Abstract: The load-locking joint, which is particularly suitable as a suspension mount for surgery microscopes, comprises a joint ball mounted in a housing and having a shaped-on hinge pin or rod, whose free mobility can be inhibited in its mount by mechanical clamping elements. The self-locking action is brought about in that the clamping elements engage on the spherical surface of the ball and during the rotation of the joint ball are carried along on said side, but are supported on a fixed abutment on the other side, the length between the point on the joint ball and the support point increasing with a slope, whose tangent is smaller than the friction coefficient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing stereotactic surgery upon a target within a skull establishes a first, predetermined geometric relationship between a positioning fixture mounted on the skull and a scanning table surface upon which the skull is supported; and that geometric relationship is duplicated in a phantom fixture.

Abstract: A body of a camera supporting device according to the present invention is provided with a grip which is shaped so as to permit a one-handed hold, and which incorporates a trigger. A shoe mounting surface is formed on the top of the body, and a shoe is mounted rotatably and detachably on the mounting surface. The shoe is fitted with a camera screw. A ball is fixed on a fixed base which is mounted on a tripod, and is rotatably housed in a cylindrical ball case. The ball case and the body are connected to each other. The ball is held beween an edge of the ball case and a ball retainer by means of the urging force of a compression coil spring. The ball retainer can be moved away from the ball, by means of a link mechanism, by squeezing the trigger, thereby permitting orientation in all directions of a camera mounted on the shoe mounting surface. The camera is locked in position when the trigger is released.

Abstract: A toy figure is provided with joints having adjustable mobility. Threadably movable rings provided at each joint are used to limit the degree of associated limb movement, and ball sockets are provided with integral stops to control directional movement.

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 vacuum-forceps is disclosed. A valve chamber is provided between a first suction passage communicating with an adsorptive member and a second suction passage connected through a suction tube to a vacuum source. A valve member linked to an operating push button is accomodated in the valve chamber. The adsorptive member is rotatable and swayable relative to a forceps body with the aid of a spherical member. A suction tube is connected through a double-coupling to the forceps body. A bypass is provided between the valve chamber and the first suction passage. A semiconductor silicon wafer is adsorbed on an adsorptive plate provided at the tip end of the adsorptive member by actuating the push button and is then moved to a desired position.

Abstract: A connection arrangement for a mirror back supporting plate and a mirror support member in a mirror case for an automobile outer mirror assembly comprises a connecting portion of the mirror back supporting plate being held between a connecting portion of the mirror support member and a clutch member and these members being connected to each other by a connecting member. The connecting member extends through a through-hole of the clutch member and also through a through-hole of the mirror back supporting plate. After being passed through the through-holes, the connecting member is rotated 90 degrees about its axis so that it is mounted to the mirror back supporting plate. Therefore, the mirror back supporting plate and the mirror supporting member can be easily connected together.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a housing mounted on a base member by means of a ball-and-socket joint comprising a socket formed in the base member and a convex member attached to the housing. The socket comprises the concave inner surface of a hollow part-spherical member. An arm has a concave surface formed on one end and adapted to engage with the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member. Resilient means are arranged to bias the arm towards the convex member so as to urge the concave surface on the arm against the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member and to urge the concave inner surface of the part-spherical member against the convex member, and release means on the other end of the arm are operable to reduce the friction resisting movement of the housing relative to the base member about the part-spherical member. Operation of the release means thus enables the orientation of the housing relative to the base member to be adjusted with relatively little effort.

Abstract: A hand implement having an adjustable handle which is selectively movable by operation of improved retention means therefor to any of a variety of use positions, each of which corresponds to a handle position perpendicular to one of a plurality of abutment faces located in non-parallel planes, and a reversable tool head in such a hand implement to selectively provide, for each handle position, either right hand or left hand tool orientation.

Abstract: A ball joint coupling assembly permits universal movement and positioning of an object with respect to a vertical support shaft. Quick release/lock action is provided by a ball joint assembly having a housing in which a ball and piston are movably coupled. The ball is captured between annular jaw portions of the housing and piston, with locking action being provided by gripping engagement of the piston jaw portion and the housing jaw portion. The ball member is gripped in line-contact, compressive engagement by the annular edges of the piston jaw and housing jaw on opposite sides of the ball. The piston is constrained for axial movement within the housing with locking engagement and release being effected by rotation of a threaded actuator shaft.

