Abstract: Adjustable, collapsible book holder apparatus includes an elongated double-ended support member and a connector at one of the ends of the support member. A double-ended elongated book support element is connected to the support member and can be moved both laterally and longitudinally relative to the support member to adjust the position of a book supported by the book support element.

Abstract: A mounting structure for at least one display board is disclosed. The Display board includes a first mounting interface and a second mounting interface. The mounting structure includes a first pivotal interface including a barb adapted to engage the first mounting interface of the display board. The mounting structure also includes a second pivotal interface including a protruding member adapted to engage the second mounting interface of the display board. The display board may be removably pivotally mounted within the mounting structure at the first pivotal interface and the second pivotal interface. A mounting structure for display of at least one display board is also disclosed. The mounting structure includes a frame. The mounting structure also includes a platform for the display board coupled to the frame. The mounting structure also includes a compliant retaining system for the display board coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A copy holder is provided with a document holding stand supported adjustably by a support structure to provide a stable support while allowing operator controlled, incremental adjustment through a working range to vary the angle at which the document holding stand is supported. The adjustable support structure is provided by spring clutches on either end of a shaft which can be releasably held in housings attached to the document holding stand and these points of attachment together with a back leg provide for stable support with the incremental adjustment effected by releasing the spring clutch to adjust the gripping position on the shaft relative to the point of attachment for the back leg.

Abstract: A page holder for holding the pages of a book in an open arrangement having an attachment means such as a spring clip for attaching the page holder to the cover or to one or more pages of the book, a holding means adapted to hold, to the cover of the open book, one or more pages on each side of the spine of the open book, and a support member connecting the attachment means to the holding means, the support member being adapted to allow movement of the holding means from a page holding position to a page releasing position, without detaching the page holder from the book, so that one or more pages of the book can be turned.

Abstract: A device placable on a surface for positioning an article for viewing utilizing a base member. The base member includes a first portion and an angularly attached second portion. The first portion and second portions are capable of rotating about an axis. The first portion includes a biasing weight which causes projection of the second portion of the base member outwardly. The second portion of the base member includes a protuberance which extends from the surface of the second portion of the base member. A bracket is held by the first portion of the base member and extends to the vicinity of the protuberance. The article engages and disengage by rocking the base member about the axis causing the bracket either to contact the protuberance and or to separate from the protuberance.

Abstract: A sheet stand which stands a sheet, such as a piece of paper, with a simple operation. The sheet stand includes the sheet stand body 20 and the ball 30. The bottom of the sheet is held between the curved holding surface 21 of the sheet stand body 20 and the ball 30. Then, the ball 30 moves toward the curved surface 24 at the holding surface 21 by its own self-weight, thereby grabbing the bottom of the sheet bending the bottom portion inside to make the sheet firmer to stand.

Abstract: A storage device is provided for use with a shelf having an accessible edge. A frame is formed from a single piece of rod stock that is shaped to define first and second U-shaped members that can slidably engage the accessible edge of the shelf. The first and second U-shaped members are coupled to one another in a spaced-apart opposing fashion by a portion of the frame that is spaced a distance from the first and second U-shaped members. In this way, when the first and second U-shaped members engage the accessible edge of the shelf, the portion of the frame is positioned away from the accessible edge of the shelf to extend along and under the shelf. A plate is hingedly coupled to the portion of the frame that couples the first and second U-shaped members to one another. The plate extends from this portion of the frame to approximately the accessible edge of the shelf.

Abstract: A portable, rigid tray that may be attached to a steering wheel of a motor vehicle for use as a surface for writing, drawing, using laptop computers and the like. The tray has a generally flat upper surface and a lower surface bound by a distal end, proximal end and opposing side ends. An elongated opening located near the distal end is sized and configured to slide over the top of the typical steering wheel to support the tray at the opposing curved side edges, distal side edge and proximal side edge. An angular member attached to or integral with the lower surface at the proximal side edge causes the tray to extend outwardly and downwardly from the plane of the steering wheel to provide a comfortable, convenient and easy to access work surface for the user sitting in front of the vehicle steering wheel. Other than a spring loaded clip which can be added to the upper surface of the tray, the tray does not utilize any moving parts, allowing it to be molded from a single piece of plastic or other material.

