Abstract: A support for a vessel such as a kayak or canoe comprises a support structure such as a kayak rack supported by the ground, the support structure comprising a beam for supporting the vessel, the beam generally parallel to the ground. A sliding structure is on the beam. The sliding structure comprises a bracket having an upwardly facing surface; and roller bearings on the upwardly facing surface of the bracket for ease in slidingly placing and removing the vessel from the support structure. A fastener fastens the sliding structure to the beam.

Abstract: A system is provided for alerting of potential vehicle damage when moving into or out of a confined space, the confined space having a side structure which can damage the vehicle when moving into the confined space if the vehicle is too close to the side structure. The system comprises a beam transmitter for transmitting a beam, and a beam receiver for receiving the beam. The beam travels along a path at an angle relative to a ground surface of from about 40 degrees to 60 degrees. An alert generator generates an alert such as light, sound, or both, when a vehicle intersects the beam.

Abstract: A support for a vessel such as a kayak or canoe comprises a support structure such as a kayak rack supported by the ground, the support structure comprising a beam for supporting the vessel, the beam generally parallel to the ground. A sliding structure is on the beam. The sliding structure comprises a bracket having an upwardly facing surface; and roller bearings on the upwardly facing surface of the bracket for ease in slidingly placing and removing the vessel from the support structure. A fastener fastens the sliding structure to the beam.

Abstract: A refuse container locking apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the refuse container has a container bin with a container lid rotatably mounted adjacent the open end of the container bin. Some instances of the locking apparatus have a locking hasp arm with a slotted end mounted to a base plate mounted to the container sidewall. The locking hasp is linearly slidable on the base plate between a first arm distal position spaced from container lid and a first arm interlocking position adjacent the container lid. Some instances include a locking bolt mounted on a bolt base mounted on the container lid. The locking bolt is linearly slidable on the bolt base between an unlocked position spaced from the locking hasp arm and an interlocked position adjacent the container lid and in interlocking communication with the locking hasp arm. Some methods can require two hands to operate the locking apparatus.

Abstract: An improved surface bolt having a one-piece bolt and, in some embodiments, a one piece channel base in which the bolt is slidably mountable. In some embodiments, the channel base has first and second opposing edges with sidewalls along the edges, and each sidewall has a lip overhanging the base to define a groove or slot. The bolt has first and second opposing edges with ridges that slidably mount within the grooves. The bolt can include a handle extending from a first bolt member surface and a bumper extending from an opposed second bolt member surface and constraining sliding movement of the bolt between fastener heads or other stops extending from the channel base. Some embodiments of the bolt and channel base are made of a lightweight material such as plastic for example; and the bolt and channel base can include scoring, allowing their size to be altered at the score lines.

Abstract: A refuse container locking apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the refuse container has a container bin with a container lid rotatably mounted adjacent the open end of the container bin. Some instances of the locking apparatus have a locking hasp arm with a slotted end mounted to a base plate mounted to the container sidewall. The locking hasp is linearly slidable on the base plate between a first arm distal position spaced from container lid and a first arm interlocking position adjacent the container lid. Some instances include a locking bolt mounted on a bolt base mounted on the container lid. The locking bolt is linearly slidable on the bolt base between an unlocked position spaced from the locking hasp arm and an interlocked position adjacent the container lid and in interlocking communication with the locking hasp arm. Some methods can require two hands to operate the locking apparatus.

Abstract: A refuse container locking apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the refuse container has a container bin with a container lid rotatably mounted adjacent the open end of the container bin. Some instances of the locking apparatus have a locking hasp arm with a slotted end mounted to a base plate mounted to the container sidewall. The locking hasp is linearly slidable on the base plate between a first arm distal position spaced from container lid and a first arm interlocking position adjacent the container lid. Some instances include a locking bolt mounted on a bolt base mounted on the container lid. The locking bolt is linearly slidable on the bolt base between an unlocked position spaced from the locking hasp arm and an interlocked position adjacent the container lid and in interlocking communication with the locking hasp arm. Some methods can require two hands to operate the locking apparatus.

Abstract: An improved surface bolt having a one-piece bolt and, in some embodiments, a one piece channel base in which the bolt is slidably mountable. In some embodiments, the channel base has first and second opposing edges with sidewalls along the edges, and each sidewall has a lip overhanging the base to define a groove or slot. The bolt has first and second opposing edges with ridges that slidably mount within the grooves. The bolt can include a handle extending from a first bolt member surface and a bumper extending from an opposed second bolt member surface and constraining sliding movement of the bolt between fastener heads or other stops extending from the channel base. Some embodiments of the bolt and channel base are made of a lightweight material such as plastic for example; and the bolt and channel base can include scoring, allowing their size to be altered at the score lines.

Abstract: A model horse is resiliently mounted to permit a child rider to cause motion of the horse having vertical and/or horizontal motion components. A trotting gait sound is generated in response to detected vertical motion, and a walk and/or gallop gait sound is generated in response to detected horizontal motion. The selection as between the walk and gallop gait is preferably based upon the amplitude or horizontal motion. The different gait sounds are obtained by generating a basic "clop" (hoofbeat) sound, and, repeating the clop sound in a different time sequence for each gait. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sounds of a horse's "snort" and "whinny" are also generated during riding. The sounds produced in accordance with the invention are obtained by digitally forming audio frequency signals and controlling the envelope of the audio frequency signals.