This application discloses a stand assembly that includes an upper portion for holding electronic components and a lower portion for supporting the upper portion. The lower portion including a base, a joint, and a second fastener structure configured to mate with a first fastener structure of the upper portion. The first fastener structure and the joint are configured to respectively provide a first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom of motion of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. Movement of the upper portion at the first degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through first part of a first full range of motion associated with the first degree of freedom of motion. Movement of the upper portion at the second degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through a second full range of motion associated with the second degree of freedom.

Systems and methods may provide a locking articulating mount. Small pieces of hardware, such as back pressure screws, may be used to lock a display in place. They can be adjusted to cause outward forces against the display away from the backing. A mount also may be adjustable for assembly, but when closed, may provide a significant reduction in play or movement. A latch may form part of the mount to hold the display against the inside edge that can only be released through a pull cable.

A swiveling gun rest is disclosed, comprising a mounting unit for mounting to a surface of a hunting blind, and a swiveling support unit for supporting a gun and a body of a person using the gun. The mounting unit may include a mast having a foot able to contact a floor of the hunting blind. A swivel joint accommodates swivel of the support unit about a vertical axis, so as to be able to fire through windows of the hunting blind. The foot may accommodate the combined weights of the gun rest, gun, and a portion of the body weight of the person. The swivel joint may comprise a plurality of sockets fixed to the mounting unit and an equal number of fingers fixed to the support unit, the fingers configured to occupy the sockets. The support unit may comprise a frame and a cushion atop the frame.

A gimbal arrangement includes a static structure, a gimbal supported for rotation relative to the static structure, an actuator operably connected to the gimbal and configured to rotate the gimbal relative to the static structure, and a magnetic soft stop. The magnetic soft stop is connected between the static structure and the gimbal to limit rotation of the gimbal relative to the static structure to within a predetermined range. Sensor systems and imaging methods are also described.

A mechanism for rotating a monitor around an instrument, using a cam having a lobe directed towards a corner or projection of the instrument, the cam being fixed on the instrument in a plane parallel to the rotation of the monitor. The monitor is mounted on the outer section of an extendible arm assembly, the inner section being attached to the instrument by means of a rotary bearing, the outer section of the extendible assembly arm being slidingly attached to the inner section using a spring mechanism which applies a tensional force to the outer section in the direction towards the rotary bearing. As the extendible arm assembly is rotated, a cam follower attached to the outer section of the extendible arm assembly, traces the outer profile of the cam, thereby causing the outer section of the extendible arm also to trace the outer profile of the cam.

A mechanism for rotating a monitor around an instrument, using a cam having a lobe directed towards a corner or projection of the instrument, the cam being fixed on the instrument in a plane parallel to the rotation of the monitor. The monitor is mounted on the outer section of an extendible arm assembly, the inner section being attached to the instrument by means of a rotary bearing, the outer section of the extendible assembly arm being slidingly attached to the inner section using a spring mechanism which applies a tensional force to the outer section in the direction towards the rotary bearing. As the extendible arm assembly is rotated, a cam follower attached to the outer section of the extendible arm assembly, traces the outer profile of the cam, thereby causing the outer section of the extendible arm also to trace the outer profile of the cam.

A photography stand configured to aid in a taking of self or group photograph(s). The photography stand is placed in a visited location where photographs are frequently taken with a background of interest. The photography stand comprises a post, a platform, and a holder configured to hold a camera enabled handheld electronic device. The platform has a top surface that is textured and a bottom surface attaches to a top end of the post. The platform is stationary, but in alternative embodiments, the platform spins at the connection with the post. The stand also can be placed into the ground or can include a base on a bottom end of the post which allows the stand to be placed on the ground. The base may include one or more wheels to move the stand.

A photography stand configured to aid in a taking of self or group photograph(s). The photography stand is placed in a visited location where photographs are frequently taken with a background of interest. The photography stand comprises a post, a platform, and a holder configured to hold a camera enabled handheld electronic device. The platform has a top surface that is textured and a bottom surface attaches to a top end of the post. The platform is stationary, but in alternative embodiments, the platform spins at the connection with the post. The stand also can be placed into the ground or can include a base on a bottom end of the post which allows the stand to be placed on the ground. The base may include one or more wheels to move the stand.

Adjustment of a posture of a ball joint is facilitated. A support device includes a pan head unit, a ball joint having a first end to which the pan head unit is attached and a second end provided with a ball portion, a ball holder configured to selectively fix the ball portion, a ball fixing screw connected to the ball holder and configured to move the ball holder between a locked position at which the ball portion is fixed and an unlocked position at which the ball portion is freely rotatable, and an elastic member configured to urge the ball holder toward the ball portion. The ball holder and the ball fixing screw are connected to each other so as to be strokable with a predetermined stroke amount. The predetermined stroke amount is smaller than a movement amount of the ball fixing screw between a first position corresponding to the locked position and a second position corresponding to the unlocked position.

Adjustment of a posture of a ball joint is facilitated. A support device includes a pan head unit, a ball joint having a first end to which the pan head unit is attached and a second end provided with a ball portion, a ball holder configured to selectively fix the ball portion, a ball fixing screw connected to the ball holder and configured to move the ball holder between a locked position at which the ball portion is fixed and an unlocked position at which the ball portion is freely rotatable, and an elastic member configured to urge the ball holder toward the ball portion. The ball holder and the ball fixing screw are connected to each other so as to be strokable with a predetermined stroke amount. The predetermined stroke amount is smaller than a movement amount of the ball fixing screw between a first position corresponding to the locked position and a second position corresponding to the unlocked position.