Abstract: A robot for movement of a moveable element (2) relative to a base element (1) comprises at least two link devices (4, 5, 6) coupled between the elements. These link devices comprise each at least two mutually articulated link units (7, 8; 9, 10; 11, 12) and power exerting arrangements (13, 14, 15) adapted to pivot the link devices for changing the relative position of the elements. A first (4) of the link devices is connected with the moveable element (2) via a hinge connection (16) so that there are, on consideration of the robot in its entirety, at least two degrees of freedom in the form of relative pivotability about two pivot axes, real or imaginary, extending at an angle relative to each other between the first link device (4) and said element (2).

Abstract: A device for relative movement of two elements (1, 2) comprises three link arrangements (A, B, C) and drives (3, 4, 5) for these arrangements. The link arrangements have forearm and upper arm components hinged to the upper arm components and to the second element respectively.

Abstract: A wheeled elevator apparatus for use in transferring freight between a highway truck and a freight storage dock or building, the apparatus including an elevatable platform powered by hydraulic cylinder means and including two oppositely directed ramps hingedly connected to said platform to provide access to said platform for pallet jacks moving pallets of freight, one of said ramps being long enough to reach inside the highway truck to form a bridge from the elevatable platform to the highway truck, the bridge having side curbs and being sufficiently narrow and laterally off-set to permit an independently operated roller, skate-wheel, or belt conveyer to function simultaneously beside the elevatable platform for moving small individual packages of freight between the same building or dock and the same truck.

Abstract: The hydraulic lift is provided for carrying structures, such as a motorcycle, snowmobile, etc., in an elevated position behind a motor home. The lift includes a fixed framework having pivotable arms to which any of a plurality of carrying platforms may be engaged. The arms pivot from a ground engaging position to an elevated, locked in place position under action of a hydraulic activation system.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an object, such as a wheelchair, between an upper position and a lower position. The upper position is typically adjacent to the floor surface of a vehicle while the lower position is typically at ground level. The apparatus preferably includes a platform including at least three pivotally connected sections. The sections are selectively moveable between an unfolded orientation in which the sections are substantially co-planar and a folded orientation in which the sections form a compact configuration. The apparatus also preferably includes a folding assembly for selectively moving the sections of the platform between the folded orientation and the unfolded orientation, a deployment assembly for selectively deploying and stowing the platform and a lift assembly for selectively moving the platform vertically between the upper position and the lower position.

Abstract: A SCARA type robot with counterbalanced arms and tilting base. This apparatus enables accurate planar movement of a probe. Weak or flexible foundations or footings do not affect positioning accuracy of the probe. Positioning accuracy, relative to the movement plane, of a probe is unaffected by positions of the arms. At any angle of the probe movement plane the counterbalanced arms allow the same size drive motors, torque transmission devices, and drive electronics. These features make the invention very useful for on-site or portable near-field testing of antennas. A manipulator may be used in place of the probe. Most of the benefits will be retained if load variations on the manipulator are kept small.

Abstract: A method provides an exact measurement of the tool center point (TCP) being carried out, preferably in the whole working area of the robot. In this measurement, the robot moves very slowly so that little heat is generated by the driving assemblies and the temperature gradients are as low as possible. The measurement can be made, for example, using a high-precision laser distance and angle measurement system. The measurement is carried out such that a measuring point is moved to working area points and then the deviations of the positions and/or orientations of the measuring point are determined using the laser distance and angle measurement system, i.e. a nominal/actual comparison is made. The TCP can preferably serve as the measuring point. The point must always be selected so that the positioning and orientation deviations of the kinematic chain with respect to the PCT can be determined with sufficient accuracy.

Abstract: Lifting device (1) for disabled people in wheelchairs and children's pushchairs, comprising a supporting frame (2), permanently applied to a motor vehicle or a fixed installation, and a sliding foldaway platform (3) moving between a retracted position and an extracted position, with respect to said supporting frame (2). The platform (3) can also move in said extracted position, between a lowered position and a raised position, by means of an articulated parallelogram linkage system (17). The movements of the platform (3) are achieved by means of electrical actuators (9, 20).

