Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a ground sheet assembly includes a portable ground sheet having a first section and a plurality of additional sections. The ground sheet assembly includes a first loop coupled to the first section and a plurality of additional loops coupled to each of the additional sections of the ground sheet. After material is placed on the ground sheet, the first loop is operable to bring the first section together with the plurality of additional sections when the first loop is passed through each of the additional loops. The loops may be attached to corner sections of the ground sheet or attached to other sections. The first loop operates as a handle to carry the ground sheet assembly after cinching.

Abstract: A solar-powered lighting apparatus having a light transmissible shade coupled to a housing that receives a solar cell, a battery and at least a portion of a lighting element assembly. In one embodiment, the shade may have a spherical shape achieved with a support unit or achieved by operation of gravity. A bottom device or bottom portion may be coupled to the shade and cooperate therewith forming and maintaining the spherical shape.

Abstract: A solar-powered lighting apparatus having a light transmissible shade coupled to a housing that receives a solar cell, a battery and at least a portion of a lighting element assembly. In one embodiment, the shade may have a spherical shape achieved with a support unit or achieved by operation of gravity. A bottom device or bottom portion may be coupled to the shade and cooperate therewith forming and maintaining the spherical shape.

Abstract: A solar-powered lighting apparatus having a light transmissible shade coupled to a housing that receives a solar cell, a battery and at least a portion of a lighting element assembly. In one embodiment, the shade may have a spherical shape achieved with a support unit or achieved by operation of gravity. A bottom device or bottom portion may be coupled to the shade and cooperate therewith forming and maintaining the spherical shape.

Abstract: A stake for insertion in soil to support an item such as a plant. The stake includes primary and secondary telescoping shafts and a foot adjustably secured to the primary shaft. The primary shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is configured for insertion into the soil at a first location. The foot has a supporting protrusion for insertion into the soil at a second location removed from the first location. Retractable ties are disposed within the secondary shaft and may be extended to support a plant. An adjustable collar may provide an anchor point for additional support.

Abstract: A carrier for bicycles or other objects which is adapted to be mounted in a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The carrier being adapted to pivot downwardly away from the rear of the vehicle to allow for improved access to the rear doors of the vehicle. The carrier including one or more spring mechanisms such as cylinder and piston combinations, mounted to both control the rate of downward tilting of a rack and to assist in the lifting of the rack back to its load carrying position and release lever means for preventing loading or unloading of the cylinder and piston combinations when the rack is tilted.

Abstract: A solar powered lighting system provides a lighting element assembly having a lighting element and a diffuser that secures near the upper end of a support. A collector unit contains a solar cell and a coupler such as a clip-on clamp which allows the collector unit to be selectively attached to a desired support. The lighting system includes a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly using a wire such that the portion of the wire that extends from the collector unit to the lighting element assembly is of sufficient length to allow the collector unit to be selectively positioned on or remotely from the support.

Abstract: A bicycle support rack adapted to be mounted in a hitch receiver of a vehicle including a hollow upstanding tube having a parallel rod running therethrough, both extending from a lower hitch bar upwardly to a top plate. The top plate supporting a pair of rearwardly extending arms upon which one or more bicycles may be mounted for carrying by the vehicle. The tube and internal parallel rod both being adapted to pivot rearwardly while maintaining the bicycle supporting arms in a substantially parallel orientation with the vehicle hitch receiver. The tilting movement of the rack providing improved access to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A carrier for bicycles or other objects which is adapted to be mounted in a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The carrier being adapted to pivot downwardly away from the rear of the vehicle to allow for improved access to the rear doors of the vehicle. The carrier including a cantilever mounted handle having a spring actuated locking member for holding the carrier in a horizontal or, vertically stored position, or, when released, allowing the carrier to tilt downwardly. The carrier including bicycle support members is adapted to grip the wheels of a bicycle mounted thereon. The bicycle support members are mounted on transverse members and are laterally adjustable to match the wheel span of a bicycle to be carried. The bicycle support members are adapted to be folded and the transverse members moved inwardly to make the carrier more compact for storage. In an alternative embodiment, a tiltable carrier rack is provided for carrying items other than bicycles.

Abstract: A stake for insertion in soil to support an item such as a plant. The stake includes primary and secondary telescoping shafts and a foot adjustably secured to the primary shaft. The primary shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is configured for insertion into the soil at a first location. The foot has a supporting protrusion for insertion into the soil at a second location removed from the first location. Retractable ties are disposed within the secondary shaft and may be extended to support a plant. An adjustable collar may provide an anchor point for additional support.

Abstract: A solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus and methods of assembling such a lighting apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus includes a lighting element assembly having a lighting element, a solar cell, a battery unit, and a collapsible shade. The battery unit is electrically coupled to the solar cell and to the lighting element assembly. The solar cell is positioned proximate to the top of the collapsible shade. The lighting element assembly and the battery unit are positioned within the collapsible shade. The solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus is deployed by connecting a support unit between a top portion and a bottom portion.

Abstract: A solar powered lighting system provides a lighting element assembly having a lighting element and a diffuser that secures near the upper end of a support. A collector unit contains a solar cell and a coupler such as a clip-on clamp which allows the collector unit to be selectively attached to a desired support. The lighting system includes a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly using a wire such that the portion of the wire that extends from the collector unit to the lighting element assembly is of sufficient length to allow the collector unit to be selectively positioned on or remotely from the support.

Abstract: A carrier for bicycles or other objects which is adapted to be mounted in a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The carrier being adapted to pivot downwardly away from the rear of the vehicle to allow for improved access to the rear doors of the vehicle. The carrier including a cantilever mounted handle having a spring actuated locking member for holding the carrier in a horizontal or, vertically stored position, or, when released, allowing the carrier to tilt downwardly. The carrier including bicycle support members is adapted to grip the wheels of a bicycle mounted thereon. The bicycle support members are mounted on transverse members and are laterally adjustable to match the wheel span of a bicycle to be carried. The bicycle support members are adapted to be folded and the transverse members moved inwardly to make the carrier more compact for storage. In an alternative embodiment, a tiltable carrier rack is provided for carrying items other than bicycles.

Abstract: A bicycle support rack adapted to be mounted in a hitch receiver of a vehicle including a hollow upstanding tube having a parallel rod running therethrough, both extending from a lower hitch bar upwardly to a top plate. The top plate supporting a pair of rearwardly extending arms upon which one or more bicycles may be mounted for carrying by the vehicle. The tube and internal parallel rod both being adapted to pivot rearwardly while maintaining the bicycle supporting arms in a substantially parallel orientation with the vehicle hitch receiver. The tilting movement of the rack providing improved access to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus and methods of assembling such a lighting apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Several embodiments of hitch receiver attachment structures are provided, which are adapted for interconnection with a conventional vehicle hitch receiver. The hitch receiver attachment structures include mechanisms that reduce or eliminate undesirable play or movement between the hitch receiver attachment structure and the hitch receiver during use.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelbarrow is constructed with a pliable bin and pivotally connected handle members. The handle members are pivotally connected to a frame about first pivot axes, wherein the handle members may be moved outwardly away from an imaginary bisecting line of the wheelbarrow to provide easier loading capabilities. The handle members may also be pivotally connected about second pivot axes to allow the handle members to pivot inward to reduce the width of the wheelbarrow for convenient storage. In an alternative embodiment, the handle members are rigidly connected to the frame.