Abstract: A hanger assembly includes a hanger bracket and an adapter formed with a head and a down rod connector. The head has a lower face seated in a socket formed in the hanger bracket and an opposing upper face, and a first axis perpendicular to the upper face. The down rod connector depends downwardly from the lower face thereof to a free end adapted to be secured to a down rod, and includes a front face facing a front end of the socket, an opposing rear face facing a rear end of the socket, and a second axis extending longitudinally thereof. There is a salient angle of less than 180 degrees between the first axis and the second axis facing the front end of the socket, and the front end of the socket is received in a notch formed in the front face of the down rod connector.

Abstract: The Invention relates to an adjusting and fixing device comprising a base body (1) and one or several fixing bodies (4,5) arranged therein for fixing at least two components at a distance from each other in a stationary manner. A fixing body (4,5) is inserted in a rotatable and pivotable manner into each end area (2,3) of the base body (1) and is maintained in place on the outside. A pressure body (6,7) can be displaceably connected to the base body (1), from the outside inwards, whereon a wedge piece (8) is arranged at a right angle in relation to the direction of displacement of the pressure body (6,7) which fixes the fixing bodies (4,5) to said pressure body (6,7).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface. The mounting assembly generally includes a base including a mounting ball and a socket assembly operable to frictionally engage the ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base. The base may be removably coupled with the surface and the socket assembly may be removably coupled with the electronic device. Such a configuration enables the electronic device to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base to the surface, then attaching the socket assembly to the base and positioning the socket assembly in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device to the socket assembly.

Abstract: A multi-point support system with self-aligning trunnions to carry, on a cradle frame, a rotatable cylindrical drum having a pair of trunnion rings spaced along a central longitudinal axis. A thrust bearing connected to the frame engages a trunnion ring to accommodate any horizontal thrust load for an inclined cylindrical drum. Each self-aligning trunnion includes a base plate on which is mounted a trunnion roller with an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum. A pair of bearing supports are connected to the base plate transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drum in order to permit arcuate movement of the base plate about one bearing support and to permit tilting movement of the base plate about a transverse axis through the bearing supports. The arcuate and tilting movements of the base plate permit the trunnion roller to maintain full tangential contact with the trunnion ring.

Abstract: A speaker mount includes a support structure attachment, an adjustable mount connected to the structure attachment and including a first connector, and a speaker attachment including a second connector. The first and second connectors may selectively be connected or disconnected, permitting a speaker to be connected to and disconnected from the remainder of the mount. The first connector is mounted to a ball. A lock plate is mounted at an opposing side of the ball from the first connector. A fastener controls the distance between the first connector and the lock plate. In one position, the fastener draws the lock plate and first connector towards one another, fixing the lock plate in a position on the ball, and in another position allows the first connector to be moved relative to the ball. The mount permits orientation of a speaker in a variety of positions relative to a support structure.

Abstract: A supporting device for computer peripheral equipments, such as a Webcam, includes a base for holding the Webcam. The base has a housing compartment to hold a moving member. The housing compartment has two sides, each having a sliding member. The moving member has two sides pivotally coupled on the sliding members. The sliding members can be swiveled and moved back and forth, relative to the base, to adjust the clamping space and clamping angle between the base and the moving member at the same time. The supporting device may also rest and stand on an operation surface in an upright manner.

Abstract: A mount for a light tool having a bore is for use at an associated tool station. The ball joint has a ball for engaging a socket joint. The ball joint has a stub extending therefrom and a wedge-lock element having a collar for engaging the stub. A carriage is mounted to the collar. A pair of finger elements are mounted to the carriage for pivotal movement relative to the carriage, toward and away from each other. The wedge lock element includes a wedge movable along the axis between the fingers to urge the fingers outward as the wedge moves toward the carriage. The wedge lock element is positioned with at least a portion of the carriage and the fingers in the tool bore and the wedge is drawn in to secure the ball joint portion in the tool bore. A clamp element is operably connected to the ball joint portion to indirectly secure the ball joint to a fixture. The clamp element includes a front plate, a bracket and a brake element disposed and movable between the front plate and the brake element.

