Abstract: A log splitter is securely attached to one bumper of an automotive vehicle and utilizes the power steering pump of the vehicle to operate a hydraulic cylinder of the log splitter which advances and retracts a log-engaging ram head in relation to a stationary log splitting wedge near the far end of the device. The splitting wedge has a protective swinging guard biased to the active safety guarding position by retraction of the cylinder operated ram head and biased to an inactive or open position by a spring device.

Abstract: A disc body portion is grooved diametrically in one end face to receive differently profiled spindle turning bits and the body portion has a central axial threaded bore to accept a bolt serving as a temporary handle to hold the cutting bits in contact with a grinding wheel to sharpen them. The unitized disc body portion and bits are held clampingly during use between two body members of a bar-like rockable wood lathe cutting tool with the threaded securing rod of such tool passing through the threaded bore of the disc body portion.

Abstract: A vehicle, its frame, with a driver's seat, mounted on two rear wheels and a single steerable front wheel, is made to enable a wheel-mounted motor-driven rotary mower to be removably installed with its rear wheels between those of the vehicle, its front wheels behind the vehicle's front wheel. A drive to the vehicle's front wheel is releasably connectible to the drive shaft of the mower's motor, and means are provided for automatically lifting the mower's front wheels above the ground when the vehicle's front wheel is turned to steer to one side or the other, so as to prevent the mower wheels from being dragged sideways across the ground.

Abstract: A press for applying nailing plates across joints of wooden trusses and for other like usage is disclosed. A suspension harness for the press is adapted to be carried by an overhead universally movable support. The lower jaw member of the press is rockably mounted on the suspension harness with adjustment means provided to level the work-engaging jaw plates. An operator-controllable power cylinder is connected between rear arm extensions of the press jaws. The work-engaging jaw plate of the upper jaw is rockable on a transverse axis relative to adjustable plate stops. The lower jaw work-engaging plate is finely adjustable to enable the press to apply nailing plates with even pressure and with the proper degree of penetration into the work pieces and to accommodate variations in thickness of work pieces. Spring loaded guards on the lower jaw working-engaging plate prevent accidental displacement of nailing plates prior to application.

Abstract: To prevent the cracking of plastic laminates used to make kitchen counter tops and the like, necessitating the formation of interior corners in the laminates, a clip-like interior corner guard having a corner filler element is slipped over the laminate at the interior corner to strengthen such corner against bending likely to cause cracking during necessary handling of the laminate prior to final fitting and installation. The corner guard can be molded from a tough plastic.

Abstract: A particle spacing and metering device having a supply hopper above a pair of contra-rotating rollers. An aperture in the floor of the hopper is provided with a regulator which controls the flow of particles to the rollers. The regulator has a body fixed to a shaft rotatably mounted in the aperture. A cam-type metering face has a groove of increasing depth and width to enable selected variation of a throat through which the particles flow.

Abstract: Ambient water and steam in a predetermined ratio are delivered into the entrance of a venturi chamber in a fluid accelerator. The steam condenses and in so doing elevates the water temperature significantly. The heated water passes through a venturi throat and then has its pressure elevated considerably above the pressure of the incoming steam prior to discharging from the accelerator into valved piping leading to cleaning spray headers on opposite sides of the moving metal strip. High pressure, high temperature water cleaning sprays are directed through header nozzles onto the strip to thoroughly clean its entire surfaces. Venturi vacuum is utilized whenever desired to draw a cleaning additive into the system where such additive is entrained in the water stream. Simplicity and economy are achieved in a highly efficient cleaning system.

Abstract: A lightweight simplified economical and efficient sail or rotor blade for a vertical axis wind machine and simplified self-acting restraining means for the blade during rotor operation are disclosed. The rotor structure is characterized by ease of assembly and the absence of need for adjustment and frequent maintenance. Individual rotor blades are attached to vertical axis whips extending above and below horizontal rotor arms. The rotor is self-starting and turns in one direction only in response to wind coming from any direction on the compass.

