Abstract: A retrieval and litter pick tool includes an elongated handle, a spike extending longitudinally therefrom and having an irregular surface, a spike shield, and an adhesive tube selectively mounted on the spike by the shield. Alternately, the adhesive tube is directly mounted on the spike. The spike pierces and removable holds penetrable items for retrieval from penetrable surfaces or other surfaces where penetration is not limited, and the adhesive tube presents an adhesive face for retrieving penetrable or impenetrable items from any surface.

Abstract: A stand up hand-held tool to penetrate soil for purposes of cultivation, weeding and the like. The tool comprises an elongate spear shaft, at least one end of which is pointed or otherwise formed to provide a leading edge for expeditious soil penetration. An elongate tubular handle grip, preferably extending about 2/5 the length of the shaft, is mounted on the shaft rod to provide a smooth manual hand grip surface to permit a user's hand to slidably grip the tool in a large variety of longitudinal positions along the lengthwise axis of the rod. The tool is specifically designed to permit a user in a standing position to manipulate the tool using an underhanded sliding grip with one hand on the smooth handle grip.

Abstract: A weeding and picking tool includes a shaft member having a handle formed on an upper portion of the shaft member and two stick members bifurcated on a lower portion of the shaft member, with a first stick member straightened to be longer than a second stick member of which a hook portion is formed on a bottom of the second stick member adapted to hold weed roots on the hook portion when digging the tool into the earth, whereby upon a rotation of the tool about the first straight stick member, the weed roots will be wound on the two stick members for an easier pulling and removal of the weeds from the earth.

Abstract: An accessory serving as an aid for saving the life of an "ice" fisherman, snow mobile operator, or other recreation or sports minded person who ventures onto an ice covered lake, pond or other body of water and breaks through the ice. The accessory includes two ice picks connected together by a floatable cord. Each ice pick includes a casing forming a handle having elongated external recesses helpful for hand gripping, and a pair of notches or grooves to facilitate gripping by the thumb and index finger. Each casing has an internal bore configured to receive an ice pick, a spring biased sheath, and a molded floatation plug, enabling the accessory to float when dropped into a body of water. The floatation plug may be formed of a closed cell, foamed plastic. The floatation plug has circumferentially spaced slots which engage fins connecting a central pick holder to an inner surface of a bore within the handle.

Abstract: A garden tool having an elongate shaft with a handle on one end of the shaft and the opposite end of the shaft having a plurality of circumferentially spaced generally axially extending cultivating and weeding prongs, and the shaft and handle permitting a gardener to use the tool in a generally upright position for soil loosening, cultivating and weeding by rotary and rocking maneuvers of the handle and agitating the prongs, and for optionally spearing trash or aerating sod.

Abstract: A device for removing plants with roots from the soil having spikes attached at the lower end of a shaft and a trigger mechanism located at the upper end. The spikes are shielded by a cover having holes alignable with the spikes. A rod extending down the interior of the shaft is attached to both the cover and the trigger mechanism. When the trigger mechanism is pulled, the rod and cover are pulled upward which exposes the spikes. When the trigger mechanism is released, a spring mechanism pushes the cover over the spikes.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to processes and gripping devices for picking up, transporting, and depositing flexible, limp, flat workpieces (1) made of textile material, plastic, or other materials that can be grasped with needles (3). To handle such workpieces (1) rapidly and reliably even under complicated spatial conditions, needle grippers (2) are brought by a manipulating device (5) into a position parallel to the workpiece (1) and, after grasping the workpiece (1), into another position in which the horizontal projection of the workpiece is reduced and in which the workpiece (1) assumes an approximately loop-like shape, in which position the workpiece (1) is transported and deposited.

