A coupling with distinct portions formed as a unitary structure and a fastener placed at one end of the coupling both provided to constrain assembly components and control their relative motion linearly along and rotationally around a longitudinal center axis is presented. The coupling portions are composed of complex concave polygon or circular shapes whose normal section is determined by the manner in which the adjacent assembly components are required, alternately, to move or not move. Specific geometric constraints for the various coupling portions must be met. Various coupling embodiments may result from differing fastening elements including screw, friction fit and bonded types being attached to the coupling body piece.

A quick-change surface panel for a carwash, and a system for using a quick-change surface panel for a carwash are disclosed. The surface panel is an annular piece of flexible hygroscopic material. The surface panel is partitioned from its outer diameter inward towards the inner diameter, creating a plurality of radially-arranged wash elements. The radially-arranged wash elements terminate at a common center. A two-piece collar attaches each quick-change surface panel to a rotational hub. A spacer is positioned between each quick-change surface panel.

This present invention relates to an item holding apparatus for securely holding household items, consumer products and electronic devices. The holding apparatus has a geometric shape that is easily portable and secures different types of items or objects. The holding apparatus features a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces. The apparatus has suction cups for attaching to a surface, C-shaped clamps or hooks connected to extendable and retractable bands, and a spring mechanism for retracting each extendable and retractable band. The C-shaped clamps fit onto rim or edge of an item positioned on the base for securely holding by the device holding apparatus and the bands provide a centering force for the consumer product.

An airbag device attached to a vehicle body frame member and covered by a garnish is configured such that when a bag body is deployed, the airbag device pushes out the garnish to create a gap between the garnish and the vehicle body frame member to allow the bag body to be inflated out of the gap. The clip for securing the garnish to the vehicle body frame member includes a first member configured to be fixed to the vehicle body frame member, a second member configured to be fixed to the garnish, and a connecting member for keeping the first member and the second member connected when the airbag is deployed. The connecting member is tiltable with respect to the first member and the second member so that the movable range of the clip can be maximized without using flexible material for the connecting member.

A spacer which can be temporarily inserted between two panels, such as solar modules, prior to securing the panels; such that a consistent gap is established between the panels; and a method for using said spacer. The spacer includes a collapsing feature which relieves pressure on the spacer from the adjacent panels for easier removal of the spacer. The spacer may use a cam feature to collapse its size prior to removal.

In an example, a clamp assembly for a glass on glass solar module for a tracker is included. The assembly has a lower clamp structure characterized by a top-hat shaped rail structure having a length extending from a first end to a second end. In an example, the assembly has an upper clamp structure configured to sandwich a pair of edges of a pair of solar modules with a portion of the lower clamp structure. In an example, the assembly has a locking spacer configured to the pair of edges of the pair of solar modules. In an example, the pair of edges comprises substantially glass material. In an example, the assembly has a pair of key structures configured with the locking spacer. Each of the key structures is affixed to each of the solar modules to physically lock each of the solar modules to the upper clamp structure.

The present disclosure relates to a fastener for coupling a base component on which the fastener is deployed to a target component having an opening with which the fastener is configured to couple. The fastener has a core, a cap, and a plurality of prongs. Each prong has a shelf and may also have a ramp. The fastener is configured to couple with a variety of openings having different sizes, shapes, and dimensions.

A fastener structure includes a casing, an engaging element and a controlling element. The engaging element is movably disposed at the casing. The controlling element is movably disposed at the casing. The controlling element controls the engaging element to enter a locked state or unlocked state. Therefore, the casing is fitted to the first object, such that engaging element is fastened to or unfastened from the second object, so as to couple together quickly and separate easily at least two objects.

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 locking system comprising a block made of a polymer substance having an upper surface and a lower surface. In a normal condition, the block has the following structure. A bore, having a first axis, extends through the block and passes through the upper surface and the lower surface, the bore being shaped to include a taper, whereby an upper end of the bore has a larger diameter than a lower end of the bore, and the bore has an internal surface that is smooth. And, a slot, having a second axis, extends through the block and passes through the upper surface and the lower surface, the slot having a generally planar configuration with a width and a thickness, the slot being positioned such that the first axis and the second axis are co-axial, whereby the slot and the bore form a single continuous opening extending through the block.