Abstract: The present invention has a wrist connector connected to a conventional slat connection member. An electrically activated liner actuator which includes a linearly movable shaft is connected to the wrist connector to move the slat connection member fore or aft. The actuator is electrically controlled from an electrical control box located in the cab. Further, the actuator provides an electrical signal output responsive to the linear position of the shaft. This output signal is directed to the control box which has a meter driven by this output signal to provide a visual indication of how far the openings are opened or closed.

Abstract: An improved two-ended reversible drill/driver tool for use with Power drills. The tool having a hollow cylindrical socket that at one end has a drive shank for insertion into a chuck of a powered drill, and, at the opposite end, has a polygonally shaped opening therein for receiving a correspondingly shaped, two-ended, reversible tool assembly. This tool assembly is sized to slide within the hollow socket, and has a combined drill bit and countersink at one end, and, at the other end, a polygonally shaped opening for accepting a screw driver bit having a shank with a Polygonal cross section.

Abstract: A sole cleaning device for cleaning the bottoms and sides of the soles of boots and shoes including a rotating brush mounted above a container of water so that upon rotation of the brush a portion of the brush extends into the water. The device further including a removable scraper grate for supporting a shoe above the water but in engagement with the brush. A motor for rotating the brush against the sole of the boot. The removable grate provided with a pair of spaced and parallel side rails having fixed brushes mounted to the side rails and facing one another. The removable grate further including a sieve platform extending on one side of the grate above the water. Sponges are positioned on top of the sieve for removing water from a boot or shoe placed on the sponge.

Abstract: An apparatus for acting as a shock absorber for a truck towing a vehicle mated with a fifth-wheel, or a gooseneck, hitch. A fifth-wheel, or gooseneck, trailer has members extending away from the trailer bed and converging. A cylindrical housing, having a longitudinal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the bed of the trailer, is attached to the members at the end where they converge. A kingpin, having a fifth-wheel, or gooseneck, connector, is coaxially mounted in the housing. A lever, having a fee end, extends from the kingpin over the rear of the truck. A resilient means, extending between the free end and the rear of the truck, bias the rear of the truck toward the free end. With this structure as the distance between the free end and the rear of the truck increases, additional bias is place on the rear of the truck tending to raise the rear of the truck. The resilient means thus acts as a shock absorber.

Abstract: A large game decoy, including two pieces of fabric material, cut into the shape of a side-silhouette of a big game animal. The two pieces of fabric are sewn together along the periphery of the silhouette to form a pocket. A continuous band of spring steel is formed in a loop and inserted in the pocket. The band being sized to expand to at least a portion of the periphery of the silhouette stretching the fabric material to form a semi-rigid shape of this portion of the silhouette. A collapsible pole is inserted in the pocket to provide an elongate shape to the cut-out silhouette, and further collapsible poles are used to shape the legs of the decoy. These leg poles extend away from the silhouette and are used to stake the decoy into the ground. The decoy may be collapsed by using a technique known as "twist-fold" to twist and fold the continuous band of spring steel to collapse the body into a small compact package.

Abstract: A grain stalk lifter attached to a conventional combine for use with grain stalks which are lying down. The grain stalk lifter includes a body having an upper lifting surface extending from a forward end upwards to a rear position above the cutting blades of the combine and further having a forward end provided with a skid for sliding on the ground surface. The body is connected through a spring to the blade guards of the combine to allow the skid to resiliently move upwards from the ground surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes repelling magnetic fixtures implanted within opposing bones in an articulating joint to hold the bones apart during relative articulating movement of the bones in the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for towing disabled truck tractors including a towing bar connected to a disabled tractor's fifth-wheel hitch. The towing bar is positioned on the disabled tractor to extend in a rearward direction, downwardly inclined from the hitch pin toward the rear of the disabled tractor. A spreader bar is chained across the towing bar to hold the towing bar down when upward pressure is applied to the towing bar. A lifting bar is provided which is connected to a fifth-wheel hitch on the towing tractor. The lifting bar is positioned on the towing tractor to extend in a rearward direction, downwardly inclined away from the hitch pin. The downwardly inclined end of the towing bar is placed on the top of the downwardly inclined end of the lifting bar. As the towing tractor is backed toward the disabled tractor, the towing bar will ride up the incline plane provided by the lifting bar.