Abstract: An article handling device for attachment to the rear of a pickup truck including a rigid main frame having arms separated by a cross member and all lying in substantially the same plane. The cross member has rigidly attached at approximately 90 degrees thereto a leverage pole to rotate the main frame when it is hingedly supported on a bumper mounting base. A floating spear type axle for retaining an article on the main frame is attached thereto near the outer end of each arm by a flexible movement limiting tether. The floating axle when penetrating and thereby retaining an article such as a round bale allows the bale to shift downwardly and rest on the main frame preventing transit damage especially to loosely packed or soft core bales.

Abstract: A gripper for handling limp workpieces has piercing needles slanting downward on translatable needle bars. Slots in the needle bars slant parallel to the needles and engage stationary pins for constraining the needles to move axially. The needles mutually cross after piercing the workpiece to trap a portion thereof between themselves and a baseplate, thus gripping the workpiece securely without stressing or deforming it. An adjustment thimble with a venier scale limits the piercing depth of the needles. A rectangular housing facilitates juxtaposition of a number of such grippers, which may be conjointly controlled.

Abstract: A corn cob holder and method, which holder comprises a handle adapted to be grasped by a user, an elongated, pointed penetrating element to penetrate the soft, inner pith of the corn cob to be held, and between the handle and penetrating element, a pair of upwardly curved retainer sections each having a knife-like edge and the retainer section of sufficient width so as to permit the knife-like edges to cut into the inner surface of the woody ring of lignified conducting tissue of the corn cob surrounding the inner pith so as to retain the corn cob holder in a secured holding position.

Abstract: A battering ram for forcible entry through a door has a pointed end with barbs to enable the door to be hooked and pulled outward. The barbs will swing between contracted and expanded positions. This spring biases the barbs to the expanded position. The barbs are conical and define a cone with the same taper as the pointed tip when the barbs are collapsed. One end of the battering ram may have a loop for attaching to a line connected to a vehicle. Also, one end of the battering ram may have a battering plate or may have a bar for prying burglar bars outward.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus has at least two elongated piercing elements which slide in elongated collars or sleeves between open retracted positions and closed gripping positions. The piercing elements define an angle and they move toward the vertex of the defined angle when they move from the open position to the closed position. The orientation of the piercing elements and their path of travel are such that objects are reliably and securely held when the piercing elements are in their closed positions and positively released when the piercing elements are in their open positions. A sensor may be provided with the gripping apparatus to sense the presence or condition of the gripped object. The gripping apparatus is especially useful in grasping the root masses of plants for transplanting purposes.

Abstract: A garden tool for extracting a plant having roots in the earth. The garden tool basically comprises a housing and a prong assembly connected to the housing. The prong assembly includes a prong holder and at least three prongs with each prong being connected to the prong holder disposed generally near the outer peripheral surface of the prong holder. About one-fourth of a prong length of each of the prongs is disposed in the prong holder whereby the prong holder cooperates with the portions of the prongs disposed in the prong holder to provide sufficient strength for substantially reducing the tendency of the prongs to bend when disposed in the earth and rotated. The garden tool also includes a handle assembly which is connected to the upper end of the housing.

Abstract: A tool for extracting weeds without stooping, bending or personally touching the weed is disclosed. The weed extracting tool has a plurality of spikes mounted onto a block which is mounted onto the lower end of a torque bar. Spiral ribs on the spikes are force fitted within bores formed in the block resulting in an interlocking union. A spring-loaded ejector carriage is movably mounted onto the torque bar for movement between retracted and extended positions. The ejector carriage includes an ejector plate, a push plate, and side panels connecting the two plates. The ejector plate is interposed between the spikes. A weed is extracted from the soil by inserting the spikes into the ground around the central root core of the weed, rotating the torque bar to engage the weed's roots about the spikes, and then lifting the entangled weed from the ground. The weed is then expelled by manually extending the ejector carriage along the torque bar.

