Abstract: A flexible strand is wound around a pole of adjustable height into a plant supporting helix forming a plurality of loops connected to the pole by quick-release fasteners.

Abstract: A height adjustable holding apparatus for supporting a display comprises a holding component, a moving component, an elastic component, an active component, a first rolling component, a driven component, a second rolling component, a first cable and a second cable. The moving component is movable along the holding component. The display is connected to the moving component and is movable along the holding component. The elastic component is disposed in one end of the holding component and is stretchable along the moving direction of the moving component. When the moving component generates a first displacement, the first cable drives the active component to rotate together with the driven component. The second rolling component rolls back the second cable and makes the elastic component to generate a second displacement smaller than the first displacement.

Abstract: A collapsible portable stand comprises support legs and a mast that collapse into a small equipment enclosure or case, forming one single, integral unit that provides for storage, stable support for a device that is mounted onto the mast, and portability. The legs and mast are operatively connected to the case and preferably have extendable length. In an embodiment, the legs and mast are connected to the case via hinges that provide for the legs and mast to rotate with respect to the case. The case preferably has wheels and an extendable handle for ease of transport when the legs and mast are collapsed into the case. An embodiment includes an internal storage case that has a moveable cover that can include controls for and/or connections to a device stored in the internal storage case. An alternative embodiment includes a larger portable stand that has components that are external of the case and/or are independent of a case.

Abstract: This display screen turning apparatus includes a first support member of metal supporting a display screen portion and a second support member of metal supporting the first support member to be anteroposteriorly rotatable by a prescribed angle with respect to a vertical plane, and either the first support member or the second support member has a receiving hole, while either the second support member or the first support member integrally has a platelike support shaft of metal inserted into the receiving hole.

Abstract: A toolbox stand includes: an extendable supporting post including a lower part, an upper part telescopically connected to the lower part, and a coupler that couples the upper part to the lower part, the coupler defining a shoulder, the upper part having a top end and a bottom end formed with an abutting flange abutting against the shoulder when the upper part is moved relative to the lower part to a highest position; a plurality of extendable legs pivoted to the lower part; and a supporting frame pivoted to the top end of the upper part of the supporting post and adapted to support a toolbox thereon.

Abstract: An elevation-adjustable support structure includes a connecting member, a bottom hinge structure, which comprises two bottom brackets, and a shaft fastened to the bottom brackets and pivoted to the bottom end of the connecting member for allowing the connecting member to be turned about the shaft between the two bottom brackets, a top hinge structure, which comprises two top brackets and two shafts respectively fastened to the top brackets and pivoted to the top end of the connecting member for allowing the connecting member to be turned about the shafts between the two top brackets; and two linking mechanisms each having a top wheel and a bottom wheel respectively coupled between the top end of the connecting member and the top brackets and the bottom end of the connecting member and the bottom brackets and a flexible belt member coupled between the top wheel and the bottom wheel for maintaining the angle of inclination of the top brackets upon a rotary motion of the connecting member relative to the top hin

Abstract: An electric power feeding apparatus for feeding electric power to an electric device installed in a vehicle slide seat and movable together with the slide seat as the slide seat slides along a slide rail includes a cable rail disposed in parallel juxtaposed relation to the slide rail with a clearance defined therebetween, a power feeding cable disposed in the cable rail and fixed at one end to the cable rail, an opposite free end portion of the power feeding cable being drawn out from the cable rail into the clearance and extending upward through the clearance toward the slide seat for electric connection with the electric device, and a support member extending downward from the slide seat into the clearance and supporting thereon the free end portion of the power feeding cable.

Abstract: A height adjustable holding apparatus for holding an object is provided. The height adjustable holding apparatus includes a support, a moving part, a holding unit, an elastic member, and a linking unit. The moving part is movable along the support, wherein the object connects to the moving part to be movable along the support. The holding unit is disposed at an top end of the support. The elastic member is disposed at a bottom end of the support. One end of the linking unit connects to the moving part and the other end extending around the holding unit to connect to the elastic member. When moving the object along the support to a desired position, the object substantially remains balance at the desired position by the cooperation of the holding unit, the elastic member and the linking unit.

Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested, comprising a vertical support, at least one horizontal support, a first vertical articulation unit that is connected the horizontal support, a second articulation unit determining an oblique pivot axis, a displacement unit that is attached to the second articulation unit and has multiple degrees of freedom for displacement and balancing of an optics carrier carrying the surgical microscope, at least one pivot support encompassed by the displacement unit, and means for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to the oblique pivot axis. The pivot support comprises a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a means for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising at least one gas spring (9) which damps vibration and adjusts the seat height, said gas spring being arranged between a seat frame (1) and a base frame (2), and comprising a valve arrangement (43, 44) for adjusting the pressure in the gas spring (9) and a compressor (45) assigned to the vehicle seat (17, 20, 23), said compressor having a drive motor for feeding compressed gas to the gas spring (9), wherein a belt roller device comprising a belt (11) rolled around an axle (12) is arranged between the seat frame (1) and the base frame (2), the first end (11a) of said belt being attached to a belt roller mechanism (10) arranged on the seat frame (1) and the second end (11b) of said belt being attached to the base frame (2), and a detector (16) which detects a belt rolling movement is attached to the seat frame (1).

Abstract: A monitor having: a monitor main body displaying a picture; a base member; a stand member standing on the base member; a moving member combined to the stand member to move up and down, that supports the monitor main body with a force counterbalancing a weight of the monitor main body; a locking part provided in the moving member; a locking hook provided on one of the stand member and the base member to be locked to and released from the locking part of the moving member; and an elastic member to release the locking hook from the locking part when the moving member supports monitor main body with the force counterbalancing the weight of the monitor main body. With this configuration, the present invention provides a monitor which has decreased packing volume, and is convenient to handle.

Abstract: A motorcycle support stand includes a base (12), support means (14) and a strut (16). The stand (10) further includes elevating means (18). A motorcycle is mountable on the support means and displaceable by means of the elevating means (18) between a lower position, in which the wheels of the motorcycle are on the ground and an elevated position. The strut is connected at one end to the base or support means and at the other end to the motorcycle and it is adjustable to permit the motorcycle to be pivotally displaced when in its elevated position. The motorcycle support stand will permit work to be done on the motorcycle at a height at which it is comfortable to work and also permit the motorcycle to be orientated to facilitate access to the part of the motorcycle on which work is to be done.

Abstract: The invention provides a unique modular boat support that supports boats on dry land. The modular boat supports are stackable to achieve any desired height, and are made from a strong yet relatively light material. The modular body contains a reinforcement structure and an interconnect assembly that stabilize the structure when units are stacked together. The preferred shape is conical, but any shape may be used.

Abstract: An exemplary elevating mechanism used for a flat-panel display monitor includes a support structure, a sliding structure, and a pneumatic cylinder. The support structure includes a pair of guide rails. The sliding structure is mounted to the support structure and is capable of sliding along the guide rails. The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder body, a piston shaft, and a first piston. The cylinder body is connected to the support structure. The piston shaft includes a first end received in the cylinder body, and a second end opposite to the first end connected to the sliding structure. The first piston is positioned in the cylinder body and partitions the cylinder body into two chambers. The two chambers are filled with gas. The first piston is fixed to the first end of the piston shaft and defines a through hole for communicating the two chambers.

Abstract: An exemplary support stand (102) for a flat-panel display body includes an elevating support (30), a monitor bracket (50), and a support member (20). The elevating support includes a first chassis (321), a second chassis (322), a plurality of supporting blocks (3231) for connecting end portions of the first chassis and the second chassis, an elastic member (391), a first pivot subassembly (305), and a second pivot subassembly (306). The monitor bracket is rotatably connected to the first pivot subassembly. The support member is rotatably connected to the second pivot subassembly. The elastic member is capable of exerting a rebound force on two of the first chassis, the second chassis, and the supporting blocks. The first and second pivot subassemblies are fixed to the supporting blocks. The monitor bracket and the support member are rotatably connected to the first and second pivot subassembly correspondingly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for regulating a height of a music rack capable of improving convenience and operability of a use by allowing a strut length of the music rack to be regulated conveniently and easily while simplifying its structure to improve manufacturability and assemblability.

Abstract: An exemplary support stand for a flat-panel display monitor, includes a monitor bracket, a rotatable bracket for fixing the monitor bracket, an elevating support, a support member, and a hinge assembly. The elevating support includes a first link bracket, a second link bracket, a plurality of supporting blocks for connecting end portions of the first link bracket and the second link bracket. One end portion of the first link bracket define a first restricting groove and one end portion of the second link bracket defining a second restricting groove corresponding to the first restricting groove. One of the supporting blocks includes a restricting pole. The first and second restricting grooves are configured for blocking the restricting pole. A first end of the elevating support is fixed to the support member; and a second end of the elevating support connects to the rotatable bracket by the hinge assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer safety stand for temporarily supporting a conventional trailer having a landing gear, wherein the stand comprises a pedestal having a top for engaging the underside of the nose portion of a trailer and a bottom for engaging the ground; means for adjusting the height of the pedestal; a locking device for fixing the height of the pedestal; and means for actuating and de-actuating the locking device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the means for actuating and de-actuating the locking device is a lever that is pivotally connected to the pedestal at a first point along the lever and connected to the locking device at a second point along the lever. When a force is applied away from the pedestal at a third point along the lever, the locking device is actuated and the height of the pedestal is fixed. When a force is applied toward the pedestal at the third point along the lever, the locking device is de-actuated and the height of the pedestal is adjustable.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for mounting a stand (12) for a linear electric motor (14) includes a primary winding (18) secured to the stand (12) and a secondary winding (20) secured to a structure (16), of the type wherein the vertical stand (12) is mounted mobile on the structure (16) along a longitudinal displacement direction via guide elements (22) and including a main board (24) bearing the primary winding (18) and at least one upper fastening wing (26) including part (28) of the guide elements (22) designed to co-operate with another complementary part (20) in the structure (16). The stand (12) is suspended relative to the structure (16) via upper guide elements (22), such that the stand (12) is capable of freely expanding along a main expanding direction, that is vertically downwards to compensate the thermal expansion of the material of the stand (12) under the effect of heating of the primary winding (18) and such that the upper guide elements (22) are not affected.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a machine stand with an elongated support body and support legs arranged at the ends on the support body, the support body being designed with positive engagement means running in the longitudinal direction, such that attachments, in particular at least one machine holder, optionally displaceable in the longitudinal direction, can be attached thereto. According to the invention, this machine stand is characterized in that the support body is embodied in one piece as a double-pipe profile, with two profile pipes running parallel to one another with lateral spacing from one another, and at least one center ridge connecting the profile pipes.

Abstract: A foot for optical or photographic supports includes a telescopic rod having several telescopic members and, for each pair of adjacent telescopic members, an expanding stop mechanism mounted on one telescopic member of the pair and acting on the other telescopic member of the pair in order to block their relative sliding motion. The stop mechanism includes a radially expandable ring and an expander body for the ring for pressing the elements of the ring radially against an inner shell of the other telescopic member. The ring includes a plurality of barrel rollers having an outer shell with a curvature coinciding substantially with the curvature of the inner shell of the other telescopic member.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a supporting structure, a work carrier, at least six length-adjustable struts arranged in strut pairs, each strut being moveably mounted to the supporting structure and to the work carrier and at least one drive configured to adjust a length of at least one of the struts. The struts of each strut pair are disposed parallel to each other and each strut pair has a pivot bearing disposed at a first end of each strut and a second bearing disposed at a second end of each strut.

Abstract: A stand used for supporting spools of wire and the like includes a cam which is operable to increase the length of a leg to thereby raise the spool of wire off of the ground. The stand is adjustable to allow its use with different sizes of spools of wire. The stand allows a single person to raise a spool of wire weighing thousands of pounds off of the ground and support the same to allow the spool to rotate freely upon an axle.

Abstract: A displacement platform with a precision plane is a platform structure which comprises a base, a platform, a displacement device and two thrust bearing assemblies. The displacement device and the thrust bearing assemblies are disposed between the base and the platform. The thrust bearing assemblies are moved left and right. The platform cooperates with the displacement device to adjust the predetermined pressure and the height, such that the platform structure not only has the characteristic of high pressure resistant, but also can adjust the height and the left and right moving positions.

Abstract: A display exhibition frame comprises a seat having two insertion holes at two sides; each insertion hole being installed with a supporting post; at least one receiving plate; each receiving plate being supported by two supporting arms; each supporting arm having a connecting hole; thus, in assembly, the supporting post passing through the connecting hole; a stud locking the supporting arm to the supporting post from the backside of the connecting hole; thus, by releasing the stud, the elevation of the supporting arm being adjustable; a display suspending frame being installed on the supporting posts; the supporting post including a first suspending frame and a second suspending frame; the first suspending frame having two through holes so as to receive the two supporting posts; the second suspending frame being a frame for locking a display; and the second suspending frame being able to be fixed to the first suspending frame.

