Abstract: A microphone stand is provided that includes a dual mic frame that carries a first microphone and a second microphone.

Abstract: The Self-Assembly System is composed of a series of units that take an external force that activates an individual state in each unit and sequentially folds/rotates/expands to form a rigid 3-dimensional structure. The system self-assembles from a flexible linear chain or 2-dimensional grid pattern into a rigid 3-dimensional structure, simply by adding an external energy source. The mechanism and placement of each unit provides the sequence of fold angles that is activated by external energy. When the system is assembled, unit-by-unit, or pre-manufactured as a single linked strand, the user is actually “programming” the folding sequence, much like our body's protein strands, that take external energy and fold in a 3-dimensional structure. This demonstrates that structures can be built from 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional flexible geometry and self-assemble into 3-dimensional rigid geometry without manual assembly or construction, simply through an external means of energy.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope part including an operation member pulling operated to curve a flexible part, a plurality of joint rings connected substantially coaxially to be pivot-able in relation to each other, each the joint rings have an opening part and an engagement part, and an operation-member receiving unit which is inserted into the opening part from outside to inside in the radial direction of the joint ring, is formed by performing bending process on an elastic wire material, is protruded into inside of the joint ring, wherein the operation-member insertion part forms a coil shape which extends in an insertion direction of the operation member.

Abstract: A longitudinal joint forms a surface usable as a passage between first and second passage surfaces (2,3) adjacent to one another, usable as walking user passage, the distance between both in the longitudinal direction being variable. The longitudinal joint (1) has transverse slats (4) attached to one another, with a substantially planar upper surface (5), each being attached to the contiguous slats by a pivot point (6) with respect to which they can rotate preserving the continuity of the surface of the longitudinal joint (1). The slats (4) rest on a series of support surfaces (8,9,12), a certain number of slats being hidden under the first passage surface (2), below the level of the upper surface (5), by the relative rotation to one another with respect to the pivot point (6), depending on the distance between first and second passage surfaces (2,3).

Abstract: A peripheral positioner includes a plurality of links that are rotatably coupled to one another. The peripheral positioner can be used to position a peripheral device on various surfaces and/or objects.

Abstract: A light on a self-supporting collapsible arm having a plurality of frictionally restrained articulating joints, where the frictional joint has a male half joint with a first plate and an annular shaft with an inner wider diameter. In the surface of the first plate is a first O-ring seated in a first groove. A matching female half joint has a second plate and coaxial to the bearing in the surface of the second plate is a second O-ring seated in a second groove. The opposing side of the second plate of the female half joint has a third O-ring in a third groove. The third O-ring tensions a snap pin that couples the male and female half joints. The snap pin has a head with a compressible ridge which expands when the snap pin is pushed in far enough to engage the inner wider diameter of shaft.

Abstract: Articulating faucets have segments connected by a plurality of movable joints. Each joint includes a pair of ceramic mating disks arranged in face to face contact, but able to rotate relative to each other when sufficient force is applied. A wave spring helps keep the disks in constant contact, and rubber spheres press against opposing surfaces of the ceramic disks to produce shear forces to keep the joint stable. In the faucet water passes through the joint by means of a tube or a hollow banjo bolt sealed from the joint. The faucet can therefore direct water to a wide variety of positions, without the need for a side spray, and while reducing the risk of joint leakage.

Abstract: A safety system for use with a boom gate. The boom gate includes a boom and a boom moving means for moving the boom between a down position and an up position. The safety system also has a boom deflection detector for detecting deflection of the boom, such as deflection caused by collision of the boom with a vehicle. A control system is provided for actuating the boom moving means to move the boom to the up position whenever deflection is detected. In the preferred embodiment a combination hinge is used to permit the boom to deflect in both a horizontal and vertical direction. The combination hinge includes a horizontal pivot joint and a vertical pivot joint. The combination hinge joint is spring biased to retain the boom in a normal, undeflected position. The spring also acts to return the boom to the normal, undeflected position after the boom has been deflected. In the preferred embodiment the boom deflection detector is configured to detect both horizontal deflection and vertical deflection of the boom.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members having a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount wherein said base member is adjustably located along a predetermined path of travel defined by the slide mount. The base member is rotatably adjustable with respect to a midportion via a pair of matingly engaging contoured surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the midportion may also be rotatably adjustable with respect to an end member along a second rotational axis. The midportion and the end member may be adjustably rotated through a pair of contoured surfaces substantially similar to that provided between the midportion and the base member. The end member provides an aperture for releasably connecting a boom rod to the end member. In an alternative embodiment, the midportion is integrally connected to the end member wherein the end member provides an aperture for matingly engaging a first spline rod. The first spline rod may be rotatably adjusted about a second rotational axis.

Abstract: The invention is based on a hinge (10) for connecting three levers (12, 14, 16) of a lever mechanism, having a first bearing shell (18) to which a first lever (12) is secured, and in which a second bearing shell (20) is rotatably supported, on which latter bearing shell a second lever (14) is secured. It is proposed that the second bearing shell (20) has two sectors (22, 24), of which a first sector (22) is solidly connected to the second lever (14), and a second sector (24) is solidly connected to a third lever (16), the sectors (22, 24) allowing a limited pivoting motion counter to one another about the common center point (28).

