Abstract: A privacy apparatus and method for purchasing goods or acquiring services over an unsecured network, such as the Internet. By the use of a middle-man company, or proxy, a purchaser sends his/her personal information needed to make the purchase to the middle-man company. The middle-man company deals directly with the seller, and does not provide any information regarding the purchaser to the seller. The seller ships the purchase to the middle-man company, using information on the middle-man company supplied to it from the middle-man company. Upon receipt of the goods or services sent from the seller, the middle-man company provides them to the purchaser, thereby providing privacy for the purchaser with respect to the seller.

Abstract: A hitch cover includes a face plate and a wire form attached thereto for being inserted into the hitch tube and securing the face plate across the open end of the hitch tube. A lock or pin extending through the conventional hitch tube openings, passing through the wire form prevents removal of the hitch cover and protects against rattling of the wire from within the tube.

Abstract: A leather surround for decorative articles of the type which could be used with key rings or luggage tags, golf bag tags, and the like includes a pair of leather sheets, one of which includes an opening A decorative article, such as a pictorial work or logo, is inserted between the leather sheets so that the portion to be displayed is visible at the opening. Preferably the article is made from a non-ferrous metal, such as pewter. The article includes a flange surrounding at least a portion of its outer boundary adapted to be received between the two sheets of leather In the preferred embodiment, the leather sheets are stitched together around the outside of the article and flange and an adhesive is applied to the rear surface of the article to assist in bonding the article to the leather sheet and maintaining a desired orientation.

Abstract: An illuminated display for displaying logos, messages, pricing information and the like, utilizes the large glass surfaces of modern office buildings, banks, hotels and shade material adapted to be backlit from the building interior. The shade material may contain translucent and opaque portions configured to provide, when combined with adjacent shade portions, a representation of the information to be conveyed to an observer of the structure. In the most preferred embodiment the shades are coupled to a timer mechanism so they may be operated simultaneously, e.g. to close them at sunset or to open them at sunrise. Various degrees of transparency may be provided, as may color, to give the designer a large selection of options for carrying out the informational and artistic aspects of the invention.

Abstract: A display stand for belt buckles or other articles includes an upright stand having one or more vertical display surfaces. A vertical slot is provided in the display which is adapted to receive the buckle clip of a belt buckle or a projection on any other type of article to be displayed. The display also includes a plurality of holes which extend from the display surface at an angle so that they pass through the slot. A plurality of elongate pins are provided to be inserted through the holes and the slot. An article is displayed by inserting its clip or projection into the slot and inserting a pin in the hole to secure the buckle or other article to the stand.

Abstract: A pin with a detachable face includes an elongate pointed shaft having a face receiving snap portion coupled thereto. The detachable face includes a decorative face portion and a back which includes a snap portion integral therewith. A locking mechanism may be used with the shaft if the pin is worn on clothing or the pin may be used without the locking mechanism.