A light-and-shadow decoration includes a main decorative object, an omnidirectional rotation mechanism, and an electrical control unit. The main decorative object includes a three-dimensional structure and has one side that is provided with a retaining seat. The omnidirectional rotation mechanism includes a support axle, a rotation base, and a projector. The support axle has two ends each provided with a universal-joint ball. The rotation base and the projector are respectively connected to the two ends of the support axle. The projector has one side on which a lighting cover is mounted. The electrical control unit includes a power supply portion and at least one light-emitting element. Light from the light-emitting element transmits through the lighting cover to project to the outside. As such, the omnidirectional rotation mechanism enables rotation of the light source relative to the main decorative object and the support axle for adjusting a projection direction thereof.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a flex connection for high altitude balloon applications. During operation flex connection allows a payload of a high-altitude balloon to remain level when an envelope of the balloon is tilted, in order to change the direction of the balloon. As an example, a system may include a balloon envelope, a payload, a cable between the balloon envelope and the payload, and a flex connection on the cable. The flex connection enables the payload to remain level relative to the ground when the balloon is in flight and the balloon envelope is tilted relative to the payload. The flex connection includes a top portion, a plurality of discs, and a bottom portion.

One example of a ball and socket joint for a device enclosure includes a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment. The ball member includes a first portion, and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment. The ball and socket joint also comprises a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.

A method of modeling layout of rigid tubing comprises securing a first component of a lockable adjustment assembly to an end A of a first rigid tube via a first releasable coupling assembly. The method also comprises securing a second component of the lockable adjustment assembly to an end C of a second rigid tube via a second releasable coupling assembly. Further, the method comprises moving the first component and the second component, loosely coupled with each other, relative to each other with only three degrees of freedom to position the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in a selected orientation with respect to each other. The method also comprises, with the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in the selected orientation relative to each other, locking the lockable adjustment assembly so that the first component and the second component have zero degrees of freedom relative to each other.

Systems and methods for directing plant growth include a first attachment unit and a second attachment unit, both units being identical. Each attachment unit includes a body. A linking head is connected to the body and has at least one or a tab and a plurality of grooves. The linking head is substantially circular in shape. Each attachment unit also includes a linking base connected to the body and having another of a tab and a plurality of grooves. The linking base of the first unit is sized to fit together with the linking head of the second unit. The linked attachment units are angularly positionable by placing the tab into one of the plurality of grooves. The system also includes at least one band connectable between the attachment units and a plant.

A method comprises securing a first component of a lockable adjustment assembly to an end A of a first rigid tube via a first releasable coupling assembly. The method also comprises securing a second component of the lockable adjustment assembly to an end C of a second rigid tube via a second releasable coupling assembly. Further, the method comprises moving the first component and the second component, loosely coupled with each other, relative to each other with only three degrees of freedom to position the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in a selected orientation with respect to each other. The method also comprises, with the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in the selected orientation relative to each other, locking the lockable adjustment assembly so that the first component and the second component have zero degrees of freedom relative to each other.

One example of a ball and socket joint for a device enclosure includes a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment. The ball member includes a first portion, and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment. The ball and socket joint also comprises a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.

A modeling assembly (100) for layout of rigid tubing comprises a first releasable coupling assembly (110) and a second releasable coupling assembly (120). The modeling assembly (100) also comprises a lockable adjustment assembly (130) comprising a first component (140) and a second component (150). The first component (140) is configured to be removably coupled to an end A of a first rigid tube (102) via the first releasable coupling assembly (110). The second component (150) is configured to be removably coupled to an end C of a second rigid tube (104) via the second releasable coupling assembly (120). With the lockable adjustment assembly (130) in the loose coupled state, the first component (140) and the second component (150) have only three degrees of freedom relative to each other. With the lockable adjustment assembly (130) in the locked coupled state, the first component (140) and the second component (150) have zero degrees of freedom relative to each other.

One example of a ball and socket joint for a device enclosure includes a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment. The ball member includes a first portion, and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment. The ball and socket joint also comprises a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.

Systems and methods for directing plant growth include a first attachment unit and a second attachment unit, both units being identical. Each attachment unit includes a body. A linking head is connected to the body and has at least one or a tab and a plurality of grooves. The linking head is substantially circular in shape. Each attachment unit also includes a linking base connected to the body and having another of a tab and a plurality of grooves. The linking base of the first unit is sized to fit together with the linking head of the second unit. The linked attachment units are angularly positionable by placing the tab into one of the plurality of grooves. The system also includes at least one band connectable between the attachment units and a plant.