Abstract: A self-balanced adjustable mounting system for a flat panel display. A display interface having a hollow, semi-spherical shell portion is attached to the flat panel display. The semi-spherical shell is formed with a generally constant radius of curvature. The center of the radius of curvature is disposed proximate the center of gravity of the flat panel display with the display interface attached. The display interface is received in a guide structure that has a bearing portion engaging the outer surface of the semi-spherical shell, and a second bearing portion engaging the inner surface of the semi-spherical shell through an aperture formed in the semi-spherical shell. The semi-spherical shell is guided between the first and second bearing portions so that the flat panel display and device interface are generally rotatable about the center of the radius of curvature of the semi-spherical shell.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint connection has a retaining part which has a fastening point for fixedly mounting the retaining part to a structure, and a rod part which is arranged pivotably in a pivoting-angle region in a pivoting plane via a ball-and-socket joint on the retaining part. The fastening point and the ball-and-socket joint are situated approximately in the pivoting plane and the rod part protrudes from the ball-like component out of a journal slot which extends radially to the ball seat in a sector-like or sectional manner at least corresponding to the pivoting angle and has a width at least corresponding to the thickness of the rod part to reduce a bending moment and loading on the retaining part.

Abstract: A camera platform for installing a camera in the inside of an automobile is designed in such a manner that even when a camera is rotated to capture rearward images, the camera does not interfere with a room mirror. Since the shaft of a rotation portion is divided into a rotation shaft and a ball shaft, an arm part of the camera platform is rotated without the necessity of rotating the camera main body in the vicinity of the room mirror, so that it becomes possible to carry out rearward image capturing operations. Moreover, since the rotation shaft of the arm part is designed to be offset from the camera attaching center line by 20 mm, it becomes possible to prevent a cable extending from above the camera from contacting with an arm attachment part of a mount, even when the camera is rotated.

Abstract: A self-balancing adjustable mounting system for a flat panel display. A display interface having a hollow, frusto-spherical shell portion is attached to the flat panel display. The display interface is received in a guide structure that has a bearing portion engaging the outer surface of the frusto-spherical shell, and a second bearing portion engaging the inner surface of the frusto-spherical shell. The frusto-spherical shell is guided between the first and second bearing portions so that the flat panel display and device interface are generally rotatable about the center of the radius of curvature of the semi-spherical shell. A friction adjustment mechanism enables selective adjustment of the amount of friction between the first and second bearing portions and the frusto-spherical shell so as to enable the flat panel display to be fixed in a position to inhibit undesired movement of the display due to contact or other cause.

Abstract: A support for apparatus in general and, in particular, for optical or photographic apparatus and the like. The support comprises a pillar arranged to receive the apparatus at a first end and to be housed with its stem in a seat extending through a spider of a tripod. The support also comprises, at the first end, an orientable platform for the levelling of the apparatus independently of the positioning of the tripod, and the pillar is structurally independent of the spider and can be inserted removably in the seat.

Abstract: A cardan shaft structure with tightness adjustable functions has a through-hole passing through spheres located at both ends of the cardan shaft body, and a taper socket respectively installed into the opening end of each sphere. A bolt is inserted into both spheres and the body, fixed and locked together in conjunction with a nut. The cardan shaft structure works together with two clamping components wrapping around the spheres. When the sphere is being pushed against (or freed from) the inner wall of the clamping component by tightening (or loosing) the bolt so as to make the sphere either expand (or recover), the angle displacement of the clamping component becomes adjustable accordingly.

Abstract: A tripod head includes a cylindrical housing 1 having connection member at one end for a tripod, a ball joint (2) rotatably and pivotally arranged in the housing (1), a bearing element (4) for the ball joint (2), having a sliding surface (7) contacting the circumference of the ball joint (2) and arranged so as to be axially displaceable and rotatable in the housing (1), and a device (5) for fixing the ball joint (2) and having a support (6) for the bearing element 4 and an adjusting device (25) in operative connection with the support (6) in order to displace the bearing element against the ball joint to achieve the clamping action.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly (100) for mounting an electronic device (D) to a surface (S). The mounting assembly (100) generally includes a base (102) including a mounting ball (110) and a socket assembly (104) operable to frictionally engage the ball (110) to removably couple the socket assembly (104) to the base (102). The base (102) may be removably coupled with the surface (S) and the socket assembly (104) may be removably coupled with the electronic device (D). Such a configuration enables the electronic device (D) to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base (102) to the surface (S), then attaching the socket assembly (104) to the base (102) and positioning the socket assembly (104) in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device (D) to the socket assembly (104).

