A post assembly has a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a hollow outer shell, an anchoring sub-assembly disposed at the proximal end for securing the post assembly to a surface, a core assembly disposed within the hollow outer shell. The core assembly includes a core tube, a rigid rod having a lower end mechanically coupled to the anchoring sub-assembly and extending along the longitudinal axis to an upper end, and an elastic member disposed around the upper end of the rigid rod, the elastic member configured to transfer forces incident on the hollow outer shell through the elastic member to the anchoring sub-assembly via the rigid rod.

Post sockets to support information signs and street/traffic lighting are known. Instead of securing a post directly into the ground, post sockets may be used. However, it may be difficult to access the post socket's actuation mechanism, or apply a sufficient clamping force via the actuation mechanisms. There is provided a post socket comprising a compressible sleeve within a housing, the sleeve comprising a grip section adjustably moveable between a first grip position and second grip position, the second grip position having a smaller internal width than the first grip position, a lever arm rotatably attached to the housing, and an actuator to rotate the lever arm around a first pivot point. The grip section is rotatably attached to the lever arm at a second pivot point, to move the grip section from the first to the second grip position, to grip and retain a post within the sleeve.

A composite assembly includes a series of elongated layers joined lengthwise thereof. At least two of the elongated layers each have an upper elongated portion and a lower elongated portion secured together in an end-to-end relationship at a joint therebetween by a connector arrangement. The upper elongated portion is constructed of a wood material, and the lower elongated portion is constructed of a non-wood material. The lower elongated portion may have a reinforcing rod therein.

A system for handling various structural building components including a pick and stack-registry lug which is anchorable to the top of a building component for handling that component in either one, or both sequentially, of its two, pick and stack-registry functional modes, (b) a clamshell-style, releasably lockable clasp adapted to receive and close capturingly upon the lug under operational circumstances with the lug anchored to the top of a building component, and ready to function in its pick category of component-handling behavior, and (c) a guide socket includable in the base of a building component functional for camming, guided reception of a lug with the lug then functioning in its stack-registry mode of behavior to facilitate overhead stack registering of two building components in relation to the lowering of an overhead component onto the top of an underlying component whose top also has a lug anchored to it.

A stand for Christmas trees and other elongated objects includes spring biased, movable arm assemblies, with each arm assembly including a base arm and a gripping arm pivotally secured to the base arm. The gripping arm includes upper and lower elongated object engaging surfaces. When a Christmas tree or other elongated objects is pressed to downward between the arm assemblies, the elongated object contacts the lower object engaging surfaces, bringing the upper object engaging surfaces into contact with the elongated object. Spring pressure supplied by springs within the arm assemblies retains the elongated object within the stand.

A composite assembly includes a series of elongated layers joined lengthwise thereof. At least two of the elongated layers each have an upper elongated portion and a lower elongated portion secured together in an end-to-end relationship at a joint therebetween by a connector arrangement. The upper elongated portion is constructed of a wood material, and the lower elongated portion is constructed of a non-wood material. The lower elongated portion may have a reinforcing rod therein.

A reinforced pole structure used in the construction of a swimming pool safety barrier fence having flexible, lightweight mesh panels attached to a spaced arrangement of vertically oriented metal poles, wherein a lower end portion of each pole is fitted within a mounting receptacle in the deck. Each pole includes a bendable reinforcement insert fixed within a hollow interior of the pole at a lower end zone extending from a bottom end of the pole and beyond the lower end portion. The reinforcement insert includes a PVC pipe section with a solid core. In the event a metal pole breaks at the lower end zone as a result of an external force applied thereto, the reinforcement insert can be bent back straight, thereby allowing the pole to be used functionally until replaced with a new pole.

A stand for Christmas trees and other elongated objects includes spring biased, movable arm assemblies, with each arm assembly including a base arm and a gripping arm pivotally secured to the base arm. The gripping arm includes upper and lower elongated object engaging surfaces. When a Christmas tree or other elongated objects is pressed to downward between the arm assemblies, the elongated object contacts the lower object engaging surfaces, bringing the upper object engaging surfaces into contact with the elongated object. Spring pressure supplied by springs within the arm assemblies retains the elongated object within the stand.

An easily controllable umbrella includes a base, a column, an umbrella frame, lighting elements, a control device for controlling the lighting elements, a power supply assembly with a power plug for powering the lighting elements, a control panel, a touch control circuit board, and a remote control circuit board; the lighting elements, the control panel, the touch control circuit board, the remote control circuit board and the power plug form a lighting circuit, and the remote control circuit board controls the touch control circuit board. The control device includes a touch control circuit board and a remote control circuit board, remote control of the umbrella being realized through a remote control signal-matched with a receiver on the remote control circuit board, touch control of the umbrella being realized by pressing the umbrella. That is, the umbrella can support both remote control and touch control, and is thus easy to use.

A stand for Christmas trees and other elongated objects includes at least one fixed arm and a spring biased, movable arm assembly, each of which may include a plurality of rollers. When a Christmas tree or other elongated objects is pressed to downward between the fixed arm and movable arm assembly, spring pressure supplied by the movable arm assembly retains the elongated object within the stand. A release lever pulls the movable arm assembly away from the elongated object, facilitating removal of the object from the stand.