Abstract: A front suspension structure is provided having an axle support arm for connecting a front wheel axle and a front fork lower end that is light in weight and has high rigidity. An axle support arm has a substantially chevron shape when viewed from the side, with a front end section being formed as a two-legged section for connecting to an arm holder for a lower end of a front fork. The two-legged section is rotatably connected to the arm holder via a bolt. A rear end of the axle support arm includes a bearing section provided with a slot. The axle support arm is rotatably connected to an axle via the bearing section. Indentations that open upwardly are formed in a central part of the axle support arm with bearing sections provided on lower ends of the pushrods being fitted in the indentations and a bolt inserted into the bearing sections from a side direction.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members having a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount wherein the base member is adjustably located along a predetermined linear path of travel defined by the slide mount. The base member is rotatably adjustable with respect to a midportion via a pair of matingly engaging contoured surfaces. The contoured surfaces are substantially circular having V-shaped teeth extending radially outward. The V-shaped teeth of the contoured surfaces matingly engage and are secured by fasteners to prevent any radial movement of the midportion with respect to the end member. The midportion may also be rotatably adjustable with respect to an end member along a second centerline axis. The midportion and the end member may be adjustably rotated through a pair of contoured surfaces substantially similar to that provided between the midportion and the base member. The end member provides an aperture for releasably connecting a boom rod to the end member.

Abstract: An elastomeric seal for a ball and socket centering apparatus of a double cardan constant velocity universal joint has slits radiating from a hole in which the ball is received which create fingers that flex to wipe against the ball and retain grease in the seal as the joint is rotated through an angle.

Abstract: A shaft coupling, especially for coupling upper and lower shafts of a vehicle steering column, comprises two yokes interconnected through respective cross members by a pivotable elbow member having two limbs pivoted together. The outer end of each limb is coupled to a respective one of the cross members and the pivot axes of the elbow member and the cross members mounted on the elbow member are parallel to one another. The coupling is suitable for a steering column which is rake and/or reach adjustable and allows, upon impact in a crash situation collapse of the coupling so one limbs contacts the other in order to transmit collapse effort the through the coupling.

Abstract: Apparatus for aiding in the manipulation of a tool by supporting the weight thereof is designed particularly for a resistance welding tool. The apparatus includes an overhead support, a curved bar hanging below the support, a trunnion connected to a lower end of the curved bar and a generally horizontal arm rotatably held by and extending out from the trunnion. In particular, the apparatus includes a bail having a circular frame affixed to an outer end of the generally horizontal arm. The bail has two plates affixed together and rotatably carried by the circular frame. The plates have central openings therein to receive the tool and have holes spaced around the central openings to receive fluid fittings to aid in operating the tool. The plates can have manifolds therein to reduce the number of lines required to operate the tool.

Abstract: A collapsible working chair including a flat base equipped with swivel wheels for moving on the ground, the flat base having a recessed top side divided by a partition plate into a front open chamber for keeping tools and tool accessories, and a rear open chamber for receiving a seat, and two pairs of mounts symmetrically fixedly mounted in the rear open chamber; a seat supported on the flat base; and two pairs of folding collapsible supports connected between the mounts of the flat base and the seat, and set between the working position to support the seat above the flat base and the collapsed position to receive the seat within the rear open chamber of the flat base.

Abstract: The hot stick adaptor has two members that are adjustably movable relative to each other. A first one of the members has two separate first ratchet areas. A second one of the members has three separate second ratchet ares. A fastener and spring connect the two members to each other with one of the first ratchet areas and one of the second ratchet areas in interlocking engagement. The two members can be moved away from each other in a first direction, compressing the spring, to disengage the interlocking engagement and thereby allow the two members to be moved in a second direction.

Abstract: A holder which is suitable for holding a guitar or like stringed instrument to support the weight while permitting movement of the instrument in at least two and preferably three planes. The device includes a first member attached to the back of the stringed instrument with a second member attached to the belt of the instrument player; the two members are interlocked together in a manner which permits movement of the instrument in at least two planes.

Abstract: A joint device has each of its arms jointed at joint sections arranged at front and back ends thereof. The arms are allowed at the joint section to move relatively in two directions perpendicular to each other. Semi-circular guide members are rotatably attached to support member of each of arm by pins at each of the joint sections. The guide members of adjacent arms are fixed with their rotation axes directed substantially perpendicular to each other. A driving structure for driving one of these guide members around the rotation axis of the other is arranged to the support member of an arm adjacent to the arm to which the guide member is attached. When the guide member is driven by means of the driving structure, the support member on which the driving structure is arranged is rotated relative to the guide member. As the result, the whole of the arm is rotated.

Abstract: A hinge joint assembly for flexibly connecting rigid structural components in the construction of modular buildings. More specifically, the joint permits the fastening of struts (rods, tubes, or the like) and/or panel studs with three possible degrees of rotational freedom for each strut or stud connected. Each joint assembly includes a plurality of interacting fastening units having a connecting member to which a longitudinally extending strut or stud is rotatably connected about its longitudinal axis, the connecting member in turn being rotatable about either of two axes which are perpendicular to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the strut or stud. Several forms of joint assembly are shown and described.

Abstract: A linkage, especially for the pedals of a skid-steered tractor vehicle for operating the boom arms and attachment carrier, which requires no machining or threaded couplings. The arrangement includes links made of flat bar stock. Pivotal connections between adjacent links are made by punched holes, pins and side connectors. Adjustment for linear travel is at the pedal or valve rather than in the linkage itself. Crossover in the linkage path is by a bridging link having an open slot with curved sides rocking on a flat sided pin whereby movement is transmitted laterally.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved foldable wall-supporting subframe for fabric-covered collapsible tent walls and the like of the type forming the subject matter of my U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,482, such improvement consisting of attaching the strut sections of each jointed pair thereof to the connector in slightly overlapped transversely-spaced side-by-side relation so as to maximize the spacing between each axis of pivotal movement and the associated stop-forming abutment carried by said connector while, at the same time, minimizing the size of the latter. The invention also encompasses the collapsible tent structure which comprises a pair of the improved subframes hingedly interconnected at their adjacent corners cooperating with one another in fully unfolded condition and with the floor of the cover linking them together to define a free-standing assembly.