Embodiments of this application relate to connectors configured for coupling to a hollow structure, for joining hollow structures together, and/or for joining a hollow structure to a functional element. A connector may be configured to couple to one or more hollow structures, and may be further configured to couple to one or more functional elements. Exemplary connectors comprise a shell and a plug.

A clip for attachment of a walled strut channel around a support rod to provide increased stiffness for the support rod by insertion of the clip within the strut channel to provide engagement of the support rod with an interior surface of the strut channel has a pair of flexible arms spaced apart to provide biased contact against opposed walls of the strut channel upon insertion. The arms terminate at their distal ends in a pair of insertion handles with the arms being joined together by a generally u-shaped central clip portion having side walls that at least partially conform to a circumference of the support rod. The central clip portion biases the support rod against the strut channel's interior surface, maintaining the support rod in a fixed position against the strut channel.

A modular component fishing rod system that allows the end user to easily and securely change one or more of the handle portion and rod blank. The system includes a rod blank, rod sleeve assembly and a slide-on handle assembly. The rod sleeve assembly performs at least three functions including: 1) truing up the taper of the fishing rod blank to allow components of the handle assembly to be slid onto the rod blank from the butt end; 2) providing an indexing or key feature which registers with the handle assembly to maintain proper alignment between the handle assembly and rod blank; and 3) providing a method to attach the handle assembly to the rod sleeve. The handle assembly includes a corresponding female sleeve that mates with and preferably slides over the rod sleeve assembly and performs at least three functions including; 1) attaching a handle tube which includes a handle grip and reel seat to a the rod sleeve assembly; 2) matching indexing features; and 3) fixing the handle assembly to the rod sleeve assembly through one of a number of possible fastener assemblies.

A hanger-rod clip can be configured for use with a strut that at least partially surrounds a hanger rod to provide stiffness to the hanger rod. The hanger-rod clip can include a handle portion and a rod-clamping portion. The rod-clamping portion can be configured to urge the hanger rod into engagement with an internal surface of the strut as the handle portion is moved towards the strut.

A latch mechanism for a pivoting bicycle rack provides a pivot release actuator on an extension that is added on to the bicycle rack. The latch mechanism comprises a connector body that is attached to the bicycle rack, and that may have an actuator for operating the pivot release. The rack extension assembly has an actuator and a linkage that connects to the connector body in the bicycle rack so that the actuator in the extension can release the pivot on the bicycle rack. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack.

Devices and system for releasably securing objects are disclosed. An insert with tabs around a perimeter is inserted into a receiver. The tabs follow inlet grooves and tab capture grooves, and then retract into tab resting depressions, securing the insert and receiver while force is maintained between the insert and the receiver. The force is removed and the tabs exit the tab resting depressions into the tab release groove. Application of the force again causes the tabs to enter into an outlet groove and out of the receiver, thus detaching the insert and the receiver. The device is preferably used in a system for raising a lowering a rectangular platform with a device at each corner of the platform.

Mounting clamps may be utilized to quickly and easily secure solar panel modules relative to mounting rails, which may in turn be secured relative to a mounting surface (e.g., a roof). The mounting clamps may be configured to quickly secure the solar pane modules relative to the mounting rails by tightening a tightening element to pull a clamp element toward the surface of a mounting rail, thereby clamping a portion (e.g., a frame) of a solar panel module between the clamping element and an outer surface of the mounting rail.

Embodiments of this application relate to connectors configured for coupling to a hollow structure, for joining hollow structures together, and/or for joining a hollow structure to a functional element. A connector may be configured to couple to one or more hollow structures, and may be further configured to couple to one or more functional elements. Exemplary connectors comprise a shell and a plug.

Provided is an angular beam connecting apparatus. Angular beams are various types of angular beams with at least one groove that includes inner walls formed on both sides of the groove. The connecting apparatus assembled in the at least one groove of the respective angular beams includes: an upper member having at least one first pressing hole formed therein and at least one first inclined surface formed therein; a lower member a second pressing hole formed therein in correspondence to the first pressing hole and a second inclined surface formed therein while facing the first inclined surface; pressure units that are screwed through the first and second pressing holes of the upper and lower members; at least one pressure rod located in the space “a” formed between the first and second inclined surfaces by placing the first and second inclined surfaces of the upper and lower members to face each other, wherein the pressure units of the connecting member penetrate the first and second pressing holes to have the upper and lower members closely contact each other, and the at least one pressure rod located in the space “a” between the first and second inclined surfaces is pushed outward to fix two angular beams and to extend the length of the structure formed by the two angular beams.

A solar panel racking system that can include end clamps, mid clamps, bottom clamps, L-foot adapter assemblies, rails, and L-foot assemblies. The solar panel racking system minimizes the use of tools by snapping many of the mounting components in place. The end clamps, mid clamps, and bottom clamps can snap over the rail sides and lock into upper detented portions of the rail sides. The upper detented portions are structured to prevent upward movement of the end clamps, mid clamps, and bottom clamps. The L-foot adapter body of the L-foot adapter assembly snaps over lower detented portions of rail sides and secures the rail to an L-foot assembly. The end clamps, mid clamps, bottom clamps, rails, and L-foot adapter assemblies are independent of the L-foot assembly, allowing a selection of L-foot assemblies to be used as appropriate with the solar panel racking system.