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. The two jaw structures are each configured with a shallow cup-shaped clamping surface that is projected above the respective flange structure. The jaw structures are mounted on the respective drive shaft and drive channel each having its respective cup-shaped 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: 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 sleeved composite pipe or piling structure formed of an elongated polyethylene pipe or tube of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or another polyethylene material installed over a substantially rigid and incompressible hollow metal pipe or solid wood core having an outer diameter that is the same or slightly larger than a normal inside diameter of the polyethylene pipe or tube when measured in a relaxed state at ambient temperature. The polyethylene pipe or tube is, for example, a HDPE 3408 material formed of virgin PE 3408 resin as specified in ASTM D3350 with UV protection, and the pipe is produced to ASTM A-3408. The metal pipe core can be ferrous or nonferrous pipe.

Abstract: A universal mounting apparatus formed of a device cradle that is configured with a base plate having a device mounting surface with an integral stop structure adjacent to a first end thereof and projected thereabove, and a linear drive channel arranged along a first axis thereof. The universal mounting apparatus including a clamping mechanism having a linear drive shaft structured to slidingly engage the linear drive channel with a movable clamp structure projected above the device mounting surface adjacent to a second end of the base plate, the movable clamp structure has clamping surfaces inclined toward the device mounting surface and the integral stop structure projected thereabove. A spring is coupled for biasing the movable clamp structure toward the integral stop structure along the first axis.

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 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 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: 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 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 viewing port positioned for viewing an interior portion of the first cover there through; a latch mechanism for securing the second cover relative to the opening in the first cover with the viewing port in a viewing relationship with the opening in the first cover; and a protective cover arranged in a movable covering relationship with the viewing port.

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: A ratcheting mounting device has a base that is formed with pair of flanges, each of the flanges for securing the base to an external surface, and a receptor gear surface formed with a quantity of gear teeth arranged in a radial pattern. A ratcheting coupler has an insertion gear surface formed with a quantity of gear teeth arranged in a radial pattern that is structured to cooperate with the radial pattern of gear teeth of the receptor gear surface of the ratchet base. A rigid arm appendage is secured to the ratcheting coupler in a ratcheting rotational relationship to the base. A coupler clamping mechanism secures the ratcheting coupler to the base with the gear teeth interlocked. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ratcheting coupler also has two sets of gear teeth arranged on opposite sides of the ratcheting coupler.