An artificial joint is provided. The artificial joint may comprise: a first joint member including a first bone replacement part, and a (1-1).sup.st branch and a (1-2).sup.st branch branched from opposite sides of the first bone replacement part; a second joint member including a second bone replacement part, and a (2-1).sup.nd branch and a (2-2).sup.nd branch branched from opposite sides of the second bone replacement part; a first main string connecting one side of the (1-1).sup.st branch and one side of the (2-1).sup.nd branch; a second main string connecting the one side of the (1-1).sup.st branch and one side of the (2-2).sup.nd branch; a third main string connecting one side of the (1-2).sup.st branch and the one side of the (2-1).sup.nd branch; and a fourth main string connecting the one side of the (1-2).sup.st branch and the one side of the (2-2).sup.nd branch.

An assembly having an articulation spindle mounted in a first sleeve inserted into a first arm of a clevis and in a second sleeve inserted into a second arm of said clevis said assembly comprising a blocking device. The blocking device comprising a screw with a first cylindrical portion which is screwed into an extension of the second sleeve and against which the second end of the articulation spindle can come to press, and a second portion, in the extension of the first portion, with a smaller cross section than said first cylindrical portion, a locking washer which is interposed between the second portion of the screw and the extension of the second sleeve in a locked position, and a longilinear element which passes through the screw and the second sleeve in a locked state.

A virtual device for the limited pivoting of an object about a base virtual pivot point by means of a pivoting device, where a limiting device is provided for the pivoting angle. The virtual device is a mechanically stable and yet space-saving limiting device that is rotatable about an outer axis on the base and about an outer axis (23′) rotatable on the object, or on the slide, where the limiting device limits the distance and/or the angular position of the two axes relative to one another, with the proviso that the axes always occupy the same plane.

A joint apparatus with two degrees of freedom and a large range of singularity-free motion is provided including a first support, a second support, a pivot coupled between the first and second supports for allowing the second support to tilt in first and second directions relative to the first support, a first linkage coupled between the first and second supports for tilting the second support in the first direction relative to the first support, and a second linkage coupled between the first and second supports for tilting the second support in the second direction relative to the first support.

An artificial joint is provided. The artificial joint may comprise: a first joint member including a first bone replacement part, and a (1-1).sup.st branch and a (1-2).sup.st branch branched from opposite sides of the first bone replacement part; a second joint member including a second bone replacement part, and a (2-1).sup.nd branch and a (2-2).sup.nd branch branched from opposite sides of the second bone replacement part; a first main string connecting one side of the (1-1).sup.st branch and one side of the (2-1).sup.nd branch; a second main string connecting the one side of the (1-1).sup.st branch and one side of the (2-2).sup.nd branch; a third main string connecting one side of the (1-2).sup.st branch and the one side of the (2-1).sup.nd branch; and a fourth main string connecting the one side of the (1-2).sup.st branch and the one side of the (2-2).sup.nd branch.

A virtual device for the limited pivoting of an object about a base virtual pivot point by means of a pivoting device, where a limiting device is provided for the pivoting angle. The virtual device is a mechanically stable and yet space-saving limiting device that is rotatable about an outer axis on the base and about an outer axis (23) rotatable on the object, or on the slide, where the limiting device limits the distance and/or the angular position of the two axes relative to one another, with the proviso that the axes always occupy the same plane.

A network assembly includes an antenna sleeve for supporting an antenna. The network assembly includes a mounting assembly for movably attaching the antenna sleeve to a network device. The mounting assembly is movable with respect to the network device about a first axis. The antenna sleeve is movable with respect to the mounting assembly about a second axis.

A flywheel based energy storage system which can include one or more flywheels and a motor/generator unit is disclosed. The system can include a universal joint connecting a suspended flywheel and motor/generator to another body (e.g., frame or mounting point on another structure). The universal joint permits automatic adjustment of an axis of the suspended flywheel to help reduce effects of gyroscopic precession on the flywheel system. A single flywheel is fixed to the drive shaft. Multiple additional flywheels are mounted to drive shaft via bearings to allow freewheeling. The fixed (or first) flywheel is fully charged before speed activated clutch engages second flywheel. All additional flywheels are started sequentially in like manner. During discharge, charged flywheels engage drive shaft via one-way ratchet type mechanism and non-charged flywheels continue to freewheel. A sectional drive shaft of one embodiment simplifies portability and assembly. A variable inertia flywheel of another embodiment further reduces charge-up time.

An energy absorber assembly for use with a safety harness comprises a connector, a bracket assembly, a fastener, and an energy absorber. The connector is configured and arranged to operatively connect to the safety harness. The fastener operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the fastener releases the bracket assembly from the connector when subjected to a predetermined load. The energy absorber operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the energy absorber includes a first portion and a second portion that separate to absorb shock after the bracket assembly is released from the connector.

A flywheel based energy storage system which can include one or more flywheels and a motor/generator unit is disclosed. The system can include a universal joint connecting a suspended flywheel and motor/generator to another body (e.g., frame or mounting point on another structure). The universal joint permits automatic adjustment of an axis of the suspended flywheel to help reduce effects of gyroscopic precession on the flywheel system. A single flywheel is fixed to the drive shaft. Multiple additional flywheels are mounted to drive shaft via bearings to allow freewheeling. The fixed (or first) flywheel is fully charged before speed activated clutch engages second flywheel. All additional flywheels are started sequentially in like manner. During discharge, charged flywheels engage drive shaft via one-way ratchet type mechanism and non-charged flywheels continue to freewheel. A sectional drive shaft of one embodiment simplifies portability and assembly. A variable inertia flywheel of another embodiment further reduces charge-up time.