Abstract: A fluid-structure interactive analysis is performed while n types of wing structure models are caused to flap in accordance with a prescribed model of flapping manner. Based on an analysis, data 1, data 2, . . . data n of physical values related to fluid behavior and physical values related to structural behavior are calculated. Among data 1, data 2, . . . data n, a data having a prescribed parameter such as the lift force optimized is extracted. A prototype of a wing portion is formed, which has such a structure that is specified by various parameter values of the numerical model of wing structure corresponding to the extracted data. A driving unit 905 drives the prototype of the wing portion in a manner of flapping that is represented by the flapping motion model equivalent to the manner of flapping of an insect. At this time, the wing has a stiffness that is suitable for flapping flight so that prescribed parameters come to have optimal values.

Abstract: A UAV capture system is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the UAV capture system is coupled to the deck of a sea-faring vessel. The UAV capture system includes a single arresting line that is supported by a stanchion. In the illustrative embodiment, the stanchion is disposed on a rotatable boom.

Abstract: Controllable refueling drogues and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a fuel delivery device having a deployable portion configured to be deployed overboard an aircraft during aerial refueling. The deployable portion can include at least a portion of a flexible fuel line, a drogue coupled to the flexible fuel line, and an actuatable device operatively coupled to at least one of the drogue and the fuel line. The deployable portion can further include a guidance system that is operatively coupled to the actuatable device and that includes instructions to direct the operation of the actuatable device and move the drogue during flight.

Abstract: A method for deploying multiple spacecraft is disclosed. The method can be used in a situation where a first celestial body is being orbited by a second celestial body. The spacecraft are loaded onto a single spaceship that contains the multiple spacecraft and the spacecraft is launched from the second celestial body towards a third celestial body. The spacecraft are separated from each other while in route to the third celestial body. Each of the spacecraft is then subjected to the gravitational field of the third celestial body and each of the spacecraft assumes a different, independent orbit about the first celestial body. In those situations where the spacecraft are launched from Earth, the Sun can act as the first celestial body, the Earth can act as the second celestial body and the Moon can act as the third celestial body.

Abstract: A reentry vehicle includes a nose section, a modular section comprised of two or more connected modules, a flared section. The nose section is connected to a first end of the modular section, and the flared section is positioned proximate a second end of the modular cylindrical section.

Abstract: A spacecraft including control vanes for controlling the pointing direction of the spacecraft by providing a variable absorptive, reflective, emissive and/or transmissive properties. The control vanes provide a torque on the spacecraft to maintain the spacecraft pointing towards the sun. The control vanes can include at least one xb-axis control vane and at least one yb-axis control vane where the xb axis control vane provides xb-axis control torque on the spacecraft rotated about the xb-axis, and the yb-axis control vane provides yb-axis control torque on the spacecraft when rotated about the yb-axis.

Abstract: A method and system are described for controlling the flight pattern of a remote controlled aircraft. The system includes a microcontroller that is linked to an accelerometer for determining the attitude of the aircraft and modifying signals to the aircraft's flight control system in order to prevent a crash. In addition, several preset flight patterns are stored in a memory so that upon activation, the aircraft will enter a preset flight pattern.

Abstract: It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. The connector is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The connector is removably or permanently attachable to a sway brace clamp or attachment to form a connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.

Abstract: A wiring clip for securing electrical wiring to metal framing members. In a specific embodiment, the subject clip can secure the wiring a required distance from the nearest edge or face of the metal framing member to which a wall board is to be secured. The wire clip generally resembles an open frame having a wire receiving area formed in the main body, where the wire receiving area is centrally located within the main body. The wire clip is generally of U-shaped configuration, with two arms being joined to the main body. The end of the first arm is bent to form a J-hook, such that the J-hook can be hooked about a first inner edge of a metal stud. The end of the second arm comprises a clip, such that the clip can be removable, secured about the second inner edge of the metal stud. The arms, as well as the main body, are resilient, such that the arms and the main body will embrace the metal stud.

Abstract: A carrier system (10) for a medical apparatus (11) is disclosed. The carrier system includes rotation joints (17, 18, 20). A supply line harness runs in the carrier system (10) and is run so that it is covered. The rotation joint (18) includes a tube-shaped holding member on which fingers are formed which hold a rotation joint. A joint element, which is rotatably journalled in a joint receptacle, is provided in the rotation joint (20). The joint element has a wave-shaped section which is connected via a connecting section to an annularly-shaped section functioning to accommodate a connecting arm.

