A weight system for supporting a free-standing object comprising a weight material assembly and a container assembly. The container assembly comprises a panel assembly defining an interior chamber, an access opening, and an access flap and a closure system operable in an open configuration in which the access flap may be displaced between closed and open positions and a closed configuration in which the access flap is secured in the closed position. The interior chamber is sized and dimensioned to accommodate predetermined dimensions of the weight material assembly. The access opening is sized and dimensioned to allow the weight material assembly to be displaced through the access opening and into the interior chamber. The weight material assembly is arranged within the interior chamber with the panel assembly configured in the closed position and the closure system operated in the closed configuration.

The present invention provides methods and systems for a retainer apparatus that includes a scoop having an exterior surface and an interior surface with a central opening and a predetermined length. A retention device has a base with a length greater than the length of the central opening of the scoop and a flange portion extends upwardly from the base portion and contains at least one opening.

A beverage holding support structure, for use in a pool, includes a base configured to be disposed at a non-equilibrium sloped position within a pool relative to a horizontal plane and parallel to a sloped bottom surface of the pool, a base connector connected to the base, an articulating mechanism adjustably coupled to the base connector and extended upwardly therefrom, at least one extension pole aligned with a centrally registered longitudinal axis and statically affixed to an upper portion of the articulating mechanism, and a cup holder tray attached to the at least one extension pole. The beverage holding support structure has a center of gravity configured to prohibit the base from being tipped over from the non-equilibrium sloped position while the cup holder tray is maintained at a horizontal position parallel to the horizontal plane above a top water level surface of the pool.

The present invention provides methods and systems for a retainer apparatus that includes a scoop having an exterior surface and an interior surface with a central opening and a predetermined length. A retention device has a base with a length greater than the length of the central opening of the scoop and a flange portion extends upwardly from the base portion and contains at least one opening.

A sleeve apparatus for weighting a structure, such as a canopy structure, that can also be used to display items on the structure via the items' attachment to the sleeve apparatus. The sleeve apparatus includes at least an elongated body having first and second ends, a first connector element connected to the first end of the elongated body that is capable of encircling and attaching to a rod member and/or a bar member and a second connector element connected to and extending from the second end of the elongated body that is capable of encircling and attaching to the same or a different rod member and/or bar member.

Disclosed are embodiments of a fence securing device for fixing two fence elements onto one another. The device includes a body with a bottom side for placing the body on a ground, with a top side facing away from the bottom side and with four lateral surfaces. The body includes a mounting with a mounting opening on the top side for receiving complementary mounting elements of the two fence elements. The mounting opening penetrates the body from the top side to the bottom side. At least one supporting section formed on the body as a single piece with at least one supporting surface is arranged on the top side of the body for supporting the fence elements. The supporting surface of the supporting section faces the at least one mounting opening is arranged in parallel and at a distance to a centre axis of the mounting opening.

A support structure including an umbrella having an extension pole, and a base capable of being positioned on a bottom surface of a pool wherein the base has a through-hole. An umbrella base connector is seated within the through-hole. An articulating mechanism is adjustably coupled to the at least one extension pole of the umbrella and to the umbrella base connector, a first connector has a top end attached to the extension pole of the umbrella, and further has a first adjustable portion opposed from the top end. A second connector has a bottom end attached to the umbrella base connector, and further has a second adjustable portion opposed from the bottom end. The first adjustable portion is rotatably affixed to the second adjustable portion such that the umbrella and the extension pole of the umbrella are articulated relative to a stationary position of the base.

There is provided a structure support arrangement for supporting a structure, the structure support arrangement comprising: a body member; a nesting formation defined on the body member and configured to prevent lateral movement of the structure support arrangement in at least one transverse direction when the structure support arrangement is nested with a further structure support arrangement; and a post receiving formation defined on the body member and configured for receiving a support post to support the structure.

Embodiments include apparatuses for providing a portable upright stand. A portable upright stand can include a pole for suspending objects such as string lighting, protective coverings, etc. The pole can be coupled to a base such that electrical wiring may extend through the pole and the base. The portable upright stand can also include a reservoir that can enclose at least a portion of the pole such that the pole can be stabilized by the reservoir. The reservoir can have a first opening for filling the reservoir with water and a second opening for draining water. The portable upright stand can also have a shell that can be configured to surround the reservoir as decor or as a protective covering.

A portable holder for securing a shaft of an item to a ground surface. The holder has a flexible base and a sleeve. The base has a center, a perimeter, a center hole disposed through the center and an upwardly projecting lip coupled to the perimeter. The base has a plurality of openings spaced around the perimeter for use with one or more stakes. The sleeve is coupled to the base and configured to receive a portion of the shaft. The sleeve has an internal bore aligned with the center hole in the base. When the shaft is received by the sleeve, the shaft passes through the bore, through the center hole, and into the ground surface. The sleeve has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a plurality of gripping protrusions, and a plurality of securing straps coupled to the outer surface of the sleeve.