Abstract: An elongated slatted box having oppositely disposed ends, one of which is open and the other closed. A pair of internal frames, one mounted in said open end and the other spaced longitudinally therefrom, both the frames having flexible splines fastened thereto to converge inwardly to define concentric, spaced apart and progressively constricted passageways into respectively contiguous compartments of the slatted box. The size of the interior opening of the first and outer constricted passageway limits the size of all the fish entering the trap as to largeness, and the size and spacing of the interior opening of the second and inner constricted passageway relative to the first constriced constricted passageway restricts the fish entering therethrough to catfish only and of a desired size only.

Abstract: An alarm communication system including a circuit for normally transmitting music to a plurality of different locations within a building which includes a source of music, a plurality of speakers selectively positioned throughout the building and a normally closed switch for connecting the source of music to each of the speakers. A source of programmed alarm announcements stored on a tape is converted to an electrical signal, amplified and coupled to each of the speakers via an override switch. Actuation of an override switch in response to the occurrence of an emergency condition, such as a fire, causes the normally closed switch to open and couples the electronic signal corresponding to the programmed alarm announcements to each of the speakers. A microphone is provided which is selectively actuatable upon the closing of a switch to couple instantaneous voice communications to each of the aforementioned speakers while at the same time inhibiting the programmed alarm announcements being coupled thereto.

Abstract: A floating transfer vessel provides exterior mooring for a ship adapted to receive loose granular cargo, and interior dry-docking for a plurality of barges loaded with loose granular material within the transfer vessel. All relative motion between transfer vessel and barges, and between automated digging and conveying apparatus mounted in the transfer vessel and barge confines or cargo spaces are eliminated, to permit substantial reduction of working tolerances therebetween without possibility of damage. The reduced tolerances leaves very little grain to clean up requiring no additional independent equipment.

Abstract: A dirt gathering and hauling bucket is pivotally attached to manually operable lift arms mounted to extend rearwardly on the back end of a riding garden tractor to swing level with open top and front, and a leading sharp edge defined forwardly by a closed bottom. A pair of transverse elements, vertically spaced apart, are mounted adjacent the forward upper edge of the bucket to loosely receive therethrough the free end of a jam bar that is pivoted by its other end to the rear of the garden tractor between the lift arms. The difference between the vertical dimension of the jam bar and the vertical space between transverse elements determines the angle of tilt of the bucket and its leading sharp edge as it engages the ground, when lowered by the lift arms, by the jam bar jamming between the transverse elements to stop the bucket's rearward pivoting.

Abstract: A tungsten heating filament is connected in series with a safety filament having a low melting temperature. The filaments are connected to and between terminals of a small terminal board. A quickly-igniting, combustible mixture is applied to the terminal board between terminals, and over and around the heating filament and under the safety filament. The terminal board and its attachments are enclosed in a plastic case with a transparent face. Leads are connected internally to the terminals and externally in parallel circuit across a safety switch operable to open and close by means of a malfunction sensing element, the switch and element comprising an automated safety control, with the switch being connected in series with the electrically energized apparatus.

Abstract: A turntable is rotated to wind the tape of a taped program thereon in equal lengths per revolution thereof. Each equal winding forces the preceeding windings inwardly on the turntable to assume progressively curving paths as the respective windings recede from the periphery of the turntable. Pressure pads are equally spaced around the periphery of the turntable and rotate therewith. The pressure pads extend radially, and frictionally engage the top edges of the tape windings which follow increasingly curved paths therebetween as the equal windings are forced inwardly by succeeding equal windings. The ends of the tape are connected leaving a portion of the closed loop formed thereby for engagement by associated apparatus and rendition thereby of the taped program.

Abstract: A stationary gear is keyed to a center shaft which is supported longitudinally in a frame. Gears identical with the stationary gear mesh therewith as equally spaced satellites therearound. The satellite gears are fixed on respective satellite shafts, which are mounted for rotation in and between a pair of longitudinally spaced plates that are mounted for rotation on the center shaft. Cylinders, on which are defined helical grooves for engaging a line, are keyed to the respective satellite shafts for rotation therewith. The helical grooves of the respective cylinders have a transverse pitch angle per revolutions of the respective cylinders and plates that is a function of the distance between centers of adjacent cylinders and the center angle subtended thereby, the common diameter of center and cylinder gears, and the diameter of the engaging line, that add up closest to "1H" and straight tracking to provide a tracking error of less than 0.1.degree. instead of a usual tracking error of 3.degree..

