of the connecting element; at least one push rod extending at least substantially parallel to the connecting element and connecting the clamping jaw and the actuating block in a thrust transmitting manner; a movement generating device generating a movement extending at least substantially perpendicular to the push rod; and a transmission mechanism which guides the motion generated by the movement generating device while preferably deflecting it through 90° to the push rod, whereby the clamping jaw can be brought alternately into and out of clamping engagement.

Abstract: An accessory holder that can support an item in an infinite number of positions and orientations has advantages, especially in supporting a hair drier. The device includes a substantially longitudinal base member and a support device that enables securing the base member to a structure. A positioning support is included that is adapted to receive the base member. This enables both linear and rotary movement about the base member. A substantially longitudinal secondary member is received by the positioning support that enables linear movement or linear rotary movement thereon. An open ended mounting clamp is pivotally attached to the distal end of the secondary member. The clamp allows the user to easily secure an item, such as the handle of a hair dryer, and position the dryer in a desired location by movement of the secondary member with respect to the base member. The user can then keep the item in place while having both hands free.

Abstract: A loudspeaker suspension system for suspending a plurality of individual loudspeakers from an overhead support in spaced apart relationship for adjustment to different related positions and orientations relative to one another to selectively focus the acoustic throw of the loudspeakers. The system includes a plurality of frame members mounted to the respective loudspeakers and a plurality of connectors for connection between respective adjacent pairs of frame members. The connectors include a pair of elongated oppositely disposed connecting arms for connection from their respective distal ends with the respective loudspeakers and further include a pivot joint connecting the medial ends of the connector arms together so that the respective connecting arms may be pivoted to angle the respective adjacent pair of loudspeakers relative to one another.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket and housing assembly mountable to any horizontal or verticle surface designed primarily for passive infrared detective for security systems. The bracket has a mounting member (30), a cylindrical member (20) allowing horizontal adjustability of the housing assembly and a bracket arm (15) having teeth (21) for vertical adjustability of the housing assembly. The housing assembly has a base (10) and removable cover (12). The base is attachable to the bracket arm (15) by a screw (29). The housing assembly cannot be adjusted directionally, unless the cover (12) is removed, thereby providing access to the screw (29). This latter feature makes the unit of the present invention tamper proof as an alarm will be triggered if the cover (12) is removed from the housing assembly.

Abstract: A tension control device is provided, for example, for locking and unlocking a movable support arm for a keyboard or the like, by engaging or disengaging rotational joints having axially displaceable rotationally lockable couplings traversed by a tension line. A control, preferably a caliper, has levers pivoted on a pin, normally biased by a spring to close. The spring pulls the caliper closed; however, the caliper is arranged by linkages to clamp tension onto the line rather than to couple spring tension to the line. A front linkage isolates the spring bias from the line when closed, by folding inwardly such that tension is transmitted substantially exclusively via compression of two pivoted members of the from linkage that align nearly parallel to the line. The biasing spring is coupled between a rear linkage that operates oppositely, and a fixed point such as the caliper pivot pin.

Abstract: A flexible, articulable column having a central cable tensioning member with a series of ball and socket members strung on the cable forming articulable joints. Each socket member has at least one conical opening with internal teeth engagable with a ball which is made of an elastomeric polymer. When the cable is tensioned, the sockets move toward each other and the balls are indented by the teeth of the socket. The column thus becomes rigid. Releasing the tension returns the column to the flexible state.

Abstract: A foldable assembly structure to be used for camouflage nets which comprise a central telescopic pole composed of a plurality of sections which fit into each other, provided with fastening means. The upper free end of said pole is provided with a joint like member from which extend a plurality of foldable arms.

Abstract: This articulation device makes it possible to position a first elongated piece 20, which is capable of being pivoted through 360.degree. according to the arrow A, and a second piece 30, which is capable of swivelling about the shaft 40 according to the arrow B. These pieces are made integral with a U-shaped support 10, in relation to which they can be locked by shoes 60 and 70 which are held in position by a single securing screw 50. The pieces 20 and 30 can be connected to elements which are to be positioned, such as pins or connection rods which form part of an orthopaedic external fixing appliance consisting of pins inserted into bone fragments and of an external frame with connection rods.

