A fastening mechanism configured to connect a first member to a second member may have a clamp member having an enclosure for enclosing the first member. The mechanism may also have engagement sheets extending from two side edges of the enclosure. Each engagement sheet may have a first engagement portion. The mechanism may also have a locking member having slots where the engagement sheets of the clamp member may be configured to be inserted through the slots. The mechanism may also have an actuating and tensioning device having a main body portion provided with second engagement portions engaged with the first engagement portions, and a force application mechanism affixed to the main body portion for applying a force on the locking member to shift the relative position between the locking member and the clamp member. A furniture assembly using the fastening mechanism is also provided.

A locking arrangement for connecting and interlocking rods at a node within a framework includes connection rods and a central node bearing to be engaged from different directions by each of the connection rods at respective mounting ports through plugging each connection rod onto a respective mounting port. The central node bearing is configured with at least one locking element at each mounting port to be actuated between a locked state, in which the at least one locking element resides in an outward position and the respective connection rod plugged onto the respective mounting port is clutched to the central node bearing by the at least one locking element, and an unlocked locked state, in which the at least one locking element resides in an inward position and the respective connection rod is released from the central node bearing.

An elbow joint connector includes an elbow portion and a locking mechanism detachably coupled to a distal end of the elbow portion. The locking mechanism including a pair of locking members translatable relative to one another along an interface transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elbow joint connector. Divergent translation of the pair of locking members relative to one another along the interface increases a portion of an outer periphery of the locking mechanism to lock the elbow portion to an adjoining member. The elbow joint connector is configured for detachable coupling to an adjoining elbow joint connector and pivotally rotatable relative thereto from a first configuration in which respective center axes of the connectors form an acute angle to a second configuration in which the respective center axes are collinear.

A joint assembly includes a structural body having a key which projects cantilevered from an abutment surface. The key includes a stem with a first stem portion having a reduced transverse encumbrance, and a second stem portion from which fins project and define locking surfaces. A seat body includes an abutment counter-surface facing the abutment surface. A seat is formed by opening from the abutment counter-surface, which delimits a key entry slot. A first seat portion proximate the entry slot allows insertion of the key if the fins are aligned with the entry slot. A second seat portion internal and opposite the entry slot widens to allow free rotation of the key. The seat body forms locking counter-surfaces having an inclined plane portion moving away from the entry slot so that key rotation brings the abutment surface in force-contact against the abutment counter-surface, creating a firm frictional fit.

A clip (2) for fitting between a first component (6) and a second component (4) in a building structure, the clip including a first member (8), a second member (10) and a connecting portion (12) connecting the first member (8) to the second member (10); the first member (8), the second member (10) and the connecting portion (12) forming a space (38) in which a portion of a leg (18) of the second component (4) is adapted to reside; the first member (8) and the second member (10) adapted for engagement with the portion of the leg (18) of the second component (4).

A connector for coupling a first column segment having a first inner surface and a first end surface to a second column segment having a second inner surface and a second end surface such that the end surfaces are adjacent one another is provided. The connector includes a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of plates each having a front face, a rear face, and a plurality of fastener apertures extending from the front face toward the rear face. Each of the fastener apertures is sized to receive one of the fasteners when coupling the first column segment to the second column segment such that the plates are spaced apart from one another. Each of the front faces is contoured to seat flush against the first inner surface and the second inner surface when the plates span the adjacent end surfaces of the coupled-together column segments.

An above ground frame pool (10) includes a frame assembly (20) and a liner (40) supported by the frame assembly (20). The frame assembly (20) includes a plurality of horizontal pipes (22), a plurality of vertical pipes (24), and a plurality of T-shaped joints (30). The joints (30) may lack mechanical fasteners with adjacent pipes or corresponding apertures. The joints (30) may be one-piece or multi-piece structures. Such joints (30) maybe water-resistant and convenient to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, and store.

An adjustable bathroom handrail assembly is provided with a pair of elongate vertical handles with mounting hardware to mount to an upright support surface and spaced apart from the upright support surface. An adjustable horizontal bar extends between the pair of vertical handles, and a locking mechanism connects the at least one adjustable horizontal bar and one of the pair of elongate vertical handles. A locking mechanism is located at an intersection of the horizontal bar and the one of the elongate vertical handles. A method for installing and adjusting wall-mount hardware installs a pair of elongate vertical handles to an upright support surface. The ends of a horizontal bar are installed onto the pair of elongate vertical handles. A locking mechanism on the horizontal bar is disengaged to adjust the horizontal bar to a location along the pair of elongate vertical handles.

A metal corner connector contains at least two connection regions which are arranged on a lateral surface of the metal corner connector. At least one connection region is configured to be mechanically stably connected via welding to a metal pipe extending along a main extension plane of the metal corner connector. The connection region contains at least one protrusion with a groove, which is configured for receiving a welding material. The connection region has an outer surface which is adjacent to the protrusion and is configured as a contact surface for an end face of the metal pipe. A method produces a device having such a metal corner connector.

A passively damped mechanical system is disclosed, for example for use in aerospace applications where vibration can adversely affect navigational and operational instruments. In one example, the passively damped mechanical system includes an end fitting of a strut used to connect a structural element to a payload. The end fitting may include outer and inner cylindrical hubs, with a space between the outer and inner cylindrical hub at least partially filled with a viscoelastic material. In a further example, the passively damped mechanical system includes legs used to connect a structural element to a bracket configured to support a payload. Each leg may include a hollow interior having a lattice structure to add strength and a viscoelastic material to provide passive damping.