Abstract: A plurality of thermoplastic sheets are laminated into a laminated assembly, which is then pressed into a laminated assembly. First, the sheets to be laminated in one cycle are heated while the sheets are arranged in a juxtaposed relationship in the order in which they are to be laminated. The heated sheets are penetrated with needles to detachably hold the sheets while keeping the sheets in the juxtaposed relationship. A support member which supports the laminated assembly is moved below the sheets held and relatively to the sheets in a direction in which the sheets are arranged in the juxtaposed relationship, the sheets are released from the needles onto the support member to stack the sheets thereon into the laminated assembly while the support member is being moved relatively to the sheets. The support is then delivered into a shaping die assembly.

Abstract: Bale handling apparatus comprises a main frame including transverse supports and devices mounted on the main frame for picking up bales. These bale pick-up devices comprise a plurality of substantially identical modules which are transversely adjustably mounted on the transverse supports of the main frame so that the number and position of the modules can be varied. The bale pick-up devices each have movable tines which, in an operative position, engage a bale and, in an inoperative position, are retracted clear of a bale, and actuators associated with each respective bale pick-up device operable to move the movable tines thereof to and from the operative position. The actuators of the respective bale pick-up devices are connectable in parallel to a common drive and releasable locking devices are associated with the movable tines of each bale pick-up device for locking the movable tines in the inoperative position.

Abstract: A litter picking device in the form of a housing having at least one downwardly protruding spike and an upwardly extending handle secured thereto is provided with a knock-off plate slidable relative to the spike. According to one embodiment, the knock-off plate is connected to a rod which extends telescopically within the handle and which is normally spring biased in a direction to eject litter from the spike. A spring biased frictional latch is provided in the handle for engaging the rod to allow upward movement of the rod within the handle as the spike is forced into litter and which allows spring biased downward movement of the rod and knock-off plate upon pivotal movement of the latch out of frictional engagement with the rod. In another embodiment, the spike and knock-off plate are part of a kit adapted to replace the sponge assembly in a conventional roller-sponge mop.

Abstract: A pickup device for a piece of sheet-form flexible fabric or the like includes first and second fabric gripping elements that come together at the face of the fabric piece to grip a localized portion of the fabric, a support for resiliently biasing the fabric gripping elements together in a gripping position, and an actuatable separator for applying force to overcome the biasing to move the fabric gripping elements apart. Upon deactuation of the separator, the support is adapted to resiliently return the gripping elements to the gripping position. A pickup system and method for loosening and removing a single face piece of fabric from a stack of pieces aligned at an edge are also described in which a vacuum stabilizing system is combined with a jet directing air under the raised edge of a fabric piece.

Abstract: A fireplace tool comprising an elongated rod member having a handle grip on one end and a pointed poker formed on the other end and including a plurality of four-sided chisel members extending through the elongated rod at a portion near the poker end. Each chisel member includes a plurality of teeth formed along each edge defined by the four sides thereof. The teeth are formed by cut-outs in each edge. The chisel members are spaced approximately one-half inch apart and are aligned along the line axis of the elongated rod member. Further, the chisel members protrude either in equal amounts through the elongated rod member, or, in progressively increasing amounts commencing from the poker end.

Abstract: A flat rigid rectangular plate has four corners bent down to form rigid V-shaped points to grip on an ice surface. The plate is larger than an adult hand and serves as a hand-held paddle in water. A longer spike or triangular point extends away from the plate at a right angle to the V-shaped points for gripping an ice surface through a snow cover. A handle extending from the top of the plate maybe equipped with a safety cord to loop over the wrist of the user. The handle may be permanently upright or foldable.

Abstract: An attachment is disclosed for a squeeze mop of the type having a mop handle, a water-like absorbent member or sponge at one end of the handle, and a mechanism for squeezing the water absorbent member so as to release the water contained therein. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment comprises a flat plate containing a plurality of spike members which are used in lieu of the water absorbent member. In another embodiment of the invention, the squeezing mechanism is used to either drive a plurality of spiked members in the direction of the object or to pull the spiked object away from the tool. Various squeezing mechanisms are disclosed and various means of attaching spiked members to the end of the mop handle are illustrated and discussed in detail.

