A plant training system for use with a pot that is arranged to hold a plant includes a plurality of bases that are adapted to be coupled to the pot, wherein each base is adapted to carry a stake or pole, and wherein the angle of the stake or pole relative to the pot is adjustable. There is a mechanical system for holding each base on the pot.

A device including a ball, cage housing the ball and a centering lug, wherein the centering lug has a generally annular form with a radially outer annular periphery and a radially inner annular periphery, the outer annular periphery is integral with the cage and the inner annular periphery is inserted in a groove in the outer periphery of the ball, and the centering lug is elastic and arranged to hold the ball along a predefined axis in a rest position.

A ball and socket joint assembly is disclosed that includes a body defining a cavity, a collet disposed in the cavity to receive a ball of a connector, and an actuator shaft coupled to the collet for rotating and translating the collet in the cavity. The cavity has a distal opening to accept the ball and an engagement feature extending into the cavity. The collet has an outer diameter larger than the opening in the body when the ball is disposed in the collet, and the collet has a corresponding engagement feature around at least a portion of the outer surface for receiving the engagement feature and converting rotation of the compression member into translation of the compression member along a proximal-distal axis of the body. The collet is compressed against the opening of the cavity when the collet is advanced distally against the opening.

A locking system securing an image scanning device to a container includes a compressible material. The compressible material is disposed between a first securing plate and a second securing plate. A rotational element is disposed within curved edges of the first and second securing plates, where the curved edges each curve away from the compressible material. A shaft extends from the rotational element to the image scanning device. A fastener is secured through the first and second securing plates, and into the securing surface to lock the rotational element, and subsequently the shaft and image scanning device, in place. The locking system can be secured to a pitched surface to naturally position the image scanning device perpendicular to level ground.

Various implementations include a spring biased mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a clamp plate with engagement arms extending therefrom and a base plate. The base plate is disposed between the clamp plate and distal ends of the engagement arms. The distal ends of the engagement arms are biased toward a first surface of the base plate. An object, such as a hand held electronic computing device, may be secured between the base plate and the distal ends of the engagement arms. The spring force may be provided by the clamp plate itself (e.g., a spring steel clamp plate) or by a separate spring (e.g., one or more helical springs, leaf springs, or a spring steel plate) disposed between the clamp plate and the base plate.

A device for providing a lockable modular connection between two parts, the device includes a first element for connecting to one of the parts and a second element for connecting to the other part. The first element includes a rod secured to a ball joint. The second element includes a housing containing the ball joint. The device has an inner space between an inner face of the housing and a peripheral face of the ball joint, and a locking element arranged between the housing and the ball joint. Motifs are arranged on the peripheral face of the ball joint and/or on the inner face of the housing. The locking element consists of a hardened material that fills the entire inner space and with regard to which the motifs form abutments in order to hold the ball joint in a fixed position in the housing.

An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.

A rotatable ball joint is provided. The rotatable ball joint is adapted to enable an object to be rotatably assembled on a foot stand, where the foot stand includes a fixed hole. The rotatable ball joint includes a friction part, a shapeshifting sphere, and an assembly part. The shapeshifting sphere is adapted to be compressed from a first state to a second state. A size of the shapeshifting sphere in the first state is greater than a size of the fixed hole, and a size of the shapeshifting sphere in the second state is less than the size of the fixed hole. The shapeshifting sphere is adapted to be disposed in the fixed hole. The shapeshifting sphere is connected to the assembly part. The object is adapted to be assembled on the assembly part. The friction part is configured on an outer surface of the shapeshifting sphere. When the shapeshifting sphere is disposed in the fixed hole, the friction part is in contact with an inner wall surface of the fixed hole to temporarily maintain the rotatable ball joint at a specific angle relative to the foot stand. A universal ball joint assembly is further provided.

The present application discloses a ball joint that consists of a ball that may expand or contract, and a coupling that may expand or contract in order to lock the ball joint and prevent rotational movement. In the basic structure, the ball and the coupling may have an internal passageway that allows for a pressurized or depressurized member to pass through. The ball joint allows for a fixed condition that resists rotation under one pressure condition, and various degrees of rotation under a different pressure condition.

A ball and socket joint assembly is disclosed that includes a body defining a cavity, a collet disposed in the cavity to receive a ball of a connector, and an actuator shaft coupled to the collet for rotating and translating the collet in the cavity. The cavity has a distal opening to accept the ball and an engagement feature extending into the cavity. The collet has an outer diameter larger than the opening in the body when the ball is disposed in the collet, and the collet has a corresponding engagement feature around at least a portion of the outer surface for receiving the engagement feature and converting rotation of the compression member into translation of the compression member along a proximal-distal axis of the body. The collet is compressed against the opening of the cavity when the collet is advanced distally against the opening.