Abstract: A manned/unmanned aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using the same set of engines for takeoff and landing as well as for forward flight. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with the wings in a vertical as opposed to horizontal flight attitude which takes off in this vertical attitude and then transitions to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle which controls the attitude of the vehicle during takeoff and landing by alternating the thrust of engines, which are separated in least two dimensions relative to the horizontal during takeoff. An aerial vehicle which uses a rotating platform of engines in fixed relationship to each other and which rotates relative to the wings of the vehicle for takeoff and landing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements and a set of tail mounted rotors for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using pivoting thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with thrust units providing vertical thrust and then transitioning to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle with pivoting thrust units with propellers, wherein some or all of the propellers are able to be stowed and fully nested during forward flight. An aerial vehicle adapted to withstand impacts upon its propellers. An aerial vehicle able to quickly alter the thrust of its propellers.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements and a set of tail mounted rotors for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing tip mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the wings in a horizontal flight attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle which uses different configurations of its wing tip mounted, VTOL enabling rotors to reduce drag in all flight modes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using the same set of engines for takeoff and landing as well as for forward flight. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with the wings in a vertical as opposed to horizontal flight attitude which takes off in this vertical attitude and then transitions to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle which controls the attitude of the vehicle during takeoff and landing by alternating the thrust of engines, which are separated in at least two dimensions relative to the horizontal during takeoff, and which may also control regular flight in some aspects by the use of differential thrust of the engines.

Abstract: A multi-axis positioning device adapted to hold and position an electronic device such as a smart phone. A system using the positioning device and a smart phone adapted to utilize the smart phone to provide positioning commands to the positioning device. The system may provide positioning commands based upon pre-programmed instructions, or may position based upon analysis of the images being taken in real time.

Abstract: A light and support structure apparatus, wherein the light may have beam width adjustment such that the beam may be easily adjusted from a wide beam to more of a spot beam. The light may be mounted upon a tripod or a monopod, and in some embodiments a tripod with flexible legs utilizing ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector may include a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors.

Abstract: A multi-axis positioning device adapted to hold and position an electronic device such as a smart phone. A system using the positioning device and a smart phone adapted to utilize the smart phone to provide positioning commands to the positioning device. The system may provide positioning commands based upon pre-programmed instructions, or may position based upon analysis of the images being taken in real time.

Abstract: A light and support structure apparatus, wherein the light may have beam width adjustment such that the beam may be easily adjusted from a wide beam to more of a spot beam. The light may be mounted upon a tripod or a monopod, and in some embodiments a tripod with flexible legs utilizing ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector may include a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector includes a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors. The internal cavity end portion may be of a material that is less subject to creep, and which may have high stiffness. The socket end portion may be made of a softer material that allows for sufficient deflection to allow for mating but is not as subject to creep as this portion is predominantly in compression.

Abstract: A mounting clip and structures to support the mounting clips. A clip may narrow in width and thickness to facilitate firmer mounting and to facilitate ease of clipping into a mating receiver. The clip may have different sections along its outer rail of different thicknesses and different widths.

Abstract: A miniature tripod assembly adapted to mount to the bottom of a camera, or other device, and to be small enough to fit within the profile of the device. The miniature tripod assembly may use ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In some embodiments, device may use flexible and extendable legs.

Abstract: A manned/unmanned aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using the same set of engines for takeoff and landing as well as for forward flight. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with the wings in a vertical as opposed to horizontal flight attitude which takes off in this vertical attitude and then transitions to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle which controls the attitude of the vehicle during takeoff and landing by alternating the thrust of engines, which are separated in at least two dimensions relative to the horizontal during takeoff, and which may also control regular flight in some aspects by the use of differential thrust of the engines. A tailless airplane which uses a control system that takes inputs for a traditional tailed airplane and translates those inputs to provide control utilizing non-traditional control methods.

Abstract: A system for tracking and video surveillance using an aerial videographic platform. The system may be adapted to follow a user possessing a GPS device with a transmitter, such as an advanced cellular telephone. The aerial platform may be commanded by the user to follow the user during a course of time, such as during the completion of an outdoor activity. The aerial platform may use a video camera to record the user while the user is engaged in the activity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector includes a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors. The internal cavity end portion may be of a material that is less subject to creep, and which may have high stiffness. The socket end portion may be made of a softer material that allows for sufficient deflection to allow for mating but is not as subject to creep as this portion is predominantly in compression.

Abstract: A light and support structure apparatus, wherein the light may have beam width adjustment such that the beam may be easily adjusted from a wide beam to more of a spot beam. The light may also be able to switch to a different color beam. The light may utilize standard cylindrical batteries which are inserted into a battery compartment side by side with their positive and negative ends in the same orientation. The light may be mounted upon a tripod or a monopod, and in some embodiments a tripod with flexible legs utilizing ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector may include a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors.

Abstract: A mounting clip and structures to support the mounting clips. A clip may narrow in width and thickness to facilitate firmer mounting and to facilitate ease of clipping into a mating receiver. The clip may have different sections along its outer rail of different thicknesses and different widths.