Abstract: A ladder having a first fiberglass rail. The ladder having a second fiberglass rail. The ladder having a one-piece composite rung which is hollow and made of carbon fiber or glass. The rung has a middle and a first end and a second end. The ladder having rivets that extend through the first end and the second end of the rung to attach the rung to the first rail and the second rail. No portion of the rung penetrates any portion of the first or second rails.

Abstract: A collapsible standing desk, including a first platform to receive at least one first item thereon, the first platform including a first section, and a second section movably disposed on at least a portion of the first section to move toward the first section in a first rotational direction, and away from the first section in a second rotational direction opposite with respect to the first rotational direction, a second platform connected to the first platform to receive at least one second item thereon, the second platform including another first section, and another second section movably disposed on at least a portion of the another first section to move toward the another first section in the first rotational direction, and away from the another first section in the second rotational direction opposite with respect to the first rotational direction, and a base connected to the first platform and the second platform to support the first platform and the second platform thereon while disposed on an external

Abstract: A collapsible standing desk, including a top platform to receive at least one first item thereon, a bottom platform connected to the top platform to receive at least one second item and at least one third item thereon, a base removably connected to the top platform and the bottom platform to support the top platform and the bottom platform thereon while disposed on an external surface, and a center pole removably connected to the base to connect the top platform and the bottom platform to the base.

Abstract: A rackable railing assembly including a rail having a hollow interior. A series of picket slots are disposed in the rail. A tab strip is carried in the rail. A series of tab slots are laterally spaced along the tab strip. A tab is secured at one end of each of the tab slots and extends partially across the tab slots so that the tabs are bendable in the tab slots. A series of pickets are included having a distal end portion extending through the picket slots in the rail and having an end surface secured against one of the tabs. The pickets pivot in the picket slots causing the tabs to bend relative to the plain of the tab strip to allow the pickets and rail to rack to an angle.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system having a pedicle screw which includes (i) a shaft with external threads and a head segment on one end of the shaft; (ii) a first drive socket positioned in the head segment; (iii) a second drive socket on a shaft end opposite the first drive socket; and (iv) wherein the shaft end opposite the first drive socket has a lesser diameter than the shaft end at the head segment. The system further includes an intervertebral stabilization structure having an elongated body with rotating ring segments attached to each end of the elongated body.

Abstract: Concrete coupling assembly comprises a base holder for being attached to a concrete forming surface, the base holder including a central opening; a coupler having one end disposed within the central opening, the coupler having an axis for being positioned substantially transverse to the forming surface, the coupler having first and second threaded bores through the one end for attachment of a threaded rod; and a separate anchor body threadedly attached to another end of the coupler.

Abstract: An automatic-water-shedding height-adjustable three-dimensionally-adjustable fence-post-base system comprises automatic-water-shedding three-dimensionally-adjustable tapping-screw systems, automatic-water-shedding height-adjustable tube-screw systems, and an automatic-water-shedding height-adjustable three-dimensionally-adjustable base system. Each tapping-screw system has a convex head bottom for three-dimensionally adjusting the fence-post-base system when screwed into a foundation, and has a circular water-sealing ridge for preventing water from flowing into the underside of a foundation. Each tube-screw system has a circular water-sealing dike for automatically preventing water from flowing into the underside of a foundation, and has a circular rain-water reservoir and channels for draining water away.

Abstract: A breakaway coupling for joining a generally vertical pole structure to a supporting foundation is provided. The breakaway coupling is provided with a multi-sided, elongated body, which may be square-shaped, hexagonal, or generally polygonal in shape. The multi-sided, elongated body is provided with an upper end and a lower end, an outer surface, and is machined to have an internally threaded bore that extends between the upper end and the lower end of the multi-sided, elongated body. The outer surface of the multi-sided, elongated body of the breakaway coupling is provided with at least one horizontally disposed, circumferential groove extending partially into the multi-sided, elongated body toward the internally threaded bore and also extending to a critical notch depth.

