Abstract: An ice shaving apparatus which causes an ice block to be rotated against a cutting blade, the apparatus having a motor which rotates a shaft joined to a drive plate which retains the ice block, the shaft being joined to a piston head within a cylinder, where an air pump provides pneumatic pressure to move the piston head vertically in the axial direction within the cylinder to move the ice block in the axial direction against the cutting blade as the lower surface of the ice block is removed by rotational movement. The air pump is regulated such that a constant pressure is maintained against the piston head.

Abstract: A wheeled dirt scraper having a pair of stabilizer rails pivotally mounted onto each of the side wings of the box, the rails being provided with damping devices to reduce, absorb and eliminate shock effects. The rails have a relatively large surface contact area and extend substantially the length of the wings. The rails are mounted such that the lower surfaces can pivot below or even with the bottom edges of the wings, so that the rails can remain in contact with the ground even when the wings are suspended above the ground.

Abstract: Artificial icicles, artificial Christmas trees, garlands, ribbons and the like composed of non-flammable polypropylene film.

Abstract: A liquid containment device for capturing and retaining any liquid falling into the device, such as from a leak, spill or run-off of another liquid container, where the device is designed to fit between the parallel rails of a railroad track with a railroad car positioned above, comprising a generally rectilinear pan or tray and gasket members sealing the space between the pan and the rails. Multiple pans may be connected in line through connector fittings in their end walls, or drain conduits may be connected to the fittings for removal of the liquid from the pan. Apertured grating members and absorbent mats may be placed within the pans. The pans may be used in conjunction with lateral pans positioned on the outside of the rails.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for flow injection analysis using a reaction chamber having a continuously variable volume, where the volume of the reaction chamber may be varied before, during or after introduction of an analyte solution and reagent solution into the reaction chamber. A microprocessor may be incorporated to control the volume of the reaction chamber and other components, either in a preprogrammed manner or in response to particular data measured by a detection device.

Abstract: A device for delivering chemical solutions into a liquid flow within a chemical dispensing unit, where said chemical solution is created by dissolving solid chemical contained within a chemical cartridge, the unit having a base member and housing connected into a fluid flow line such that liquid flows into the base member, into the housing and back out through the base member or through the top of the housing, the chemical dispenser device having an upper conduit member, an apertured midsection, a chemical containing lower cartridge and a coaxial tube extending through the cartridge, the cartridge having an intake aperture located on the upper portion of its side wall and a dispensing aperture on its top, such that a saturated chemical solution is formed in said cartridge and passes into the liquid flow through the dispensing aperture due to the pressure differential of the liquid flowing into the apertured midsection and out through either the upper conduit or through the coaxial conduit.

Abstract: A three-axis gravity switch having a curved chamber to retain a gravity responsive member such as a ball of liquid mercury, the chamber having a three-dimensional pathway defined on at least one of its walls, where the gravity responsive member and pathway are conductive, either electrically or optically, such that a circuit is completed when the gravity responsive member contacts the pathway, where the switch can be rotated, inverted and translated in three dimensions such that the pathway defines an acceptable three dimensional course of rotation for the switch.

Abstract: A vision occluding eye shield which completely blocks the peripheral vision of the wearer to the discernment of motion and which blocks most or all of the superior field of vision of the wearer, and preferably also blocks an upper portion of the inferior field of vision of the wearer, to the discernment of motion. When worn by a vehicle passenger the device prevents car sickness by blocking perception of objects passing through the peripheral field of vision in the side windows and through the front window, while allowing the wearer to focus on tasks or objects within the vehicle by looking through the unoccluded portion, or to look out the vehicle windows by slightly tilting the head back.

Abstract: A protective pad device mounted onto the regulator valve assembly of a scuba tank to protect the diver's head from injury or annoyance from contacting the valve assembly with the back of the diver's head, the pad having a flexible, compressible main body with shock absorbing properties.

