Articulated support assembly

Abstract

An articulated support assembly has: a stepping head clamping lock ( 12 ), a lockable support assembly ( 14 ) connected to the stepping head clamping lock and selectively releasably connectable to a stationary object for allowing multi-planar orthogonal manipulation of a device into a position with respect a plane of the stationary object, and plural joints ( 16 a, 16 b, 18 a, 18 b, 29 a, 29 b ) connected to the lockable support assembly that allows multi-planar orthogonal movement.

1 . An articulated support assembly comprising: a stepping head clamping lock; 
 a lockable support assembly connected to said stepping head clamping lock and selectively releasably connectable to a stationary object for allowing multi-planar orthogonal manipulation of a device into a position with respect a plane of said stationary object; and    a plurality of joints connected to said lockable support assembly that allows multi-planar orthogonal movement.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising a removable stepping head assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said lockable support assembly includes at least one support arm.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one support arm is connected to a joint of said plurality of joints.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said at least one support arm includes at least one position lock.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one position lock prevents vertical movement when engaged.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one position lock prevents horizontal movement when engaged.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one position lock prevents movement of when engaged.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said at least one support arm includes at least one stationary object lock.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly according to  claim 9  wherein said at least one stationary object lock is a clamp lock.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said removable stepping head assembly further comprises a fine adjustment assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said removable stepping head assembly further comprises-a pitch lock.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said removable stepping head assembly receives said device.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly according to  claim 13  wherein said device is a medical device.