Abstract: Two spherical self-aligning bearings are interconnected by a collar or housing for the transmission of push and pull forces for obviating misalignment problems that arise, particularly in aircraft. In a modification the collar or housing itself may be formed so as to be a part, i.e. the outer race member of one or both of such bearings.

Abstract: Ball and socket members having cooperating fluid flow passages therethrough are connected for universal pivotal movement by a connection located entirely interiorly of the members within the fluid flow passages therein. A brake band interposed between the ball and socket members is selectively operable to releasably secure the ball and socket members against movement relative to one another.

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: An improved adjustable device for artificial limbs includes: a cylindrical member having an open section at an upper end for being fixedly coupled with a lower stump portion of an artificial limb, and an annular recess with a plurality of cavities and through openings formed at a lower end; and a coupling member with a mounting piece for being connected to an upper joint portion of an artificial limb and a circular convex protrusion provided on top of the mounting piece with a plurality of screw holes formed in the circular convex protrusion for being coupled with the cylindrical member through a plurality of screw bolts; so that, by adjusting the screw bolts adjustably fixed in the through openings of the cylindrical member, the gravitational equilibrium of the adjustable device can be easily obtained without taking apart the artificial limb incorporated therewith.

Abstract: A universal coupler for flexibly joining together two members along an axis, wherein one member has a projecting neck having an enlarged curved polyhedron head, wherein each of the faces of the polyhedron have a radius of curvature measured in a plane parallel to the axis, and wherein the second member has a threaded end and an internal polyhedron receptor opening, the polyhedron opening being complementary to the head, and wherein the threaded end incorporates a plurality of slots running parallel to the axis, and a threaded locknut for fitting over the threaded end and for capturing the polyhedron head within the polyhedron receptor opening.

Abstract: A door holding mechanism (10) is provided for holding a door (14) in an open position adjacent a wall (12). The door holding mechanism (10) includes a cylindrical housing (18). A magnetic coil (30) is mounted within the cylindrical housing (18). Structure (40, 50, 60, 64) is provided for pivotally mounting the cylindrical housing (18) to the wall (12). A door plate (68) is mounted on the door (14) which is magnetically attracted to the cylindrical housing (18) to hold the door (14) in an open position.

Abstract: A tiltable mount comprises a stationary base member or base and a support member or support for supporting equipment thereon. The support is movably mounted to the base to enable the support to tilt omnidirectionally relative to the base while remaining rotationless relative to a vertical axis through the base. The base and support have mating spherical surfaces, with the concave spherical surface of the base including a guide shaft and the convex spherical surface of the support including a conical aperture for receiving the shaft. The shaft and aperture form a pivotable connection between the two members. A lock for maintaining a selected tilt to the support comprises the guide shaft and a lever attached to the shaft to press the support against the base sufficiently to prevent relative movement therebetween. The lever is threadedly attached to the guide shaft and may include a nut assembly having a nut and a lever arm removably mated to the nut assembly for repeated rotary movement of the nut.

Abstract: An arm extends from a support assembly which may be clamped to the edge of a desk and the angle of the arm relative to the support assembly is adjusted by turning a knob.The outer end of the arm has a swivel connection to a small table or other device. The swivel connection includes a ball and a post extending from the ball. The ball is adjustably clamped between a rim of a hole in the arm and a rim of a hole of an adjustable lever means. The lever means is released and tightened by a knob.

