Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: A wood rail-to-metal post bracket assembly comprised of two galvanized carriage bolts and nuts; four pieces punched and press-formed from sheet metal; two pieces formed as pipe clamping mechanisms, and two pieces formed as rail brackets. The pipe clamping mechanisms and the rail brackets connecting the respective wood fence rails to an associated elongated pipe member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a covering for a clamping assembly used to connect and ground solar panel modules to a mounting rail. The covering comprises a sleeve including an outer cover for connecting to the solar panel module and a connector shaped to be contained within the outer cover and connected to the outer cover through two or more flanges. The connector has an opening there through to receive a female member of the clamping assembly.

Abstract: A removable fixing device 1 for fixing equipment A on a support B, with: a compressible planar piece 5, an operating lever comprising a cam lever 2, and an assembly rod 3 having a first end and a second end; with: the second end of the assembly rod 3 being provided with a tightening means (4); the compressible planar piece 5, said operating lever comprising a cam lever 2 and the tightening means 4 arranged in tightened position being disposed around the assembly rod 3 in an assemblage; said operating lever comprising a cam lever 2 being arranged so that a rotation of the cam lever 2 about an axis y at right angles to the axis z of the assembly rod 3 induces a displacement of the cam lever 2 between a tightened position and a loosened position.

Abstract: In the above embodiment, the second leg distal end may be shaped to directly enter the slot, the distal end being aligned in a direction parallel and offset relative to the longitudinal cable axis. Also in the above embodiment, the first leg distal end may be shaped as an inverted U-shaped hook, the U-shaped hook being perpendicular and offset relative to the longitudinal cable axis and at least part of the post wall beneath the slot fits within the U-shaped hook once the hanger reaches the final seated position. The end shapes noted above are provided by way of example only and should not be seen as limiting.

Abstract: The recessed-key panel interlocking device is intended to provide a mechanical joint that can connect two panels using a single fastening key. Accordingly, the device connects two panels by interlocking uniform gaps and fingers that have been formed on the edges of each panel, by a small cylindrical key that holds them together. To accomplish this, a channel that can hold the key is formed along the edge region of both panels when the panels are oriented normally to one another. Further, when the panels are interlocked, the key is completely recessed within the panel material. Furthermore, while the panel edges that form the joint must be uniformly rectilinear and meet at right angles at the joint itself, beyond the joint they can assume any shape and bend to any angle, so that parts joined by the joint do not have to be panel-shaped or perpendicular to each other overall.

Abstract: An elbow joint connector includes an elbow portion and a locking mechanism detachably coupled to a distal end of the elbow portion. The locking mechanism including a pair of locking members translatable relative to one another along an interface transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elbow joint connector. Divergent translation of the pair of locking members relative to one another along the interface increases a portion of an outer periphery of the locking mechanism to lock the elbow portion to an adjoining member. The elbow joint connector is configured for detachable coupling to an adjoining elbow joint connector and pivotally rotatable relative thereto from a first configuration in which respective center axes of the connectors form an acute angle to a second configuration in which the respective center axes are collinear.

Abstract: A connector is characterized by comprising a T-shaped main body, three connecting components and two connecting tubes, wherein the connecting components are arranged on one surface of the main body and located at three endpoints of the T-shaped main body. Each connecting component comprises a concave groove body and a connecting column which is arranged in a cavity of the concave groove body, wherein a gap exists between the connecting column and the inner wall of the concave groove body. The two connecting tubes are arranged between two connecting components at the bottom of the T-shaped main body side by side. Each connecting tube penetrates through the main body. Connecting holes are formed in the other surface of the main body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling for connecting construction parts, a truss provided therewith and associated meth od and use. The coupling comprises a female and a male coupling part. The female coupling part comprises: a tubular receiving part, the wall of which an opening is provided; a ball which is placed in the opening and which is movable in radial direction of the receiving part; and a locking sleeve which is screwed onto and encloses the receiving part and which by being screwed is movable in the longitudinal direction of the receiving part between an opened position, in which the locking sleeve allows movement of the ball in the opening for the purpose of placing/removing the male coupling part into/from the receiving part, and a closed position in which the locking sleeve locks the male coupling part in the female coupling part with the ball, wherein the male coupling part is an elongate pin which comprises in its outer wall a groove for the ball.

Abstract: A pivot mechanism for guiding in rotation comprises a mobile element connected to a fixed element through flexible connections; with the flexible elements being configured to guide the mobile element according to a rotational movement in a plane, around a pivoting axis perpendicular to the plane; with each of the flexible connections comprising an intermediary junction provided with an expansion slot, the expansion slot being configured to expand during the rotation of the mobile element, so that the mobile element can pivot according to a second angular amplitude that is greater than a first angular amplitude achieved without said expansion slot; with the intermediary junctions being connected to one another by a coupling member; each of the coupling members being configured so as to prevent a movement out of the plane and a lateral movement in the plane of the mobile element. The pivot mechanism has a very high rotational amplitude.

