Abstract: A space combat game is disclosed herein which includes a game board having playing spaces and a plurality of groups of planetary, directional, internment, battle, safety and control spaces each having specific rules of play. Die is provided to determine the number of spaces a player must travel in a turn. An attack success indicator is provided to determine the outcome of an attack of one player on another. A player score sheet is also included to accurately record the total number of points received by a player during the game.

Abstract: An electrically illuminated artificial tree is disclosed herein having a trunk body member and a plurality of branch receiving receptacles disposed thereon. A plurality of branches, having a male plug disposed on one end, are inserted into the receptacles and are held therein. A support member is provided and is attached to an end of the trunk body member and provides a supply of electrical current thereto. A plurality of electrically connected illuminating members and leaf members are provided on the branches to provide the simulated appearance of an illuminated natural tree.

Abstract: Apparatus for etching a metal surface utilizes a specially shrouded centrifugal throwing wheel to effect a uniform, non-pulsating application of very fine, lightweight, impact blasting media. The resulting etched finish is of a fine-grained quality suitable for use in lithography. A replaceable, wear-resistant liner is provided within the shroud.

Abstract: A throwing wheel assembly for providing an even discharge of impact blast material along the face of a vane is disclosed herein. An impeller positioned in a non-parallel relationship to the outer impeller casing is also provided in a spatial relationship which aids in providing an even flow of impact blast material to the vanes. A deflector plate is provided for directing stray blast material onto the vanes.

Abstract: A closure-assisted valve includes a cartridge insertable into, and removable from, the remainder of the valve structure. The cartridge includes a displaceable piston having an elastomeric sealing member at one end engageable with a flat-surfaced valve seat. At the other end, the piston includes a drive surface against which a rotatable drive member is engaged. In a preferred embodiment, certain relatively movable portions of the cartridge include a cam surface and a cam follower. The cam surface is contoured such that the piston is advanced toward a valve closed position upon rotation of the drive member, but the last portion of piston travel prior to valve closure is only under the influence of gravity and fluid forces. In order to bias the piston toward a valve closed piston, entering fluid is directed around the piston so as to aspirate the piston toward a closed position.

Abstract: Jackstraws bearing various geographic and sports indicia thereon are employed in conjunction with a game board having a map illustrated on a playing surface. Jackstraw receptacles in the playing surface are positioned about the map in the vicinity of cities having major sports teams. The game board itself is comprised of a hinged box; the top and bottom of the box form the playing surface when the box is open and the box halves laid flat. A chamber is formed between the box top and bottom when the box is closed. The jackstraws can be stored in the chamber when not in use.

Abstract: An ablution faucet includes a wall-mounted control valve and a flexible conduit having a hand-held control unit at the end thereof. The hand-held control unit includes a body portion from which a nozzle projects, and a lever for controlling the flow of water through the nozzle. The body portion includes a piston which is always urged into engagement with a valve seat by water pressure and a piston-actuating member engageable by the lever. Various alternative embodiments of the piston and piston-actuating member are disclosed. The wall-mounted control valve also includes a piston which is biased to a valve-closed position by water pressure, as well as a vacuum breaker. An alternative embodiment of the invention employs a cable disposed within the hose and connected in valve-actuating relationship between the lever and the wall-mounted control valve.

Abstract: A load-absorbing mount for electromagnets includes a connecting member to which a plurality of chains are connected at one end, the chains being connected at the other end to the electromagnet. A lifting device such as a crane is connected to a load-carrying member, and a spring is disposed intermediate the connecting member and the load-carrying member. In a preferred embodiment, the spring is arranged relative to the connecting member and the load-carrying member such that the spring is always under compression. Due to the flexible nature of the spring, loads imparted to the crane by the electromagnet are cushioned under all operating conditions.

Abstract: A truss rod apparatus, for use within the neck of a stringed musical instrument, to correct both concave and convex warping of the instrument's neck. The apparatus includes a first and second rod, the rods lying parallel to each other in a groove within the instrument's neck. The groove and truss rod apparatus are overlaid by a fingerboard. The rods are fastened together at one pair of their ends. The opposite end of the first rod is fastened to an anchor block, holding the rod axially and radially immobile. The opposite end of the second rod is threaded, engaging with internal threads of a hollow bolt. The hollow bolt itself threads with a passageway through the anchor block. Upon rotation of the bolt, the effective length of the second rod may be increased or decreased without rotating the rod, causing either a concave or convex bow in the rod pair. Where the first and second rod lengths are equal, the rods lay straight, imparting no forces on the instrument neck.

Abstract: Articles such as balloons, beach balls, and other inflatable items are manufactured by dipping a number of suitably configured forms into a bath of molten latex, leaving the forms in the bath until a desired thickness of latex has been deposited on the forms, withdrawing the forms from the latex and permitting the latex to at least partially dry, and thereafter stripping the latex from the forms. In order to produce globular inflated articles, forms of a generally globular configuration have been used. Certain forms have utilized flutes or other deviations from an entirely globular configuration, but the outermost portions of prior forms used for the manufacture of globular articles are generally spherical. The greatest diametric dimension of the forms has limited the permissible form-to-form spacing. The invention employs a number of spoon-shaped forms each having a convex surface and a concave surface.