Abstract: This invention provides an improved construction for air filters wherein the filter frame is provided with indentations or recesses adjacent to its opposite corners which allow a plurality of filters to nest together in a laterally offset relationship to conserve space. The invention can be employed with an air filter including a filter element of fibrous material and a frame for supporting the filter element at its marginal edges. A set of recesses is formed in the same face of the filter frame and located along adjacent sides of the frame at positions adjacent to its opposite corners. The recesses are spaced from diagonally opposite corners of the filter frame by substantially the same distance to permit a pair of filters to nest together in a laterally offset relationship for shipment or storage.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved construction for air filters wherein the filter frame is provided with indentations or recesses adjacent to its opposite corners which allow a plurality of filters to nest together in a laterally offset relationship to conserve space. The invention can be employed with an air filter including a filter element of fibrous material and a frame for supporting the filter element at its marginal edges. Preferably, a set of recesses is formed in the filter frame at positions adjacent to its diagonally opposite corners. Each recess is adapted to receive the frame of another air filter to permit the filters to nest together in a laterally offset relationship for shipment or storage. The air filters are arranged in a stack with alternate filters in the stack diagonally displaced relative to the remaining air filters. The recesses permit each air filter to be nested with one or both of its neighbors.

Abstract: A self-loading feed mixer and transport wagon is provided which is capable of grinding and loading a stack of livestock feed material into the wagon, thoroughly mixing the feed material together, and transporting the feed material to a desired location where it is dispensed from the wagon. The wagon includes a feed grinding and loading mechanism which is vertically adjustable to engage the stack of feed material at different levels. The feed grinding and loading mechanism comprises an open-faced housing which contains a rotatable shaft provided with a plurality of hammer units and a concave screen spaced from the shaft and cooperable with the hammer units to grind the feed material. The grinding and loading mechanism includes a grapple fork pivotally mounted on the housing and adapted to urge the feed material through the open-faced housing into engagement with the pulverizing hammers. The grapple fork is provided with a shield which serves as a protective cover to close the open-faced housing.

Abstract: A self-loading feed mixer and transport wagon is provided which is capable of grinding and loading a stack of livestock feed material into the wagon, thoroughly mixing the feed material together, and transporting the feed material to a desired location where it is dispensed from the wagon. The wagon includes a feed loading mechanism having a set of pulverizing chains for grinding the feed material and a blower unit for loading the material into a feed compartment. A rotatable conveyor mechanism located in the feed compartment includes a set of feed engaging paddles oriented diagonally and resiliently mounted on the conveyor shaft for advancing the feed material. One or more mixing augers are provided in the feed compartment for agitating and mixing the feed material in its advance toward a discharge area to produce a uniform feed ration. A discharge elevator is provided to dispense the mixed feed material from the wagon.

Abstract: An insulated construction block incorporates improved insulating features which minimize thermal conduction through the block itself and through mortar joints between adjacent blocks in a masonry wall. The block includes a recessed end face designed to receive an insulation insert in a vertical mortar joint between adjacent blocks and to maximize the amount of insulation in the mortar joint. The recess overlaps interior insulating spaces within the construction block to minimize heat loss through the end walls of the block. The insulating inserts received in the mortar joint and interior insulating spaces are greater in height than the block to project into the horizontal mortar joints above or below the block.

Abstract: A cord winder featuring a number of rotating planetary drums which orbit about a fixed sun drum can be used as a collection and pay-out structure for cord, strands, rope and the like. Orbiting of the planetary drums is assured by a crank or spring motor. During this orbiting the planetary drums are imparted to rotate about their respective axis and simultaneously layer the strand on the sun drum.

Abstract: A touch controlled switch system operable by human touch inputs includes an intercommunication feature to enable communication between remote touch controlled switch units over a power line. The system comprises a transmitting unit including a first touch receptor operable by touch inputs for applying coded message signals to the power line and a receiving unit including a second touch receptor operable by touch inputs and a control switch circuit for operating a load coupled to the circuit in response to touch inputs applied to the second touch receptor. The receiving unit also includes a message sensing circuit responsive to the coded message signals on the power line for operating the control switch circuit in response to touch inputs applied to the first touch receptor. The system allows devices at remote locations to be operated either by touch inputs applied at remote receiving units or by touch inputs at one or more master transmitting units to generate coded message signals on the power line.

Abstract: A touch control switch circuit operable by a hum pickup signal induced in a human body by a power supply line incorporates a compensation arrangement to eliminate false operation of the circuit by fluctuations in the power supply signal. The circuit comprises a touch receptor operable by electrical contact with the human body to receive the induced hum pickup signal, a touch detector responsive to the hum pickup signal received by the touch receptor for producing an output signal in response to a change in amplitude of the hum pickup signal, and a compensation circuit responsive to the power supply signal for controlling operation of the touch detector to prevent a false output signal in response to fluctuations in the power supply signal. The compensation arrangement may be embodied as a reference detector which provides a variable reference signal for the touch detector to compensate for power line fluctuations or which disables the touch detector output upon the occurrence of power line fluctuations.

Abstract: The invention permits a conventional rain gutter to be converted into a dumpable rain gutter system which can be easily cleaned. The system comprises a plurality of rain gutter supports, each including a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to the facia or trim board of a building and a gutter bracket adapted to be secured to a conventional rain gutter. A pivot connection is provided between the mounting bracket and the gutter bracket. A recoil spring normally retains the gutter upright, yet allows the gutter to pivot downward to be cleaned. Preferably, the system includes an elongated pivot rod rotatably supported by each mounting bracket and non-rotatably coupled to each gutter bracket to allow all gutter brackets to be operated simultaneously.

Abstract: A roughage feeder unit for cattle or livestock comprises an upright gate assembly mounted on supports at opposite ends of the assembly and provided with ground engaging wheels and skids to support the gate assembly for movement over the ground. The unit includes a device coupled to the gate assembly for anchoring the gate assembly to the ground and adapted to restrict the gate assembly to movement over a predetermined distance relative to the ground. A preferred embodiment of the anchoring device comprises a telescoping brace adapted to be secured to the ground by a stake and provided with a stop to limit the movement of the gate assembly relative to the stake.