Abstract: A pivotable suspension element includes a support member having a part-spherical bearing surface clamp element and a body portion, the body portion having an integral formation of a slot to receive a part of a component to which the pivotable suspension element may be secured; a locator formation for the clamp element whereby, in use, the clamp element may be operated to clamp a flange in the slot; a part-spherical seat, and a through-passage extending through the body from the part-spherical seat, wherein the curvature of the part-spherical seat of the body portion corresponds substantially with that of the bearing surface of the support member and wherein the cross-sectional size of the through-passage increases in a direction away from the part-spherical seat.

Abstract: A ball head assembly has a holding base, a clamping collar, a ball, a holder and an anti-escape mechanism. The anti-escape mechanism is mounted on the holding base, is connected to the ball and has a supporting rod, a supporting block, a dragging member and a nut. The supporting rod extends through the bottom of the holding base and has a spherical end rotatably connected to the ball and a threaded end. The supporting block is mounted around the supporting rod and rotatably mates with the bottom of the holding base. The dragging member is mounted around the supporting rod and has a first end abutting against the supporting block and a second end. The nut is screwed onto the threaded end of the supporting rod and abuts against the second end of the dragging member.

Abstract: In a universal joint arrangement between an apparatus holder and an apparatus support console including a receiver element mounted to the console, a ball joint element projecting from the holder, a ball element for engaging the ball joint element and the receiver element and a clamping mechanism comprising a bolt and a nut, the bolt extends through the ball joint element and the receiver element and the nut or the bolt head is retained in an operating wheel which is disposed adjacent the receiver element so as to be rotatable by the fingers of a user for adjusting the clamping force engaging the ball joint element between the receiver element and the ball element.

Abstract: A cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system using a portable terminal includes directional sensors, such as a gyro-sensor and an acceleration sensor, and a plate-shaped fixing unit for fixing the on-vehicle navigation system onto a desired surface inside a vehicle. The cradle further includes a support extending upwardly from the fixing unit, a fastening unit rotatably positioned on the support and receiving the portable terminal thereon, and a sensor unit rotatably coupled to the support and provided with a leveler in its uppermost end.

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 blade restraint system for restraining a blade of a helicopter comprising a blade clamp releasably mounted to the blade and a pole pair releasably mountable to the blade clamp at a clamp end. The pole pair is releasably mountable to the helicopter fuselage at an aircraft. The pole pair includes a first pole and second pole. The first and second poles are moveable relative to each other between a storage position and an extended position. The first pole is positioned generally within the second pole in the storage position.

Abstract: A dual spherical ball clamp is employed to allow for pivotal adjustment of a robotic arm to support an object in a desired position. The clamp is formed by a pair of clamp halves bolted together to form a pair of sockets. Each socket receives a spherical ball of an arm. The faces of the dual spherical ball clamp are slightly inclined outwardly with respect to the lower surface of the dual spherical ball clamp to provide for additional range of motion of the arms.

Abstract: A magnetic mounting assembly for securely attaching a positionable object to be variably fixed in a desired selected position to a support, for universally moving the positionable object to the desired selected position, and for holding the positionable object in that position during operation is provided, including a positioning element with a ball that is attached to the positionable object. A support element includes a socket configured to movably engage the ball. One of either the ball or socket includes a magnetic material and the other includes a magnetically attractive material to hold the ball in the socket by magnetic as well as frictional forces. An adjustment collar controls the axial movement of the ball to increase or decrease the magnetic force holding the ball in the socket. This mounting assembly is particularly useful for supporting a camera on a tripod.

Abstract: An adjustable attachment device includes a clamping member for securely clamping a tubular member, a sleeve securely mounted to the clamping member, a ball received in the sleeve, a connecting seat having a portion securely coupled to the ball to move therewith, and a resilient member. The sleeve includes a longitudinal through-hole. Further, the sleeve includes a cutout passing through an upper end of the longitudinal through-hole. The resilient member biases the ball to press against a spherical upper wall section of the sleeve, thereby retaining the connecting seat in place. The connecting seat is pressable to compress the resilient member and cause the ball to disengage from the spherical upper wall section of the sleeve, allowing the connecting seat to move along the cutout of the sleeve and allowing the connecting seat to turn to a desired orientation relative to the tubular member.