Abstract: An improved device and method for plumbing a recirculating water pump into a hot water heating system, the water pump having a pair of connecting flanges on the inflow and outflow sides of the pump. The present invention includes a section of copper tubing which has one end flared, the flare preferably being at approximately right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tubing. Further, an installation flange is provided having a central hole and an inside face to be positioned against a corresponding face of a connecting flange of the recirculating water pump, the copper tubing being inserted through the central hole of the installation flange with the flared end positioned against the inside face of the installation flange. A flexible gasket, having a central opening, being positioned between the installation flange and the connecting flange of the recirculating pump. The installation flange and flexible gasket being connected to the connecting flange of the recirculating pump with bolts.

Abstract: The flooring tool includes a slide hammer located in an elongate body. The body having a flat bottom for resting on the upper surface of the newly laid down tongue and groove flooring. The elongate body, in which the slide hammer is mounted, has at one end a depending hammer head which has an edge corresponding in shape to the edge of the tongue and groove flooring being laid. By manipulating the slide hammer, the hammer head sets the tongue and groove flooring being laid into place.

Abstract: A drain system for use with a conventional freeze-resistant faucet installed in a building structure including an elongate tubular housing surrounding the feed conduit associated with the freeze-resistant faucet. The housing has a fitting at one end for connecting with the water supply. A hollow plug of cylindrical shape being connected to the water supply end of the feed conduit. The hollow plug further includes an "O" ring seal on its exterior surface sized to fit snugly within the elongate housing when the feed conduit together with the hollow plug are inserted in the housing. Water from a ruptured feed conduit is collected within the housing and directed to the outside of the building structure.

Abstract: An improved system for cutting a quilting piece from fabric, which quilting piece has a constant width sewing expanse around the exposed area of the quilting piece for sewing quilting pieces together. The system includes a template conforming to the shape of the exposed area of the quilting piece and a cutter guide having a rail positioned along one edge of the cutter guide. The width of the rail is selected to correspond to the desired sewing expanse. The template is first positioned on the fabric to be cut and a cutter guide is positioned on top of the template with the inner guide edge of the rail positioned in abutting relation with an edge of the template. The fabric is then cut with a cutter along an outside cutting edge of the rail of the cutter guide.

Abstract: A heated windshield wiper for keeping wiper blades free from ice. In a first embodiment, a wiper blade includes a sealed cavity containing a heat-retaining fluid which aids in keeping the wiper blade free from ice. In a second embodiment, a wiper blade includes a sealed cavity containing a heat-retaining fluid. Heated washer fluid is directed through the washer blade heating the heat-retaining fluid which aids in keeping the wiper blade free from ice.

Abstract: A combine yield monitor replacing a portion of a conventional cross-auger moving grain through a combine. The monitor having a housing which has an opening through a bottom wall of the housing. The yield monitor further including an auger, rotatably mounted within the housing, having a screw blade and connected to the cross-auger to replace a portion of the cross-auger. The auger having a portion of the screw blade removed intermediate the ends to form an accumulation volume for momentarily stopping grain flow through the auger. The auger further having a portion of the screw blade positioned over the opening to move grain away from over the opening. A load cell located below the opening for measuring the weight of the accumulation volume of grain in the auger.

Abstract: An improved two-ended reversible drill/driver tool for use with power drills. The tool having a hollow cylindrical socket that at one end has a drive shank for insertion into a chuck of a powered drill, and, at the opposite end, has a polygonally shaped opening therein for receiving a correspondingly shaped, two-ended, reversible tool assembly. This tool assembly is sized to slide within the hollow socket, and has a combined drill bit and countersink at one end, and, at the other end, a polygonally shaped opening for accepting a screw driver bit having a shank with a polygonal cross section.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a one-piece yoke for dispensing leader from a leader spool. The yoke is provided with first and second wings joined by a foldable hinge. A decurling element is located on the hinge through which element leader can be drawn. As leader is drawn through this element, the leader is automatically decurled. Mating surfaces on each yoke permit multiple leader dispensers to be fastened together. A hollowed out female portion is provided on one wing and a male portion which is sized to be frictionally inserted in the female portion is provided on the other wing. These mating surfaces permit additional leader dispensers to be fastened together--a male portion of one yoke being inserted into the female portion of another yoke.