Abstract: A device for relative movement of two elements comprises two link arrangements coupled in series using a connection arrangement. A first link arrangement comprises at least three links which are substantially equal in length and parallel. The links are positioned in a substantially triangular relation viewed along the longitudinal direction of the links, between the connection arrangement and a second of the elements. A second link arrangement comprises at least one parallelogram acting between the connection arrangement and a first of the elements. First and second force applying arrangements are adapted to cause the first link arrangement to pivot. A third force applying arrangement is adapted to cause the second link arrangement to pivot.

Abstract: A lift carried in a van or a similar transporting vehicle to load and unload cargo such as a mobility scooter. A base reciprocable on a track. The base carries an extendable and retractable lift arm assembly which includes a pair of parallel linkages. The lift arm assembly carries an elevator platform to accommodate the load. An actuator moves the base lift arm assembly and platform from a stored position in the vehicle to a loading and unloading position adjacent a rear or side door.

Abstract: A first arm (3) of a articulated robot has a double arm structure composed of a first arm piece (3a) and a second arm piece (3b). The first arm piece (3a) transmits a drive force, and a housing (4a) of a second arm (4) is rotatably mounted to the first arm piece (3a) at the end thereof. The second arm piece (3b) houses cables and pipes or the like, and a cover (4b) of the housing (4a) is rotatably mounted to the second arm piece at the end thereof. The cover (4b) is fixed to the housing (4a) through a fixing tool (6). The housing (4a) is permitted to be opened by separating the housing (4a) and the cover (4b) from each other by causing the second arm piece (3b) to rotate relatively to the first arm piece (3a) after the removal of the fixing tool (6).

Abstract: An upper arm 4 and a lower arm 6 of a parallel link system that perform extension and retraction action in the same direction without mutual interference are arranged within a vacuum enclosure 1. Three magnetic couplings are arranged coaxially at three levels, through which extension/retraction action and swivel action of upper and lower arms are effected. Using a cam box having three output shafts driven by a single input shaft to which an arm drive motor is connected, extension/retraction drive and Z axis drive of upper and lower arms are performed, while swiveling action of upper and lower arms is driven by a swivel motor.

Abstract: A lift for lifting heavy items onto the bed of a motor vehicle, whereby the lift is portable and removably attached to the motor vehicle via a receiver hitch. The entire lift hitch is slid into place on the receiver hitch for common towing ball structures that are on some motor vehicles or are readily available on all motor vehicle. The lift hitch does not require removal of the vehicle tailgate or permanent attachments to the vehicle frame or bumper. The lift hitch forks or platform can be lowered to ground level and raised to the tailgate level. The lifting and lowering mechanism can be an electric motor, hydraulic system, or hand turned ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: A takeout mechanism for simultaneously removing a plurality of glass containers from molds at a section of a glass container forming machine of the individual section type, and preferably three such glass containers in each cycle. The takeout mechanism includes a plurality of tong assemblies, one such tong assembly for each container to be removed on each operating cycle of the takeout mechanism, and a cylinder housing to which each of the takeout assemblies is secured for moving the takeout assemblies in unison to transfer the glass containers from the molds to a deadplate of the machine for cooling and further processing. Each tong assembly comprises a vertically extending fixed member, a linkage system carried by the fixed member for opening and closing an opposed pair of generally L-shaped tongs, and an opposed pair of tongs pivotably connected to the linkage system.

Abstract: A device for moving a support (2) for shelves (19), cupboards, tables or similar along a path, which support (2) is suspended in arm (1) that is pivotally connected to a base (9) about an axis of rotation (6) at one end of the arm (1), comprising: a load transmission means (13), for example a cogwheel, at the axis of rotation (6), which is connected to the base (9), at least one rotating means (16), for example a cogwheel, pivotally mounted on the arm (1) spaced apart from the load transmission means (13), an elongate rotation transmission means (14), for example an endless chain, which extends at least from the load transmission means (13) to the rotating means (16), the rotating means (16) being connected to the support (2), so that when the arm (1) is turned about the axis of rotation (6) the load transmission means (13) transmits the relative rotational movement between the arm (1) and the load transmission means (13) via the rotation transmission means (14) to the rotating means (16), so that the pos

