A tobacco filter contains from 0.5 to 95% by mass of magnesium aluminometasilicate.

The invention provides a filter element of a smoking article having a longitudinal axis and adapted for filtration of mainstream smoke generated by the smoking article, the filter element including a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a first pressure drop and a second region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a second pressure drop lower than said first pressure drop, wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that both regions are visible in a cross-section of the filter element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein mainstream smoke can move from the second region into the first region, and further comprising a smoke-altering material, such as an oxidation catalyst, positioned in the first region.

A protective device and method for preventing supply voltage of microcontroller from sag in electronic cigarette is provided, comprising a microcontroller, a power supply module, a field effect transistor, an energy storage circuit, wherein, the energy storage circuit is connected between the microcontroller and the power supply module, the energy storage circuit supplies electric power to the microcontroller when an over current or short circuit occurs, and maintains the supply voltage of the microcontroller not being less than its minimal operating voltage in a certain period of time; the microcontroller processes the over current or short circuit signal and turns off the MOSFET to cut off the current flow in a load circuit. The unstable or uncontrollable phenomena of the microcontroller in the existing technology are resolved. The circuit of the present invention is simple and low cost.

A vapor inhalation device includes a first body portion defining a first chamber and a second body portion defining a second chamber provided at least partially within the first chamber, where the second body portion has at least one aperture placing the second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An intake conduit defines a first air passageway from an exterior of the first body portion to within the second chamber. An output conduit has a proximal end located within the first chamber, a distal end opposite the proximal end and located at the exterior of the first body portion, is physically coupled to the first body portion at a location different from the proximal end of the output conduit, and defines a second air passageway extending from within the first chamber to the exterior of the body portion.

A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path.

An oral pouch product includes a dual layer pouch wrapper and an inner botanical filling material contained within the pouch wrapper. The pouch wrapper includes an inner web, an outer web and a coating, such as a water soluble flavorant containing coating therebetween.

A pouch with multiple tear areas is provided. In one embodiment instructions are provided for resealing with heat. In one embodiment a zip-lock type reseal can be used in place of one of the multiple tear areas.

The invention relates to a special, highly efficient cigarette filter. In particular, the invention relates to a new cigarette filter, in which materials of natural origin not used before in this special field are applied. More particularly, the present invention relates to a special, highly efficient cigarette filter, which can be used favorably for adsorbing the toxic components of the cigarette smoke, and neutralizing the free radicals produced during burning of the cigarette.

A voltage regulation circuit is provided, including a reverse processing module for processing a first initial voltage of a common voltage generating module so as to obtain a reverse voltage of AC voltage; and an integration module for regulating the first initial voltage according to the reverse voltage of the AC voltage so as to make a liquid crystal drive voltage equal to a preset value. The liquid crystal drive voltage is a difference value of between a second initial voltage and the first initial voltage which is regulated.

Some embodiments provide a non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores a program executable by at least one processing unit of a device. The program receives data associated with a visual presentation that includes several visual elements. The program also identifies a first set of visual elements in the several visual elements having a first type and a second set of visual elements in the several visual elements having a second type. The program further renders the first set of visual elements in a first layer of the visual presentation using a first rendering engine. The program also renders the second set of visual elements in a second layer of the visual presentation using a second rendering engine.

A hygienic drive system for a belt conveyor. The drive system has a stator rigidly mounted in a housing having an outer bearing surface that is continuous with the outer surface of mounting supports and avoids hard-to-clean nooks. A rotor assembly formed by drive wheels rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the housing or by a magnetic belt wrapped around a portion of the outer surface is rotated by a rotating magnetic wave produced by the stator. The stator and rotor can form an induction motor or a synchronous motor.

