Abstract: An apparatus collects liquid in a vacuum bag for vacuum packaging a product, such as a food product, wherein a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum bag by a vacuum sealer, which also seals the vacuum bag after the vacuum is formed. The liquid collecting apparatus includes a housing configured to be placed in the vacuum bag between the product and an open end of the bag that is configured to be received in the vacuum sealer. The housing includes a side wall defining an interior space and at least one opening that extends through the side wall. The at least one opening is configured so that air drawn out of the vacuum bag can pass through the housing via the at least one opening and exit the vacuum bag through the open end, and liquid can enter the interior of the housing, but is prevented from escaping and thereby captured.

Abstract: An apparatus collects liquid in a vacuum bag for vacuum packaging a product, such as a food product, wherein a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum bag by a vacuum sealer, which also seals the vacuum bag after the vacuum is formed. The liquid collecting apparatus includes a housing configured to be placed in the vacuum bag between the product and an open end of the bag that is configured to be received in the vacuum sealer. The housing includes a side wall defining an interior space and at least one opening that extends through the side wall. The at least one opening is configured so that air drawn out of the vacuum bag can pass through the housing via the at least one opening and exit the vacuum bag through the open end, and liquid can enter the interior of the housing, but is prevented from escaping and thereby captured.

Abstract: An apparatus collects liquid in a vacuum bag for vacuum packaging a product, such as a food product, wherein a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum bag by a vacuum sealer, which also seals the vacuum bag after the vacuum is formed. The liquid collecting apparatus includes a housing configured to be placed in the vacuum bag between the product and an open end of the bag that is configured to be received in the vacuum sealer. The housing includes a side wall defining an interior space and at least one opening that extends through the side wall. The at least one opening is configured so that air drawn out of the vacuum bag can pass through the housing via the at least one opening and exit the vacuum bag through the open end, and liquid can enter the interior of the housing, but is prevented from escaping and thereby captured.

Abstract: A hitch device for a trailer mount is provided. The hitch device includes a mounting portion, a receiver sleeve receiving the mounting portion, wherein the receiver sleeve includes a cross-section having a quadrilateral shape. In one aspect, the mounting portion includes a plurality of walls, wherein each of the walls projects towards internal corners of the receiver sleeve. In another aspect, the walls includes a concave portion and a convex portion. In yet another aspect, a center distance between each of first center portions of a first pair of opposing walls is less than an edge distance between each of two first edge portions, and a second center distance between each of second center portions of a second pair of opposing walls is less than a second edge distance between each of two second edge portions.

Abstract: A coupler lock for attaching to a trailer hitch coupler. The hitch coupler has a socket. The coupler lock includes a locking bar and a plug member for receipt within the socket of the hitch coupler and supported by the locking bar. The coupler lock includes a base structure removably attached to the locking bar. The base structure includes a locking structure actuatable to lockingly retain the base structure attached to the locking bar so as to retain the plug member within the socket of the hitch coupler. The locking structure is positioned above the plug member with the base structure attached to the locking bar and the plug member retained within the socket of the hitch coupler.

Abstract: A loading ramp is supported between a first surface and a second surface. The loading ramp includes a first ramp portion. The first ramp portion includes a first rail portion extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The first ramp portion includes at least one first tread portion removably attached to the first rail portion. The at least one first tread portion supports a weight. The loading ramp includes a second ramp portion attached to the first ramp portion. The second ramp portion includes a second rail portion extending between a third end, which is attached to the second end of the first rail portion, and an opposing fourth end. The second ramp portion includes at least one second tread portion removably attached to the second rail portion. The at least one second tread portion supports the weight.

Abstract: A hook assembly includes at least one attachment structure having a hook portion extending from a body portion. The body portion includes a connection feature having at least one protrusion positioned adjacent at least one recess. The connection feature interlocks with a corresponding identical connection feature of a second attachment structure such that the attachment structure and second attachment structure are attached.

Abstract: A coupler lock for attaching to a trailer hitch coupler. The hitch coupler has a socket. The coupler lock includes a locking bar and a plug member for receipt within the socket of the hitch coupler and supported by the locking bar. The coupler lock includes a base structure removably attached to the locking bar. The base structure includes a locking structure actuatable to lockingly retain the base structure attached to the locking bar so as to retain the plug member within the socket of the hitch coupler. The locking structure is positioned above the plug member with the base structure attached to the locking bar and the plug member retained within the socket of the hitch coupler.

