Abstract: A scarecrow includes a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal and an assembled hollow scarecrow head of molded plastic construction corresponding in shape to a head of the live animal. The assembled head includes a front face portion and a separate rear head portion fixed together to form the head, the front face portion having a front receiver and the rear head portion having a rear receiver. The scarecrow includes a motor having a rotatable motor shaft; a mounting insert fixed to the motor with the motor shaft extending below the mounting insert, the mounting insert received by the front receiver and the rear receiver to fix the mounting insert to the head; and a mounting bracket fixed to the scarecrow body and having a motor shaft receiver into which the rotatable motor shaft is received. Rotation of the motor shaft rotates the assembled scarecrow head relative to the scarecrow body.

Abstract: A scarecrow includes a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal and an assembled hollow scarecrow head of molded plastic construction corresponding in shape to a head of the live animal. The assembled head includes a front face portion and a separate rear head portion fixed together to form the head, the front face portion having a front receiver and the rear head portion having a rear receiver. The scarecrow includes a motor having a rotatable motor shaft; a mounting insert fixed to the motor with the motor shaft extending below the mounting insert, the mounting insert received by the front receiver and the rear receiver to fix the mounting insert to the head; and a mounting bracket fixed to the scarecrow body and having a motor shaft receiver into which the rotatable motor shaft is received. Rotation of the motor shaft rotates the assembled scarecrow head relative to the scarecrow body.

Abstract: A scarecrow including a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal; and a scarecrow head corresponding in shape to a head of a live animal; and an unstable mount disposed between the scarecrow body and the scarecrow head onto which the scarecrow head is rotatably mounted for 360-degree movement of the scarecrow head to the scarecrow body without interfering with free movement of the scarecrow head. The unstable mount includes a lower pivot assembly rigidly connected to the scarecrow body and an upper pivot assembly rigidly connected to the scarecrow head and balanced onto the lower pivot assembly, the lower pivot assembly being of two-piece molded plastic construction and including a foot and an upper member that press-fit together, with the foot configured to press-fit install into the scarecrow body.

Abstract: A scarecrow includes a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal; and an assembled and balanced hollow head of molded plastic construction corresponding in shape to a head of the live animal. The assembled and balanced head includes a front face portion and a rear head portion fixed together to form the head. The front face portion has a first thickness and the rear head portion has a second thickness, the front face portion and the rear head portion being unequal in weight, with the rear head portion having selected areas on an interior surface thereof that are thicker than the first thickness and define an offset weight so that the assembled head is substantially balanced as assembled. An unstable mount is disposed between the body and the head onto which the head is rotatably mounted for 360-degree movement of the head to the body without interfering with free movement of the head, the head being balanced on the unstable mount.

Abstract: A trap for flying insects includes a housing having a plurality of housing apertures and a tank located interior of the housing. The tank has an insect killing agent within an interior of the tank and a plurality of tank apertures adjacent an upper portion of the tank in communication with the interior of the tank for access of flying insects into the interior of the tank. The tank apertures are located proximate the housing apertures to provide a path for flying insects to travel from locations exterior of the housing to the tank apertures and into the tank. The trap also includes an insect attractive illumination located proximate the tank apertures.

Abstract: A scarecrow includes a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal; and an assembled and balanced hollow head of molded plastic construction corresponding in shape to a head of the live animal. The assembled and balanced head includes a front face portion and a rear head portion fixed together to form the head. The front face portion has a first thickness and the rear head portion has a second thickness, the front face portion and the rear head portion being unequal in weight, with the rear head portion having selected areas on an interior surface thereof that are thicker than the first thickness and define an offset weight so that the assembled head is substantially balanced as assembled. An unstable mount is disposed between the body and the head onto which the head is rotatably mounted for 360-degree movement of the head to the body without interfering with free movement of the head, the head being balanced on the unstable mount.

