Operating mechanism

A worm-like operating mechanism including pneumatic or hydraulic actuators by which objects can be lifted, fixed, grasped or moved and which can be tilted in any direction and which further, upon depressurization of the actuators returns automatically to a rest position, said operating mechanism comprising:

• alternately arranged radially outer support elements and radially inner retaining elements, at least three actuators consisting of a ripresistant flexible pressure tight non-metallic material, each actuator consisting of a packet of serially arranged bags folded radially so as to extend meander-like between said radially outer support elements and said radially inner retaining elements so as to form serially arranged essentially radially extending chambers disposed adjacent to and in communication with one another by channels extending between adjacent bags and each packet of serially arranged bags including fluid passages at the radially outer support- and the radially inner retaining elements for supplying fluid under pressure to said bags or removing said fluid therefrom, said actuators being interconnected in a circular arrangement around a center axis to form a worm-like operating mechanism, said actuators being adapted to be independently filled or evacuated for changing the volumes of said actuators to permit expansion or contraction of the actuators so as to provide for lengthening or shortening or bending of the worm-like operating mechanism.