Abstract: A retractable hat tether apparatus for a hat having a cap portion is provided. The tether apparatus includes a guide base movably mounted to the cap portion for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position and a second position. A flexible tether includes a first end and an opposite second end thereof mounted to the guide base. A bottle opener device is mounted to the first end, and is configured to function as a conventional bottle opener. The bottle opener device includes a clip member for releasable attachment to the cap portion.

Abstract: A lighted plier hand tool apparatus including a pivoting hub device containing a first opening, an opposed second opening, and a passage therethrough extending from the first opening to the second opening. The plier hand tool apparatus further includes a first plier member and a second plier member. Each plier member includes a respective handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate pivot portion therebetween. Each respective pivot portion defines a respective bore section formed for aligned receipt of the hub device therein. Such receipt interconnects the first and second plier members together to enable relative pivotally movement of the respective jaw portions at a work area between an opened condition and a closed condition. The hand tool apparatus further includes an illumination device having an illumination portion outputting a light beam from one end of an elongated body section.

Abstract: A solar powered yard light provides a vertical support having the lower end thereof supported by a substrate, such as the soil. A lighting element assembly having a lighting element and a diffuser secures near the upper end of the support. A collector unit secures to the support a substantial distance below the lighting element assembly and contains a battery and a solar cell for charging the battery during daylight hours. The collector unit is typically positioned flush with or below the level of foliage growing in the substrate. A light sensitive switch connects the battery to the lighting element assembly and turns the lighting element on and off depending on lighting conditions.

Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing acoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.

Abstract: Several embodiments of hitch receiver attachment structures are provided, which are adapted for interconnection with a conventional vehicle hitch receiver. The hitch receiver attachment structures include mechanisms that reduce or eliminate undesirable play or movement between the hitch receiver attachment structure and the hitch receiver during use.

Abstract: A solar powered yard light provides a vertical support having the lower end thereof supported by a substrate, such as the soil. A lighting element assembly having a lighting element and a diffuser secures near the upper end of the support. A collector unit secures to the support a substantial distance below the lighting element assembly and contains a battery and a solar cell for charging the battery during daylight hours. The collector unit is typically positioned flush with or below the level of foliage growing in the substrate. A light sensitive switch connects the battery to the lighting element assembly and turns the lighting element on and off depending on lighting conditions.

Abstract: A rack assembly (100) for attachment to the back of a vehicle is disclosed. The rack assembly includes an upper retaining member (160) and a lower retaining member (180), the upper and lower retaining members being offset vertically and transversely, such that elongate gear, for example, skis or other sports equipment, will be oriented generally at an angle between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees, near the rear of the vehicle. Protective sheaths (163, 183) may be provided to protect the retained gear. In one embodiment the upper and lower retaining members are removably attachable to a support assembly (120) that engages the hitch (92) at the back of a vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of upper and lower retaining members (220, 240) attach to a frame (204) disposed near the rear of the vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention a cargo container (310) is attached to the upper and lower retaining members.

Abstract: Methods and wheel assemblies for supporting a bag that is tilted and pulled along a surface. A wheel housing, a strut member, a spring member, and a wheel member are provided. The wheel housing is rigidly attached to a bottom edge of the bag. The strut member is mounted within the housing for movement between first and second positions. The spring member is arranged between the wheel housing and the strut member to oppose movement of the strut member from the first position to the second position. The wheel member is rotatably attached to the strut member such that at least a portion of the wheel member extends out of the wheel housing as the strut member moves between the first and second positions. The wheel member engages the surface and rotates to allow the bag to roll along the surface when the bag is tilted and pulled. The strut member is substantially vertically aligned when the bag is tilted and pulled and when the strut member moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelbarrow is constructed with a pliable bin and pivotally connected handle members. The handle members are pivotally connected to a frame about first pivot axes, wherein the handle members may be moved outwardly away from an imaginary bisecting line of the wheelbarrow to provide easier loading capabilities. The handle members may also be pivotally connected about second pivot axes to allow the handle members to pivot inward to reduce the width of the wheelbarrow for convenient storage. In an alternative embodiment, the handle members are rigidly connected to the frame.

