Patent ID: 7025332

Claim:
A mechanical arm adapted to mount to a support and operative to move from a contracted state to an extended state, comprising: (A) a base adapted to secure to the support and including a first fixed gear element disposed thereon; (B) an elongated distal arm member having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion and including a second fixed gear element disposed thereon; (C) an elongated proximal arm member having a proximal end portion pivotally secured to said base for movement about a first pivot axis and a distal end portion pivotally secured to said distal arm member for movement about a second pivot axis; (D) a drive shaft rotatably disposed on said proximal arm member and extending longitudinally thereof, said drive shaft including (1) a first end portion provided with a first drive gear engaging said first fixed gear element, and (2) a second end portion opposite said first end portion provided with a second drive gear engaging said second fixed gear element, whereby rotation of said drive shaft rotates said first and second drive gears thereby to act respectively on said first and second fixed gear elements so as to pivot said proximal arm relative to said base and to pivot said distal arm member relative to said proximal arm member; and (E) a drive associated with said drive shaft for selectively rotating said drive shaft relative to said proximal arm member.