Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a picture hanging device for mounting a picture to a retention member engaged to a wall that includes a tube having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the tube is designed to receive a retention member mounted to a wall, the top portion of the tube extends into the air for correctly aligning the picture on the retention member and contains a protective cap, whereby a hanging mechanism engaged to the picture is positioned about the tube and is slid down the tube for engagement to the retention member and the tube is positioned within the center of the picture for correctly aligning the picture on the retention member.

Abstract: A force-spreading clamp including a tubular body having a longitudinal opening for receiving at least a portion of a generally cylindrical object and a wall encircling the longitudinal opening, a gate including a clamping member positioned within the longitudinal opening and having a contact wall for distributing clamping force along a surface of a generally cylindrical object, a guide mechanism being configured to maintain alignment between the gate and the tubular body, and an actuator configured to actuate the gate in a radially inward direction with respect to the tubular body wall to cause the clamping member to apply clamping force to a generally cylindrical object.

Abstract: A tie down assembly adapted to be installed within a structure includes a cup and a crossbar that is fastened removably to the cup by a plurality of fasteners. The cup includes a recess forming an interior surface, and a plurality of seats extending from the interior surface. The crossbar includes a central portion and a plurality of elongated members extending therefrom. Each of the members includes a head that engages a corresponding one of the seats of the cup and is secured to the seat by one of the fasteners. The central portion of the crossbar may include a central aperture that receives one of the fasteners for an additional attachment point to the cup. The crossbar is adapted to receive tie down hooks, connectors, and the like. When the crossbar requires repair or replacement, it may be removed from the cup by unfastening the fasteners without the need to remove the cup from the structure.

Abstract: A fastening system for add-on parts to vehicles allows the add-on parts to be easily installed and removed. The fastening system includes a connection part that lies against the vehicle and the add-on part, which includes a base. The connection part is designed as a profiled element whose outer surface corresponds to the outer surface of a prism having a cross section of a regular polygon with at least one interior angle deviating from 90°. The base has a trapezoidal groove with opposing surfaces on opposing sides of a base surface that are arranged at an angle from each other. The two opposing surfaces lie flush with wiggle-free engagement against two lateral surfaces of the connection part. A hole extends through the base symmetrically with respect to the groove. A connecting element is inserted through an opening in the base and engages in a receptacle of the connection part.

Abstract: The crown element for securing a packing in a mass transfer column comprises an elongate sheet which comprises a roof element, a wall element and a bottom element. A first bending line is formed between the roof element and the wall element and a second bending line is formed between the wall element and the bottom element. Incisions are formed in the roof element and grooves are formed in the bottom element. The number of incisions is smaller than the number of grooves.

Abstract: A self-supporting system for positioning and restraining the U-bend tubes in the U-bend region of a nuclear steam generator includes arrays incorporating unique support bars having nubs projecting in the out-of-plane direction of the tube planes. The system also includes assemblies for spacing the arrays, tie bars to prevent the arrays from splaying and saddle bar assemblies to support the outermost tube layers. The system provides positive restraint to nub engaged tubes in both the in-plane direction of the tube planes and the out-of-plane direction.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a device for movement between several positions, the assembly comprising a first four-bar subassembly including proximate and distal ends and a second four-bar subassembly including proximate and distal ends and first and second link members that pivot about substantially parallel axis, the distal end of the first four-bar subassembly linked to the proximate end of the second four-bar subassembly for rotation about an additional axis that is substantially perpendicular to the parallel axis.

Abstract: A device for mounting solar modules/solar panels on props that are introduced into the ground of the mounting location, wherein supports that can be connected on top of or on the props are arranged by means of fastening means that allow vertical compensation and/or lateral compensation for deviations of the introduced props from the perpendicular, with a rail (3) that can be connected to the prop (2), a T-shaped or L-shaped or U-shaped connecting flange (4) with at least one connector (8) for a support (5), and a rocker bearing (6) that allows the connection between the rail (3) and the connecting flange (4) to be established.

Abstract: A set of slides for vehicle seats including two slide locks actuated by a cross-bar assembly pivotally mounted on the two slides by means of bearings. The bearings each include an indentation and the ends of the cross-bar assembly each include a tooth enabling nesting of the cross-bar assembly in the bearing parallel to the pivot axis. The tooth retains the end of the cross-bar assembly in the bearing.

Abstract: An articulated jib for moving a load is supported on a base and comprises a first jib arm pivotably connected to a base. The first jib arm functions as a bascule and is pivotable about a first axis. There is a first counterweight disposed on the first jib arm. A second jib arm is pivotably connected to the first jib arm and is pivotable about a second axis. A linking rod connects the second jib arm to a lever arm which is also pivotably connected to the base. There is a second counterweight disposed on the lever arm.

