Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for sequentially loading multiple quantities of articles or animal droppings from the surface of the earth into a disposable bag or receptacle is formed by an upright open frame assembly vertically supporting a telescoping handle member. Upon downward telescoping movement of the handle, with the frame assembly supported by the surface of the earth, a panel sweep assembly is vertically pivoted about a horizontal axis to propel articles on the surface of the earth into the open end of a receptacle, adjacent and attached to the frame assembly. The receptacle is removable to dispose of the articles therein.

Abstract: A two part hay bale carrier of simplified economical construction is formed by a wheel unit and a handle member. The wheel unit comprises a pair of wheels journaled by respective ends of an axle which rigidly supports normally upright tines intermediate its ends which are inverted and manually inserted into an end corner surface of a rectangular bale. The bale and wheel unit is then righted. The handle member comprises a pair of parallel tines joined at one end in U-shaped fashion by a bight portion which projects outward of the opposite end of the bale after the hand member tines are longitudinally inserted into the bale end opposite the wheel unit enabling an operator to substantially balance the mass of the hay bale on the wheel unit and move the bale in two-wheel dolly fashion across the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A spring urged pressure relief valve, having a seat and a valve moved toward and away from the seat, is provided with a valve stem surrounding bushing forming a bushing chamber in combination with a disk on the valve stem. The bushing is provided with an adjustable control port to control fluid pressure assisting the spring closing the valve and controlling blowdown of the valve.

Abstract: An L-shaped cushion for use with a stringed instrument having a concave lower surface in a body portion when the instrument is in playing position, is formed by a base pad containing a concavo-convex member overlying resilient foam material interposed between the musical instrument and a user's thigh for supporting the mass thereof. The leg pad of the L-shaped cushion similarly includes mass distributing planar plates and foam material interposed between the user's torso and the body of the instrument when in playing position.

Abstract: A vise for securing plastic pipe while sawing a section of pipe to length is formed by a U-shaped base supported by a plurality of short legs. A V-shaped cradle is pivotally connected by its legs with the legs of the U-shaped member for successively receiving and holding a plurality of pipe of different diameters. The confronting surfaces of the V-shaped legs have a layer of material having a high coefficient of friction bonded thereto.

Abstract: A parallel fluid flow wind or water mill having one or more pair of vanes fixed around a central mass. The vanes showing in cross section a non-aerodynamic face having a plane or concave surface, and a aerodynamic back side are constructed to rotate in a plane parallel to the flow of the fluid in which they operate.

Abstract: An illuminated magnifying lens device for reading sales slips in dim light is formed by a planar base supporting a generally horizontal frame in spaced relation above the base. The frame disposes a magnifying lens transversely of the base. A lamp equipped circuit illuminating the lens is energized by an operator lifting a writing instrument out of a support socket.

Abstract: An automatic circuit controller for cooking food interposed between electrodes connected with a source of AC by electrical resistance in which the resistance increases until the food is cooked and rapidly declines is formed by a current switching element in series in one wire of the AC source and a current sensing element in series in another wire of the AC source. The sensed current is rectified, reduced in voltage, converted from analog to digital and applied to a microprocessor connected with the switching element for controlling the current applied to the food by delaying the time into every half cycle in response to current measuring circuitry and a zero crossing detector for triggering the switching element on. The microprocessor detects the current peak of electrical resistance of the food and stops the cooking action when the current declines to a predetermined percent of the peak.

Abstract: A safety valve or a compressed gas cylinder is formed by a tubular assembly projecting into the access port of the cylinder and axially controlling a control valve and elongated stem axially connected with the control valve projects into the passageway formed by the tubular valve assembly to maintain a valve off seat. In the event the control valve is damaged or broken off and the stem removed the safety valve is biased closed with its seat by pressure drop across the position of the valve seat with minimal loss of gas.

Abstract: A cleaning fluid reservoir handle scrub brush is formed by a bristle brush attached to one end of an elongated tube having a piston adjacent one end portion forming a reservoir of fluid. The piston includes a piston rod which is gripped by a manually operated trigger mechanism to move the piston toward the bristle brush and force cleaning fluid through check valve closed apertures into the bristles of the brush.

Abstract: An automatic tuning system for a stringed instrument is formed by a microprocessor operating hardware connected with one end portion of the several strings. The hardware principally comprises a reversible motor driving gears and a gear train selectively meshed by a solenoid for each string entrained over a saddle at the bridge position and underlying a double hinged tremolo system. An input sensor in the tuning module detects the tone of a plucked string and converts it to a square wave of the detected frequency, which is compared by the microprocessor with the closest adjacent intended frequency and energizes the solenoid for engaging the gear mechanism for tightening or loosening the string to obtain the required frequency. The user can override the automatic string tuning function for initially tightening a string or strings, and manually adjust the frequency of a string by a manually rotated knob on the head stock of the instrument.

Abstract: A picket fence is formed by a plurality of posts having vertically spaced ribs on confronting surfaces for supporting the respective end portion of inverted U-shaped rails. The rails are provided with a plurality of longitudinally equally spaced vertically aligned apertures with each aperture having a tab portion of the U-shaped rail bight portion projecting into the aperture. A like plurality of pickets are cooperatively received by the respective aligned apertures, with each picket having a pair of transverse longitudinally spaced slots in its wall cooperatively nesting a respective tab projecting into each slot. An inverted L-shaped spring steel clip enters the respective aperture on that side of the post opposite its slot to engage upper and lower surfaces of the bight portion of the respective rail adjacent the aperture, and lock the respective picket against movement relative to the rails.

Abstract: A safety valve for a preventing over pressure in a fluid processing system utilizing a fluid pressure regulator in a fluid supply line upstream from the processing vessel is formed by a valve, normally maintained open by a pressure responsive collapsible pin, interposed in the fluid supply line upstream or downstream from the pressure regulator. Fluid pressure above a predetermined limit in a tube connecting the safety valve with the downstream side of the pressure regulator axially moves a piston in the safety valve toward and axially collapses the pin to close the safety valve and vent pressure downstream from the valve.

Abstract: An upright open frame formed by an inverted U-shape member having rigidly interconnected legs entering the earth to support the frame in an upright position. A target anchor bar having sufficient mass to normally hold a target taut within the frame is slidably supported by the legs. Fastener members connected with the bight of the U-shaped frame and the anchor bar are connected with respective end portions of a target to be supported within the frame.

Abstract: A hopscotch like and math instruction game comprising a mat having a plurality of zones on one surface respectively containing a plurality of ramndomly selected single digit numerals permitting players to play the game within the perameters therof.