Abstract: A sewing machine presser foot with a shank and a sole plate wherein the shank carries at its lower end a spherical portion extending into a complementary socket of the sole plate so that the latter is free to swivel about several intersecting axes which pass through the center of the spherical portion. A U-shaped spring couples the sole plate to the shank and limits the extent of movability of the sole plate with reference to the shank, either alone or by cooperating with two transversely extending stubs which are provided on the shank at the opposite sides of the spherical portion and extend, with freedom of vertical movement, into slots which are machined into two lateral walls of the sole plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling parcels wherein, for the handling of bulky parcels with a low mass and covered with a relatively fragile wrapping, a gripping method is utilized which serves to exert suction on a relatively large surface area of the parcel so as not to damage the wrapping of the parcels wherein the intensity of suction is controlled and the surface area to which the suction is exerted is determined such that a threshold of tearing resistance of the wrapping is not reached.

Abstract: A rearview mirror and pivot construction therefor having improved stability in mechanically and electrically driven remote control mirror structures and which permits mounting and dismounting of the apparatus at the mirror end. A female hemispherical receiver is matingly engaged against a hemispherical male element. An intermediate armed cross pivot is engaged in a fixed path by both the male and female elements and confines relative pivotal movement between said male and female elements to transverse paths defined by the cross pivot element. One of the male and female elements is secured to a mirror base. The other of the male and female elements is detentably secured to a backing fixture holding the reflective element in the rearview mirror.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mechanism for positioning a pair of members in slip-free, adjustable, angular relationships. In accomplishing the foregoing, an assembly is provided which comprises a sphere and a pair of pivotally mounted jaw-like sections for engaging the latter. The inner surfaces of the sections have substantially the same radius of curvature as the sphere surface. Additionally, the sphere surface and the inner surfaces of the jaw-like sections are configured in respective interlocking patterns. Manipulation of the jaw-like sections allows the members to be placed in the desired angular position with respect to each other--which position is maintained by virtue of the aforementioned interlocking nature of the contiguous surfaces.

Abstract: Detachable links are formed by a first link having a part-spherical end joined to a cylindrical first intermediate portion and a second link having a receiving end with spaced, generally U-shaped arms defining a slot. The arms resiliently spread apart to receive and then snap back to capture the part-spherical portion, leaving the cylindrical portion in the slot. The joined links may be freely relatively pivoted through substantially 180 degrees and may be freely relatively rotated through a full 360 degrees about the axis of the cylindrical portion. The part-spherical portion may have one upstanding cylindrical stub or a diametrically opposed pair which are positionable either between the legs of the arms or in the slot between arms. These stubs limit the free rotation between links by resisting same except as permitted by forcible rotation in 90 degree steps due to spreading apart and snapping back of the arms.

Abstract: A cabinet hinge having a supporting arm (24) which is adjustably mounted on a mounting plate (22) which can be fastened on the supporting wall (20) of a cabinet. The arm has a longitudinal slot (30) which is open at its cabinet-interior end and through which passes a mounting screw driven into the mounting plate (22). A headless screw (38) is driven into a tap provided nearer to the outer end of the supporting arm, and a holding block in the form of a ball (42) is provided at the bottom end of the headless screw. The holding ball is pushed into a narrow-mouthed, open-ended slot (44) that is provided in the mounting plate, which holds the ball securely against lifting while permitting it to be displaced longitudinally.

Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated artificial wrist capable of simple repositioning of an artificial hand attached thereto. A presently preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a contractible spherical ball assembly that is normally expanded so as to tightly fit within a socket assembly. An actuating lever is provided such that, upon actuation, the lever causes contraction of the ball assembly, which allows for repositioning of the artificial hand. Release of the actuating lever secures the artificial hand in its new orientation by permitting the ball assembly to reexpand within the socket assembly. A second embodiment further provides for motorized rotation of the artificial hand independent of use of the actuating lever.

Abstract: The coupling of the present invention is adapted for use with a micromanipulator and a pair of pipettes. The micromanipulator comprises a pair of elongated arms and linkage connected to the arms for moving the arms in a plurality of directions. The coupling includes a housing having an arm receptacle at one end and a pipette holding device at the opposite end. A ball and socket swivel is provided within the housing and comprises a movable socket member which is matingly engaged with a spherical ball. The ball is connected to the pipette holding device. A threaded bolt engages the movable socket member and is adapted to cam the socket member into frictional engagement with the ball so as to lock the ball and socket joint against movement.

