A support apparatus anchorable to a fixed structure for aiding in the support of a hand-operated tool during use includes an articulated arm unit including linkages which provide the arm unit with a distal end to which the tool can be secured and an opposite proximal end. The arm unit includes a counterbalancing spring so that movement of the distal end of the arm unit relative to the proximal end thereof is effected with relative ease. A mount associated with the proximal end of the arm unit is capable of being secured to a fixed structure for anchoring the support apparatus thereto. In addition, three pins are joined to and extend from the body of the mount so that when the proximal end of the arm unit is pivotally connected to any one of the three pins, the arm unit can be pivotally moved relative to the mount about any one axis of a spatial arrangement including three coordinate axes.

A wearable manufacturing assistance device (1) for supporting a manufacturing tool (3), the manufacturing assistance device (1) includes a body unit (7) including a fastener (11) for fastening the body unit (7) to the back (13) of a technician (5) in a wearing position (15), and an arm member (9) which has an attachment end (19) attached to the body unit (7) and a tool end (21) opposite to the attachment end (19), wherein at the tool end (21) a mounting device (23) for mounting the manufacturing tool (3) to the arm member (9) is provided. While the wearable manufacturing assistance device (1) is fastened to the back (13) of the technician (5) and is in a wearing position (15), the arm member (9) extends from the attachment end (19) at the body unit (7) over a shoulder (17) and laterally past a head (27) of the technician (5).

A support device, in particular an assembly support device for stabilizing a body part of a person includes a plurality of hinged-together elements designed to at least partially envelop a body part of a person, so that the plurality of hinged-together elements collectively form a flexible shell for the body part of the person. The flexible shell is designed to transfer a portion of a load acting on the body part of the person in order to stabilize the body part of the person. A vehicle, to which is secured an assembly support device, as well as a method for stabilizing a body part of a person during the assembly of a vehicle are also described.

A method and device to balance a tiltable arm comprising a free extremity and having a pivot point on a mounting structure which is supported by a floating object, by providing the arm with suspension and/or support means for controlling the arm's inclination with respect to the horizon, and by providing said suspension and/or support means with at least one spring, wherein the spring connects to the arm and to said mounting structure, and embodying the spring as a passive spring which is arranged to balance the arm so as to stabilize a position of a free extremity of the arm during movements of the floating object.

An automatic drilling machine for simultaneously drilling at least two holes through a surface of a crosspiece. The machine comprises an automatic drilling unit having at least two tool holders, each one adapted for receiving a drilling tool. The automatic drilling unit has a cross-shaped channel configured to receive, at least partially, the crosspiece to be drilled inside the automatic drilling unit with. The tool holders are arranged, such as, when the drilling machine is mounted with the crosspiece to be drilled, the tool holders are positioned in accordance with the locations of the crosspiece where a hole is to be drilled.

A cart comprising a support frame having a plurality of wheels, a reel supported by the support frame, and a tool tethered to the support frame.

A tool system includes a rail, a trolley, a tool, a detent, and a target. The trolley is translatable between first and second positions along the rail. The tool is secured to the trolley. The detent includes a magnet. One of the target and the magnet is located at a third position along the rail, between the first and second positions. The other one of the target and the magnet is coupled to the trolley. The magnet and target cooperate to resist trolley movement away from the third position.

A tool system includes a rail, a trolley, a tool, a detent, and a target. The trolley is translatable between first and second positions along the rail. The tool is secured to the trolley. The detent includes a magnet. One of the target and the magnet is located at a third position along the rail, between the first and second positions. The other one of the target and the magnet is coupled to the trolley. The magnet and target cooperate to resist trolley movement away from the third position.

A balancer for tools includes a rotary drum for winding and unwinding a cable; a return spring, which is wound around the rotation axis of the drum and is coupled thereto, for the development of an elastic reaction that contrasts the unwinding of the cable and is adapted to facilitate its rewinding; an adjustment assembly for adjusting the preloading of the spring. The adjustment assembly includes a fixed annular gear with an internal set of teeth; a circular ring with an external set of teeth, arranged inside the annular gear; and a plate which is arranged substantially coplanar inside the ring. In every angular position of the plate, the ring is kept pressed against the internal set of teeth for the transmission of motion from the plate to the ring and the consequent adjustment of the preloading of the spring.

A positionable tool support device is mounted near a work surface for supporting a tool for a user. The tool support device includes a surface mount to secure the tool support device to a support surface. A gravity-balancing articulated arm assembly is coupled to and extends from the surface mount. The gravity-balancing articulated arm assembly is selectively adjustable about both vertical and horizontal axes. A rigid support extension is coupled to the gravity-balancing articulated arm assembly for selective rotation relative to the gravity-balancing articulated arm assembly. A flexible tensile member is coupled to and extends, in a relaxed state, vertically downward from the rigid support extension. The tensile member is coupled to the tool.