Abstract: A method for handling large cylindrical bales includes loading a first group of bales on an elongated trailer, elevating the bales, loading a second group of bales on the trailer, and lowering the first group of bales onto the second group for stable transportation of a relatively large number of bales. An apparatus for carrying out such a method includes the trailer having a conveyor extending therealong, a loader device on the trailer for engaging bales on the ground and depositing the same on the conveyor, bale supporting platform sections extending along the conveyor, drive shafts with sprockets thereon rotatably supported on the trailer and extending along the top side of the trailer, drive chains connected to the platform section and engaging the sprockets, and a motor operatively connected to shafts to rotate same and thereby effect elevation of the bales supported by the platform sections.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing material from the surface of fruits and vegetables (produce) and separating the removed material from the resultant mixture utilizes the rotation of an upwardly directed cage formed of elongated rotating spindles having a material removing surface thereon, the cage rotary speed being sufficient, at the interior radius thereof, to maintain the produce in continuous centrifugal force contact against the spindle material removing surface, but generally insufficient to prevent downward movement or migration of the produce within the cage under the force of gravity. Produce to be treated is urged into engagement with the spindles and the rotating cage causes the produce to accelerate substantially to said rotary speed, whereby the produce travels with the cage in contact with the rotating material removing spindle surfaces.

Abstract: An adjustable bed is particularly adapted for the care of patients at home, and comprises a stationary frame, and a mattress support having a head section, a center section, and a foot section, which are hingedly interconnected. A lift arm has opposing ends thereof pivotally connected with the frame and the mattress support center section respectively, and includes a power device which selectively pivots the lift arm to raise and lower the mattress support thereby adjusting patient elevation. A longitudinally extending motor has opposing ends thereof pivotally connected with the frame and the mattress support center section at a point spaced from the lift arm center section pivot, whereby motor extension and retraction pivots the mattress support about the lift arm pivot, thereby bodily tilting the same for adjusting patient inclination.

Abstract: A wire spoke, non-suspension type, automotive wheel in which the spokes are operably untensioned prior to vehicle loads being placed upon the wheel. An outer tubeless tire rim with a drop center is mounted to a wheel center which includes a substantially thick and solid felly connected to a concentrically positioned hub. Wire spokes extend radially outward from the hub in circumferential array and have tenons or feet on inner ends thereof which are anchored within recesses at front and rear ends of the hub. Radially outer ends of the spokes are plain terminations welded in the shape of a plug anchor within circumferentially spaced bores in the felly to secure the spokes and permit wheel formations which exhibit the classic beauty and elegance of a suspension wire spoke wheel, combined with durability, strength and ease of construction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing rupturable areas in thermoplastic film wherein said film is used to make closed flexible containers or packages that are easily ruptured for the release of contents contained therein. The apparatus is comprised of a male mold portion and a female mold portion having the film interposed therebetween. Application of heat and pressure to the film by the male and female mold portions cause the plastic film to extrude outwardly from the impression area thereby forming a weakened line or area in the film by selectively reducing the thickness thereof. The film is then formed into flexible packages having the rupture area in a selected position.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system wherein a train of track supported trolleys includes a lead trolley normally driven by an overhead power chain. The train moves through a transfer area wherein the lead trolley is disengaged from the power chain; and, in order to complete the transfer, a trailing trolley is provided with a secondary or transfer dog which engages the power chain while the lead trolley is undriven. The transfer dog is pivotally connected to one end of an operating arm which is pivotally mounted on a lower portion of the trailing trolley, and the other end of the operating arm supports a cam follower. An actuating cam extends below the track in the transfer area, causing the transfer dog to rise into a transfer position so as to engage the power chain and thereby propel the train through the transfer area.

Abstract: A drawn automotive vehicle wheel comprising first and second wheel halves contiguous about a disc plate positioned in between. The wheel halves are generally cup-shaped, each having a center section and an integral rim section and the disc plate is of similar planar configuration as the respective center sections. In the respective center sections and in the disc plate are respectively congruent apertures with integral projections emanating from the rear surface of each center section, defining a central opening and alignment apertures. The wheel halves are placed and secured back to back with the disc plate between, allowing reception into the plate of the lip-like projections, resulting in the spatial correspondence of the apertures among the three wheel elements, and thus, retention of proper elemental alignment under high torque conditions.

