Abstract: A cable support and method for securing a plurality of cables to the structure of a building in such a manner that they are maintained parallel and separate from one another. The one-piece cable support includes a base with an attachment arrangement for anchoring to a surface and a plurality of first and second holding members. Each first holding member includes an arcuate cable holder, a slot, and a deformable member thereon. Each second holding member includes a cable rest thereon. The first and second holding members are paired in sets. The base is secured to a building structure and a cable laid within each set of holding members. A leverage tool is inserted within each slot and leverage applied to deform the deformable member until it contacts the inserted cable. The sets of holding members are aligned parallel to one another thereby providing a cable installation in which each of the inserted cables are securely held separate and parallel to one another.

Abstract: A portable power tool support and orientation apparatus includes a power tool holder member for attachment to a portable powered belt sander. A holder support supports the tool holder member. The holder support includes a first workpiece support table, riser members which support the first workpiece support table, a bottom base member which supports the riser members. A holder-reception slot is located on the bottom base member for receiving a bottom end of the tool holder member. A first mode of use is provided, with employment of a second workpiece support table assembly, when workpiece is moved in forward or backward directions coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the moving belt of the portable powered belt sander. A second mode of use is provided when the portable powered belt sander is stabilized, and the workpiece is moved in forward or backward directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the moving belt.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adjustable basketball goal systems, and methods for setting up such systems. In one embodiment of the invention, a basketball goal system is provided that includes a backboard that can be moved to be substantially vertical, and a rim that can be moved to be substantially horizontal. In other embodiments of the invention, the basketball goal system includes a neck that can be moved to adjust the height of the rim to a desired height above the playing surface. In one embodiment, a basketball goal system includes a shock absorption system that permits the neck, backboard and rim of the system to move downward to absorb severe shocks, and that automatically returns them to their playing position. Other embodiments include a vehicle-mounted support. Some of the embodiments may be attached to a vehicle-mounted support.

Abstract: A system for hanging, tying and securing articles, comprising bendable strips with an outer layer of foam rubber material having a plastic-coated flexible wire running lengthwise inside. Protective plastic caps can be placed on each end of the strip. The ends of two or more bendable strips can be joined with one or more connectors. Alternatively, the bendable strips can have complementary threaded ends, and two or more of such strips can be joined together. An adapter can be used to complete a circular configuration. The system can be sold in a package containing bendable strips, connectors, protective caps and cutters.

Abstract: A personal canopy apparatus connectable to a separate structure. The canopy apparatus includes a main spine connectable to the separate structure, a top spine pivotally connected in a generally forwardly extending orientation to an upper end of said main spine, and a retractable canopy. The canopy includes two flexible covers each supported along a proximal edge by the top spine. A leading edge support arm and battens are supportively connected to each of the covers and are pivotally connected at a proximal end about one of two closely spaced third pivotal axes at a distal end of the top spine. When each of the covers are open in a fan-like manner, the support arms extend laterally in opposite directions from the top spine to form a leading edge of the canopy. The support arms, covers and battens are stored in closely aligned fashion within a substantially hollow length of said top spine.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a window opening includes an elongated frame member made of roll-formed stock material having top and bottom edges, and a first wall extending between the top and bottom edges. The frame assembly includes a latch positioned adjacent the first wall and between the top and bottom edges of the frame member. The latch is slidable between extended and retracted positions. The first wall of the elongated frame member has a hole for accessing the latch. A lift inserted into the hole is engageable for selectively moving the frame assembly relative to a fixed window frame.

Abstract: A mounting assembly has a base, a sensor support manually pivotal about an axis on the base and carrying a sensor, a plurality of contacts on the base having axially spaced inner ends juxtaposed with the sensor support, and respective cam bumps fixed on the sensor support and engageable on pivoting of the sensor support about the axis with the contacts. The base is provided with a ring in which the sensor support is journaled. This ring is unitarily formed with the base. The support is in fact journaled in the ring of the base.

Abstract: A friction control mechanism for an articulating arm including an arm, a pivot connector, an axial washer, and at least one set screw. An axial washer is placed around each side of a center aperture in the pivot connector. The pivot connector is connected to the arm with a pivot pin through the center aperture in the pivot connector and aligned holes in the first and second sides of the arm. At least one threaded hole is located adjacent the aligned hole in the first side of the arm. A set screw is placed through each threaded hole, making contact with the axial washer. This contact creates a friction force between the pivot connector and the axial washer, keeping the articulating arm from drifting away from its set position. The pivot connector may be connected to another device such as another arm or a machine such as an x-ray machine, or to another pivot connector.

Abstract: The combined walking cane and lift assist device of the present invention is used to help or assist a person to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. The cane and lift assist device can be used to assist a user to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. The apparatus can include a cane shaft having an upper end and a lower end, a first, upper handle attached to the upper end of the cane shaft, a second, lower handle attached to the shaft below the first, upper handle, and a resilient tip attached to the lower end of the cane, wherein the lower handle is rotatable up to 180 degrees with respect to the upper handle, so that the upper and lower handles can be vertically aligned when the user is using the device as a cane, and the lower handle can be offset up to 180 degrees with respect to the upper handle when the device is used to assist the user when moving between a sitting position and a standing position.

Abstract: A first tubular member (11) of an extension device (1) includes a first tubular body portion (16) provided with protruding portions (17) which are so formed on the inner surface of the first tubular body portion (16) as to protrude therefrom and extend from one axial end to the other end of the first tubular body portion (16). A second tubular member (12) which is capable of moving back and forth along the inner surface of the first tubular member (11) includes a second tubular body portion (27). A rotation prevention portion (28) adapted to come into contact with the protruding portions (17) and thereby prevent rotation of the second tubular member (12) is formed on the outer surface of the second tubular body portion (27) so as to rise therefrom. The extent to which the protruding portions (17) protrudes is nearly the same as the thickness (i.e. the height) of the rotation prevention portion (28).

