Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation under railway tressels and roadways that includes a vehicle chassis having a turntable body mounted thereon. A primary control station is mounted on the turntable body along with a main boom with a vegetation cutting head attached and a second elevating boom with a secondary control station suspended therefrom. Operators man each of the control stations, and the main boom and elevating boom are hydraulically controlled from either of the control stations as the operators cut vegetation from about railway tressels or roadway overpasses while communicating via a two-way intercom system between the control stations. When cutting below the line of sight of the operator in the primary control station, the cutting head is controlled by the secondary control station operator or is lowered by the elevating boom to a level giving a clear view of the vegetation being cut.

Abstract: An actuating device operated by a hookstick is attached to an existing ring on a manually operated fused cutout switch or oil circuit recloser switch. The device comprises a cantilever and a clamp for attaching the cantilever about the existing ring. The cantilever a pair of lever arms, each having a hook-shaped receptacle for receiving a hookstick that is used to alternatively open or close the switch.

Abstract: A sharps disposal unit for use by paramedics and the like in the field that includes a container made of puncture resistant plastic or cloth and having an accordian like pleated side wall that stacks when compressed giving the container a very low profile before the container is stretched out for use. The container optionally slides into a holder that mounts to the side of a paramedic tool box for convient storage and location.

Abstract: The invention provides a cushion and backpack combination including a back support cushion and seat support cushion that are connected by a pair of shoulder straps. Both the back cushion and seat cushion include additional straps for securing the cushions to an object. The back cushion includes integrated pockets, and the seat cushion has detachably appended packs on each side. The appended packs are folded over onto the seat cushion and then tied onto the seat cushion using the securing straps to form a single backpack unit. By placing the carrying straps over each shoulder, the sportsman may carry both the cushions and the packs.

Abstract: A collapsible boat mounted blind having a front bow and a rear bow pivotally attached to the side rails of a boat for forward and rearward vertical pivoting movement about a horizontal axis between a first blind down position and a second blind opened position. The blind further includes a pair of front and rear posts each pivotally attached to each side rail for forward and rearward vertical pivoting movement. A pair of connecting means attached to the respective front post and the respective rear post connects the posts in an upright position and are capable of being manually connected and disconnected. Cables provide tension between the front bow and front angle posts and the rear bow and rear angle posts when the connecting means are connected to hold the bows and angle posts in relative fixed positions. A blind material attaches to the structure and the boat using nylon tie straps.

Abstract: An embodiment of a new tree marker is disclosed that endures time by providing a flexible band with a sheath about a first end. The band wraps around a tree, and a second end of the band attaches to the sheath. The band slides within the sheath as the tree grows. A duplex nail is driven through the sheath to secure the band to the tree.

Abstract: Embodiments of a new apparatus for leveling solder contacts on printed circuit board panels are disclosed. A fluid is received by a platen and dispersed against a belt that engages the panel. A surface of the platen causes the pressure of the fluid to automatically adjust to the area of the panel by providing a series of parallel channels or holes in the surface.

Abstract: The novel ferrule grinding machine of the present invention has a wire support assembly having a wire that stretches the length of the wire support on which ferrules are strung. The wire rests in a novel guide that aids in producing ferrules within tolerances. The machine also has a grinding wheel and regulating wheel whose speed and composition may be changed to determine the surface finish and concentricity of a ferrule. The regulating wheel infeed assembly controls the size of the ferrules via a computer and a step motor that control the position of the regulating wheel as it tilts on a pivot base to attain the correct size of ferrule. The wire support assembly is placed on a variable speed work traverse that carries the work between the grinding wheel and regulating wheel, while the ferrules are supported on a rest blade such that the ferrules are worked slightly above their center.