Abstract: A collapsible and lockable hinge joint for elongated members such as a fishing rod. The embodiment disclosed utilizes a unitary, flexible, non-elastic hinge formed of polypropylene which is slotted into ferrules which are attached to adjacent segments of the rod. The junction is preferably completed with the use of a flexible coupling sleeve which slides over the joint. In this manner the entire rod is flexible when in use and does not contain a dead spot at the joint. For use as a fishing rod the segments of the rod can be folded together and clipped for easy storage and transportation.

Abstract: A simulated leather checkbook cover includes an outer cover sheet and an inner pocket-forming sheet of vinyl sheet material. The peripheral edge of the outer sheet is turned inwardly over and around the peripheral edge of the inner sheet, and the layers of the edge portion are secured to each other by a radio-frequency dielectric heat sealed vinyl-to-vinyl bond and by a line of threaded stitching extending through all three layers close to the turned over edge. The cover sheet has a flow-molded design portion in its outer surface with a depth and pattern simulating a hand-tooled leather design. The design portion includes a depressed flat area within which any selected one of a plurality of originally separate and differently ornamental inserts is adhesively secured.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a slatted floor system comprises a plurality of elongated, spaced, generally parallel slats. Each slat has a top, load-carrying surface with spaced apart, opposite outer edges; a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface; and a pair of side surfaces integral with the top surface and the bottom surface. The side surfaces are joined with the top surface along lines recessed from the outer edges of the top surface. The side surfaces further taper toward each other in first portions, adjacent the top surface, then extend substantially parallel to each other and vertically relative to the bottom surface in second portions, thereby forming with the top and bottom surfaces a generally Y-shaped, enclosed main compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying materials having first and second support members movable longitudinally with respect to each other, a third support member positioned between the first and second support members and movable along a line extending therebetween, first and second rigid conduit sections having one end supported respectively by the first and second support members and a third rigid conduit section having its ends swivelly connected to the other ends of the first and second conduit sections and supported by the third support member, whereby as the first and second support members move longitudinally with respect to each other, the first, second and third conduit sections expand and retract accordingly.

Abstract: A vent and baffle used to provide an air passage between the soffit and the attic of a house to insure the flow of air through the attic. The vent is an elongated arcuate member having outwardly directed flanges adapted to be secured to the roof boards of a structure with suitable fasteners. The baffle is a block having a semi-circular recess to accommodate and support the one end of the vent against the end of the roof boards. The baffle is located in a tight fit or wedged relationship with the roof boards and top plate of the structure to block the passage between the attic and the soffit and insulate the area above the top plate of the side wall of the structure. The vent and baffle are made from a foamed plastic having flame resistant additives.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a cable cylinder to form an effective seal about a generally cylindrical cable section. The seal assembly includes primary and secondary seal members disposed on opposite sides of an alignment sleeve and a retainer sleeve, all of which are disposed within the central bore of a gland member. The central bore includes a plurality of cylindrical bore portions and means cooperating with the retainer sleeve for retaining the seal members and alignment sleeve within the gland for easy insertion and removal thereof.

Abstract: A control valve for automatically controlling fluid fertilizer is introduced in a fluid fertilizer application system of the type comprising: a fertilizer supply; an implement having fertilizer application elements; means for moving said application elements between a lowered, application position and a raised, transport position; and conduit means for delivering fertilizer from the fertilizer supply to the application elements. The control valve is interposed in the conduit means between the fertilizer supply and the application elements and has a control lever terminating in a saddle adapted to receive a projection. A collapsible and extendable valve actuator means, which is responsive to the means for moving the application elements between raised and lowered positions and which has thereon a projection adapted to engage the valve control lever, controls the valve such that it is closed when the application elements are raised and open when the application elements are lowered.

Abstract: An improved force exerting means for a printing apparatus of the type having a printing station, a printing force resisting means, a front element and an image carrier wherein said improved force exerting means includes a curved force exerting surface, a means for guiding and supporting the curved surface in rolling movement relative to a printing station between first and second positions such that a printing force is exerted against successive portions of a printing surface, and means for moving the curved surface in rolling movement between said first and second positions.

Abstract: A tactile feel device which provides a characteristic resistance to movement, and breakaway feel to signal the operator that movement and accompanying function, such as switching, has been accomplished. Resistance to movement is provided by spring biasing means for the initial stroke of the device, by spring biasing means plus magnetic force at the end of the initial stroke, and by spring biasing means only, after magnetic breakaway at the end of the initial stroke, to provide a characteristic breakaway feel. The device is shown and described in connection with a light pen which generates a signal when pressed against a cathode-ray-tube faceplate. The characteristic breakaway feel signals the operator that the tip or probe of the pen has been sufficiently pressed against the cathode-ray-tube to generate the appropriate signal in the light pen.