Abstract: A device for delivering chemical solutions into a liquid flow, where said chemical solution is created by dissolving solid chemical contained within a chemical cartridge, the device having a uni-directional flow housing connected into a fluid flow line, and further having a chemical dispenser having an upper conduit member, an apertured midsection and a chemical containing lower cartridge, the cartridge having an intake aperture located on the upper portion of its side wall and a dispensing aperture on its top, such that a saturated chemical solution is formed in said cartridge and passes into the liquid flow through the dispensing aperture due to the pressure differential of the liquid flowing into the apertured midsection and through the upper conduit out of the device.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a manufactured home and a method of anchoring a manufactured home utilizing longitudinal central and exterior slabs, strap anchors embedded in the slabs, and straps connecting the home to the slabs, where the straps extend from the central slab to an exterior I-beam underneath the home and from the exterior slab to an interior I-beam on each end of home, and where frame straps extend from the home to anchors in the exterior slabs and longitudinally spaced interior straps extend from the exterior slabs to the interior I-beams.

Abstract: A support pad or pillow for supporting the head in a face down, prone position, the pad having a face recess providing a breathing void and at least one air flow conduit extending from the face recess through the body of the support pad to the exterior to provide fresh ambient air to the face recess area, where the air flow conduit contains rigid support means to prevent the conduit from being compressed, restricted or closed by the weight of the user's head, and a filter to block particulate matter from entering the air flow conduit.

Abstract: A novel roofing material simulating natural thatch and methods of applying the roofing material comprises the provision of simulated thatch shingles or rolls of such material. The shingles or rolls are formed of elongate reeds or thatch elements formed of a polymer material and arranged in laterally extending bundles. The thatch elements are folded and secured to a binder and are secured to an appropriate substrate which is secured to the roof. Each shingle or roll extends in overlying relation to produce a shingled arrangement which simulates a natural thatched roof.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper having guides for tangentially mounted helical springs which extend into the springs far enough to prevent the spring from bending excessively in the radial direction when the device is exposed to centrifugal forces. The guides allow the springs to be mounted in recesses which are open in the outer radial direction.

Abstract: The invention is a self-aligning cementitious block and a wall system of such blocks stacked and joined by mortar to form a vertically oriented wall structure, where the block comprises alignment features which correctly align the block relative to the blocks upon which it is stacked such that the side walls are parallel to the side walls of the lower blocks. The alignment features comprise projection members and recess members of corresponding configuration, where the projection members preferably extend downward from the two end walls and the middle wall a distance below the lower longitudinal edges of the side walls, and where the recess members are positioned on the tops of the end walls and middle wall, the recess members of inferior or lower blocks receiving the projection members of a superior or upper block stacked thereupon. Starter blocks with a flat underside and corner blocks are also provided.

Abstract: A composition and method for the treatment of the conditions vulvar vestibulitis, interstitial cystitis, vulvar vaginitis or vaginitis dynea wherein a composition containing cromolyn sodium in effective amount is applied to the vaginal vestibule area, with the application repeated as necessary to effectively address the symptoms and conditions. Preferably, the cromolyn sodium is present in an amount of about 2 to 10 percent in a carrier ointment or cream, with the carrier composition preferably comprising a mixture of pluronic gel and lecithin organogel.

Abstract: A buoyant water massage device for use in a swimming pool, the device having a body support structure capable of supporting a person's body at the surface of the water, where the body support structure has an opening through which pressurized fluid streams are directed against the back of the user reclining on the device by a fluid dispersal structure. The fluid dispersal structure is connected to a pressurized water source and an air entrainment apparatus and the fluid dispersal structure is disposed a distance below the body support structure such that the fluid dispersal structure does not contact the user's body. Preferably the fluid dispersal structure is adjustable longitudinally relative to the body support structure.

Abstract: A fuel line pressure testing access device having a main body adapted for connection to an outflow fuel line, interchangeable adaptor caps adapted for connection to an inflow fuel line, and a fuel filter, where the main body is provided with a valve port and test valve for connection to a pressure testing apparatus or other testing or servicing equipment.