Abstract: A portable shelter includes a frame structure with a plurality of pole structures. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes telescopically movable pole portions and a spring-biasing mechanism configured to bias one pole portion away from the other. In some embodiments, a center hub structure of the portable shelter includes a locking mechanism for engaging one of the pole portions to interfere with telescopic movement of the pole structure. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes a flexible portion attached to a first rigid portion, and a second rigid portion that is movable relative to the first rigid portion. The second rigid portion is pivotable or telescopically movable between a first position in which the second rigid portion overlaps the first rigid portion such that the flexible portion is free to flex, and a second position in which the second rigid portion overlaps and restrains the flexible portion.

Abstract: A foot joint assembly for a portable shelter may include a plate portion for contacting the ground, a tongue portion extending transversely from the plate portion, a first opening extending through the plate portion, a second opening extending through the tongue portion, and one or more pole receptacles pivotably attached to the tongue portion. The first opening may receive a stake for affixing the assembly to the ground. A pole receptacle may include an elongated portion for receiving a pole for the shelter frame, and a flange portion extending from the elongated portion for attachment to the tongue portion. Embodiments of the present technology further include a shelter system, a frame for a shelter system, or other structures that implement joint assemblies.

Abstract: A stowable and deployable shelter may include a frame structure with a first support arch pivotably attached to a base at a pair of pivot points, and a second support arch pivotably attached to the first support arch via a pair of slidable hinges. The slidable hinges are positioned to translate along the first support arch toward and away from the pair of pivot points. In some embodiments, at least one of the slidable hinges includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the at least one slidable hinge at a selected location along the first support arch. In some embodiments, the hinges may be fixed instead of being slidable. The support arches support a fabric shell to form an interior of the shelter. The base may include a sled container having runners for sliding through snow or across terrain.

Abstract: A portable ladder and stand system includes a platform assembly, a plurality of nestable ladder portions, a pack portion, and a carrying assembly. A central compartment of the pack portion may be positioned in the nested ladder portions to carry the ladder portions. The pack portion may be attached to the platform assembly and the carrying assembly for a user to carry the system for transport to a deployment location (e.g., via shoulder straps), where the platform assembly and one or more of the nestable ladder portions may be attached to a support structure for a user to ascend the support structure and stand or sit on the platform assembly. The pack portion may be used separately from the remainder of the system.

Abstract: A cordless drill powered log splitter. The cordless drill powered log splitter includes a body and one or more rails, the one or more rails configured to support a piece of wood during a splitting operation. The cordless drill powered log splitter also includes a splitting wedge mounted on the body and a contact member, the contact member configured to press the piece of wood against the splitting wedge during the splitting operation. The cordless drill powered log splitter further includes a transmission, the transmission configured to move the contact member relative to the body and connect to a cordless drill, where the cordless drill provides the power to the transmission.

Abstract: A cutting head body for an agricultural machine, such as a mower or a trimmer, is configured to receive a cutting line for cutting weeds, grass, or other materials. The cutting head body includes an inlet area having a cavity with a node location configured to receive a node of a cutting line, and an outlet area having a cavity configured to open to an exterior of the cutting head body. The cutting head body may include a first passageway connecting the inlet area to the outlet area and a second passageway connecting the inlet area to the outlet area. The cutting head body is rotatable about a rotational axis to move the cutting line. In some embodiments, the cutting head body is fixed to a rotatable shaft. In some embodiments, the cutting head body rotates about a fixed shaft.

Abstract: An auger system may include a powerhead, a bit, and an anchoring device. A collar on the bit may be attachable to a rotatable output shaft of the powerhead with a coupler that is positionable around the collar. The collar may include a passageway that does not intersect the rotation axis of the output shaft. The coupler may have a pin that is positionable to extend into the passageway to engage part of the output shaft to resist removal of the bit from the output shaft. The anchoring device may have a tube that is positionable to rest in slots between two lobes extending from a frame of the powerhead. A pintle assembly may pass through the tube and the lobes to rotatably mount the anchoring device on the frame. A toggle and a spring in the pintle assembly may keep the pintle assembly in position.

Abstract: A tree stand includes an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to a chair. The activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position. The activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the first position, a horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the second position. The tree stand may further include a platform to support the chair, and, optionally, a ladder portion to support the platform.

Abstract: A shelter includes a frame structure with a plurality of pole structures. In some embodiments, a telescoping pole structure includes a shell pole portion extending along a longitudinal axis, a sleeve fixed to the shell pole portion, and an inner pole portion extending along the longitudinal axis and positioned at least partially within the shell pole portion and at least partially within the sleeve. The inner pole portion slides telescopically relative to the shell pole portion. The sleeve may be rotatable and it may include an engagement surface having one or more surface positions for contacting a detent element attached to the inner pole portion. Contact between the detent element and each of the one or more surface positions prevents the inner pole portion from moving telescopically into the shell pole portion. Turning the sleeve may extend or retract the telescoping pole structure.

Abstract: A shelter system may include a roof structure with a hub structure, a plurality of roof pole structures connectable to the hub structure and positionable to extend outwardly from the hub structure, and a fabric panel configured to be at least partially suspended from the roof pole structures. The fabric panel may include a reversible pocket. The roof structure is configurable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. When the roof structure is in the stowed configuration, the hub structure and at least a portion of each roof pole structure may be positioned in the reversible pocket. When the roof structure is in the deployed configuration, the hub structure may be positioned above or outside of the reversible pocket. The shelter system may further include a rainfly that is positionable over the fabric panel with a gap between the rainfly and the fabric panel for airflow.

