Abstract: A durable yard sign assembly includes: (a) a central message panel including a lightweight, thermoplastic core, lightweight metallic front and rear face sheets, and a plurality of parallel panel apertures within the core; the front and rear face sheets being attached to opposite, front and rear sides of the core; each panel aperture extending from one end of the central panel to the opposite end; (b) two substantially rectangular side posts, each including an open upper end accessing an upper post hollow, each side post including at least two inside side post apertures on an inside wall, and at least one outside side post aperture on an outside wall; (c) at least two panel support rods, each extending through a different one of the panel apertures; (d) at least one pair of support rod connectors, each being connectable to an end portion of the at least two panel support rods; and (e) two removable upper end caps; wherein the yard sign assembly includes an unassembled position for storage or transport, and an

Abstract: A versatile, two-piece carrying bag with an overskirt includes: (a) a base bag including at least one central interior compartment and at least one exterior base fastening strap attached at one end to the base bag; (b) a removable overskirt that fits closely over an exterior of the base bag, the overskirt being open at the top and bottom, the base fastening strap extending over a substantial portion of the overskirt; and (c) at least one attachment mechanism attached to the base bag for removably attaching the overskirt to the base bag, the base fastening strap also being removably attachable at an opposite end to the attachment mechanism; wherein the overskirt does not include any attachment mechanism for attaching the overskirt to the base bag. The overskirt is preferably reversible and includes at least one aperture through which a portion of the attachment mechanism is insertable.

Abstract: An all-in-one liquids applicator includes: (a) an elongated, hollow cartridge housing 11; (b) a cartridge assembly 12 disposable within the cartridge housing 11, the cartridge assembly comprising at least one liquids cartridge 13 and an interior slide 35, the liquids cartridge comprising an open upper end and an opposite, lower end of the liquids cartridge comprising a cartridge liquids aperture 45, at least a portion of the interior slide 35 being slidable into the cartridge 13 from the open upper end of the cartridge 13; (c) an exterior slide 16 that is slidable over the cartridge housing 11; (d) an applicator head portion 15 that is removably attachable to an open lower end of the cartridge housing 11; and (e) a liquid dispensing mechanism 49 that causes liquid to be dispensed from the cartridge liquids aperture 45 into the applicator head portion in response to movement of the exterior slide 16 over the cartridge housing 11.

Abstract: A goal for a collapsible, three-dimensional game includes: (a) at least two generally ring-shaped, openable hoops, each of the hoops being openable, closable, and coupleable at a hoop coupling of each hoop, the hoops including at least three post connecting mechanisms; (b) at least three detachable posts of substantially equal length, the posts being removably connectable to one of the post connecting mechanisms on the hoops; (c) a substantially flexible net affixed to an upper one of the hoops; and (d) a detachable net holding mechanism attachable to the post connecting mechanisms on each post; wherein, when the goal is in an open, erect position: a lower one of the hoops rests on the playing surface, the upper hoop being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the lower one of the hoops, the net extending downwardly between the substantially horizontally oriented hoops.

Abstract: A device for expanding the circumference of a ring shank includes: (a) an expansion unit movably attachable to an inner surface of the ring shank; and (b) a single hinge pivotally attached within the ring shank about opposite the expansion unit; wherein the expansion unit includes a first, hollow tubing section, an expansion pin or shaft having a first end portion mounted in the first tubing section, and a second, hollow tubing section slidably supporting an opposite, second end portion of the expansion pin or shaft. Also included herein is a ring comprising this ring expansion device. A method of installing a ring expansion device in a ring is also included.

Abstract: A movable waterfowl decoy includes: (a) a decoy body portion including a buoyant decoy body and a head portion attached to an upper front portion of the decoy body, the buoyant decoy body including at least one body compartment, the body compartment including at least one closeable compartment opening; (b) a power source housed in the at least one body compartment; (c) a spray propulsion system that is substantially housed within the at least one body compartment; (d) a keel attached to a lower surface of the buoyant decoy body; and (e) a remote control system, a remote receiver of which is within the at least one body compartment; wherein the decoy body portion emits an above-water spray of water from a body of water in a generally rearward direction when the waterfowl decoy is in use, which propels the decoy body portion in the body of water.

Abstract: A hand operated tool for extracting an embedded elongated object, includes: a) an elongated, movable first handle member with a first, upper end portion divided into two matching legs separated by an opening; b) a corresponding second handle member with a first jaw member and a first, upper end extending through the leg opening, the second handle member being pivotally attached to both legs; c) a floating head portion pivotally attached to the first and second legs, the floating head portion including a second jaw member and an adjacent, upper curved edge; and d) two matching lever bars facing one another from opposite sides of the tool, each being pivotally connected to the second handle member and to the floating head portion; and wherein the second jaw member is engaged against the first jaw member in a closed tool position, and disengaged from the first jaw member in an open tool position.