Abstract: A merchandise display system includes a rod lockably connected to a peg board, a hanging member hanging from the rod and a swivel member rotatably connected to the hanging member about a first axis. The swivel member is connected to a lockable display case for carrying an item of merchandise and is rotatable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Thus, the display case is rotatable about the first and second axes to facilitate viewing the merchandise from any angle while the case is lockably connected to the rod. The hanging and swivel members may be a ball and socket combination. Alternately, the swivel member may connect to the display case via a hinge pin about which portions of the case may rotate to open and close. Alternately, a lower member may extend from within the case through holes therein to rotatably connect to the swivel member about the second axis.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a mounting element for attachment to a surface, a cap engaged with the mounting element for angular movement relative thereto and having a slot therein through which extends an arm of a support member, there being at one end of the arm a ball which is received in a socket defined between the cap and the mounting element. A coupling nut is engagable with the mounting element so that in a first, tightened state, the nut locks the cap in its selected angular orientation relative to the mounting element, thereby retaining the arm in its selected position in the slot and the support member in its selected rotational position relative to the cap. In its second, unscrewed state, the nut allows adjustment of the cap, arm and support member correspondingly to adjust the orientation of an object mounted by the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A mounting assembly includes a connecting subassembly having first and second exterior arms, and an interior arm having first and second ends disposed between the first and second exterior arms. The first end of the interior arm and a portion of the first exterior arm define a first socket. The second end of the interior arm and a portion of the second exterior arm define a second socket. First and second mounting members disposed in the respective first and second sockets.

Abstract: An optical alignment device holds fiber collimators in place with extremely good mechanical and environmental stability. The device includes a ball with a hole traversing the ball, an upper clamping block with a first inner concave spherical surface and a lower clamping block with a second inner concave spherical surface. The hole includes a shape that can accommodate or contact an optical component whose alignment is to be controlled. The ball, together with the enclosed optical component is firmly held between the first and second inner concave surfaces of the clamping blocks, which are tightened against the ball with screws. When firmly clamped within the concave surfaces, the ball is prevented from accidental movement but can still rotate about any axis to align the optical component. Once alignment is achieved, the optical component and the ball are secured in place by epoxy, glue, solder or other suitable adhesive.

Abstract: A C-ring clips to an edge of tableware. The C-ring has a rearwardly extending shaft supporting a ball. A gripping device rotates on the ball and supports a shelf. A fixture capable of displaying an ornament or name card is attached to the shelf.

Abstract: A self-balanced adjustable mounting system for a flat panel display. A display interface having a hollow, semi-spherical shell portion is attached to the flat panel display. The semi-spherical shell is formed with a generally constant radius of curvature. The center of the radius of curvature is disposed proximate the center of gravity of the flat panel display with the display interface attached. The display interface is received in a guide structure that has a bearing portion engaging the outer surface of the semi-spherical shell, and a second bearing portion engaging the inner surface of the semi-spherical shell through an aperture formed in the semi-spherical shell. The semi-spherical shell is guided between the first and second bearing portions so that the flat panel display and device interface are generally rotatable about the center of the radius of curvature of the semi-spherical shell.

Abstract: A grip head includes a progressive support clamp, a biscuit clamp and a ball joint. The progressive support clamp can be actuated from an open position to a support member clamp position. The support member clamp position clamps a support member in a support member channel defined in the progressive support clamp and allows rotation of a ball of the ball joint, to enable positioning of an accessory coupled with the ball. The progressive support clamp can be further actuated to a full clamp position. The full clamp position clamps the support member and fixes the position of the ball and the position of the accessory coupled therewith.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pivotal shaft assembly for plane displays, including a bottom plate, a fixing-member mounted at the front side of the bottom plate and having a positioning ball integrally coupled to the front side of a support base of the spherical nest device, a rotational member having two extension rods extended from the rear side of a connecting plate, each extension rod at one end having a connecting end and a corresponding axial hole thereon along its axial direction, and two inner sides of the connecting ends clamping the positioning ball by pressing on a curve groove corresponding to the curvature of the positioning ball with the inner sides, and two adjusting members of the extension rod passing through the axial hole to support a pressing ring, such that the positioning ball being clamped securely along the same axis and capable of moving along its surface to provide a multi-directional adjustment.