Abstract: A flexure bearing having a first sleeve and a second sleeve is provided. Each sleeve includes a first pillar having a first end attached to the sleeve and a second end projecting outwardly from the sleeve and a second pillar having a first end attached to the sleeve and a second end projecting outwardly from the sleeve parallel to and diametrically opposed to the first pillar. The flexure bearing has a plurality of blind holes and a plurality of compression springs, each compression spring having a first spring end fit into one of the blind holes of a pillar of the first sleeve and a second spring end fit into a corresponding blind hole of an adjacent pillar of the second sleeve when the second sleeve is interconnected to the first sleeve.

Abstract: A connector for interlocking components of scaffolding or other supporting structures for building forms. The connector includes a body having an internal chamber bounded laterally by planar first and second surfaces. A lever is seated in the chamber laterally intermediate and in close fit with the planar first and second surfaces for inhibiting lateral movement of the lever. The lever is movable between a lock position and a release position. A spring is seated in the chamber laterally intermediate and in close fit with the planar first and second surfaces for inhibiting lateral movement of the spring, the spring for biasing the lever into the lock position.

Abstract: A fastener system for securing a panel to a frame comprises one or more rotating fasteners installed in the perimeter edge of the panel. In operation, one or more cam surfaces of the fastener engage receiving surfaces of a receiver on the frame such that, upon rotation of each fastener, the panel is drawn toward the frame. In some embodiments, the panel is moved in a first direction parallel to the panel and a second direction perpendicular to the panel or in a composite diagonal direction inclined relative to the panel. The fastener system may facilitate compression of seals disposed along the perimeter edge of the panel and between a side of the panel and rabbet ledge of the frame and may further facilitate removal and maintenance of the panel.

Abstract: A retractable column structure includes a metal outer tubular member, a retaining bracket, and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a wall having outer, inner and end surfaces. The outer tubular member includes slots extending from the end surface to the inner surface. A rear end of each slot includes a hook protruding out of the inner surface. The retaining bracket includes a frame member abutted against the wall and locking hooks inserted into the inner surface and locked onto each corresponding hook. The inner tubular member moveably penetrates into the retaining bracket disposed between the tubular members and is concealed inside the outer tubular member. Accordingly, excellent support of inner and outer tubular members can be achieved for stable sliding therebetween.

Abstract: A chain link fence with retained slats including a chain link fence with two or more slats inserted into the fence, each slat haVing two opposing apertures bounding an internal channel and at least one band disposed through the internal channels so as to retain the slats within the chain link fence. Apertures may form cutouts in the slats. The band is flexible and inserted into the chain link fence before installation. The entire system is configured to be rolled and unrolled. A method of making the chain link fence with retained slats is also provided.

Abstract: A fastener comprises a housing, a socket, a pintle and a locking feature. The housing includes a shaft, a central bore that extends axially at least partially through the housing and a ball lock aperture extending from the bore. The socket extends into the housing adjacent to the first end face, and is configured such that rotation of the first socket rotates the fastener. The pintle is positioned within the bore and includes an actuation end and a rod that extends axially from the actuation end. The rod includes a ball transitioning surface and a ball locking surface. The pintle is moveable axially within the bore between a designated lock position where the ball locking surface of the pintle is aligned in register with each ball lock aperture, and a designated unlocked position where the ball lock surface of the pintle is moved axially away from each ball lock aperture.

Abstract: An assembly to connect a panel to a support member. The assembly may include a saddle fitting configured to connect to the support member and including first and second plates. A back fitting may be positioned between the second plate of the saddle fitting and a second face of the panel. An index fitting includes a flange that may be positioned between the first plate of the saddle fitting and a first face of the panel, and a boss that extends outward from the flange and through the opening in the panel. The index fitting is wider than the panel and sized to fit within the gap of the saddle fitting with a first end of the index fitting contacting against the first plate and a second end of the index fitting contacting against the second plate. One or more fasteners may connect the saddle fitting to the index fitting.

Abstract: A pipe press-fit connecting apparatus includes a connecting device. The connecting device may be used to connect a connected unit to a pressing power providing unit. The connecting device includes a fastener and a coupling pin. The fastener is installed at one end of the installation hole on an exterior surface of a cylinder block and has a fastening pin configured to be resiliently arranged and at least partially be exposed to the installation hole. The coupling pin is inserted through the installation hole and the insertion hole through another end of the installation hole on the exterior surface of the cylinder block to be resiliently coupled to the fastening pin to couple the connected unit to the pressing power providing unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates systems and methods involving movable/adjustable guardrails. An example system includes at least one rotating mount having a lower weldment rotatably coupled to an upper weldment. The lower weldment is coupled to a walking surface. The system also includes a guardrail weldment coupled to the upper weldment of the at least one rotating mount. The system additionally includes an actuator configured to controllably adjust a configuration of the guardrail weldment between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration with respect to the walking surface. In some embodiments, the system could include a remote unit configured to control a position of the actuator. For example, the remote unit could include a wired remote controller having a user interface and at least one button.

Abstract: There is provided a component joining structure that includes: a resin component; a metal tip that is provided in the resin component by insert molding, and that includes protruding portions that protrude from the resin component; and a metal component that is spot welded to the protruding portions, and that is joined to the resin component by an adhesive agent that is provided in gaps formed, by the protruding portions, between the resin component and the metal component.