Abstract: A pole assembly includes four supporting poles spaced from one another, two rails each supported on two adjacent supporting poles, and a mounting apparatus. A number of fasteners are fixed on each of the supporting poles. Each fastener includes a head, a neck portion, and a fixing portion fixed to the supporting pole. The rails are in a row and positioned at a same height of the supporting poles. Each rail defines two locking slots adjacent to opposite ends of the rail. Each locking slot includes an opening and a locking hole communicating with the opening. Each rail is set on two adjacent supporting poles. The neck portions engage in the corresponding locking holes. The adjacent ends of two adjacent rails are fixed to the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A pole assembly includes four supporting poles spaced from one another, two rails each supported on two adjacent supporting poles, and a mounting apparatus. Each of the supporting poles includes a fastener. Each fastener includes a locking portion and two connecting portions. The rails are in a row and positioned at a same height of the supporting poles. Each rail defines two locking slots adjacent to opposite ends of the rail. Each locking slot includes an opening and a locking hole communicating with the opening. Each rail is set on two adjacent supporting poles. The connecting portions engage in the corresponding locking holes. The adjacent ends of two adjacent rails are fixed to the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed. One embodiment provides a rail system for receiving a PV module, including a first rail, a second rail, a substantially rectilinear double male connector adapted for coupling an end of the first rail to an end of the second rail, and a connector adapted to attach a PV module to the first rail. Another embodiment provides a PV module including a PV laminate, a frame integral with and supporting the PV laminate, and a spanner bar adapted to solely span a width of the PV module, orthogonally connect at various locations along the frame, and attach to a support structure. A further embodiment provides a coupling device for a PV module comprising a first coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a PV module, and a second coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail.

Abstract: An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed. One embodiment provides a rail system for receiving a PV module, including a first rail, a second rail, a substantially rectilinear double male connector adapted for coupling an end of the first rail to an end of the second rail, and a connector adapted to attach a PV module to the first rail. Another embodiment provides a PV module including a PV laminate, a frame integral with and supporting the PV laminate, and a spanner bar adapted to solely span a width of the PV module, orthogonally connect at various locations along the frame, and attach to a support structure. A further embodiment provides a coupling device for a PV module comprising a first coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a PV module, and a second coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining structural members. In one embodiment, an apparatus for joining a first member to a second member includes a first part and a second part configured to be engaged with and bonded to the first part. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first part includes a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction different than the first direction, a first recess at least proximate to the first surface, and a second recess at least proximate to the second surface. In another aspect of this embodiment, the second part includes a third surface facing a third direction, a fourth surface facing a fourth direction different than the third direction, a first protuberance at least proximate to the third surface, and a second protuberance at least proximate to the fourth surface.

Abstract: A system for organizing elongated objects (such as wires, cables, pipes, hoses, ducts, tubing, and other similar items) into bundles to create a more uniform, neat and functional arrangement is disclosed. The system includes a fastener adapted to extend along the length of an elongated object. The fastener provides a continuous attachment to another elongated object or to another object for a distance along the length of the elongated object. The fastener is preferably integrated with the structure of the elongated object, or alternatively, it may be applied as a wrap around the elongated object.

Abstract: A coupling plate frame is integrally made of hardened high molecular material and comprises a top plate section a vertical plate section, a bottom plate section, and two flap plates. The top plate section has an engaging hole thereon. The vertical plate section is integrally associated with the top plate with a width gradually reduced from a top to a bottom thereof, and has an engaging hole near the bottom thereof. The bottom plate section is attached integrally to the vertical plate section with extending outward and opposite to the top plate section from the vertical section plate. Each of the flap plates is integrally attached to the top plate section, the vertical plate section, and the bottom plate section, respectively. Each flap plate is slant at the top plate section and extends downward along the vertical plate, and the width between the flap plates is gradually smaller from a top thereof to a bottom thereof. Two of the coupling plates can be lapped to each other without occupying extra space.

Abstract: A joint assembly for an arched building structure comprises a non-corrugated flat plate member and at least one corrugated plate member connected to and extending outwardly of the non-corrugated plate member. The corrugated plate member has proximal and distal ends with corrugations extending therebetween and the proximal end abuts the non-corrugated plate member. The corrugations extend in side-by-side relation in a straight line with the line extending in the lengthwise direction of the non-corrugated plate member. The corrugations may have a trapezoidal cross section though corrugations having other shapes may be used.

Abstract: In an arrangement for fastening at least one fluid line to a body, in particular a fuel filter for an internal combustion engine wherein the body has a bore and the fluid line includes a cylindrical connecting piece received and locked in the bore, the connecting piece is configured as a plug-in unit provided with a stop collar bearing against the body when the connecting piece is fully inserted in the receiving bore and a mounting plate is detachably connected to the body and has a portion overlaying the stop collar for locking the connecting piece in the receiving bore when the mounting plate is connected to the body.

Abstract: An adapter device for portable voting booth serves to widen the space between front support legs. The adaptive device is comprised of two parallel, spaced apart cylindrical members, with coplanar lower end portions. The cylindrical members are connected together by a horizontal flange portion coplanar with, and extending beyond, the lower end portion perimeters thereof. One cylindrical member is inserted into a corner member of the portable voting booth from below, and the other cylindrical member is hollow and forms a socket which receives and grips a support leg inserted into the socket from below the voting booth. The cylindrical member and support leg socket member for the device are separated by a vertical flange portion tapered toward the cylindrical member which inhibits flexing of the support leg when the adapter device is in use.

