Abstract: A self-regulated heated hose member, an assembly of self-regulated heated hose members, and methods of making the same are disclosed herein, including an inner core tube, a self-regulating heating element disposed along the outer surface of the inner core tube along its axial length, and an outer sheath layer disposed over the inner core tube and the self-regulating heating element.

Abstract: A jewelry assembly includes an elongated support and a plurality of charms. Each charm is removably attachable to the support by a snap-fit connection comprising attachment and clip parts, with one of the parts being associated with the support and the other of the parts being associated with the charm. The clip part includes a pair of opposed clip arms that present an open slot and a neck with a gap having a narrower cross-sectional dimension than the slot. The attachment part is received in the slot and has a cross-sectional dimension greater than the gap of the neck. At least one of the attachment and clip parts is flexible so as to flex as the attachment part passes through the neck into the slot.

Abstract: A jewelry assembly includes an elongated support and a plurality of charms. Each charm is removably attachable to the support by a snap-fit connection comprising attachment and clip parts, with one of the parts being associated with the support and the other of the parts being associated with the charm. The clip part includes a pair of opposed clip arms that present an open slot and a neck with a gap having a narrower cross-sectional dimension than the slot. The attachment part is received in the slot and has a cross-sectional dimension greater than the gap of the neck. At least one of the attachment and clip parts is flexible so as to flex as the attachment part passes through the neck into the slot.

Abstract: A method of forming a grounded electrical circuit in a heated hose is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: positioning a ground wire, a first heating wire, and a second heating wire axially within an inner wall of the hose; removing the end portions of the heated hose, such that end portions of the first heating wire, the second heating wire, and the ground wire are exposed; and positioning a ring around the first end portion of the hose. Exposed end portions of the first and second heating wires are folded to be positioned axially along an outer surface of the hose body. The exposed end portion of the grounding wire is folded radially inward, such that the grounding wire is positioned axially along an inner surface of the inner wall and against the ring. A stem of a first fluid coupling is inserted into the first end portion of the heated hose, such that the stem contacts the exposed end portion of the grounding wire.

Abstract: A grounded electrical circuit in a heated hose is provided. In one embodiment, the heated hose assembly includes: a flexible hose body; a first and a second heating wires and a hose ground wire each extending longitudinally and parallel to an axis of the hose body and within an inner wall; a first fluid coupling provided on the first end portion of the flexible hose body, the first fluid coupling comprising a stem inserted into the flexible hose body and radially clamping an end of the hose ground wire against an inner surface of the inner wall, such that a contact between the first fluid coupling and the end of the hose ground wire grounds the hose ground wire; a power cord electrically connected to the first and second heating wires and to the hose ground wire; and a thermostat electrically connected to the first and second heating wires.

Abstract: A modular construction toy kit includes components to construct a modular construction toy. The toy kit includes at least three contoured body sections operable to be interconnected in series with one another to cooperatively form a continuous toy body. The body sections include at least one transition body section and a pair of end body sections. Each end body section is truncated to present a contoured outer end surface that is intersected by an end joining face. The end joining faces have different marginal shapes and/or sizes. The at least one transition section presents a contoured outer transition surface and opposite, endmost transition joining faces that intersect the outer transition surface. Each endmost transition joining face marginally matches a respective one of the end joining faces to define a connection interface.

Abstract: A game includes an adversarial figure with at least two portions that cooperatively present a figure-holding chamber. A captured figure is removably positioned in the chamber and operable to enter and exit the chamber. The holding figure also has a latch assembly that holds the portions in a closed condition where figure ingress and egress is restricted. The latch assembly can be shifted to open the portions and permit figure ingress and egress to and from the chamber. The game has an objective of freeing the captured figure from within the chamber by having a player position a rescuing figure in a game area, and releasing the captured figure from control of the holding figure as a result of a releasing act of the rescuing figure.

Abstract: A modular construction toy kit includes components to construct a modular construction toy. The toy kit includes at least three contoured body sections operable to be interconnected in series with one another to cooperatively form a continuous toy body. The body sections include at least one transition body section and a pair of end body sections. Each end body section is truncated to present a contoured outer end surface that is intersected by an end joining face. The end joining faces have different marginal shapes and/or sizes. The at least one transition section presents a contoured outer transition surface and opposite, endmost transition joining faces that intersect the outer transition surface. Each endmost transition joining face marginally matches a respective one of the end joining faces to define a connection interface.

Abstract: A sturdy electrical power circuit and grounding circuit for an electrically-heated hose is formed by electrically connecting a grounding wire extending along the length of the hose to a pair of fluid couplings fitted on opposite ends of the hose. The grounding wire is mechanically clamped against the inner wall of the hose by radially-outwardly expanding a tube on each coupling against the grounding wire to secure the grounding wire in place while simultaneously forming an electrical connection between the grounding wire and the fluid couplings.

Abstract: A game includes an adversarial figure with at least two portions that cooperatively present a figure-holding chamber. A captured figure is removably positioned in the chamber and operable to enter and exit the chamber. The holding figure also has a latch assembly that holds the portions in a closed condition where figure ingress and egress is restricted. The latch assembly can be shifted to open the portions and permit figure ingress and egress to and from the chamber. The game has an objective of freeing the captured figure from within the chamber by having a player position a rescuing figure in a game area, and releasing the captured figure from control of the holding figure as a result of a releasing act of the rescuing figure.

Abstract: A sturdy electrical power circuit and grounding circuit for an electrically-heated hose is formed by electrically connecting a grounding wire extending along the length of the hose to a pair of fluid couplings fitted on opposite ends of the hose. The grounding wire is mechanically clamped against the inner wall of the hose by radially-outwardly expanding a tube on each coupling against the grounding wire to secure the grounding wire in place while simultaneously forming an electrical connection between the grounding wire and the fluid couplings.

Abstract: A household garden hose is provided with an integral electric power cord adapted to be plugged into a standard electrical wall outlet. The power cord extends along the full length of the hose and is adapted to provide electrical power to a power tool or other electrical appliance remote from the wall outlet. An electric resistance heating element is provided to heat fluid flowing through the hose and prevent freezing in cold weather. An outer jacket of insulation is provided over the hose to further resist freezing of liquid flowing through the hose.