Abstract: A container arrangement for providing a heating or cooling effect to a fluid. The arrangement may include two containers, in which a fluid within one of the containers has a temperature selected to provide a thermal effect to the fluid in the other container.

Abstract: A lock for securing a first member to a second member (e.g., a fence post to a fence rail) comprises an elongate portion having peripheral sides, a first locking element for securing the lock to the first member when the elongate portion is disposed within an opening of that member, and a second locking element for securing the lock to the second member when the lock and at least a portion of the first member are disposed within an opening of the second member. The first and second members are thus secured together by the lock. In one embodiment, the lock is molded from plastic and the first locking element comprises a resilient tab. The second locking element comprises a resilient wedge. The tab secures the lock to the first member and the wedge secures the lock and first member to the second member.

Abstract: An assembly is formed from a fastener and a plurality of elongate members. The fastener includes a wedge. A first elongate member is disposed through an opening in a second elongate member. The fastener engages the first elongate member, and the wedge engages the second elongate member to fasten the first and second elongate members to one another.

Abstract: A picket fence includes a pair of substantial vertical posts, a top and bottom rail members supported by each of the posts, and pickets attached to the top and bottom rail members. The posts, rails and pickets are all made of the polyvinyl material. The pickets are attached to the rails by cleats engaging keyhole shaped slots in the pickets. In one embodiment of the invention, the keyhole shaped slots extend in opposite directions, so that the rails must be moved relative to the pickets in order to secure the pickets to the rails. Accordingly, the pickets cannot be removed from the rails without first removing the rails from the posts. In another embodiment of the invention, keyhole slots extend in the same direction, and a locking arm extends from the cleats into the narrower portion of the keyhole slot. Accordingly, in order to remove the picket from the rail, both the top and bottom portions of the picket must first be deflected slightly and the picket must then be forced downwardly.