Abstract: A rollable sports ballast base for supporting a sports apparatus support member comprising a base member which has a first edge and a second edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is adapted to contact a support surface such as a driveway or other playing surface. There is at least one wheel assembly for contacting the support surface. One of the wheel assemblies is retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface of the base member substantially contacts the support surface. In the lowered position, both wheel assemblies contact the support surface thereby separating or elevating the base member from the support surface. In another embodiment, the invention consists of a similar rollable sports base for supporting a sports apparatus support member wherein one wheel assembly is retractable and comprises a pivoting connector coupled to the base member and a wheel bracket coupled to the pivoting connector.

Abstract: A clamping device for rigidly securing a web camera, or other object, to a monitor. The clamping device includes a body portion and a clamping portion. Springs are provided within the device that allow the clamping portion to be slid away from the body portion against the bias of the springs. A first flipper is mounted to one side of the body portion and a second flipper is mounted to an opposite side of the body portion. The clamping device is positioned on the top edge of the monitor so that a front support portion of the clamping portion is positioned against a front surface of the monitor above the screen and the flippers are positioned against a back panel of the monitor. The spring tension between the clamping portion and the flippers rigidly secures the clamping device to the monitor.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for portable electronic devices includes a mount (12) with a mounting ball (16) that mates with a socket assembly (22) formed in a housing (18) of an electronic device (20). The socket assembly includes an orifice (32) formed in the back of the housing, a seat (34) positioned in the orifice for matingly receiving the ball, and a spring element (36) partially surrounding the seat. The seat includes a concave center portion (38) and a plurality of flexible, interconnected arms (40,42,44) extending from the concave center portion. The spring element substantially encircles the flexible arms to allow the flexible arms to flex outward when receiving the ball and to then contract inwardly to contact the ball when the ball is seated fully in the seat.

Abstract: A hook device for securement to the substantially horizontal, bottom surface of a table top, bar top, or the like for supporting personal items. The hook device includes a base, a hook, and an attachment mechanism pivotally securing the hook to the base. The attachment mechanism includes a torsion spring that biases the hook into a stored position in which the hook is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the table top. To use the hook, the hook is pivoted away from the table surface and a personal item, such as a purse, handbag, backpack, coat, or the like is placed on the hook. Once the personal item is removed, the hook returns to its stored position.

Abstract: A pen or pencil holder that can be mounted on many different surfaces and which can easily be re-located is shown. The holder has two main parts, a trumpet-shaped holder that has a resilient lining, and a base plate that attaches to a surface such as a table, desk, or wall. Six or more different types of base plates are shown, any of which can be selected to suit the desired location of the installation. The base plates shown include styles that can be affixed to the selected support surface with resilient rubber pads, magnets, spring clamps, suction cups, slip-on holders, and hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: A fastener is used to connect a first link to a second link in a vehicle seat assembly. The fastener has a head portion and a body portion extending outwardly from the head portion and defining an external diameter. The body portion is generally cylindrical and has a central bore with an internal diameter that is less than the external diameter. The method for connecting the first link to the second link with the fastener includes the steps of inserting the central body portion through aligned apertures in the links to form a subassembly and holding the subassembly fixed while a tooling member applies a linear load to the distal end of the body portion. The tooling member is inserted into the central bore and deforms the body portion for engagement with the first and second links to allow relative rotational movement between the links while eliminating relative linear movement therebetween.

Abstract: A Pyramid Easel display holder for primarily flat objects includes ten main contiguous, triangular and polygonal (modified triangular) planes with additional contiguous triangular and trapezoid planes as part of optional base(s). On each of two display sides, objects are supported by a modified triangular center face, a triangular wing on each side of the center face, with two base options which brace the bottom of display objects, and aid in expansion control through friction with the surface support area. Front and mirrored back, and mirrored side wings, are connected by modified triangular swing arms, which are essentially the dynamic planar backsides of the front and back center pyramids, meeting at the crown of the embedded pyramids and “swinging” inside the center of the easel structure.

