Abstract: A modular, stackable, interlocking container system including a number of stackable containers having the same diameter. Each container includes a jar and a lid. The jars and lids both have ribs spaced 180 degrees apart on side surfaces to serve as alignment and tightening indicators. The lids and jars also have a detent feature for interlocking containers together with both tactile and feedback to the user. The container system also has a handle that can interlock with a lid of any of the containers in the system.

Abstract: A telescoping eating utensil capable of being stored in a collapsed configuration or extended to be used as an eating utensil. The utensil has a handle that can be extended or collapsed using an interlocking mechanism that can interlock the utensil in either the collapsed mode or in the extended mode. The interlocking system includes a locking button on a utensil tool part that engages with either an opening or a recess in the handle when the utensil tool part and the handle are slidably connected.

Abstract: A telescoping eating utensil capable of being stored in a collapsed configuration or extended to be used as an eating utensil. The utensil has a handle that can be extended or collapsed using an interlocking mechanism that can interlock the utensil in either the collapsed mode or in the extended mode. The interlocking system includes a locking button on a utensil tool part that engages with either an opening or a recess in the handle when the utensil tool part and the handle are slidably connected.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a bin having an open end; a bag mounting ring mounted inside a perimeter of the bin adjacent to the open end and comprising living hinges to flexibly and movably join the bag mounting ring to the inside perimeter of the bin; a handle, having two ends that extend inside and are coupled by pivots to inside walls of the bin, and a top bar that fits inside the bin when the handle is closed; wherein the bag mounting ring comprises offset ring portions that are configured to clear the handle when the handle is closed. In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a bin having a floor, side walls and an open end; a bag mounting ring mounted inside a perimeter of upper wall portions of the bin adjacent to the open end; a lid that is movable on pivots on the upper wall portions, wherein the lid fits over and at least partially covers the bag mounting ring when the lid is closed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a bin having an open end; a bag mounting ring mounted inside a perimeter of the bin adjacent to the open end; a handle, having two ends that extend inside and are coupled by pivots to inside walls of the bin, and a top bar that fits inside the bin when the handle is closed; wherein the bag mounting ring comprises offset ring portions that are configured to clear the handle when the handle is closed. In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a bin having a floor, side walls and an open end; a bag mounting ring mounted inside a perimeter of upper wall portions of the bin adjacent to the open end; a lid that is movable on pivots on the upper wall portions, wherein the lid fits over and at least partially covers the ring when the lid is closed.

Abstract: Larger keys can be arranged on a given QWERTY keyboard area by providing nine keys on each of three rows and positioning a single key, such as the key typically representing the letter “P”, above the top row of keys. This can provide about a ten percent (10%) increase in key size surface area in about the same keyboard surface space or a larger lateral or horizontal spacing between each key for the same size of keys.

Abstract: A hand-held rotary grating device is configured to grate soft cheeses that have traditionally been exceedingly difficult or impossible to grate. A cylindrical grating barrel is rotateably inserted within a grater housing. The barrel has an advantageous barrel aspect ratio—i.e., the ratio of the diameter of the barrel to the hopper width is sufficiently large that the grated food material falls through the opening of the barrel rather than accumulating and retarding the grating motion. The effective aspect ratio of the barrel is greater than approximately 1.5, preferably between approximately 1.5 and 2.5, and most preferably about 2.0. The barrel includes a graspable handle that is collapsible within the body of the barrel, and which includes a bearing surface that prevents axial movement of the barrel within the housing when the handle is extended, but which allows movement (and removal) of the barrel when the handle is collapsed.

Abstract: A telephone indicator system includes a telephone having a base and a handset. The telephone includes a cradle disposed on the base configured to receive the handset. The system also includes an indicator disposed on an least two elevated surfaces of the telephone to notify a user of a telephone message. The indicator may be disposed on at least two elevated surfaces of the handset. The system may also include another indicator disposed in the cradle of the telephone to notify the user of another telephone message while the handset is in use.

Abstract: A car seat for an infant or child including a seat body having a seat back and a seat pan for receiving an occupant thereon and at least one shoulder harness coupled to the seat body and being shaped and located to fit over the occupant and retain the occupant on the seat body. The car seat further includes a bracket coupled to the at least one shoulder harness. The at least one shoulder harness includes a sliding portion extending from a lower portion of the seat body to an upper portion of the seat body and being slidingly received through the bracket, and a bracket portion extending from the upper portion of the seat body to the bracket and being coupled to the bracket.

Abstract: A car seat including a seat body having a seat back and a seat pan for receiving an occupant thereon, and at least one shoulder harness coupled to the seat body and being located to fit over the torso of an occupant to retain the occupant on the seat body. The car seat further includes a buckle for releasably coupling the shoulder harness to the seat body, the buckle including a bracket coupled to the shoulder harness and a base coupled to the seat body. The bracket includes a gripping portion and a tongue and is releasably couplable to the base. The buckle is in a latched condition when the bracket is coupled to the base and is in an unlatched condition when the bracket is not coupled to the base. One of the gripping portion or the base includes a notification portion that has a visual property different from any adjacent areas of the one of the gripping portion or the base.

Abstract: An adjustable telephone system includes a base and a support coupled to the base. The support is operable to dispose the base in a plurality of positions relative to a support surface. The telephone system also includes an actuator coupled to the support to effect movement of the support relative to the base. The telephone system may also include one or more add-on line modules. Each add-on line module may include a support operable to dispose each add-on line module in a plurality of positions relative to the support surface. Each add-on line module may also include an actuator to effect movement of each add-on line module support. The actuator disposed on each add-on line module may also effect movement of other supports.

Abstract: A car seat including a seat body having a seat back and a seat pan for receiving an occupant thereon, and at least one shoulder harness coupled to the seat body and being located to fit over the torso of an occupant to retain the occupant on the seat body. The car seat further includes a buckle for releasably coupling the shoulder harness to the seat body, the buckle including a bracket coupled to the shoulder harness and a base coupled to the seat body. The bracket includes a gripping portion and a tongue and is releasably couplable to the base. The buckle is in a latched condition when the bracket is coupled to the base and is in an unlatched condition when the bracket is not coupled to the base. One of the gripping portion or the base includes a notification portion that has a visual property different from any adjacent areas of the one of the gripping portion or the base.