Abstract: A Christmas tree stand includes a substantially bowl shaped base component having a bottom wall, a continuous side wall depending therefrom and an open top in communication with an interior chamber. A fixed plate is vertically disposed within the interior chamber against which a tree trunk is placed. A pair of pneumatic telescoping arms are secured to the base component and extend into the interior chamber each having an engagement plate at a distal end. The telescoping arms are actuated with a foot pump in communication therewith allowing a user to conveniently thrust the engagement plates against the opposing portion of the tree trunk to secure the tree therein. The device also includes a fire alarm means and a water level sensing means.

Abstract: A fetal monitoring assembly includes an electrode housing having a top and bottom end with a spiraled electrode extending from the top end thereof. Extending from the bottom end is flat plate and a plurality of wires which couple the electrode with a fetal monitor. The wires are encompassed within an elongated tube having first and second ends with a pair of opposing notches at a first end dimensioned to receive the electrode plate. The tube is formed of two mating semi-cylindrical sections which may be separated when removing the tube. The terminal end of each wire has a female electrical receptacle for conveniently coupling the wires to a fetal video monitor plug. A second end of the tube has a circumferential removable strip which compresses the tube about the wires and prevents the two sections from separating until the user has properly installed the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape measure assembly having an internal deployment warning system therein. The device includes a substantially hollow housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, an end wall and a front wall with a horizontal slot between the front wall and the bottom wall. A tape measure having a plurality of marking indicia thereon extends through the horizontal slot and is selectively retractable within and extendable from the housing interior using conventional means currently used in various tape measuring devices. A first magnet is attached to the bottom wall of the housing for securing the housing to a metallic surface. A second magnet is removably attached to the top wall of the housing and has a slit thereon for selectively receiving an L-shaped catch member at a first end of the tape measure.

Abstract: A vehicle privacy screen includes a fabric curtain member having top, bottom and two opposing side edges. Integral with the top edge and extending from the two opposing side edges of the curtain member is a continuous, length adjustable strap for securing the curtain member to an existing vehicle sun visor. Adjacent each side edge of the curtain member are one or more hook and loop fasteners for joining a first curtain member to an adjacent curtain member.

Abstract: A collapsible, lightweight backstop includes a U-shaped base member having parallel arms and a rear portion therebetween. The arms include separable mating sections that are hingedly joined to a vertical support leg whereby the arm sections may be folded and collapsed thereagainst. An upper frame member is pivotally joined to the upper ends of the support legs and may be moved between raised and lowered vertical positions. A net member is secured to the base member, the legs and the upper frame member to form a backstop including a ball retaining pocket. A telescoping tubular frame member is pivotally joined to the upper end of each support leg. An auxiliary net is secured to the frame member and the support leg to form a lateral extension when the frame member is pivoted outwardly to an oblique position. The base member and frame members each include apertures for receiving a stake or similar means to anchor the device to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottled water dispenser capable of instantly producing and delivering a desired amount of coffee produced by mixing liquid coffee concentrate and bottled water. The device includes a pump for delivering coffee concentrate from a storage reservoir received within the dispenser housing to a mixing chamber. The dispenser further includes a hot water system in selective communication with the mixing chamber using a solenoid. The solenoid and pump are activated with a pair of buttons on the housing exterior. A child safety switch is electrically connected to the buttons which, when activated, requires that both buttons be simultaneously depressed to activate the pump and solenoid. When the switch is disabled, only one button must be depressed. Accordingly, a user may instantly dispense a desired amount of coffee produced from bottled water by pressing a button.

Abstract: A multi-purpose utility belt includes an elongated planar strap having first and second ends with an attachment means adjacent each end thereof for securing the strap about a user's abdomen. Depending from the lower edge of the strap is a panel having a hook-and-loop fastener adjacent each of its four peripheral edges. A wiping cloth having similarly disposed hook-and-loop fasteners on a side thereof is removably attachable to the panel. A plurality of tool holding pockets are removably attached to the exterior surface of the strap allowing a user to selectively configure the belt. Each pocket is designed to retain a select tool such as a paint brush, a caulking gun and similar items.

Abstract: A plastic pallet includes a substantially rectangular platform section having an upper surface and four side walls depending therefrom. The pallet also includes a lower support section for suspending the platform section a predetermined distance above the ground. The support section includes four edges each having an inwardly angled portion and a vertical portion. A first pair of channels extend from a first edge to an opposing second edge. A second pair of channels extend from a third edge to an opposing fourth edge, each channel dimensioned to receive a forklift blade. The support structure also includes two sets of slots, each set substantially perpendicular to the other and extending from one edge of the support section to an opposing edge for receiving binding straps to restrain items resting on the pallet. The slots are disposed above the channels and are segregated such that the straps do not interfere with the forklift blades or each other.

Abstract: A pivotable light stanchion assembly includes an upper stanchion having a light at a top end and lower stanchion member which are detachably coupled with a pair of socket members. A first socket is attached to the lower stanchion and includes a plurality of receptacles in electrical communication with a power source. The opposing socket member is attached to the upper stanchion and includes a plurality of male prongs coupled with a light member at a distal end of the upper stanchion member. The socket members are pivotally joined so that the upper stanchion member may be pivoted downwardly relative to the lower stanchion member thereby disabling power to the light while allowing the light to be accessed from ground level.

