There is provided a portable system which includes a central cylindrical control module having a central axis and a lower body portion. The cylindrical control module has at least one telescopic arm which is contained within the cylindrical control module in a first locked position in the lower body portion and in a second unlocked position the telescopic arm is capable of extending and rotating vertically and horizontally to a selected location. The telescopic arm receiving a periphery device in a receiving slot at an end of the telescopic arm which electronically connects with said central control module.

An interface component is disposed between a movable block and a support member, such as a linear rail. The interface includes a number of independent flexures, each providing an axially projected contact area extending toward the support member that varies in shape and spring force according to contact force with the support member. The flexures may be arranged collectively to provide complementary radial forces on the support member, thus providing force-controlled contact points with the support member that can individually yield to local surface irregularities in the support member, while maintaining a balanced array of radial contact forces with the support member.

A thimble apparatus for use with a rope has a thimble eye formed as a generally U-shaped shackle defining a center aperture therein with arms on opposing sides of the aperture. The thimble eye has an outer surface, a front face, and a rear face. A groove is formed within the front face of the shackle generally in the shape of a U and has a width. A rope seat is formed within the shackle beneath the groove proximal to the rear face and has a diameter larger than the width of the groove. The groove forms a passage to the rope seat from the front face along the length of the groove. A base connects to ends of the arms of the shackle closing the aperture. The base defines a channel formed as an open-ended groove through the base such that in use the channel permits a rope to extend from either one of adjacent sides of the base to position the thimble apparatus between first and second positions.

There is provided a method for non-penetration joining of members. The method includes: keeping a joining member having a protruding part by a receiving mold so that the protruding part is exposed; placing a joined member over the joining member so that the protruding part of the joining member is positioned in a blind hole of the joined member, and compressing the joined member against the receiving mold to plastically deform the joined member and the joining member at the same time and to wrap excess thickness of the joined member around an undercut part while forming the undercut part on the joining member, thereby non-detachably joining both the members.

A fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener body with a head end part. A propelling member supported on the fastener body, wherein the propelling member has a lengthened shape, wherein a portion of the lengthened shape extends around the head end part of the fastener body. A method of propelling the fastener assembly is also provided.

A coupling for connecting a circuit board to a mount with a fastener. The mount may be connected to a component. The fastener includes a first snap-fit connection formation for establishing a snap-fit connection with a second snap-fit connection formation provided on the mount. When connected, the fastener clamps the circuit board against the mount. The fastener further includes a first engagement formation configured to engage with a second engagement formation on the mount for bracing the snap-fit connection.

In at least some implementations, a bracket for a rotating shaft includes a base and a retainer. The base has a mount body and a receiver having a first portion coupled to the mount body, a second portion extending from the first portion at a first end of the second portion to a second end of the second portion, a seat and an opening. The opening is defined at least in part by an inner surface disposed around a center axis. The retainer has a first surface engaged with the seat and a second surface engaged with a retention surface of the mount body and the retainer prevents separation of the seat from the retention surface by a distance greater than the distance between the first surface and the second surface.

A pen for an animal, such as a dog, includes a plurality of walls and a frame. The plurality of walls can extend substantially vertically. The walls can include one or more wall panels. The wall panels can be transparent or highly translucent. The panels can be held in place at least in part by the frame, which can include a plurality of frame members and a plurality of connectors. The pen can include a door. A top frame member at the door can be movable to allow a person to freely enter and exit the space enclosed by the pen. The pen can provide confinement for an animal in a safe and aesthetically-pleasing manner. The pen can maximize an owner's ability to see his or her pet. The pen can provide the animal with clear visibility of its surroundings or owner, creating a lower stress environment for the pet.

A hose connector 106 for a cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100, the hose connector 106 including: a valve body connection tube 330 for connecting the hose connector 106 to a valve body of the fire extinguisher 100, the valve body connection tube 330 is non-threaded; a hose connection tube 332 for connecting a hose to the hose connector 106; and a fixing plate 334 for fixing the hose connector 106 to the valve body of the fire extinguisher 100.

A framing system includes a first connection assembly that engages with a substrate. The first connection assembly includes a first connector and a track. At least one spring flange defined by the first connector engages with a fastener positioned along the substrate to maintain the first connection assembly in a fixed position relative to the substrate and to interconnect the substrate with the track. The framing system further includes a second connection assembly defining a second connector engaged to a stud. The second connection assembly engages with the first connection assembly to interconnect the stud with the track.