Abstract: A mount for an image display apparatus allows a viewing angle, height, and aspect ratio of the image display apparatus to be adjusted. The mount includes a base, a support member disposed vertically with respect to the base, and an elevator which moves up and down within the support member. An upper bracket is engaged with the elevator, and a pivot bracket is engaged with a rear surface of the image display apparatus and rotates about a pivot shaft of the upper bracket. Rotation of the bracket causes an activation bar to move up and down, for forcing a holder into a fixed position or a released position the holder from. The holder prevents rotation of the display if the display is not already positioned at its upper position. The holder also prevents downward movement of the display if the display has been rotated.

Abstract: An elevating mechanism includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end, and an elevating component installed inside the sleeve and having a third end and a fourth end. When the elevating component is located in a first position relative to the sleeve, a main spring is compressed by the elevating component at a first deformation. When the component is located in a second position relative to the sleeve, the main spring is compressed by the elevating component at a second deformation. The first deformation is greater than the second deformation. When the elevating component is located in the first position relative to the sleeve, a complementary spring is compressed at a third deformation. When the component is located in the second position relative to the sleeve, the complementary spring is compressed at a fourth deformation. The third deformation is greater than the fourth deformation.

Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism for electronic equipment is disclosed. The height adjustment mechanism includes a first sliding component that includes a first set of mechanical structures for engaging a second set of mechanical structures, a first mechanical sub-component coupled to the first sliding component and coupled to a second mechanical sub-component that includes the second set of mechanical structures and a second sliding component coupled to the first sliding component. The first set of mechanical structures and the second set of mechanical structures are configured to mesh. A movement of the first sliding component causes either an expansion or a retraction of the first mechanical sub-component.

Abstract: An adjustable-height chair column comprises an upright tube and a gas spring that is disposed coaxially in the upright tube. The gas spring comprises a valve for actuation of the gas spring. This valve is embodied for opening upon relief of the casing of the gas spring in relation to the upright tube.

Abstract: A case body which can accommodate a display panel and a traveling unit provided movably inside this case body are provided. In the traveling unit, a traveling mechanism for performing reciprocation and a panel revolution mechanism for performing an revolution operation of the display panel ejected from the case body are provided. A panel coupling portion attachably and detachably coupling the display panel with the traveling unit is provided. The panel coupling portion is rotated by the panel revolution mechanism in order to revolve the display panel. A locking tool is provided in the panel coupling portion, and the locking tool is moved between the release position at which separation of the display panel from the panel coupling portion is allowed by the panel revolution mechanism and the lock position at which the separation of the display panel from the panel coupling portion is prevented.

Abstract: An elevation-adjustable support structure includes a connecting member, a bottom hinge structure, which comprises two bottom brackets, and a shaft fastened to the bottom brackets and pivoted to the bottom end of the connecting member for allowing the connecting member to be turned about the shaft between the two bottom brackets, a top hinge structure, which comprises two top brackets and two shafts respectively fastened to the top brackets and pivoted to the top end of the connecting member for allowing the connecting member to be turned about the shafts between the two top brackets; and two linking mechanisms each having a top wheel and a bottom wheel respectively coupled between the top end of the connecting member and the top brackets and the bottom end of the connecting member and the bottom brackets and a flexible belt member coupled between the top wheel and the bottom wheel for maintaining the angle of inclination of the top brackets upon a rotary motion of the connecting member relative to the top hin

Abstract: A position adjuster for a projection device is provided. The position adjuster may include both a coarse adjustment mechanism and a fine adjustment mechanism for positioning the projection device relative a reference surface.

