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A movement device is configured for moving a payload. The movement device includes a first support, a second support, and an intermediate support. The intermediate support is operatively disposed between the first support and the second support. The intermediate support is jointed to the first suppo

A movement device is configured for moving a payload. The movement device includes a first support, a second support, and an intermediate support. The intermediate support is operatively disposed between the first support and the second support. The intermediate support is jointed to the first support at two first joints and jointed to the second support at two second joints. The second support is configured for supporting the payload. The intermediate support is jointed to the second support at two second joints. The first joints are pivotable about a respective first axis of rotation such that the intermediate support moves relative to the first support. The second joints are pivotable about a respective first axis of rotation such that the second support moves relative to the intermediate support. Each of the first axes of rotation are in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A movement device configured for moving a payload, the movement device comprising: a first support;a second support;three intermediate supports, each operatively disposed between the first support and the second support;wherein each of the three intermediate supports is jointed to the first suppo

1. A movement device configured for moving a payload, the movement device comprising: a first support;a second support;three intermediate supports, each operatively disposed between the first support and the second support;wherein each of the three intermediate supports is jointed to the first support at a respective pair of first joints and jointed to the second support at a respective pair of second joints;wherein the second support is configured for supporting the payload;wherein one of each pair of the first joints is pivotable about a respective upper first axis of rotation such that the respective intermediate support is movable relative to the first support;wherein the other one of each pair of the first joints is pivotable about a respective upper second axis of rotation such that the respective intermediate support is movable relative to the first support;wherein one of each pair of the second joints is pivotable about a respective lower first axis of rotation such that the second support is moveable relative to each of the intermediate supports;wherein the other one of each pair of the second joints is pivotable about a respective lower second axis of rotation such that the second support is moveable relative to each of the intermediate supports;wherein each of the upper and lower first axes of rotation extend in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another;wherein each of the upper and lower second axes of rotation extend in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another;wherein each of the upper and lower first axes of rotation are in spaced and generally perpendicular relationship to each of the upper and lower second axes of rotation such that the second support is moveable relative to the first support in only two degrees of freedom;wherein the second support is movable relative to the first support in a first horizontal direction, relative to the ground, in response to each of the two first joints, corresponding to each of the three intermediate supports, pivoting about the respective first axes of rotation;wherein the second support is movable relative to the first support in a second horizontal direction, relative to the ground, in response to each of the two second joints, corresponding to each of the three intermediate supports, pivoting about the respective second axes of rotation; andwherein the movement of the second support in the first horizontal direction is perpendicular to the movement of the second support in the second horizontal direction. 2. A movement device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the three pairs of first joints is a respective first universal joint and each of the three pairs of second joints is a respective second universal joint; wherein each of the first universal joints presents the upper first axis of rotation and the upper second axis of rotation;wherein each of the second universal joints presents the lower first axis of rotation and the lower second axis of rotation. 3. A movement device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein each one of the three intermediate supports is disposed between a respective one of the three first universal joints and a respective one of the three second universal joints; andwherein the three intermediate supports move in unison with one another as the second support moves relative to the ground in at least one of the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction. 4. A movement device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured for moving between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein the second support is fixed relative to the first support when the locking mechanism is in the locked position; andwherein the second support is movable relative to the first support when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position. 5. A movement device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism includes an engagement mechanism extending to a locking end; wherein the engagement mechanism is configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position;wherein the locking end is configured to engage one of the first and second supports when the engagement mechanism is in the locked position to fix the first support relative to the second support such that the first support is prevented from moving relative to the second support about one of the first and second joints; andwherein the locking end is configured to be disengaged from the one of the first and second supports when the engagement mechanism is in the unlocked position to allow the second support to move relative to the first support about the one of the first and second joints. 6. A movement device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement mechanism extends to an attachment end disposed in spaced relationship to the locking end; and wherein the attachment mechanism is operatively attached to the other one of the first and second supports at the attachment end such that the locking end moves relative to the other one of the first supports between the locked position and the unlocked position. 7. A movement device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement mechanism includes a telescopic joint. 8. A movement device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement mechanism is generally c-shaped. 9. A movement device, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the engagement mechanism includes a pair of c-shaped clamps disposed in opposing relationship to one another. 10. A movement device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a locking actuator operatively connected to the engagement mechanism and configured to be actuated to move the engagement mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position. 11. A movement device, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the locking actuator is one of a pneumatic cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder. 12. A movement device, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a controller operatively connected to the locking actuator and configured to selectively control actuation of the actuator. 13. A movement device configured for moving a payload, the movement device comprising: a first support;a second support;an intermediate support operatively disposed between the first support and the second support;wherein the second support is configured for supporting the payload;wherein the intermediate support is movable relative to the first support;a pair of first linkages pivotally extending between the first support and the intermediate support;wherein each of the pair of first linkages extends in spaced and parallel relationship to one another and are pivotally attached to the first support at a respective upper first axis of rotation and are pivotally attached to the intermediate support at a lower first axis of rotation;a pair of second linkages pivotally extending between the intermediate support and the second support;wherein each of the pair of second linkages extends in spaced and parallel relationship to one another and are pivotally attached to the intermediate support at an upper second axis of rotation and are pivotally attached to the second support at a lower second axis of rotation;wherein each of the upper and lower first axes of rotation extend in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another;wherein each of the upper and lower second axes of rotation extend in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another; andwherein each of the upper and lower first axes of rotation extend in generally perpendicular relationship to each of the upper and lower second axes of rotation such that the second support is moveable relative to the first support in only two degrees of freedom. 14. A movement device, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first support remains in parallel relationship to the second support as the second support moves relative to the first support. 15. A movement device, as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a locking mechanism configured for moving between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein the second support is fixed relative to the first support when the locking mechanism is in the locked position; andwherein the second support is movable relative to the first support when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position. 16. A movement device, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism; wherein the first and second locking mechanisms each extend to a locking end;wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are configured to independently move between a respective locked position and unlocked position;wherein the locking end of the first locking mechanism is configured for operatively engaging a respective one of the pair of first linkages when the first locking mechanism is in the locked position; andwherein the locking end of the second locking mechanism is configured for operatively engaging a respective one of the pair of second linkages when the second locking mechanism is in the locked position. 17. A movement device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first support remains in parallel relationship to the second support as the second support moves relative to the first support.