Abstract: A hay bale elevator apparatus is set forth wherein a forward rectangular framework has orthogonally projecting exteriorly of a lower frame member thereof a plurality of cradling rods for accepting a hay bale thereon wherein a rear rectangular framework of equal dimensional configuration to said forward framework is pivotally secured to said forward framework by four parallel links pivotally secured at each of their ends to the respective forward and rear framework. A lower frame member of the rear framework has secured a plurality of pivot points integrally thereto with a single pivot point oriented medially of an upper frame member of said rear framework for attachment to a three-point hitch of a farm tractor.

Abstract: A tip assembly for an underwater spear, the assembly including a shaft and a sharpened tip which is slidably disassemblable from the shaft, a flexible cable attached between the tip and shaft which can be readily detached from the shaft to remove the spear tip assembly from a fish by pulling the free end of the cable through a hole in a fish made by the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for gripping layers of flexible material, comprising a head (14) provided with a contact surface, a clearance (16) in the said surface, a needle (103) mobile with respect to the head, a thin groove (15) in the head and kinematic guide means for the needle in the plane of the groove (15). According to the present invention the contact surface is provided with a step (102) and has a recessed area (100) and a protruding area (101). Two contact pins (110, 111) are in a preferred embodiment located either side of the groove (15) level with the recessed area. These measures improve the superficial catching conditions of the upper layer of the flexible material to be seized and avoid the risk of seizing the layer below.

Abstract: Improved material handling device for selective pick up, holding, and release of material is disclosed. The device includes arcuate talons mounted to a first shaft capable of pivotal movement about an offset centerline and by means of talons mounted to a second shaft exhibiting pivotal movement about an offset centerline. The talons, which move in arcuate paths, pierce a plane parallel to a plane defined by the offset centerlines substantially at right angles. The talons diverge after penetrating the pierceable material.

Abstract: A point for a wood hook made of a steel rod tapering along part of its length and ending at its tip by a block member having the general shape of a truncated pyramid having a trapezoidal base. The cross-section of the tip of the tapering member adjacent the block member is such as to display sharp shoulders at the corners of the pyramid. The base of the pyramid is slightly slanted relative to the axis of the tapering member.

Abstract: The device for picking up flat articles or shapes has a gripping mechanism secured to the end of a moving arm, which is for example part of a robot. The gripping mechanism consists of at least two grippers that face each other in a plane on a frame and have gripper pins mounted on them. To allow gripping procedures to be carried out automatically the grippers are mounted in such a way that they can rotate, so that, during an appropriate rotation, the pins, which are in the shape of the arc of a circle and oriented in the form of a multiple screw thread, will be inserted into and extracted from the flat articles or shapes.

Abstract: A device for engaging and holding an article, such as a wood log, to facilitate moving the same, includes a bolt with a point that may be modified to a smaller than standard conical angle, the point having runout threads thereon, and a handle rigidly secured to the bolt at a location spaced axially from the point and projecting laterally from the bolt axis. A user can wield the device by the handle to strike the article with the point to cause the point to penetrate the article, following which the user can rotate the handle about the bolt axis to force the bolt thread into threaded engagement with the article. The device also has a shackle rigidly secured to the handle at a location in line with the bolt axis with the bolt and the shackle extending in opposite directions from the handle, so that the shackle can be grasped to move the article with the bolt in threaded engagement therewith.

Abstract: A fishing spear tip for mounting on a fishing spear shaft has a first, second, and third spear prong mounted in a prong holder having a central longitudinally extending straight bore extending rearwardly from the forward end thereof and adapted to receive the proximal end portions of the first, second, and third prongs therein. An adapter is operatively associated with the prong holder for attaching the prong holder to a spear shaft. Matrix material is positioned in the straight bore in the prong holder in fixed bonding relationship therewith and in fixedly holding, engaging contact with proximal end portions of the first, second, and third prongs. The central longitudinal axes of the first, second, and third prongs, and the central longitudinal axis of the prong holder all are positioned in nonparallel, nonintersecting relationship.

