Abstract: A universal cradle apparatus having a telescoping clamping mechanism formed of a drive frame and a cooperating drive shaft that is movable along a common operating axis with first and second mounting surfaces each positioned on a respective one of the drive frame and the drive shaft, and first and second jaw structures each being coupled to a respective one of the drive frame and the drive shaft adjacent to the respective mounting surface thereof, each of the jaw structures having a respective clamping surface thereon and forming mutually opposing interior clamping surfaces arranged adjacent to the mounting surfaces positioned therebetween, and the clamping surface on the second jaw structure being spaced above and inclined toward the respective mounting surface and resiliently flexible relative thereto.

Abstract: A suction cup device having a compact axial suction cup installation and release mechanism including a suction cup within a concave housing, and a rotational drive member structured to operate on an external surface of the housing. A drive shaft is coupled to the suction cup and extends through an aperture in the housing, projecting above a drive surface axially aligned with the concave surface formed in the housing. The drive shaft extends through an aperture in the rotational drive member and includes an inclined drive surface that interacts with a fixed drive surface to pull a flexible portion of the suction cup into the housing when the rotational drive member is rotated relative to the housing.

Abstract: A telescoping pole mount having a clamping mechanism, formed of a substantially rigid platform forming a substantially planar contact surface and having a clearance hole therethrough that is substantially crosswise to the platform contact surface; a substantially rigid arm formed with spaced-apart opposing substantially planar proximal and distal contact surfaces and being formed with a clearance hole therethrough between the opposing contact surfaces; a substantially rigid columnar rod passing through the respective clearance hole in the platform and arm, the rod being formed with threads at an end thereof adjacent to the arm; a substantially rigid threaded actuator having a substantially planar contact surface and being threadedly coupled to the threads formed at the end of the rod; and a thrust bearing between the actuator contact surface and the arm distal contact surface.

Abstract: A novel quick connect mounting device for connecting to rails and other tubular structures, such as handrails on sport craft, sail and motor boats and recreation vehicles, and handlebars in general including but not limited to handlebars on a motorcycle or all terrain vehicle.

Abstract: An external expanding apparatus or “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: An external expanding apparatus or “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A ratcheting mounting device has a substantially rigid base that is formed with a receptor surface projected above a foot portion that is structured with one or more through holes for securing the base to an external surface such as a floor or wall; a substantially rigid ratcheting coupler that is formed with an insertion surface and an appendage coupler for securing an appendage thereto; a plurality of cooperating radially extended teeth and radially extended sockets arranged between the respective receptor and insertion surfaces of the base and ratcheting coupler for orienting the surface of the ratcheting coupler relative to the surface of the base in different stepwise angular orientations; and a clamping mechanism that is structured for constraining the respective receptor and insertion surfaces of the base and ratcheting coupler in different angular relationships.

Abstract: A telescoping pole mount having a clamping mechanism, formed of a substantially rigid platform forming a substantially planar contact surface and having a clearance hole therethrough that is substantially crosswise to the platform contact surface; a substantially rigid arm formed with spaced-apart opposing substantially planar proximal and distal contact surfaces and being formed with a clearance hole therethrough between the opposing contact surfaces; a substantially rigid columnar rod passing through the respective clearance hole in the platform and arm, the rod being formed with threads at an end thereof adjacent to the arm; a substantially rigid threaded actuator having a substantially planar contact surface and being threadedly coupled to the threads formed at the end of the rod; and a thrust bearing between the actuator contact surface and the arm distal contact surface.

Abstract: A universal cradle apparatus having a pair of substantially rigid jaw structures each configured with a flange structure having a substantially planar mounting surface adapted for being secured to respective cooperating male and female portions of a spring-return clamping mechanism formed of telescoping male linear drive shaft and mating female linear drive channel. One of the two jaw structures is configured with an inclined interior clamping surface that is projected above the respective flange structure and in resiliently flexible relationship therewith. The jaw structures are mounted on the respective drive shaft and drive channel each having its respective interior clamping surface facing toward the clamping surface of the other jaw. A spring is coupled for biasing the male drive shaft into the mating female drive channel of the clamping mechanism, thereby driving the two jaw structures together along a linear drive axis of the clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A holster for securing a portable handheld UPC bar code scanner, the holster being formed of a rigid elongated tubular receptacle having an insertion opening in one end that communicates with an elongated tubular cavity formed therein, the insertion opening being formed with a bar code scanner head support portion which is canted at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle cavity. A rigid lever rotatably mounted on the receptacle under the insertion opening partially occludes a portion of the receptacle cavity when biased relative to the receptacle.

Abstract: A protective cover for a device having a touch-sensitive screen, the cover being a substantially optically transparent flexible protective cover formed of a unitary combination of a mask portion substantially surrounded with a plurality of integrally interconnected curtain portions extending therefrom and forming therebetween a plurality of interconnected lip portions, the mask, curtain and lip portions forming a cavity therebetween with the lip portions surrounding a mouth opening thereinto; and the mask portion further having a relatively thicker frame portion surrounding a relatively thinner recessed integral window portion formed of a flexible membrane that is positioned over the device's touch screen.

Abstract: A flexible support apparatus for supporting heavy objects relative to a fixed surface and methods for manufacturing the same are described. The flexible support apparatus is formed of a permanently bendable metal rod that is fused by electrosonic welding to a plastic support base at one end and a plastic mounting bracket at its opposite end with a flexible sheath covering the metal rod. Alternatively, the permanently bendable metal rod is fused by conventional welding or other metal-fusing process to a metal support base at one end and a metal mounting bracket at its opposite end with the flexible sheath covering the metal rod.

Abstract: A dry storage box formed of a pair of covers, a first one of the covers having structure for securing a normally handheld portable electronic device therein with a display and a control key pad of the electronic device facing toward an opening in the first cover; and a second one of the covers having an optical magnification mechanism positioned for viewing an interior portion of the first cover there through; and a latch mechanism for securing the second cover relative to the opening in the first cover with the magnification mechanism in a viewing relationship with the opening in the first cover.

Abstract: An external expanding apparatus or “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector exposed on a surface thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof. The docking station having a rotatable display unit support with a display unit clamping mechanism at one end thereof adapted to resiliently clamp the computer's display unit.

Abstract: An external expanding apparatus or “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof.