Abstract: The present invention discloses a multifunctional stand and a stand assembly. The multifunctional stand includes a supporting part, a connection part and a magnet, where the supporting part is connected to the connection part, and a joint of the supporting part and the connection part is recessed inwards to form a recess; and the magnet is disposed at an end of the connection part far from the recess. The stand assembly includes a plug and the multifunctional described above. The multifunctional stand of the present invention can be used for other purposes when not supporting a mobile phone or a tablet computer, and is small in size and convenient to carry. The stand assembly of the present invention can prevent a metal plug from scratching other items when a charger is carried.

Abstract: There is provided an inclination adjusting mechanism including an annular upper plate that has an upper surface for connecting a table and a lower surface inclined relative to the upper surface, an annular lower plate that has an upper surface parallel to the lower surface of the upper plate and a lower surface parallel to the upper surface of the upper plate and facing an upper surface of a base, an upper rotating mechanism that rotates the upper plate, a lower rotating mechanism that rotates the lower plate, a first bearing provided between the lower surface of the upper plate and the upper surface of the lower plate, a second bearing provided between the lower surface of the lower plate and the upper surface of the base, and a connecting mechanism that connects the upper plate, the lower plate, and the base.

Abstract: Kinematic mounts are used frequently to hold objects such as mirrors, lenses, and other optical equipment. To adjust kinematic mounts, adjustment mechanisms are often required. Adjustment mechanisms can be used to make fine adjustments in applications where precision is required (e.g., laser system prototyping). Kinematic mounts that include never-before implemented form factors and structural elements require new adjustment solutions. This application describes systems that include both novel kinematic mounts as well as new adjustment mechanisms developed to reorient the new kinematic mounts. Adjustment mechanisms described in this application include a main body, a control frame, and control screws to adjust the orientation of the control frame. The control frame is coupled with a kinematic mount's housing, which rotates about a center of curvature of a bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut for engaging a threaded screw includes an anti-backlash nut body extended along a longitudinal axis configured and adapted to receive a screw, the anti-backlash nut body including a first threaded section having a first inner diameter with a first internal thread and a second threaded section integral to the first threaded section having a second internal thread, where the first thread and the second thread have an equal pitch and are out-of-phase with respect with each other.

Abstract: A nut arrangement for a screw actuator is disclosed for allowing detection of wear in a primary nut of the screw actuator. The nut arrangement comprises a primary nut for providing a primary load path and a secondary nut for providing a secondary load path. An interface ring may link the secondary nut to the primary nut. A sensor is provided to detect relative axial movement between the primary and secondary nuts. During normal operation, the interface ring is seated by a flexible coupling that allows relative axial displacement of the secondary nut to the primary nut to accommodate wear in the primary nut. The sensor can be used to monitor backlash between the primary and secondary nuts to determine wear of the primary nut.

Abstract: A telescopically extensible upstanding mast carries an upper mounting station near an upper end of the mast, a lower mounting station near the lower end of the mast, and an intermediate mounting station, located along the mast inbetween the lower and upper mounting stations, with each mounting station being independently lockable to releasably retain a separate costly equipment device. The upper mounting station has a threaded formation that is normally free-wheeling until a shrouded rotation control prevents the formation from turning so a costly equipment device can be threaded onto and off of the threaded formation. The intermediate and lower mounting stations each have removable and non-removable members that can be locked together to releasably retain costly equipment devices.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for notifying a user when a device including a camera has moved from a desired orientation. The orientation of the camera can be determined by one or more sensors and/or image processing techniques. The user may be notified with a non-visual cue, such as an audible sound or a haptic alert. In some aspects, a user may be notified when the device including the camera is substantially level.

Abstract: A multi-functional self-timer lever includes a support device coupled to a casing pipe attachable to a lower part of a telescopic rod. The support device includes a pivot seat fixed to the casing pipe, three feet of which tops are coupled pivotally to the pivot seat, and a positioning mechanism for limiting the expansion angles of the feet. Such a structure provides a tripod function in a most compact way by configuring the feet capable of being expanded relatively to the casing pipe and collapsed into one body relatively to the contour of the casing pipe directly on the casing pipe operated in coordination with the telescopic rod. Therefore, the entire structure is compact, fast and convenient in expansion and collapse, and small in volume so as to be convenient for carry.

Abstract: Costly devices are supported atop telescopically extensible masts of theft resistant mounts well suited to be positioned at temporary, often unattended, outdoor locations. An upper component of each mast carries a torque-disconnect coupler that has two relatively turnable elements, including one fixed to the mast, and another that defines a threaded formation extending along an upstanding axis about which the elements are relatively turnable. A costly device can be tightened to the threaded formation, or can be loosened and removed therefrom—but only when an elongate key-like tool is inserted into aligned passages of the two elements to prevent turning of the threaded formation so a costly device tightened onto the formation can be threaded off of the formation. A shroud cloaks the torque-disconnect coupler and has an opening through which the tool must pass to reach the aligned passages.