Abstract: A refuse collection device comprises: a cylindrical elongated tubular structure including a proximal handle end and a distal functional end; a transverse support structure penetrating such elongated tubular structure distal functional end for fixedly supporting a further distal pointed rod structure and for rotatably supporting a further distal divided semi-circular spring structure; and a slidable structure being longitudinally slidable on such elongated tubular structure and including top and bottom longitudinally directed grooves or slits for accommodating such transverse support structure during the longitudinal motion of such slidable structure; such semi-circular spring structure including a proximal quarter-circular substantially rigid member having its proximal end being rotatably attached to such transverse support structure, a distal quarter-circular spring member having its proximal end being rotatably attached to such proximal quarter-circular substantially rigid member distal end, and transverse

Abstract: An end effector mechanism is provided which is adapted to be attached to a robot having means for moving the end effector mechanism in at least up and down and forward and reverse paths of travel. The end effector mechanism is characterized by a construction for gripping a generally flat textile article in a predetermined orientation and holding the textile article while maintaining at least one edge thereof in such predetermined orientation during transportation of the textile article by the robot and subsequently releasing the textile article. The end effector mechanism is in the form of a generally U-shaped member having a flat bottom surface for contact with the textile article and having needle gripping devices mounted for inward and outward movement from the forward free ends of the U-shaped member for gripping and releasing the textile article, while holding at least one edge thereof taut and in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A gripper head for the pick-up of a single piece of material from a stack of such pieces. The gripper head is provided with curved needles mounted on the ends of two concentric hollow cylinders. Each hollow cylinder comprises a spiral guide slit. The pitch direction of the guide slit of one cylinder is opposite the pitch direction of the guide slit of the other cylinder. The guide slits cooperate with the gripper head casing to produce rotation of the cylinders in directions opposite to one another during axial advancement of the cylinders within the casing. The cylinders are advanced within the casing by means of a pressure bolt connected to the cylinders. The magnitude of the advancement is determined by the position of an adjustable stop ring located within the casing. In operation, the two sets of curved needles extend from the casing edge and simultaneously rotate in opposite directions in an adjustable and retractable fashion.

Abstract: A fabric pickup device which separates single layers from a stack of fabric layers comprises a mounting plate (1) by which it may be secured to a table (2), an angled bracket (6) extending the full width of the device, and a pickup assembly (8). The pickup assembly (8) is supplied with compressed air to operate three double-acting pneumatic cylinders (20, 21, 22). Two pickup plates (29, 30) have on their lower surfaces needles (39, 40 respectively). Operation of the cylinders (20, 21) causes the plates to be pivoted between a standby position, a pickup position in which a fabric layer is picked up on the needles, and a release position by means of a cam plate (53). Operation of cylinder (22) causes the pickup assembly to be raised so that the fabric layer picked up may be separated from the needles (39, 40).

Abstract: A forklift type assembly for impaling, lifting and carrying a large round bale of hay. The assembly has a backframe with adjustable means for mounting it on the lift mechanism of a small farm tractor. A tubular sheath with a brace on its underside projects from the front of the frame. The rear end of a bale spike, made of a high tensile strength steel rod having a pointed tip, is removably mounted in the sheath. Also mounted on the frame below the sheath and on each side thereof are two forwardly projecting auxiliary bale spikes of reduced length.

Abstract: A coffee filter separator having a handle to fit in one hand and tines to shear a single filter from a stack is claimed and disclosed herein. In one embodiment the handle is angled for convenient use. In another, the tines extend around the circumference of the ball to facilitate the use of the tool in any direction.

