Patent ID: 7753642

Claim:
An apparatus, including: an end-effector platform positioned and maneuvered within a three-dimensional workspace; at least three vertical support members positioned outside the three-dimensional workspace; at least three adjustable cables routed from each vertical support member and releasably secured to the end-effector platform to apply upward and downward tension to the end-effector platform, wherein the adjustable cables are adjustably extendable and retractable in a coordinated fashion to maneuver the end-effector platform such that an adjustable portion of each adjustable cable spans from the corresponding vertical support member to the end-effector platform, wherein at least two of the adjustable portions associated with each vertical support member are generally in parallel relation to each other; and respective first and second cable guides, movably secured to at least one of the vertical support members, routing the two adjustable cables having the generally parallel adjustable portions, the first and second cable guides being adjustably raisable and lowerable along the respective vertical support member.