A COUNTERBALANCING MECHANISM AND STABILIZER DESIGN AND METHOD FOR COUNTERBALANCING AND STABILIZING A LOAD

摘要

The present invention relates to a resilient member aided counterbalancing andstabilizing deviceand method for resilient member aided counterbalancing and stabilizing loadsin the direction ofgravity. The device preferably includes a quick release mechanism in eachdesign and acounterbalance assembly which in preferred embodiments is used to aid in theprecise positioningof a stabilizer which in turn supports a load (e.g., a medical device). Thequick release assemblyin each stabilizer design preferably includes a central housing containing atleast one ball joint(s)which is preferably connected to the counterbalancing linkage that supportsthe load. To unlockthe mechanism, the user preferably squeezes a trigger mechanism which directlyloosens the locksresponsible for holding the load in place.