Abstract: A system and method for mounting an object to a support utilizes a push-pin that is adapted to be pushed or screwed into the support (such as a wall), without necessitating the use of hammers, screwdrivers, drills, etc. The push-pin has a novel head that includes resilient “grippers” for providing a friction fit within a hole or channel of the object (such as a shelf) to be mounted to the support. In an exemplary embodiment, the grippers are a plurality of resilient annular rings sized to be slightly larger in diameter than the dimension of the mating hole or channel so that when the mating hole or channel of the object engages with the larger diameter rings, the rings are deformed slightly upon entering the hole or channel, thereby, providing a friction fit between the head of the pin and the object to be mounted to the support.

Abstract: An adjustable protective platform for supporting, for example, potted plants includes a plurality of multi-legged links. Each link includes a pair of linkage legs angled with respect to each other at an acute angle. Each linkage leg includes a plurality of projections extending from the upper and lower surfaces and at least two transverse slots cut into the upper surface, extending from the outer side to the inner side, and angled at least partially towards the origin end of the opposite linkage leg. The slots in each linkage leg are symmetrical with respect to the slots in the opposite linkage leg. Therefore, the links are coupled together by arranging the links in an alternating up and down (one link facing up and the next facing down) fashion forming an outer enclosed loop, and further, by engaging a slot in a linkage leg of an upward facing link with a slot in an immediately adjacent linkage leg of an adjacent downwardly facing link.

Abstract: A serving utensil, which in a preferred embodiment is in the form of an ice cream scoop that can be heated in a conventional or home microwave oven to facilitate scooping a frozen confection from a container. The serving utensil includes bowl portion formed from a substantially rigid material that becomes heated when subjected to microwave radiation in a conventional microwave oven and handle portion, attached to the bowl portion, formed from a substantially rigid material that substantially restricts the absorption of microwave energy. The handle portion includes a recess in its upper side approximate the bowl portion adapted to receive a user's thumb therein and a transverse groove in its underside, longitudinally aligned with the recess and adapted to receive a user's index finger therein.

Abstract: An adjustable-length flare-up preventing plate assembly for a barbecue grill includes at least two elongated metallic plates. Each elongated metallic plate includes a pair of longitudinal wings and at least one fastener, where the longitudinal wings are folded downwardly approximate a middle longitudinal centerline to form a concavity. The fastener is designed to couple at least two of the elongated metallic plates together in a longitudinal or over-lapping fashion, such that at least one of the plates will extend longitudinally from a longitudinal end of another one of the plates—providing an extended-length flare-up preventing plate. Once coupled together, this extended grill plate is placed into the barbecue grill concave-side-down so that the longitudinal ends of the extended grill plate rest against the tapered walls of the barbecue grill.