Abstract: A litter gun (10) includes a handle (12) with an elongated spear (14), surrounded by a longitudinally movable tubularly-shaped barrel (16), fixedly attached thereto. A biasing spring (18) mounted between the handle and the barrel biases the barrel outwardly. A trigger (20) is mounted in the handle for engaging a graduated ratchet mechanism of the barrel at various points therealong to hold the barrel and prevent outward longitudinal movement thereof. As an operator drives the spear into trash the barrel is urged backwardly into the handle to compress the biasing spring and it is held in these positions by the trigger mechanism. Actuation of the trigger mechanism releases the barrel to drive forwardly, shooting the trash from the end of the spear into a receptacle.

Abstract: A round bale handler comprises a frame with a rear member, and a spike. The spike has a pointed front end to penetrate the round bale, and a rear end pivotally connected to the frame so that the spike is swingable between forward and sideways positions. The spike is of a sufficient length such that a front portion of it can penetrate through the axis of the bale and extend substantially along the entire length of it. Stop means are provided for releasably retaining the spike in the forward position and preventing it from swinging beyond each sideways position. A method of using the handler is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pickup device for sheet-form flexible fabric comprising first and second gripping elements which move laterally in the plane of the fabric in an angle to the direction of clamping, whereby the fabric is tensioned before clamping. Preferably the clamping elements of the teeth have vertical frontal edges, the teeth arranged to come together during final motion, and preferably the teeth being in matching parallel lines. Jets of air are employed to assist in separation, either blowing down at the gripping lines, or between pairs of devices that tension the fabric, or, in regions where the fabric droops below a lifting pickup, using a device that moves the jets closely against the drooping fabric portion. An array of such pickups is rotated about an axis to turn upside down or end for end. All features can be achieved simply by lines of teeth carried on elongated spring arms that are cammed together.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for lifting flexible flat workpieces such as fabric from a support surface. The machine includes a needle holder onto which a circular needle is mounted. The leading edge of the needle holder initially extends through a slit in the housing to push down on the workpiece when the machine is first placed thereon to prevent folds from occurring in the slit. Thereafter, the needle holder is rotated so that the circular needle perforates the top workpiece whereby the machine can be raised to lift the workpiece and move it to a desired location. When the needle holder returns to its rest position the needle is pulled out of the workpiece allowing it to fall from the grasp of the machine.

Abstract: A process for gripping flexible layers arranged in a stack of layers in order to separate one or more upper layers from the other layers of the stack makes use of a needle (23) moving with respect to a contact surface (14a) with a clearance (16). The motion of the needle (23) is implemented in such a manner that during the displacement of its end, said needle thrusts the upper flexible layer toward the clearance (16) to form a corrugation in said clearance; during the final stage of the motion, the needle crosses said corrugation.

Abstract: A means for separating one coffee filter from a pack of filters employing a small device having one or more piercing elements. The handle or holder for the piercing elements fits comfortably in the hand. The strength, length, shape and size of the piercing means should be such that the elements penetrate the thickness of one paper filter without causing undue tearing, cutting or destruction of the filters while being able to withstand the lifting pressures exerted when breaking the suction and fiber adhesion of the top filter from the adjoining filter. A sheath for protecting the piercing elements may be in the form of a scoop or measuring receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up elongated irregular shaped objects, such as beverage cans and/or bottles, is shown. A lightweight housing is provided with an opening at an upper and a lower end thereof. Parallel springs extend across the lower opening to receive cans and/or bottles therethrough and to hold them inside the housing. A pivotal handle across the upper opening allows for ease of removal of collected refuse. A litter pickup stick is removably mounted on a side of the housing. As paper is picked up with the litter pickup stick, it can be removed by a notch in the upper opening of the housing, and the paper litter is maintained separate from solid objects, such as bottles and cans, by a pivotal gate inside the housing. The housing is of sufficient length to pick up refuse without bending.

