An end-effector assembly includes a master boom, a frame rail coupled thereto, and at least one branch rail movably coupled to the frame rail by a swing branch lock. The swing arm is movably coupled to the at least one branch rail by a swing arm lock. Each of the swing branch lock and the swing arm lock further includes a clamp configured to movably secure the branch rail to the frame rail or the swing arm to the branch rail. A pivot shaft extends through the clamp and is configured to rotationally secure the clamp in place. A swing plate is secured to the pivot shaft and is configured for engagement with a configuration tool. A locking fastener extends through the swing plate and into the pivot shaft and is configured to lock and unlock the clamp in position.

Systems and methods of deploying seismic data acquisition units from a marine vessel are disclosed. The system can include a spindle coupled to a tether. A robotic arm can couple the spindle to a tether via one or more tumblers. The tether can connect to a seismic data acquisition unit via a connection block having a mechanical force device. The assembled spindle, tether and seismic data acquisition unit can be deployed from the deck via a deployment block.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for constructing an airship quickly and cost-effectively are described. In one embodiments, a jig for constructing a mainframe of an airship structure may have a first rail and a second rail that are configured to be parallel to each other, the first rail and the second rail each forming an arc, multiple first supporting structures coupled to the first rail, wherein the first supporting structures have non-uniform heights to support a curvature of the arc of the first rail, multiple second supporting structures coupled to the second rail, wherein the second supporting structures have non-uniform heights to support a curvature of the arc of the second rail, wherein the first rail and the second rail are configured to interface with detachable wheels coupled to an outer surface of the mainframe and enable the mainframe to be rotated along its axis on the jig

A magnetic strut channel fitting (10) includes first and second plates (12, 14) connected to each other and a plurality of magnets (16) embedded into at least one of the first and second plates. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat plate and a plurality of magnets embedded into the plate. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat connecting plate, first and second arm members, each of the first and second arm members having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, and a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets embedded into the connecting plate to allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhere to a strut channel. The plurality of magnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel.

The present invention provides modular frame assembly including a plurality of connecting pieces. The connecting pieces can include a first plurality of coupling connectors, a second plurality of tee connectors, a third plurality of corner connectors, and a fourth plurality of elongate members. Each of the plurality of connecting pieces is adapted to receive at least two elongate members such that a rectangular structure can be constructed from the plurality of connecting pieces.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for constructing an airship quickly and cost-effectively are described. In one embodiments, an airship structure may have a plurality of mainframes, each comprising interconnected pyramid structures. One of the pyramid structures may include an apex joint, four base joints, first connectors, and second connectors. The apex joint and base joints may each have slots configured for receiving connectors. The apex joint may have four apex-to-base slots and each base joint may have a base-to-apex slot and two base-to-base slots. Each of the first connectors may connect the apex joint to one of the four base joints using one of the apex-to-base slots of the apex joint and the base-to-apex slot of that base joint. Each of the second connectors may connect two of the four base joints using one of the base-to-base slots of each of the two base joints connected by that second connector.

There is provided a multi-leg stand, for photography and the like comprising a vertical main tube, a supporting structure for the vertical main tube comprising a plurality of legs connected to the bottom portion of said vertical main tube and including a plurality of lockable collars rotatably secured around the outer circumference of the vertical main tube and a leg rigidly secured to each of the lockable collars; each leg extends horizontally outwardly from one of the collars and including an outer end portion extending downwardly. At least one of the downwardly extending end portions, comprises a secondary tubular member having an opening at each end designed to securely hold a replaceable member; the replaceable member extends downwardly from the lower end opening thus providing further support for the stand. The stand can thus support either multiple lights or a combination of lights and reflectors or other elements.

A bicycle handlebar stem includes a body having a connection portion and a top clamp respectively formed on two ends thereof. The body includes a space defined therein, and an opening communicates with the space and outside of the body. A bottom member has a tongue extending inserted into the opening and the space. A bottom clamp is formed to the bottom member and includes an upward portion extending upwardly and toward the downward portion of the top clamp. A passage is defined between the top clamp, the bottom clamp and the body so as to receive a handlebar. A connection member extends through the body and the tongue to connect the bottom member to the body. Two fasteners extend through the underside of the bottom clamp and are connected to the top clamp.

During erection of a scaffolding use is made of a coupling device with a base part (20) which is connected temporarily, but reliably, to a distal section of a ledger element (10) and to a coupling part (30) extending from the base part (20). The coupling part (30) comprises at the outer end a hook (35) which is placed round a subsequent upright (5) of the scaffolding in order to thus make a secondary connection thereto, while a primary connection (9,11) between the ledger (10) and the upright (5) is only completed later.

A magnetic strut channel fitting includes first and second plates connected to each other and a plurality of magnets embedded into at least one of the first and second plates. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat plate and a plurality of magnets embedded into the plate. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat connecting plate, first and second arm members, each of the first and second arm members having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, and a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets embedded into the connecting plate to allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhere to a strut channel. The plurality of magnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel.