Abstract: New derivatives of carboxymethyl chitosan are disclosed, which are designated as N,O-Carboxymethylchitosonium carboxylates. The derivatives are ammonium salts made by acidifying a substantially neutral suspension of solid N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan in a diluent with an aqueous solution of the carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid substitutes on the primary amine sites of the N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agricultural cultivator frame having a center and two wing sections pivotally attached to the center section for rotation about horizontal axes in the direction of travel for movement between a substantially horizontal field or working position and a substantially vertical transport position. Support wheels are attached adjustably to the frame by a transverse rockshaft extending the width of the cultivator and controlling the elevation of the frame above ground level. The hitch is pivotally attached to the frame for automatic leveling. The rockshaft wing sections are connected to the rockshaft center section by a universal joint. The rockshaft wing sections are pivotally attached to the wing section for movement about multiple axes and provide for longitudinal displacement relative to the frame.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a mechanism for adjusting the level, tine working depth, and tine working angle of a framework supporting a multiplicity of cultivator tines. The framework is cantilevered from and behind a boom drawn on wheels, and includes a pair of rock shafts that are:1) rotated together to adjust the working depth of the tines,2) rotated relative to one another to adjust the level of the working depth of the tines; the working angle of the tine is adjusted by mechanical rotation of frame tubes forming part of the framework and on which the tines are directly mounted.The invention disclosed also includes a novel hydraulic circuit for powered rotation of the transverse frame tubes and of the boom between a working position when the tines are engaged with the ground and a transport position when the tines are clear of the ground and the framework carried in a position facilitating transport.

Abstract: A normally rigid planar framework for mounting a large number of ground working tools is made resilient to accommodate the torsional forces exerted on the rigid structural members of the framework as it passes over uneven ground and the tools are subjected to varying forces as they move through the ground. Resilience of the framework is achieved by having the structural members which are normally rigidly fastened together, fastened together instead by resilient fastening which permits torsional flexing between the rigid members so fastened. Additionally, rigid structural members of the framework which normally are pivotally connected to permit movement only around the pin axis of the pivotal connection, are resiliently pivotally connected so that slight rotation of the structural members can occur around the other two axes which intersect the pin axis of the respective pivotal connections at mutual right angles.

Abstract: The invention includes a composite panel and a method for manufacturing it. The panel has a smooth polyester plastic face, a first fiberglass reinforced polyester layer adjacent to the smooth face, a honeycomb structure core of polypropylene plastic with one face adhered to the first polyester layer, and a second fiberglass reinforced polyester layer adhered to the second face of the core. The panel is manufactured by assembling the components in a series of steps and curing the polyester layers in sequence on a flat horizontal mold.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural water cannon to transfer water from sloughs and shallow ponds to adjoining land has (1) a suction pod to collect the water into a suction chamber, (2) a tail boom assembly to lower the suction pod into the water from adjoining land, (3) a suction boom to move the water through the tail boom assembly from the suction pod to a high pressure pump on the suction boom, and (4) a pressure boom to discharge the water from the high pressure pump; there is a priming pump on the suction pod to prime the high pressure pump. The suction and pressure booms are mounted on wheels, the other parts being attached to these to pivot between operating and transport positions for operation and towing by a motive power source which can power the high pressure pump and the priming pump, and pivot the tail boom assembly.

Abstract: A height adjusting mechanism for a framework that supports a multiplicity of ground working tools of an agricultural implement operating at variable depths of ground penetration is disclosed. The variability is acheived by rotation of framework supporting rock shafts pivoting around pivot points on wheel supported wheel frames, which in turn support the rock shafts; rotation causes the lateral spacing of the wheels to vary also. Additionally, flexibility of the framework optionally is provided by having certain fastenings and pivotal attachments between framework members in the form of resilient connections. The novel flexible framework is not critical to operation of the height adjusting mechanism, the latter being operable also with rigid framework.

Abstract: A drawbar having a boom with at least two pivotally connected sections which in a field position extend generally transversely of the direction in which the draw is drawn. Each section carries at least one first soil working device and at least one other second soil working device is trailed behind said first soil working device. The sections are pivotable in unison, about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction in which the drawbar is drawn, from said field position to a non-working position. In the non-working position the soil working devices are raised in order that the sections can be pivoted relatively to each other to a folded, transport position.

Abstract: A manually portable rotary debris remover, particularly adapted for clearing tree planting sites, has a remotely mounted, power driven, rotating hub on an extended support, such as a chain saw blade. The rotationally driven hub has a plurality of pairs of coiled tine members, each pair radiating out from a respective tine shaft mounted in the hub equidistantly from the hub axis. The tine shafts are each inclined from 3 to 10 degrees from perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the hub, so that, in rotating, the tines of each pair do not simultaneously strike objects in the path of rotation of the tines when clearing debris.