Abstract: Theft resistant upstanding mounts adjustably support at temporary, often unattended outdoor locations, such costly devices as compact, wireless electronic devices that control such excavation machinery as bulldozers and road graders. Each mount is connectable to or includes a massive base structure, and includes an upstanding, telescopically extensible mast. Lockable connections are provided between many components of the mount. A lockable, swivel connection provided between the mast and a costly device supported atop the mast permits leveling of the costly device for proper operation even if a longitudinal axis of the upstanding mast deviates significantly from true vertical. A protective cover locked to the mast assembly denies access to a control knob that might otherwise be used to detach the costly device from the mast.

Abstract: An apparatus including a platform having a surface secured to at least one leg, and leveling apparatus secured to the platform providing an indication of level about at least two axes. A method of positioning the apparatus includes the steps of positioning an end point of a first leg on a fiduciary point; setting a height of a mounting platform by extending said first leg; positioning an end point of a second leg to engage a surface; leveling the mounting platform on a first axis; positioning an end point of a third leg to engage said surface; leveling the mounting platform on a second axis; and re-positioning said first leg so that said end point is in a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mounting clips and structures to support the mounting clips. The mounting clips may use a bubble level or other device to allow the user to level the item supported, such as a camera. The mounting clips may be used with 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. The use of flexible mounting apparatus allows the user to mount an item such as a camera in a variety of locations, but this in turn may make it difficult for the user to level the view from the camera. A clip with a level device within it allows for such leveling.

Abstract: A multiply configurable mounting apparatus having an elongated permanently bendable support leg with a support base coupled to a first end of the support leg, the support base being structured for securing the mounting apparatus relative to an external surface; and a mounting platform coupled to a second end of the support leg opposite from the first end, the mounting platform is structured for mounting an external device to the second end portion of the permanently bendable support leg.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optics deck in six degrees of freedom comprising: mounting an optics deck having a scanline slot on an optics alignment station by means of three adjustable leveler assemblies located at three apexes of a triangle which enclose the slot and whose sides establish axes about which adjustment of the leveler assemblies is carried out such that the bottom surface of the optics deck is parallel to the optics alignment station and at a known height relative to the optics alignment station; translating the optics deck to bring it into proper optical alignment by translating the deck linearly along an axis coincident with the center line of the slot and rotationally about first and second points coincident with the end points of the scan line; and fixing the optics deck after the translating to the leveler assemblies.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mounting for an optical apparatus having an optical axis. The mounting has a base and a support for the optical apparatus which provide movement about one or more orthogonal axes and having damping means between the moving and non-moving components for the or each axis. The mounting further having means to determine movement (&thgr; relative) of the damping means at each moving component as a measure of intended movement of the mounting, means to determine actual movement (&agr; absolute) of the mounting and means responsive to any difference detected between the intended and actual movements to apply a corrective movement to the optical apparatus.

Abstract: A calculation system for calculating the control signals which are designed to perform a frequency-dependent weighting of the angular velocity signals and the angular position signals. The angular velocity indicators are preferably used for stabilization in a high frequency band while the angular position indicators are suitable for stabilization in a low frequency band. A further calculation system which is designed to perform the frequency-dependent weighting such that the control signals for frequencies below a certain frequency are substantially determined by the angular position signals and the control signals for higher frequencies are substantially determined by the angular velocity signals.

Abstract: A calculation system for calculating the control signals which are designed to perform a frequency-dependent weighting of the angular velocity signals and the angular position signals. The angular velocity indicators are preferably used for stabilization in a high frequency band while the angular position indicators are suitable for stabilization in a low frequency band. A further calculation system which is designed to perform the frequency-dependent weighting such that the control signals for frequencies below a certain frequency are substantially determined by the angular position signals and the control signals for higher frequencies are substantially determined by the angular velocity signals.

Abstract: An apparatus that can return a payload to a known orientation after unknown motion, without requiring external power or complex mechanical systems. The apparatus comprises a faceted cage that causes the system to rest in a stable position and orientation after arbitrary motion. A gimbal is mounted with the faceted cage and holds the payload, allowing the payload to move relative to the stable faceted cage. The payload is thereby placed in a known orientation by the interaction of gravity with the geometry of the faceted cage, the mass of the system, and the motion of the payload and gimbal. No additional energy, control, or mechanical actuation is required. The apparatus is suitable for use in applications requiring positioning of a payload to a known orientation after arbitrary or uncontrolled motion, including remote sensing and mobile robot applications.

Abstract: A box structure specifically for disposing an intellectual cube for displaying and as a packing box is disclosed. The box structure is comprised of a base and a transparent cover, the base is provided with a surrounding annular groove to allow the cover to place thereon for covering. The base is provided on the top thereof with a disk-shaped receiving platform having therein a groove for a wedge-shaped part and a groove for a pyramid-shaped part. With angular difference of the grooves, the intellectual cube packed can be disposed in multiple orientations; and the inner wall of the transparent cover abuts the upper corners of the intellectual cube to prevent the intellectual cube from shaking in the box during shipping and selling.