Abstract: An electro mechanical steering mechanism used to remotely steer an outboard motor. A battery powered gear head motor drives a gear rack running horizontally through a generally square tube mounted on the inside of a boat transom. Spring connectors attached to opposite ends of the gear rack are connected to the outboard motor whereby when the steering mechanism is activated to laterally move the gear rack causing the spring connectors to move the outboard motor to selected positions thereby controlling the turning of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A garment made of relatively expensive material for the upper body of a person having a front opening suitable for use in environments of mild and cold temperatures. The elongated web extender having a uniform width can be releasably joined to the sides of the garment adjacent the front opening to expand the circumferential size of the garment whereby additional layers of clothing can be worn underneath the garment during colder weather. Each side of the web extender has a releasable connector assembly attached thereto. A first connector assembly is associated with a closure device used to join the first connector assembly and a complimentary connector assembly on one side of a garment. The second connector assembly on the web extender has an end that cooperates with a closure device associated with a releasable connector assembly attached to the opposite side of the garments to join the connector assemblies and close the front opening of the garment.

Abstract: A self-supporting, cordless, rechargeable battery operated household stirring appliance for use in a saucepan to stir gravy, puddings, soups, and similar food stuffs. The appliance has a body enclosing a battery operated motor and at least one rechargeable battery connected to the motor and held within cavities formed in the housing. A drive gear is journaled in a cylindrical bearing cavity formed in the housing and connected to the drive motor through a speed-reducing gear train similarly journaled in cylindrical bearing cavities formed in tile housing. A multi-bladed ejectable stirring paddle has a central shaft extending into the housing and engaging tile drive gear. A handle which is integral with the housing extends outwardly at one end from the top end of the housing and has a downwardly directed extension which projects from the stirrer handle on the outside of the saucepan and engages the saucepan handle to prevent rotation of the housing during operation of the stirrer.

Abstract: A light transmitting, visual display panel for use as a sign or message board and comprised of a plurality of closely adjacent, rectangular modules, each of which includes a closed, vertically disposed housing having top, bottom, side and back walls, and a front wall comprised of a plurality of closely adjacent, interchangeable, rectangular, 3-dimensional, light refracting filtering lenses. The lenses are removably secured in the housing. A vertical array of individual light sources is disposed within the housing behind the lenses and dividers behind the lenses separate the light sources. Each housing includes at least one pressurizing cooling fan and narrow, slot-like air exhaust ducts are provided between adjacent lenses.

Abstract: A portable collapsible highway sign stand for standard rollup and rigid warning, regulatory and informational signs. An elongated vertical rigid sign-supporting mast is supported by a multi-legged base. The legs are pivotally supported for movement from a first folded position parallel to the mast to a second position in which the legs are splayed outwardly and secured in place by a single central retainer pin. A sign mounting jaw including a first fixed outer jaw and a slidable inner jaw member is secured to the top of the mast. A mast tilt adjuster is incorporated to adapt use of the sign stand to non-level terrain.

Abstract: A roll-up portable table or cooking grill which presents, when in an open first condition for use, a relatively flat, substantially rectangular, upwardly facing table adapted to be supported to define a generally horizontal rigid cooking surface. When in a rolled up second condition for transport or storage, the table is configured to be contained within a generally cylindrical container. The portable table or grill includes a plurality of bars, each having a straight, stiff, longitudinally extending, central rod spaced from and mutually parallel with respect to every other central rod; and two generally J-shaped hook portions, one at each end of that rod. The J-shaped hook portions of each bar each include a shank, a first end of which extends integrally from one end of the rod. These hook portions each include a hook which extends integrally from a second end of the shank.

Abstract: A flag holder for attachment to a standard highway sign, for holding a pair of symmetrically arrayed warning flags at the top of the sign, and for permitting the flags to be folded downwardly for transport and storage. When used on roll-up highway signs the flags may be rolled up along with the roll-up sign. The holder includes an elongated rigid holder body which is adapted for attachment adjacent the top of a standard rigid or roll-up highway warning sign. Attachment is by means of bolts in the case of a rigid sign, or at least one clamp attached to the body for fixedly securing the body to the strut or brace of a roll-up sign. A pair of elongated flag staffs are pivotally attached at one end to the holder body and each has a flexible warning flag at the other end.

Abstract: An air guard assembly used to direct air forced through an overhead air diffuser toward the floor of a building. The assembly has a plurality of elongated linear baffles. Each baffle has a strip of magnetic material that adheres directly to metal ceiling structures to surround and enclose the diffuser within the assembly. A gripping tool having an elongated handle is used to locate the baffle adjacent the metal ceiling surface and remove the baffle therefrom. The baffle has a pair of grooves preventing the gripping tool from slipping off the baffle.

Abstract: A crop sprayer cab has a step assembly facilitating ingress and egress of the operator into and out of the cab. The step assembly has floor and step sections operable for movement between an up, closed position and a down, step position relative to the floor of the cab. Links connected to the cab floor and the floor section limit downward movement of the step section and allow the step assembly to be moved to a closed position. A hand operated lever is operable to pivot the step assembly to the up, closed position.

Abstract: A seed drill for planting seed in untilled ground. The drill is pulled by a prime mover and includes an array of double disk furrow opening assemblies in conjunction with a seed dispensing mechanism. The seed drill is equipped with an array of forwardly located trash disks in order to clear trash in the immediate vicinity ahead of each double disk furrow opening assembly. The trash disks clear the ground to facilitate the work of the furrow opening disks. Each trash disk assembly includes a circular trash disk rotatably mounted on a torque arm that is resiliently movable with respect to the frame of the machine. Each trash disk is mounted at an angle canted downward and forward between 15 and 25 degrees. The trash disk has a concave dish shape with a scalloped outer peripheral edge.

Abstract: A machine for crushing oil filters and collecting the oil therefrom. The machine has a piston and cylinder assembly for moving a crushing member into a crushing chamber to crush an oil filter. A control valve controls the supply of hydraulic fluid to the piston and cylinder assembly. Air under pressure is also supplied to the piston and cylinder assembly to move the crushing member back to its initial position. A lock is mounted on the actuator of the control valve for holding a door providing access to the crushing chamber in the closed position. When the actuator is moved to a position to allow fluid to flow to the cylinder the door is locked in the closed position. A second lock structure maintains the door in the closed position during the time that the crushing member is performing the crushing operation. The crushing member must be moved to its initial position to release the second lock structure before the door can be opened.