Abstract: A folding tool bar apparatus for an implement such as a rake, the toolbar having a frame with ground engaging wheels. The folding tool bar apparatus is adapted to be operatively attached to a prime mover for towing from place to place. First and second tool bars are pivotally attached to linkage members. A tongue member that sides along its longitudinal axis with respect to the frame pulls front ends of the tool bars toward the tongue member during movement to the transport position thereof and away from the tongue member during movement towards the working position thereof. The rear end of the tongue member is behind the frame in the working position thereof, making the folding tool bar apparatus shorter than conventional folding tool bars in the working position thereof.

Abstract: A device and method for stripping leaves from the stems of herbs and plants and a method of stripping leaves using the device. The device includes a container that supports a lower plate carrying a number of closely spaced flexible tines. An upper plate is pivotally attached to the lower plate and is movable toward and away from the tines. A scalper blade, that is attached to the upper plate at an angle, moves with the upper plate such that when the upper plate engages the tines the scalper blade is spaced below the tines, and when the upper plate is spaced above the tines the scalper blade is adjacent the tines. The method of stripping leaves from the stems of plants is practiced with the device.

Abstract: This shock-absorbing bearing comprises a bearing block (1), a pierced jewel (3), an endstone (4) and a shock-absorbing spring (5) connected to said bearing block (1) by four linking arms (5a1, 5a2, 5a3, 5a4), parallel to a plane containing the pivot axis (X) of said bearing and forming two suspension elements (5a1, 5c1, 5a2; 5a3, 5c2, 5a4), each having two of said linking arms connected to each other by a branch in the form of an arc (5c1, 5c2) centered on said pivot axis (X) and having a radius greater than that of said endstone (4), these suspension elements being connected to each other by two diametric arms (5e) located on either side of a central support element (5d). The outer ends of said diametric arms (5e) are connected to two of said linking arms (5a2, 5a4) belonging to said respective suspension elements (5a1, 5c1, 5a2; 5a3, 5c2, 5a4).

Abstract: The present invention provides a post puller including a pair of opposed gripping heads disposed in spaced parallel relationship to one another and pivotally connected by a parallel four bar linkage. A device, such as a hand jack or front end loader, is operably attached to one of the gripping heads to exert an upwardly directed force. This causes the one gripping head to move up from, parallel to, and toward the other gripping head so that the opposing gripping heads contact and grip the post on opposite sides and transmit the upwardly directed force to the post. When the upwardly directed force is released, the gripping heads move apart and slide down the posts for another bite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an inflatable deck by sealing a top and bottom sheet of material at an outer peripheral edge, at spaced intervals interior of and parallel to the outer peripheral edge, and at opposing edges formed when a wedge-shaped section is removed. An air inlet valve is fitted in one of the top or bottom sheets. The deck may be circular, square, rectangular, or polygonal in shape. When the deck is inflated it has flat top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to Smart Documents to be used in various administrative, financial and other applications, in particular bank cheques and other paper value documents that require authentication, boarding passes for transport systems, documents for access functions and multipurpose uses, in particular Smart Documents that comprise a pliable thin portion (10) carrying on its front and/or rear face imprinted visible data, and a thick portion (5) wherein a magnetic strip (62) and/or storage chip (5a) of the contact and/or contactless type is/are merged. The document's thick portion (5), i.e. wherein the magnetic strip and/or storage chip is merged, is a planar card (58) attached to an edge (15) of the document's thin portion (10) in a manner allowing inclination of the card (58) relative to the thin portion.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system (100) having provision (190, 400) for its operating parameters to be automatically set to optimum values. A “smart” container (200) having a built-in dispensing system (204) is pre-loaded at a depot with an abrasive powder suitable for a particular task under certain conditions, and the appropriate operational parameters for the blasting system (100) are programmed into a storage and transmission system (290) forming part of the “smart” container (200). When the “smart” container (200) is coupled to the abrasive blasting system (100), the stored operational parameters are transmitted to a reception system (190) which causes the parameter setting system (400) to set the operating parameters without operator intervention.

Abstract: A heat lamp apparatus having a shade adapted to be hung from a place above the shade has an opening disposed therein and through a top portion of the shade. The shade opening has at least one projection extending into the opening in the shade. A heat lamp socket is provided for receiving a heat lamp at one end thereof. The socket has an electrical cord connected to it. An adjusting member has a passageway therein and the electrical cord is disposed in at least a portion of the passageway. The adjusting members has at least one elongated slot extending along one side thereof for selectively receiving the projection of the shade in longitudinally different positions of the slot.