Abstract: An adjustable lighting fixture having a power transfer means, such as a gearbox, interposed between the lamp holder, such as a gimbal ring, and the point of mounting, the output shaft of the gear box connected directly to the lamp holder to rotate the same about a first axis upon rotation of the input shaft of the gearbox, and the housing of the gear box being connected to the point of mounting to rotate the same about a second axis upon rotation of the housing, thereby providing for rotation of the lamp holder so mounted about two different axis from a remote location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal adjustable mount for use as a work support device which comprises a base, a split housing rotatably mounted to the base, a post, and a split bushing for releasably receiving the post and for selectively gripping the post. The bushing is mounted within the housing for turning movement about an axis, and the housing, the bushing and the post are selectively arrestable and subsequently releasable upon actuation of a single clamp device. The interior of the housing is formed so as to maintain the bushing in its arrested orientation relative thereto. The device further includes a leaf spring mounted between the bushing and the housing which is operable to snug the bushing against the housing during actuation of the clamping means to the locked position.

Abstract: A six degree of freedom grabbing apparatus (20) allows normally open jaws (22) to be positioned in a desired location and orientation relative to a work platform (19), whereupon a single control locks the grabbing apparatus is the desired location and orientation. The jaws (22) are secured to the end of an arm (24). The arm (24) is attached to a shoulder joint (26). The shoulder joint allows the arm to rotate (37) and pitch (38). The shoulder joint is secured to a base unit (28), which base unit is slidably and pivotally connected to the work platform (19, 80), allowing the base unit (and hence the shoulder joint and arm) to move in the same plane, e.g., the x and y directions, as the work platform, and further allowing the base unit, shoulder joint and arm to yaw (39) relative to a given position on the platform. Six degrees of freedom are provided by the apparatus; jaw closing/opening; pitching, rotating, yawing, moving in the x direction, and moving in the y direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support arm for optical accessories such as are used during the examination of eyes for determining the corrective eyeglass lens required. The support arm is supported by a vertical support post which defines a first axis about which the arm may be pivot. The support arm further includes a first hub portion adjacent to the support post and a second hub portion distal from the support post wherein a vertical mounting shaft extends from the second hub portion for supporting an optical accessory. A parallelogram structure extends between the first and second hub portions such that the second hub portion may be moved vertically relative to the first hub portion about a second horizontal axis located at the first hub portion while maintaining the mounting shaft in a vertical position.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in surgery for holding retractors and other surgical instrumentation in a number of different positions required by a surgeon for the performance of a surgical procedure, including advanced sensing and regulation of retraction pressures and position; and incorporating a force amplification method to drive a locking mechanism in the supporting structure that utilizes a constrained, substantially incompressible, flexible solid material to yield a mechanism that is suitable for clinical use.

Abstract: A table-mounted surgical retractor support includes a wishbone-shaped structure comprising two identical rods which are separately attachable to a clamp located at the end of a supporting rod. The supporting rod is, in turn, connected to a similar clamp located at the top of a table-mounted post. The two parts of the wishbone structure are small enough to be sterilized conveniently.The wishbone rods cannot be rotated in their clamp, nor can the supporting rod be rotated in its clamp. However, the wishbone clamp, when loosened, allows rotation of the wishbone structure about the supporting rod axis and also about an axis mutually perpendicular to the supporting rod axis and the wishbone plane. Likewise the supporting rod clamp allows rotation of the supporting rod about the axis of the post and about an axis mutually perpendicular to the supporting rod and the post. Each clamp is designed to apply a shear to the rod on which it is supported, thereby achieving a tight clamping action.

Abstract: A device for precisely positioning and locking an object in a selected position includes a first arm member having one end for engaging a base support and for clamping the base support and an opposite end on which is rotatably mounted a bracket in a clamping device at the second end; the first arm member includes a single locking lever for actuating simultaneously both of the clamping devices; the bracket member is pivotably connected to a second arm member which has clamping devices at its opposite ends and a single locking lever for actuating and releasing the clamping devices.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for incrementally varying the frictional forces along an articulable column having succesive joints formed of alternate ball and socket members. Friction is varied by varying the contact angle between said ball and socket members along the length of the column and by supplying a compressive force to said joints via a tensioned means throughout the column. The effect of varying the frictional forces along the column is to vary the stiffness of individual column joints creating a structural member which can be tailored to the load requirements of a specific application.