Abstract: A multi-purpose table assembly that includes a wheeled base, an adjustable height vertical support extending from the base; a lockable table support bar assembly including a table support bar and a counter balance support bar each oriented at a right angle with respect to the vertical support bar; a user positionable counter balance weight slidably positionable on the counter balance support bar; an upper table assembly supported by the vertical support including a storage shelf and an upper table member; a positionable side table assembly supported on the table support bar and including a first table member and a pivoting table member; and a book holder assembly including a board member, two connecting structures that are attached the board member, a spring finger shaft rotatably positioned through the two connecting structures, a holder arm with a magnetically attractable handle coupled to an end of the spring finger shaft, a securing magnet attached to an upwardly facing surface of the board member and two

Abstract: A book-holding apparatus includes a spine support member, a supporting device, and a page restraining device. The spine support member engages with the spine of the book. The supporting device supports the book by interengaging with the front and back cover of the book when the book is in an open position. The supporting device is deflectably coupled to the spine support member. The page restraining device restrains the pages of the book between the restraining device and the book supporting device. Preferably, the spine support member comprises first and second substantially cylindrical members telescopically interengaged so that the spine support member can be adjusted to accommodate a range of spine lengths for books. The apparatus may further include a book restraining device that restrains and trains the spine of the book in relation to the spine support member as pages of the book are turned.

Abstract: A platform assembly is provided with a raised edge at the bottom against which a bottom edge of the open book rests. A securing device is provided with a bar with a hook at each end of the bar, first and second prongs extending downwardly from the lower side of the bar, first and second shafts mounted to the front side of the bar, and first and second restraining wheels secured to a corresponding one of the shafts by opposing springs mounted to each of the shafts. The securing device is installed on the platform by sliding the hooks over the upper side edges of the platform. The prongs of the securing device are positioned over inner sides of the front and back covers of an open book to secure the book to the platform assembly. The open book is positioned such that rounded tabs of the platform assembly and the restraining wheels of the securing device maintain the pages of the book in an open orientation.

Abstract: An adjustable book holder that includes a stand support member; an angularly adjustable book support assembly pivotally mounted to the stand support member; an X-Y positionable, transparent copy arm slidably mounted on a vertically oriented track member that itself is slidable along a horizontal positioning rod; a locking mechanism between the transparent copy arm and the vertically oriented track member; a page holding mechanism including a pivot block in connection with the book support assembly and a page holder including first and second lengths of wire, each length of wire being pivotally connected to the pivot block and having a ball secured at a far end thereof; and a angular positioning assembly including an angular positioning rod affixed to a back surface of the book support assembly and a stand off member slidably mounted on the angular positioning rod and extending away from the angular positioning rod at a right angle.

Abstract: A clipboard system for utilization in outdoor environments, wherein there is provided a first, upper section clip for grasping the upper end of a tablet or the like, and a second lower section clip for grasping the lower end of the tablet, a vertically adjustable, linear edge or ruler, a compartment for storing a triangle, pen, or the like, and a strap for supporting the upper end of the clipboard via the neck of the user, the lower end resting upon the hip of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a reading article in an open position includes a base member having a base supporting surface for supporting a reading article along a lower edge of the reading article when in an open position and being appropriately dimensioned to accommodate reading articles of varying sizes and a backing member operatively connected to the base member and extending at least in a vertical direction relative to the base member and having a backing support surface for supporting the reading article. The apparatus is adjustable along several axes, i.e., along both horizontal and vertical planes, to selectively position the reading material at a desired reading level. The angular orientation of the article is also adjustable. The support apparatus is capable of supporting books of varying sizes including oversized reference books or the like. The apparatus is also collapsible for ease of transport and/or storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and holding an electronic organizer device for use in a vehicle, includes a generally rectangularly shaped cradle member for retaining the device. At least one pair of opposing jaw members are mounted on opposed peripheral edges of the cradle member for releasably holding the device in the cradle. The jaw members are biased toward one another by attached tensioned springs. An elongated stand member has on a first end a universal ball and socket joint assembly for attachment to the cradle, and can be releasably locked for holding the cradle in a spatial orientation selected by a user. The opposite second end of the stand member is adapted to releasably mate with a stand member for engagement with a surface for supporting the cradle member.

