Linkages are primarily used as machine components and tools. Typical examples are automotive suspensions and bolt cutters. The internal combustion engine's piston/rod/crank is a classic four-bar linkage with one degree of freedom. Linkages are often the simplest, least expensive and most efficient mechanism to perform complicated motions.
One highly visible application is the windshield wiper: a four bar linkage changes the motor's rotary motion to oscillation. Some wipers also have a second set of four bar linkages to keep the wiper blades oriented correctly as they sweep. Another visible application is heavy equipment which makes extensive use of four and six bar linkages.
Spatial linkages are becoming more common due to computer aided design.
"The 4-Bar Linkage" is an adapted mechanical linkage used on bicycles. With a normal full-suspension bike the back wheel moves in a very tight arc shape. This means that more power is lost when going uphill. With a bike fitted with a 4-Bar Linkage, the wheel moves in such a large arc that it is moving almost vertically. This way the power loss is reduced by up to 30%.
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