Abstract: A container holder adapted for use with a structure has a pneumatically operated bladder member for selectively adjusting the size of a container holder depression or opening. The bladder member is positioned on the periphery of the container holder and is inflated or deflated using a pump mechanism in order to vary the size of a container receiving aperture.

Abstract: A self-levelling apparatus for a seat comprises a base (21, 22, 27), a seat levelling assembly (2, 18, 19, 41) displaceably connected with the base, and a reversible electrical motor (40) disposed between the seat and the base for rotation of the seat levelling assembly around an axis about parallel with the base. The seat levelling assembly is disposed between the base and the axis. Themotor shaft (42) extends parallel with the axis and engages with a flexible actuation means, such as a roller chain, fixed at its one end at the base. The apparatus also comprises a positional detection means for control of the motor. The apparatus further comprises arcuate co-operating seat and base bearing elements (2; 22) of which at least one has a surface defined by rotation of a straight, curved or irregular line around the axis, such as a cylinder or cone segment surface.

Abstract: A ladder support assembly includes a ring-shaped support structure and a support bracket attached to a utility truck for supporting a ladder thereon. The support bracket has a locking structure which locks a ladder supported on the bracket against longitudinal, vertical and outwardly movement thereby assuring non-displacement of the ladder during transport thereof.

Abstract: A protective insulating sleeve is a two part construction with a pair of mating semi-cylindrical halves. Each semi-cylindrical half includes a semi-cylindrical metal sleeve surrounded by a semi-cylindrical plastic sleeve. The semi-cylindrical plastic sleeve has a groove formed in one exposed surface thereof and extending lengthwise along it. The semi-cylindrical metal sleeve extends outward past the semi-cylindrical plastic sleeve to form a tongue which mates with the groove in the other mating semi-cylindrical half such that the mated halves can be inserted into a bore in a stud or joist to receive a pipe or conduit extending through that stud or joist. Cushioning ribs are provided to dampen noise emanating from the pipe or conduit. The interlocked protective insulating sleeve thus serves the plural function of supporting and insulating the pipe or conduit and surrounding it with the metal sleeve to protect it from penetration by nails, screws or other fasteners driven into the stud or joist.

Abstract: This window covering cord tie-down device permits a cord to be wrapped out of reach of a small child or pet. The preferred embodiment includes a base with two cleats to enable the wrapping of a window covering cord, two suction cups for holding the device in place on a glass window pane, and two side clips to prevent the cord from unraveling. The key aspects of the invention include a removable, reusable, and universal cord tie-down device that is hidden when the window covering is lowered and is neat in appearance and relatively unobtrusive when the covering is raised; that can be mounted directly on a glass window pane without the need for tools; and that effectively secures the window cord.

Abstract: A mount bar for supporting video equipment in a motor vehicle in which an elongated bracket supports a pivotally mounted camera and a video image display in a frame selectively attached to the mount bar, with the opposing ends of the mount bar for being attached to headrest supports in a seat of the motor vehicle. Alternate embodiments of the mount bar are disclosed.

Abstract: A mounting for attaching a sensor (10) in a vehicle bumper comprises a housing (12) within which a sensor holder (14) can be angularly adjusted. The sensor holder (14) has a part-spherical surface which is biased against a part-spherical seat (22) within the housing (12) by means of a spring (28) acting through a bearing rest (26) and a bearing cup (24), these parts being retained within the housing (12) by a thrust washer (30) and a retaining clip (32).

Abstract: An adjustable support apparatus for supporting an object, such as a keyboard. The apparatus has a rotatable arm to which a rotatable support plate is attached. Rotation of the arm allows the height of the support plate to be adjusted. Rotation of the support plate allows its inclination to be adjusted. A constant force spring applies a varying upward moment to the support arm that approximates the varying downward weight moment applied to support arm, thereby restraining downward motion of the arm and making it easier for the user to raise the arm. Ratchet and pawl mechanisms lock the angular orientation of the support arm and the inclination of the support plate. The support plate is pivoted to the support arm so that twisting of the support plate disengages both the height and the inclination locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand comprises a base and a clamping mechanism which has a pair of opposed jaws with generally v-shaped clamping faces and the jaws being disposed to clamp a tree at circumferentially and longitudinally spaced locations and means for moving the jaws towards and away from each other to clamp and release the tree.

Abstract: A locking element (30) is arranged slidable between an unlocked position and locked position on the lighting unit (10). An operating element (58) is rotatably mounted on the lighting unit (10). The operating element (58) is coupled with the locking element (30) by means of an eccentrically mounted finger (69) on it, so that a rotational motion of the operating element (58) is converted into a sliding motion of the locking element (30). A pin (20) is arranged on the vehicle part (12) on which the locking element (30) is lockable for securing the lighting unit (10). The operating element (58) allows the locking element (30) to be locked on the pin (20) when it is not directly accessible.