A center loading assembly for a conveyor belt having a carriage support attached to a belt conveyor main frame and having a carriage within the carriage support. The carriage has a center member with side members extending at an angle therefrom, each having an upward extension. The upward extensions have side rollers and conveyor belt covering skirts and keep the conveyor belt centered between the conveyor belt covering skirts. The carriage support has vertical bearings to support the carriage and side bearings to hold the carriage on the vertical bearings. The carriage and conveyor belt covering skirts follow a trough angle of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt shifts. Material deposited onto the conveyor belt is deflected to the center portion of the conveyor belt by the conveyor belt covering skirts.

A belt tracking system for adjusting displacement of a movable belt in an axial direction of a plurality of rollers about which the movable belt is entrained includes a slope member and a roller shaft support. The slope member is disposed at least at one end of at least one of the plurality of rollers in the axial direction, to tilt the roller due to movement of the belt. The roller shaft support rotates about a predetermined shaft and includes a shaft recovery member to recover a tilt of the slope member. The shaft recovery member is disposed within a shortest circumference of a closed curve among closed curves within which the slope member and the roller shaft support are disposed in a state in which the roller shaft support is rotated.

An alignment system for a conveyor having a conveyor belt trained over rollers on a conveyor frame where the system includes a support bracket including a center support and pivoting members each including a torque arm, the pivoting members being pivotally mounted to opposing ends of the support bracket. Two tracking rollers are independently mounted to the support bracket, where each of the tracking rollers includes a shaft with an inner end and an outer end, the outer ends of the shafts being coupled to the pivoting members and the inner ends being coupled to the center support such that pivoting movement of the pivoting members causes the tracking rollers to pivot relative to the center support. A guide control bar having two ends is pivotally connected at each the end to a corresponding torque arm connected to the corresponding pivoting member, where the guide control bar includes guide rollers positioned at both edges of the conveyor belt for lateral control of the belt.

A conveyor belt having opposing ends to be connected for endlessing the conveyor belt. The belt includes a belt member, and two planar connector parts provided one at each said end of the belt. Each connector part has, at an edge of the connector part, an edge coil extending over the width of the belt. The belt is configured to be endlessed by bringing the edge coils of the first and second end into a sideways engagement to obtain an overlapping coil area and by inserting a closing wire through the overlapping coil area. Each connector part has a set of splice fingers engaging in correspondingly shaped finger recesses formed in the belt member.

Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery includes rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. At least one of the rods has flattened and perforated end areas with which it rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts which revolve in parallel to one another, and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through the end areas and the belts. The rod belt may be produced with a rod division that differs from, and in particular is smaller than, the division of the fastening points on the belts. This is achieved by providing that at least one additional rod is fixedly connected to the at least one rod which is connected to the belts, and the at least one additional rod is free of contact with the belts.

Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery, having rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. Rods at their ends are each connected to a fastening piece which has a flattened and perforated support area with which fastening piece rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts extending in parallel and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through support area and belts, and support area is formed in one piece with a fastening area for rod ends. The rod belt includes fastening pieces which have a simple design and are cost-effectively manufactured. Fastening pieces are designed as bends having a fastening area which, in relation to the installed position, is bent from the plane of support area toward the bottom side of belt and situated parallel to the inner side of belt.

An agricultural combine unloader assembly includes an unloader tube having an internal passage in fluid communication with a discharge outlet at an end of the unloader tube. A door is mounted adjacent the discharge outlet for covering the discharge outlet. The door is moveable between an open position uncovering the discharge outlet and a closed position at least partially covering the discharge outlet. In the open position, the door is positioned below a flow path of grain to be discharged through the discharge outlet. A catch is mounted adjacent the door. The catch includes a housing having an open end adjacent a first end of the door and a closed end adjacent a second end of the door opposite the first end. The catch is operatively connected to the door and movable between a first position and a second position.

An improved apparatus for treating a fire in a multi-floored building where the fire is located on an upper floor vertically displaced from a lower floor from which the fire is treated, and where the upper and lower floors each have a selectively openable environmental access along an external wall of the multi-floored building. The improved apparatus includes a tubular structure having an inlet, an intermediate portion, and an outlet and a bracing system. The bracing system has a frame, a first pivot point, and a second pivot point. The frame provides support against a sturdy surface. The tubular structure is supported on the first pivot point and rotates thereon to elevate or hoist the outlet towards the upper floor environmental access. The tubular structure is further supported on a second pivot point and further rotates thereon to elevate the outlet.

