Abstract: A one-piece tool for removing tangles of weeds, grasses and associated debris from the rotatable earth-working tines of a rotary soil tiller has a pair of spaced coplanar cutting blades extending outwardly from one end of an intermediate elongate handle portion. In cross section, each blade has the shape of a non-rectangular quadrangle, and the line of juncture of those sides bounding the acute angles of the quadrangle define transversely spaced cutting edges along the innermost and outermost portions of the blades. A forwardly directed cutting edge is presented for scraping a fouled tine positioned between the blades as the tool is moved either inwardly or outwardly along the tine. In addition to the lateral cutting edges, the outer end of each cutting blade is tapered to a knife edge. A modification includes an abrasive surface along the intermediate handle portion.

Abstract: A channel-shaped housing has an enclosed rectilinear passageway longitudinally therethrough for guiding a roller chain therealong when the latter is moved by the rotation of a sprocket wheel positioned above the chain, the teeth of the sprocket wheel engaging from above certain rollers of the links of the chain. The rearward end of the floor of the housing is shaped to provide a rigid stationary pawl adapted to enter the interspace of an associated chain link for holding the chain against movement in one direction. Another pawl, spring biased and pivotally movable, is adapted to engage a tooth of the sprocket wheel, the pawls being so related to the chain that the stress on the chain is divided between the pawls. A simpler modified embodiment omits the pivoted pawl, utilizing only rigid stationary pawls, or alternately, the device may be used without any of the stationary pawls.

Abstract: A V-block fixture for holding a workpiece during a shaping operation has a frame holder and a complementary frame associated with the holder. The frame has a V-block rigidly secured thereto, and the frame and V-block as a unit may be quickly and easily removably secured to the holder in any one of a large number of differing preselected configurations.

Abstract: A fish holder, particularly adapted for facilitating skinning of catfish, has an inner elongate stationary member upon which an outer coextensive cylinder is rotatably mounted. In use, a pair of clamping jaws at the outer end of the outer cylinder into which the head of a fish may be inserted in a horizontal direction hold the depending fish in position for dressing one side of the body portion. The outer cylinder, with the fish held in the jaws, may then be rotated one-half turn, which movement automatically positions the other side of the body portion in position to enable completion of the dressing operation. The jaws are manually operable and selectively lockable in a plurality of angular positions.

Abstract: A hand-held, thumb operated archery bowstring release has a generally lazy-T-shaped body member contoured as a handhold. A pair of forwardly projecting jaw members retain a tensioned bowstring until released by a single slight downward movement of an associated plunger. Following such release an open helical compression spring acting on the plunger resets the jaw members to the bowstring holding position. To enable a high degree of target accuracy during the use of the invention, the structural members are disposed symmetrically about a vertical plane through the axis of the plunger and the center line between the jaw members, and the small mechanical releasing movements occur along paths of similar symmetry. The plunger has a circular cross section and has a plurality of longitudinally spaced coaxially aligned and small diameter segments and an upstanding conical frustum segment.

Abstract: An indexing fixture adapted for operation with an internally held collet-receiving work piece and having means for both indexed axial rotation and indexed axial tilting in a vertical plane has certain moving parts which may be adversely affected by grinding wheel dust shielded by other members less liable to damage. Also, adjustable means is provided for influencing certain elements to compensate for abrasive dust damage. A selectively positionable indexing dog enables the establishment of a rotary indexing position of an associated work piece along its radius or diameter.

Abstract: A live minnow bait kit for making accessible a submerged minnow and facilitating its attachment to a fishhook includes a bucket having an internally tapered wall of heat insulating material. The enclosed space within the bucket is divided into upper and lower compartments by means of a horizontally disposed flange projecting radially inward from the internally tapered wall at an elevation between the top and bottom of the bucket. The flange trebly functions as (a) a floor surface of the upper compartment upon which a minnow-handling tongs of the kit may be rested for ready availability; (b) an upper limit stop in the path of a perforated false bottom moving vertically upward through the lower compartment coincident with a swingable opening of a lid hingedly connected to the bucket; and (c) as an upper support for a central guide post upon which the false bottom is slidably mounted.

Abstract: A holder from which the carcass of a small animal, such as a squirrel, may be suspended in a head-down position for partial skinning and a head-up position for completing the dressing out of the carcass, has a diamond-shaped frame adapted to be hung from the upper acute angle portion of the frame. A pair of pointed prongs extend outwardly and upwardly from the obtuse angle junctions of the frame for impaling the hind legs of the animal, and a forwardly contoured loop portion having a restricted passageway between the frame and the loop enclosure is adapted for supporting the animal from its neck for completion of the skinning procedure and subsequent evisceration.