Abstract: A hand tool for cleaning smooth surfaces having a holder in the form of a flat box; a sponge block and a squeegee, spaced apart from and parallel to the sponge block; a swivelable handle disposed on the holder, on an incline and laterally about an axis extending vertically to the holder and an axis extending parallel to the holder, with two joints, disposed one above the other, with both joints locked in a particular handle position by a common locking and unlocking element in the form of a bolt-shaped and/or bush-shaped slide.

Abstract: A flexible joint mechanism comprises male and female joint members for joining a microphone pole to a base member. The male joint member has a substantially spherical end surface. The female joint member has a dish-shaped end surface for receiving the spherical end surface. The dish-shaped and spherical end surfaces are held together in sliding engagement by a spring or the like. A detent is interposed between the dish-shaped and spherical end surfaces for releasably holding the joint members in a vertically aligned position following movement thereof into the aligned position.

Abstract: An adjustable arm having a plurality of sections joined together by a ball and socket joint comprising a housing, a ball retained within the housing, a concave cup slidably mounted within the housing with clearance between the cup and the ball, a locking member slidably mounted in a recess in the ball so that one end projects beyond the ball and bears against the concave face of the cup a push rod passing through the section so that one end bears against the cup adjacent one end of the section and the other end bears against the locking member of the joint adjacent the other end of the section and means for applying a compressive force to the push rod to simultaneously lock all joints against relative movement.

Abstract: A bone pin clamp for external fracture fixation apparatus comprises rotation, slide and housing elements (240, 220, 210) nested one within the next, each such element being apertured to receive a pin (100) therethrough, and the rotation and slide elements respectively affording pin adjustment in azimuth and zenith, and in height, relative to the housing element, and a locking mechanism (60, 80, 170) including a common actuator member (60) operable simultaneously to lock the pin and rotation and slide elements in the housing element. In a preferred form the housing element serves as a cylinder with the slide element as a keyed piston therein, and the rotation element is a disc located between a screw (60) and annular thrust members (80, 170) engaged in the piston, the piston and disc being split respectively to lock by expansion and compaction under screw action towards the thrust members.

Abstract: A foldable framework and foldable objects such as stretchers, foldable beds, foldable bridges and the like embodying such framework. The framework comprises first and second carrier rod assemblies linked to each other by foldable connecting means, each such assembly comprising four rods linked by three joints, a central joint and two peripheral joints so designed that the extreme rods of the two carrier rod assemblies swing in different planes. In consequence, in the folded state the extreme rods of one carrier rod assembly come to rest between the extreme rods of the other carrier rod assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tilt-pan head for controlling the movement of instruments in which panning and tilting motions are required. Each function, the pan drag, the tilt drag, the pan locking and the tilt locking are controlled by four coaxially mounted knurled control rings that are stacked one on top of the other, and independently rotatable to control an individual applicable function.

Abstract: A jointed holder for holding articles, for example surgical retractors. The holder has a succession of rigid link shafts and a link joint and a terminal joint with drive pins in the link shafts and force transmission means in the link joints whereby tightening of a drive means will rigidify the holder in an adjusted position.

Abstract: An improved clamp for releasably and adjustably securing accessories, such as hanger rods for parenteral solution containers, to medical tables. The clamp has a generally cylindrical body comprising two main sections arranged in axial alignment: a base section and a cup section. Annular rows of intermeshing teeth are provided along the opposing end faces of the respective sections to prevent relative rotation of those sections unless such movement is accompanied by slight axial separation. The cup section includes a chamber terminating in an enlarged end opening that rotatably receives the cylindrical shank of a first operating knob. The knob is threadedly supported upon a hollow stem which is joined at one end to the base section and which extends axially through the chamber of the cup section.

Abstract: An adjustable arm having a joint (17,19) at each end with a push rod (35) extending axially through the arm with each end of the rod bearing against one of the components (23,45) of the adjacent joint and means (31) for applying a compressive force to the push rod and thereby simultaneously lock both joints against relative movement.

