초록 ▼

A multidigit arm contains a plurality of sections, each of which is positionable angularly and spatially to a predetermined degree with respect to an adjacent section. Control means are provided for selectively individually positioning each section within said arm with respect to an adjacent section

A multidigit arm contains a plurality of sections, each of which is positionable angularly and spatially to a predetermined degree with respect to an adjacent section. Control means are provided for selectively individually positioning each section within said arm with respect to an adjacent section, such control means including actuator means positioned within and carried by and between the arm sections. The arm may be formed into a variety of curves and position the arm end at a variety of positions.

대표청구항 ▼

In a mechanical positioning device adapted to manipulate and move objects with the objects providing a mechanical load on the positioning device that may include axial and torsional load forces, comprising: a series of at least two platform means; said platform means being spaced apart with one of s

In a mechanical positioning device adapted to manipulate and move objects with the objects providing a mechanical load on the positioning device that may include axial and torsional load forces, comprising: a series of at least two platform means; said platform means being spaced apart with one of said platform means including means for gripping an object and with each of said platform means having an axis; position control means for bearing the axial and torsional loads imposed on on said platforms and positioning each of said platforms in said series relative to one another, comprising: stabilizer means disposed between adjacent ones of said platform means in said series of platform means, each said stabilizer means further comprising: at least three arm assemblies located spaced essentially evenly about the center of said platform means; each of said arm assemblies including further: a pair of arms, joint means and a pair of anchor means; each arm in said pair of arms being joined together at one end by said joint means to form an articulated arm with said joint means permitting universal movement between said arms of said arm pair and with the remaining ends of each arm in said pair being moveably attached to respective adjacent ones of said platform means by a corresponding one of said associated pair of anchor means with each said anchor means being adapted to permit the associated pair of arms to rotate in a plane generally normal to the surface of said adjacent ones of said platform means; actuator means spaced from said stabilizer means and being disposed between adjacent ones of said platform means in said series of platform means for moving a platform means relative to an adjacent platform means; said actuator means being capable of sustaining a longitudinally directed force applied by said mechanical load and being incapable of resisting rotational movement of one of said platform means relative to the adjacent one of said platform means applied by said mechanical load; whereby axially directed forces and torsional forces applied to the positioning device by the load are separately selectively absorbed, respectively, by said actuator means and by said stabilizer means.