Abstract: A support column with a vertical tube has a coaxially installed gas spring including a cylinder divided by a piston into first and second working chambers. A piston rod passes through the second working chamber in a sealed manner to the outside, where it is attached to a bottom support piece of the vertical tube. The cylinder projects out of the vertical tube and is guided with freedom to slide back and forth in a guide sleeve installed in the end of the vertical tube opposite the bottom support piece. A connection between the first and second working chambers can be blocked by a manually actuatable valve. A second valve between the chambers, which is closed when the gas spring is under load, can be switched to the open position after the load on the gas spring has been absent for a certain period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a banner from a support member at a display height above ground level includes upper and lower banner mounting arms that are capable of receiving and mounting a banner with the assistance of an operator located at ground level.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus. The hoist apparatus includes a head plate having a top and bottom surface; a pulley system attached to the top surface of the head plate; a first sleeve, a second sleeve and a third sleeve; a plurality of legs comprising a first leg, a second leg and a third leg, whereupon assembly of the hoist apparatus the legs form a tripod; a winch; and a flexible line. The winch is attached to one of the legs such that upon assembly of the hoist apparatus, the winch points outwards from the tripod and is aligned with the pulley system. In one embodiment of the invention, the head plate, pulley system, and the sleeves are integrated to provide a single integral top section. In another embodiment, the hoist apparatus is provided in kit form and includes a top section, legs, winch, and line.

Abstract: An adjustable holding frame mainly includes a first bar, a second bar and an adjusting means. The second bar has one end fastened to a lump element which is pivotally located in the adjusting means. The adjusting means is mounted onto the first bar and has a helical structure to adjust the position of a seat in the adjusting means. Thereby releasing or fastening of the lump element of the second bar can be controlled to adjust the posture condition of the holding frame.

Abstract: A fixing device which can be fixed to a surface such as a ceiling and receive a perforated section comprises a plate for fixing it to the surface and a support for receiving the perforated section. The support has a wall substantially perpendicular to the plate and at least two claws with the same orientation which cooperate with corresponding perforations of the perforated section. The wall includes a precut locking lug which can be bent into another perforation and cooperate with an edge of that perforation to immobilize the perforated section against movement in translation.

Abstract: A retractable support arm structure, which is applied between a base and a steering mechanism of a LCD stand includes an upright arm having a hollow part, an telescopic arm having one end inserted into the hollow part, and a spring member located between the upright arm and the telescopic arm to store a upwardly extending potential energy and several friction members therebetween are used to maintain the balance. The upright arm and the telescopic arm are constituted by square tube made by seamless corner bar.

Abstract: A stepless adjustable supporting device includes a base, a lifting arm, a transmission wheel assembly and an elastic module. The present invention employs the lever principle that the product of the load force and the load force arm is equal to the product of the applied force and the applied force arm. Further, with the structure in which a transmission wheel of the transmission wheel assembly is configured to have an eccentric groove, the applied torque generated by the supported article such as displayer with respect to the supporting device is kept to be equal to the load torque generated by the supporting device. In this way, the supporting device can perform a stepless adjustment of various heights while exhibit a supporting effect.

Abstract: The seat includes a backrest (2) installed so as to pivot on the seat pan (1) and arranged to be placed in a table position where the rear wall of the backrest is maintained in horizontal position, more or less parallel to a seat support frame (3) arranged to be attached to the floor (5) of the vehicle, the seat pan (1) being itself installed on the said frame in a tiltable manner, so that it can be positioned, with a sufficient tilt angle, the rear of the seat pan being raised, so that the backrest tilted on the seat pan can be placed in the said table position. The seat pan (1) is attached to the frame (3) by a set of links (6, 7) forming, with the frame and the seat pan, a deformable quadrilateral (ABCD) such that a pivoting of the links leads to the deformation of the said quadrilateral to place the seat pan in the said sufficient tilt angle position, and locking means (10) are provided to lock the pivoting of the links in relation to the seat pan or the frame.

Abstract: In a stand of liquid crystal display, a holding member may include a slider, a lower cover, a leaf spring that abuts against a side of the slider, a push-force adjusting member. The push-force adjusting member includes a push member, which has a tapered portion and pushes the leaf spring, and a screw member, which adjusts a height of the tapered portion of the push member relative to the leaf spring. The push-force adjusting member serves to adjust a push force of the leaf spring on the side of the slider. The lower cover has an adjustment hole, through which the screw member can be adjusted from outside. The slider may have a rectangular-shaped. The lower cover may have a first stopper, against which an upper end surface of the slider abuts, and a second stopper, against which a lower end surface of the slider abuts.

Abstract: A height-adjustable chair column includes a vertical post axially extending along a longitudinal axis, a bottom plate, a guide cylinder bushing permanently inserted into the upper end area of the vertical post, and a guide tube inserted in the guide cylinder bushing so that it is guided with freedom of axial movement and secured against rotation in the guide cylinder bushing. Further, the chair column includes a lockable gas spring assembly with a pressure cylinder, which is installed coaxially in the guide tube such that it is secured against axial displacement relative to the guide tube and it is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis, and with a piston installed in the pressure cylinder with freedom of sliding axially. The piston is connected to a piston rod which is fastened to the bottom plate and supported there with freedom of rotation about the longitudinal axis. Moreover, a height-adjustable foot rest is attached to the upper end region of the guide tube.

