Abstract: A retaining wall comprising a series of differently sized, pre-formed horizontal and vertical blocks. Each block includes a projection and a recess, with the projection and recess arranged and configured so that each projection effectively engages a recess in an adjacent course to operatively connect adjacent courses together. The horizontal, blocks are formed in incremental thicknesses and may be stacked in various combinations equivalent to the height of the vertical, blocks. The location of the abutment member relative to the block may be varied to enable adjacent courses to be coplanar or tiered in a variety of predetermined offset distances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cap having a plurality of readily assembled parts that provide a passage for a beverage or liquid through the cap from the pitcher to the exterior thereof. The cap has a cap body made up of top and bottom portions that are formed so as to snap fit together. The cap body defines an interior cavity or passage from an entry defined by the bottom portion to an exit cooperatively defined by the top and bottom portions. The entry is selectively opened and closed to allow fluid or liquid passage through the cap by a valve that is biased into a closed position. In a preferred embodiment the valve is attached to a plunger having a cylindrical configuration and including a plurality of upwardly and outwardly extending shape memory retentive legs that are confined within a receiving collar attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: An oven door hinge having an arm and a hinge assembly pivotally attached thereto. The hinge assembly has an elongated, channel-shaped housing that is configured to be removably and constrainingly received within a pocket of an oven door. The housing has two ends, with one end having a slotted, transverse end wall and the other end pivotally attached to the arm of the hinge at a first location. The hinge assembly also includes an elongated, channel-shaped link having two ends, with one end pivotally attached to the arm of the hinge at a second location, and the second end extending towards the transverse end wall of the housing. The link is configured to be retained within the channel of the housing so that it is able to shift positions with respect thereto as the hinge assembly is rotated.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a sieve bed for a sifting machine, consisting of rectangular sieve elements (10), which are attached to a support frame (1) with their edges abutting each other, the support frame being provided with mushroom-shaped mounting pins (3), each of which is provided with a head which engages in an interlocking manner in corresponding recesses (11a and 11b) of the sieve elements (10). To facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the sieve elements in a sieve bed of this type and to protect the connection from premature wear the invention proposes that the receptacle (11) for the head (4) of the mounting pin (3) be closed off at the top; that the receptacle (11) for the head (4) of the mounting pin (3) be provided at the bottom with an entrance opening for the head (4) of the mounting pin (3); and that the wall of the receptacle (11) be provided with an inward-projecting bed (12), which can be snapped under the head (4) of the mounting pin (3).

Abstract: The torch jet spark plug comprises a shell with an insulator body concentrically disposed within at least a portion of the shell. A pre-chamber is concentrically disposed within at least a portion of the shell and at least a portion of the insulator body, the pre-chamber having an orifice disposed at a first end of the pre-chamber and at an insulator body first end. On at least a portion of a pre-chamber internal surface is an inner electrode comprising up to about 75 vol. % of a bonding agent, about 20 vol. % or greater of a catalytically active material, and about 5 vol. % or greater of a transition metal material. At least partially disposed within a second end of the insulator body, opposite the insulator body first end is an upper terminal. Finally, an upper electrode is disposed within the insulator body, between the inner electrode and the upper terminal, and in a spaced relation to the inner electrode.

Abstract: A Tonneau Cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are provided with complimentarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed, stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed. The end plate may be retained in the fixed, stretching position by a latching member that operatively connects the end plate to the support frame or a locking member that operatively connects the support frame to the end plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cutting guide that permits the use of a power saw in trimming roofing materials in the installation of those roofing materials. The cutting guide may be constructed as an accessory or as a contiguous roofing material cutting apparatus and generally comprises a mounting plate for coupling a power saw to the cutting guide, a post extending downwardly from the mounting plate in general alignment with a blade of the power saw, and a base that supports the power saw and cutting guide and which has at least one lateral edge that is arranged substantially parallel with the blade of the power saw at a predetermined offset distance therefrom. The cutting guide of the present invention may be readily configured to trim roofing materials such as shingles, membranes, shakes, or tiles in roof valleys, at ridges, and at the gable end of a roof.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for cutting fibers entrained within a viscous flow is herein disclosed. The present invention is typically part of a system for preparing fiber reinforced molding materials that comprises a viscous entrainment compounding device for compounding a continuous strand of reinforcing fiber with a molding material in a predetermined ratio. The entrained fibers are conveyed to the cutting mechanism which cuts the continuous strand of reinforcing fibers into predetermined lengths and conveys the fiber reinforced molding material to an output device. The cutting mechanism itself comprises a housing having a bore with an inlet and an outlet and a bed knife disposed therein. The bed knife has an inlet channel formed therethrough that is aligned with the gullets of a rotating cutter such that the gullets of the rotating cutter are rotated past the inlet channel of the bed knife in substantial alignment therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing snow and other accretions from difficult to reach areas of motor vehicles. The apparatus comprises an elongated body having opposing first and second ends. The first end comprises an extension that is angled and laterally flared with respect to the elongated body, and which terminates in a substantially transverse edge. The extension is provided with a pair of sidewalls and a rib that provide rigidity and strength thereto, and whose edges may be used for scraping and chipping. The second end of the apparatus comprises a scoop-shaped body that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and which terminates in a curved edge. The different configurations and orientations of the first and second ends enable the apparatus to easily remove snow and other accretions from such hard to reach areas as fender wells and mud flaps.

Abstract: A golf training device for use with a swinging driver golf club on a golf ball simulating target having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a real golf ball and a durable turf simulation apparatus. The target unit comprises a golf ball simulating target disposed on a curved tee attached to a pivotal base. The turf simulation apparatus includes a foundation layer, stiffening layer and upper layer. The foundation layer defines an aperture which surrounds the area around the target unit. The turf simulation apparatus dampens the force of a striking golf club head for reducing damage to the club head and rebounding forces to the golfer's wrists and arms.

Abstract: A composition for forming an electrode for use in a torch jet spark plug is provided. The composition comprises a ceramic material, ceramic particles, and an electrically conductive material. The ceramic particles are dispersed within the ceramic material. At least some of the ceramic particles have a predetermined size. This predetermined size is at least as large as the thickness of the finally formed electrode. The electrically conductive material is capable of being manipulated to form ribbons around the ceramic particles and of being sintered to form the electrode. The resultant electrode has good resistance to explosive erosion mechanisms, which consequently increases the life of the torch jet spark plug.