Abstract: An apparatus for creating an illusion that a die has disappeared including a housing pivotally attached to a base member. The housing has an internal chamber and three doors formed on each side thereof leading from the exterior of the housing to the chamber. Doors are provided on the openings adjacent the ends of the housing for selectively closing or opening these openings. A collapsible die is provided for being selectively receivable into the housing, and is movable from an uncollapsed to a collapsed position for creating the illusion that the die has disappeared within the housing.

Abstract: A support assembly including elongated upper and lower parallel plates. A plurality of column supports separate and interconnect the parallel plates. A clamping assembly is supported by the plates, the clamping assembly having vertical and horizontal pressure screw assemblies. A vertical pressure screw assembly is mounted upon the upper plate adjacent each end thereof, and a horizontal pressure screw assembly is mounted upon the lower plate at each end thereof. Both vertical and horizontal pressure screw assemblies project into the space between the upper and lower plates. An annular flexible platform is attached to the lower plate adjacent each end thereof, beneath each vertical pressure screw assembly, and projects into the space between the plates. Lenses, which are to be fixed together by adhesive means to form a combination lens, are received upon a flexible platform, aligned by action of a horizontal pressure screw assembly, and pressed together by action of a vertical pressure screw assembly.

Abstract: A handle of a specific novel configuration is attached to the door of a tractor cab having a specified configuration.

Abstract: A mobile slurry mixer and spreader comprising a rotatable screen attached to and rotated by a drive and disposed within a mixing tank over a discharge opening. The rotatable screen prevents debris from entering the discharge opening while allowing a slurry material to enter the discharge opening. The mixing tank is mounted on a mobile chassis and a spreader is in fluid communication with the discharge opening of the tank. An agitator shaft is horizontally disposed within the tank and a plurality of mixing paddles are attached to the shaft and arranged to move slurry material toward the discharge opening while providing an improved mixing of the slurry material. The mixed slurry material passing through the discharge opening is distributed to the area over which the chassis travels.

Abstract: A batter board for use in building construction having, in one embodiment, two vertical support members and two horizontal alignment members which together maintain a constant spacing between the support members. One of the alignment members is affixed to the support members at the upper ends thereof, while the second alignment member is movably affixed to the support members in such a manner that it may be selectively positioned along the vertical axes of the support members. A slide member is movably affixed to the second alignment member whereby the slide member may be selectively positioned substantially anywhere within the plane defined by the ends of the support members. The basic structure just described may be advantageously modified by the addition of other support and alignment members.

Abstract: A vending machine of a type having a plurality of coin releasable and manually operable pull rods for selectively releasing a product to a consumer. A novel mechanism is provided for selectively locking or releasing the pull rods. This mechanism includes a rod pivotally attached to a frame, the rod being attached to a first lever which is, in turn, operably connected to the pull rod and to a second lever which is, in turn, pivotally attached to a third lever. Structure is provided for causing the third lever to be biased to a position wherein the pull rods are locked; but, upon the insertion of a predetermined amount of money into the vending machine, one of the pull rods can be actuated to release a product due to a changing of the fulcrum of the third lever and simultaneous movement of the third lever and its associated locking structure to thereby unlock one of the pull rods.

Abstract: A band holder and cutter device is defined by a simple L-shaped surface wherein the main leg of the device includes a protruding sharpened, tacking element that can be driven through a strapping band to hold it in place on a packing crate, and the supporting leg of the device supplies a cutting edge to implement the severance and removal of excess banding material when the main leg and the sharpened tacking element are driven into place.

Abstract: An animal watering device of a type having an enclosed housing with a plurality of nipple valves extending from the sides of the housing for allowing animals such as hogs to drink directly therefrom. A base plate having radially outwardly extending flanges thereon is disposed on the housing surrounding each of the nipple valves for the purpose of forcing the animal watering therefrom to align itself in the same general direction that the valve extends from the housing thereby preventing substantial water loss, undesirable water spillage and allowing more animals to efficiently use the waterer than has heretofore been achievable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing grain wherein improved and efficient ventilation is achieved and internal ventilation is practiced without subjecting the stored grain to overdrying and overheating.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a high flange on the wheel of a railroad car having a base member secured to the track; an upright element secured to the base member; an L-shaped unit, having a horizontal arm positioned adjacent to the track and a vertical leg extending underneath the base member, pivotally connected to the upright element; and a signal device connected to the leg of the L-shaped unit for giving a visual signal when a flange having an excessive depth passes over the arm and displaces the arm thereby moving the leg to activate the signal device.