Abstract: The present invention includes a portable, collapsible door painting support stand having a base, a ground-engaging vertical support extending upwardly from the base, a plurality of legs attached to the vertical support and selectively pivotable between a first ground-engaging position and a second folded position, and a pivot arm extending generally horizontally from the vertical support. A door to be painted is disposed between the base and the pivot arm.

Abstract: A steam stripper (14) is provided with a support comprising a pole (16) comprised of connected sections (17, 18) and (19). The upper sections 17 and (18) are connected by a resilient spring apparatus (23), and the support is connected to a handle (20) of the stripper by a T-shaped rest (22), having a strap (21) for securing the handle to the rest. In one embodiment the support comprises an attachment (42) for a paint roller extension pole (51).

Abstract: A display support includes a display cover including a display cover surface and a guide groove; a display pivotally mounted by at least one support portion on the display cover, to pivot between a first position and a second position, at which second position the display forms an acute angle with the display cover surface; an input portion covered by the support portion, when the display is in the first position; and the guide groove configured to convey the at least one support portion from a first location to a second location as the display pivots on to the second position, such that at least one support portion uncovers the input portion when the at least one support portion is at the second location. An electronic device, such as a multifunction device includes a housing and a display support.

Abstract: A monitor having: a monitor main body displaying a picture; a base member; a stand member standing on the base member; a moving member combined to the stand member to move up and down, that supports the monitor main body with a force counterbalancing a weight of the monitor main body; a locking part provided in the moving member; a locking hook provided on one of the stand member and the base member to be locked to and released from the locking part of the moving member; and an elastic member to release the locking hook from the locking part when the moving member supports monitor main body with the force counterbalancing the weight of the monitor main body. With this configuration, the present invention provides a monitor which has decreased packing volume, and is convenient to handle.

Abstract: An easy to install easy to adjust mounting for holding a monitor from the ceiling is disclosed. The mounting swivels to face any direction in the room, tilts to point the monitor at any angle and has an adjustable length to fit any height ceiling or desired position of the monitor. The wires or cables are easily hidden inside of the mounting, which has two slit tubes. The slits are aligned to easily insert the wires through the sides of the tubes. The height adjustment is inside of the tubes to improve the appearance of the mounting. The height adjustment is by telescoping tubes one having a pair of setscrews for engaging a channel inside of the other tube. The setscrews thereby prevent rotational changes in the tubes keeping the slots in the tubes aligned while allowing height adjustment.

Abstract: The inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for providing supplemental support for items used in manual tasks and may include one or more of the following features: a supplemental support apparatus, a supplemental support method, techniques for providing supplemental support in a compact manner, techniques for providing supplemental support in a variably-adjustable manner, techniques for correlating supplemental support to an overall workspace height, techniques for maintaining a parallel support surface through a variable-adjustment range, and techniques for retaining an item on a support surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods assist in mobility of a person. According to an embodiment of the invention, a device for enhancing mobility of a physically-impaired person comprises: a first member that comprises an elongated portion; and a second member that is configured to slidably receive the elongated portion of the first member and to have negative draft relative to the elongated portion of the first member. According to another embodiment of the invention, there is a method for producing an apparatus for assisting in ambulation. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first member that comprises an elongated portion; and providing a second member, including: forming a recess in the second member for slidably receiving the elongated portion of the first member; and tapering the recess to have negative draft relative to the elongated portion of the first member.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a population of particles is set forth. The apparatus includes an emitter adapted to generate a beam of electromagnetic radiation, such as from a laser, and a particle chamber disposed in a path of the electromagnetic radiation beam. The apparatus also includes a sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation scattered by or otherwise received from the particle chamber. A sensor alignment unit supports the sensor along a detection axis and allows adjustment of the position of the sensor along orthogonal axes lying in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the detection axis. In one embodiment, the sensor alignment unit includes a first support platform and a first adjustment mechanism disposed to adjust the position of the first support platform along a first orthogonal axis. The sensor alignment unit also includes a second support platform that supports the sensor.