Abstract: A vehicular wheelchair lift with a power controlled safety barrier for physically blocking a wheelchair from inadvertently rolling off a platform of the wheelchair lift during use. The power safety barrier utilizes a linkage mechanism to open or close a roll stop. The linkage mechanism includes a pair of linkage bars and a flexible linkage member to mechanically connect the roll stop to a power actuating device. The roll stop is pivotably mounted to an outer end of the platform. The roll stop is required to open and close relative to the platform according to the relative platform positions. When the platform is in the ground position, the roll stop is opened substantially in a horizontal plane and is an extension of the platform for unloading the wheelchair. In the powered control aspects, during the wheelchair lift transition period when platform is off the ground position, the roll stop is actuated to the closed position before the wheelchair lift can be operated.

Abstract: A transfer robot includes a first pantograph assembly, a second pantograph assembly, a handling member carried by the second pantograph assembly, a rotation-transmitting mechanism for associating the first pantograph assembly with the second pantograph assembly, a stationary base member, a first shaft and a second shaft which are rotatable about a vertical axis. The transfer robot also includes first and second driving devices associated with the first shaft and the second shaft, respectively. The second pantograph assembly is offset toward the vertical axis relative to the first pantograph assembly.

Abstract: A lift truck for use with containers of the type used as a shipping bin and display bin, the lift truck having a lower frame mounted on wheels, an upper frame, a plurality of linking arms extending between the lower frame and upper frame with each of the linking arms being pivotably connected to both the upper and lower frames, each of the upper and lower frames having first and second longitudinally extending frame members, a handle pivotably connected to the lower frame member, the arrangement being such that in a first lower position the linking arms permit the upper frame to be adjacent the lower frame to move into position to receive the container or bin, while a movement of the handle causes the upper frame to move upwardly and be spaced from the lower frame by the linking arms such that the container is lifted upwardly.

Abstract: A integrated lift gate and hitch system, configured to be secured to a vehicle chassis, includes two support brackets, a cross brace extending between and secured to the support brackets, and a tow hitch secured to the cross brace. The cross brace and tow hitch are positioned such that the tow Lite L is recessed no more than six inches from the rearmost extremity of either the vehicle chassis or the lift gate when the latter is stowed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a robust, highly stable and vertically compact when folded-up wheelchair lift suitable for placement on a variety of vehicles such as vans and mini-vans. The lift has an elongate horizontal support member that is pivotally attached to a post fixed to the undercarriage of a vehicle. The horizontal support member supports the lifting mechanism and the wheelchair platform and is powered to swing the platform and lifting mechanism between a use position and a storage position. The lifting mechanism uses a pair of connecting links spaced lengthwise on the support member and connecting to the wheelchair platform in a four bar linkage arrangement generally in the form of a parallelogram. Both connecting links are rotated by bell cranks both of which are powered by the same hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a robot and a method of using the robot for transferring objects, namely substrates, through a process system. The robot provides a pair of movable arms mounted to a drive member adapted to move the arms in a rotational path to produce coordinated movements of extension, retraction, and rotation. A pair of upper struts pivotally mounted to the arms at one end pivotally connect to a first blade at their apogee ends to form a frog-leg type assembly. Likewise, a pair of lower struts pivotally mounted to the arms at one end pivotally connect to a second blade, which is radially aligned with the first blade, at their apogee ends to form a frog-leg type assembly. The pivotal connection of the upper struts to the arms are offset from the pivotal connections of the lower struts to the arms to produce a different rate of radial movement of the first blade to the second blade during extension and retraction of the blades.

Abstract: A new engine hoist transmission attachment for enabling an engine hoist to remove and install a transmission. The inventive device includes an adaptor portion coupling with an existing engine hoist. The adaptor portion includes a leveling arm positioned essentially parallel to a lifting arm of the engine hoist. A transmission stand is coupled with the adaptor portion and is adapted for supporting a transmission thereon. The transmission stand includes an upper plate supporting the transmission thereon.