Abstract: An agricultural field sprayer is described, having a main boom center section rigidly mounted on a wheeled motive power source; wing sections of main boom hinged on either side of the center section are each supported on castoring wheels that can be locked in a non-castoring mode for transport; corresponding sections of spray boom and spray tubes with spray nozzles are mounted on the main boom sections to be rotated by rotation of the spray boom. Power from the motive source is used to rotate the boom. The hinged wing sections can move between an aligned working position along the axis of the center section and a transport position, trailing at right angles behind the center section for transport. In the working position, the power also is used to adjust the spray tube height, to accommodate variable spraying requirements.

Abstract: A lightweight, variable height, agricultural field sprayer frame has two laterally extending boom sections which fold to narrow width for transportation the booms can be vertically raised or lowered to adjust their spraying height so that they can be used for pre-emergent or crop height spraying. The folding and unfolding of the booms between transport and spraying positions is power controlled from a driver's seat or cab as is the raising and lowering of the booms. In a modification of the invention, an additional wing section extends from each boom section and raises and lowers with the boom section as well as folding for transport.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve for a toilet flushing mechanism, and a hydraulic flushing assembly using the valve, control water mains pressure for the pressure flushing of toilets with small quantities of water. Water mains pressure is used to retain a flexible diaphragm against the orifice through which flushing water from a pressurized tank can flow through the valve when flushing action is desired; flushing is initiated by temporarily lowering the water pressure applied to retain the diaphragm. Various designs of pressurized tank can be used to provide a constant or variable volume flush, which can be less than six quarts or liters.

Abstract: The mechanism provides a folding table structure suitable for picnic tables and the like which may be folded to assume a generally vertical storage position. The folding action folds the top, the seating portions and the legs in one action. Elements of the mechanism include a riser frame with table top supports, seats, and legs each pivotally attached to the frame, a brace pivotally and slidably connecting the table top supports and seats, and a link pivotally and slidably connecting the brace and the riser frame.

Abstract: A ground working implement is disclosed, having a multiplicity of ground working tools mounted on a set of rigid bars which are maintained in substantially parallel relative position by pairs of rigid links flexibly fastened to the pairs of the rigid bars, with hydraulic cylinders attached diagonally between rigid links to control the elevation above ground of the rigid bars which are supported on normally parallel wheel axles mounted below and in front of the individual rigid bars. Operation of the hydraulic cylinders enables variation in the ground penetration of tools mounted on and beneath the rigid bars as the implement is drawn over the ground.

Abstract: A combination tool for punching and/or shearing metal has pivotally mounted punch and die set on one end of a working bed and a shear blade pivotally mounted on the other end of the bed, with an hydraulic ram centrally mounted above and between them to apply force to either or both simultaneously. Furthermore, both can easily and quickly be pivotally displaced to permit optional application of the hydraulic ram to pressing, braking, or forming operations on the bed under the ram, using auxiliary equipment.

Abstract: A ground working implement consisting of a hitch, a center section pivotally secured to the hitch for rotation about a transverse axis and a two part wing section pivotally secured to each side of the center section for rotation about a longitudinal axis, with the two parts joined on a diagonal axis, a transverse member across the central region of the hitch, a member pivotally secured between the wing section and the end of a bar such that the rotational movement of the wing parts about a diagonal axis, the rotation of the complete wing about a longitudinal axis, and the rotation of the hitch about a transverse axis, is permitted during ground cultivation, and when the wing section is raised vertically for transportation purposes, the hitch becomes rigid with the center section and movement about all axis is locked.

Abstract: A novel chitosan derivative, having carboxymethyl substituents on some of both the amino and primary hydroxyl sites of the glucosamine units of the chitosan structure, is disclosed, together with methods for its preparation starting from either chitosan or chitin.

Abstract: A combination tab lifting and crimping tool for lifting and crimping tabs which have been bent over a flange consisting of a casing having a pair of openings at opposite ends thereof and an elongated tool channel therein communicating with the openings. An elongated tool member is slidably mounted the tool channel and has a tab lifting finger proximate a tab lifting end of the casing and a tab crimping face proximate a tab crimping end of same. A flange gripping finger is affixed to the tab crimping end of the casing. A trigger is pivotally mounted in the casing and has a tool engaging end in the interior of the casing coupled to the elongated tool intermediate the tab lifting finger and the tab crimping face.

Abstract: Apparatus for locating leaks in a heat exchanger of a type having a plurality of tubular elements supported at one end by a fixed tube sheet and at the other end by a floating tube sheet, contained within an elongated cylindrical housing with the housing having flanges for attachment thereto by end vessels. The apparatus includes an elastomeric sleeve couplable, after removal of the end vessels, to a flange of the housing adjacent the floating tube sheet, with provision being made for affixing the sleeve in sealed contact with the flange and also for sealing the elastomeric sleeve to the floating tube sheet. With the apparatus in place the chamber surrounding the tubular elements and between the tube sheets is pressurized with fluid and the ends of each tube and tube sheet inspected at the same time for fluid leaks.