WATT I PARALLEL AND RECTILINEAR MOTION LINKAGE.

A family of mechanisms is described that generate a motion equivalent to a slider, although the mechanisms contain no sliding joints. The devices differ from conventional straight-line mechanisms in that they also ensure pure translation, or parallel motion, of the output link. The mechanisms are based on Watt I six-bar linkages. A kinematic synthesis procedure is reviewed and specialized analysis procedures are presented. Several potential applications are suggested.