Abstract: A battery and battery lifting system for a mining or construction vehicle, the vehicle having a frame, the system having a battery, the battery having at least one slot, the at least one slot having vertical sidewalls which extend toward convergence, and at least one wedge-shaped arm for lifting the battery, the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm having a bellcrank and a leveling arm for pivotally coupling to the frame, whereby the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm is guided and aligned with the battery as the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm moves inwardly in the direction of convergence along the vertical sidewalls. The at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm having a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder having a shaft with a locking plate located at the end of the shaft. The locking plate is used to lock the battery to the at least one wedge-shaped lifting arm.

Abstract: A self-adjusting furniture lifting bracket assembly preferably for lifting furniture to provide access to the floor under the furniture, has movable furniture support members mounted on an intermediate support spacing the support members apart. At least one of the support members move in an arc due to a bias member located proximate at least one of the support members.

Abstract: A two-armed transfer robot is provided which includes an upper arm mechanism and a lower arm mechanism which is substantially identical to the upper arm mechanism. Each arm mechanism is provided with a handling member for carrying a workpiece to be processed. Each arm mechanism is also provided with a pantograph assembly consisting of a base arm, an outer link, a pair of intermediate links and an inner link. The handling member of each arm mechanism is arranged to be spaced from a central driving shaft when the handling member is retreated closer to the shaft. The base arm of the pantograph assembly is inclined away from the handling member when the handling member is retreated closer to the shaft. At the same time, the intermediate links are also inclined away from the handling member.

Abstract: A stand for a device, which is to be movably arranged, has a first stand part and a second stand part, which is movable relative to the first stand part, and which includes a pivot arm, pivotable around a pivot axis (A2) and jointed to the first stand part. An energy storage device is provided, which exerts at a fixed point of action of the pivot arm a force directed to an abutment point of the energy storage device on the first stand part. The pivot axis (A2) and the abutment point define a vertical plane, the abutment point being spatially fixed relative to the first stand part during a pivoting of the pivot arm. A cord parallelogram coupling the motion of a first stand arm and a second stand arm includes a closed cord length running around two deflecting rollers, and has a rod section between the deflecting rollers. A linear slide and pivot unit is arranged between a mounting arm and the movably arranged device and makes possible displacements of the center of gravity of the movably arranged device.

Abstract: A two-armed transfer robot is provided which includes a first double-pantograph mechanism and a second double-pantograph mechanism which is substantially similar in arrangement to the first double-pantograph mechanism. Each double-pantograph mechanism includes a first pantograph assembly and a second pantograph assembly. The first pantograph assembly is provided with an inner link, a pair of first intermediate links and an outer link. The second pantograph assembly is provided with the outer link in common with the first pantograph assembly, a pair of second intermediate links and a hand-supporting link. The transfer robot also includes a stationary base member, first to fourth shafts coaxially supported by the base member for rotational movement about a vertical axis, first to fourth driving devices for actuating the first to the fourth shafts, respectively. The driving devices are fixed to the base member.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted forklift comprising a first frame having its rearward end secured to the underside of the tractor and having its forward end secured to the forward end of the tractor about a longitudinally extending pivot axis. A second frame is pivotally secured, about a transverse axis, to the forward end of the first frame and has a pair of ground-engaging wheels mounted at the opposite sides thereof. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to and extends between the first and second frames to pivot the second frame upwardly and downwardly with respect to the first frame. A materials handling attachment, such as a bale grapple, is mounted on a vertically movable lift which is secured to the forward end of the second frame.

Abstract: A device for relative movement of two elements comprises at least two first links, which are connected relative to a first of the elements via hinges and which are pivotable in substantially parallel planes relative to the first element under influence of at least one first power-exerting member. At least two second links, which are connected relative to a second of the elements via hinges, are pivotable in substantially parallel planes relative to the second element under influence of at least one second power-exerting member. The two first links form a first four-hinges system. The two second links form a second four-hinges system. These two four-hinges systems are coupled in series to each other between the first and second elements.