Abstract: A taper connection between a chair column and a seat plate is proposed. The external taper of the chair column adjoins a cylindrical section of the chair column. The internal taper of the seat plate, fitted together with the external taper of the chair column, protrudes beyond the transition between cylindrical section and external taper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toenail having a generally triangular shaped head and one or more shanks. The head has two wood bearing surfaces which are typically formed at right angles to each other and a third head surface adapted to be driven, typically by a hammer. The shanks extend from the wood bearing surfaces preferably in a direction perpendicular to and away from the head surface. The shanks are preferably formed as an integral extension of the head thus providing a very rigid fastener for joining the intersecting faces of two boards such as a vertical stud and a horizontal plate. The shanks are positioned and sized so that when the tips of the shanks are registered to the intersecting faces of the intersecting boards, the wood bearing surfaces are parallel to their opposed intersecting board surfaces.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for box-shaped support structures connects the upright walls constituting the support structure to one another at upright marginal portions thereof. The connecting arrangement includes upper and lower connecting projections which are rigid with the marginal portions of one of the walls, and upper and lower slots which are provided in the marginal portions of another wall constituting the support structure. Each of the upper slots has an L-shaped configuration, commences at the upper end face of the marginal portion and extends first downwardly therefrom and then toward the side face of the marginal portion. Each of the lower slots has a substantially inverted V-shaped configuration and extends inwardly from the above-mentioned side face of the marginal portion, first upwardly and then downwardly. The respective end zones of the slots are vertically aligned with one another and receive the connecting projections of the first-mentioned marginal portion.

Abstract: A plurality of substantially parallel, laterally spaced, male parts formed of a plastic having low dimensional stability are removably insertable into a base member of similar plastic having a similarly arranged plurality of sockets. If the spacings of the male and female members do not exactly coincide, both the male members and the walls of the sockets may be distorted a substantial amount, thereby premitting insertion of the male members into the sockets in spite of the misalignment of the members.

Abstract: An upright standard assembly for failing when subjected to horizontal impact forces while solidly supporting an upright standard under normal conditions. The assembly includes a generally vertical standard, a base member, a connection member to releasably attach the standard to the base member, at least one fracture initiating slot formed in the coupling body, and a washer having one or more teeth formed therein for receipt by the fracture-initiating slot(s) of the coupling body. The washer is made of harder material than the coupling body, and has a smooth bore extending therethrough so that no positive holding action is provided between it and the connection member extending therethrough. The coupling body also does not have any threads formed on the portion thereof between the longitudinal termination of the slot(s) and the connection member receiving end thereof.

Abstract: This specification relates to apparatus and method for improving construction joints in reinforced concrete structures. A coupling member extends a short distance beyond the joint between two pours and has edges which mechanically couple to joining or adaptor members on the ends of reinforcing bars.

Abstract: An improved breakaway coupling is provided which is particularly suitable for use in assemblies which are subject to impact such as roadway lamp standards, highway signs and the like. A number of longitudinal grooves provide fracture-initiating regions which provide relatively high compressive and tensile strength in a fracturable coupling.

Abstract: A scaffold which can be readily assembled and disassembled. The cross numbers are outfitted with retractable hooks for, when extended, engagement with slots in the uprights. With the hooks extended, wedges secure them in tight engagement with the slots. The hooks are unremovably mounted on the cross members, and the wedges are also unremovably mounted.

Abstract: The invention relates to adjustable storage arrangements, such as racks, which may be readily erected and dismantled from a plurality of interconnectable, elongate shaped members comprising uprights and/or cross-pieces, at least some of which have substantially the same, open or channel cross-section, generally resembling a triple "sigma" contained within a rectangle. Trapezoidal re-entrant areas are provided on three sides of the said cross-sectional shape, and equidistant engagement apertures are situated in at least one line parallel to the longitudinal direction of each shaped member which comprises an upright, in the larger side of the upright opposite the open side thereof. Angle brackets are secured generally perpendicularly to the ends of the shaped members which form the cross-pieces, which brackets are capable of fitting round the front part, and either the right or left-hand part, respectively, of the triple-sigma-shaped upright.

Abstract: A cable connector is disclosed having the capacity to secure simultaneously a number of cables or wires having different diameters. The connector includes a common male member and a plurality of female members adapted to rotate thereon and means for providing to each clamping element a variable clamping capability.

Abstract: In a connecting system for connecting a first hollow tubular member to a second member the first member is provided with a circumferentially-extending slot of a longitudinal extent sufficient to receive the second member therein, and the second member is provided with an arcuate slot of a width to receive the sidewall of the first member, the first member sidewall being engaged in the second member arcuate slot by rotation of the former about its longitudinal axis.