Abstract: A vending machine apparatus of a type which can be manually actuated once a sufficient amount of money is inserted therein to thereby dispense a selected item is provided with an ejector assist mechanism and a mechanism for preventing the item being dispensed from tipping over during the dispensing thereof for thereby assuring a positive delivery of the item and for preventing more than one item from being dispensed at one time. An item holding structure includes a pair of flanges of a particular shape for causing items being dispensed from interfering with one another during the dispensing process.

Abstract: A machine for concurrently laying a dual-layered cementitious composition on a base surface with the layers having different compositions. A self-propelled main frame has an adjustable platform frame overlying the main frame. Adjustable support elements are coupled to the main frame for changing the position of the main frame to conform with the grade characteristics of the base surface. A first receiving unit is coupled to and is extended in front of the main frame and receives the first cementitious composition. The first receiving unit includes a first strike-off element extending transversely to the normal direction of movement of the machine and is spaced a predetermined distance above the base surface. Upon movement of the machine forwardly, a bottom layer of the first composition is formed and shaped. A second receiving unit is coupled to and is extended between the main frame and the first receiving unit for receiving the second cementitious composition.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a cable conveyor system having a channel formed adjacent to a drive wheel for receiving a partial loop of excess cable for the purpose of preventing the cable from becoming too tight or too loose for the proper functioning of the system. A switch assembly is positioned adjacent to one end of the channel for sensing an enlarged partial loop of cable and shutting off the power to the drive apparatus in response to such condition.

Abstract: A pair of angular interlocking rings are provided as apparatus for engaging in a game. One of the interlocking rings is placed around the neck of a first person, and the other ring is placed around the neck of a second person. The object of the game is for the first and second person to switch the rings from one person to the other. Pairs of individuals then compete, the pair switching the rings the quickest being the winner. A safety device is provided for each ring whereby the ends of the rings will separate from each other if too great a force is exerted thereon.

Abstract: An electrically heated fluid coupling apparatus having an electrical resistance heating element positioned inside a hollow heating conduit which runs along the side of the fluid conduit, which conduit is connected at its lower end to the fluid source. Positioned opposite the hollow heating conduit along the fluid conduit is a power cable conduit carrying the power cable which connects to the heating element at the top of the apparatus and near the bottom of the apparatus travels away therefrom to be connected to a source of electrical energy. A casing is positioned about the apparatus and thermal insulation fills the area between the casing and the internal components.

Abstract: A telescoping cover assembly for the open bed of a vehicle comprising front and rear cover sections movable relative to each other is disclosed. The assembly provides a versatile enclosure which permits selective access to all areas of the vehicle bed without the burden of removing the cover. Furthermore, this structure is sectionally removable, or tiltable to a vertical telescoped position which allows ready use of the open bed for large cargo transport. The sections are lockable in various positions to insure safety and security.

Abstract: A cement batcher for use with a concrete plant and having a suspended, elongated, low profile, hopper secured to an inclined arcuate trough, a helical auger operably disposed in the trough for moving cement from the lower inlet end to the upper discharge end of the hopper, a discharge tube secured to the upper end of the trough for discharging the cement from the batcher, a valve in the discharge tube to control the flow, and a plurality of holding baffles mounted transversely of the tube in the hopper to prevent the excessive free flow of cement to the lower end of the hopper.

Abstract: An elongated, cylindrical support member. Attached to the support member intermediate the ends thereof are a plurality of annular roller members. Handle members are attached over each end of the support member. Each roller member bears a plurality of uniformly spaced, radially disposed projections. Engagement of the skin of an individual by the projections, when the support member is moved with respect to the body of the individual, effects a stimulation of the acupuncture points located thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the heating characteristics of a fireplace for an enclosed area is disclosed. A heat exchange conduit extends concentrically through the chimney for a distance and then connects at one end to a ducting system having at least one outlet within the enclosed area. The other end of the conduit is connected with a plurality of bent arms which are positioned in the firebox and they, in turn, connect with a manifold pipe. The manifold pipe is a horizontal member having heat sensitive valves in the ends thereof, and orifices along the length thereof directed toward the firebox. A fan is positioned within the ducting to pull air primarily from the enclosed area and force it through the conduit.

Abstract: A device for mounting an earth working tool to a tool bar for allowing the earth working tool to move upwardly and rearwardly when it encounters an object which it cannot penetrate, rather than placing an undesirably high force on the earth working tool itself. A tool holding rod is moveably mounted in a slot in a housing and is pivotally connected to a pair of levers which are, in turn, pivotally connected to the housing. Biasing structure is provided for urging the earth working tool to a proper working position.