Abstract: A novel portable collapsible stand for facilitating holding the pages of an open book for reading and having a lower resting sheet hinged at its bottom edge to an upper book-supporting sheet having a lower edge provided with a ledge upon which the bottom edges of the opened book pages may rest and are automatically restrained from turning or movement by a page-restraining surface resiliently pressed thereagainst by a resilient hinge between the outer edge of the ledge and the bottom edge of the page-restraining surface.

Abstract: A notebook computer copy clip for being removably secured to either side or the top of the screen of a notebook computer for holding documents for viewing while using the computer. The copy clip of the includes a spring member and a facia member, each being fabricated from a flexible, resilient material such that the copy clip may be bent to engage a side or the top of a notebook computer screen, and such that when removed, it will return to a planar disposition. To this extent, each of the spring member and the facia member defines a substantially planar configuration. An engagement device is provided for securing the facia member to the spring member. The engagement device includes cooperating engagement tabs and tab receptors defined by the spring member and the facia member. In order to lock the engagement of the facia member with the spring member, the spring member defines a locking member below the engagement tab thereof for engaging the lower extent of the facia member tab receptor.

Abstract: A compact portable reading stand, which serves to hold a book open in a number of positions, with a rigid backing plate having a lower slide raft. On this rail slide positionable spring-loaded page clamps which hold book pages open by pressing against outer page margins. Two adjustable arms mounted on the lower rear corners of backing plate, along with a third telescoping, pivoting and rotating leg, allow book stand to be raised off a table top, positioned sideways for reading in bed, or raised above an arm chair. May be attached to a floor stand or other bracket for positioning book over a bed or above a chair or desk. Detachable reading light may be attached behind lower slide rail.

Abstract: The invention provides a reading stand including: a base member for the foundation; a plate connected to the base member rotatably for supporting reading material; a transparent plate connected with the plate on the upper edge of the plate, which can be arranged to be in the same plane with the plate and folded toward the plate; a supporting member which supports the lower edge of the reading material placed on the upper surface of the plate; a height adjustment device which adjusts a height of the supporting member, thereby adjusting the height of the reading material; and an angle adjusting device for adjusting the inclination angle of the plate.

Abstract: A book holder having a memo stand (8) secured to the rear upper side of the contact plate (1) to fix manuscript papers or scratch papers, a supporting rod (7) to control an inclination angle of the contact plate (1), and two retaining elements (9) to grip a book to read.

Abstract: A device, that is collapsible and portable, for the holding and viewing of books and other matter in an upright reading position on a horizontal surface. It is comprised of a main book support (10), a proportionally shorter support member (12), and a book rest (14). Two tabs (16a&b), on the book rest (14), hold a book or other matter against the main book support (10). The device is hinged (18 and 20) in such a manner that the support member (12) and the book rest (14) can only extend to a predetermined degree relative to the main book support (10). In the closed position, they rest snug against the main book support (10) and the return (30) on their respective sides, creating a compact unit for easy storage or transport.

Abstract: A device for holding a publication such as a book or a magazine, comprising two L-shaped supports slidable relative to each other and adapted to accommodate a publication between them. The supports having confronting surfaces between which the publication is held, these surfaces being covered with a flat brush secured to each of those surfaces. Each brush has a plurality of upstanding hairs adapted to engage between pages of a publication to be held. The hairs are inclined relative to the surfaces from which they upstand, in a direction opposite to the direction in which a page is initially turned.

Abstract: The present invention is a bookstand for a book. The bookstand comprises a back panel having a top, a bottom, a front side against which a book can rest and a back side. Projecting outwardly from substantially the bottom of the back panel is a lip panel upon which a book can be placed. The lip panel has projectable therefrom a plurality of page retainers for maintaining interfacing book pages open, with each page retainers having a distal end movable toward the back panel. Such movement of one page retainers is independent of movement of another page retainers, thereby allowing positioning of one page retainers near one interfacing page of an open book and positioning of another page retainers near the other interfacing facing page. In a preferred embodiment, each page retainers comprises a rod having a distal end and a proximal end.

