Abstract: A locking artificial tree trunk including a first generally cylindrical, hollow trunk portion including an upper end, the upper end defining a notch, and a second generally cylindrical trunk portion including a body portion, a lower end having an insertable portion, and an upper end. The locking artificial tree trunk also includes a coupling mechanism having a body portion and an upper portion having a tab, and defining a channel for receiving the insertable portion of the lower end of the second trunk portion. The body portion is inserted substantially into the upper end of the first trunk portion with the tab of the upper portion aligned with the notch, thereby preventing rotation of the coupling mechanism within the upper end of the first trunk portion.

Abstract: The present invention is methods and devices for encouraging, educating, entertaining, and or motivating children to brush their teeth. In preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more characters are used, each with its own look and personality. The characters are used in a variety of forms and media as the shape of functional devices, advertising, education and entertainment. The characters may also be animated. The characters and their images, associated slogans and brand name may be used on a line of merchandise. The invention in a preferred embodiment includes a toothpaste dispenser or a toy in the shape of one of the characters. The toothpaste dispenser or toy, in a preferred embodiment, is able to talk to, play a song or otherwise communicate with the child to give entertaining, educational or motivating messages to the child regarding brushing their teeth. The invention in another embodiment includes one or more of the characters in the form of finger and or hand puppets.

Abstract: A habitat mount for a wall mounted taxidermy mannequin includes a habitat piece having a three dimensional first side with the appearance of one or more natural elements and an opposing generally planar second side. A tab extends outwardly from and generally parallel to a plane defined by the second side of the habitat piece. The tab is sized and shaped to mount directly to a rear side of the wall mounted taxidermy mannequin.

Abstract: A habitat mount for a wall mounted taxidermy mannequin includes a habitat piece having a three dimensional first side with the appearance of one or more natural elements and an opposing generally planar second side. A tab extends outwardly from and generally parallel to a plane defined by the second side of the habitat piece. The tab is sized and shaped to mount directly to a rear side of the wall mounted taxidermy mannequin.

Abstract: A leash for a baby accessory including a bottle or other food/beverage container, toy or the like, has a padded band with a redundant attachment to the shoulder harness strap of a car seat. Similarly, the second attachment strap for attaching to the bottle has a redundant set of latches to ensure that the bottle is held thereby. The strap suspending the bottle has a dangle length of 3? to 5? to maintain the bottle within easy reach of the child obviating intervention by the parent to restore control of the container to the baby. The second attachment strap is provided with a non-slip fabric for engaging the surface of the container. The suspension strap is afforded with interchangeable clips which permit a bottle leash to be converted to a toy leash.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a toothbrush having a first and second end. A stand in the shape of a pair of feet retains the brush in a vertical position when the stand is placed on a horizontal surface. For additional support, a base may be incorporated with the stand.

Abstract: A floating decoy adapter for land use includes an attachment plate, a vertical support plate and a base section. The attachment plate extends substantially perpendicular from one end of the vertical support and the base section extends substantially perpendicular from the other end of the vertical support. The attachment plate includes a retention slot. The retention slot is sized to receive a projection extending along a length of a floating decoy. The base section preferably includes a portion having the substantial appearance of two webbed feet. At least one spike is inserted through the base section and into the ground to retain the floating decoy in an upright position. The floating decoy adapter is preferably fabricated of a flexible material, such that when the wind blows, the floating decoy will pivot relative to a support surface. However, the floating decoy adapter may also be fabricated from an inflexible material.

Abstract: An expandable while-in-use cover includes: a cap having a pair of cap side walls, a first cap end wall, a second cap end wall and a top wall, which define a cap opening and a cap interior; a base having a pair of base side walls, a first base end wall, a second base end wall and a back wall, which define a base opening and a base exterior, wherein the base side walls and base end walls correspond to the cap side walls and cap end walls and wherein the cover is adapted to slidably and/or telescopically receive the base; a first and second prong on the interior of each of the cap side walls near the first and second cap end walls; a first and second slotted track on the exterior of each of the base side walls near the base end walls, wherein the first slotted track of each base side wall is adapted to receive the first prong of each cap side wall and the second slotted track of each base side wall is adapted to receive the second prong of each cap side wall; and an aperture in the back wall for accessing an ele

Abstract: A device (10) for supporting and suspending a bunch of bananas (100) in a resiliently reciprocating fashion from a kitchen surface wherein the device (10) includes a generally rigid support member (20) contoured to resemble an animal (30) having a plurality of appendages (31) (32) etc., including a curved tail (35) that forms a support hook (21) for a bunch of bananas (100); wherein, a selected appendage (31) is provided with an aperture/recess (22) adapted to captively engage the lower end of a resilient tether member (40) the upper end of which is provided with an attachment member (50) such as a hook (51) for suspending the bunch of bananas from a hook, an eyelet, a shelf or the door pull of a kitchen cabinet.

