Disclosed are example embodiments of a sectional interlocking plant support system providing a stand for supporting growing plants in soil comprising a stake and a pole, coupled to the stake or other devices, the pole comprising a porous tubular body, the porous tubular body formed by a plurality of porous openings on the pole, the pole configured to be stackable on a second pole, the height being adjustable be selecting a number of poles to connect together. The porous openings on the pole comprising at least one hole shaped in at least one of a circle, a triangle, a square, a hexagon, a pentagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, a polygon having more than nine sides, or a irregular shape.

Disclosed are example embodiments of a sectional interlocking plant support system providing a stand for supporting growing plants in soil comprising a stake and a pole, coupled to the stake or other devices, the pole comprising a porous tubular body, the porous tubular body formed by a plurality of porous openings on the pole, the pole configured to be stackable on a second pole, the height being adjustable be selecting a number of poles to connect together. The porous openings on the pole comprising at least one hole shaped in at least one of a circle, a triangle, a square, a hexagon, a pentagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, a polygon having more than nine sides, or a irregular shape.

A bushing assembly for tubular structures is disclosed. The bushing assembly includes a body having a substantially flat configuration and defining a planar surface and an outer edge; and a plurality of projections extending from the outer edge and traverse to the planar surface, each projection defining a longitudinal axis, each projection including at least one ridge extending at least partially along a surface of the projection and along the longitudinal axis.

A system and method for constructing a composite structure using a multi-piece tool. The pieces are assembled, including making a connection, such as a mortise-and-tenon connection, between pieces using an adhesive mixed with an induction heatable material, such as iron filings having a unit size of between 5 microns and 600 microns, and an amount of between 5% and 50% by volume. Plies of a material are applied around the connection between the pieces, and the plies are cured to create the composite structure, which results in the pieces being trapped within the composite structure by the connection. The adhesive is exposed to electromagnetic induction from an electromagnetic induction coil which generates heat in the induction heatable material and thereby loosens the connection. The tool can then be disassembled by individually pulling at least some of the pieces from within the composite structure.

A system and method for constructing a composite structure using a multi-piece tool. The pieces are assembled, including making a connection, such as a mortise-and-tenon connection, between pieces using an adhesive mixed with an induction heatable material, such as iron filings having a unit size of between 5 microns and 600 microns, and an amount of between 5% and 50% by volume. Plies of a material are applied around the connection between the pieces, and the plies are cured to create the composite structure, which results in the pieces being trapped within the composite structure by the connection. The adhesive is exposed to electromagnetic induction from an electromagnetic induction coil which generates heat in the induction heatable material and thereby loosens the connection. The tool can then be disassembled by individually pulling at least some of the pieces from within the composite structure.

A tension rod has an outer shaft slidably receiving an inner shaft. A tension mechanism includes a partially threaded rod with a threaded portion. A first end extends from the threaded portion and is adapted for fixing to an inner surface of the inner shaft; a second end has a tapered body with a greater transverse dimension closer to the second end. A wedge has a slot and an inner surface in facing sliding engagement with the tapered body between a nut threadedly engaged with the threaded portion and the second end. The nut is rotationally fixed to the outer shaft. Upon relative rotation of the inner and outer shafts, the nut moves along the threaded portion toward the second end, the wedge abutting and moving with the nut. The wedge contacts the tapered body, expands radially, and contacts the inner surface of the outer shaft, locking the shafts together.

A tripod combines a ball mount base with a tilt/pan head includes a ball stud that is attached to the center column of the tripod. A lockable ball mount is attached to the ball stud and a tilt/pan head is attached to the ball mount. The tilt/pan head thus can be leveled using the ball mount irrespective of the orientation of the tripod itself. The tripod may also have telescoping legs each with a friction lock. The friction locks have identical threads notwithstanding that each successive telescoping leg segment is smaller in diameter than the previous. A universal end cap can be attached to any one of the leg segments. Telescoping arms attached to the legs form a V-shaped cradle to support an item attached to the tripod head.

Provided is a coupling system comprises a first tubular member with a top end and a second tubular member with a bottom end, defining together a longitudinal axis. One of the top end of the first tubular member and the bottom end of the second tubular member is configured with a longitudinal axially extending socket portion. The other one of the top end of the first tubular member and the bottom end of the second tubular member is configured with a longitudinal axially extending plug portion for coaxial snug receipt within the socket portion. Each tubular socket portion and the plug portion is configured with a lock opening intersecting the longitudinal axis. The coupling system includes a locking plug configured for locking engagement of the lock openings while in register with one another, thereby preventing axial or rotary displacement of the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

A composite tube may include a body having a longitudinal centerline axis and an end portion having a tapered section and an end rim. At least one of a radially outward edge and a radially inward edge of the end rim may be non-circular. The end rim may be circumferentially continuous. The end rim may be an undulating annulus. A joint assembly may include a support wedge that at least partially engages at least one of a radially inward surface of the end portion and a radially outward surface of the end portion of the composite tube.

A composite tube may include a body having a longitudinal centerline axis and an end portion having a tapered section and an end rim. At least one of a radially outward edge and a radially inward edge of the end rim may be non-circular. The end rim may be circumferentially continuous. The end rim may be an undulating annulus. A joint assembly may include a support wedge that at least partially engages at least one of a radially inward surface of the end portion and a radially outward surface of the end portion of the composite tube.