Abstract: A tank handling apparatus which is usable for loading and unloading of a tank such as an oxygen tank with respect to a location of usage such as an emergency vehicle. The handling apparatus is capable of securely locking the tank in place at the storage or usage position while at the same time easily allowing it to be detached therefrom and transferred to a tank service position for removal and replacement or servicing. The apparatus includes a unique locking mechanism including a locking hook construction and a locking housing with a locking slide movably mounted therein wherein a locking handle is secured thereto for movement of the locking slide between the position of engagement and the position of release of the locking hook. Multiple locking hooks and locking slides can be utilized for further secure attachment of the tank in the storage position.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for use in conjunction with a vehicle having a door opening and a floor. The wheelchair lift includes a foldable platform assembly having two platform plates hingeably connected along their adjacent edges which are automatically foldable and stowed at one side of the vehicle door opening.

Abstract: A lift-type loading platform system, which system can be mounted on a motor vehicle, particularly a truck, the system including a lifting and closing mechanism which has an essentially parallelogram configuration, which mechanism includes two supporting frames which are generally mutually parallel and spaced a distance apart, an essentially plate-like loading platform, intended for raising and lowering a load and for closing off a cargo compartment or backdraft space of the vehicle, a "lifting" cylinder mechanism for raising and lowering the platform, and a "closing" cylinder mechanism for swinging the loading platform back and forth from the horizontal to the vertical position.

Abstract: A forklift truck has a frame, a cab including a roof to protect the driver and a lift support structure connected to the frame. A load-carrying fork is mounted on the lift support structure for vertical movement and the lift support structure, the roof and the frame are all welded together to form a single load-bearing assembly.

Abstract: Improvement in wheelchair lifts generally of the dual hydraulic parallelogram type employing a lever arm assembly which assists in the rotation of the platform from the stowed position to the horizontal deployed position, by providing a gas spring disposed in the lever arm assembly connected at an outboard end to the lifting mechanism link and at an inboard end to at least one of the A arm, the B arm or the common pivot pin of the lever arm assembly. The outward force of the gas spring causes the sliding shoe of the lever arm assembly to maintain contact with the outer face of the lower link of the lifting parallelogram so that upon deployment of the lift during the gravity down phase from stowed position to horizontal transfer position, the inboard end of the platform is pulled up so that it rotates smoothly and is not subjected to free fall.

Abstract: A passenger lift (10) is provided for loading a passenger (12) into and out of an aircraft (14). Lift (10) includes a chassis (38) having a front (34) end and a back (36) end. A plurality of wheels (62 and 63) are attached to the chassis (38) providing means for moving the lift (10). The lift (10) also includes an electrical energy source (70) for providing electrical energy, and an energy converter (104) for translating the electrical energy from the electrical energy source (70) to mechanical energy. The lift (10) includes a rear support (40) generally perpendicular to the chassis (38) and attached to the back end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) has a basket (48) for holding the passenger (12) while the passenger is raised and lowered with the lift (10) and (48) is located at the front end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) includes a pair of lift arms (44) for lifting the basket (48), and a pair of stabilizing arms (42) for providing stability to the basket (48).

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an object, such as a wheelchair, between an upper position and a lower position. The upper position is typically adjacent to the floor surface of a vehicle while the lower position is typically at ground level. The apparatus preferably includes a platform including at least three pivotally connected sections. The sections are selectively moveable between an unfolded orientation in which the sections are substantially co-planar and a folded orientation in which the sections form a compact configuration. The apparatus also preferably includes a folding assembly for selectively moving the sections of the platform between the folded orientation and the unfolded orientation, a deployment assembly for selectively deploying and stowing the platform and a lift assembly for selectively moving the platform vertically between the upper position and the lower position.

Abstract: A spare tire caddy is provided including a mounting assembly adapted for being mounted on an underside of a vehicle. Also included is a tire pod slidably coupled to the mounting assembly for removably receiving a tire therein.

Abstract: An unity arm lever adaptor for use with a powered vehicular wheelchair lift. The unity arm lever adaptor is adapted for connecting together to a handrail, a vertical arm, a saddle or roller, and a vertical link of the wheelchair lift. The arm lever adaptor has an extended adaptor section, an elongated main section, and a pivotable yoke section. The main section has a pivotable end which is remote from the yoke section but adjacent to the extended adaptor section. The extended adaptor section is inserted through an opening on the vertical arm for adapting and securing to an end of the handrail. The pivotable end is pivotably connected to the vertical arm. The yoke section is pivotably connected to the saddle and the vertical link.

