Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconnecting a button to a garment includes positioning the button in a desired location on the front side of garment. The ends of a wire are then manually inserted into the thread receiving holes of the button, and the wire is pushed through the garment from the front side to the back side so that the wire urges the button into contact with the first side of the garment, and the ends of the wire penetrate the back side of the garment thereby forming first and second protruding legs. The protruding legs are then manually bent over until they abut the back side of the garment. A sheet is then adhesively applied to the back side of the garment to cover the bent over protruding legs. In another embodiment, the protruding legs are twisted together before being bent over.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supporting a second pizza in a rectangular pizza box which contains a first pizza, the pizza box having four corner zones. The device comprises a rectangular platform which is shaped and dimensioned to be received by the pizza box. The platform has at least four tabs which are selectively positionable to a support position which is substantially perpendicular to the platform, The tabs are located on the platform so that when the tabs are placed in the support position and the platform is placed inside the pizza box, at least one tab will rest upon each corner zone. In one embodiment, the platform includes four tabs; in another embodiment the platform includes eight tabs; and, in another embodiment the tabs include side tabs which can be folded to create a U-shaped support.

Abstract: A device for arresting a motor vehicle which is moving on a support surface includes an enclosure with is shaped and dimensioned to receive the motor vehicle. The device is releasably connectable to a helicopter, so that the device can be (1) positioned over the motor vehicle by the helicopter, (2) disconnected from the helicopter, and (3) dropped onto the support surface wherein the enclosure encloses the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An animal actuated drinking fountain has an electronic circuit for operating a pump to supply water to an animal. The fountain has a housing with a container for holding the water. A pump receives water from the container and has an upward directed discharge port for creating a fountain of water. A light emitter and light sensor are positioned so a beam of pulsed light is positioned above the surface of the water in the container. When the animal interrupts the beam of pulsed light, electronic circuitry causes the pump to turn on and create a fountain of water for the animal to drink.

Abstract: An animal actuated drinking fountain has an electronic circuit for operating a pump to supply water to an animal. The fountain has a housing with a container for holding the water. A pump receives water from the container and has an upward directed discharge port for creating a fountain of water. A light emitter and light sensor are positioned so a beam of pulsed light is positioned above the surface of the water in the container. When the animal interrupts the beam of pulsed light, electronic circuitry causes the pump to turn on and create a fountain of water for the animal to drink.

Abstract: A portable, pet-actuated drinking fountain includes a reservoir container received in a housing and a movable platform which is depressed against a spring when a pet steps on it. Downward movement of the platform by the pet closes a switch that connects battery power to a pump that provides a gentle bubbling of water from the container via a vertical spigot reachable by the pet. Excess water drains back into the reservoir container through a filter screen. When the pet steps back off the movable platform, the pump is deactivated. One or more movable platforms may be associated with a single reservoir container and arrange to actuate the pump.

Abstract: A highway traffic warning reflector comprises a conventional collapsible shopping bag having highly reflective outer surfaces and support means for maintaining the bag upright when opened and placed with its bottom on the ground adjacent a roadway. The support means includes a rigid rod and weight formed with an opening to receive one end of the rod, and a loop formed adjacent a corner of the bag near its upper open end. To set up the reflector, the bag is opened from its collapsed state, the weight placed in a corner at the bottom of the bag and the rod inserted through the loop and into the opening in the weight. In lieu of a separate rod, stiffening means may be incorporated in the bag structure. One or more support means may be used to maintain the reflective bag upright adjacent a roadway in fall view of oncoming vehicles against wind and turbulence caused by passing vehicles.

Abstract: A highway traffic warning reflector comprises a conventional collapsible shopping bag having highly reflective outer surfaces and support means for maintaining the bag upright when opened and placed with its bottom on the ground adjacent a roadway. The support means includes a rigid rod and weight formed with an opening to receive one end of the rod, and a loop formed adjacent a corner of the bag near its upper open end. To set up the reflector, the bag is opened from its collapsed state, the weight placed in a corner at the bottom of the bag and the rod inserted through the loop and into the opening in the weight. In lieu of a separate rod, stiffening means may be incorporated in the bag structure. One or more support means may be used to maintain the reflective bag upright adjacent a roadway in full view of oncoming vehicles against wind and turbulence caused by passing vehicles.

Abstract: A clip assembly for securing a head cover, such as a skullcap, to the head of the wearer, comprises a spring loaded hairclip having a segment of Velcro.RTM. closure permanently affixed to one arm of the hairclip. The opposite side of the closure is coated with an adhesive covered by peelable release paper. In use, one or more of the clip assemblies are adhesively attached to the inner surface of the head covering within its outer periphery, so as not to be visible when the head covering is worn. When the head covering is placed on the head, the clips are opened, the free arm of the clip inserted into the hair of the wearer and then released to grasp the hair. The clip may be separated from the head covering at the Velcro.RTM. closure to be available for use on the other head coverings.

Abstract: A toilet tissue roll holder has a flanged, generally semi-cylindrical housing and a spindle fixed at one end to a member slideable along one side of the housing. To replace a roll of toilet tissue, the spindle is pulled forward with the slideable member leaving the free end of the spindle exposed for insertion of the tissue roll. The spindle with the new roll is then pushed back into the housing. A detent engages the free end of the spindle to secure the spindle within the housing during normal use.

Abstract: A helical spring device used for amusement or for stress relief having a plurality of concentrically positioned helical coil springs each extending between two endpieces. The helical coil springs each are highly flexible with a low spring stiffness to mass ratio, and each have a different diameter. The endpieces have an internal member and an external member, with the internal piece having a slit extending through it. The ends of the helical coil springs are inserted through the slits in the internal members in such a manner that they are positioned between the internal and external members. The ends are secured in place by a fastener such as a screw which extends between the internal and external members.

Abstract: A skimmer assembly for swimming pools includes an arrangement to facilitate the emptying of debris from the skimmer basket. A handle is pivotally mounted along the skimmer pole near the end opposite the basket and an operating member is pivotally mounted along the pole near the basket. A flexible line interconnects the handle, the operating member and the basket such that when the skimmer assembly is rotated 180.degree. about its axis and the handle pivoted to its emptying position, the operating member is raised to extend the basket to an inverted, open position, thereby allowing collected debris to fall freely from the basket into a receptacle. The skimmer assembly allows the user to empty the basket without having to touch the basket.

Abstract: A clip arrangement for mounting a miniature flashlight on a writing instrument has a pair of spring clips pivotally coupled to the respective ends of an elongated support member and rotatable in a common plane with said member. The clips are shaped and dimensioned to releasably frictionally engage a writing instrument and flashlight, respectively, and are formed to extend from their pivotal couplings in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimensions of the writing instrument and flashlight. The configuration provides improved adjustability of the light relative to the writing instrument and allows ready attachment to and removal from a substantial range of diameters of writing instruments and flashlights.

Abstract: An article holding receptacle, such as an expandable envelope, is releasably secured to the steering column of an automotive vehicle by means of an elasticized band wrapped partly around the steering column hooked at both ends to a clip from which the envelope is releasably attached. The length of the band is such that, when engaged at its ends with the clip, it is under sufficient tension to be retained snugly against the steering column. The envelope is secured to the clip by releasable means such as a paper fastener and includes means to prevent skewing of the envelope about the fastener.