Abstract: A kit for mounting a monitor including a mounting plate adapted to mount to a monitor, a joint adapted to be coupled to the mounting plate in a quick-release manner, and a bracket having first and second ends. The first end is adapted to couple to the joint and the second end is adapted to be attached to a fixed structure, such as a pole or a wall. The articulated arm has a fixed end and a movable end with the movable end adapted to be coupled to the joint, whereby the joint can be coupled to either of the bracket and the articulated arm.

Abstract: A holding and positioning system for locates and moves adjunct surgical accessory instruments relative to a patent's body during arthroscopic surgery without risking rupture of the patient's tissue at the instrument access opening in the patient's body.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a gun or a bow securely to an all terrain vehicle. The apparatus has one or more adjustable support arms each having a quick release and lock mechanism. The support arms serve as a way to allow the gun or bow to fit closely to the contour of the vehicle.

Abstract: A headlamp for an automobile includes a lamp body, a light source, a reflector, and an aiming mechanism. The aiming mechanism includes a screw insertion hole and an aiming screw operable to move the reflector by pivoting the aiming screw. The aiming screw includes a supported portion supported by the screw insertion hole, a male screw portion forward from the supported portion, and a pivotal movement operating force transmitted portion rearward from the supported portion. A front end side of the supported portion includes an elastic locking portion operable to pass through the screw insertion hole by being deformed elastically to an inner side in a radial direction, and a rear end side of the supported portion is integrally formed with an elastic rib brought into press contact with a peripheral edge portion on a rear end side of the screw insertion hole to fixedly position the aiming screw.

Abstract: A holding and positioning system for locating adjunct surgical accessory instruments relative to a patient's body during arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: The invention comprises a flexible tightening device, especially for medical purposes, with one of several jointed element pivotable against one another existing arm, in which the arm can be locked into the desired position of the locking element by means of a tightening element. In order to create a simply constructed tightening device, which is also easy to clean, which can be adjusted on many sides and is lockable, the invention is suggested, in which each jointed element demonstrates a ball joint at one end and at the opposite end a socket joint to receive the ball joint and that each jointed element is constructed in the length direction in two parts, whereby the individual length pieces are adjustable against one another for locking purposes.

Abstract: An array of cooperating parts useful to form a water ballasted satellite dish antenna mount includes a hollow base container provided with an annulus into which an adjustable mount is keyed and inserted. Once inserted an end mounting post on the mount is aligned to a vertical alignment with the assistance of a bubble level in the post end to support the dish antenna thereon. The base container further includes a magnetic compass on the upper surface thereof with the compass azimuth markings then repeated on the mount. The base container and the mount further include engagement devices for attaching the base and the mount to each other when disassembled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bracket comprising a first bracket part (1) with a first spherical surface (2), a second bracket part (3) with a second spherical surface (4), and a fastening element (5) for fastening the first bracket part (1) movably to the second bracket part (3). The second bracket part (3) comprises a groove (6) or the like, the fastening element (5) is at least partly placed in the groove (6), the first bracket part (1) is movable with respect to the second bracket part (3) so that a relative movement is generated between the fastening element (5) and the groove (6), and the first bracket part (1) is turnable with respect to the second bracket part (3) so that the fastening element (5) simultaneously remains substantially in its place with respect to the groove (6).

Abstract: A holder for supporting and holding at least one article relative to and spaced apart from a support surface is provided. The holder includes a receptacle, a clamp configured to couple the receptacle to the support surface, and a coupling arm coupled between the receptacle and the clamp. The coupling arm is coupled to the receptacle at a receptacle coupling joint, and the coupling arm is coupled to said clamp at a clamp coupling joint. Both the receptacle coupling joint and the clamp coupling joint permit movement in more than one plane. Preferably, at least one of the coupling joints is a ball joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bracket comprising a first bracket part (1) with a first spherical surface (2), a second bracket part (3) with a second spherical surface (4), and a fastening element (5) for fastening the first bracket part (1) movably to the second bracket part (3). The second bracket part (3) comprises a groove (6) or the like, the fastening element (5) is at least partly placed in the groove (6), the first bracket part (1) is movable with respect to the second bracket part (3) so that a relative movement is generated between the fastening element (5) and the groove (6), and the first bracket part (1) is turnable with respect to the second bracket part (3) so that the fastening element (5) simultaneously remains substantially in its place with respect to the groove (6).