Abstract: An adjustable post support (10) for use in supporting a post vertically above the ground. The support may include a lower spike portion (12) and an upper bracket portion (14). The lower spike portion may include an upper end. The bracket portion may include a curved dome (22) and an upstanding sleeve (32) extending upwardly therefrom. The curved dome may nest with the upper end of the spike to provide a ball and socket type connection between the lower spike portion and the upper bracket portion. A fastening device (52, 54) may be used for tightening the upper bracket and lower spike portion together and a support table (60) may be located inside the sleeve.

Abstract: A support base for supporting a structural pole is provided. The support base includes a frame having an internal cavity for housing hardware, such as a speaker assembly, that is associated with the corresponding structural pole. The frame is generally open laterally thereabout for permitting access to the internal cavity. A footing region of the support base secures the frame to an underlying support surface and a platform atop the frame receives the structural pole thereon. The frame is sized to receive an ornamental protective cover thereabout for enhancing the aesthetic perspective of the base and for protecting the hardware within the frame internal cavity.

Abstract: An access fitting has a housing with a base and a cap located respectively on interior and exterior sides of the wall of a gas sampling bag. The base and cap are provided respectively with inner and outer ports aligned with an opening in the bag wall to provide a through passageway communicating with the interior of the bag. A septum is interposed between the cap and the exterior side of the bag wall. The septum has a hole therein and is slidably adjustable between an open position at which its hole is aligned with the through passageway, and a closed position at which its hole is removed from the through passageway and the through passageway is blocked by an imperforate segment of the septum. A tubular connector is received in the outer port, and is axially adjustable between an advanced position frictionally resisting sliding adjustment of the septum, and a retracted position accommodating such adjustment.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve with the armature disposed within the coil axially between first and second flux collectors. A flux director surrounding the armature has annular portions thereof contracting one of the flux collectors and has a plurality of fingers spaced circumferentially about the annular portion and extending inwardly toward the armature to increase and distribute the flux thereto for minimizing magnetic side loading due to eccentricity.

Abstract: The force to draw an armature of an electromagnetic valve apparatus driving a valve for opening or closing a high-pressure liquid passage is increased and valve bouncing is alleviated by a surface of the core being flat and a surface of the armature facing the surface of the core being shaped convexly spherical. Interference of the surfaces is prevented by a smaller initial gap in a central portion of the faces, even when the armature is installed aslant due to insufficient accuracy of the component parts. Strong electromagnetic attraction can be secured because the smaller the gap is, the stronger the electromagnetic attraction.

Abstract: A ball valve apparatus 10 for clearing an obstruction in a conduit is disclosed. The ball valve apparatus 10 incorporates a wear resistant choke tube 42 in the downstream opening 40B of the ball 36. The choke tube 42 can be two to four times smaller than the opening 40A on the upstream side of the ball 36. Removal of catalyst through the choke tube results in lower velocity of the flow through the bore of the valve, thereby reducing wear and erosion. In normal operation in an FCC unit, catalyst is extracted from the system through the choke tube 42. When the conduit becomes plugged, the ball valve apparatus 10 can be cycled into a fully opened position, thereby creating a high flow rate of fluid through the conduit, removing any existing obstructions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a lie loaded packing assembly for a valve which comprises a valve body defining a passage having a valve stem moveably disposed therein and selectively moveable between open and closed positions. Extending about a portion of the valve stem is a packing. One end of a sleeve of the valve bears axially onto and compresses the packing, with a spigot of the valve being cooperatively engaged to the opposite end of the sleeve. A clamp of the valve is cooperatively engaged to the valve body, with a pair of bolts extending between and being secured to the clamp, the spigot, and a flange member which is itself cooperatively engaged to the spigot. The combination of the bolt, spigot and flange member provide an integral spring construction for the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for signaling rotation of a winch in which a rotating gear internal in the winch turns an optical disc with alternating segments of distinguishing features. The disc is then in turn read by an optical sensor that can generate a pulsed output signal based on the travel of the alternating segments on the disc. The output signal of the optical sensor is then conditioned to drive a solenoid that is placed in a control lever of the winch. The optical disc and the optical sensor are part of a self-contained unit which can be inserted internally into the winch housing.