Abstract: A millennium object that embodies the nature of a “millennium”: the simultaneous ability to look forwards to a new era and backwards to the past. The object has two eyelike objects (“oculi”), each with two opposing “eyes” that see in two directions simultaneously. The oculi are attached to items such as desk accessories (letter holders, pen holders, calendars, etc.), jewelry (tie tacks, pins, earrings, pendants, etc.), accessories (key holders, belt buckles), clothing (caps, visors, T-shirts), dolls or figurines, or indeed any other desired item for commemorating the millennium. The oculi may be stationary or movable, of any desired color or shape. In one embodiment of the invention, a signal generator emits a perceptible signal whenever the oculi move.

Abstract: A baby bottle holder (10) for holding a baby bottle (93) within ready access of a feeding infant. The bottle holder includes a bottle support (12) that stably and securely holds a baby bottle, a cover (28) that encloses the bottle support and a strap (78) for securely attaching the baby bottle holder to a horizontal support member. The baby bottle holder retains a baby bottle at an angle that facilitates the flow of a liquid nutrient within the bottle towards an outlet defined by the bottle wall. The cover can be removable and washable, and is in the shape of an animate object, preferably a cow.

Abstract: A tooth brushing timing device including a housing having a front face and a rear face. The housing has a hollow interior. The housing has an interior face disposed inwardly of the front face within the hollow interior. The interior face has a facial representation thereon. The front face has apertures therethrough aligning with the facial representation for viewing from an exterior of the housing. A timing mechanism is disposed within the hollow interior of the housing inwardly of the interior face. The timing mechanism has a rotating rod extending outwardly through the interior face and the front face. A blocking device is in communication with the timing mechanism for selectively covering the apertures in the front face to preclude visualization of the facial representation.

Abstract: A holder (10) for a baby bottle (12) having a cap (14) with a nipple (16) extending therethrough. The holder (10) comprises an insulation jacket (18) having a central aperture (20) extending vertically therein. An outer sleeve (22) has an open top end (24) and closed bottom end (26) held within the central aperture (20). An inner sleeve (28) has an open top end (30) and a closed bottom end (32) held within the outer sleeve (22), to receive the baby bottle (12) therein, with the nipple (16) extending out therefrom. The insulation jacket (18) will protect the baby bottle (12) from breakage and will keep a beverage (34) within the baby bottle (12) at a desired temperature.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly is provided with a toothbrush and a stand for releasably retaining the toothbrush in a vertical position, the combination resembling a human or cartoon caricature. The toothbrush includes head, neck, shoulder and torso sections, the latter serving as a user handle. The shoulder section has rounded sides which serve as support points and are snappingly received within the collar portion of the stand. Left and right arms project from either side of the collar portion and include a caricatured hand for each. A foot is formed as a flat platform serving as the base of the stand. A vertically erected post connects the collar portion to the foot.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly including a toothbrush having a head portion with bristles attached thereto, and a handle portion, on a free-standing stand for the brush, the stand being capable of retaining the brush in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: The invention relates to stackable coasters utilizing a tab and groove mechanism on its lower outside and upper inside side portions, respectively. The tab may consist of protrusions, keys, detents, or the like on the bottom portions of the coasters and grooves consisting of depressions, indentations, keyways, notches or the like on the top portions of the coasters. The tab and groove mechanism guarantees that only one specific coaster may be stacked above or below another particular coaster. Moreover, the tabs and grooves further ensure that the sides of each stacked coaster are radially positioned identically each time relative to the sides of the coaster above and/or the coaster below it. This tab and groove feature, thereby, allows a particular image, design, or picture to be displayed from the sides of the set of coasters every time when each coaster is stacked in its proper angular position.

Abstract: Divider panels are sized to fit partway or all the way across a drawer or the like and extend sufficiently high to functionally divide the drawer into separate areas. The divider panels are notched for breakoff to the desired length. The divider panels are held in place by bifurcated mounting supports which can be secured to the drawer bottom, drawer sides or another divider panel to retain the divider panels in the selected position.

Abstract: The testing device, also known as a totally integrated payload attitude control tester (T.I.P.A.C.T.), is suspend on a single, high strength, low torsional moment line through the gravity vector axis. Attached directly to this line is a strong back assembly having a fixed lateral width with ends thereon. Attached to the ends of the strong back assembly are thin, high strength straps which are connected to a pair of tensile universal joints which are further connected to, by way of this high strength straps, to a pair of trunnions. The trunnions are connected to the payload support frame which may have a satellite payload therein. The three orthogonal axes of the test device allow rotation to .+-.45 degrees, .+-.60 degrees and >360 degrees, simultaneously in roll, yaw, and pitch respectively. The thin fabric strap allows movement with virtually no friction or suspension resistance.