A hand pump (16) includes a housing (22) having an inlet (18) and an outlet (26) and an actuating body (32) movably mounted in the housing axially and a membrane (46) with a flexible ring section (48) surrounding the stroke axis (34). During stroke movement, the actuating body (32) is pressed with the membrane (46) against the force of an elastic element (42) from a resting position (I) into the pump housing (22) and into an actuating position, and returned to the resting position (I) by the elastic element (72). Thus, the volume of a pump chamber (20) can be modified.

A linear alternator assembly is provided that includes a block defining a cylinder. The cylinder block has inlet ports at which fluid enters the cylinder, exhaust ports at which fluid is exhausted from the cylinder, and a fuel port. Energizable coils surround the cylinder. A first and a second magnetic or magnetizable piston are contained within the cylinder and are positionable within the cylinder in response to energization of selective ones of the coils and combustion of fuel within the cylinder to selectively establish a four-stroke working cycle having an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke, producing at least one of compressed gas and electrical energy. The four-stroke working cycle may be varied to adapt to changes in power demanded, thereby balancing required output power with efficiency considerations.

An intake control system for a multi-cylinder combustion engine with control valves positioned within intake passageways that can vary the cross-sectional area of the intake runners to increase air intake velocity at low engine speeds. The control system includes an inner frame that can be inserted into a lower manifold after manufacture. The inner frame includes a plurality of flapper valves that are actuated by a four-bar link design, which is driven by a hypoid gear-set. The control system controls an internal DC electric motor that actuates a worm-drive gear-set, which in turn drives the hypoid gear-set to either engage or retract the flapper valves within the intake passageways.

An exhaust gas recirculation device is provided. The device recirculates, from an exhaust system to an intake system, a part of exhaust gas from a plurality of cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine as EGR gas. The device includes a single EGR pipe extending from the exhaust system toward the intake system, an EGR manifold branching from a downstream end portion of the EGR pipe toward each cylinder, and an EGR valve for adjusting an EGR gas amount. The EGR manifold has one or more common EGR passages having a single pipe portion and branched pipe portions, and one or more independent EGR passages. Each shape of the common and independent EGR passages is set so that a communicating path in the EGR manifold communicating an arbitrary cylinder with a cylinder where combustion is performed subsequently thereto has the same volume for any cylinder combination having the adjacent combustion order.

Methods and apparatus for multiple user uplink are provided. In one aspect, method for wireless communication includes receiving an assignment of a frequency bandwidth for an uplink transmission of a station. The method further includes determining whether a portion of the assigned frequency bandwidth is unavailable for the uplink transmission. The method further includes selectively transmitting the uplink transmission based on whether the portion of the assigned frequency bandwidth is unavailable.

This disclosure describes methods, devices, and systems related to an OFDMA Distributed Channel Access. Devices are disclosed comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processor is configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to identify a trigger frame received on the communication channel from the computing device. The at least one processor may determine an uplink frame to be sent to a computing device on a communication channel. The at least one processor may identify one or more random access resource allocations, wherein the one or more random access resource allocations are associated with the trigger frame. The at least one processor may assign a respective numerical value to each of the one or more random access resource allocations. The at least one processor may also select a numerical value based at least in part on a probability distribution. The at least one processor may also determine a particular resource allocation of the one or more random access resource allocations that corresponds to the numerical value. The at least one processor may also cause the uplink frame to be sent to the computing device using the particular resource allocation.

