A gravity-orientation coupler is shown and described. The gravity-orientation coupler includes a first coupler half and a second coupler half, wherein the coupler halves are shaped to fit flush together. Each coupler half is comprised of a tongue having a ball chamber which is located within one end of the tongue. The ball chamber movably houses a ball. The ball chamber has an opening located at one side. The tongue of one coupler half is configured to align with and fit flush against the other coupler half. The ball and ball chamber are configured such that when the coupler halves are fitted together the ball in at least one of the ball chambers will apply pressure to the respective tongue securing it therein.

A gravity-orientation coupler is shown and described. The gravity-orientation coupler includes a first coupler half and a second coupler half, wherein the coupler halves are shaped to fit flush together. Each coupler half is comprised of a tongue having a ball chamber which is located within one end of the tongue. The ball chamber movably houses a ball. The ball chamber has an opening located at one side. The tongue of one coupler half is configured to align with and fit flush against the other coupler half. The ball and ball chamber are configured such that when the coupler halves are fitted together the ball in at least one of the ball chambers will apply pressure to the respective tongue securing it therein.

A mechanism is hereby disclosed that, when activated in the linear direction of its axis, will expand and contract radially. The novel nature of the device is that of compliant methods and materials used in its design. Compliant members, referred to as dyads, translate the motion and imply resistance in a single structure. Thus eliminating the need for separate members, hinges, pins, springs and the associated assembly. When these compliant dyads are combined in the novel configurations hereby disclosed, a device is created that expands (or contracts) in multiple directions from its primary axis of actuation. Furthermore, one or more actuation dyad sets could be arranged at various angles relative to the global vertical axis. The radial expansion/contraction can be 2D or 3D by adding more primary activation dyad sets. Such a device can be applied to many applications and industries. One such application is for gripping the inside of a tube or object for moving manually or in automation. The compliant nature of this device can be optimized to auto-adapt to the objects size and shape allowing for greater part variation and reduce manufacturing line change-over times. Other applications would include snap fit connections, spherical articulating joints, spinning cutting tools, speed limiting using friction and centrifugal force, braking rotational forces or transmitting it, automatic centering, expanding elastic bands in an assembly process, and stretching an opening for fitment. The design of this device is material friendly and can be made of plastic, composite and metals. It may be of a single monoform construction (created by molding, machining, or additive manufacturing) or made of multiple parts including pivots and different materials to achieve the desired articulation.

A mechanism is hereby disclosed that, when activated in the linear direction of its axis, will expand and contract radially. The novel nature of the device is that of compliant methods and materials used in its design. Compliant members, referred to as dyads, translate the motion and imply resistance in a single structure. Thus eliminating the need for separate members, hinges, pins, springs and the associated assembly. When these compliant dyads are combined in the novel configurations hereby disclosed, a device is created that expands (or contracts) in multiple directions from its primary axis of actuation. Furthermore, one or more actuation dyad sets could be arranged at various angles relative to the global vertical axis. The radial expansion/contraction can be 2D or 3D by adding more primary activation dyad sets. Such a device can be applied to many applications and industries. One such application is for gripping the inside of a tube or object for moving manually or in automation. The compliant nature of this device can be optimized to auto-adapt to the objects size and shape allowing for greater part variation and reduce manufacturing line change-over times. Other applications would include snap fit connections, spherical articulating joints, spinning cutting tools, speed limiting using friction and centrifugal force, braking rotational forces or transmitting it, automatic centering, expanding elastic bands in an assembly process, and stretching an opening for fitment. The design of this device is material friendly and can be made of plastic, composite and metals. It may be of a single monoform construction (created by molding, machining, or additive manufacturing) or made of multiple parts including pivots and different materials to achieve the desired articulation.

A loading system laterally loads and unloads an upper body structure onto a vehicle platform of a motor vehicle. The system includes two loading arms pivotably mounted on lengthwise ends of the vehicle platform. The loading arms jointly swivel between upward and lateral orientations with respect to the vehicle platform and jointly extend and retract. Each loading arm has an engaging portion at a distal end of the respective loading arm to engage a corresponding support portion at a respective lengthwise end of the upper body structure. The loading arms engage and release the upper body structure by swiveling into the lateral orientation and extending and retracting within the lateral orientation. The loading arms mount the engaged upper body structure on top of the vehicle platform by swiveling with the engaged upper body structure into the upward orientation and retracting with the engaged upper body structure within the upward orientation.

A loading system laterally loads and unloads an upper body structure onto a vehicle platform of a motor vehicle. The system includes two loading arms pivotably mounted on lengthwise ends of the vehicle platform. The loading arms jointly swivel between upward and lateral orientations with respect to the vehicle platform and jointly extend and retract. Each loading arm has an engaging portion at a distal end of the respective loading arm to engage a corresponding support portion at a respective lengthwise end of the upper body structure. The loading arms engage and release the upper body structure by swiveling into the lateral orientation and extending and retracting within the lateral orientation. The loading arms mount the engaged upper body structure on top of the vehicle platform by swiveling with the engaged upper body structure into the upward orientation and retracting with the engaged upper body structure within the upward orientation.

A device mounting system includes a device bracket coupled to a device, and a support surface mount coupled to the device bracket. The support surface mount includes a base member mounted to a support surface, a securing member extending from the base member, and a securing latch that is included in the securing member and that moves between a secured orientation in which it engages the device bracket to secure the device bracket to the support surface mount, and an unsecured orientation that allows the device bracket to be decoupled from the support surface mount. A release member in the securing member may be actuated to move the securing latch between the secured and unsecured orientations. A locking element in the securing member may be actuated to prevent movement of the securing latch from the secured to the unsecured orientation to lock the device bracket to the support surface mount.

A latching mechanism includes a body having a trip-latch with a protruding portion that protrudes from the body, a release button coupled to a release shaft disposed inside the body, and a holding edge disposed on the release shaft. The holding edge engages the trip-latch to maintain the release button in a depressed position. The holding edge disengages the trip-latch to place the release button in a non-depressed position in response to urging the protruding portion of the trip latch toward the rotatable body. The latching mechanism may also include a spring coupled to the release shaft that urges the release button to a non-depressed position. The latching mechanism may also include a spring coupled to the protruding portion of the trip-latch that urges the trip-latch to protrude from the body. A non-protruding portion of the trip-latch may engage the holding edge.

A latching mechanism includes a body having a trip-latch with a protruding portion that protrudes from the body, a release button coupled to a release shaft disposed inside the body, and a holding edge disposed on the release shaft. The holding edge engages the trip-latch to maintain the release button in a depressed position. The holding edge disengages the trip-latch to place the release button in a non-depressed position in response to urging the protruding portion of the trip latch toward the rotatable body. The latching mechanism may also include a spring coupled to the release shaft that urges the release button to a non-depressed position. The latching mechanism may also include a spring coupled to the protruding portion of the trip-latch that urges the trip-latch to protrude from the body. A non-protruding portion of the trip-latch may engage the holding edge.

A device mounting system includes a device bracket coupled to a device, and a support surface mount coupled to the device bracket. The support surface mount includes a base member mounted to a support surface, a securing member extending from the base member, and a securing latch that is included in the securing member and that moves between a secured orientation in which it engages the device bracket to secure the device bracket to the support surface mount, and an unsecured orientation that allows the device bracket to be decoupled from the support surface mount. A release member in the securing member may be actuated to move the securing latch between the secured and unsecured orientations. A locking element in the securing member may be actuated to prevent movement of the securing latch from the secured to the unsecured orientation to lock the device bracket to the support surface mount.