Abstract: A scarecrow including a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal; and a scarecrow head corresponding in shape to a head of a live animal; and an unstable mount disposed between the scarecrow body and the scarecrow head onto which the scarecrow head is rotatably mounted for 360-degree movement of the scarecrow head to the scarecrow body without interfering with free movement of the scarecrow head. The unstable mount includes a lower pivot assembly rigidly connected to the scarecrow body and an upper pivot assembly rigidly connected to the scarecrow head and balanced onto the lower pivot assembly, the lower pivot assembly being of two-piece molded plastic construction and including a foot and an upper member that press-fit together, with the foot configured to press-fit install into the scarecrow body.

Abstract: An inflatable device, having an air flow path having a circumference and including an air diverter comprising a central motor receiver and a plurality of air deflectors extending radially from the motor receiver and located to define a plurality of air flow chambers surrounding the motor receiver; a motor mounted within the central motor receiver and having an output shaft rotatable by the motor and extending below the air diverter, the motor generating heat during use of the motor; a fan connected to the output shaft of the motor and located below the air diverter for rotating in response to rotation of the output shaft by the motor to generate a flow of air, the air diverter cooperating with the flow of air generated by the fan to create a turbulent air flow directed to flow through the air flow chambers and past the motor, the flow of air providing cooling to dissipate heat from the motor; and an inflatable body in flow communication with the air flow path and located above the air diverter for receiving t

Abstract: A rain gauge that is resistant to damage from freezing water. The gauge includes a collector defining an open top vessel with a closed bottom for collecting water. The collector includes a plurality of tapered and curved sidewalls with curved corners connecting the sidewalls, the curved sidewalls having a direction of curvature and the curved corners having a direction of curvature opposite the direction of curvature of the curved sidewalls. The curved sidewalls tend to flex sufficiently when water collected therein freezes and expands, and thereby resists breakage from freezing of collected water.

Abstract: An owl replica for deterring pests, having a plastic owl body; a plastic owl head; an unstable mount disposed between the body and head for free movement of the head relative to the body; and a powered assembly supported by the mount and operable to move with the mount relative to the body and enable intermittent powered movement of the head relative to the body without interfering with free movement of the head.

Abstract: A slow/intermittent sand filter that purifies polluted water by flowing through sand in a manner that achieves greater purity and permits simpler and more effective maintenance than existing filters.

Abstract: An owl replica for deterring pests, having a plastic owl body; a plastic owl head; an unstable mount disposed between the body and head for free movement of the head relative to the body; and a powered assembly supported by the mount and operable to move with the mount relative to the body and enable intermittent powered movement of the head relative to the body without interfering with free movement of the head.

Abstract: A landscaping film, including a film sheet having a plurality of perforations defined therethough and discrete deposits of a weed control agent at locations on the film corresponding to the locations of the perforations.

Abstract: Mating first and second landscape edging segments having improved end-to-end connection are provided which include an open-ended slot defined either adjacent an open end of the first edging segment or adjacent a received end of the second edging segment, the open-ended slot being configured for receiving a portion of one of the first or second edging segments so that the first and second edging segments may be mated by the open end of the first edging segment receiving the received end of the second edging segment, with the first and second edging segments partially overlapping.

Abstract: A replica of an owl for use in a garden for deterring pests, the replica having a first body portion corresponding generally in shape to the body of a live owl and a second body portion corresponding generally in shape to the head of a live owl, the second body portion being rotatably mounted adjacent an upper portion of the first body portion for rotational movement relative to the first body portion.

Abstract: A landscaping system for minimizing downward penetration of weed roots. A polymer film having upper and lower surfaces and a selected porosity is positioned such that soil is disposed below and contacting the lower surface of the film. Mulch is disposed above the film, and contacts the upper surface of the film. There are projections formed in the film that extend away from the upper surface of the film and toward the mulch. The projections have a frustro-conical shape, or in other words are shaped like frustra, with sidewalls configured for deflecting roots growing along the film in an upward direction away from the film. The projections terminate at an apex, and are formed on the film at a selected density per unit area of the film. Apertures are formed in the film at the apex of the projections. The apertures have a selected diameter which is sufficiently large to allow passage of liquid water through the film.