Abstract: The easel comprises a flat, generally diamond-shaped member formed of resilient, non-scratching material of limited flexibility. The member is scored to provide a line of weakness extending thereacross between its opposed oblique angle points. When bent along the line of weakness, the member adopts a two-sided pyramidal form. In this form, the member has rearwardly inclined, load-supporting front edges and bottom edges. The front edges form forwardly spaced and upwardly projecting hooks and slots close to their lower ends. The hooks function to suspend, retain and frictionally engage the lower edge of a generally flat item received in the slots to be displayed, such as a card, plate or the like. The sides of the easel member can be moved closer together or apart to vary the angle of inclination of the load-supporting edges, thereby varying the angularity of the displayed item.

Abstract: A removeable reading rack for mounting on the front face of an instrument console of an exercise machine. The rack is made of two spaced apart upwardly extending frame members each having an upper hook portion for engaging the top edge of the exercise console and an up-turned lower hook portion for engaging and supporting the lower edge of a book or other reading material. The lower hook portions of the spaced apart members are both pivotally connected to a horizontal frame member so that the rack can be folded compactly for transporting or storage when not in use.

Abstract: A display device or easel includes a display member with first and second parallel face surfaces facing in opposite directions away from each other. The device also includes structure for mounting the display member including the panel for pivotal movement with respect to a vertical surface about a vertical axis, between a first extreme position in which the first face surface faces in a first direction and the second face surface faces in a second direction that is opposite the first direction and a extreme second position in which the first face surface faces in the second direction and the second face surface faces in the first direction.

Abstract: A collapsible display easel is provided which can be easily extended into a sturdy, erect easel for holding display material, and easily retracted and folded into a compact configuration for transport. The display easel includes a two-legged supporting stand, a vertical brace, and one or more crossbar members. The display material is held against the vertical brace between the crossbar members. The legs are provided with extending support feet for securely supporting the easel in an upright position. The various components are connected by sliding or pivoting attachment mechanisms which allow the components to be easily extended or retracted. The sliding and pivoting connection mechanisms are manually operable and do not require the use of any tools or special equipment. The display easel is retracted into a compact configuration solely by pivoting or sliding the various components with respect to each other, and does not require the disassembly of any of the components.

Abstract: A portable work station provides support for an article to be used by a person occupying available funiture. The work station has a base adapted to fit beneath the person. Preferably, the base has an axis of rotation and extends laterally therefrom. The base can rotate from an upwardly facing position on one side of the axis to an inverted position on the opposite side. An adjustable arm has a common axis of rotation with the base and extends laterally therefrom to a remote end. The base and the adjustable arm can rotate independently of each other or can be interlocked in a fixed relationship relative to each other so that the base and the arm extend in perpendicular planes. An article supporting portion is connected to the remote end of the adjustable arm. The article supporting portion can be positioned for holding the article and the portable work station can be positioned for either right or left handed applications.

Abstract: A portable auxiliary desk top article is constructed for temporary positioning onto a work surface arm of a student desk to enlarge the desk's work surface area. The article comprises a first substantially rigid flat surface member and a second substantially rigid flat surface member hingeably attached together. A pocket structure is attached to an underside of one of the flat surface members. The pocket structure is open-sided on two sides and is intended to fit over the work surface arm of the student desk to hold the article in place. When folded out, the flat surface members present an enlarged work surface area for the student, significantly larger than that provided by the work surface arm of the desk.

Abstract: A device for holding reading materials for use by readers without arm mobility adapted to hold the reading materials in position for reading with the pages displayed to enable turning by use of a rubber tipped stick held in the mouth having a pair of rectangular frames for holding and positioning the reading material opened in reading posture with the pages displayed at a substantially unobstructed sighting position for reading with the pair of rectangular frames connected to one another by a hinge so the angle between the frames may be varied thereby varying the inclination of the reading materials.

Abstract: A highly adjustable and simple to use book holder for supine or seated readers is provided by pairs of legs joined near their tops by slotted brackets, which pairs of legs define vertical planes straddling the reader. The slotted brackets allow the relative positions of the upper ends of the support legs to be adjusted. A book tray defining a transverse plane extends between the vertical planes formed by the leg pairs. Its location changes as the leg coupling brackets are adjusted. The tray rotates around an axis extending through holes near the upper ends of one or the other of the legs making up each pair. The variable position of the upper ends of the legs due to the slotted brackets, the rotatable tray, and the variable angle between the legs of each pair permit the position and orientation of the book relative to the viewer to be adjusted at will. A transverse auxiliary support brace is optionally provided between the outward legs of each pair to support the book holder on the thighs of a seated person.