Methods, apparatuses, computer readable media for spatial reuse for uplink multi-user transmissions. An apparatus of a station comprising processing circuitry is disclosed. The processing circuitry may be configured to decode a first portion of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU), and configure the station to transmit a frame, if the PPDU is an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) PPDU, and a receive power of the PPDU is below an overlapping power detect level. An apparatus of an access point comprising processing circuitry is disclosed. The processing circuitry may be configured to encode a PPDU comprising a basic service set identifier of the access point, and encode the PPDU to indicate spatial reuse (SR) delay, SR restricted, or SR not permitted. The processing circuitry may be further configured to configure the access point to transmit the PPDU.

A first wireless device may determine a bandwidth for transmitting a frame, calculate two or more Spatial Reuse (SR) parameter values for the bandwidth, set, using the SR parameter values, first and second SR fields of the frame based on the bandwidth and a channel center frequency in which the bandwidth is carried, and transmit the frame to a second wireless device on the bandwidth. The first and second SR fields may be set to a first value when the bandwidth is a 40 MHz bandwidth and the channel center frequency is in a 2.4 GHz band. The first and second SR fields may be set to the first value when the bandwidth is an 80+80 MHz bandwidth and the channel center frequency is in a 5 GHz band. The first value may be a minimum of SR parameter values for first and second bandwidths in the bandwidth.

A method and network node for adaptation of contention windows in a multicarrier wireless communication system implementing a listen-before-talk protocol are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes determining at least one component carrier (CC), of multiple CCs to serve as a backoff channel. The method further includes performing a listen-before-talk procedure on the at least one CC serving as a backoff channel. The listen-before-talk procedure includes sensing for each backoff channel whether a clear channel exists during a backoff period drawn from a contention window (CW). The LBT procedure also includes deferring transmitting on a CC for which the sensing does not indicate that a clear channel exists. The LBT procedure also includes transmitting on a CC for which the sensing indicates a clear channel exists. The method also includes determining a size of the CW based on at least one transmission feedback value.

Provided is a method of assigning a slot, the method including transmitting an assignment request for at least one slot of a first frame to a terminal, determining whether an acknowledgement (ACK) of the assignment request is received from the terminal, in a slot corresponding to the at least one slot in a second frame which is a subsequent frame of the first frame, and determining whether the at least one slot for which the assignment request is transmitted has been assigned based on whether the ACK of the assignment request is received.

It is disclosed a MPTCP capable system for reducing disconnection time for a MPTCP capable UE (702), when it is leaving a coverage area of a second radio access type, when the second RAT typically has priority over the first RAT. This disclosure further comprises a controller of the second RAT (706), a MPTCP capable network proxy node(708), as well as a MPTCP network system therefore. In addition, methods and computer program in the respective arrangement are also presented.

A method of producing an entangled sheet of microfine long fibers using long fibers for forming microfine fibers. The method includes a step of forming a long-fiber web made of long fibers for forming microfine fibers, at least one component of the long fibers being a water-soluble, thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol resin; a step of entangling the long-fiber web to form a long-fiber entangled sheet; a step of shrinking the long-fiber entangled sheet to form a long-fiber shrunk sheet; and a step of converting the long fibers for forming microfine fibers in the long-fiber shrunk sheet to microfine long fibers, thereby producing the entangled sheet of microfine long fibers. The step of entangling is conducted so as to allow the long-fiber entangled sheet to have an interlaminar peel strength of 2 kg/2.5 cm or more. The step of shrinking is conducted so as to shrink in an areal shrinkage of 35% or more.

A modified delta linkage robot uses a reverse orientation arm linkage that includes an inwardly direct lower arm. This reverse arm orientation provides a number of advantages with respect to access over an extending surface such as may occur in a home, office or other environments shared with people. The delta linkage may also have application in certain factory environments, particularly when combined with an omni wheeled base. The linkage and the preferred linkage and omni wheeled base provide a stable movable platform. In addition this combination can advantageously include a number of sensors to take active steps to discourage and/or reduce the effect of sudden forces applied thereto.