Abstract: An atomization device having a safety protection device and a control circuit includes: a main body, a water tank in which an inspection device component is provided, and an atomization room designed in the main body, under the atomization room an atomization groove with a safety protection device is designed for the safety of user. The safety protection device is equipped with a shell comprising upper and lower covers. A nebulizer is placed in the shell, and protective panel is designed under the nebulizer. The protective panel will be combined well with a ring-shaped cover to separate the protective panel from the nebulizer properly.

Abstract: A shock absorber (1), in particular for bicycles, has a first cylinder (2a) with a fluid chamber (3a) filled with a transmission or damping medium. An outwardly leading piston rod (6) with piston (5a) for receiving the shocks to be dampened is borne axially displaceable in the first cylinder (2a). A second cylinder (2b) that has a fluid chamber (3b) filled with the transmission or damping medium and an air- or gas-filled gas pressure chamber (4b). The fluid chambers (3a, 3b) of the first and second cylinders (2a, 2b) communicate with one another via a communicating channel (7). At least a third cylinder (3c) [sic] with an air- or gas-filled gas pressure chamber (4c) and a fluid chamber (3c) filled with the transmission or damping medium is provided.

Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration damping bushing including an inner tubular metal member and an outer peripheral sleeve elastically connected via a base rubber interposed therebetween with first and second fluid chambers formed therein. A stopper rubber constituted as a separate element from the base rubber, disposed at a circumferential location corresponding at a minimum to either the first or second fluid chamber, for restricting relative displacement of the inner tubular metal member and outer tubular metal member in an axis-perpendicular direction. The stopper rubber is formed separately from an orifice member and bonded to one axial end portion of the outer tubular metal member at a location outside the first and second fluid chambers so as to face toward the inner tubular member. The outer tubular metal member with the stopper rubber attached thereto is inserted onto the outer peripheral sleeve from the other axial end thereof.

Abstract: An isolation assembly for use with a vehicle. The isolation assembly includes a collar having a continuous wall. A carriage is disposed within a cavity of the wall and is displaceable relative to the collar. A fastener supports the carriage relative to a frame portion of the vehicle. An insulator is disposed between the carriage and the wall of the collar for coupling the carriage to the collar and for isolating the carriage and the fastener from the collar. The insulator has a first portion and a plurality of second portions. The first portion encapsulates one of the second end surface and the peripheral surface of the carriage. The second portions are movable relative to the first portion about a living hinge to encapsulate the other of the peripheral surface and second end surface of the carriage such that the carriage is adequately isolated from the collar.

Abstract: A tool for holding tissue to be sampled in place to allow tissue samples of a prescribed thickness to be prepared from the held tissue. The tool includes at least one tine array for engaging and holding the tissue. First and second tine arrays may advantageously be provided to define a slice thickness therebetween. In addition, or in the alternative, the tines of the tine array are mutually spaced apart by different distances to effectively hold the tissue and to define prescribed tissue sample lengths.

Abstract: A sliding arm L-clamp includes an L-shaped bar having an arm with a flat arm end and a rail integrally connected to the arm and an adjustable sliding rack assembly. The adjustable sliding rack assembly includes a rack with an opening on a first rack end, a perpendicular tube at a second rack end, an extendable nonrotatable inner tube having a pad on a first extendable inner tube end, and a linear actuating mechanism operably connected to the extendable nonrotatable inner tube for movement of the extendable nonrotatable inner tube between a proximal position adjacent a first perpendicular tube end and a distal position adjacent the flat arm end. The opening is configured for receiving the rail and the extendable nonrotatable inner tube is slidably engaged within the perpendicular tube.

Abstract: A clamping device for a machine table comprises a clamping plate having a receptacle into which a draw-in bolt is insertable through an opening. A clamping mechanism immobilizes the draw-in bolt in the receptacle. A closure cap is movable inside the receptacle between a closed position and an operating position in which the closure cap is pushed into the receptacle by the draw-in bolt. The draw-in bolt is inserted into the receptacle and immobilized with the clamping mechanism. A centering surface is implemented on the end surface of the closure cap facing toward the outer side of the clamping device and/or on the end surface of the draw-in bolt facing toward the inner side of the clamping device. The centering surface pre-centers the draw-in bolt when it is inserted into the receptacle and its end surface thereby comes into contact with the end surface of the closure cap.