Abstract: A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus is provided, including a frame and a hub rotatably mounted within the frame. A ratchet wheel is mounted to the hub and interfaces with a pawl to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame. A single tie down strap extends between two attachment members and winds around the hub. An operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is included to wind the single tie down strap around the hub. Tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub. In further examples, the operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is removable. The tie down apparatus can also move freely along the single tie down strap.

Abstract: A towing ball mount merchandising and displaying arrangement. The arrangement includes a ball mount that includes a tongue portion having an aperture for receiving a securing portion of a hitch ball and that includes a mounting portion for insertion into a receiver located upon a vehicle. The mounting portion has an aperture there through for receiving a securing member to retain the mounting portion within the receiver located upon the vehicle. The arrangement includes a removable support member extending through the aperture of the mounting portion of the ball mount. The support member has portions that extend to protrude from each of two sides of the mounting portion. The portions of the support member that protrude provide contact areas for engagement with members of a merchandising display such that the ball mount is suspendable relative to the merchandising display upon the support member.

Abstract: A loading ramp is supported between a first surface and a second surface. The loading ramp includes a first ramp portion. The first ramp portion includes a first rail portion extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The first ramp portion includes at least one first tread portion removably attached to the first rail portion. The at least one first tread portion supports a weight. The loading ramp includes a second ramp portion attached to the first ramp portion. The second ramp portion includes a second rail portion extending between a third end, which is attached to the second end of the first rail portion, and an opposing fourth end. The second ramp portion includes at least one second tread portion removably attached to the second rail portion. The at least one second tread portion supports the weight.

Abstract: A hook assembly includes at least one attachment structure having a hook portion extending from a body portion. The body portion includes a connection feature having at least one protrusion positioned adjacent at least one recess. The connection feature interlocks with a corresponding identical connection feature of a second attachment structure such that the attachment structure and second attachment structure are attached.

Abstract: A cargo carrier adapted to be removably mounted to a roof of a vehicle includes a body portion and an interior space defined by the body portion. The cargo carrier further includes a lid portion that provides access to the interior space. The lid portion is releasably attachable to the body portion by relative linear motion between the lid portion and the body portion. The cargo carrier further includes at least one mechanical fastening assembly slidingly engageable with a complementary fastening assembly, wherein the mechanical fastening assembly prevents relative motion between the lid portion and the body portion. Another embodiment of the cargo carrier includes a lid cover constructed to coact with a space defined by the lid portion and the body portion. The lid cover creates mechanical interference to prevent relative linear motion between the lid portion and the body portion.

Abstract: A hitch device for a trailer mount. The hitch device includes a mounting portion for being received within a receiver portion attached to a vehicle. The hitch device includes a tongue portion secured to the mounting portion. The tongue portion includes an upper face, a lower face and a through-hole for receiving a lower portion of a hitch ball. At least one of the upper and lower faces includes a pair of raised rails.

Abstract: A merchandising display for heavy and cumbersome products includes a rail that is supported by a display wall and arms attached to the rail. The arms are spaced from other arms to create columns and rows of retail product stock. The merchandising display further includes structure for providing indicia that assists a viewer to quickly and easily locate desired retail products and other complementary products. Customer accessible back-up inventory is provided behind the first retail product.

Abstract: A cargo carrier adapted to be removably mounted to a roof of a vehicle includes a body portion and an interior space defined by the body portion. The cargo carrier further includes a lid portion that provides access to the interior space. The lid portion is releasably attachable to the body portion by relative linear motion between the lid portion and the body portion. The cargo carrier further includes at least one mechanical fastening assembly slidingly engageable with a complementary fastening assembly, wherein the mechanical fastening assembly prevents relative motion between the lid portion and the body portion. Another embodiment of the cargo carrier includes a lid cover constructed to coact with a space defined by the lid portion and the body portion. The lid cover creates mechanical interference to prevent relative linear motion between the lid portion and the body portion.

Abstract: A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus is provided, including a frame and a hub rotatably mounted within the frame. A ratchet wheel is mounted to the hub and interfaces with a pawl to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame. A single tie down strap extends between two attachment members and winds around the hub. An operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is included to wind the single tie down strap around the hub. Tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub. In further examples, the operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is removable. The tie down apparatus can also move freely along the single tie down strap.

Abstract: A hitch device for a trailer mount. The hitch device includes a mounting portion for being received within a receiver portion attached to a vehicle. The hitch device includes a tongue portion secured to the mounting portion. The tongue portion includes an upper face, a lower face and a through-hole for receiving a lower portion of a hitch ball. At least one of the upper and lower faces includes a pair of raised rails.