Abstract: The chromosomal location of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance genes in wheat and the discovery of molecular markers for detecting the presence of these genes is herein described. The markers are generated via PCR or similar amplification reaction using primers identified herein. As a result, seed material can be assayed, thereby eliminating the time and cost involved in assaying adult plants for FHB resistance. Furthermore, the markers allow for gene pyramiding of the multiple, independent resistance genes into complex genetic backgrounds. In addition, the markers can be assayed in parallel. Finally, the markers are cost effective, highly reliable and accurate, and require just a few hours for testing.

Abstract: An aeration header for mounting beneath the surface of a body of water is described. The header is formed by a first pipe arranged for transmitting the gas or fluid, a second buoyancy pipe arranged to hold either water or air and an elongate ballast pipe for adding weight to the header. In use, the header is laid out across the surface of a body of water and the first pipe is connected to a source of air. Water is then pumped into the second pipe, which displaces the air in the second pipe and increases the specific weight of the header, thereby causing the header to sink below the surface of the body of water. As the header is below the surface, water traffic is not restricted by the transfer of fluid across the body of water. For maintenance, compressed air is pumped into the second pipe, replacing the water in the second pipe and causing the header to float to the surface of the body of water.

Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle that improves riding comfort without sacrificing stability. The improved suspension may be disposed at front wheels, or rear wheels, or both front and rear wheels. Each suspension at the front or rear wheels comprises a walking beam pivoted intermediate to its ends and arranged longitudinally of the vehicle. One end of the walking beam is disposed over the axle which supports the wheel, with a first spring disposed between the beam end and a mounting bracket connected to the wheel hub, while the other end of the walking beam is disposed over a support which is rigidly carried by the vehicle frame, with a second spring disposed between this beam other end and the rigid support. Thus, when the wheel strikes a bump in the road, it and its axle are displaced upwardly and compress the first spring to absorb part of the road shock. However, because the walking beam is pivoted intermediate to its ends, road shock will be transmitted to the second spring to compress the same.

Abstract: A guide track for the bottom ends of the pickets of a folding door or the like comprises a galvanized steel elongated channel member having upwardly diverging sidewalls extending from a basewall, and a securing flange inclined downwardly and outwardly from the top of each sidewall. The free edge of each sidewall is lipped and lies substantially in the plane of the basewall, the lips extending outwardly and upwardly from the securing flanges. The guide track is disposed in a recess in the floor with the concrete or like flooring material surrounding the securing flanges and lips, filling the space between each securing flange and the respective sidewall to support the sidewall, and encasing the lips to prevent dislodgement of the guide track.

Abstract: My invention provides a fully-loaded device which is carried by a sportsman in an easily-accessible position for quick reloading of a muzzle-loading rifle. The device comprises a cylinder rotatably carried by a base member, the cylinder having a plurality of elongated openings which are open all the way through the same, and one elongated opening that is closed at its bottom end. The base has an upper flat surface which mates with a lower flat surface of the cylinder, and an off-center opening adapted to be aligned with any one of the elongated openings. The base also has a side opening so that the end of the rifle barrel may be inserted for alignment with the off-center opening. The fully open elongated openings are each adapted to contain black powder, a patch and a ball, while the bottom-closed elongated opening may be used for the storage of tools or the like, or for the storage of flashpan powder in the event the rifle is of the flintlock type.

Abstract: My invention provides a control for a trolling motor of a fishing boat, whereby both steering of the boat and operation of the motor may be controlled through use of but one foot of a fisherman. The control has a very low profile so that a standing person may operate the same with his foot in a position not too far displaced from a flat condition on the boat deck, whereby such person is balanced at all times and thus may devote full attention to fishing and little if any attention to maintaining balance. The control comprises a hollow box having center bearing for supporting a shaft in upright position. A foot plate is disposed exteriorly of the box and connected to the shaft, the construction being such that the shaft may be rotated by movement of the foot imparted to the foot plate and also depressed by downward pressure of the foot on the footplate.

Abstract: My invention is particularly adapted to saws for cutting metal, and especially abrasive disc saws, wherein the saw is fixed to a shaft which is rotatable within a bearing located at one end of a rocker arm. A drive motor, preferably an electric motor, is mounted on the other end of the arm and the latter is pivoted intermediate the saw and the motor on a bracket extending upwardly from a base. The arm swings about the pivot to move the saw toward and away from the work to be cut, which work is clamped within a vise secured to the upper surface of the base. The improvement herein disclosed comprises a manually settable timing system for adjusting the amount the saw moves in a direction away from the work, after the cut has been made, so that upward movement of the saw is limited to a position wherein the saw is only a very slight distance above the uppermost surface of the work.

