Abstract: A rodent trap includes a platform having a flat upper surface, a spring loaded trapping member pivotally movable between cocked and actuated positions, and a retaining arm pivotally mounted on the platform at one end thereof and adapted to hold the trapping member in a cocked configuration. A diverter is mounted on the platform and has a vertical wall portion formed with an open ended slot adapted to receive a free end of the retaining arm. The diverter also has a bait anchor tab extending forwardly and at an acute angle relative to horizontal and relative to the free end of the retaining arm when the retaining arm overlies the trapping member in the cocked position. The tab may also be curved in an axial direction to receive the free end of the retaining arm in nested relationship. The trapping member may include an added transverse member to insure trapping of smaller rodents.

Abstract: A rodent trap comprising a platform having a flat upper surface; a spring loaded trapping member pivotally movable between cocked and actuated positions; a retaining arm pivotally mounted on the platform at one end thereof and adapted to hold the trapping member in a cocked configuration, the retaining arm having a free end; a diverter mounted on the platform and having a vertical wall portion formed with an open ended slot; the diverter having a bait anchor extending forwardly and substantially parallel to the free end of the retaining arm when the retaining arm overlies the trapping member, whereby bait inserted over the free end of the retaining arm and the one end portion of the bait anchor serves to hold the retaining arm in overlying relationship with the trapping member.

Abstract: A combination line splicer and line connection wherein the splicer includes a relatively straight and relatively rigid shank, formed with a pair of open eyes, one at each of two opposite ends thereof. A pair of lines are securely fastened to the splicer by a knotless arrangement wherein the lines are wrapped about the shank such that the lines are intertwined, and pulled into respective ones of the pair of open eyes.

Abstract: A compound fish hook assembly includes a hook support ring; first, second and third adjacent hooks each having a shank portion, a connector loop at one end thereof and a hook portion at an opposite end thereof, the support ring extending through each of the connector loops. The first, second and third adjacent hooks are shaped such that when hanging loosely from the ring, the shank portion and hook portion of each hook lies in a radial plane angularly spaced from a corresponding radial plane of the adjacent hook relative to a vertical centerline of the compound fish hook assembly, and the shank portion of each hook lies on an opposite side of the vertical centerline from the hook portion.

Abstract: A combination line splicer and line connection wherein the splicer includes a relatively straight and relatively rigid shank, formed with a pair of open eyes, one at each of two opposite ends thereof. A pair of lines are securely fastened to the splicer by a knotless arrangement wherein the lines are wrapped about the shank in one direction and pulled into respective ones of the pair of open eyes. A method of securing a pair of lines extending in generally opposite directions to a splicer, wherein the splicer includes a shank and open loops on the shank for securing the pair of lines to the splicer in a knotless manner, opposite ends of the shank, includes the steps of:a) orienting ends of the lines in generally overlapped relationship;b) wrapping the overlapped ends about a first portion of the shank, pulling one line into one of the open eyes;c) turning the splicer end-over-end and wrapping the overlapped ends about a second portion of the shank and pulling the other line into the other of the open eyes.

Abstract: A structure, such as a fish hook, configured for attachment to a strand without a knot. The structure includes a first end forming a hook, a second end forming an eyelet, and an intermediate portion including an open loop. Alternatively, the structure may comprise a first end forming a hook, a second end forming an eyelet, and a middle shank portion with a closed loop adjacent the eylet. By looping the strand and passing it into association with the eyelet and loop or intermediate loops, a method of tying a strand to a device without knots (i.e., in a knotless manner) is practiced.

Abstract: Leaded jig structures incorporating fish hooks are provided for knotless attachment to fine fishing lines. In each embodiment, first and second generally straight wire shank portions are provided on a metal wire hook structure, between which a lead weight is attached. The first and second shank portions are offset from each other with a connecting portion in between which forms an attachment point for the lead weight. The wire hook structure is provided with various open loop configurations for facilitating knotless attachment to strands. The rearward free end of the wire hook may be provided with a bait retaining barb. A second bait retaining barb may also be formed in the lead weight attached to the wire hook structure.

