Substantially frictionless universal connecting device

Claim 1

Apparatus for universal swivel linear mounting of an actuated object comprising: a fixed mounting means for unencumbered support of linear actuation of said actuated object, said mounting means including a rod fixed at a certain height and a bracket mounted on said rod for connection to one end of a first elongated planar blade member; a combination extension/universal swivel connection which provides substantially frictionless universal swivel movement between said mounting means and said actuated object, said combination extension/universal swivel connection comprising; a first elongated flexible planar blade member having two ends, one of said ends connected to said bracket and the other of said ends extended from said bracket for interconnection; a second elongated flexible planar blade member having two ends, one of said ends connected to an actuated member and the other of said ends extended from said actuated member for interconnection, and an interconnecting means to which said other ends of said first and second flexible blade members are interconnected with the plane of each of said elongated planar blade members perpendicular to each other, said first and second elongated flexible planar blade members and said interconnecting means linearly arranged between said mounting means and said actuated member whereby said combination forms part of a connecting extension between said mounting means and said actuated member, and wherein said actuated member extends between said combination extension/universal swivel connection and said actuated object, said actuated member being connected to both said one end of said second elongated flexible planar blade member and said actuated object, whereby motion imparted by said actuated object is universally accommodated by bending of said first and second flexible blade members in the substantial absence of friction.