Abstract: A therapeutic appliance designed to provide support to the wrist and limit motion of the wrist to prevent repetitive movements of large amplitude felt to be a causative mechanism in injury to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and other structures of thie region. The appliance includes a series of interconnected air chambers aligned in parallel on the dorsal, lateral and medial surface of the device, a valve mechanism through which air is pumped into chambers by means of a hand-held bulb, a semi-rigid non-metallic member on the dorsal surface of the device, and elastic strap closures on the volar surface of the device and an elastic strap wrapping around the thumb.

Abstract: An earth scraper attachment adapted to be drawn by a farm tractor or other vehicle having a vertically adjustable three point hitch has an elongated frame with a front tongue portion connectable to the hitch with a specially designed hitch connection member. A rear end portion of the frame is supported on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the frame by a pair of wheels whose heights relative to the frame may be selectively and independently adjusted. Depending from a longitudinally central portion of the frame is an earth scraping blade which is supported on the frame for pivotal motion about a generally vertically extending axis, and may be locked in a selected pivotally adjusted position. A laterally spaced series of downwardly extending earth ripping teeth are supported beneath the frame forwardly of the scraping blade and are used to rip and loosen the earth prior to operation thereon by the scraping blade.

Abstract: An apparatus which can cultivate rice and other crops, comprising a frame having a plurality of transversely extending spaced cultivator bars, each of the bars having a plurality of spaced elongated soil working members extending generally vertically downward of said bars. The apparatus is pulled over the planted area to remove the weed plants.

Abstract: A ditch forming apparatus includes a pair of discs rotationally mounted in a back-to-back arrangement to a support frame with their respective convex surfaces in facing relation and their concave surfaces directed outwardly. The discs are oriented in an angled manner relative to the direction of displacement of the support frame such that the leading edges of the discs overlap along the displacement direction, with one disc positioned aft of and lower, or deeper in the soil, than the other disc to compensate for the increased drag imposed on the forward disc in providing straight tracking for the apparatus through the soil. Drag compensation may also be provided by orienting the aft disc at a greater angle relative to the direction of displacement of the apparatus than the forward disc.

Abstract: An implement lift system for a machine such as a front mouted mower having a pair of transversely spaced lift arms operable by a single life cylinder. The lift cylinder is transversely adjustable utilizing a special cylinder bracket arrangement and a transverse member extending between bend locations on the lift arms forwardly of the pivotal connections of the lift arms with the vehicle. The transverse member is connected to provide lift to both arms from the single cylinder while permitting independent vertical movement of each of the arms. Compensation for unequal forces acting on the lift arms can be provided by moving the cylinder laterally to achieve even lift and flotation characteristics.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting assembly for angling and tilting the blade, while preventing or adjustably limiting pitching, without inducing stresses in the assembly. The blade is supported on a conventional C-frame by a universal connection in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mast assembly connected to the frame midportion and extending upwardly from the frame, a pair of hydraulic angling cylinders connected between the side portions of the blade and the mast assembly adjacent the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a tilt cylinder connected between the frame and the mast assembly and a bracket assembly supporting the upper portion of the blade and preventing or adjustably limiting pitching of the blade.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having a mobile mounting frame for moving across an area to be treated, and a soil working assembly co-operating with the mounting frame. The soil working assembly includes a flexible chain of interconnected links, the chain being rotatable about its axis and having blades extending from the chain. The blades are adapted to penetrate gravitationally, scoop hollows from, the soil as the implement is advanced rotating the chain over the soil. The implement reduces undesirable consequences of rapid and unimpeded run-off of rain water by upturning the soil in such a manner that run-off is impeded.

Abstract: A pad and container assembly wherein the pad comprises a sponge-like center section and a non-permeable protective disk secured to its inner side, which is immersed in a medicament in the bottom of the cup,the disk being pressed against an annular ridge containing the medicament and conforming to its shape to form a seal,the center section of the pad being compressable within the container,the pad having a foldable handle on its upper side which is extendable when the container is opened upon removal of a cover releasably adhered to the outer rim of the container.

Abstract: An earth working apparatus features a horizontally-oriented rigid support frame across a forward end of which is disposed a generally vertical scraper blade. Mounted forwardly of the frame is a roller. A holding device projects rearwardly from the frame and is pivotally coupled to a steerable motive vehicle in a manner which permits vertical swinging of the frame. A ram is disposed vertically above the holder. The ram is pivotally coupled at one end to the support frame and at the other end to the vehicle so as to effect swinging of the frame. Also pivotally mounted on the vehicle to swing vertically is an elevator linkage. The holder is pivotally coupled to a swinging end of that linkage and the ram is pivotally coupled thereto. Also mounted laterally across the support frame and forwardly of the scraper blade is a drag blade.

Abstract: An indicator is provided for indicating rotation of a seed metering shaft used with a grain drill. The present invention incorporates a cylinder mounted to the seed metering shaft with its longitudinal axis offset but parallel to the axis of the shaft. The cylinder is mounted to rotate with the shaft. An indicator arm is hingedly mounted to the frame of the grain drill with one end positioned to ride on the outer surface of the cylinder and the other end free to move in correspondence with movement of the first end. With this invention, the indicator arm moves continually with movement of the seed metering shaft and thus provides a continuous indication of rotation of the seed metering shaft.