Abstract: Metal strip reducing rolls are precisely cooled in multiple zones across the width of the strip by the selective activity of modular valve assemblies on coolant headers mounted near the reducing rolls. Each valve module may possess one or more remotely controllable coolant control valves within the header and associated coolant nozzles whose aperture sizes may vary in a fixed ratio within each zone to achieve a variable coolant flow rate in each zone while maintaining a constant unchanging coolant spray configuration and impingement force. Individual coolant valves and nozzles in a digital control system are fully on or fully off in contrast to gradient control of coolant in an analog system. An observer of the moving metal strip activates and deactivates selected nozzles in selected zones across the strip through a push button digital control console. Electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic valve control may be utilized. Back-up rolls in the mill may also be cooled.

Abstract: A side opening rope swivel socket assembly for connecting various tools to a drilling cable in wells allows an operator to quickly and conveniently change from one tool to another, for example, from a swabbing tool for tubing to a swabbing tool for casing, without the necessity for cutting and resetting the sand line or cable for each such operation. To avoid interfering with fishing tool operations and to avoid damaging the locking nut of the socket assembly at these times, the locking nut is placed well below the wickers of the swivel or mandrel and is enlarged in diameter sufficiently to pass over the swivel when it is desired to use the swivel alone. A great savings of time is effected in change-over operations in comparison to the prior art.

Abstract: An extrusion device for forming and shaping food product to a chosen cross section area and shape such as the filling for Chinese egg rolls, the product requiring mild compressive action for proper binding, and wherein mild shear forces acting on the product are effective to cause separation, breakup and damage. The apparatus comprises a housing with means for forcing the food product through the housing and in which the housing contains means defining a first section receiving a flow of the food product which initially shapes the flow into a predetermined shape and cross section, followed by a stabilizing section smoothly continuously transitioning from the first section and which has an outlet whose dimensions transverse to the longitudinal direction of movement of the product do not increase. By combining the first section with the stabilizing section food product is first shaped and then gently handled so that it binds together properly.

Abstract: A conveyor control apparatus is presented wherein a plurality of discs containing light beam coding apertures are driven in synchronism with a conveyor assembly and provide optical control means for electronic circuitry which activates a plurality of on-loading stations and off-loading stations as a function of conveyor travel.

Abstract: A clothes hanger particularly for skirts or trousers embodies a cross member provided near its center with a suspension hook. Near opposite ends, the cross member carries two articulated clamps for gripping suspended clothes. The gripping action of each clamp, on the clothes, is developed in a gradual way by rotating a cam-shaped spreading element lodged within the upper extensions of the clamps. Simplicity and economy of manufacturing are featured.

Abstract: Sporting footwear, such as a mountain boot or hockey boot or training boot, formed of injected plastics, has integral lacing projections formed on overlapping front closure flaps forming parts of the boot upper. The integral projections provide for easy zigzag lacing of the boot with security and economy of manufacturing. Protrusions integrally formed on the boot upper between adjacent pairs of lacing projections and spaced from the projections bear frictionally on the lace engaged with the integral projections. Tightening of the lace is enhanced while the lace is under tension and loosening of the lace is hindered when the lace is slackened and has its cross section increased.

Abstract: An optical thin film processor for the elaboration of unidimensional signals embodies a dielectric thin film transparent to laser radiation, shaped as a spherical lune having an angle of 270.degree., supported by a spherical substrate, formed of material having a refractive index lower than that of the thin film, a point source located on either meridian delimiting the thin film, detecting means on the other meridian, a modulator located on a meridian at 90.degree. relative to the input meridian, and a device lying on the meridian at 180.degree. from the input meridian for the space-filtering of a signal coming from the modulator on the 90.degree. meridian.

Abstract: Mill roller controlling apparatus including a mill roller, a pair of support hydraulic ram assemblies supporting each end of the mill roller and an auxiliary hydraulic ram assembly to which each of the support ram assemblies are connected in closed hydraulic circuit. The apparatus is characterized by the provision of control means such as a gas accumulator which maintains constant pressure in the auxiliary ram assembly whereby on movement of the cylinder or piston of the auxiliary ram assembly, each end of the mill roller will move upwardly or downwardly in unison.

Abstract: A concealed ventilating system for votive stands constantly draws decor damaging candle emissions into the interior of the stand and through a filter box contained therein. Substantially clean air is exhausted at the bottom of the stand gently and silently. The system does not detract from the traditional appearance and functioning of votive stands on which it is installed.