Abstract: A central heating system furnace includes a self-contained closed-system steam heating unit mounted in a housing having a cold air inlet and a hot air outlet. The unit includes a plurality of side-by-side radiators arranged above a boiler unit having an electric heating element immersed in a quantity of vaporizable liquid. Each radiator comprises a plurality of tubular, finned, heat exchange risers arranged in a row and extending between upper and lower manifolds. In order to distribute steam evenly among each of the radiators and to prevent unvaporized liquid from entering the risers thereof, a horizontal steam tube communicating with the boiler unit is positioned between the boiler unit and radiators and supplies steam to each radiator through a separate steam distributing member in the lower manifold thereof, each steam distributing member including a plurality of steam discharge tubes extending upwardly into the lower portion of different risers of the radiator to distribute steam evenly.

Abstract: In a farm harrow, a U-shaped clamp mounts channel-shaped bars to harrow tine supporting shafts. The shafts transversely extend through longitudinal channel-shaped carrier arms and are rotatably mounted therethrough. The bars are mounted within each respective carrier arm channel and introduce, in cooperation with the carrier arm, rotative limits to the respective shafts. The bars allow the rotative limits of the respective shafts to be adjusted accordingly so as to maintain a desired drag angle for the attached harrow teeth during forward harrow movement as well as allowing the harrow to back up without the attached harrow teeth digging in.

Abstract: A crank handle assembly for mounting onto an end of a rotatable shaft of a window moving or carriage mechanism for raising and lowering a window of a vehicle such as an automobile or truck. The assembly includes a crank arm having at one end a head for engaging the carriage mechanism shaft and at the other end a knob base with an integral circular knob extending therefrom. The knob has an outwardly extending side surface and an end surface, the side surface being separated from the knob base by a groove forming a rounded shoulder facing the crank arm. A cylindrical cap or handle of resilient plastic material for fitting onto the knob includes an open end, a side wall and a closed end wall defining a well for receiving the knob. The open end has an inwardly extending annular ring or flange for positioning with the groove and engaging the shoulder.

Abstract: Corn detasseling apparatus is disclosed that comprises first and second sets of cylindrical segments aligned end-to-end to form first and second rollers, respectively, that are mounted on a frame in parallel contacting relationship. The circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical segments of the first roller are in contact with those of the second roller to define a detasseling nip. Since it is preferred that the circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical segments be made of a resilient material, the segments can be inflatable tires that are abutted end-to-end to form a roller, and in which case the circumferential surfaces are on the treads of the tires. In accordance with the present invention, the number of cylindrical segments in a set can be varied to adjust the length of the roller, the location of the segments on the roller can be changed to minimize wear, and damaged or worn segments can be replaced without having to replace an entire roller.

Abstract: The oral administration to animals of riboflavin is an effective therapeutic treatment for keratoconjunctivitis. Suitable riboflavin dosages for this treatment are in the nature of from about 65 milligrams to about 200 milligrams per animal per day. The riboflavin may be orally administered by mixing with ground feed or corn or by incorporation with mineral salt into a salt lick. Additional ingredients with the riboflavin such as antibiotics, vitamin A and other vitamins assist in the treatment. Suitable antibiotics include tetracycline, neomycin, and oxytetracycline.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for an accumulation conveyor includes a brake frame supporting a brake pad at an angle and movable between a lower braking position with the brake pad frictionally engaging one of the conveyor rollers on an upper non-braking position. Preferably, the brake frame includes pressure rollers for moving a roller driving belt into contact with the conveyor rollers in the non-braking position and out of contact with the rollers in the braking position. The brake frame includes ramp members engaging bearing rollers on the conveyor frame, and an extendible member is operable by actuation of a downstream signal roller to move the brake frame relative to the conveyor frame.

Abstract: A conveyor stop structure arrests the forward motion of a selected article carried by a belt driven live roller conveyor and simultaneously disengages an associated roller from powered engagement with the belt. The stop structure includes a stop connected to conveyor frame members for upward pivotal movement, and a roller contacting cam for raising a selected roller from powered engagement with the belt. The stop has an angled lower portion which receives a bottom leading edge of the article and lifts at least the bottom leading edge from contact with another roller as the article swings the stop rearwardly and upwardly.