Abstract: A starwheel feed apparatus and method for feeding and guiding sheets of a web material into a starwheel assembly. In some embodiments, a feeding conveyor is movable to convey sheets at a first velocity toward the starwheel, and a guiding conveyor is located adjacent the starwheel and has a conveying surface movable at a velocity less than the first velocity. In other embodiments, other relative speeds of the guiding and feeding conveyors are employed. In some embodiments, a feeding conveyor feeds sheets into slots of a starwheel, and a guiding conveyor located adjacent the starwheel has a conveying surface to guide trailing edges of the sheets along a length of the conveying surface as the sheets enter the slots.

Abstract: A method for aligning print media on a feedpath includes the steps of: aligning a sheet of print media using a deskew mechanism; measuring the skew of the sheet after it has been aligned; and comparing the measured skew with a specified skew, and if the measured value is greater than the specified value, reversing the sheet through the deskew mechanism followed by repeating the aligning, measuring and comparing steps. An apparatus for implementing alignment of print media on a feedpath comprises a deskew mechanism and sensors positioned downstream on the feedpath from the deskew mechanism to provide data sufficient to calculate the skew of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine, particularly a rotary printing press, includes a blast-air supply system and a pneumatic sheet-guiding device connected thereto. The sheet-guiding device has a sheet-guiding surface formed with air passage openings and serves for having the sheets dragged thereover in a sheet travel direction. The air passage openings serve for expelling sheet-carrying air flows during operation. The sheet-guiding device further includes flow ducts for aligning sheet-carrying air flows. The air passage openings in the sheet guiding surface form opening cross-sections of the flow ducts in the form of slots having a length which is many times greater than the width thereof.

Abstract: An interfolding machine includes an assembly for and method of separating overlapped sheets of material at a desired sheet count. The assembly includes a vacuum assembly with a manifold having a plurality of vacuum inlet ports coupled to a valve body having a plurality of chambers. A spool is contained within the valve body and includes a plurality of ports to provide a plurality of respective vacuum paths to a rotating count roll. The spool also includes a plurality of inlet openings in its outer surface. Each opening in the spool communicates a respective set of count roll vacuum ports with a respective interior chamber of the valve body. A control valve selectively releases the vacuum pressure in the vacuum chambers to atmosphere. The selective application of vacuum pressure to the holes in the count roll creates a fold that separates the sheets to form separate stacks of sheets at the discharge of the interfolding machine.

Abstract: A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece includes a playing surface and the gamepiece is movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces. A first endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and has a first wall length. A second endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and is located on an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall. A first goal, comprised of at least one proximity sensor, is located along the first endwall and has a first goal length. The first goal length is adjustable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a competitive board game comprised of a table with sides surrounding the playing surface. Hockey sticks are suspended from transverse bars suspended across the playing surface and slidably disposed between the sides of the table. The table has a goal at each end of the playing surface and the playing surface mates with sides in formed rounded corners. The playing surface is angled between each rounded corner toward the center of the board to provide for a fast game requiring high levels of skill. A ?th inch lip is provided over the edge of the playing surface to keep the puck in play for special Quninning shots.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal panel and a light guiding plate placed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel and formed with a light deflection pattern for guiding light emitted from illumination means into the liquid crystal panel, and a variable display device placed at the rear of the liquid crystal display and having a plurality of reels provided in a row. Parts of the light guiding plate to which the reels are opposed are made light transmission areas. The light guiding plate is formed with a first light deflection pattern on the periphery of the light transmission areas and is formed with a second light deflection pattern in a portion more distant from the light transmission areas than the first light deflection pattern. The first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern.

Abstract: Board games may include a game board, player movers, and indicia-bearing tokens and player-wearable costume components including one or more mounting sites to which the tokens may be removably attached. Some embodiments may further include game pieces having indicia indicating one or more of the tokens. Thus, some methods of game play may involve each player attempting to collect a predetermined set of tokens by determining if various game pieces indicate any of the tokens in the set. Other methods may involve concealing the indicia on one or more game pieces, and allowing players to attempt to guess the concealed indicia by the process of elimination.

Abstract: A chess game playing array assembly including a plurality of three-dimensional playing segments is disclosed. The playing segments are disposed relative to one another to define an array of playing spaces on which a game of chess may be played. One or more of the plurality of three dimensional playing segments may be spaced apart by one or more voids or in abutting relation with one another.