The present invention relates to a tilt or tilt and telescopic steering apparatus for use in a vehicle. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a conventional structure, which should be provided with both of tilting fixing gears and telescopic fixing gears for locking after a tilt or tilt and telescopic operation, is improved in such a manner that the tilt or tilt and telescopic operation may be locked by a locking member and a linear protruding portion. As a result, an improper tooth-engagement phenomenon (tooth-on-tooth phenomenon) between gear teeth can be prevented, the tilt operation and the telescopic operation can be simultaneously locked, and required components can be reduced such that material costs can be reduced.

An electronic device is provided with an inclination sensor for computing inclination, a control unit which conducts predetermined control based on a value computed by the inclination sensor, a case which has the inclination sensor and the control unit therein, and a suspension portion for suspending the case, and the control unit controls correction of the reference value of the inclination sensor based on a state where the case is suspended by the suspension portion and still.

A multi-panel electronic device and method are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving first acceleration data from a first sensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device. The method further includes receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, where a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion. The method further includes determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data and the second acceleration data.

A system is invented to combine different signals from various sensors together so that an object (such as a car, an airplane etc.)'s position and/or orientation can be measured.

Ultrasound scaler tip and ultrasound scaler has high sterilization effect. Toothbrush has reduced effect on mouth interior. An ultrasound scaler tip has tip body and optical fiber. Tip body has tubular shape with pointed-end opening and rear-end opening, rear end that can be attached to ultrasound scaler body, and intermediate curved part. Optical fiber is thinner than minimum inner diameter of tip body and has rear end toward which light from light source can enter. Optical fiber is inserted from rear-end opening to pointed-end opening of tip body, and has intermediate part that is in contact with curved part, so that end is vibrated by ultrasonic vibration of tip body. Ultrasound scaler body houses liquid supply device, ultrasound-generating device, and light source, which is attached to rear end of ultrasound scaler tip. Light source causes light for sterilization in predetermined wavelength range to enter rear end of optical fiber.

A multi-layer coating of alternating titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium carbo nitride (TiCN) layers is applied to at least part of a dental device for use in attaching crowns, overdentures, and the like in a patient's jaw, where the outermost layer is TiCN with a predetermined percentage of carbon to produce a pink color. The pink outermost layer is of sufficient thickness to conceal the color of the underlying layers, and is very hard and resistant to wear and damage in use. At the same time, the outermost TiCN layer is of a color consistent with the gingival anatomy, and is very hard and resistant to wear and damage in use.

A multi-plate dual clutch for coupling a motor vehicle engine to a drive shaft of a motor vehicle transmission and to an auxiliary power take-off output shaft of the motor vehicle. The dual clutch includes a drive clutch for coupling the motor vehicle engine with the drive shaft, and an auxiliary power take-off clutch for coupling the motor vehicle engine with the auxiliary output shaft. The drive clutch and the auxiliary power take-off clutch can each to be operated independently of one another by a separate lever mechanism. The dual clutch includes a wet chamber housing in which the drive clutch and the auxiliary power take-off clutch are accommodated in fluid-tight relationship, while the respective lever mechanisms for the drive clutch and the auxiliary power take-off clutch are located outside the wet chamber housing.

An electrical circuit includes: at least one inductor, at least one varactor, and at least two transistors, all of which electrically arranged to form a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) having an oscillation frequency; wherein the at least two transistors includes a first transistor and a second transistor; wherein the first transistor has a first bulk terminal and a first parasitic diode disposed between the first bulk terminal and the first transistor; wherein the second transistor has a second bulk terminal and a second parasitic diode disposed between the second bulk terminal and the second transistor; wherein application of a first control voltage to the first bulk terminal, application of a second control voltage to the second bulk terminal, or application of first and second control voltages to the first and second bulk terminals, respectively, is effective to change the oscillation frequency of the VCO.

An active filter device and a circuit arrangement comprising an active filter device are disclosed. In an embodiment the active filter device includes sensor terminals for applying a sensor signal depending on a sensed noise signal, an output terminal for providing a correction signal that is suitable for reducing the noise signal, a signal source adapted for generating a correction signal and a high-pass filter coupled between the sensor terminals and the signal source, wherein the correction signal is generated with a dependence on a high-pass filtered sensor signal.