Abstract: A display holder constructed of transparent plastic formed with an 180.degree. bend (12) so that its face side (11) presses against its reverse side (13). The pressure of the two sides will hold a sheet of paper printed with advertising that pertains to a consumer's electronic home entertainment center. At the opposite end, another longer-radius 180.degree. bend (16) is made, forming a book or magazine pocket and clamp (17). This pocket and clamp (17) can then hold a book or magazine that is used in conjunction with an electonic home entertainment center. Hook-and-loop strips (14 and 15) are fastened to the display holder adjacent and parallel to the 180.degree. bend (12). Then mating hook-and-loop strips (24 and 25) are fastened by the consumer to a plurality of electronic remote control units so that these strips (24 and 25) will mate together with the other strips (14 and 15). This allows a homeowner to fasten remote control units to the display holder, thus consolidating them for ease of use.

Abstract: A book holder utilizing an "L" shaped swinging-assembly as an adjustable support for the bottom of a book. The assembly can be swung out to adjust for thick books, and it automatically swings back to the correct position under the influence of gravity. A spring loaded page retainer presses the pages open, and the page retainer can be rotated down out of the path of the pages so that the pages can be turned. The page retainer stays down to allow for flipping through pages of a book.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light assembly capable of being used in and of itself and in direct combination with a reading stand of a type structured to support books or any other reading material or a copy on an exposed surface of a copy holder portion thereon and further wherein the various components of the reading stand, as well as the light assembly, are selectively adjustable so as to facilitate placement of the light in an efficient illuminating position relative to a book or copy retained in supporting engagement on the reading stand.

Abstract: A foldable book holder having oppositely disposed pairs of pivoted arms extending from a base. The book holder is engageable adjacent the edge of a table or desk and provides both display and storage of large illustrated books.

Abstract: A bookholder for reclined reading includes a support arm assembly of two arms meeting at a right angle and extending upwardly at approximately 45.degree. from the horizontal. The support arms provide ledges for supporting the bottom and one side of an open book at a 45.degree. angle. The ledges have a plurality of holes for selective insertion of pegs to hold the book and its pages in place.The support arm assembly is pivotably supported on a backwall member, which in turn is supported on a base member. In a modified form the support arm assembly is fixed rather than pivotable. The ledges include notches to optionally support a book in the horizontal position. A lamp for night time reading is incorporated into an open box structure in the base member.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for rotating documents in place, such as clip boards, in the absence of tables, desks and similar supports. A writing tablet is secured to a thigh of a user, while seated by a belt which wraps about the thigh of a user and the ends of which are locked by a buckle or Velcro.RTM. strips. Positioning of the writing tablet in relation to the belt can be varied by rotating the writing tablet in relation to the belt and, after the most convenient position for the user has been selected, the writing tablet is locked in that position in relation to the belt.

Abstract: A portable bookstand is formed from a sheet of rigid card with transverse hinge lines dividing the card into a number of panels to form a base panel, an upstanding front panel, a rearwardly inclined edge receiving panel, an upwardly inclined book face receiving panel and a rearward support structure. Hook and loop fasteners are provided toconnect the junction line between the inclined panels to the base panel and to adjustably position the support panel structure to provide different inclinations of the book receiving panel. The device can be folded flat by lifting the inclined panels away from the base panel to allow the support panel to fold in between. Separate arms are pivotally and swivally mounted on the front inclined surface so that they can project upwardly and rearwardly from outer edges thereof to outer edges of the book receiving panel to engage the outer edges of the book.

Abstract: The largest structural member of the book holder is its back which is formed of injection molded flexible synthetic polymer composition material. The support for the back is molded in the plane of the back and is joined thereto by means of living hinge structure. A book clamp is formed so that it faces the back to resiliently engage the edge of a book therebetween. The book clamp is preferably unitarily formed with the back and is pivoted with respect to the back by means of a living hinge.