Abstract: A holder capable of being fixed on a wall or support column carries swivelling panels which can be hung in the area of opposite front sides on pins formed from pairs of pins. The holder is provided in the area of a receiving cavity with clamping jaws which are suitable for mounting roller-shaped inserts useful for fastening the holder to support columns.

Abstract: A safety hook is provided for supporting an article on a structure. The hook has a base portion for mounting the hook to the structure and an article supporting portion which extends from the base portion. The article supporting portion is provided to support the article on the structure to which the hook is mounted. The hook also has an article retaining portion extending generally upwardly from the article supporting portion and operates to keep the article on the article supporting portion. The article retaining portion is formed from a material and has a configuration that allows the article retaining portion to flex and resiliently deform upon impact.

Abstract: A sample stage of a precision sample positioning system includes a sample plate supported above a base plate on a plurality of slider assemblies. Each slider assembly includes a base slider secured to a surface of the base plate and a stage slider secured to the sample plate. Each slider is made from a common material. The common material possesses the characteristic of not having a yield point, and having a sufficiently high strength so as to permit sliding without surface degradation.

Abstract: A support frame for decorative lights disposed about a window includes top, bottom, and first and second side members connected together to form a generally rectangular structure. Each frame member includes a pair of elongated, linear members connected lengthwise in a telescoping manner which are hollow and rectangular in cross-section and have respective inner and outer walls. The inner and outer walls of each frame member are each provided with a plurality of spaced apertures, with each pair of aligned apertures in the inner and outer walls adapted to receive a decorative light in a tight-fitting manner. Lights inserted in aligned apertures of a pair of telescoping frame members prevent sliding movement between the frame members. This telescoping connection within each linear frame member in combination with a spring-biased tension cap on the end of each frame member allows the support frame to be adjusted to fit a wide range of window frame heights and widths.

Abstract: A self-locking, angularly-tilting seat support is provided for supporting fishing boats and the like. The seat support includes a mounting plate adapted to support a seat thereon. A support stud has its upper end pivotally attached to the bottom of the mounting plate and its upper end slidably received within a pedestal. A pivot block is fixedly attached to the bottom of the mounting plate. A bushing is slidably mounted about the support stud and abuts the pedestal support. The pivot block and the bushing matably engage at a plurality of angular positions such that downward forces exerted on the mounting plate are transferred to the pivot block thereby effecting locking engagement between the pivot block and the bushing.

Abstract: A modular kit for decorating vehicles, boats, buildings, and other objects may include a plurality of modular decorative items to be fastened to exterior or interior surfaces of an object. One or more decoration fasteners may be used to temporarily fasten the decorative items to the object. A removable message may also be included. The message may comprise vinyl characters. A multiple decoration fastener may also be included for attaching larger or multiple decorative items to locations such as a bumper of a vehicle. The decoration fastener may comprise at on end thereof a decorative item receiver. The decorative item receiver may comprise an opening and a deflectable lip at least partially defining the opening for retaining decorative items. At another end, a fastening device such as a clip or a suction cup is provided. In one embodiment, the decoration fastener has a pliable surface and an outward turned lip to prevent damage to the object to which the decoration fastener is temporarily attached.

Abstract: The height adjustment range of a levelling shoe with an annular support surface is increased by a device that includes a spacer ring having a first face and a second face. The first face has, at a radially inward location, an axially protruding annular projection. The second face has, at a radially inward location, a recess that is substantially complementary to the annular projection. There is also provided a slot that extends over the entire axial length of the spacer ring and projection and extends from an outside peripheral surface of the spacer ring to an inside peripheral surface of the projection.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating the base of an exercise device on a surface is made integrally of a plastic material by injection molding. The apparatus has a seat which is provided in the underside thereof with a plurality of skidproof protuberances, and at one end thereof with a main body extending upwards. The main body is provided with a body portion extending toward other end of the seat. The body portion is smaller in size than the main body and provided with a ring-shaped insertion area. The main body is further provided with two stop shoulders for locating a tubular body of the base of the exercise device. The upper wall surface of the tubular body of the base of the exercise device is flush with the upper surface of the main body when the apparatus is joined with the tubular body of the base of the exercise device.

Abstract: The invention proposes a mounting device for attaching a microphone or a microphone inset to a musical instrument, comprising two clamping sections between which a section of a musical instrument can be gripped by spring force, a connecting section, which both clamping sections are connected to resiliently by one of their ends, a holding mechanism to attach a microphone or a microphone inset to the mounting device, and one actuator section on each of the clamping sections whereby, in the unutilized position of mounting device, the actuator section on one of the two clamping sections at least partially overlaps the other clamping section, in the direction of the spring force generated by this clamping section when gripping a section of a musical instrument.

Abstract: A stand intended to protect an underlying surface from juices discharging from a pumpkin, while providing pedestals for the support and display of the pumpkin.