Abstract: A stock watering device for preventing water therein from freezing during cold weather and for keeping the water therein cool during hot weather. The device includes an insulated tank, an insulated cover portion, a float valve for maintaining water within the tank at a predetermined level and a drinking well provided in the cover portion for providing drinking access. The drinking well includes a lower continuous edge extending below the predetermined level of water to form an effective seal between the interior of the insulated tank and the ambient weather conditions.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and controlling equipment, such as an agricultural irrigation system. The device can be called by an ordinary telephone from anywhere in the world and after answering the telephone the device will monitor and indicate to the caller the system status, that is, whether the system and certain system parameters are operating. If the caller is calling on a conventional Touch-Tone* telephone the caller can then access the system with a confidential three digit access code. (*Touch-Tone is a registered Trademark of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.) If the system recognizes and verifies the access code the calling operator, with the use of two digit commands, can start and stop system components as well as monitor those and other components to assure that the controlled system is operating properly.

Abstract: A mechanical toy athlete built on a base has a hollow body portion comprising the torso of the athlete. A slidable plunger extends from within and out the top of the hollow body portion. The head of the athlete mounts on the top end of the plunger. Downward external pressure on the head moves the plunger from a rest position into which it is biased. A lever arm which represents either an arm or leg of the athlete, depending on the sport that the athlete "plays," mounts to the hollow body portion. The lever arm rotates relative to the hollow body portion in a fashion resembling the movement of the human limb which the lever arm represents and the lever arm is also biased into a rest position. The plunger, as it moves from its rest position, cooperates with the lever arm to rotate the lever arm from its rest position. When the leverarm rotates from its rest position, it propels a toy projectile, which represents the object that the athlete uses in the sport he "plays.

Abstract: A shut-off device for use with an internal combustion engine having an electric ignition comprises a switch having first and second states, connected to the engine ignition in such a way that the ignition current is not inhibited when the switch is in its first state but is inhibited when the switch is in its second state. The device further has means for changing the switch from its first state to its second state and means for automatically maintaining the switch in its second state for a predetermined interval of time sufficient to allow the engine to die.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing film by scrubbing having a rotatable scrubbing roller, an acurately shaped scrubbing plate with its inner surface adjacent to and in scrubbing relationship with the scrubbing roller and means for guiding the film to be processed in linear movement between the roller and the plate. A method for processing film by scrubbing which comprises the steps of guiding the film in an arcuate path in scrubbing relationship with the peripheral surface of a scrubbing roller and rotating the scrubbing roller.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a cable cylinder to form an effective seal about a generally cylindrical cable section. The seal assembly includes first and second seal retaining member disposed on opposite sides of a seal element, all of which are disposed within a cylindrical bore of a gland member. The cylindrical bore includes a shoulder portion to retain one of the retaining members and a groove to retain the other for easy insertion and removal thereof.

Abstract: A wax applicator for skis comprising a block of generally abrasive material such as cork and a sheet of relatively hard material such as acrylic plastic secured face-to-face to serve as a wax spreader and smoother. The sheet extends past one edge of the block and the edge of the sheet extending past the block and an edge of the block are beveled such that they provide spaced beveled edges lying in a common plane.

Abstract: A combination wheel brake assembly for connection with a wheel or other rotatable element comprising a rotatable axle, a spring applied, hydraulically released brake assembly, a wheel hub rotatably supported on the axle and adapted for connection with the wheel and free wheeling hub mechanism for selectively rendering the wheel hub free wheeling to permit the wheel to be freely rotated despite a loss or failure of hydraulic pressure and despite braking engagement of the braking elements.

Abstract: A bale wagon for loading, unloading and transporting bales of hay, straw or the like of a size not capable of being handled and maneuvered by a single person comprising a wheel mounted, bale supporting frame, a bale loading means pivotally mounted to the frame at its forward end, means for conveying said bales from the forward end of the frame to a selected position therealong, a tongue section connectable to a draft vehicle and disposed in an operative position such that the wagon trails the draft vehicle to one side thereof and a wheel means for supporting the side of the frame opposite the tongue section when the tongue section is in its operative position.

Abstract: The present invention is an attachment for a hand truck. The attachment comprises two truss members welded to the hand truck and two elongated rail members, each secured to one of the truss members. The rail members each include an elongated slide of an ultra-high molecular weight polymer which provide a low-friction surface for slidably supporting the hand truck on the edge of a stair.

Abstract: A stand for supporting boat motors comprising a generally horizontally disposed base and a motor support means for supporting said boat motor on said base comprising connection means for connecting the stand to the cavitation plate of said boat motor on said each side of said motor and a support member extending between said base and said connection means.