Provided is a support apparatus including a drive motor, a link mechanism that, by transmitting motive power output from the drive motor, is extendable and contractable in response to the motive power, and a pair of rotating bodies that act as a variable speed mechanism that outputs the motive power to the link mechanism by a reduction ratio according to an attitude of the link mechanism. At least part of the link mechanism forms a trapezoidal link mechanism.

Provided is a support apparatus including a drive motor, a link mechanism that, by transmitting motive power output from the drive motor, is extendable and contractable in response to the motive power, and a pair of rotating bodies that act as a variable speed mechanism that outputs the motive power to the link mechanism by a reduction ratio according to an attitude of the link mechanism. At least part of the link mechanism forms a trapezoidal link mechanism.

In particular embodiments of the inventive technology, an automated pedal depression apparatus may comprise a pedal depressor configured to contact a foot pedal for at least some time during operation of the automated pedal depression apparatus; an actuator configured to actuate the pedal depressor; a controller configured to control the actuator; an adjustable support that supports the actuator; a power input configured to receive power for use by the actuator; and actuator motion information communication componentry configured to communicate information to the controller about an actuator motion that is appropriate for an application. Certain embodiments may provide feedback related componentry to facilitate achievement of actuator (and thus pedal depressor) motion as desired, e.g., that which results in engine operation within an RPM range.

In particular embodiments of the inventive technology, an automated pedal depression apparatus may comprise a pedal depressor configured to contact a foot pedal for at least some time during operation of the automated pedal depression apparatus; an actuator configured to actuate the pedal depressor; a controller configured to control the actuator; an adjustable support that supports the actuator; a power input configured to receive power for use by the actuator; and actuator motion information communication componentry configured to communicate information to the controller about an actuator motion that is appropriate for an application. Certain embodiments may provide feedback related componentry to facilitate achievement of actuator (and thus pedal depressor) motion as desired, e.g., that which results in engine operation within an RPM range.

A lift for a vehicle includes a platform configured to support an occupant thereon, a parallelogram mechanism to move the platform between a stowed position and a deployed position, a base to mount the parallelogram mechanism to a vehicle floor, a hydraulic system to move the platform through the parallelogram mechanism, a mechanism to fold and unfold the platform, an occupant retention device, a control unit to control a movement of the platform. The occupant retention device can include any one of a belt, a bridgeplate and a roll stop. The lift can also include a platform movement control device that can be provided as an acoustic sensor array, a bridgeplate lock and a platform stow lock. A light assembly can be mounted on the platform as a visual warning of the platform operation. The power connection to the control unit can include an encapsulated decouplable power interface.

A lift for a vehicle includes a platform configured to support an occupant thereon, a parallelogram mechanism to move the platform between a stowed position and a deployed position, a base to mount the parallelogram mechanism to a vehicle floor, a hydraulic system to move the platform through the parallelogram mechanism, a mechanism to fold and unfold the platform, an occupant retention device, a control unit to control a movement of the platform. The occupant retention device can include any one of a belt, a bridgeplate and a roll stop. The lift can also include a platform movement control device that can be provided as an acoustic sensor array, a bridgeplate lock and a platform stow lock. A light assembly can be mounted on the platform as a visual warning of the platform operation. The power connection to the control unit can include an encapsulated decouplable power interface.

An actuator system can be used to adjust a position of a component in a spatial light modulator. The actuator system has a pair of actuators that are coupled together by a frame that is used to adjust the height of the component relative to the substrate. The frame includes a pair of moment arms that are coupled to the actuators and a pair of connecting arms that are coupled to the moment arms. The connecting arms are then connected together at about the center of the frame, which portion of the frame can be used to raise or lower the plate. The center of the frame can be raised or lowered by a shortening or lengthening of the connecting arms relative to each other.

An actuator system can be used to adjust a position of a component in a spatial light modulator. The actuator system has a pair of actuators that are coupled together by a frame that is used to adjust the height of the component relative to the substrate. The frame includes a pair of moment arms that are coupled to the actuators and a pair of connecting arms that are coupled to the moment arms. The connecting arms are then connected together at about the center of the frame, which portion of the frame can be used to raise or lower the plate. The center of the frame can be raised or lowered by a shortening or lengthening of the connecting arms relative to each other.

A pump system may include a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and supplying rotation about the longitudinal axis, a gear system operably coupled to the shaft for changing the orientation of the rotation, and a slider-crank mechanism. The slider crank mechanism may include a rotating member assembly mechanically coupled to and driven by the gear system. The rotating member assembly may include a plurality of rotating members having respective rotational axes offset laterally from one another and generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The slider crank mechanism may also include a sliding member assembly mechanically coupled to the rotating member assembly. The rotating member assembly may be configured to drive reciprocating motion of the sliding member to alternately draw fluid in and discharge fluid. The slider crank mechanism may also include a connecting rod assembly mechanically coupling the rotating member assembly to the sliding member assembly.

A pump system may include a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and supplying rotation about the longitudinal axis, a gear system operably coupled to the shaft for changing the orientation of the rotation, and a slider-crank mechanism. The slider crank mechanism may include a rotating member assembly mechanically coupled to and driven by the gear system. The rotating member assembly may include a plurality of rotating members having respective rotational axes offset laterally from one another and generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The slider crank mechanism may also include a sliding member assembly mechanically coupled to the rotating member assembly. The rotating member assembly may be configured to drive reciprocating motion of the sliding member to alternately draw fluid in and discharge fluid. The slider crank mechanism may also include a connecting rod assembly mechanically coupling the rotating member assembly to the sliding member assembly.