Abstract: A bi-flow nasal inhalation cup for mixing oxygen and ambient air includes a crescent shaped cup member or open top receptacle having a recessed pocket in a downwardly sloping collecting floor. A curved inner wall extends above and below a cup floor inner margin and is contoured to gently engage the upper lip of a patient. Opposite wing portions extend outwardly from the inner wall and conform to facial portions laterally of the nose. A substantially vertical outer wall merges with the cup floor and the inner wall and has a center portion which extends above the inner wall and merges with diverging opposite straight arm portions. A pair of cannula inlets respectively extend tangentially through the arm sections and project generally radially outwardly and at an upward angle toward the patient's face. Tubes or cannula are fitted into the inlets and extend toward the patient's face with each tube or cannula having a curve for draping over the patient's ears and supporting the cup member thereby.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a high clearance vehicle comprising an elongate, mobile frame having depending, laterally spaced struts at front and rear ends mounting front and rear wheels respectively. A ring gear is fixed relatively to each rear drive wheel and a speed reducer for each rear drive wheel is carried by the frame adjacent a respective drive wheel. Each speed reducer has an input shaft and an output shaft with a gear pinion in driving engagement with a respective ring gear at an upper portion thereof. An engine and transmission are mounted on the frame and have a driven output shaft operatively connected to the respective speed reduces by pulleys respectively on the driven output shaft and the speed reducer input shafts for driving the speed reducer and the rear drive wheels in response to operation of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fumigating stored agricultural commodities such as grain and the like, includes an applicator for porous envelopes or sachets of prepackaged pesticides of the type which react with moisture in the air and produce a toxic gas. The applicator comprises an elongate strip constructed of a flexible, porous, non-hygroscopic material. The strip has two plies which are arranged in an overlying relationship and are interconnected along a side edge thereof, and includes a plurality of seams which extend laterally across the strip and regularly interconnect the plies, and form pockets shaped for receiving the prepackaged pesticide sachets therein. The seams form a flexible hinge between adjacent pockets and interconnect the same to facilitate folding. A sachet is inserted into each pocket, the pocket is closed, and the filled applicator is deployed onto the free surface of an aggregation of stored commodity and arranged in a flat and fully extended position thereover.

Abstract: For use with a farm implement frame, a drag harrow pressure adjustment device which includes bracket members designed to pivotally mount implement frame arms to an implement frame beam. The frame arms have mounted thereto harrow sections containing harrow teeth for ground working. A spring member, in cooperation with bracket members, introduces variable degrees of pressure to the frame arms resulting in the capability to regulate the ultimate downward pressure exerted by the harrow teeth on the underlying terrain. When desired, the frame arms are raised and maintained, through an over-center arrangement, at elevations disengaging the harrow teeth from terrain contact.

Abstract: A tub grinder suitable for comminuting forage crops as feed for livestock comprising a rotating circular tub having a floor with an opening therein through which a hammermill communicates for chopping the forage. When the forage is fed too quickly and overloads the hammermill, a governor senses that the rotational speed of the hammermill has been reduced and operatively signals the tub driving mechanism to slow the speed thereof, thus feeding forage at a lesser rate and allowing the hammermill to recover. A similar but opposite process occurs when the hammermill increases in speed to the extent that it is able to handle additional forage. A dampening mechanism is used in conjunction with the governor and functions to allow the tub rotation to slow immediately upon the hammermill being overloaded, but somewhat delays the increase of the tub rotation when the hammermill can receive additional forage.

Abstract: Fuel saving apparatus for controlling the supply of fuel to one or more selected cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprises a remotely and independently controlled fuel saving valve operably positioned to provide selective communication between the cylinder clearance volume and a filtered air portion of the engine carburetor. The valve is closed for normal, full power engine operation, and open for predetermined low engine power demand periods. The opening of said valve so severely reduces cylinder intake vacuum and resultant air-fuel influx as to render temporarily ineffective the cylinder, thereby reducing engine fuel consumption.