Abstract: A method for creating an ice-skating rink comprising an excavation in the ground lined with polyethylene and filled with salt water; a pump and sprayer used in the winter to build up a layer of salt ice on top of the salt water and to eventually fill the excavation with frozen salt water in this manner, with the pump drawing salt water from beneath the salt ice as the freezing process progresses; covering the salt ice with a layer of straw or layers of air supported reinforced plastic during the warm weather months; circulating air or water over the salt ice and then through channels cut into the ice of the ice rink; laying aluminum foil on the skating surface and freezing more ice over it; and providing an enclosed air supported bubble over the ice with a secondary air supported inner ceiling having an upper facing aluminum surface thereon to reflect infrared radiation coming from the main outer bubble.

Abstract: A method for creating an ice-skating rink comprising an excavation in the ground lined with polyethylene and filled with salt water; a pump and sprayer used in the winter to build up a layer of salt ice on top of the salt water and to eventually fill the excavation with frozen salt water in this manner, with the pump drawing salt water from beneath the salt ice as the freezing process progresses; covering the salt ice with a layer of straw or layers of air supported reinforced plastic during the warm weather months; circulating air or water over the salt ice and then through channels cut into the ice of the ice rink; laying aluminum foil on the skating surface and freezing more ice over it; and providing an enclosed air supported bubble over the ice with a secondary air supported inner ceiling having an upper facing aluminum surface thereon to reflect infrared radiation coming from the main outer bubble.

Abstract: A muting strip for use in tuning the un-wound three string unisons of the treble section in pianos consisting of a strip of muting material having on it a series of wedges spaced at a distance from each other so that they will fit into every other space between the unisons. In tuning, two mutes are used with one above the other and offset one unison so that all spaces between the unisons are muted as is normal. After the center string of each unison is tuned one of the mutes is removed and one outer string of each unison is tuned. Then the remaining mute is shifted over one space and the remaining strings are tuned.

Abstract: A tool for removing corn kernels from ears of corn comprising a single annular cutting element which forms an arc substantially less than a full circle, however also having an angular opening which causes the annular cutting element to overlap itself longitudinally relative to its axis thus allowing the annular cutting element to cut all of the kernels of an ear of corn in one stroke even though it doesn't form a complete circle. The annular cutting element further has two handles which are secured to the annular cutting element opposite each other and on either side of the angular opening in such a way that they can be manipulated in order to increase or decrease the diameter of the annular cutting element in order to accommodate different ear sizes.

Abstract: A tuning pin for pianos and like instruments being of the usual configuration except for the neck portion on which the string is wound which is reduced in diameter only on the side which the string leaves the pin thus forming a pin neck which is more elliptical than circular in shape, the reduced side of which has a less acute curve for the string to bend around and is closer to the center of axes of the pin which reduces the torsional effect of the string on the pin and subsequent slippage of the pin in the block.