Abstract: A mounting and support bracket which is designed to support and make available to an individual a piece of electronic equipment, such as a small computer and monitor combination. The mounting of the support bracket is to be fixable onto an exterior structure. The mounting and support bracket is to be manually activated to occupy either a fixed position or a movement position. The movement position will permit locating of the computer/monitor in a readily observable position. The fixed position will then fix the bracket in the position that has been established by the movement position.

Abstract: A gripper or workpiece holder mounting bracket includes a center element and a pair of opposite end elements which are connectable to the center element via one or more fasteners. The mounting bracket defines a generally circular opening between the center element and one of the end elements and defines a second opening between the center element and other end element which has an arcuate or curved cross section, whereby a truncated spherical swivel member is pivotably secured therein when the bracket elements are secured together. The gripper or workpiece holder is pivotally secured within the generally circular opening, while the swivel member receives a generally cylindrical support structure therethrough. Adjustment of a clamping force at either or both of the openings of the mounting bracket may be accomplished via loosening of a single fastener.

Abstract: A positively-positionable mounting apparatus having a ball mount, a multisided positionable mount, and a coupler. The coupler includes two relatively rigid arm members and a clamp structured to secure the arm members together in an operatively juxtaposed configuration. Each of the arm members is formed with a part hemispherical socket adjacent to a first end, the socket structured to cooperate with the ball mount to form a securely positionable ball-and-socket assembly. Each of the arm members is also formed with a multisided partial collar adjacent to a second end, the partial collar structured to cooperate with the multisided positionable mount to form a positively-positionable wheel-and-axle assembly.

Abstract: An optomechanical mounting includes an upper spring assembly and a lower spring assembly that support and secure a sphere containing an optical element. The materials in the mounting have the same or nearly the same CTEs and spring assemblies provide opposing radial forces so that thermal expansions are compensated, giving the mounting superior thermal stability. Frictional forces on the sphere from the upper and lower spring assemblies maintain the orientation of the sphere (and the optical element) during operation, but smooth surfaces of the sphere and springs still permit sensitive, precision rotation of sphere for alignment without post-alignment clamping of the sphere. The spring assemblies can be ring-shaped to permit an opening through the spring assembly to the sphere for light paths or for tools that adjust the alignment of the sphere.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting an optical sensor to a combustor basket of a combustion gas turbine engine includes a base, an alignment member, and a clamp. The base is mounted over an access hole formed in the combustor basket and is formed with a spherical socket. The alignment member carries the optical sensor and includes a ball that is adjustably received in the socket. During alignment of the alignment member, a laser or other directed light source is applied to the end of the optical sensor. The laser delivers a laser beam that shines out of the optical sensor and permits the alignment member and the optical sensor to be properly aligned. The clamp selectively applies a non-rotational clamping force to the ball of the alignment member to clamp the alignment member in a given orientation with respect to the base.

Abstract: An optical alignment device holds fiber collimators in place with extremely good mechanical and environmental stability. The device includes a ball with a hole traversing the ball, an upper clamping block with a first inner concave spherical surface and a lower clamping block with a second inner concave spherical surface. The hole includes a shape that can accommodate or contact an optical component whose alignment is to be controlled. The ball, together with the enclosed optical component is firmly held between the first and second inner concave surfaces of the clamping blocks, which are tightened against the ball with screws. When firmly clamped within the concave surfaces, the ball is prevented from accidental movement but can still rotate about any axis to align the optical component. Once alignment is achieved, the optical component and the ball are secured in place by epoxy, glue, solder or other suitable adhesive.

Abstract: In articulating keyboard support mechanism, a plurality of cylindrical links provide for a multipositional support arm. The links are attached to the inner side of a desk using a mounting bracket and base cylinder. A keyboard support tray is coupled to the forwardmost link of the articulating arm. The tensioning bar allows for placing the links under tension so as to maintain their position.

Abstract: A positively-positionable mounting apparatus having a ball mount, a multisided positionable mount, and a coupler. The coupler includes two relatively rigid arm members and a clamp structured to secure the arm members together in an operatively juxtaposed configuration. Each of the arm members is formed with a part hemispherical socket adjacent to a first end, the socket structured to cooperate with the ball mount to form a securely positionable ball-and-socket assembly. Each of the arm members is also formed with a multisided partial collar adjacent to a second end, the partial collar structured to cooperate with the multisided positionable mount to form a positively-positionable wheel-and-axle assembly.