Abstract: A fluid-operated turbopump, suitable for installation in the bottom hole tubing of an oil well, is structurally adapted as a hydraulically insertable and removable unit. The turbopump has axially spaced rotary driving and driven impellers operable for overbalancing columns of fluid which are separated by the wall of the tubing, the overbalancing operation facilitating upward movement of fluid from an underground production zone to aboveground storage. A tubular drive shaft interconnecting the impellers is utilized to convey fluid axially through the driven impeller.

Abstract: A carrier for large cylindrical bales of hay has a normally nearly flat bale-receiving framework which is tiltable to an upright position by a pushing movement of an associated towing vehicle. A winch-cable device is utilized to first pull a bale looped by the cable from any one of a number of lateral or linear locations to engagement with the upright framework, and then to tightly compress the bale against the framework. A bayonet structure is driven into the bale as it is compressed, and a pulling movement of the towing vehicle returns the framework to its normal orientation. The bale is dumped by removing the cable loop and again upwardly tilting the bale receiving framework.

Abstract: A dipper for minnows has a cup portion in the shape of a cage-like pentahedral prism of transparent plastic material and is fitted with a normally closed flotation-actuated access door on the rear wall. As the door is closed, a partitioning wall mounted thereon moves inwardly and divides the enclosure into a large upper chamber and a small lower chamber. The forward panel and the rear wall of the enclosure each have a set of downwardly directed teeth along their respective lower and adjacent margins to facilitate fastening a minnow confined within the lower chamber on a fishhook, the forward panel being swingably movable to permit the hooked minnow to be removed therefrom.

Abstract: A forming apparatus, particularly adapted for use by home gardeners, enables the erection of a square sheet of paper, which may be used newsprint paper, into a soil-decomposable pot suitable for raising and transplanting seedlings. Selected portions of the paper blank are adhesively treated and folded over a combined truncated pryamidal core and an associated drying stand, the latter being removable for upright positioning to dry and harden the mounted pot.

Abstract: A fluid operated turbopump, suitable for use in an oil well pumping system, is structurally adapted as either a hydraulically insertable and removable unit or as a permanent attachment to a bottom hole tubing. The turbopump has axially spaced rotary driving and driven impellers operable for overbalancing columns of fluid which are separated by the well tubing wall, the overbalancing operation facilitating upward movement of fluid from a production zone to above ground storage. A tubular drive shaft which interconnects the impellers is utilized to convey fluid axially through one of the impellers.

Abstract: A rate-of-ascent instrument for underwater use by divers has a transparent depth gauge through which a dial of an associated timepiece is visible. The depth gauge has a generally labyrinthine capillary channel spiraling counterclockwise inwardly from the open end thereof and overlying the dial of the timepiece. As the instrument moves upwardly from a submerged position, the rate of upward movement is monitored by comparing the clockwise movement of the meniscus of the contained water column with the moving second hand of the timepiece.

Abstract: A dental instrument for cutting and vibrating the stone loose from dentures, the device comprising an electrical implement in which electrical current moves a vibrating magnet iron at a very high speed so as to cause a forward extending piston that cuts and vibrates the stone loose.

Abstract: A dipper for minnows has a cup portion in the shape of a cage-like pentahedral prism of transparent plastic material and is fitted with a normally closed flotation-actuated access door on the rear wall. The forward panel and the rear wall of the enclosure each have a set of downwardly directed teeth along their respective lower and adjacent margins to facilitate fastening a caught minnow on a fishhook, the forward panel being swingably movable to permit the hooked minnow to be removed from the cup.

Abstract: An audible alarm storm severity monitor utilizes an electromagnet as a primary sensor in connection with an audio frequency amplifier to modify the conductivity of a silicon controlled rectifier, the conductivity modification effecting a corresponding change in current in an associated direct current audible alarm to sound the alarm. A variable resistance control network is interposed between the amplifier and the SCR to establish a quiescent condition in the absense of any atmospheric electromagnetic disturbance within the detection range of the monitor, this range or sensitivity being selectively determined by means of an appropriate adjustment in the resistance control network.

Abstract: A retention catheter, particularly adapted for draining a bodily viscus or cavity, has a bilobated balloon disposed to enclose the distal tip and a pair of opposed drainage eyes retracted from the distal end, the eyes opening through the exteriorly mounted balloon into the drainage lumen. When suitably inflated, the catheter assumes the correct position to enable continuously complete drainage of the cavity from its lowermost portion. A reinforced tip permits use of a wire guide for catheter insertion when this is needed in difficult situations.

Abstract: A three-compartment graduate having a main liquid-receiving compartment, a smaller spatially separated liquid-receiving compartment and a normally unfilled mixing compartment coextensively overlying the liquid-receiving compartments is provided with integrally embossed graduate marks and associated indicia along transparent walls of the liquid-receiving compartments visually identifying predetermined volume relationships between the contents within the respective compartments. The graduate enables rapid volume proportioning and mixing of the proportioned liquids within the single container, and is particularly adapted for titrating oil-gasoline mixtures used for the operation of two-cycle internal combustion engines.