Abstract: A method for controlling the drag area growth of a parachute canopy during airborne descent with sensors attached to the payload for facilitating modification of the schedule of release of a parachute canopy reefing mechanism. A control processor is included that can receive and/or calculate a schedule for disengaging the reefing on the parachute. One or more wireless transmitters at the payload transmit the releasing signal from the payload to the reefing mechanism normally located adjacent the parachute canopy. The control processor can also be configured to receive input information from multiple sensors attached to the payload that monitor parameters such as altitude, position, load force, dynamic pressure, time and others to facilitate instantaneous recalculation of the disreefing schedule responsive to such conditions.

Abstract: A construction for effectively fireproof sealing of the gap between the floor of a building and an exterior wall construction wherein the exterior wall construction comprises a curtain wall configuration utilizing an interior panel module design. The insulating system includes a supplemental insulation belt positioned beneath the safing insulation and attached to the interior panel of a curtain wall construction to maintain sealing of the safing slot during exposure to fire and heat which can cause the interior panel to deform from heat warping to an extent beyond the capability of standard safing insulation for expanding in order to maintain a proper seal extending across the safing slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for hardening the hitting head area of a wooden baseball bat by compressing of the wooden fibers on the surface thereof which includes a base housing assembly with a track and a carriage assembly with a rail member. The rail member and the track are engageable together to facilitate movement of the carriage assembly with respect to the base housing assembly. A compression roller is mounted to the housing and a bat is retained to the carriage adjacent the roller. The roller is biased into abutment with the bat for compressing the wooden fibers of hitting surface to increase the hitting power thereof as the carriage with the bat mounted thereof is manually powered for abutting movement along the adjacent compressing roller. The bat can be selectively mounted in a bat receiving zone defined by a plurality of U-shaped retaining brackets mounted to the carriage assembly.

Abstract: An angular flange for reinforcing and firestopping in the annulus between a structural panel such as a wall, ceiling or floor and a duct extending therethrough. The prefabricated angular flange includes a first flange leg to be secured to the duct and a second flange leg with a sealing member preferably of flexibly resilient foam which could be intumescent attached to a surface of the second leg such that when the first flange leg is secured to the duct the second flange leg can be urged against the structural panel extending therearound with the sealing member positioned between the structural panel and the second flange leg and sealing the annulus.

Abstract: A device for restricting flow through a curb inlet opening defined in a street storm drain by secure positioning a face plate extending thereover. Multiple flow slots are defined extending through the face plate to allow limited flow therethrough. The face plate is securable to the drain by mounting apparatus which includes one or more mounting brackets along with an engagement device attachable to the flow limiting slots and the brackets to hold the face plate in position extending over the curb inlet opening. Mounting brackets can have teeth for engaging storm drain for enhanced securement therewith. The flow restricting slots are preferably radially arranged with respect to one another and can include lateral slots further engageable with the mounting bracket to prevent rotation thereof during tightening thereof. Conical washers can extend over the head of mounting bolts for protection thereof.

Abstract: An insulated enclosure apparatus for use with an exhaust fan such as an attic fan which includes an upper frame through which air can exhaust and a lower frame for receiving air passing thereinto. The outer portion of the frame includes an upper frame and the lower frame that are each formed as two-piece units. Vertically extending panels extending therebetween to house the fan. A pivot axle is attached to the undersurface of each of the two doors for facilitating automatic opening and closing responsive to whether the fan is operating. Limit pins are included to restricted the distance of movement of the doors when opened. Gaskets can be attached along the door edges for sealing thereof to the upper frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the drag area growth of a parachute canopy during airborne descent with sensors attached to the payload for facilitating modification of the schedule of release of a parachute canopy reefing mechanism. A control processor is included that can receive and/or calculate a schedule for disengaging the reefing on the parachute. One or more wireless transmitters at the payload transmit the releasing signal from the payload to the reefing mechanism normally located adjacent the parachute canopy. The control processor can also be configured to receive input information from multiple sensors attached to the payload that monitor parameters such as altitude, position, load force, dynamic pressure, time and others to facilitate instantaneous recalculation of the disreefing schedule responsive to such conditions.

Abstract: A firestopping device which is held between the flange of water closet flange assembly and the floor surrounding the opening containing the drain pipe which includes a securement section positioned therebetween for being held in place and an intumescent section extending radially inwardly therefrom to a position above the vertical drain pipe opening to facilitate intumescent expansion thereinto responsive to the exposure of heat.

Abstract: An angular flange for reinforcing and firestopping in the annulus between a structural panel such as a wall, ceiling or floor and a duct extending therethrough. The prefabricated angular flange includes a primary angular flange leg to be secured to the duct and a secondary angular flange leg approximately perpendicularly oriented relative thereto. Each flange includes a sealing member of flexible intumescent paper positionable therealong to facilitate firestopping therebetween. The sealing member preferably including two panels at an obtuse angle with respect to one another and being flexible to become approximately perpendicular with respect to one another responsive to securement of the angular flange to the duct and the surrounding structural panel. One or more uniquely designed corner brackets can be included for mounting the adjacently positioned angular flanges with respect to one another selectively.

Abstract: A mouthpiece assembly for a woodwind musical instrument that holds an associated reed includes (1) an elongated mouthpiece body defining an air conduit means extending therethrough for providing a supply of air to facilitate playing of a woodwind musical instrument; (2) a reed placement surface defined on the mouthpiece body adjacent the air conduit dimensioned and configured to receive a reed detachably secured thereagainst; (3) a ligature including a ligature body dimensioned and configured to encircle the mouthpiece body and selectively retain the associated reed in position upon the reed placement surface and (4) a locating body engaging the ligature body and the mouthpiece body to locate the ligature body axially and radially with respect the mouthpiece body.

Abstract: A collar positionable about a panel penetrating member for sealing therearound and particularly for firestopping therearound which prevents the flow of smoke and may include an intumescent component for expansion during exposure to heat. A collar assembly is usable with members penetrating various types of panels including walls, ceilings and floors. The sealing member of the assembly includes frangible zones with removable sections which are mated to the construction of the mounting strap. The mounting strap includes engagement prongs and multiple engagement apertures securable with respect to one another in various relative positions for use with respect to panel penetrating members of various standardized sizes. The engagement of the prongs in various apertures is mated with the frangible zones on the sealing member for effective sealing around panel penetrating members of standardized sizes such as 3 inch, 3½ inch, 4 inch and 4½ inch and others.

Abstract: A protective enclosure apparatus detachably securable with respect to a utility pole base having utility apparatus such as wires, cables and support structure extending therefrom. The enclosure includes a base with an access opening attachable directly to the utility pole base with a support frame securable thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. A housing is secured to the support frame to define a containment chamber therewithin for preventing access to the utility apparatus therein. The base member defines a plurality of mounting slots normally oriented extending radially and in communication with the access opening to facilitate mounting of the base with respect to various configurations of utility pole bases having four post mounting systems.

Abstract: A reefing apparatus for controlling inflation of a gliding wing parachute which has a generally rectangular or trapezoidal canopy with four outer corners. The reefing mechanism includes a primary reefing loop with four supplemental reefing loops movably secured thereto by loops and connected through mounting rings to the four corners of the canopy to retain it in a general cloverleaf shape during initial stages of deployment and responsive to cutting of the primary reefing loop for release thereof for allowing full deployment or deployment into another reefed stage of the gliding wing canopy. The suspension lines are divided into four groups primarily defined by the corner closest to the point of attachment between the suspension line and the canopy.