And the winners are…

Renowned Cataloger Hammacher Schlemmer conducted its annual Search For Invention contest last week. Best Stuff's own Corey Greenberg helped select this year's winners. Here are the results:

Grand Prize : The Pigtail Fastener
Invented by Stephan Kuslich MD and Francis Peterson, the Pigtail Fastener has been chosen the grand prize winner in its annual National Search for Invention 2002 competition. According to its inventors, the Pigtail Fastener could change forever the way ropes and lines are connected and used. It "overcomes all the well known shortcomings of traditional knots," including the challenge of learning to tie them, the stress created when a line crosses over itself, and the difficulty of untying knots. The Pigtail Fastener consists of a simple metal shaft tipped by a rounded eye at its other end-the line is passed through the eye, wrapped around the shaft and threaded through an opening in the spiral loop. The operation takes only four seconds and can be executed with a single hand.

The four additional category winners include:

Battery-Powered Remotely Controlled Floating Pool Fountain and Light Device
Noorolah Nader Beidokhti of Fountain Valley, CA was chosen the winner in the Personal Electronics category. The invention is a remote-controlled portable battery-operated fountain with multiple spray and light patterns.

Method for Preparing Infant Formula with Dispensing and Filtering Means
Danny J Roberson of Euless, TX was named winner in the Personal Care category. It is an appliance that dispenses filtered water for preparing baby formula without boiling.

Multipurpose Adjustable Single Sheet Container
Richard, Bobby, Susie and Debra Kim of Aurora, CO. Taking the honors in the Utilitarian Home and Garden category, this is a single box that lets users change its size and shape for a custom-sized fit for the contents.

Portable Athletic Field Boundaries (Port-A-Field)
John Fredrick of Nacogdoches, TX took the prize in the Recreation category. It is a portable and retractable boundary line for field sports that quickly and clearly marks pre-measured dimensions without the mess of chalk.

The five winning inventions will be displayed at the Hammacher Schlemmer Chicago store at 445 N. Michigan Ave.

This year's winners were chosen by a panel of seven respected invention & consumer products experts. This year's panel included:

• Ed Curran, NBC 5 Chicago & creator of Technogadgets
• Carol Rehtmeyer, Creator of the Toy & Game Inventor's Forum
• Corey Greenberg, Tech Editor for The NBC Today Show/BestStuff
• Danielle Serino, Consumer Reporter for Fox News Chicago
• John Picone, Inventor & Engineer
• Sara Fiedelholtz, Assistant Editor/ Features Chicago Sun-Times & Trendscout for WGN Morning News
• Carolyn Murray, Consumer Reporter for CBS 2 Chicago

www.hammacher.com.

Search for Invention 2002 Semifinalists

PERSONAL ELECTRONICS

• Door Answering Machine
  Inventor: Donald A. Merte, Poughkeepsie, NY
  A door mounted recording device that lets you leave personal outgoing messages as well as receive private incoming messages from visitors when you are not home.
• Pet Locator
  Inventors: Jennifer Durst, Eugene Fowler, Joseph McAlexander, Dallas, TX
  A device that allows an owner to locate a lost pet using a Global Positioning System (GPS) that notifies the owner directly of their pet's whereabouts without a third party service.
• Sports Binocular Assembly
  Inventor: Tristam W. Himmele, Lake Worth, FL
  A hands-free combination binocular and radio that is worn around the head.
• Stroller Including a Motorized Wheel ("My P.A.L" Power Assisted Laborer)
  Inventor: Wayne Davidson, Valhalla, NY
  A stroller that can be pushed in a normal way or, by pressing a foot control can be motorized for help with hills and long distances.

PERSONAL CARE

• Knee Protector
  Inventor: Patrick J. Ferriter, New York, NY
  A knee protector that has the ability to reduce knee discomfort by cradling the knee cap in a soft, resilient "cup" as well as permit the user mobility when moving about while kneeling.
• Seat Suspended Between Crutches (J-Sling)
  Inventor: John E. Smith, Frederick, MD
  The J-Sling is a seat that is attached between 2 crutches that allows and injured user a place to rest.
• Multi-Purpose Cosmetic Applicator "Glamourstick"
  Inventor: Glenn E Hunsberger, New Hyde Park, NY
  An all-in-one compact cosmetic applicator of lipstick, eyeliner, and brushes.
• Cat Restrainer
  Inventor: Ruby Y Young, Kerrville, TX
  An apparatus designed to restrain a cat during bathing and transport.

UTILITARIAN HOME AND GARDEN

• EZ Pour Bucket
  Inventor: David Babcock, Blue Springs, MO
  A bucket with a unique handle mechanism that allows the user to automatically pour the contents of the bucket with an easy squeeze of the handle.
• Angle Adjustable Retaining Wall and Fencing System
  Inventor: Larry R Fendler, St. Louis, MO
  A system that allows that gardening enthusiast to build an adjustable fence that can also be transformed into a box or planter.
• Combination Air Conditioning System & Water Heater (Volcano Pool Heating System)
  Inventors: Mary Ellen Schad, Jay & Abe Schwartz, West Palm Beach, FL
  A system that transfers the heat removed from a home's central air conditioning to warm the water in a swimming pool.

RECREATION

• Suspended Christmas Tree
  Inventor: Richard D. Babcock, Sioux Falls, SD
  A collapsible wooden Christmas tree designed to be suspended in mid-air from overhead.
• Modified Wheels for Ice "Ice Wheels"
  Inventor: Richard L Alderman, Sun Prairie, WI
  In-line skate wheels specifically designed for skating on ice.
• Cooler Device w/Integrated Solar Power and Stereo System ("Solar Polar Rock-N-Roller")
  Inventor: Dwight J Sloan, Riverside, CA
  A portable cooler with wheels that also has a built-in audio system powered by a solar panel.
• Electrical Switch for a Wagon ("Power Wagon")
  Inventor: Michael Garrett, Orland Park, IL
  A battery motor-powered children's wagon that can be steered and driven using the handle, or used by adults to pull heavy loads.