Abstract: A penetration unit (10) for a concrete slab including a hollow housing (28) open at one end for receiving a service line or pipe (27), and provided at its other end with an enlarged opening surrounded by an annular flange (36) which enables connection of the housing (28) to formwork (37) defining the boundary the concrete slab. The housing (28) defines a hollow space (29) in which the service line or pipe terminates and may be connected to a further line or pipe such as an elbow (31). A puddle flange (32) may be located about the service line or pipe (27) and engage the housing (28). Intumescent material may be located in the hollow space surrounding the pipe or line (27).

Abstract: An improved safety utility knife has a hollow handle and a blade which is normally retracted within the handle, but can be extended by squeezing an operating lever. The lever is connected to the blade holder by a toggle linkage having a rearmost pin secured in a discrete support whose position is adjustable. A thumbscrew threaded into the support enables one to adjust the position of the support from outside the handle, and thus change how far the blade protrudes from the handle when the operating lever is fully depressed.

Abstract: An oral appliance for repositioning the temporomandibular joint includes a base portion having a generally U-shaped form to follow the jaw and teeth of a user and front and rear flanges which define with the base portion upper and lower channels for receiving the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. The base portion is of asymmetrical form on either side of the appliance from the leading to the trailing end thereof so as to substantially occupy uneven spacing between the upper and lower jaws of the user and cause the lower jaw to move into substantial alignment with the upper jaw.

Abstract: An adjustable space frame has upper and lower grids formed of longitudinal and lateral chords connected to vertical posts at nodal connection points.Tension braces interconnect the chords in the respective grids. By selective adjustment of the tension in the tension braces, the degree of rigidity in the space frame can be varied and the space frame may be selectively curved or cambered in either the longitudinal and/or lateral directions. When rigid braces are used in the lateral direction, the curvature will be in the longitudinal direction.The posts may be inclined to provide lateral restrain for the space frame and the grids may be relatively offset.

Abstract: A manual lifting aid having an elongated member provided with a hook at one end for engaging the load, and a handle assembly slidable along the elongated member. The handle assembly includes a handle and a locking member which is moved into engagement with the elongated member to lock the handle assembly to the elongated member so that a lifting force can be applied by the aid.

Abstract: The alkylangelicins according to the invention are obtained starting from an umbelliferone, in which the 6-position is already substituted by an alkyl group; in such a way the 7-allyloxy or 7-acyloxy umbelliferone intermediates can form by transposition of the allyl or acyl group only the 8-allyl and 8-acyl derivatives, and therefore the presence, even in traces, of psoralens is absolutely excluded in the subsequent synthetic steps.The 6-alkylangelicins thus obtained are particularly usable for the photochemotherapy of psoriasys and of other skin diseases characterized by cellular hyperproliferation, as well as for the photochemotherapy of vitiligo and of alopecia aerata.

Abstract: The cross-arms (10) for electricity or telephone lines (13) are mounted on poles (11) by mounting brackets (12) so that the upper faces (17, 18) of the cross-arms (10) are inclined downwardly at approximately 45.degree. to the horizontal. The lines (13) are carried by insulators (14) whose bases (15) are bolted, screwed or clamped to the cross-arm (10). The cross-arms (10) are supported in substantially V-shaped cradles mounted on, or formed integrally with base plates fixed to the poles (11).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing fish baits by subjecting raw fish or other marine or aquatic product to low temperature and low humidity for an extended period of time so that the body fluids pass out of the fish or marine product to leave a bait which has high longevity and which is resistant to detachment from a hook.

Abstract: The present invention and its related methods of operation provide a wide range dimmable high frequency lamp ballast system having a resonant circuit associated with each lamp or lamp set for providing a resonant frequency which is substantially higher than the drive frequency at which the lamp or lamp set is driven, and means for automatically selecting a drive frequency to be a submultiple of the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, the selection of a submultiple being dependent on lamp operating conditions.

Abstract: A system for providing filtered well water to a building includes a filter, an accumulator downstream of the filter, and an automatic backwash valve between the filter and the well. When the well pump is deactivated, the accumulator discharges its contents back through the filter, towards the valve, which contains a shuttle that automatically diverts the backwash water to a drain line. The valve also prevents contaminants from being siphoned into the system through the drain line.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for business cards or the like articles including a plurality of dispensing units which are in the form of hollow housings for receiving a stack of cards, each housing having a slot through which the cards are dispensed. The housings are supported on a grid-like support which is hingedly mounted to a backing board so that in one position access to the rear of the housings is prevented while in a second position access is allowed to permit refilling of the housings.