Abstract: A boat trailer ladder assembly for entering or exiting the bow of a boat on a boat trailer includes: (a) a generally trapezoidal-shaped platform portion attachable to the boat trailer between a winch assembly of the trailer and a trailer hitch assembly of the trailer; and (b) a ladder portion including a boarding ladder and a brace device, the boarding ladder including two substantially parallel, spaced apart side rails and a plurality of ladder steps extending between the ladder side rails, the ladder steps having a spaced horizontal relationship with one another, the lower ends of the boarding ladder being attached to the platform portion, the brace device having an upper end movably affixed to at least one of the ladder steps or one of the side rails of the boarding ladder; wherein a lower end of the brace device is attachable to a post of the winch assembly of the boat trailer.

Abstract: A device for collecting spinal fluid during a lumbar puncture or other medical procedure includes: a) an upper, generally cup-shaped portion including an open top, an upper cup side wall, an upper cup base plate at a lower end of the upper cup side wall, and a drain hole in the upper cup base plate; b) a lower, generally cup-shaped portion including an open top, a lower cup side wall, and a lower cup base plate at a lower end of the lower cup side wall, the lower cup base plate including a plurality of generally circular openings; wherein the upper, generally cup-shaped portion is removably insertable in and rotatable in the lower, generally cup-shaped portion, and the upper, generally cup-shaped portion includes a rotation mechanism for rotating the upper, generally cup-shaped portion in the lower cup-shaped portion.

Abstract: A reversible, magnetic ironing surface includes: (a) a generally rectangular-shaped, flexible pad portion including a first, quilted, heat resistant layer; and a second, opposite, generally smooth, heat resistant layer on an opposite side of the pad portion; and (b) at least one magnet in each corner section of the pad portion; wherein the pad assembly has an expanded, open position for use and a compact, bundled position for transport or storage, and in the expanded position, the pad portion is reversible for use on either side; and the first or second layer includes a metal.

Abstract: A foldable windshield device for removable attachment to a T-top of a motorized watercraft includes: (a) a lower windshield portion including at least one lower attachment mechanism; (b) a foldable upper windshield portion including at least one detachable upper attachment mechanism; and (c) a waterproof, durable, flexible, substantially transparent hinge connecting the lower windshield portion to the upper windshield portion; wherein the upper and lower windshield portions are detachably attachable to poles of the T-top, and the upper windshield portion is detachable from the T-top and foldable over the lower windshield portion.

Abstract: An erosion control device for use on beach and land areas subject to erosion includes: (a) an elongated beam portion comprising a first wall and a first base; (b) a cross-beam portion having a length that is less than half the length of the elongated beam portion, the cross-beam portion including a second wall and a second base; and (c) a mechanism for connecting the device to a second erosion control device; wherein the cross-beam portion extends transversely through the elongated beam portion at about a mid-point of the elongated beam portion. Also included herein is a matrix of interconnectable, relatively uniform erosion control devices.

Abstract: An easy to use, squeezable device with a soft, flexible tube for feeding liquid nutrition to a person, includes: a) a squeezable bottle portion for holding the ingestible liquid therewithin, the bottle portion comprising an opening at its top surrounded by a neck; and b) a cap assembly comprising: flexible fluid-flow tubing, a spout or nipple assembly, and a threaded collar, an upper portion of the spout assembly being insertable through a central aperture in the collar, the flexible tubing having a first end in fluid communication with the bottle portion and a second end insertable in the patient's mouth, the flexible tubing extending through or encircling a central aperture in the spout assembly. The spout assembly preferably includes a leakproof flange, and a valve assembly for controlling flow. The device is particularly intended for use where suction such as nipples, straws, or sip cups are contraindicated after craniofacial surgery.

Abstract: A packer apparatus for pushing or packing leaves or other debris into a garbage container includes: (a) a substantially planar head portion; and (b) a cylindrically-shaped mount portion connected at one end to an underside of the head portion, and having an open opposite end that is insertable over an end of a handle of a rake or the like. The packer apparatus preferably further includes a spring loaded mechanism with two arm members, each comprising a spring, for removably attaching the packer apparatus to the handle.

Abstract: A reading tray for mounting on an aircraft seat includes: (a) a substantially planar top side and bottom side; the top side being substantially parallel to the opposite, bottom side; (b) a space in the center of the top side extending partially through the tray; (c) a support panel that is removably insertable in the space; and (d) an arm support assembly connected to the support panel for supporting the support panel in an open, inclined position, or in an alternate, closed position wherein the support panel fits closely within the space with an upper face of the support panel flush with the top side of the tray.