An isolated force/torque sensor assembly for a force controlled robot includes an end effector for operatively attaching to an arm of the force controlled robot, the end effector having a gripping portion adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user, and a force/torque sensor adapted to be disposed between the gripping portion and the arm of the robot, the force/torque sensor having a high force end effector interface adapted to be attached to the arm of the robot, a low force end effector interface operatively attached to the gripping portion, and a transducer disposed between the high force end effector interface and the low force end effector interface for reacting to loads applied to the low force end effector interface for user controlled positioning of a surgical tool and for generating corresponding output signals, and wherein the transducer is bypassed for high loads.

A load strapping device (10) has a first elongated member (12) having a first end (14), a second elongated member (16) having a second end (18) and a pivot assembly (20) interconnecting the first and second ends. A strap end receiving assembly (22) is connected to a free end (24) of one of the elongated member (16). For use, one end of a strap (40) is engaged to the strap end receiving assembly. A load strapping arrangement over a load (44) is formed when a user, located at one side of the load, grips the device and lifts the one end of the strap to a first position just above the height of the load. From this position, the one end of the strap, by pivotal manipulation of the elongated members, is then fed over the top of the load until the one end of the strap reaches a second position at the other side of the load. After this position is reached, the one end of the strap is disengaged from the strap end receiving assembly and the device is withdrawn from the top of the load. This allows the one end of the strap and another end of the strap to be securely attached to respective anchor points for strapping over the load.

An apparatus comprises a main arm having links extending from a ground end to an effector end and allowing movement of the effector end from a first position to a second position, the links including at least a base link adapted to be pivotally connected to a base, and a spacing link pivotally mounted to a free end of the base link and extending to the effector end. A first 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the base link of the main arm. A second 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the spacing link of the main arm and an effector link at the effector end adapted to support an object. A serial interconnection is between the first 4-bar parallelogram and the second 4-bar parallelogram constraining the effector link to maintaining a constant orientation in at least two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the base.

An apparatus comprises a main arm having links extending from a ground end to an effector end and allowing movement of the effector end from a first position to a second position, the links including at least a base link adapted to be pivotally connected to a base, and a spacing link pivotally mounted to a free end of the base link and extending to the effector end. A first 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the base link of the main arm. A second 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the spacing link of the main arm and an effector link at the effector end adapted to support an object. A serial interconnection is between the first 4-bar parallelogram and the second 4-bar parallelogram constraining the effector link to maintaining a constant orientation in at least two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the base.

A holding device for medical purposes holds an attached device. The holding device has a proximal end for attaching the holding device to a base and a distal end for receiving the attached device. The holding device also has a first arm segment and a second arm segment. The first arm segment is connected to a first joint and the second arm segment is connected to a second joint. Each joint is releasable or lockable. The holding device further has an operator control device for releasing and/or locking the first or second joint for placing the holding device in a desired pose. The holding device also has a controller for controlling the holding device and at least one receiver for electromagnetic radiation connected to the controller for transmitting signals to the controller based on received electromagnetic signals of a surgical navigation system.

A holding device for medical purposes holds an attached device. The holding device has a proximal end for attaching the holding device to a base and a distal end for receiving the attached device. The holding device also has a first arm segment and a second arm segment. The first arm segment is connected to a first joint and the second arm segment is connected to a second joint. Each joint is releasable or lockable. The holding device further has an operator control device for releasing and/or locking the first or second joint for placing the holding device in a desired pose. The holding device also has a controller for controlling the holding device and at least one receiver for electromagnetic radiation connected to the controller for transmitting signals to the controller based on received electromagnetic signals of a surgical navigation system.

A string hanging device for hanging a continuous ornamental string on a physical object having a portion elevated above the upward reach of a user, is disclosed. The string hanging device includes a tubular member having an arcuately curved interior passageway configured for receiving the ornamental string. The passageway includes an entry port and an exit port. A pole member is included that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler portion disposed at the distal end. A coupler is provided for removably coupling the tubular member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole. A hook member includes a coupler for removably coupling the hook member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole.

A string hanging device for hanging a continuous ornamental string on a physical object having a portion elevated above the upward reach of a user, is disclosed. The string hanging device includes a tubular member having an arcuately curved interior passageway configured for receiving the ornamental string. The passageway includes an entry port and an exit port. A pole member is included that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler portion disposed at the distal end. A coupler is provided for removably coupling the tubular member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole. A hook member includes a coupler for removably coupling the hook member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole.

An object retrieval device is disclosed. The retrieval device includes a retrieval end, a joint, and an extension arm. The retrieval end includes an adhesive portion and an arm portion. The arm portion includes a set of protrusions and adhesive portion includes surface segmentation. The joint is configured to pivot. The extension arm includes a first set of protrusions disposed at a first end of the extension arm. The first end of the extension arm is couplable to the arm portion of the retrieval end such that the first set of protrusions disposed on the extension arm align with the set of protrusions disposed on the arm portion of the retrieval end to form ridges.

An object retrieval device is disclosed. The retrieval device includes a retrieval end, a joint, and an extension arm. The retrieval end includes an adhesive portion and an arm portion. The arm portion includes a set of protrusions and adhesive portion includes surface segmentation. The joint is configured to pivot. The extension arm includes a first set of protrusions disposed at a first end of the extension arm. The first end of the extension arm is couplable to the arm portion of the retrieval end such that the first set of protrusions disposed on the extension arm align with the set of protrusions disposed on the arm portion of the retrieval end to form ridges.