Abstract: The chuck disclosed has three radially movable jaws for gripping and releasing a workpiece. The jaws are displaced radially by means of a draw-bar actuated puller plate coupled to the inner ends of inclined, radially extending rods on which the jaws are mounted. The puller plate is swivelly coupled to the drawbar and to the jaw rods to enable the jaws to firmly grip a workpiece around a surface which is not concentric to a previously machined centering surface on the workpiece and by means of which the workpiece is positioned on the chuck. Means are provided for optionally preventing swiveling movement of the puller plate.

Abstract: An angle-adjustable saddle comprising a bearing portion secured directly to a saddle base and having a lower surface curved longitudinally of the base, a support portion provided at the upper end of a seat pillar and formed on its upper side a curved surface conforming to the curved surface of the bearing portion, a threaded rod for detachably fastening together the bearing portion and the support portion with the curved surfaces fitting to each other, and an internally threaded member having the threaded rod screwed therein, one of the bearing portion and the support portion being formed with a slot extending longitudinally the base.

Abstract: A mirror assembly is provided adapted for use with a vehicle and includes a mirror housing, a mirror, a support bracket for mounting the mirror housing on an associated vehicle and an expandable ball and socket arrangement associated with the mirror housing and support bracket for selectively retaining the mirror in a desired rotational position relative to the vehicle. The ball and socket arrangement comprises a partially spherical socket formed in the mirror housing, a thin-walled socket liner retained therein and an expandable ball securely connected to the mounting bracket. The expandable ball comprises a plurality of partially spherical segments each attached to a shank and resiliently deformable outwardly from an axial bore therethrough. A draw bolt is received in the axial bore and when drawn therethrough, engages the spherical segments biasing same outwardly to resistably engage the socket liner.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine body having a pair of rotatable bodies adapted to nip a ball therebetween to throw it and a support member of ball joint type for supporting the ball throwing machine body on a pillar member. The support member enables the ball throwing machine body to be turned around an axis extending in the ball throwing direction and to be fixed at a desired position.

Abstract: An accommodating linkage device which operates in three modes to provide, upon command, either: (1) a standard, resetable, rigid linkage between two objects; (2) a flexible linkage which responds to relative motion (forces) between two objects; (3) or an arbitrary, rigid linkage between two objects. The device includes two ball joints which connect to the two objects, a pair of locking pistons, and a pair of alignment pistons. Operation of the device is in response to either control signals or to forces generated by the relative motion of the two objects, depending upon operating mode.

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: A mirror assembly is provided adapted for use with a vehicle and includes a mirror housing, a mirror, a support bracket for mounting the mirror housing on an associated vehicle and an expandable ball and socket arrangement associated with the mirror housing and support bracket for selectively retaining the mirror in a desired rotational position relative to the vehicle. The ball and socket arrangement comprises a partially spherical socket formed in the mirror housing, a thin-walled socket liner retained therein and an expandable ball securely connected to the mounting bracket. The expandable ball comprises a plurality of partially spherical segments each attached to a shank and resiliently deformable outwardly from an axial bore therethrough. A draw bolt is received in the axial bore and when drawn therethrough, engages the spherical segments biasing same outwardly to resistably engage the socket liner.

Abstract: A ball and socket mount (13) for supporting the housing (11) of a light source and/or detector device is disclosed. The ball and socket mount (13) includes: a ball (23) affixed to one end of the housing (11); and, a socket formed by a collar that surrounds the ball. The collar comprises two identical U-shaped pieces (31a and 31b). When joined, the two collar pieces (31a and 31b) define an aperture having a spherical inner surface that mates with the spherical outer surface of the ball (23). The ball (23) includes a circumferential groove (29) oriented so as to be surrounded by the collar. A pair of mounting bolts (39) pass through the aligned holes in the collar pieces and the groove. The width of the groove (29) is substantially greater than the diameter of the bolts (39). As a result, the ball (23) and, thus, the photoelectric device is alignable in three dimensions when the bolts are loose. Specifically, the groove ( 29) allows rotation through 360.degree.