Abstract: A ballast cleaning machine comprises a chain for excavating the ballast and for conveying the excavated ballast to a discharge end, a screening installation arranged to receive the excavated ballast from the discharge end of the excavating and conveying chain, and to clean the received ballast by separating waste therefrom. The screening installation comprises a supporting frame and two sets of vibratory screens extending obliquely with respect to the track in the direction of elongation of the machine, the sets of screens being arranged sequentally in said direction and having a common inlet area receiving the ballast from the chain at a respective upper end of each set of screens, the two sets of screens having facing sides adjacent each other and the obliquely extending screens descending from the respective upper end whereby the screens of the two sets enclose an angle.

Abstract: A garden tool for cultivating and tilling garden soil has a cultivating blade secured at one end of an elongated handle. The cultivating blade is formed by a plurality of sequential adjacent connected teeth, each formed by a pair of perpendicular facets intersecting at a ridge line. The leading edge of each of the facets is grounded to a sharpened cutting edge. In use, the cultivating blade is pushed forward and downward into the surface of the soil and subsequently pulled back. This reciprocating movement is repeated and tills the ground in a shaving or plowing action.

Abstract: A ground-working implement which comprises a rotary tiller or like groundosening unit and a smoothing board located behind the tiller. Both the unit and the smoothing board are subdivided generally centrally and the sections are connected by a ball and hinge joint, respectively, for the unit and the board to allow compensatory adjustment of the inclinations of the sections for varying terrains.

Abstract: A one-piece tool for performing controlled and exacting cuts for the removal of weeds 26 not susceptible to the strike of a horizontal hoe blade 24, as well as small limbs from trees and bushes, these by striking downward, the former by an oblique upward strike with the scythe-cutting edges 22.

Abstract: A soil-working farm machine including a frame 1 provided with a device 20 for hitching to a tractor vehicle. At least one row 6, 7 of two bars 2, 3, or 4, 5 equipped with soil-working tools 21 and having a phase opposition movement is connected to said frame by a plurality of oscillating arms 9, 10, 11, 12. The phase opposition movement is generated by a mechanism for transformation of the rotary movement received from a driving source into a reciprocating movement crosswise to the forward direction. The mechanism includes a connecting rod-eccentric device 22 supported by the frame 1. The connecting rod 30, 31, 32, 33 serve to transmit the reciprocating movement to corresponding bars 2, 3, 4, 5.

Abstract: An attachment adapted to cooperate with a snow blade or the like of a tractor to provide a dump bucket at the front end thereof is disclosed. The attachment enhances the materials moving capability of the tractor by enabling the tractor to pick up material in a bucket and move it to a desired location. The attachment includes a bucket structure pivotally mounted on the snow blade for movement between a closed or loading position and an open or dumping position.

Abstract: A sod laying machine having front and rear sections articulated together. A boom on the front section has arms extending forwardly, with gripper arms extending downwardly from the boom to grip a roll of sod. A control roller connected to the boom arms drives the sod roll to control its speed of unwinding. The sod roll has its grass side facing outwardly and its top unwinds rearwardly so an operator in a seat at the front of the machine, between the boom arms, has an unobstructed view of the critical area of sod extending in the air from the roll to the ground, to reduce the likelihood of buckles and tears therein. The machine passes over the sod after it is laid, to roll the sod.

Abstract: The soil working machine, especially a circular spike harrow, includes a support housing (2) which extends perpendicular to the running direction (1), several soil working tools (3) disposed next to one another at the support housing (2), tool supports (4) asociated with each of the soil working tools (3), a driveshaft (6) connected to the tool support (4) and rotatably mounted in the support housing (2), and a rotational drive for the tool supports (4). The rotational drive has a gear wheel transmission (10) disposed in the support housing (2), the gear wheel transmission (10) having one gear wheel (11) for each tool support (4), the gear wheel (11) being rotatably mounted on a hub body (12) which is affixed on the drivehsaft (6) in a non-rotating fashion. The gear wheel (11) is coupled to the hub body (12) by a catching device (14, 25) which is under a spring pretension and which can be temporarily released in case of overload.

Abstract: A new, lightweight reflective surgical drape which is effective in reducing the rate of heat loss in human patients during a variety of surgical procedures is disclosed. The drape comprises a core layer of non-conductive aluminum and a first and second adjacent layer of a thermoplastic material. A non-woven layer of absorbent material is attached to either the first or second adjacent layer of thermoplastic material.In a preferred embodiment, the drape of the present invention comprises a first layer of non-conductive aluminum and a second layer of a thermoplastic material. A third layer of non-woven absorbent material is attached to the first layer of non-conductive aluminum.

Abstract: A pedicle screw for use in internal fixation of the spine comprising a shaft threaded at one end for insertion into a bone and, at the other end, having a yoke for receiving a rod, said yoke having a cusp adapted to bear against the rod and means for clamping the rod against the cusp, while permitting adjustment of the angle between said rod and said yoke.