Abstract: A cord wrap with integrally molded light holders and mold and method of making same is disclosed. The light holders are molded in cavities connected by runners. The runners are shaped and positioned to form a cord wrap. After the light holders are broken away from the runners, the runner can be used as a cord wrap to store strings of decorative lights such as those which were held by the light holders.

Abstract: A Christmas tree outdoor ornament has an elongated hook member with one end having a spiral hook and the other end having a hook sized to receive at least one string of decorative lights. A star fits over the body of the hook member. The spiral hook attached to a gutter or a suction cup and decorative light strings are routed from the hook member to anchors creating a triangular tree shape. The anchors may be stakes in the ground or suction cups attached to any flat surface such as a window or window sill.

Abstract: A spring clip has a base member attached by a flexible connector to a clip member which has a body portion and a flexible tail portion. The base member preferably includes magnets for holding the spring clip against a metal surface. The flexible tail portion has a distal end which is normally biased toward the base member for holding an object therebetween. A gap can be created between the distal end and the base member by pushing on the body portion to cause the clip member to pivot about the flexible connector such that the flexible tail portion moves away from the base member. The gap can also be created by pulling on the distal end which causes the flexible tail to flex away from the base member. Further, the body portion can be pushed to create the gap and the flexible tail portion also flexed to make the gap wider such that thicker objects can be held in the gap. The distal end can be hook shaped to hold a writing instrument or other object.

Abstract: A ground stake is disclosed having a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a longitudinal axis. The blades are connected along the length of the axis by at least one conical rib to promote retention of the stake within the ground.

Abstract: A holder for holding decorative lights and other objects having a generally cylindrical portion has a holding segment containing two curvilinear arms and a mounting segment to attach the holder to a mounting surface. The holding segment has a first curvilinear portion and a second curvilinear portion extending from the mounting. The first curvilinear portion is sized and shaped to define a generally cylindrical opening having a first selected diameter. The second curvilinear portion is sized and shaped to define a second generally cylindrical opening having a second selected diameter that is larger than the first selected diameter. Additionally, the end of the second curvilinear portion is adjacent the end of the first curvilinear portion.

Abstract: A holder for a razor or similarly shaped article has a suction cup and a split ring or a stem held within at least one bore through the neck of the suction cup. The bore and the ends of the split ring or stem have a multi-sided, preferable a square, cross section. Each side aligns with and is opposite a side of the bore keeping the split ring or stem in a selected position relative to the suction cup. When a square bore is used, the ring can be rotated 90 degrees within the bore from a plane parallel to a wall on which the suction cup could be mounted to a plane perpendicular to that wall. When a razor is placed within the ring when the ring is perpendicular to the wall, the ring will not be deflected downward.

Abstract: A suction cup for holding signs has a cup portion and a neck portion to which a clamp member is connected. The clamp member has a first leg attached to the neck portion and a second leg adjacent a top surface of the neck portion. The second leg of the clamp member is movable away from the top surface of the neck portion to allow an object, such as a sign, to be inserted and held between the top surface of the neck portion and the clamp member. The second leg is biased against the neck portion such that the top of the relatively soft neck portion is used as a gripping surface to hold the sign. The top surface of the neck portion and the second leg of the clamp may have various surface configurations such as notches or grooves to enhance the gripping force therebetween.

Abstract: A stake system has a set of couplings and fiberglass rods and can be expanded to include bendable wire and light holders which fit onto the rods. The connector has a tubular body open at opposite ends and a transverse inner wall or collar between the opposite ends which with the inner wall of the body defines an open upper cavity and an open lower cavity. Each cavity is sized to receive one end of a rod. A pair of arms extend outwardly from opposite edges of one end of the tubular housing. Each arm has a slotted opening of sufficient diameter to permit a cord of a decorative light string to be inserted into and pass through the opening. Elbows and rod holders are provided to have one end which fits into the coupling upper cavity and an opposite end that has a cavity or mouth sized to receive of a rod. This stake system allows a person of average mechanical ability to create lighted lawn ornaments in an almost infinite variety of shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A Christmas tree lawn ornament has a pole with one end attached to a base which is anchored to the ground and a connector at the top. The pole is preferably assembled from several segments. Multiple guide wires are provided with one end attached to the connector and the other end anchored to the ground in a generally circular pattern at some distance from the base of the pole. Alternatively, a single stand of guide wire can be looped from headpiece, to stake, to headpiece, and so forth in a sinusoidal pattern. Multiple light holders are attached along the guide wires to which strings of decorative lights can be attached. A decorative star or other ornament is attached atop the connector.

Abstract: A suction sign holder is provided having a suction cup and a tack. The suction cup and tack having mating surfaces between which a sign is held. The mating surfaces can be provided with a plurality of concentric grooves and ridges or other projections which mate together and frictionally hold a sign therebetween. The shaft of the tack can be provided with a raised rib or a groove disposed on the shaft of the tack at an angle. The rib may additionally have a sloping leading edge and a perpendicular trailing edge such that the shaft is easily inserted yet resists backing out of the bore.

Abstract: A compact tree stand has a generally cylindrical container having an open top, closed bottom and a wall extending therebetween which together define a central cavity. A plurality of legs are releasably attached to the exterior of the container and may be interconnected by braces. The cavity and the legs are sized so that the diameter of the cavity is greater than the height of the legs half the length of each leg is less than the depth of the cavity. This enables the legs to be nested within the cavity so that the tree stand can be placed in a relatively small box for shipment and sale. An inner cup can be placed within the cavity and may rotate relative to the container. Stepped ribs or an insert having a conical cavity may be placed within the inner cup or the container to enable the tree stand to hold artificial trees having different trunk diameters. A water reservoir is preferably attached to the container and legs. A wick and water retaining pad may also be provided.