Patent ID: 7174652
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: B23Q,G01B,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A machine, comprising: a pair of spaced structures; a plurality of ball and socket joints, at least one on one structure and at least three spaced apart on the other structure; and at least three struts interconnecting the structures, each strut engaging with a respective ball and socket joint on each of the structures, and defining a variable distance between the centers of the ball and socket joints to which the strut is connected, wherein at least one of the ball and socket joints has a plurality of the struts connected thereto, the at least one ball and socket joint comprising at least two sockets engaging a unitary sphere, the unitary sphere and the at least two sockets being attached to respective ones of the struts and of the structures, the at least two sockets each comprising three engagement elements biased into engagement with the unitary sphere. wherein an operator is mountable on a first of the structures for performing an operation on a workpiece mountable on a second of the structures.