Abstract: A seat slide (E1) includes a first guide (1). The seat slide includes a second guide (2) configured to be guided by the first guide (1). The second guide (2) supports a seat (101). The seat slide includes a leading member (3) configured to move the second guide (2) relative to the first guide (1). The seat slide includes a cap (4) mounted to the second guide (2). The cap includes a first support (41) for supporting the leading member (3). The cap includes a second support (42) extending from the first support (42) for supporting the second guide (2).

Abstract: A tile having a support layer and a wearing layer. The wearing layer and the support layer are polygonal. The edge regions of the support layer have projections and cutouts, the projections being intended to engage in a positively locking manner in the cutouts in the support layer of adjacent tiles. The tiles may also have an intermediate layer which is electrically conductive. After the tiles have been laid, neither cutouts nor projections are visible from above, since the tiles are mechanically secured by the support layer.

Abstract: A pallet has a supporting board, multiple supporters, multiple reinforcing rings and a base. The supporting board is rectangular and is made of paper. The supporting board has a top, a bottom, four sides, an inner space and a honeycomb-like baffle. The honeycomb-like baffle is received in the inner space and is formed between the top and the bottom. The supporters are made of paper and are securely attached to the bottom of the supporting board. The reinforcing rings are made of paper, and securely mounted respectively around the supporters and abut against the bottom of the supporting board. The base is made of paper and is securely attached to the bottoms of the supporters. Accordingly, the pallet is light and is convenient to assemble and to transport.

Abstract: An article for use with a stretch releasing adhesive tape strip having a non-adhesive pull tab includes a unitary attachment member having a base plate portion sized to overlay the entire stretch releasing adhesive tape strip. The base plate portion includes a first portion that overlays the adhesive portion of tape strip and a flexible cover portion that overlays the non-adhesive pull tab. A user can manually urge the cover portion away from the pull tab, thereby accessing the pull tab and allowing the user to stretch remove the tape strip from the unitary attachment member and a substrate to which it is adhered.

Abstract: A self-tilting connector mechanism of an umbrella is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a seat, a tilting head seat, a pulling shaft, a steel cable and a linking shaft. The seat and the tilting head seat are each provided with a pulley. Using a locking means to position the linking shaft between the tilting head seat and the pulling shaft, such that the pulling shaft is inserted into the through hole of the small tubular section of the seat, and a restoration spring is provided between the pulling shaft and the tubular section, and a steel cable is wound at the pulleys of the seat and the tilting head seat, and the steel cable is mounted to the handle rotating shaft of the main shaft of the umbrella, by rotating adjustment of the hand, the opening, tilting, reverse-tilting and closing of umbrella can be obtained.

Abstract: An umbrella includes a center rod having upper and lower sections. A canopy is attached to an upper end of the upper section. A lower end of the lower section is mounted to a base positionable on a fixed surface for supporting the central rod in an upright manner. A canopy orientating device is arranged between a lower end of the upper section and an upper end of the lower section. The canopy orientating device includes a skirt-like diverging opening formed in the lower end of the upper section and defined by opposite inclined side walls. The upper end of the lower section is received in the diverging opening.

Abstract: A mounting system for a flat display screen, particularly a plasma display screen, suspends the screen separately in each of the x-, y- and z-directions. A series of frames located by linear bearings and isolated by springs and dampers allows separate controlled movement in each axis. The system enables the use of relatively larger display screens in vehicles in which plasma screen are subject to damage from vibration.

Abstract: A composite material that is formed into basic structural panels that can be subsequently assembled into the floors, walls, roof trusses, and roofs of buildings by unskilled labor having access to basic tools is disclosed. Thus, basic shelter, low-cost houses and various other structures, such as schools, churches, clinics, and storage facilities may be constructed to address the need for such structures in economically-distressed countries with large populations. The building material for the panels is a molded polymer composite, made from either homogeneous or non-homogeneous materials. The materials consist primarily of recycled or virgin polyolefins, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene compounds with or without various additives, including glass fiber, metals and naturally-occurring materials such as rice husks, sugar cane bagasse, nut shells, talc, clay, sand and wood.

Abstract: A pull cord mechanism for a self-opening umbrella mainly comprises a core tube rest to support the first and second sheaves on one side. The core tube rest links the core tube at the lower end. Both core tube rest and core tube are housed in the hollow of the center shaft where the core tube rest comes on top. A cord retainer is installed at bottom of the center shaft. The lower shaft provides the third and fourth sheaves. The pull cord has one end tied to the cord retainer and the other end runs through the core tube, winding on the first sheave on the core tube rest, turning to the third sheave of the lower shaft, the second sheave on the core tube rest and down to the fourth sheave of the lower shaft and finally fastened to the top of the core tube rest to form a complete loop. The winding arrangement of pull cord enables to shrink the length of the center shaft and reduce the volume of the closed umbrella.

Abstract: A collapsible knee crutch including an upper leg member, a lower leg member, a lower leg pivot pivotally attaching the upper and lower leg members together for allowing the lower leg member to pivot between a bent position and an extended position, a support leg member, and a support leg pivot for pivotally attaching the lower leg member and the support leg member together for allowing the support leg to pivot between a bent position and an extended position. The lower leg pivot has a pivotal axis located forward of the user's natural knee pivotal axis when the crutch is attached to the user's leg. The support leg member has elongated, spaced apart inside and outside support legs with the outside support leg being longer than the inside support leg.