Abstract: In a railway hopper car with several bottom dump doors, the doors are operated by a main door operating member in the form of a thrust bar running the length of the car. The bar, when moved, rotates levers which rotate actuator shafts which move door operating linkage arrangements, opening and closing the dump doors. An adjustable positioning structure is provided on each lever to cause adjustment of the individual dump door positions. The adjustment is accomplished by tightening or loosening bolts in the adjustor, which is fixed on an actuator shaft running to the linkage arrangement. The adjustor and actuator shaft rotate on a bearing with respect to the lever, but are held in locked adjusted position by the adjustor bolts abutting on flanges welded to the lever.

Abstract: A payload retention system for securing and retaining a payload in a fixed docked position on a platform in a cargo bay of a space vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of latching assemblies 16 carried by platform 10 each of which includes a latching member A having a contoured spherical latch element 24. A plurality of payload latching elements B are carried by the payload having a complementary contoured spherical latch element 18. The latching elements 18 are carried in interlatching alignment with the latching members 24 of the latching assemblies 16 defining latch couplings C. Spherical latch element 18 has a convex latching surface 19 and spherical element 24 has a concave latching surface 25 which mate and couple with one another when interlatched. The spherical latch elements 18, 24 having their axes aligned with one another when interlatched whereby the payload is retained in a fixed docked position.

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 clamping element comprises a single-acting cylinder and a piston with strong spring return which can be cancelled out by introduction of a pressure medium into the pressure chamber of the cylinder. The spring return is brought about, at least mainly, by means of a sleeve (6a, 6b) of rubber or rubber-like material which occupies a gap (5, 5b) between the piston (3, 3a, 3b) and the cylinder wall (7, 7a, 7b) or a lining (40) arranged in the cylinder. The rubber sleeve is firmly vulcanized, firmly glued or surface-fixed in some other manner against the cylindrical exterior of the piston and against the wall of the cylinder or the said lining along an axial length which considerably exceeds the thickness of the gap.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a transparent windowpane guided displaceably in height inside of a hollow body space of a motor vehicle by guide members. The mounting support is provided at least on the side thereof facing the transparent pane with a curved surface, against which abuts a bearing socket forming a separator with respect to the transparent pane. A fastening element connecting the bearing socket with the mounting support is so arranged and constructed that the fastening element, in the loosened condition, can be displaced, respectively, pivoted together with the bearing socket.

Abstract: An external fixation apparatus for the reduction and immobilization of the proximal end segments of a fractured bone is disclosed. The fixation apparatus includes a turnbuckle device, a ball joint device attached to the respective ends of the turnbuckle device, a locking mechanism for the ball joint devices, and a plurality of clamps which are located on tubular members extending from the ball joint devices and in which a pin embedded at one end in the fractured bone segment is received. After the pin is immovably clamped to the tubular member, the subsequent manipulation of the two tubular members relative to one another and adjustment of the turnbuckle device causes the fractured bone segments to be aligned and reduced so that the locking of the ball joint devices and turnbuckle device holds the fractured bone segments in a proper healing orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: A two-part holder for an appliance, such as a manually operable hairdryer, includes a stationary wall mounted bracket as one part and a relatively movable appliance clamping portion as the other part. The clamping portion may be clamped about an appliance and quickly connected to and quickly removed from the stationary bracket without manipulating any fastening mechanism. An abutment projecting from the bracket retains the electric supply cord of an appliance out of the user's way.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a universal-action joint for adjustable mounting of an observation instrument upon a support, such as a conventional floor stand. The joint is of the ball and socket variety but incorporates two separate means for frictionally loading the parts against relative displacement. The first of these loadings is resilient and at a minimum level, designed to lightly retain an adjusted positioning; the second loading is selectively applied for much greater frictional engagement, to the point of effectively locking the parts against dislodgment from adjusted position.

Abstract: A remotely actuated pivotal device is provided comprising a weathertight housing, a spherical projection disposed on the back of the device and a socket disposed on the housing. A circular elastomeric O-ring is disposed in the socket and a wobble stick for pivotally actuating the device extends through the O-ring and the socket. The spherical projection is disposed within the socket such that the device is capable of independent pivotal movements about the socket. A universal joint that limits the motion of the device to pivotal movements about orthogonal X and Y axes is provided for compressing the sphere against the O-ring to provide both a weathertight seal for said housing and to dampen vibration of the pivotally actuated device.