Abstract: My invention relates to pumping apparatus, particularly to a hydraulically-operated pump jack for oil, brine water and the like. The apparatus is fabricated from steel plate to make a strong, but light-weight tower which may be easily transported from one site to another by a small boom truck or gin pole truck. In contrast to pump jacks of the walking beam type which are massive in size, my improved pump jack is compact and is seated on and secured directly to the head of an oil well casing. A vertically-arranged hydraulic cylinder has its piston rod connected to a cross head on which a pair of sprockets are journalled. Chains pass around respective sprockets, one reach of each chain extending upwardly and is anchored to a stationary part of the tower. The other reach of each chain extends upwardly and over and around an upper sprocket journalled on a shaft carried by the upper end of the tower, each chain then extending downwardly to a yoke to which the polish rod is connected.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a boat, comprising an elongated bar having one end pivotally mounted on the side of the boat, the bar extending from the boat side so that a skier may grasp the opposite end of the bar or may tie his ski rope thereto. The bar is braced by means of a cable secured to an intermediate part of the bar and connected to a forward part of the boat, such as to the deck cleat. A further cable has one end connected to the bar and its other end connected to an upright mast. The pivot connection for the one end of the bar is in the form of a mounting plate which is secured to the side of the boat. The mounting plate has spaced ears between which the bar end is disposed, and a pin is disposed through holes in the ears and the bar end to provide a horizontal pivot.

Abstract: The electric heater herein disclosed is particularly adapted to heat a fluid and to provide a broad, substantially flat heater surface exposed to the fluid to be heated. The heating element is well adapted for deep fat frying use in that it is of high voltage and is economical to manufacture. The invention makes use of standard elongated, tubular, metal-sheathed heaters which are produced in large quantities for a multitude of uses. Such elements are slid into a metal tube of selected diameter and wall thickness, and the assembly is flat-pressed in appropriate sections with the ends round for termination with such fittings as are required. The assembly may then be bent to produce a desired configuration.

Abstract: My invention makes it possible to convert a flat bed vehicle into one having panel sides, and vice-versa. In flat bed arrangement, the panels are laid flatwise on the vehicle bed, each panel having a lug or cleat adapted to seat within a trough which is formed in the flat bed and which extends longitudinally thereof. This is an advancement of the structure disclosed and claimed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,627.

Abstract: The invention is particularly adpated to support refrigerators in recreational vehicles, to maintain the refrigerators in level condition, although the invention may be adapted for use in supporting other appliances, such as stoves and the like. The gas-fired absorption type of refrigerator is the most popular type for travel trailers, but it must be maintained in level condition in order for it to operate properly. My invention provides a support for a refrigerator wherein the latter is always gravity-urged to level condition. Dash pot devices are included to yieldably oppose movement of the refrigerator, so that the latter moves gently from one position to another in accordance with the angularity of the terrain over which the travel trailer travels or on which it is parked. The supporting means may be built as part of the refrigerator at the factory, or it may be offered in kit form for installation on refrigerators already in use or on the market.

Abstract: Rail track heaters, comprising metal sheathed electric heaters, adapted to be positioned for heating a third rail or a switch rail. Our invention includes a simple stamping to provide a bracket for holding a cover containing the heater and surrounding insulation in position on the rail, and the same type of bracket made to be used to hold the terminal assembly of the heater in position on the rail. Each of the brackets is firmly held to the rail by a bolt extending transversely of and underneath the rail, the bolt having a hook at one end to hook over an adjoining part of the rail flange at one side of the rail, and having its other end adapted to engage a bracket part at an adjoining portion of the rail flange at the opposite side of the rail.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a fireplace, wherein the stove pipe of a stove standing in a room to be heated may be connected to the flue of the chimney so that products of combustion from the stove may be safely exhausted through the flue and outwardly of the chimney. The adapter may be easily installed within the fireplace by removing the damper plate and fitting the adapter to the damper frame. Each of a pair of bolts has a portion which hooks over a portion of the damper frame and a threaded end depending from the hook portion and extending through a hole in the adapter. Nuts are threaded on the bolts and are adapted to force the adapter into a tight fit with the adapter frame.