Abstract: A wood burning stove includes a water circulating grate within the stove fire chamber which includes horizontally extending, vertically spaced, first and second tubular manifolds. Fuel supporting pipes, including bottom portions which define a "V", physically and fluidly interconnect the manifolds. An inlet pipe extends throughout the majority of the length of the bottom manifold, and the top manifold is connected--through a container having a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the manifold--to an outlet. The inlet to and outlet from the manifold are connected up to a hydronic space heating system. The container supports a heat exchanger comprising a finned copper tube, so that the heat exchanger extends generally horizontally and within the first manifold. The heat exchanger is connected up to a domestic hot water supply. The container also supports one or more electric resistance heating coils, which heat liquid within the container in emergency situations.

Abstract: An integral structure is provided for ready attachment to a strand. The simple structure consists only of a first end forming a hook, a second end forming a strand receiving portion, a middle portion between the first and second ends, and a generally T-shaped projection formed from the middle portion for friction wrapping of a strand to the structure. The projection consists of a cross portion of the T spaced from and generally parallel to the middle portion, and a leg portion of the T interconnecting the cross portion to the middle portion. The leg portion is relatively short compared to the thickness of a strand to be received thereby so that a strand may be wrapped around the leg portion several times and tightly frictionally engaged by both the middle portion and the cross portion. The structure is formed by a continuous piece of metal bent to form the hook, strand receiving portion, and T-shaped projection, all of which structure are coplanar.

Abstract: A fishing rig assembly including a hook, a first line connected to the hook, a sinker attachment structure, a sinker, and a second line connected to the sinker and to the sinker attachment structure. The sinker attachment structure provides for ready adjustment of the sinker along the first line and includes an integral body having a generally T-shaped projection with first and second surface manifestation formed on either side of the generally T-shaped projection, in line with each other and the projection, and the surface manifestations and projection being spaced a fixed predetermined distance apart. The second line includes a looped end which is disposed around the generally T-shaped projection, and the first line is received by the first and second manifestations, and is wrapped around the generally T-shaped projection between the surface manifestations.

Abstract: A wood or coal burning stove having walls defining a fire chamber with a flue disposed in one of the walls. A door provides access to the fire chamber, and a vent for controlling the combustion air is provided in the door. A manifold connected to inlet and outlet pipes passing through the walls provides for circulation of water through the fire chamber to heat the water with a fire burning in the fire chamber. Fuel supporting members extend downwardly from the manifold to support the fuel below the manifold, a number of generally U-shaped pipes with both ends of each pipe in fluid communication with the manifold providing the fuel supporting members. A baffle or like structure is provided in the manifold for preventing short-circuiting between the inlet and outlet pipes, and the manifold is supported in a generally horizontal plane.

Abstract: A minnow rig and a method of baiting the minnow rig with a live minnow for stream fishing and trolling. The minnow rig includes a treble hook adapted to be disposed in a minnow's tail, a second hook adapted to be disposed in the minnow's head, and a single line connected to and extending between the hooks. The first hook is connected to a free end of the line, while the second hook is connected to the line for allowing adjustability of the second hook with respect to the first hook while still allowing the second hook to be held in a fixed predetermined relative position with respect to the first hook if desired. The second hook is held to the line without knotting of the line and without the necessity for a separate securing device.

Abstract: A combination stove-fireplace assembly. A hood with a damper therein is movable vertically from a position wherein it is spaced from the assembly base -- wherein the assembly may be used as an open fireplace -- to a position in sealing engagement with the base -- wherein the assembly may be used as a stove or for "charcoaling". A sand-filled trench is provided at the base for insuring an air-tight seal between the base and the hood. Operating means for raising and lowering the hood include a crank exterior of the assembly positioned for ready access, and a means for locking the hood into the desired position to which it is raised. An ash bin is readily removable from underneath the firebox.