Abstract: The jointed stand comprises two joint or swivel heads coupled to each other and two arms each extending from a related one of the joint heads and terminating in a respective ball-and-socket joint. Each ball-and-socket joint is operatively associated with a push or thrust rod which slidably extends through the related arm and cooperates with a related transmission or transfer member in the associated joint or swivel head. Each transfer or displacement member has two oppositely inclined surfaces on opposite sides thereof which are supported at an associated end of the related push rod and at the joint head, respectively, by means of roller bodies. A hinge pin extends through the transmission members with clearance. A tightening element coacts with the hinge pin in order to be able to cam the transmission members at the roller bodies, so as to be able to selectively positively lock in place the arms and ball-and-socket joints and, when desired, to quickly release such locking action.

Abstract: A retaining device for fixedly holding a surgical instrument in a predetermined spatial orientation during surgery comprising an arm having a ball-and-socket joint for grasping the surgical instrument, another arm having a ball-and-socket joint for securing the device to a stationary base and an intermediate pin joint which connects the arms and acts in conjunction with the ball-and-socket joints to allow placement of the surgical instrument in a desired position. The retaining device further comprised a means at the pin joint for simultaneously tightening all joints of the device after placement of the surgical instrument and thereby fixing the position of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An articulated stand contains two relatively mutually pivotable arms at whose ends there are seated moveable joint heads. With the aid of a single clamping lever there can be concurrently locked or loosened a central joint as well as the joint heads. In order to increase the force transmitted from the articulated stand, there is provided an axial bolt or king pin which, upon clamping, presses on a ball through a curve and thereby through intermediate elements fixes a joint head in the first arm through frictional contact. A sleeve which is seated on the axial bolt exerts an effect through a curve on a ball of the second arm and transmits the resultant movement during clamping to the joint head of this arm. During clamping there are concurrently pressed together two disks of the central joint. The articulated stand is suitable, for example, for applications during surgery, as well as a retractor.

Abstract: An articulated device for a service component, wherein a front arm and a rear arm, each provided at one end with an engageable member, are rotatably connected to each other by a transmitting shaft slidably coupled into the enggeable members, the transmitting shaft is provided with tapered portions opposed to the arms, the engageable members incorporate therein balls engaging the tapered portions, the arms incorporate therein rods slidable in the lengthwise directions thereof and abutting against the balls, and the rod in the front arm is actuated to cause the transmitting shaft to axially move through the agency of the balls, whereby the engageable members are pressed against and engaged with each other, so that the arms can be fixed at certain angles.

Abstract: A folding tool bar apparatus for a farm implement having a hollow main frame and winged sections pivotally attached to each end thereof. The winged sections are pivotal between a first horizontally extended position and a second folded horizontal position above the hollow main frame and disposed 180.degree. from the first position. An actuation structure is provided for moving the winged section between the first and second positions and this actuation structure includes the first set of teeth attached to each end of the hollow main frame and the second set of teeth attached to each end of the winged section for meshing with the teeth on the ends of the hollow main frame. The bracket structure is pivotally attached to the first and second set of teeth on each end of the main frame and a lever arm is attached to the bracket.

Abstract: A joint support structure comprising means forming a housing defining a chamber embodies an axially movable wall portion constituting a clamping device which forms one wall portion of the chamber. This chamber contains radially movable means and means responsive to movement of the axially movable wall portion to induce or accommodate a radial shift of said radially movable means. Means projecting outwardly of the housing includes a rod axially movable in response to movements of said radially movable means to clamp a related joint element to or release the related joint element from a defined seat.Various arrangements are provided to constitute the means responsive to movement of the axially movable wall portion, each of which dictates that essentially the total of the applied forces are translated into a direct radial movement of the rod or rods associated with the joint support structure.

Abstract: A joint means for light fittings, such as office lamps, comprising pairs of bars arranged after one another and connected with each other by pairs of joint plates. The plates are pressed against each other and the bars with clamping screws. The bars are connected with the joint plates by means of protuberances on the plates extending into holes in the bars.

Abstract: A swivel joint is designed to provide limited and controlled movement in two orthogonal planes running through its symmetrical center. The three major parts of the swivel joint are molded from a material composition of polycarbon-glass-teflon. A swivel top mounts to the object to be provided with controlled movement. A swivel bottom mounts to a support. The swivel top and bottom are held together by a large, curved wafer and a nut and bolt arrangement. The swivel top and bottom interact with each other to provide controlled limited movement in the two orthogonal planes, simultaneously.