Abstract: A "master-slave" remote manipulation apparatus having six degrees of freedom. The apparatus includes a flexible parallelogram with two parallel arms hinged to a cross member with one degree of rotational freedom and to a frame with two degrees of rotational freedom; two parallel-hinged "master" and "slave" devices at the end of each respective arm; and five two-way linear motion transmitting devices between the "master" and "slave" devices.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the longitudinally aligned lifting and manipulation of bulk material containers having apertured or tapered bases, or horizontally oriented ribs, or external peripheral lips on the sides thereof. The apparatus comprises a central frame having a pair of fork like elongate legs extending therefrom, and supporting wheels located at the central frame and at the distal ends of the legs. The legs are spaced sufficiently to straddle the base and simultaneously engage both sides of a container to be lifted, and lifting action achieved by a plurality of power rams which either extend the wheels more downwardly so that the legs and frame of the device are lifted with respect to the ground in con junction with tongues adapted to engage lifting apertures of the container, or by the upward extension of link bars which engage the side walls of a container so that the container is lifted with respect to the legs and frame of the device.

Abstract: A device for lifting and positioning building materials at different heights and angles. For example, positioning a sheet of drywall or plywood to be fastened to a ceiling or wall, or subsequently a container of materials such as drywall joint compound for finishing the fastened sheets. The lifting and positioning device comprises a platform assembly upon which to place material to be lifted and positioned. The platform assembly can be pivoted and fixed at any desired angle between horizontal and vertical (0 to 90 degrees) by an indexing arrangement. The platform assembly is pivotally connected to lift arm links. The lift arm links are pivotally connected to a lift arm assembly. The lift arm assembly is pivotally connected to a mast support assembly. The lift arm links, lift arm assembly and mast support assembly form a parallelogram. The platform assembly is raised and lowered by a floor jack placed upon a jack support platform.

Abstract: Apparatus are shown for handling molded leadframes comprising, in combination, a gripper portion for grasping a molded leadframe from atop a first magazine holding a first plurality of molded leadframes and for releasing the molded leadframe when placed atop a second plurality of molded leadframes in a second magazine, and a mover portion coupled to the gripper portion for moving the gripper portion back and forth in a substantially semicircular motion between the first and second magazines. The mover portion includes a linking member coupled to the gripper portion, a first member rotatably coupled at a first end thereof to the linking member, a second member rotatably coupled at a first end thereof to the linking member, and a driver portion rotatably coupled to an opposite end of each of the first and second members for moving the gripper portion in a back and forth, substantially semicircular motion between the first and second magazines.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism for a robotic manipulator having kinematically zero length and mutually orthogonal unlimited joints is provided. The wrist mechanism provides access to any reachable point from any arbitrary direction. The wrist mechanism includes an intermediate joint created by two parallelogram four-bar linkages operating in parallel. Each of the four bar linkages include two side bars, a fixed bar and a coupler bar. The coupler bars extend to support a last link of the wrist mechanism which holds an end effector. The kinematic lengths of the side bars are less than the kinematic lengths of the fixed and coupler bars. The side bars of the first parallelogram four-bar linkage are fixed out of phase with respect to the side bars of the second parallelogram four-bar linkage. Also, the side bars of both parallelogram four-bar linkages occupy multiple planes which, along with the kinematic lengths of all the linkage bars, allows for unlimited rotation and zero dwell time.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to carry a spare tire against the underside of a vehicle, rearwardly thereof, featuring a mounting plate, for the tire assembly, attached to the first end of a cantilever arm. The second end of the cantilever arm is pivotally attached to a carrier base frame, which in turn is pivotally suspended from support members attached to the vehicle's frame, by four suspension bars. Movement of the base frame is controlled by operation of a driver tube incorporated into the base frame, comprised of a rectangular tube, inside of which are a drive screw, and a rectangular nut. Two cables attached to the nut are directed by pulleys to the center of the back transverse member of the frame, then right and left to the two back corners, thense to a point on each longitudinal member of the frame, then vertically to anchor points on the support members attached to the vehicle's frame. Clockwise rotation of the screw pulls cable into the tube, moving the base frame forward and upward into storage position.

