Articulated device for supporting and/or handling loads, comprising a first outer element extending along a longitudinal axis (b) and a second outer element hinged to the first outer element by means of a first joint for rotation relative to the first outer element about a first transverse axis (c) in a first operating condition of the device , wherein the first and the second outer elements have longitudinal internal cavities and wherein at least one first inner element (14'") is accommodated in the longitudinal cavity of the first outer element for sliding along said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the first outer element , characterized in that at least one second inner element (16'") is accommodated in the longitudinal cavity of the second outer element for sliding along said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the second outer element , in that said at least one first and second inner elements (14'", 16'") are hinged to each other by means of a second joint for rotation relative to each other about a second transverse axis (c'") parallel to, or coinciding with, the first transverse axis (c) when the device is in the first operating condition, and in that the first joint and the second joint are provided with respective locking means arranged to prevent relative rotation of the first and second outer elements and of the first and second inner elements (14'", 16'"), respectively, when the first joint and the second joint are arranged in a maximum angular position, in which the respective first and second inner and outer elements (14', 16', 14'", 16'") are aligned with each other along said longitudinal axis (b) and the first and second inner elements (14'", 16'") are slidable along said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the first and second outer elements , and when the device is in a second operating condition rotated 180° about said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the first operating condition. wherein the first and the second outer elements have longitudinal internal cavities and wherein at least one first inner element (14'") is accommodated in the longitudinal cavity of the first outer element for sliding along said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the first outer element , characterized in that at least one second inner element (16'") is accommodated in the longitudinal cavity of the second outer element for sliding along said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the second outer element , in that said at least one first and second inner elements (14'", 16'") are hinged to each other by means of a second joint for rotation relative to each other about a second transverse axis (c'") parallel to, or coinciding with, the first transverse axis (c) when the device is in the first operating condition, and in that the first joint and the second joint are provided with respective locking means arranged to prevent relative rotation of the first and second outer elements and of the first and second inner elements (14'", 16'"), respectively, when the first joint and the second joint are arranged in a maximum angular position, in which the respective first and second inner and outer elements (14', 16', 14'", 16'") are aligned with each other along said longitudinal axis (b) and the first and second inner elements (14'", 16'") are slidable along said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the first and second outer elements , and when the device is in a second operating condition rotated 180° about said longitudinal axis (b) relative to the first operating condition. <EOS>