Abstract: A self-aligning curb box assembly is provided. The curb box includes a cylindrical conduit extending from the ground surface downwardly and has a detachable cover at its upper, surface end. The conduit has an inverted “U” shaped passageway formed at its lower end through which a generally horizontally oriented supply line, such as for water or gas, passes. The supply line has a valve body and an “open-to-shut” valve cock located in the line positioned within the passageway at the lower end of the curb box, the valve cock extending upwardly. The assembly includes a positioning insert placed within the curb box at its lower end thereof. The insert limits lateral movement of the valve body in any direction throughout 360° in the plane about the valve when the insert is installed.

Abstract: A polymerization process for producing a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and (perfluorobutyl)ethylene, prepared by an aqueous dispersion polymerization technique, and the resin produced thereby, are provided. This copolymer contains a relatively small amount, between about 0.02 weight percent and about 0.6 weight percent, of comonomer polymerization units. The copolymer is believed to be comprised of a core-shell structure wherein the polymerized comonomer units reside primarily within the core. The primary particle size of the copolymer ranges from 0.175 microns to and including 0.203 microns and the standard specific gravity is less than 2.143. This copolymer possesses a unique combination of very small particle size coupled with high molecular weight, a combination not heretofore achieved in tetra-fluoroethylene polymers of the dispersion or fine powder type.

Abstract: Fire escape apparatus for egress from a multi-storied building structure from an upper level thereof is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate mesh tube, the tube being substantially longer than the structure height from which escape is required, and sufficiently long to enable extension of the tube downwardly to the ground. The building structure has permanently attached thereto a guide wire or cable extending at a desired angle from the upper level to the ground. The elongate mesh tube has affixed thereto, at spaced-apart intervals along its length, a plurality of supporting blocks-and-pulleys engaging the guide wire or cable. When escape is required, the mesh tube is deployed from the upper level to the ground, riding upon the pulleys, thereby permitting escape to ground level through the tube by persons entering the tube from the upper level.

Abstract: Apparatus for the electrostatic powder paint spray coating of substrates, such as automotive vehicles, is provided. The apparatus includes modular applicators which are mountable into a programmable, robotically controlled housing. The modular applicators are switchable into and out of an operational mode on command, to facilitate different optimal coating procedures for coating differing surfaces, ranging from large, open surfaces to smaller, highly irregular substrate surfaces. The applicator heads may be spatially switchable on command from, for example, a bell cup spray applicator to a spray gun applicator. Flow control to each applicator is preferably enhanced using selectable pneumatically controlled pinch valves.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic fireworks launch apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a base to which is affixed a male-configured launching cylinder adapted to accept thereover, in combination, an internally cylindrical, female-configured projectile, wherein the projectile has a proximal and a distal end thereof. The projectile houses a fused pyrotechnic display charge proximate its distal end and also houses a fused launching charge encased therein and partitioned from the display charge. On insertion of the launching cylinder into the proximal end of the projectile, thereby mounting the projectile upon the launching cylinder, the encased launching charge and the launching cylinder are in abutting relationship. Upon ignition of the fused launch charge, the projectile is launched vertically from the launching cylinder. The external configuration of the projectile may have any number of shapes. In a preferred configuration, it is shaped as a rocket.

Abstract: A sparkler for use as a fireworks display is provided. The sparkler has an extended spark display time, burning and emitting sparks in one direction initially followed by the spark progression reversing direction and then burning while emitting sparks in the reverse direction. The sparkler construction provides inner and outer sheaths of a flammable spark composition separated by an insulating layer of a fire resistant material. The inner and outer layers are in contact with one another at one end of the sheath, to permit ignition of the inner flammable composition by the progressing spark. Especially preferred is a construction of the aforesaid sparkler which emits sparks of one color upon the initial burn and sparks of a different color upon the reverse burn. Also provided is a process for the manufacture of these novel sparklers.

Abstract: A manifold block for controlling the flow of liquids and useful in the application of paint to automotive vehicles and in other, similar, applications is provided. The manifold block houses at least one liquid inlet supply channel, at least one liquid outlet return channel, and an applicator channel in microvalved connection with the inlet channel and the outlet channel, which channels meet at a common intersection in adjacent proximity to the microvalve. Stagnation in any of the channels in either the “open” or “closed” mode of operation of the microvalve is substantially eliminated. A stacked array of a plurality of these manifold blocks may be interconnected through a common applicator channel.

Abstract: A cutting board and leveraged knife apparatus is provided which facilitates cutting of a variety of objects, from large items such as turnips to the rapid, repetitive chopping of smaller items such as carrots or celery. The apparatus includes a cutting board having a vertically oriented support member extending therefrom, the support member having a plurality of fulcrums positioned at convenient, discrete vertical intervals proceeding upwardly from the cutting board. The apparatus includes a knife, preferably one of the variety known as a “chef's knife”, having in its blade thereof, in the upper edge proximate its tip, means for removably engaging a convenient one of the fulcrums. When an item to be cut is placed on the cutting board adjacent the support member, and the knife engages with a convenient fulcrum, cutting of the item is enhanced and facilitated through the lever action of the knife and fulcrum.

Abstract: A self-connecting, reinforced retaining wall is provided comprised of precast, stacked concrete block masonry units stabilized with reinforcing members which extend from the masonry units at selected intervals into the adjacent reinforced soil to form a mechanically stabilized earthen wall construction. The reinforcement members are generally in the form of horizontally oriented “U”-shaped members which extend from within the adjacent soil bank, to and through voids of the masonry units, thereby providing self-connecting means thereat, and thence returning into the soil bank, forming a stabilized, retained and reinforced soil embankment. Suitable reinforcements may include metallic grids, geotextile and geogrid sheets, and other similar reinforcement means. Concrete masonry units especially adapted for use in the aforesaid self-connecting soil reinforced retaining walls are also provided.

Abstract: A gaming device configured as a slot machine for play of the dice game of craps is provided. The device provides all of the nuances associated with the casino play of the craps game while, simultaneously, eliminating all biases historically associated with the play of this game.

Abstract: A tilt-in-space wheelchair is provided in which all seating angles are preset to a patient's needs and the entire seating system may be tilted backwardly or forwardly as a single unit, as desired, to redistribute the patient's sitting pressures. The apparatus is light in weight and may be installed on conventional, manually propelled folding wheelchairs and, when installed, the chair may still be folded to transport it to a different location. In use, the apparatus allows the sitting patient to be repositioned while maintaining in place all preset relative orientations of the patient's body and limbs.

Abstract: A reinforced retaining wall is provided comprised of precast, concrete block facing elements connected by suitable connectors to reinforcing members which extend from the facing elements into the adjacent reinforced soil to form a mechanically stabilized earthen wall construction. The connectors which affix the reinforcing members at their connecting ends to the facing elements comprise concrete poured into a part or all of certain of the void spaces within selective facing blocks, which concrete may or may not be reinforced and which concrete, when dry and cured, envelops and secures the connecting ends of the reinforcement members to their corresponding blocks and forms anchors thereat.