Abstract: A portable storage container (10) having a base shell (12) and cover shell (14) is disclosed. The shells (12) and (14) are planar and generally circular in shape with the exception of a spine (16) spanning between and integrally joining the base and cover shells (12) and (14). Disc shaped recesses (16) and (18) in combination with tine type gripping components (20) and (22) grip a compact disc within each base and cover shell (12) and (14). A groove (48) located equidistant between the centers of the shells (12) and (14) on the spine (16) forms a live hinge. The cover shell (14) may be bent towards the base shell (12), encasing the compact discs held in the disc shaped recess (16) and (18) of the shells (12) and (14). A locking mechanism maintains the storage container 10 in the closed position until opened by the user. Two tabs (36) with apertures (38) allow the storage container (10) to be removably mounted in a ring binder.

Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing acoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.

Abstract: A rack assembly (100) for attachment to the back of a vehicle is disclosed. The rack assembly includes an upper retaining member (160) and a lower retaining member (180), the upper and lower retaining members being offset vertically and transversely, such that elongate gear, for example, skis or other sports equipment, will be oriented generally at an angle between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees, near the rear of the vehicle. Protective sheaths (163, 183) may be provided to protect the retained gear. In one embodiment the upper and lower retaining members are removably attachable to a support assembly (120) that engages the hitch (92) at the back of a vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of upper and lower retaining members (220, 240) attach to a frame (204) disposed near the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and wheel assemblies for supporting a bag that is tilted and pulled along a surface. A wheel housing, a strut member, a spring member, and a wheel member are provided. The wheel housing is rigidly attached to a bottom edge of the bag. The strut member is mounted within the housing for movement between first and second positions. The spring member is arranged between the wheel housing and the strut member to oppose movement of the strut member from the first position to the second position. The wheel member is rotatably attached to the strut member such that at least a portion of the wheel member extends out of the wheel housing as the strut member moves between the first and second positions. The wheel member engages the surface and rotates to allow the bag to roll along the surface when the bag is tilted and pulled. The strut member is substantially vertically aligned when the bag is tilted and pulled and when the strut member moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A portable storage container (10) having a base shell (12) and cover shell (14) is disclosed. The shells (12) and (14) are planar and generally circular in shape with the exception of a spine (16) spanning between and integrally joining the base and cover shells (12) and (14). Disc shaped recesses (16) and (18) in combination with tine type gripping components (20) and (22) grip a compact disc within each base and cover shell (12) and (14). A groove (48) located equidistant between the centers of the shells (12) and (14) on the spine (16) forms a live hinge. The cover shell (14) may be bent towards the base shell (12), encasing the compact discs held in the disc shaped recess (16) and (18) of the shells (12) and (14). A locking mechanism maintains the storage container 10 in the closed position until opened by the user. Two tabs (36) with apertures (38) allow the storage container (10) to be removably mounted in a ring binder.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelbarrow is constructed with a pliable bin and pivotally connected handle members. The handle members are pivotally connected to a frame about first pivot axes, wherein the handle members may be moved outwardly away from an imaginary bisecting line of the wheelbarrow to provide easier loading capabilities. The handle members may also be pivotally connected about second pivot axes to allow the handle members to pivot inward to reduce the width of the wheelbarrow for convenient storage. In an alternative embodiment, the handle members are rigidly connected to the frame.

Abstract: A portable storage container (20) for storing substantially planar media is provided. The storage container includes first and second shell halves (22) and (24), wherein each shell half has an exterior, an interior, and a perimeter rim portion. A hinge connector (26) extends between a portion of the first and second shell halves to foldably couple the first and second shell half, such that the first and second shell halves are selectably foldable between a closed position, wherein the interiors of the first and second shell halves oppose each other, and an open position. The storage container also includes an alignment assembly (54) disposed on the portable storage container to facilitate alignment of the perimeter rim portions of the first and second shell halves in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for adapting a media storage device to hold media of a size different than that for which the storage device was originally designed. The adapter apparatus is: (1) configured in the same general size and shape as a first substantially planar media unit which a media storage device was initially designed to store; (2) when in use disposed, within the media storage device in substantially the same position and manner as the first substantially planar media unit is designed to be disposed within the media storage device; and (3) configured to be capable of storing media: (a) of a size different than that for which the media storage device was originally designed; and (b) planarly oriented more or less substantially orthogonal to the planar orientation intended for the media for which the media storage device was originally designed. The currently preferred embodiment of the invention adapts a CD tower for storage of somewhat smaller minidisks.