Abstract: A driveline assembly for equipment, such as a tiller, includes a pair of counter-rotating bevel gears supported on a wheel shaft and rotatable relative to the wheel shaft. The driveline assembly includes a first slider gear movable between a first position in which the first slider gear is engaged with a first bevel gear of the pair of bevel gears, and a second position in which the first slider gear is engaged with a second bevel gear of the pair of bevel gears. When the first slider gear is engaged with the first bevel gear, the first bevel gear becomes operatively connected to a rotatable tine shaft to rotate tines in a first direction. When the first slider gear is engaged with the second bevel gear, the second bevel gear becomes operatively connected to the rotatable tine shaft to rotate the tines in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A portable shelter includes a frame structure with a plurality of pole structures. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes telescopically movable pole portions and a spring-biasing mechanism configured to bias one pole portion away from the other. In some embodiments, a center hub structure of the portable shelter includes a locking mechanism for engaging one of the pole portions to interfere with telescopic movement of the pole structure. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes a flexible portion attached to a first rigid portion, and a second rigid portion that is movable relative to the first rigid portion. The second rigid portion is pivotable or telescopically movable between a first position in which the second rigid portion overlaps the first rigid portion such that the flexible portion is free to flex, and a second position in which the second rigid portion overlaps and restrains the flexible portion.

Abstract: A cutting head body for an agricultural machine, such as a mower or a trimmer, is configured to receive a cutting line for cutting weeds, grass, or other materials. The cutting head body includes an inlet area having a cavity with a node location configured to receive a node of a cutting line, and an outlet area having a cavity configured to open to an exterior of the cutting head body. The cutting head body may include a first passageway connecting the inlet area to the outlet area and a second passageway connecting the inlet area to the outlet area. The cutting head body is rotatable about a rotational axis to move the cutting line. In some embodiments, the cutting head body is fixed to a rotatable shaft. In some embodiments, the cutting head body rotates about a fixed shaft.

Abstract: A stowable and deployable shelter may include a frame structure with a first support arch pivotably attached to a base at a pair of pivot points, and a second support arch pivotably attached to the first support arch via a pair of slidable hinges. The slidable hinges are positioned to translate along the first support arch toward and away from the pair of pivot points. In some embodiments, at least one of the slidable hinges includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the at least one slidable hinge at a selected location along the first support arch. In some embodiments, the hinges may be fixed instead of being slidable. The support arches support a fabric shell to form an interior of the shelter. The base may include a sled container having runners for sliding through snow or across terrain.

Abstract: A tree stand includes an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to a chair. The activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position. The activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the first position, a horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the second position. The tree stand may further include a platform to support the chair, and, optionally, a ladder portion to support the platform.

Abstract: A shelter system may include a roof structure with a hub structure, a plurality of roof pole structures connectable to the hub structure and positionable to extend outwardly from the hub structure, and a fabric panel configured to be at least partially suspended from the roof pole structures. The fabric panel may include a reversible pocket. The roof structure is configurable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. When the roof structure is in the stowed configuration, the hub structure and at least a portion of each roof pole structure may be positioned in the reversible pocket. When the roof structure is in the deployed configuration, the hub structure may be positioned above or outside of the reversible pocket. The shelter system may further include a rainfly that is positionable over the fabric panel with a gap between the rainfly and the fabric panel for airflow.

Abstract: A ladder stand includes a ladder portion, a platform on the ladder portion, and a plurality of support straps to hold the ladder stand against a support structure. The plurality of support straps may include upper support straps that are each connected to the ladder stand, wrap partially around the tree, and connect to each other with a connecting device, to position the tree between the ladder stand and the straps. The platform may include a blade element positioned to press against the tree when the support straps are tightened against the tree. A method of installing a ladder stand may include connecting ends of the upper support straps to each other after passing the ends around an obstruction on the tree. A user may pull on other ends of the straps to draw the straps upward along the tree until they are approximately level with the blade element.

Abstract: A portable shelter includes a frame structure with a plurality of pole structures. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes telescopically movable pole portions and a spring-biasing mechanism configured to bias one pole portion away from the other. In some embodiments, a center hub structure of the portable shelter includes a locking mechanism for engaging one of the pole portions to interfere with telescopic movement of the pole structure. In some embodiments, a pole structure includes a flexible portion attached to a first rigid portion, and a second rigid portion that is movable relative to the first rigid portion. The second rigid portion is pivotable or telescopically movable between a first position in which the second rigid portion overlaps the first rigid portion such that the flexible portion is free to flex, and a second position in which the second rigid portion overlaps and restrains the flexible portion.

Abstract: A ladder stand includes a ladder portion, a platform on the ladder portion, and a plurality of support straps to hold the ladder stand against a support structure. The plurality of support straps may include upper support straps that are each connected to the ladder stand, wrap partially around the tree, and connect to each other with a connecting device, to position the tree between the ladder stand and the straps. The platform may include a blade element positioned to press against the tree when the support straps are tightened against the tree. A method of installing a ladder stand may include connecting ends of the upper support straps to each other after passing the ends around an obstruction on the tree. A user may pull on other ends of the straps to draw the straps upward along the tree until they are approximately level with the blade element.

Abstract: A tree stand includes an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to a chair. The activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position. The activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the first position, a horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the second position. The tree stand may further include a platform to support the chair, and, optionally, a ladder portion to support the platform.