Abstract: Games for at least one player may include at least one game card, each game card including a plurality of letter indicators each indicating a letter and arranged to spell a word, a plurality of letter tokens, each letter token including a letter indicator, a selection device operable to randomly indicate one of a plurality of groups of two or more letter indicators, and a set of rules to play the game. Methods of playing the game may include spelling a word on a selected game card by matching letter tokens to the letter indicators on the game card. Each game card may include a first side and a second side, each side including a word, such that the word on the first side is more difficult to spell than the word on the second side.

Abstract: A bullet target configured to improve the skills of a shooter includes, in one embodiment, a head plate which is attached to an arm by a resilient or semi-resilient attachment member to allow the head plate to visually deflect when hit by a bullet and to substantially return to its original position. In another embodiment, the improved target utilizes an attachment mechanism which allows the head to rotate relative to the arm within a stop to minimize transfer of vibrations between the head plate and the arm. In a third embodiment, a plurality of head plates are used in alignment and selectively exposed to the shooter to improve decision making ability.

Abstract: The invention provides a seal for a rotatable shaft. The seal includes an inner case mountable to the shaft and having a body and first and second flanges extending radially outward from the body. The seal includes first and second sealing discs operable to seal against the first and second flanges of the inner case. The sealing discs are immovably associated with a housing spaced from the shaft. A spring encircles the shaft and inner case to urge the sealing discs against the flanges. The spring rate of the spring is controlled to enhance sealing, reduce turning torque, and extend life of the seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bulb seal capable of navigating both interior corners and exterior corners of an opening while maintaining consistent and adequate sealing capacity, the invention comprising a tubular member having internal strain-controlling cavities, vent holes, and a pair of external collapse-controlling protrusions, and an attachment member for receiving a component to be sealed.

Abstract: Skate boot apparatuses, a skate, and a method are provided. A base including an upper face configured to receive a wearer's foot and a lower face configured to structurally support a skate mechanism is provided. An integral upper support is provided, the integral upper support extending upwardly from the base to a point above an ankle of the wearer, the integral support having a varying rigidity decreasing from a high rigidity near the base to a low rigidity near the point above the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: A cupholder, which is mountable to a wall of a basket of a shopping cart, comprises a continuous wire having two lowermost portions, between and to which the outer mounting plate is mounted, two intermediate portions, which define a cup-supporting level and on which a cup-supporting plate is seated, and an uppermost portion, which is shaped to embrace a cup being held by the cupholder. The continuous wire has two lower connecting portions, each of which connects one of the lowermost portions to one of the intermediate portions, and two upper connecting portions, each of which connects one of the intermediate portions to the uppermost portion.

Abstract: A travel bag fabricated of flexible material such as nylon and is combined with a specialized rigid support to form combination. The support is configured to protect portions of the bag which are subject to high wear and tear during normal use. In addition, the support is formed to receive and hold wheels therein which facilitate transportation of the bag. The support is constructed of a high impact rigid material such as plastic to resist wear due to friction and impact which may accompany a bag in use. The support is specially arranged to cooperate with the flexible portion of the bag. The shape of the support tends to defend the corners of the bag against particular wear. The flexible main portion and the support portions are affixed together.

Abstract: A hand truck comprising a frame including a first frame portion and a second frame portion, with the first frame portion being substantially perpendicular to the second frame portion. The hand truck further includes at least two first wheels connected to a lower section of the frame, with the at least two first wheels having parallel first axes of rotation. The hand truck also includes at least two second wheels connected to the lower section of the frame, with the at least two second wheels having parallel second axes of rotation. The first axes of rotation are substantially perpendicular to the second axes of rotation, whereby the item placed on the first frame portion can be moved in a first direction along a first line parallel to the second axes of rotation and a second direction along a second line parallel to the first axes of rotation.

Abstract: A luggage cart assembly includes a base that has a top side, a bottom side, a first end edge, a second end edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A plurality of wheels is rotatably coupled to the bottom side. The top side has a plurality of wells extending therein. Each of the first and second side edges have two wells positioned adjacent thereto. A plurality of posts each has a first end and a second end and a bend positioned between the first and second ends. Each of the first ends is positionable into one of the wells such that second ends of adjacent posts extend toward each other. A pair of fastening members removably secures adjacent ones of the second ends together. A rod has a pair of opposite end. Each of the opposite ends is removably attached to one of the fastening members.