A robot arm (500) for end-effector motion. The robot arm comprises a first actuator (4) and a first kinematic chain from the first actuator to an end-effector platform, which gives a first degree of freedom for positioning the end-effector platform. The robot arm also comprises a second actuator (5; 5b) and a second kinematic chain from the second actuator to the end-effector platform, which gives a second degree of freedom for positioning the end-effector platform. The robot arm further comprises a third actuator (6; 6b, 512) and a third kinematic chain from the third actuator (6; 6b) to the end-effector platform, which gives a third degree of freedom for positioning the end-effector platform. The robot arm also comprises a fourth actuator (50; 150) and a fourth kinematic chain configured to transmit a movement of the fourth actuator to a corresponding orientation axis (65) for an end-effector (28). The fourth kinematic chain comprises an orientation linkage (52, 57, 59; 202, 204, 207, 209; 284, 286; 251, 256, 258) mounted to the inner arm-assemblage via at least one bearing (53, 55; 206), and an orientation transmission (64B, 64A, 216; 64C, 64D, 64E; 100, 64A; 281, 279, 275; 260, 262, 264, 266, 271, 270) mounted to the end-effector platform, wherein the orientation linkage comprises an end-effector rotation link (59; 209; 258; 281) and joints (58, 60; 208, 210; 257, 259; 257, 259; 282, 280) that provide at least two degrees of freedom for each end joint of the end-effector rotation link.

A robot arm (500) for end-effector motion. The robot arm comprises a first actuator (4) and a first kinematic chain from the first actuator to an end-effector platform, which gives a first degree of freedom for positioning the end-effector platform. The robot arm also comprises a second actuator (5; 5b) and a second kinematic chain from the second actuator to the end-effector platform, which gives a second degree of freedom for positioning the end-effector platform. The robot arm further comprises a third actuator (6; 6b, 512) and a third kinematic chain from the third actuator (6; 6b) to the end-effector platform, which gives a third degree of freedom for positioning the end-effector platform. The robot arm also comprises a fourth actuator (50; 150) and a fourth kinematic chain configured to transmit a movement of the fourth actuator to a corresponding orientation axis (65) for an end-effector (28). The fourth kinematic chain comprises an orientation linkage (52, 57, 59; 202, 204, 207, 209; 284, 286; 251, 256, 258) mounted to the inner arm-assemblage via at least one bearing (53, 55; 206), and an orientation transmission (64B, 64A, 216; 64C, 64D, 64E; 100, 64A; 281, 279, 275; 260, 262, 264, 266, 271, 270) mounted to the end-effector platform, wherein the orientation linkage comprises an end-effector rotation link (59; 209; 258; 281) and joints (58, 60; 208, 210; 257, 259; 257, 259; 282, 280) that provide at least two degrees of freedom for each end joint of the end-effector rotation link.

A dual powered propulsion system for use with a human powered vehicle is provided. The system includes a connecting rod with a front end operatively coupled to yoke-connected forearm bars. The system also includes a splitter coupled to a rear end of the connecting rod, wherein the splitter is coupled to a first rack and a second rack that operate with a first and second pinion gear to turn a crank axle. This system supplies rotational power to the crank axle in a single rotational direction as the connecting rod is oscillated up and down and back and forth. Even though a solid connecting rod is used to transfer power from the oscillating forearm bars to the crank axle, the vehicle is steerable to the right or left as a result of the use of a carriage, on rollers, and a turning track operatively connected to the forearm bars.

A dual powered propulsion system for use with a human powered vehicle is provided. The system includes a connecting rod with a front end operatively coupled to yoke-connected forearm bars. The system also includes a splitter coupled to a rear end of the connecting rod, wherein the splitter is coupled to a first rack and a second rack that operate with a first and second pinion gear to turn a crank axle. This system supplies rotational power to the crank axle in a single rotational direction as the connecting rod is oscillated up and down and back and forth. Even though a solid connecting rod is used to transfer power from the oscillating forearm bars to the crank axle, the vehicle is steerable to the right or left as a result of the use of a carriage, on rollers, and a turning track operatively connected to the forearm bars.

Disclosed is an apparatus for page-pressing and barrier-free page-turning. The apparatus includes page-pressing devices and a placement board. The page-pressing device is capable of switching between a first state and a second state. When the page-pressing device is in the first state, the page-pressing device is capable of tightly pressing against a book page(s) on the placement board. When the page-pressing device is in the second state, the page-pressing device is capable of releasing the press onto the book page(s). The page-pressing device is capable of mechanically self-locking to maintain a contact pressure to the book page(s) when the page-pressing device is in the first state to press against the book page(s), while the power causing the contact pressure no longer exists.

A power-driven reciprocating tool may include a transmission mechanism that converts rotational force from a motor to linear force to be output by a reciprocating mechanism coupled thereto, and a counterbalancing mechanism coupled to the transmission mechanism to counter-balance forces generated by the reciprocating mechanism. The transmission mechanism may include a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear in meshed engagement with at least one planet gear. In response to a force converted by and transmitted from the transmission mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism may move in a first linear direction, and the counterbalancing mechanism may move in a second linear direction, opposite the first linear direction. The opposite linear movement of the reciprocating mechanism and the counterbalancing mechanism may counteract forces generated by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating mechanism, thus reducing vibration output by the tool.

A toilet flushing device including a pivot support member attached to an exterior surface of a bowl of a toilet. A lever arm has a pivot member hingedly attached to the pivot support member. A substantially triangulated handle has a back edge medially attached to a front end of the lever arm. A rubberized stopper member is attached to the exterior surface of the bowl of the toilet. A bottom end of a rod is pivotably attached to a back end of the lever arm, and a top end of the rod is extended upwards along a side of a tank of the toilet. A flush valve actuator has a rack gear disposed on the rod and a pinion gear disposed adjacent to the side of the tank. The pinion gear is connected to a flushing mechanism disposed within the tank.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a mower-conditioner may include first and second conditioning rolls, at least one eccentric, and a linkage having a lever. The first and second conditioning rolls are spaced apart a distance. The at least one eccentric is coupled to the mower-conditioner. The lever is coupled between the eccentric assembly and the first conditioning roll. The rotation of the at least one eccentric about a pivot axis causes the first conditioning roll to move via the lever, which adjusts the distance between the first and second conditioning rolls.

A mechanism for a double-pull type door latch is described. A return mechanism is described that includes a final lever coupled to rotate about a pivot. A position wheel is rotationally coupled to the pivot, the position wheel having a first notch and a second notch, the position wheel being rotatable in a first direction. A cam member is coupled to the position wheel, the cam member having a cam surface. A drive lever is arranged to engage the first notch and the second notch. A biasing member is arranged to apply a force on the cam surface to move the position wheel in the first direction when the drive lever is moved into the second notch.

An internal combustion engine includes a standard connecting rod as well as a gear rack. The connecting rod can be a standard connecting rod that reciprocates with the piston and that drives a rotatable crank mechanism to convert the reciprocating motion of the piston into rotation of the crankshaft. The gear rack is also connected to and reciprocates with the piston. The gear rack is engaged with a gear that is mounted on the crankshaft. A one-way drive mechanism is provided between the gear and the crankshaft that transmits torque (i.e. rotary force) to the crankshaft only during the power stroke of the piston.