Abstract: A base for a light generating device or a leveling device, having a first surface that includes a connection structure to receive and mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto, and a second surface including a nonmechanical attachment structure.

Abstract: A laser alignment device includes a laser generating device, an upper attachment portion, and a lower attachment portion. The laser generating device includes a housing and a laser generator. The upper attachment portion is disposed near a bottom of the housing, and the lower attachment portion is pivotally and/or rotationally connected to the upper attachment portion.

Abstract: A positioning device without backlash includes a table and at least one gear operatively associated with the table. At least one worm gear is connected to the gear and the gear is driven in a desired direction with a primary motor and a synchronized slave motor. The synchronized slave motor is then reversible to remove the backlash in the positioning device thereby permitting an actual position to correspond with a dialed-in position.

Abstract: A tilt-swivel stand includes a base member, a movable member mounted on the base member, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the base member to the movable member. The connecting mechanism consists of a protrusion and a guide groove into which the protrusion is inserted. The protrusion includes a shank and an engaging portion. This engaging portion has a normal size greater than the width of the guide groove. The engaging portion is flexible enough to go through the guide groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably mounting a camera. The apparatus comprises a base bracket, a ring bracket, a square bracket and a carrier bracket.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mounting for a payload (e.g. a TV/Video camera) comprising a platform (18) providing a mounting face for the payload, means (15, 19) to mount the platform for rotation about a horizontal axis for tilting of the platform to either side of a neutral position in which the platform is horizontal and spring (25) means to provide resistance to the said tilting movement in either direction from said neutral position to counterbalance the payload/platform in any position of tilt. The spring means comprise a torsion spring means and coupling means (21, 22, 24, 24) are provided interconnecting the platform and said spring means with a mechanical advantage which increases automatically with movement of the platform away from said neutral position to compensate for the increasing spring resistance to tilting generated by the torsion spring to counterbalance the camera/platform combination through its range of tilting.

Abstract: A flat monitor. The flat monitor comprises a supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism comprises a base having a receiving space, a first linking shaft having a first end connected to the base and a second end, and a second linking shaft having a third end and a fourth end. The third end is movably connected to the base and moves between a first position and a second position. The fourth end is pivoted to the second end of the first linking shaft so as to form a joint portion. A deceleration device is disposed between the first linking shaft and the base in order to slow the speed at which the joint portion moves between a supporting position and a receiving position.

Abstract: A tilt-swivel stand includes a base member, a movable member mounted on the base member, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the base member to the movable member. The connecting mechanism consists of a protrusion and a guide groove into which the protrusion is inserted. The protrusion includes a shank and an engaging portion. This engaging portion has a normal size greater than the width of the guide groove. The engaging portion is flexible enough to go through the guide groove.

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 tilter assembly for an electronic device such as a liquid crystal display includes a swivel bolt having an opening at one end thereof, a swivel lug having one end pivotably attached to the swivel bolt within the opening, and an adapter having an opening within which the other end of the swivel lug is secured. The tilter assembly is attachable to an adjustable extension arm which is mounted to a supporting surface for positional manipulation of the electronic device.

Abstract: The tripod attachment for attaching a pair of binoculars to a tripod has a friction force producing member providing friction force to hold the pair of binoculars at any desired position with respect to an attachment body when fastening a screw member to the pivot of the pair of binoculars and at the same time to allow the entire pair of binoculars to rotate around the screw member only when certain external force is applied to the pair of binoculars. Therefore, the horizontal correction of the pair of binoculars can be performed only by rotating the pair of binoculars; thus, the tripod attachment can be easily handled. When performing the horizontal correction of the pair of binoculars with the tripod attachment, external rotating force is applied to the pair of binoculars so that the entire pair of binoculars rotates around the screw member against the friction force.

Abstract: A gimbal is rotatably supported about a Z axis by one pair of support columns fixed to a mounting surface. A motor and angle detector are provided on the gimbal to control a rotation of an image pickup section about a Y axis. By a coil unit formed on the mounting surface, a magnet mounted on the gimbal is driven to rotate the gimbal about a Z axis. The rotation angle of the gimbal is detected by a relative positional relation between a sensor head fixed to the gimbal and rod bent in an arc-like configuration to follow a rotation focus of the gimbal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to a surface and for positioning the device with respect to the surface. The apparatus includes a cradle securable to the electronic device and a pivot link, which has a first end and a second end. The first end being pivotally coupled to the cradle. The apparatus also includes a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto. The second end of the pivot link is pivotally coupled to the support. The apparatus has a base which has a lower face that can be coupled to the surface and an upper face. The upper face has a receiving slot for the pedestal, the slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage the pedestal. The slot further has an open end to allow the pedestal to be moved within the slot. The base further includes a releasable locking arm having a retaining ridge located in line with the open end of the slot to selectively hold the pedestal within the slot.

