The invention relates to an actuator with an anti-backbend chain, a drive motor, and a worm which can be driven by the drive motor. The anti-backbend chain has alternating inner and outer chain links, and chain pins which connect the links, wherein at least some of the chain pins have laterally protruding engagement regions which engage with the worm in order to drive the anti-backbend chain. Such an actuator is to have a more advantageous design. For this purpose, the worm is designed as a hollow worm, and the engagement regions of the chain pins engage with an inner helical surface of the hollow worm.

A movement apparatus for loading/unloading containers (100) into/from a freeze-dryer (50) provided with a freeze drying chamber (51) that has at least one shelf (52) for receiving and supporting containers (100), comprising a push bar (2) to push the containers (100) and a movement arrangement (3) for moving the push bar (2) through the freeze drying chamber (51) along a direction of movement (A); the movement arrangement (3) comprises at least one rigid interlocking chain linear actuator (4) that has a first movement rigid interlocking chain (43) mobile along the direction of movement (A) and provided with a first operating end (14) connected to the push bar (2).

A movement apparatus for loading/unloading containers (100) into/from a freeze-dryer (50) provided with a freeze drying chamber (51) that has at least one shelf (52) for receiving and supporting containers (100), comprising a push bar (2) to push the containers (100) and a movement arrangement (3) for moving the push bar (2) through the freeze drying chamber (51) along a direction of movement (A); the movement arrangement (3) comprises at least one rigid interlocking chain linear actuator (4) that has a first movement rigid interlocking chain (43) mobile along the direction of movement (A) and provided with a first operating end (14) connected to the push bar (2).

Surgical instruments that comprise an axially movable firing member that is configured to be driven between a starting position and an ending position within a surgical end effector of the surgical instrument by an upper an upper chain-drive assembly and a lower chain-drive assembly.

The subject of the invention is a link for a rigid chain, and a rigid chain obtained by assembly of identical links. Each link has a body that is approximately in the shape of a fork and is provided with a heel connected by a base to two parallel flanges separated by a space intended to receive the heel of an adjacent link, the heel and each flange having an orifice configured to receive a joint rotary pin for articulating a link with respect to an adjacent link.

The subject of the invention is a link for a rigid chain, and a rigid chain obtained by assembly of identical links. Each link has a body that is approximately in the shape of a fork and is provided with a heel connected by a base to two parallel flanges separated by a space intended to receive the heel of an adjacent link, the heel and each flange having an orifice configured to receive a joint rotary pin for articulating a link with respect to an adjacent link.

The invention relates to an actuating device for an approximately horizontal mobile platform that is able to be set in movement in a vertical direction between a high position and a low position, and having a frame supporting the platform, said actuating device having at least one rigid chain actuated by at least one motor secured to the frame, and a guide member for guiding the rigid chain between a position substantially extended in the direction of the ground and a position substantially stowed parallel to the frame.

A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of flat-plate shaped first pieces that are connected to each other, and a plurality of second pieces having a cross-sectional U-shaped groove frame shape that are connected to each other. A leading first piece of the plurality of first pieces and a leading second piece of the plurality of second pieces are joined by a head section. The first and second pieces become linearly rigid when the first pieces are joined to an upper part of the second pieces, and the first and second pieces return to a bent state when separated from each other. Protrusion sections that protrude inward are extended in the width direction in a bottom plate of each second piece. Corners of edge parts of the protrusion sections are chamfered.

A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of flat-plate shaped first pieces that are connected to each other, and a plurality of second pieces having a cross-sectional U-shaped groove frame shape that are connected to each other. A leading first piece of the plurality of first pieces and a leading second piece of the plurality of second pieces are joined by a head section. The first and second pieces become linearly rigid when the first pieces are joined to an upper part of the second pieces, and the first and second pieces return to a bent state when separated from each other. Protrusion sections that protrude inward are extended in the width direction in a bottom plate of each second piece. Corners of edge parts of the protrusion sections are chamfered.

A thrust lifting device that is able to transmit a thrust force for lifting loads, includes at least one articulated lift column provided with at least one meshing part, and with at least one arm directed upward from the meshing part, the lift column made up of links with a link of rank 1 at the upper end of the upwardly directed arm and running links of rank n, where n is between 2 and N, the number of links of the lift column, at least one rotary pinion driving the lift column by the meshing part meshing with the pinion, at least one arm opposite the upwardly directed arm and formed by resting links, the resting links being able to pass to the meshing part and to the upwardly directed arm by rotation of the pinion, and at least one stabilizer that is movable along the upwardly directed arm.