Abstract: An improved method for forming steel fibers from a process of the type in which the fiber is drawn directly from a pool of molten metals. The improvement revolves around the discovery of an alloy starting material which substantially reduces processing steps and equipment and produces a fiber with improved ductility and strength characteristics. The addition of controlled amounts of copper to a typical low carbon steel alloy provides a wider latitude in the necessary cooling steps to greatly facilitate the control of the ductility and strength of the final product through the use of low cost processing techniques.

Abstract: An improved portable traction track for a vehicle driving wheel which is characterized by a plurality of base sections flexibly connected to one another to form an elongate strip adapted to be pulled under a rotating driving wheel. Each of the base sections include transversely spaced vertical side walls which have longitudinally spaced edges which are disposed in predetermined angular relationship to the edges of the immediately adjacent side walls in a decreasing angular relationship from the front toward the rear of the strip. The edges of the side walls are also provided with locking features such that upon flexing of the base sections in one direction, the side sections engage one another to permit only predetermined amount of flexing of that portion of the strip. This construction provides a bridge effect as the vehicle wheel rotates and pulls the strip under the wheel to the point at which the wheel is driven out of the rut in which it is stuck.

Abstract: A cargo sleeve removably mounted into the cargo area of standard passenger vehicles such as station wagons or the like or which may be removably mounted to the top of the vehicle which is characterized by a container means including a top opening, side walls, front and rear walls and a bottom wall integrally formed with one another to form a receptacle, said side walls having a configuration that closely conforms to the configuration of the walls of a standard vehicle cargo area and a flanged rim surrounding substantially the entire receptacle means. A removably mounted lid portion is included which generally conforms to the configuration of the receptacle and includes edge portions which rest upon a portion of said flanged rim.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating the links of flat conveyor chain in situ which is characterized by a clamp portion adapted to firmly grip a link in the chain and a base portion which includes a forcing rod positioned to engage the edge of the next adjacent link to push said edge out of engagement with the link being held by the clamp portion. The clamp portion comprises a pair of parallel extending leg portions which are spaced from one another to receive the link member. An opening provided in said leg portions through which a locking member is extended to secure the link disposed between the legs such that the connection between the adjacent link is aligned with the forcing rod.

Abstract: An automatic poultry wing cutting apparatus for selectively severing an individual poultry wing into predetermined pieces which is characterized by a rotatably mounted drum-like wing retaining member provided with a plurality of spaced wing receiving grooves extending generally in an axial direction along the outer surface of the retaining member. A plurality of axially spaced slots are provided which intersect the grooves. Knife means are provided which extend into predetermined portions of said slots and cooperative with a plurality of wing engaging members which are disposed in other preselected slots to bias said wing downwardly against each of said knife means to selectively sever the wing at desired locations.

Abstract: An improved construction and method of making an artificial foot characterized by a rigid keel portion comprising a molded plastic material having a metal reinforcing strip imbedded within said plastic keel portion near the lower surface thereof. This keel portion is surrounded by a typical flexible foamed plastic material molded to said keel to form the outer surface of the foot. Preferably the reinforcing strip includes a metal receiver fixed to the strip and also is imbedded within the rigid keel to receive connecting means to attach the foot to the remainder of the prosthetic leg portion.

Abstract: A coupler for animal collars characterized by a novel combination of a releasable locking member biased in a normally closed position which is in the form of a curved resilient strip. This strip is adapted to receive a pair of post members provided on a channel-like base member which in turn receives respective ends of the collar which are held on the posts until the strip member is removed. The strip member may be removed by depressing the center portion which elongates the strip and permits its removal from the posts and their flanged top.

Abstract: An improved animal feeder particularly suitable for hogs, cattle and the like which is characterized by an improved feed control construction which includes a novel threaded drive construction cooperating with an inclined plane connection to a movably mounted feed gate to save time and effort in adjusting the flow of feed to the feeder troughs when required.

Abstract: An improved counterbore end cutting tool characterized by a unique construction wherein the shank driver, the cutting head, and the pilot shank are removably mounted together. Additionally, the cutter head is manufactured in a manner to provide a novel reversible feature which permits it to be reversed to cut from either end. The cutting head and the holder include a novel driving connection feature wherein the teeth at one end of the cutting head which are not being used, mate with appropriate recesses in the holder to provide the driving connection between the holder and cutting head.

Abstract: A self-propelled sod harvesting machine includes a cutter head which separates a strip of sod from the ground, an elevator for raising the sod strip on the machine, and a blade assembly for cutting individual sod pads from the strip. A conveyer for the sod pads includes a plurality of spaced apart chains drawn around sprockets and carrying outwardly projecting teeth which penetrate the pads from the top. The teeth are arranged to pinch the sod in a manner to retain it on the conveyer as the individual pads are successively carried to a sod box containing a pallet. A stripping mechanism is lowered in a rocking type stroke to strip the sod pads off of the conveyer teeth and onto the pallet in a stack.

Abstract: An improved severing means facilitating the formation and handling of individual pads of sod for implementation with automated sod harvesting apparatus which comprises a rotary mounted set of spaced transversely extending blades cooperating with a longitudinally mounted blade means disposed between at least two of the transversely extending blades. This unique configuration provides means to form a plurality of individual pads of sod which upon each complete revolution of the severing means automatically orients contiguous sets of pads in a cross-wise manner to facilitate further handling of the pads.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating lawns or the like which features a novel construction wherein the tines include a rotating drilling action with a forward and downward motion to effectively aerate the turf as well as impart a forward walking type action to the apparatus as a whole. Further, the individual tines include a pressure limiting construction to prevent damage to the tines in addition to eliminating damage to sidewalks or other hard surfaces which may inadvertently be contacted during use.