Abstract: An improved linkage assembly for a pop-up drain stopper assembly includes an elongated connector bar having a plurality of apertures adjacent both its upper and lower ends. The assembly also includes a stem having a J-shaped portion of its lower end that is received within a select aperture. A lever arm is received within an aperture adjacent the lower end of the connector bar, the opposing end of which is attached to a drain stopper. The linkage assembly may be quickly and conveniently adjusted or dismantled with minimal effort.

Abstract: A magnetic hammer includes an elongated handle having an upper end and a lower end with a hammer head mounted to the upper end. The hammer head includes a nail engaging portion having a bore therein for removably receiving an electromagnetic insert. A switch means on the handle delivers power from a power source within the handle to the electromagnet whereby a nail may be magnetically secured to the hammer head.

Abstract: A light refracting and collecting assembly includes a housing having a bottom surface with two diverging side walls extending therefrom, two opposing end walls and an open top. Disposed between the side walls, proximal the bottom surface, is a light absorbing means such as a heat conductive conduit or a photovoltaic cell collector plate. Angularly extending from the upper surface of the light absorbing means are a plurality of substantially triangular prisms for refracting and directing light from the open top of the housing downwardly towards the light absorbing means. The interior surface of the side walls and bottom surface are coated with a light reflecting material to further direct light toward the light refracting prisms and the light absorbing means. A transparent cover member is superimposed on the open top for protecting the interior and to bend light towards the light absorbing means.

Abstract: A concealable jewelry box for attaching to the back surface of furniture such as drawers, a mirror or a similar item. The device includes a substantially rectangular housing having a planar front surface, a planar back surface, a top panel, a lower panel, a side panel and an opening opposite the side panel. A drawer component for holding jewelry items is slidably received within the housing interior and is locked therein with a spring biased catch member. The housing side panel is pivotable and has a spring thereon that releases the catch member and ejects the drawer through the housing opening.

Abstract: A portable garage assembly includes a floor member formed of three foldable sections having a plurality of peripherally disposed indentions on its upper surface. Received within its indentions are vertical support members that are secured thereto with quick release screws. A side, a rear and a front wall are removably secured to the support members. A plurality of directional and transverse beams are secured to the top ends of the support members for supporting a multi-section, laterally sloping roof. An opening on the front panel defines an entrance. The entrance is selectively enclosable with a garage door movable along a pair of tracks between a vertical, closed position and a horizontal open position. The device is designed to be quickly and easily erected or alternatively disassembled for transport or storage.

Abstract: An alarm assembly for alerting a golfer whenever a golf club has been left behind includes a transponder unit attachable to the shaft of a golf club. The transponder unit is in selective communication with a remote unit attached to the golf bag or to the golfer. The remote unit is responsive to the transponder only within a predetermined range. The remote unit includes an audible and visual alarm, one of which is activated whenever the transponder is not within the predetermined range. The transponder unit is specifically configured such that it is only activated when attached to a golf club so as to not trigger false alarms when not in use.

Abstract: A new and improved toy box structure includes a transparent, hollow spherical member having an interior chamber for receiving toys and an aperture on its exterior surface in communication therewith. The aperture is selectively enclosable using a removable disc shaped lid. Recessed handles are diametrically disposed on the exterior surface of the spherical member which may be grasped by a user. The spherical member is supported by a ramp style base component. The unique design of the device allows it to be easily rolled from one location to another and allows a child to view toys stored therein without having to remove the lid. Also, the unique design allows a user to manipulate the device to locate and remove a desired item without removing the other similarly stored items.

Abstract: A collapsible plunger includes an elongated tubular handle having a plunger member at an end thereof. The tubular handle is comprised of a plurality of telescoping sections each of which may be locked in an extended or retracted position relative to the adjacent section. The handle may be removably secured to the interior of an accompanying bag allowing the collapsed plunger to be easily and concealably transported from one location to another.

Abstract: A periscope includes a housing having two opposing side walls, a rear wall, a front wall, a top end and a bottom end. On the front wall, adjacent the top end, is an upper opening in communication with an interior chamber. An upper light reflecting device is positioned within the interior chamber to reflect light downwardly toward the bottom end of the housing. The housing further includes a lower viewing opening on the rear wall adjacent the bottom end that is likewise in communication with the interior chamber. A second light reflecting device is positioned within the chamber, somewhat facing both the viewing opening and the light reflecting device, for projecting light from the upper light reflecting device toward the viewing opening. An adjustable magnifying assembly is mounted between the upper opening and the upper light reflecting device for magnifying images projected to the viewing opening. The magnifying assembly is horizontally movable within the housing to vary the degree of magnification.

Abstract: A variable resistance exercise assembly for runners, football players and the like includes a housing having a pair of opposing spaced side walls with an end wall therebetween. A fixed cylinder is rotatably mounted between the side walls. A cord is wrapped about the cylinder with each of its two ends extending from the end wall of the housing. Each end of the cord includes a hook for attaching either end of the cord to a shoulder harness.