Abstract: A studio easel for selective tension or compression clamping of a canvas painting stretcher frame having top and bottom cross bars in fixed upright position at a desired level has a pair of elongated channel tracks for mounting upright in laterally spaced relation on a studio wall with a pair of opposed shoes slidable in each track. Grip locks on the shoes secure them to their tracks, a stretcher frame support on one shoe of each pair engages a cross bar of the frame. A push-pull clamp on the other shoe of the pair engages the opposite cross bar of the stretcher frame. The shoes are mounted for stretch clamping the frame by positioning the frame support shoe above the push-pull clamp shoes, hanging the top cross bar of the frame on the support shoes, engaging the bottom support frame with the push-pull clamps and pulling the clamps to stretch the frame.

Abstract: An improved book holder having a backrest portion which connects a base plate for supporting the lower edge of an open book and a top plate which is adjustable to close toward and contact with the upper edge of the open book wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of extender means attached to either the base plate or the top plate and inclined such as to accept the hardbound cover of the open book at or near the backrest and to close inwardly upon the pages such as to make contact with the pages; such contact being made with friction pad members secured to the extender means for preventing the accidental page turning of the book. The use of such extenders in combination with the book holder allows the book holder to easily hold hardbound books, loose leaf pages in hard cover binders and the like.

Abstract: A directory holder is disclosed. The holder includes a bed with a cover hinged to the bed. The bed and cover each have flanges which cooperate to form a case for the directory. The cover and bed are hinged together with plural pivoting clips and, in addition, a security bar is provided to prevent unwanted removal of the directory from the bed and cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for wall mounting a presentation board comprises a wall mounted support bracket, a hook shaped mounting member for detachably and pivotably engaging the support bracket, and an angled support member connecting the mounting member to the presentation board such that the board is supportable in an inclined position with respect to the mounting wall. Further apparatus is provided for mounting a bound presentation pad to the board in an orientation such that the unbound ends of a pad sheet are releasably retained against unintended displacement but successive sheets may be exposed by releasing covering sheets and allowing the released sheet to hang down from the bound ends.

Abstract: An adjustable music/book holder is adaptable for being supported on a piano, organ, or conventional music stand. The holder comprises a pair of frame members which adjustably receive a pair of page holder members, a pair of hook/alternate page holder members as well as a central book safety or alternative accessory member.

Abstract: This device consists primarily of an upright backing member, called a backrest, having a perpendicular lip extending out from its base in a forward direction, and located at the inside bend of said perpendicular lip and backrest, is a spacer upon which an open book's weight is supported at its lower edges while its covers lean against said backrest.

Abstract: The camera quadripod is formed of a pair of bipods, each having a pair of adjustable feet and each having a pair of arms which can embrace a camera. The pair of bipods cooperate together in conjunction with the camera body so that they become a quadripod and serve to support the camera. The adjustment of the legs controls the orientation of the camera. The bipods are small enough to be carried in the photographer's pocket when not in use, and are quickly and easily engaged on and removed from the camera body.

Abstract: A book holder utilizes an elongated bar having a T-shaped member removably secured to it. When secured, the T-shaped member extends at right angles to the length of the bar. A book may be rested on the leg portion and a half of the cross section of the T-shaped member such that the spine of the book rests upon a portion of the length of the bar. The book is maintained secured to the bar and the T-shaped section by a cord which rests between leaves of the book adjacent to the spine such that the cord may be removably affixed to the bar by way of an elastic member coupled to the cord and a hook-like element removably affixed to the bar. A U-shaped member is removably attached to a plate. The plate is pivotably secured to the bar and biased inwardly to the bar at a point where the U-shaped member is secured, thereby letting the ends of the U-shaped member hold the pages of the book open by resting on the bottom portion of the pages.

Abstract: A holder for books, music sheets, or other sheet-containing articles, comprises a stand having a back rest, legs for supporting the back rest in an inclined position, a front lower edge, and a coil spring at each of the two opposite ends of the ledge, the loops of the coil springs being substantially parallel to the plane of the back rest for releasably engaging the lower ends of the sheets supported by the stand.

Abstract: A stand for holding a book in an open, upright position on a horizontal surface, consisting of a face plate, held at a rearwardly inclined position by a rear mounted triangular support plate, and a book resting shelf located on the lower front side of face plate. The book is held in an open position by two page gripping assemblies at the book resting shelf level, including two page gripping brackets, connected to spring loaded rods, which grip the open book pages from below, holding the open pages against the face plate. The gripping assembly tension is adjusted by wing nuts at the ends of both rods.