A voltage-resistant switch is described. The switch comprises a signal input, a first FET transistor with a first channel with an extended drain and a first gate connector and a second FET transistor with a first channel with an extended drain and a second gate connector. A control signal connector is connected with the first gate connector and with the second gate connector via a second node and with the first channel and the second channel via a second resistor, and a signal connector is connected with the second channel. The voltage-resistant switch can be switched on and off.

A loop filter with an active discrete-level loop filter capacitor can be used in a VCO (such as for CDR). A loop filter capacitor function is simulated by sensing input loop filter current (such as with a current mirror and source follower in the input leg), and forcing back a loop filter (VCO) control voltage. Loop filter voltage control is provided using a VDAC with a discrete-level VDAC feedback voltage, incremented/decremented based on the sensed loop filter current. In one embodiment, the VDAC voltage is provided as the non-inverting input to an amplifier, with the inverting input providing the control voltage, forced to the VDAC feedback voltage. The VDAC feedback voltage can be provided by increment/decrement comparators based on a voltage deviation on a C2 capacitor (from a reference voltage) that receives the sensed loop filter current (effectively multiplying the C2 capacitance to provide a simulated loop filter capacitance).

The present disclosure is directed to multichannel transducer devices and methods of operation thereof. One example device includes at least two acquisition modules that have different sensitives and a signal processing stage that generates a blended signal representative of a lower gain signal mapped onto a higher gain signal. One example method of operation includes receiving a first signal from a first sensor having a first sensitivity, receiving a second signal from a second sensor having a second sensitivity that is different from the first sensitivity, generating a blended signal by mapping the second signal to the first signal, outputting the first signal while the first signal is below a first threshold and above a second threshold, and outputting the blended signal when the first signal is above the first threshold and when the first signal is below the second threshold.

An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a power controller, which includes a regulator and a controller. The regulator receives a plurality of input voltages and provides a regulated output voltage. The controller controls the regulator to generate the regulated output voltage from the plurality of input voltages. The power controller provides power to a load integrated in the IC from a set of arbitrary input voltages. The set of arbitrary input voltages includes the plurality of input voltages.

An example circuit includes: a slew rate driver configured to provide an output voltage; a first voltage provider configured to provide a first input voltage to the slew rate driver in response to the output voltage being within a first range; and a second voltage provider configured to provide a second input voltage to the slew rate driver in response to the output voltage being within a second range. The slew rate driver is further configured to change the output voltage based at least in part on the first input voltage or the second input voltage.

A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board.

Disclosed is an anode for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) having improved creep property by adding an additive for imparting creep resistance to nickel-aluminum alloy and nickel as materials for an anode. Improved sintering property, creep property and increased mechanical strength of a molten carbonate fuel cell may be obtained accordingly.

A multi-axial telescoping support structure positioning system includes a frame having first and second opposed vertical sections. An axle is rotatably coupled to the first vertical section of the frame. A first rotary actuator has a first end mounted to the second vertical section of the frame and a second end rotatable with respect to the first end attached to the axle to rotate the axle. A telescoping support structure has a plurality of telescoping sections extendable from a base section along a longitudinal axis. A second rotary actuator is attached to the base section of the telescoping support structure at an intermediate position along the length of the base section and to the axle at a position between the first and second vertical sections of the frame to tilt the telescoping support structure about a tilt axis aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the telescoping support structure.

A molten metal pump apparatus that includes a base member, at least two (2) support members or posts, and a post socket. The lower end of each post is mounted to a mounting bore of the base member and forms a cement-less pump joint. The upper end of the post is connected to the post socket to form a cement-less pump joint. The post socket is defined by a first half and a second half that have an open or separated position for receiving the upper end of the post and a closed or joined position for securing the upper end of the post.