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.

The invention relates to a support device for a rigid chain (401) composed of links (402) that are connected in pairs by rollers (403). The movement of the rigid chain is guided by an internal housing (406) of a support casing (405). One or more support pins (404) project from one side of the chain, parallel to the axis of the link rollers. Furthermore, a face (411) of the casing extending substantially perpendicularly to the axes of the rollers has a through-groove (412) communicating with the internal housing (406). This groove (412) extends along the entire length of the housing and has dimensions, in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the rollers (403), that are sufficient to allow through only the support pin(s) (404), which pass through the groove (412) and protrude from the support casing (405) by a predetermined length allowing the fastening of one or more functional elements.

A robot arm mechanism is capable of preventing a first piece string from colliding with a support column inner wall in the robot arm mechanism having a linear extension and retraction joint. The robot arm mechanism includes a plurality of first pieces that are connected in a string shape and a plurality of second pieces that are connected in a string shape, a feed mechanism section that supports the first and second strings movably forward and backward, a storage section in a square cylinder shape that stores the first pieces and the second pieces, and a guide that guides reciprocating movement of the first pieces between the feed mechanism section and the storage section from outside of the first pieces. The guide has a plurality of guide pieces that are connected bendably in mutual front and rear end surfaces to deform in accordance with rising and lowering movement of a rising and lowering rotation joint, and the guide hangs into the storage section from a tip position where the guide is fixed to the feed mechanism section.

A robot arm mechanism is capable of preventing a first piece string from colliding with a support column inner wall in the robot arm mechanism having a linear extension and retraction joint. The robot arm mechanism includes a plurality of first pieces that are connected in a string shape and a plurality of second pieces that are connected in a string shape, a feed mechanism section that supports the first and second strings movably forward and backward, a storage section in a square cylinder shape that stores the first pieces and the second pieces, and a guide that guides reciprocating movement of the first pieces between the feed mechanism section and the storage section from outside of the first pieces. The guide has a plurality of guide pieces that are connected bendably in mutual front and rear end surfaces to deform in accordance with rising and lowering movement of a rising and lowering rotation joint, and the guide hangs into the storage section from a tip position where the guide is fixed to the feed mechanism section.

A linear extension and retraction mechanism has a plurality of flat-plate shaped first connection pieces and a plurality of grooved-frame shaped second connection pieces. Each of the first connection pieces is bendably connected at front and rear end surfaces to adjacent first connection pieces. Each of the second connection pieces is bendably connected at bottom front and rear end surfaces to adjacent second connection pieces. The first and second connection pieces become linearly rigid when overlapped together, and the first and second connection pieces return to a bent state when separated from each other. A cushion member is mounted on the front end surface of each first connection piece to cushion a shock of a collision between end surfaces of the first connection pieces. A slot section for fitting the cushion member is provided in the front end surface of each first connection piece.

A linear extension and retraction mechanism has a plurality of flat-plate shaped first connection pieces and a plurality of grooved-frame shaped second connection pieces. Each of the first connection pieces is bendably connected at front and rear end surfaces to adjacent first connection pieces. Each of the second connection pieces is bendably connected at bottom front and rear end surfaces to adjacent second connection pieces. The first and second connection pieces become linearly rigid when overlapped together, and the first and second connection pieces return to a bent state when separated from each other. A cushion member is mounted on the front end surface of each first connection piece to cushion a shock of a collision between end surfaces of the first connection pieces. A slot section for fitting the cushion member is provided in the front end surface of each first connection piece.

A device for guiding and directing a metal sheet in a bending machine to form continuously a conical structure, in particular a frustoconical structure, comprises: resting and contrasting arrangement extending along a closed path, and suitable for restingly receiving a longitudinal edge of the metal sheet and contrasting a movement of the edge in a direction that is transverse to a preset advancement trajectory of the metal sheet; a supporting body for the resting and contrasting arrangement, having at least one oblong lateral portion that is suitable for facing the edge and configured for conforming the resting and contrasting arrangement to the longitudinal profile of the edge so as to obtain an extended zone of contact with said edge and impose resting and contrasting pressure distributed along the edge; the resting and contrasting arrangement is movable around the supporting body along the closed path to accompany the edge of the metal sheet by a distributed contact devoid of relative sliding and rolling, so as to impose on the metal sheet the advancement along the desired advancement trajectory to and through the bending machine. The corresponding method is also provided.

An apparatus for advancement along a predetermined curved trajectory, comprising: a conduit having a conduit distal end; an elongated member having a main axis, at least partially extending within said conduit and movable therein along its length, said elongated member comprising a segmented assembly formed of a plurality of segments hingedly connected with each other, each having an orientation axis perpendicular to the main axis; and a deflecting member extending along said main axis so as to have a first state with a first extension along at least a part of the segmented assembly including its most distal segment, and a second state with a second extension along said part of the segmented assembly, the second extension exceeding the first extension.

An apparatus for advancement along a predetermined curved trajectory, comprising: a conduit having a conduit distal end; an elongated member having a main axis, at least partially extending within said conduit and movable therein along its length, said elongated member comprising a segmented assembly formed of a plurality of segments hingedly connected with each other, each having an orientation axis perpendicular to the main axis; and a deflecting member extending along said main axis so as to have a first state with a first extension along at least a part of the segmented assembly including its most distal segment, and a second state with a second extension along said part of the segmented assembly, the second extension exceeding the first extension.

A link chain comprises an inner link plate, an outer link plate, a bushing and a pin that form a chain link, and a labyrinth seal between the outer link plate and the inner link plate. The labyrinth seal comprises at least one lug having lug length and at least one groove having a groove depth, the lug length and groove depth being between 10% to 50% of an average respective link plate thickness, wherein in response to an overload of the link chain, the flow of force within the link chain is partially diverted across surfaces of the labyrinth seal formed by the at least one lug and the at least one groove.