A rotary machine includes a cam shaft; and a plurality of linkage shafts coupled to the cam shaft, each of the linkage shafts including a pair of identically-shaped first linkage members adapted for cam contact with the cam shaft, a pair of identically-shaped second linkage members pivotally coupled to the first linkage members, and a pair of identically-shaped third linkage members pivotally coupled to the second linkage members, wherein each of the linkage shafts is progressively and continuously changing between a shortest linkage state and a longest linkage state due to the cam contact between the cam shaft and the linkage shafts, upon rotation of the linkage shafts about the cam shaft.

A sleep induction device for oscillating a bed to induce a user of the bed to sleep can be applied to a bed of any size. A bed including a drive leg support including a movable leg holder slidable in a predetermined direction within a predetermined range, a drive means for reciprocally sliding the movable leg holder within a predetermined range, and a driven leg support including the movable leg holder, wherein the sleep induction device oscillates a bed having legs mounted on the drive leg support and the driven leg support by reciprocally oscillated by reciprocally sliding the movable leg holder of the drive leg support.

The device able to guide a member in translational movement, includes two pairs of flexible beams which are symmetric about an axis, the two beams of one pair being curved and not mutually parallel; a central mechanical structure through which the axis passes and to which the pairs of beams are attached at fixing points, the mechanical structure being able to be mechanically connected to the member; two mechanical interfaces to each of which a pair of beams is attached at fixing points, the interfaces being able to be attached to a mechanical structure; the two sets of attachment points situated on either side of the axis of symmetry each forming a parallelogram, the guidance of the member being obtained by means of a force exerted on the central mechanical structure parallel to the axis of symmetry.

The device able to guide a member in translational movement, includes two pairs of flexible beams which are symmetric about an axis, the two beams of one pair being curved and not mutually parallel; a central mechanical structure through which the axis passes and to which the pairs of beams are attached at fixing points, the mechanical structure being able to be mechanically connected to the member; two mechanical interfaces to each of which a pair of beams is attached at fixing points, the interfaces being able to be attached to a mechanical structure; the two sets of attachment points situated on either side of the axis of symmetry each forming a parallelogram, the guidance of the member being obtained by means of a force exerted on the central mechanical structure parallel to the axis of symmetry.

An assembly for converting motion has a first member; a second member pivotally connected at a first position to a first position on the first member; a third member pivotally connected at a first position to a second position on the first member; and a fourth member pivotally connected at a first position to a second position on the second member and pivotally connected at a second position to a second position on the third member; wherein the distance between the first position on the second member and the second position on the second member is a distance X and the distance between the first position on the fourth member and the second position on the fourth member is a distance Y; wherein X is equal to Y.

An assembly for converting motion comprises a first arm rotatable about a first fixed pivot; a second arm rotatable about a second fixed pivot; a third arm pivotably connected to a second position on the second arm; a first connecting arm extending between the first and third arms; a second connecting arm extending between the first and second arms; a support arm extending from the connection between the second and third arms, the support arm linked to the connection between the first arm and the first connecting arm, wherein one of the connection between the second and third arms and the connection between the first arm and the first connecting arm is moveable relative to the support arm and the other of the connection between the second and third arms and the connection between the first arm and the first connecting arm is fixed relative to the support arm.

An assembly for converting motion comprises a first arm rotatable about a first fixed pivot; a second arm rotatable about a second fixed pivot; a third arm pivotably connected to a second position on the second arm; a first connecting arm extending between the first and third arms; a second connecting arm extending between the first and second arms; a support arm extending from the connection between the second and third arms, the support arm linked to the connection between the first arm and the first connecting arm, wherein one of the connection between the second and third arms and the connection between the first arm and the first connecting arm is moveable relative to the support arm and the other of the connection between the second and third arms and the connection between the first arm and the first connecting arm is fixed relative to the support arm.

A multi-appliance power unit (100) selectively driving one of a plurality of power driven appliances (114) from one relocatable power plant (102). The modular power plant (102) is entrapped on a platform (108) and is movable therealong to any one of the appliances (114) fastened to the platform (108), which appliance (114) can then be driven by the power plant (102). A modular power plant and power driven appliance kit (200) includes a wheeled chassis (204) having a handle (220), a removable modular power plant (202 or 212), and a removable modular power driven appliance (212 or 202). A flexible drive shaft (300), is optionally integrated with a power plant or a powered appliance. The flexible drive shaft (300) includes an outer flexible sheath (310), roller type bearings (308), and a multifilament torque conducting flexible core (306) held spaced apart from the outer flexible sheath (310) by the bearings (308).

A multi-appliance power unit (100) selectively driving one of a plurality of power driven appliances (114) from one relocatable power plant (102). The modular power plant (102) is entrapped on a platform (108) and is movable therealong to any one of the appliances (114) fastened to the platform (108), which appliance (114) can then be driven by the power plant (102). A modular power plant and power driven appliance kit (200) includes a wheeled chassis (204) having a handle (220), a removable modular power plant (202 or 212), and a removable modular power driven appliance (212 or 202). A flexible drive shaft (300), is optionally integrated with a power plant or a powered appliance. The flexible drive shaft (300) includes an outer flexible sheath (310), roller type bearings (308), and a multifilament torque conducting flexible core (306) held spaced apart from the outer flexible sheath (310) by the bearings (308).

An actuating device includes an actuator and a stationary portion. The actuator has at least one driving portion. The stationary portion is provided at an arbitrary position along the actuator such that the driving portion forms a first driving portion and a second driving portion. The first driving portion and the second driving portion can be provided with the same actuating ability or with different actuating abilities respectively by adjusting the position of the stationary portion.