Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, the stopper comprising a body member having first and second sides and first, second, and third through openings. The second through opening is located a spaced distance from the first opening. The third through opening being located on a side of the first through opening opposite the second through opening and being sized and dimensioned to spread at portion of the lace in the third through opening into a flattened form. The lace engaging edge on the body member located on a side of the second through opening generally opposite the first through opening for passage of the lace thereover from the second through opening to the third through opening.

Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

Abstract: A connector cable is provided, and includes an electrical cord with an electrical connector at each end. The cable includes a plurality of annular magnets positioned on the cord and a spacing sleeve positioned between each adjacent pair of magnets. The magnets are polarized radially, and are configured to rotate freely on the cord, so that when the cable is coiled, the attract and couple with each other, rotating on the cord to bring their poles into appropriate alignment. the spacing sleeves maintain a regular spacing between the magnets so that they couple together in a neat coil.

Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

Abstract: A training urinal attachment mountable to the bowl of a toilet. The attachment includes a resiliently collapsible shell having an intake opening that receives a flow of urine from a standing child and a discharge opening that directs the flow into a collection area of the bowl. The shell is mounted on the rim of the bowl in an area that is covered by the seat of the toilet when lowered. When the seat is lowered, the shell compresses to a collapsed configuration in the area between the seat and the rim. When the seat is raised, the shell expands to an erected configuration in which the intake opening extends above the rim to receive the flow of urine. The discharge opening is visible through the intake opening to provide the child with a target to aid in training.

Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.

Abstract: A litter mat includes a plurality of flexible plastic strips that have a cross-section in the general shape of an inverted J, are parallel to each other and have similar orientations. The strips are secured to a base. The strips are each in an adjoining relationship with an adjacent strip whereby the strips define a surface disposed above the base. The strips extend lengthwise between two opposite edges of the mat. When a cat steps on the surface the strips or portions thereof flex to space the strips defining passageways for litter to fall to the base. The strips, if desired, may be segmented.