On a theory for the type synthesis of mechanisms

Type synthesis or the determination of the structure of the mechanism from its kinematic performance, may be viewed in terms of the following steps: 1. Assume as given the degree of freedom (F) of the mechanism, the number (l) of its elements or links, and the kinematic specification of its motion. 2. Enumerate the “groups” of “basic kinematic chains” with this degree of freedom and number of links (the terms in italics will be defined later on). 3. Enumerate the basic kinematic chains within each group. 4. Enumerate the mechanisms derivable from each kinematic chain. 5. By further transformation of the mechanical nature of the links and joints, enumerate the mechanisms satisfying the given kinematic specification.