Abstract: A device and method of clamping bicycles in a mouth (6) having a moveable jaw (8) and a stationary jaw (7) to which a high load potential may be utilized within a toggle joint (18) and ratchet mechanism (14) and a release (12) may be triggered to open a mouth in a quick movement(s). In embodiments, a multisized object securement grip (9) may be located on a contact surface of a moveable jaw and stationary jaw to allow for universal gripping of various sized objects.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be an item support apparatus (1) that comprises at least two fee (4); a base (5) from which said feet extend at a first retention element (6); at least two risers (7) retained to the base by a second retention element (8); and at least one arm (9) retained to each riser by an arm retainer (10). Disclosed is a novel, efficient yet strong item support stand that may be used to support an item such as a musical instrument (a keyboard, as but one example) and that may be collapsible and/or adjustable in certain embodiments.

Abstract: A device and method of clamping bicycles in a mouth (6) having a moveable jaw (8) and a stationary jaw (7) to which a high load potential may be utilized within a toggle joint (18) and ratchet mechanism (14) and a release (12) may be triggered to open a mouth in a quick movement(s). In embodiments, a multisized object securement grip (9) may be located on a contact surface of a moveable jaw and stationary jaw to allow for universal gripping of various sized objects.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be an item support apparatus (1) that comprises at least two fee (4); a base (5) from which said feet extend at a first retention element (6); at least two risers (7) retained to the base by a second retention element (8); and at least one arm (9) retained to each riser by an arm retainer (10). Disclosed is a novel, efficient yet strong item support stand that may be used to support an item such as a musical instrument (a keyboard, as but one example) and that may be collapsible and/or adjustable in certain embodiments.

Abstract: Inventive musical instrument support apparatus and methods relative to independently inventive aspects of support technology. One aspect of the inventive technology may be directed to a collapsible musical instrument stand such as a guitar stand that includes a support element that exhibits an enhanced low profile in a retracted mode. Another aspect of the invention may focus on provision of the capability of simultaneous deployment and retraction of an assembly of multiple musical instrument supports upon reconfiguration of only one of the supports. Inventive musical instrument support stands may include either or both of the individually inventive aspects.

Abstract: Microphone stand attachment systems to attach a support base to a longitudinal axial element easily, quickly and securely. An attachment guide may include a threaded plug and a support base may include a threaded socket. In embodiments, a male tapered flange may frictionally lock with a female tapered element of a socket to secure a longitudinal axial element to a support base. Specific attachment structures, in embodiments, are also described, as are various plugs, tapers, sockets and methods of attaching a support base to a longitudinal axial element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and an apparatus to produce x-rays from plasmas by focusing an intense, short duration optical pulse from a laser onto a target. The concentrated energy contained in the focused laser beam ionizes the target material, raising it to a temperature at which ions are produced in a chain reaction ionization, and x-rays are emitted when ions become de-excited (their electrons change energy level) or free electrons recombine with the ions in the plasma. The method comprises controlling pulse time duration of x-rays emitted from a plasma-forming target by generating a beam of one or more laser pulses; adjusting the intensity of the laser pulse to obtain a desired intensity incident at a surface of the plasma-forming target matter; directing the laser pulse onto the surface of the plasma-forming matter to generate the x-rays having a pulse duration which changes in proportion to a change in the incident laser pulse intensity.