Abstract: An apparatus that securely supports and displays for adjustable viewing of portable electronic devices where the apparatus can be frictionally engaged into any accessible material seam as well as being supportable on flat surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of organizers for point-of-sale systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an organizer includes a planar surface, a mounting bracket, a pole, and an adjustable arm. The pole illustratively fits within apertures in the planar surface and the mounting bracket, and the adjustable arm is connected to the pole and to a monitor mounting plate. In another embodiment, an organizer includes a surface, a mounting bracket, and a monitor support. The surface is configured to be positioned above a cash drawer and is held in place utilizing a front lip and side lips. The mounting bracket is configured to be positioned below the surface and behind the cash drawer. The monitor support passes through apertures in the surface and the mounting bracket, and is configured to position a monitor relative to the cash drawer.

Abstract: Provided herein is a monopod or device for supporting a photographic instrument or accessory, such as a camera. The monopod or device comprises extendable members, e.g., an extendable mounting member with a mounting assembly and an extendable middle member with a threadably engagable, rotatable locking mechanism, a base member and an extension mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to quickly lock the extendable members at an extended length or to collapse the same. The extension mechanism is disposed within the extendable and base members and secured independently to the same. This configuration enables a single smooth release with extending motion of the locking mechanism to telescopically extend or, conversely, collapse the extendable member portions of the monopod device.

Abstract: A trivet having three or more lobes connected serially to one another by elastomeric connectors, such that each lobe is coupled to an adjacent lobe on each side to form a continuous loop of the three or more lobes, where the trivet can be converted from a closed configuration with the lobes directed inwardly to an open configuration, with the lobes directed outwardly, by rotating the lobes 180° on the connectors.

Abstract: An exemplary quiver mount permits a user to stably mount various quivers to a tree stand. The quiver mount includes a mounting body having spaced mounting body flanges extending from a mounting body base and defining a mounting body valley sized to receive a tree stand limb. Threaded members extending into the mounting body valley engage the limb and help secure the mounting body to the tree stand. The mounting body base preferably includes pairs of equally-spaced quiver bracket mounting apertures (e.g., 1.3125 inches apart). Various quiver brackets that removably receive different quivers may be secured to the mounting body via the quiver bracket mounting apertures. A quiver bracket mount between the quiver bracket and the mounting body allows rotation of the quiver bracket without its removal and replacement. Quiver gripping arms extending from the mounting body form a quiver gripping mouth for removably securing differently-configured quivers.

Abstract: A device for hanging an object on a vertical structure, such as a framed picture or painting on a wall. The device comprises a body having a planar portion that lies in a plane defining a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction. A plurality of openings are present in the planar portion, and the openings are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern so that each opening is offset in the first and second directions from at least a second of the openings. The device further includes a feature for securing the body to the object.

Abstract: A two piece line guide is shown where the user can remove a pin or screw and rotate one portion of the line guide to open it and allow the user to install, remove or replace a line in the guide. In one embodiment the line guide opens in a vertical manner and in a second embodiment, the line guide opens in a horizontal manner. The line guides can be affixed to a flat surface while others can be affixed to a post or stanchion either with fasteners or lashings or both.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus includes a casing, a fixing member received in the casing, and a hanging portion extending from a first end of the casing. The fixing member includes two latches. First ends of the latches are rotatably connected to each other. Each latch includes a tab extending from a second end of the latch and extending through a second end of the casing, and an operation portion extending from the latch and extending through one of opposite sides of the casing. The latches to rotate relative to each other to drive the tabs of the latches closer or farther apart.

Abstract: A support structure having a body, an arm or plurality of arms connected to the body, a quick release device constructed and arranged to move the support structure from a support mode capable of supporting a cover, to a collapsed mode not capable of supporting a structure. A kit for creating a shelter having a support structure, a cover, and a kit housing.

Abstract: A bag rack and packing system for a plastic grocery bag having a pair of handles has a base to which is connected (1) a wire-arm rack having a reservoir bag holder for plastic bags and two wire-arms and (2) a three-sided support having two side supports connected to an intermediate back support, with each of the side supports having a forward upper tab close to the wire-arm rack, an intermediate top and then a rearward edge. The wire-arm rack and three-sided support have open faces that face each other so that the three-sided support temporarily creates a defined physical frame for a first plastic grocery bag when its handles are secured over the forward upper tabs of the two side supports. The forward upper tabs help separate an individual bag from a reservoir of bags and the individual bag may remain attached to, or be detached from, the reservoir of bags as it is being filled. A rearward edge of the sides of the three-sided support is beveled to make removal of a filled bag quick and efficient.