Abstract: A playground slide for use on an incline, such as a hillside, comprising a plurality of modular bedway sections, each comprising a bedway floor and laterally spaced upstanding sidewalls two or more of which sections have diverse longitudinal curvatures, and universal connections on each section. These universal connections consist of a pair of flanges defined by an integral, longitudinal extension of the sidewalls beyond the terminal ends of the bedway floor for overlapping relation between adjacent sections which are fastened through aligned holes in the overlapping flanges thus permitting interconnection with other sections of similar or dissimilar longitudinal curvature, such that both the length and overall longitudinal curvature of said slide may be adapted to conform closely to the particular characteristics of the incline, based on the quantity, longitudinal curvature, and positional order of bedway sections utilized.

Abstract: A playground slide for use on an incline, such as a hillside, comprising a plurality of modular bedway sections, each comprising a bedway floor and laterally spaced upstanding sidewalls, two or more of which sections have diverse longitudinal curvatures, and universal connections on each section. These universal connections consist of a pair of flanges defined by an integral, longitudinal extension of the sidewalls beyond the terminal ends of the bedway floor for overlapping relation between adjacent sections which are fastened through aligned holes in the overlapping flanges thus permitting interconnection with other sections of similar or dissimilar longitudinal curvature, such that both the length and overall longitudinal curvature of said slide may be adapted to conform closely to the particular characteristics of the incline, based on the quantity, longitudinal curvature, and positional order of bedway sections utilized.

Abstract: A self-extinguishing grill combination comprises an hibachi-type grill and a substantially air-tight pouch dimensioned to receive the grill with its charge of burning solid fuel. The pouch has an opening sized to pass the grill. The opening is provided with a substantially air-tight closure adjustable between open and closed positions. The grill with its charge of burning fuel is inserted into the pouch through the opening after which the opening is sealed with the closure, thereby sealing off the pouch interior and extinguishing the burning fuel.

Abstract: A flat bar of precooked stable hard candy having a low moisture content which is rapidly meltable to form a brittle, non-sticky glaze coating on a confection or food item and having good shelf life and packaging characteristics with the hard candy bar having a generally planar main body secion provided with spaced supporting projections extending downwardly a short distance from the lower surface thereof and a depending skirt section extending downwardly a like distance along the entire periphery of the bar to form an enclosure below the main body section for retaining fluid and melted syrup during heating thereof in a cooking vessel so as to effect more rapid melting of the bar without burning or scorching the hard candy. In some embodiments the hard candy bar is provided with means for introducing water into the enclosure through the upper surface of the main body section.

Abstract: A portable cooking unit of the type having dished fuel trays pivotally joined to a central frame for movement between raised fuel lighting positions and lowered cooking positions, and having removable grills comprises improved support means for supporting the grills releasably.Bails, which are attached to the fuel trays for supporting them in their lowered positions, have indented medial portions allowing a user's hand to be placed under them for moving the fuel trays to their raised positions when they are hot. The bails are movable between carrying positions for carrying the cooking unit and support positions for supporting the fuel trays when cooking, by means of inwardly facing extensions located at their extremities. The extensions fit rotatably in bores located in the fuel trays allowing the bails to be moved over camming surfaces into detents which retain them in their support positions.

Abstract: Playground apparatus including a plurality of conventional playground swings which are supported for oscillatory or reciprocating movement above a ground surface by swing support structure. The apparatus further includes a target object which may be an inflated or air-filled spherical ball pendulously supported above the ground surface. The swings may be disposed so that the normal paths of their travel converge toward the target object so that participants using the swing may attempt to contact the target object as a play activity. Alternative target objects and swing configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic telephone answering device having an announcement tape deck for recording an announcement and for reproducing it in response to an incoming call. Circuitry including a syllabic detector and an announcement timer in the device provides different operating times in the deck's two different operating modes. In an announcement record mode, the deck is electrically deactuated a predetermined time period following the end of the announcement being recorded, i.e., after the absence of speech signals for the predetermined time. However, when operating in an announcement reproduce or playout mode, the deck is deactuated a different, shorter period of time following the end of the announcement on the tape. The longer deactivation period is provided after recording an announcement to insure that a sufficient portion of any previously recorded, longer announcement on the tape will be erased past the point where the deck is deactuated during announcement reproduction.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a swing for providing simultaneous swiveling and pivoting motion in any direction. The ball is preferably molded with an inner core and an outer shell of different colored materials. As material from the outer shell is worn away in normal wear, exposure of the inner core indicates visually the extent of wear which has taken place. A retainer member placed in load bearing relationship between a support bolt for the swing and the ball is intentionally made larger than the opening at the base of the socket to prevent the swing from dropping in case of breakage of the ball.