Abstract: The present invention provides a microphone support which includes a restriction groove 520 between a universal ball 50 and a mounting member 70 in order to restrict the rotating angle range of the universal ball 50 rotating with the axis line of a pipe through-hole 510 centered, so that the direction axis L of a microphone is restricted to have a designated swinging angle range with the talker side of the microphone centered. Therefore, no breaking wire by wire-twists is generated, and since the microphone is prevented from facing to loudspeakers owing to careless handling, no howling is also generated.

Abstract: An umbrella assembly comprising a base, a pole mounted on the base extending upwardly and outwardly from the base, a carriage slidably mounted on the pole, and an umbrella frame including an adapter releasably engagable with the carriage. A handle is rotatably mounted on the pole, and a cable is coupled at one end to the handle and coupled at another end to the umbrella frame such that by rotating the handle, the cable is retracted and the umbrella is opened, and by rotating the handle in the opposite direction, the cable is released, the umbrella is collapsed, and the carriage is slidable along the pole. The cable is coupled to the adapter such that the adapter may be releasably secured to the umbrella frame to allow the umbrella frame to be tilted and secured in an inclined position.

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 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: A magnetic mounting platform assembly for removably retaining handheld devices by means of using magnetic attraction. The magnetic mounting platform assembly provides a substantially flat support surface backed by an interface structure that secures the magnetic mounting platform assembly to an external mounting surface. A permanent magnet is disposed within a cavity that positions magnet in close proximity to the flat support surface. According to one embodiment of the invention, the interface structure also captures and secures the magnet between the pad and the mounting surface.

Abstract: A book holder for releasably retaining a book or document thereon including a base having a vertical support arm extending from the base. The vertical support arm includes a channel extending substantially along a length thereof. A pivoting support arm pivotally connected to said vertical support arm. The pivoting support arm includes a channel extending substantially along a length thereof. The book holder further includes a locking wheel for releasably securing the pivoting support arm to the vertical support arm. A book platform is moveably connected to an end of the pivoting support arm for selectively retaining the book or document thereon in a position able to be easily viewed by a user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a positioning system that includes at least three positioner assemblies. Each positioner assembly includes a housing with a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly disposed within the housing. The positioner assemblies are releasably coupled to a wafer chuck and operable to selectively position the chuck. More particularly, the fine adjustment assembly includes a piezoelectric actuator that is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

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

Abstract: A sunshade comprises a supporting rod, a tube supported by the supporting rod, an elbow connected to an end of the tube, and a canopy support frame. A vertical section of the elbow includes two spaced lugs having a space therebetween, an upper wall defining the space including a toothed section. The canopy support frame includes an upper support base having ribs attached thereto for supporting a canopy, a lower support base having stretchers attached thereto for supporting the ribs, and a suspension member fixed to the upper support base to move therewith. The suspension member includes a toothed portion for releasable engagement with the toothed section of the elbow. The toothed portion of the suspension member is engaged with the toothed section of the elbow when the canopy reaches a fully open state.

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: A multi-positionable mounting device that provides a substantially stable, load-bearing but relatively adjustable ball and socket mounting device. An interior surface of the socket is formed of first and second opposing part hemispherical socket portions that are relatively orientable with one another for forming therebetween a part spherical cavity. The interior surface of one socket portion is formed with multiple facets at a predetermined radial distance from a spherical center point of the cavity. The first and second opposing part hemispherical socket portions are securable in a relationship which forms the part spherical cavity therebetween. A part-spherical coupler substantially fills the spherical cavity. The mechanical securing means applies clamping force that acts between the first and second opposing socket portions and secures the coupler therebetween in fixed orientation with one of the faceted socket portion.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a deformable mirror that has a peripheral mounting portion with oppositely facing and parallel mounting surfaces. A base member and a mounting ring have juxtaposed peripheral flange portions with rubber o-rings for engaging the parallel mounting surfaces of the mirror. A plurality of set screws are provided in the base member and the mounting ring in the peripheral flange portions and engage the o-rings for applying and adjusting a mounting force to the mounting surfaces of the mirror. The base member is also provided with set screws in the perimeter for engaging and centering the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a positioning system that includes at least three positioner assemblies. Each positioner assembly includes a housing with a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly disposed within the housing. The positioner assemblies are releasably coupled to a wafer chuck and operable to selectively position the chuck. More particularly, the fine adjustment assembly includes a piezoelectric actuator that is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting apparatus includes a mounting post having a ball at one end. Opposed clamping members clamp the ball from opposite sides of the mounting post. The clamping members engage the ball with line contact. The clamping members are at a fixed distance apart from each other on a first side of the ball. An adjustable locking member secures the clamping members together on a second side of the ball for loosening and tightening the clamping members about the ball. This allows the clamping members to be rotated about the ball and tightened thereon. A mounting fixture is secured to the clamping members to allow devices to be mounted thereon.

Abstract: An angle adjusting mechanism for hanging parasols includes a hollow housing member and an anchor means located in the housing member. An adjusting element with a turning member located at a lower end thereof is housed in the housing member for fastening a supporting bracket. The turning member may be turned for a selected displacement in the housing member to change the angle of a hanging parasol relative to the supporting bracket to block sunshine, and a displacement element of the anchor means may be moved to constrict the adjusting element at a selected position to keep the hanging parasol stationary at the selected angle.

Abstract: Discloses a multi-joint arm-like support including a mount connecting to an elongate first limb section by a paired ball-and-socket joint, or shoulder joint. The first limb section is connected to a second limb section by a rotatable joint or elbow joint. The second limb section has a ball-and-socket joint connecting to an instrument mount. The joints include fluid activated locks to enable the arm to be freely moveable when the fluid activated locks are released and locked in position when the fluid activated locks are activated.

