A connector (10) for jointing bars is provided. It comprises a shank (13) for attaching to a first bar, a connection head (14) jointed to the shank (13). The connection head (14) comprises a projecting post (22) and a well (24), which are in alignment with the longitudinal axis (17) of the shank (13). The size and shape of the well (24) correspond to the size and shape of the projecting post (22). An identical connector is provided for attaching a second bar.

A railing system comprises first and second rails, a post, a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket connects the first rail to the post and comprises a first plate, a first pivot member, a first receiving portion, and a first base. The first receiving portion and the first base are adapted to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the first pivot member. The second bracket connects the second rail to the post, and comprises a second plate, a second pivot member, a second receiving portion, and a pin. The second receiving portion is adapted to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the second pivot member.

An angled coupling including a main pass-through coupler to allow a first threaded rod to pass therethrough and a second coupling extending at angle therefrom to receive second threaded rod. The main coupler is configured to be secured to any location on the first threaded rod without requiring it to be screwed onto first threaded rod. The main coupler includes a first half and a second half spaced from each other that can be secured together at desired location on first threaded rod. The main coupler includes an upper section having a first approximately half of body thereof and corresponding threads and lower section having a second approximately half of body, opposite the first half, and corresponding threads. The first threaded rod is retained in both halves by insertion and rotation until the threaded rod snaps in place and kept fixed with retaining clips.

An angled coupling including a main pass-through coupler to allow a first threaded rod to pass therethrough and a second coupling extending at angle therefrom to receive second threaded rod. The main coupler is configured to be secured to any location on the first threaded rod without requiring it to be screwed onto first threaded rod. The main coupler includes a first half and a second half spaced from each other that can be secured together at desired location on first threaded rod. The main coupler includes an upper section having a first approximately half of body thereof and corresponding threads and lower section having a second approximately half of body, opposite the first half, and corresponding threads. The first threaded rod is retained in both halves by insertion and rotation until the threaded rod snaps in place and kept fixed with retaining clips.

A joint structure includes a bent portion, a first member configured to be connected rotatably to a mating member, a second member configured to be connected rotatably to an actuator for driving the mating member, and a core shaft. The core shaft has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The core shaft is connected to the first member at the first connecting portion and connected to the second member at the second connecting portion. The joint structure further includes a covering member covering the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The bent portion is provided at a position different from the first connecting portion.

A joint structure includes a bent portion, a first member configured to be connected rotatably to a mating member, a second member configured to be connected rotatably to an actuator for driving the mating member, and a core shaft. The core shaft has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The core shaft is connected to the first member at the first connecting portion and connected to the second member at the second connecting portion. The joint structure further includes a covering member covering the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The bent portion is provided at a position different from the first connecting portion.

Provided herein is a fastener that may be used to secure objects to a channel strut or attach a channel strut to a structure. In an arrangement, the fastener is a fastener block configured for disposition within the interior of a channel strut. The fastener block has a body that includes at least one pair of spaced apart and parallel recesses (e.g., recessed channels) sized to engage the inward lips of the strut channel. Once the pair to recessed channels engage the strut channel lips, the fastener block is prevented from rotating. At least one aperture extends through the fastener block between the parallel recessed channels. A fastener recess (e.g., hexagon recess) is recede into the block around the aperture. A standard nut or bolt may be inserted into the fastener recess.

A connection assembly for modular construction includes an upper junction connector coupled to an upper end of a column. The upper junction connector includes an upper end that has a planar upper surface, a recessed surface, and at least one connector sidewall extending between the upper surface and the recessed surface. The recessed surface and the at least one connector sidewall define a contiguous recessed area in the upper end that extends to second, third, and fourth edges of the upper end of the connector. A slot extends through the upper end adjacent to an interior surface of a column sidewall. A transverse bore extends through the first column sidewall proximate to and aligned with the slot.

The present invention provides an improved locking mechanism for securely connecting modular or detachable components. The locking mechanism includes a male and female portion associated with, respectively, a first and second modular component, the male portion having a slit defining a first and second finger, the locking mechanism having a spreading means provided by a pressure bolt mechanism including a pressure bolt, wherein the pressure bolt is configured to, when turned by up to substantially 1 revolution, move the first and second fingers from a closed position wherein the first and second fingers are substantially parallel to one another, to a spread position wherein the first and second fingers abut an interior surface of the female portion, thereby connecting the first and second modular component.

A portable chopstick including two-piece square chopsticks is provided. The two-piece square chopsticks include an upper chopstick body, a lower chopstick body and a chopstick body aligning structure. The upper chopstick body has a lower end joint block; the lower chopstick body has an opposite upper end joint groove. The chopstick body aligning structure can be separated into two parts, which are precisely positioned in the upper chopstick body and the lower chopstick bod respectively, wherein the upper chopstick body and the lower chopstick body can be made of different materials. When the lower end joint block of the upper chopstick body is locked with the upper end joint groove of the lower chopstick body, the upper chopstick body is aligned with the lower chopstick body through the chopstick body aligning structure at their four sides.