Abstract: A boat light is especially adapted to be mounted upon the transom or stern of a cabin cruiser, speedboat, small yacht, or the like. A holder for a lamp unit has a spherically curved outer surface engaging a complementary inner surface of a housing attachable to the hull of the boat. The holder is universally adjustable to selected angular positions of adjustment relative to the housing. In a typical adjustment, the beam of the lamp unit may be projected horizontally despite the inclination of the transom from the vertical. In the selected position of adjustment, the tightening of screws by which the device is assembled and mounted on the transom is effective to preserve the lamp unit holder adjustment. This occurs when a shield closing the inner end of the housing is caused to bear against a rearwardly projecting surface of the holder. The holder, or at least the shield-engaging surface thereof, is of a deformable material.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting an automobile antenna, shaft, mirror or other device within a hole in a support surface such as a fender, at various angles to such support surface, comprises a base which partially passes through the hole, a device-supporting bushing which partially passes through the base, a clamping nut above, and a retainer below, the support surface. The bushing has engagement means above the support surface to mate with the clamping nut and stop means below the support surface against which the retainer pivots and bears. The base has a central aperture receiving the bushing, which can swing through various angles. A spherical upper bearing surface on the base mates with the clamping nut, and includes a flange bearing against the upper support surface. A toothed lower surface and a pair of legs extend downwardly from the base and have inner surfaces parallel to a given plane.

Abstract: An adjustable mirror stabilizing mounting useful in handset, power, and remote control automotive mirrors in which the fixed side of the mounting projects from the mirror housing to support spherically concentric nested surfaces sandwiching the movable element therebetween and including keying means and trunnion means in the sector retainer for providing stability of adjustable support with limited movement. A selected anti-friction pad is provided between certain of the spherical surfaces and assembly is by a compression loading of the spring element.

Abstract: A disc brake includes at least one pin assembly (24) for movably supporting a caliper 14 relative to a torque plate 12. The pin assembly comprises a bolt (54), a sleeve (46) and a pair of arcuate washers (70, 72) which are adapted to accommodate angularity between the pin assembly and the caliper opening (38).

Abstract: Apparatus for the external setting or securing of the parts of a fractured bone, comprising an elongate central body member comprised of two parts mutually displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member, whereby each part of the central body member supports a clamping device for the pins to be inserted into a part of the bone. The two mutually displaceable parts are engaged by a pressing and tensioning device causing the mutual longitudinal displacement of the part. When the pins are inserted in the bone parts to be pressed together, the pressing and tensioning device is actuated until the two bone sections abut against each other at the required pressure. Then the securing devices fix the two parts of the central body member into their position. Subsequently, the pressing and tensioning device is removed from the central body member since it is no longer required.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle for a power tool having an elongated housing of the type which is clampingly attachable to the housing of the tool near the forward end thereof. The handle includes a pair of clamping jaws which cooperate with a hand grasp to generate a clamping force which is transmitted to a split collar retained between the jaws which in turn is adapted to receive and clampingly engage a cylindrical barrel portion of the housing. The collar has a convex outer surface which defines a spherical zone, enabling the collar to be retained in a complimentary shaped annular concave recess defined by the jaws, while allowing the jaws and the hand grasp to be moved in any direction along the spherical zone to thereby position the hand grasp angularly in three dimensions relative to the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for the external setting or securing of the parts of a fractured bone, comprising an elongate central body member comprised of two parts mutually displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member, whereby each part of the central body member supports a clamping device for the pins to be inserted into a part of the bone. The two mutually displaceable parts are engaged by a pressing and tensioning device causing the mutual longitudinal displacement of the part. When the pins are inserted in the bone parts to be pressed together, the pressing and tensioning device is actuated until the two bone sections abut against each other at the required pressure. Then the securing devices fix the two parts of the central body member into their position. Subsequently, the pressing and tensioning device is removed from the central body member since it is no longer required.