Abstract: An under floor lift comprising a horizontal, U-shaped header framework which is mountable between a vehicle axle and floor, and which reciprocatingly receives a nestable carriage comprising a second U-shaped framework. The carriage comprises a transverse motor mount plate and a pair of spaced, horizontal arms between which is received the lift platform. The platform is pivotably suspended, lifted and lowered by spaced pairs of parallelogram linkages pivotably secured at their outboard ends to the outboard end of the carriage side rails and at their inboard ends to the inboard end of the lift platform. The carriage is telescoped by a gear and chain mechanism from an inboard stowed position horizontally out to a transfer level deployed position. The wheelchair lift is moved by a hydraulic/chain drive downwardly and upwardly supported by the parallelogram arms to or from a ground level position, to permit the lift to be an in-swing, negative type lift.

Abstract: A baggage handling device (1) comprising, in combination, a vacuum gripping foot (2) and a non-vacuum, mechanical engagement device (3) such as a simple hook or a power operated claw (4), with an operator activated control device to select either the vacuum gripping foot (2), or the mechanical device (3) as appropriate, for any particular item of baggage; with a powered hoisting an operator activated control device (6) to raise and lower the duplex unit (2, 3), as necessary in a baggage handling sequence.

Abstract: In machines for opening of a tapping hole, for example in tapping hole boring machines, carriage holder (4) with boring bar and boring machine is swung up via four-bar linkage (5) by a lifting cylinder (10) out of an optionally obliquely sloped working or boring position into a neutral position out of the area of a runner. The boring angle is adjustable on connecting rod (7) of four-bar linkage (5). To securely keep the lifting device for automatic changing of the boring bar always in the horizontal neutral position, piston rod (11) of lifting cylinder (10) is linked to the free end of angle lever (13) which is pivoted around axis (16) located stationary on lifting frame (8). The angle lever is hinged via link plate (14) to upper short lever arm (15) of lifting arm (6). Link plate (14) with short lever arm (15) and angle lever (13) in the horizontal neutral position of the lifting device forms self-locking knee link (18).

Abstract: A feeder for transferring workpieces from one press to another on a press line includes a carrier device with a linkage whose free, load-carrying end executes a horizontal linear movement on both sides of the carrier. The end of the linkage system is secured in an elongate boom whose longitudinal direction coincides with the linear movement. The boom is provided with a holder device appropriate to the workpieces and movable along the boom by an endless belt which, at the ends of the boom, runs over rollers and which, with the lower part, is secured in the holder device and, with the upper part, in the carrier device. The boom is provided with a sliding guide and is supported on the carrier device.

Abstract: An industrial robot comprises a stand mounted on a foot and being rotatable about a first, vertical axis, said stand supporting a first robot arm which is rotatable in relation to the stand about a second, horizontal axis. The stand comprises an underbody with two projecting parts which support an intermediate part which is rotatable in relation to the stand. The intermediate part comprises two parallel supporting elements, at the upper ends of which the first robot arm is journalled. The lower ends of the supporting elements are rotatably attachable to the underbody. The robot may thus be tilted forwards or backwards and be fixed in these positions during the robot operation, so as to obtain different types of operating ranges.

Abstract: An arm mechanism includes a drive control mechanism that uses an end effector coordinate system and has an end effector drive control mechanism. The drive control mechanism includes an end effector rotational drive control mechanism and an end effector coordinate system translational drive control mechanism. The rotational drive control mechanism has three rotational actuators for driving end effector rotation about each axis separately. The end effector coordinate system translational drive control mechanism has an end effector coordinate system translational actuator to drive translational motion of the object. The drive control mechanism further includes an orientation maintenance mechanism that maintains the orientation of the target object on the absolute coordinate system and two absolute coordinate system translational actuators supported on the orientation maintenance mechanism for providing translational motion of the object along two orthogonal axes on the absolute coordinate system.