Abstract: A hay bale handling apparatus has a screw spear, which is rotatably supported by a frame, advanced into a round hay bale by a hydraulic motor, which is mounted on the frame, rotating the spear as a vehicle, which may be a tractor, for example, having a front loader, a backhoe, or a farm loader attached thereto, for example, supporting the frame is advanced. The frame has a bearing rack supported thereon with spaced picks of relatively short length engaging portions of the bale to provide stability to the bale when the screw spear has been advanced into the center of the bale. Three screw spears of the same length may be employed instead of the single screw spear with the spears being rotated in the same direction through a sprocket and chain arrangement with one of the sprockets attached to an output shaft of the hydraulic motor. This arrangement also may use the bearing rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gripping lifting and transporting a sheet, especially a textile sheet, from a stack of sheets. The apparatus has a plurality of substantially vertically oriented gripping mounted under and depending downward from a substantially horizontal holder. Each device has at its downward terminal end a pair of clamping jaws. Each clamping jaw has a plurality of pointed tip members depending downwardly from its edge adjacent the other jaw. A plurality of spaced-apart finger grippers are rotatably disposable to a position beneath the clamping jaws. Each gripping device is preferably arranged with respect to another so that its downward terminal end is in a different horizontal plane from each other juxtaposed device.

Abstract: A blade is disclosed which can be stably anchored in an object, yet readily removed therefrom with a minimum of strain and without the need for an auxiliary tool. Also disclosed is a tool comprising the blade and a handle member. This tool is especially well suited for handling firewood, e.g., during cutting, hauling, stacking, and splitting.

Abstract: A pick-up claw apparatus connectible to a farm truck for handling baled material, in particular baled roughage, comprising a carrier beam which when the apparatus is coupled to the truck, is at right angles to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The carrier beam is connected to one or more hydraulically operated claw members, which are connected to the carrier beam in parallel and laterally reciprocating relationship, in a direction at right angles to the beam.

Abstract: This invention pertains to pins carried by and in a retainer head member with the pins actuated when and as the head member and an associated contact member reaches the outermost portion of a paperboard member whereat the pins are caused to move obliquely to this surface and penetrate the paperboard sufficiently to engage and retain the paperboard. These pin ends by latch members are maintained in the desired penetrating position during transfer. This latch is actuated to release the projected pins when transfer is completed. The paperboard is conventionally of corrugated paperboard construction and the extent of pin end protrusion is carefully controlled so that the pin ends in the penetrating position do not protrude and penetrate the rear panel or wall of the paperboard so that only one penetrated paperboard member is transferred. The embodiments shown are adapted for use with paperboard which is not supple or flexible as is cloth or leather.

Abstract: A device for picking up rubbish and debris and removal of the rubbish and debris into a proper receptacle without the necessity for the operator of the device to touch the rubbish and debris. The shaft has a handle at one end, a pointed tip at the other end and a sleeve slidably engaged on the shaft to cause removal of the debris and rubbish collected on the pointed tip. When a locking and release mechanism located near the handle on the shaft is released, the sleeve causes removal of the rubbish and debris when it slides down the shaft and over the tip.

Abstract: A telescoping prod for divers and the like, including a remotely operable pickup. Inner and outer tubular members telescope with respect to each other, and a set screw holds the two members in the desired position. The pickup includes spring fingers projectable from the extending end of the prod, the fingers being carried by a tube within the inner tubular telescoping member. The tube is held in the inner member, and a rod can either pass through the tube, or be locked to one end of the tube for operating the spring fingers from a distance. The end of the inner telescoping tubular member is threaded to receive various tools, or a visible locator. When folded, the prod is no longer than a person's thigh, and can be fastened along the thigh to allow free movement.

Abstract: A simple and effective cloth pickup device including first and second jaws pivotally mounted for movement from a clamping position to an open position. When the jaws are moved into contact with a piece of cloth they are pivoted to clamp the cloth between them, with needles extending from the first jaw piercing the cloth. An overcenter spring holds the jaws in both their first and second positions. When it is desired to release the cloth held by the jaws a plunger is depressed, engaging the jaws and pivoting them to their open position.