Abstract: A post-installation adjustable lighting fixture comprises an eyeball captured between a flange and retention means which are rotatably coupled so that the eyeball is swivelably received by the flange and retention means. The eyeball is constructed so that it can be removably attached to an open-ended adjusting tool which provides easy adjustment of the eyeball position after the fixture is installed on a mounting surface. The tool may be left in place to act as a glare reduction device, baffle, or projection device. The tool may alternatively be separated from the eyeball to provide a conventional appearance for the fixture.

Abstract: A joint for an articulated mechanism includes a housing and a rotatable member within the housing. There is a friction member mounted on the housing between the housing and the rotatable member. There is a spring normally biasing the friction member against the rotatable member to inhibit the rotation of the rotatable member. There is an actuator within the housing operatively coupled to the housing. The actuator member moves the friction member away from the rotatable member when actuated to facilitate rotation of the rotatable member. A plurality of joints are used to connect together a series of shafts, some of which may be equipped with clamps or other tools for securing workpieces.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting device is provided for mounting an object at a selected position relative to a surface. The adjustable mounting device can be easily adjusted with one hand and generally includes a ball member, a stem portion attached to the ball member, a locking member, and first and second mounting portions coupled to the stem portion and the locking member, respectively. The locking member includes a ball retention member and a plunger member. The ball retention member includes first and second ball retention arms that are adapted to slidably engage the exterior surface of the ball member to form a pivotable connection.

Abstract: A tripod head (1) has a universal joint, which has a ball joint (3) which is swivelably and rotatably mounted in a bearing housing (2). The universal joint is arranged between connection points (4, 5) situated on oppositely facing ends of tripod head (1), one of which is connected or connectable with a camera and the other with a tripod or similar mounting. For restricting the swivelability of the ball joint (3) about a swiveling axis (6) running through its center, the ball joint (3) is releasably connectable with an axial element (7). The axial element (7) is arranged outside and adjacent to the ball joint (3), and rotatably mounted on the bearing housing (2) about the swiveling axis (6). On its end facing the ball joint (3), the axial element (7) has at least one friction element (8) for at least friction-locking connection of the axial element (7) with the ball joint (3). The friction element (8) is pressable on the ball joint (3) with a pressing device (9).

Abstract: A multi-directional mounting bracket for adjustably mounting an article, such as an audio speaker or light fixture, to a surface includes a first mounting member (10) for attachment of the bracket to the surface. A spherical housing (14) is connected to the first mounting member (10), and a receiving socket (20) is selectively mountable to the spherical housing (14) by engagement of a fastener (22) to the spherical housing (14). The receiving socket (20) is connected to a second mounting member (18) for attachment to the article. The receiving socket (20) is selectively mountable along a spherical orbit of the spherical housing (14), and thus provides a greater range of adjustment and positioning of the article with respect to the surface to which it is attached.

Abstract: Discloses a multijoint arm-like support including a mount connecting to an elongate first limb section by a paired ball-and-socket joint, or shoulder joint. The first limb section is connected to a second limb section by a rotatable joint or elbow joint. The second limb section has a ball-and-socket joint connecting to an instrument mount. The joints include fluid activated locks to enable the arm to be freely moveable when the fluid activated locks are released and locked in position when the fluid activated locks are activated.

Abstract: A joint for an articulated mechanism includes a housing and a rotatable member within the housing. There is a friction member mounted on the housing between the housing and the rotatable member. There is a spring normally biasing the friction member against the rotatable member to inhibit the rotation of the rotatable member. There is an actuator within the housing operatively coupled to the housing. The actuator member moves the friction member away from the rotatable member when actuated to facilitate rotation of the rotatable member. A plurality of joints are used to connect together a series of shafts, some of which may be equipped with clamps or other tools for securing workpieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for a mobile telephone that has a fastening device for mounting the holder (10) in a motor vehicle. In order to be able to use the holder universally, the fastening device (12) is in the form of a three-point fastening having three fastening feet which are attached to the fastening device (12) at the corners of a notional triangle. To enable the fastening feet to pivot in any direction, the fastening device (12) has a multi-directional pivot bearing for each fastening foot.

Abstract: A mechanism for tilting a microscope in which a tilting base 5 is supported by a tilting sub-base 4 at three points, and is urged toward the tilting sub-base at all times by the resilient force of initially coned disc springs 23 fitted to support bolts 20. Adjusting bolts 30 are used for the support at three points, and steel balls 34 are interposed between the lower parts of the bolts and the tilting sub-base, so that the tilting base is supported by the tilting sub-base.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting apparatus includes a mounting post having a ball at one end. Opposed clamping members clamp the ball from opposite sides of the mounting post. The clamping members engage the ball with line contact. The clamping members are at a fixed distance apart from each other on a first side of the ball. An adjustable locking member secures the clamping members together on a second side of the ball for loosening and tightening the clamping members about the ball. This allows the clamping members to be rotated about the ball and tightened thereon. A mounting fixture is secured to the clamping members to allow devices to be mounted thereon.

Abstract: An optical device mounting apparatus and method for altering and fixing the angular position of an optical device without substantial linear displacement. The apparatus comprises a kinematic mount which permits precision adjustment and clamping. The apparatus includes a sphere, which either contains an optical device mounted therein or is, at least partially, an optical device itself. A support is placed in physical contact with the outer surface of the sphere such that angular displacement of the sphere is possible with substantially no linear displacement thereof. A clamp in physical contact with the outer surface of the sphere provides force through the sphere to the support with substantially no transmitted torque. In this manner, precise positioning of the optical device is possible, for example, with an external and removable tool.