Abstract: An azimuth drive unit for a solar power system has a multistage sprocket configuration. The drive unit includes an input shaft for receiving an input torque, where the multistage sprocket configuration is coupled to the input shaft. The sprocket configuration converts the input torque into an output torque, and an output shaft is coupled to the sprocket configuration for applying the output torque to a solar reflector. In a highly preferred embodiment, the sprocket configuration includes a tensioning system contacting one or more of the chains and a housing of the drive unit. The tensioning system applies a tension force to the contacted chains such that backlash in the sprocket configuration is reduced. The present invention also provides for a plurality of bearing members coupled to the output shaft for adding stiffness to the output shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tiltable mounting for a TV camera or the like comprising a base (11), a camera support (16) mounted on the base to tilt about a first horizontal axis to either side of a neutral, upright position, and a counterbalancing mechanism (12) for holding the support with a payload upright or in any rotational position to which it is moved from said upright position. The counterbalancing mechanism comprising an elongate guideway (29) having one end coupled to the support at an eccentric location (23) to said first horizontal axis. A guide (27) with which the guideway (29) is slidably engaged is pivotally mounted on the base about a further horizontal axis spaced from said first axis such that tilting movement of the mounting about the first axis from the neutral position causes the guideway to slide with respect to the guide.

Abstract: A system for mounting and securing a portable computer to vehicle mounts to the interior of the vehicle. The system protects, secures, and houses the portable computer within a case. A mounting base mounts to the interior of the vehicle. The case includes a base plate, a platform, and a lid. The base plate mounts to the mounting base. A docking station or power supply for a portable computer mounts to the platform. The computer is positioned adjacent to the platform and mounts to the docking station or power supply for a computer mounts to the platform. The mounting base, base plate, case, or combination thereof dampens vibrations from the vehicle to the computer, thus protecting the computer from vibration damage. The lid moves with respect to the case to provide user access to the computer. The lid can further move to cover the computer to secure the computer within the case or to the platform. Internal shelves or trays within the case provide access to and house associated computer peripheral devices.

Abstract: A mounting assembly structured to removably and collectively support a plurality of microphones in a predetermined, organized array, at a location wherein sound pick-up and/or amplification is required. The mounting assembly includes a base having an attachment assembly for removably and/or adjustably securing the base to anyone of a plurality of different support structures, wherein the base further includes a gripping assembly comprising a plurality of apertures each having a sufficient circumferential dimension to supportingly engage anyone of a plurality of differently configured microphones. At least some of the plurality of apertures comprising a closed circumferential configuration wherein others of the plurality of apertures comprise a substantially open circumferential configuration, which is at least partially defined by an access opening disposed in communicating relation with a peripheral edge of the base and the interior of a corresponding one of said open apertures.

Abstract: A camera positioning mechanism including a secondary pan mechanism for rotating the camera about a secondary pan axis, the secondary pan mechanism is mounted on the tilt mechanism and the camera is mounted on the secondary pan mechanism.

Abstract: A flat panel display device having a stand cap which is firmly assembling to a hinge member. The flat panel display device includes a display unit for displaying an image and is vertically and horizontally pivotally supported by a stand through a hinge member. The hinge member has a tilting shaft for pivoting the display unit vertically and a rotation member for rotating the display unit horizontally. The stand cap is fixed to the rotation member by a fastener so that the stand cap is rotated with and not released from the rotation member when the display unit is rotated.

Abstract: This is a device to assist in the loading of a boat (canoe) onto the top of a vehicle by only one person. This device does not come into contact with any part of the vehicle. In this invention four legs are attached to the bottom lift tube base, thus supporting the lift tubes in the vertical position. The height of the stand is adjustable by placing the height adjust pin into the desired through hole. Once adjusted the rotary shaft is moved to its horizontal position, protruding out towards the side. Separately, the boat plate is firmly fixed to one end of the boat by the use of a strap and buckle. With the use of your hands, you rotate the boat on the ground to its side, then lift the boat until the connect pin falls into the hole on the rotary shaft. Once in, a clip is used to secure the boat plate to the stand. The user then moves to the side of the boat and lifts and rotates it upwards until the lock collar falls into its locking position. The boat is now firmly anchored in the top position.