Abstract: A fixed blade assembly rigidly mounted adjacent the oppositely disposed ends of a 7 feet 4 inches of drill pipe with a spinner assembly mounted for rotation and linear movement therebetween. The spinner assembly, randomly rotating and assisting the fixed blade assemblies to center a drill stem in a vertical hole, is stopped by intersecting the side of a drill hole when the drill string starts to deviate from the vertical, and acts as a prize against the side of the drill hole to pry the lower end of the drill string back to vertical and return to random rotation. A jaw-lock assembly is provided between the spinner assembly and the lower fixed blade assembly for wash-over operation should the drill, tool or drill stem stick.

Abstract: An elongated metal plate for fastening to the back of a wooden door jamb with a plurality of fastenings including an angled side of the plate recessed into the jamb, another angled penetrating side driven into the jamb, and a plurality of screws driven through the metal plate intermediate the recessed and penetrating sides. The fastenings are longitudinally and transversely spaced apart to provide maximum reinforcing strength without a concentration of the plurality of fastenings sufficient to weaken the wooden jamb where its bulk has been reduced by hollowing to receive a latch bolt. After the metal plate has been fastened to the back of the jamb, the jamb is fixed to blocking structure of a doorway with the metal plate therebetween and out of reach of tampering. As reinforced by a locked door in the doorway, the whole jamb must be broken transversely against its wood grain in order to force the door.

Abstract: A conventional motorcycle modified by a center lever steering control that is slidable in longitudinal extension and rotatable about the axis of slide at the extremities of slide but not therebetween, and is pivotable vertically around a pivotal connection to a center steering unit in place of conventional handlebars. Handlebar controls are attached for foot control. Resilient knee rolls are fixed to a gas tank above the knees of a rider to prevent slipping from motorcycle when rising from seating position to strike a ball. An upwardly extending hand loop fixed above a gas tank and knee rolls ensures that leaning outwardly does not change direction of travel by inadvertent movement of the steering control. Wider tires than in road riding and disc wheels are respectively recommended for improved traction and the abolition of chance of catching a mallet in a spoked wheel.

Abstract: A method of harvesting trees, by engaging separately between a pair of jaws adapted to pivotally open and close, the jaws having vertically spaced, tree-engaging double edges; by cutting the engaged tree between the double edges, the cut tree being held in place by the pair of jaws bridging the cut; by felling the cut tree in a desired direction toward which the jaws were tilted, the edges of the tree stump chipping away to free the sharp edges engaged therewith without releasing the jaws from the tree trunk; and by bunching the cut tree with others before releasing said jaws.

Abstract: In a leak detector of the by-pass check-valve type, as described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,087, having a check-valve blocking lever that is pivotal by a leak flow through the by-pass, the leak flow being directed against the blocking lever through a nozzle mounted in slidable cooperation with a sleeve for concentrating the force of the leak flow and for following the blocking lever as it is pivoted thereby, thus maintaining the maximum force thereagainst, and thereby indicating a leak by restricting the opening of the check-valve and normal flow therethrough.

Abstract: Shear knives are pivoted, side by side with sharp edges opposed, by a pair of adjacent ends to a pivot strap. Cam rollers are mounted respectively for rotation on the knives at the junctions of their free ends and outboard sides. Rearwardly converging cam edges are mounted in forwardly extending arms of a forwardly movable frame, and arms being adapted to receive the pivot strap transversely therebetween and a tree of not over an equal diameter. The knives are slidably mounted in slots in the respective arms with their free ends forward and their roller cam followers respectively engaging the converging cam edges on which they are spring biased forwardly. The knives are cammed closed to cut a tree as the movable frame moves forwardly relative to tree and knives.

Abstract: A non-lift or zero average lift bow foil, having similar wing-shaped members defining an angular intersection therebetween with similar dihedral angles, is mounted on a vessel's bow centerline, with the angular intersection approximately parallel to the vessel's keel, and is adjustable vertically for submersion to approximately keel level from above the waterline of the vessel.

Abstract: On a portable frame skid base, a receiving tank is mountable and centered to engage therein a production casing of a well to be bailed. A sectional frame hoisting tower is mountable over the tank for suspending a pipe bailer therein and in alignment with the production casing. The bailer is bottom operated by means of a ball valve and downwardly extending `stinger` in frictional cooperation with engaging rolls mounted in the tower. A wire line drum has an adjustable flange for the proper spooling of a range of sizes of wire line connected to bailer. An electric motor and reduction gear is mountable on the skid base adjacent the drum for driving it in reversible rotation as directed by automated motor controls and safety controls operable by mechanical feedback from drum and apparatus to continuously or intermittently bail a well in accordance with establishable parameters, and to shut it down in case of malfunction.

Abstract: A hard hat in which the bill has been moved upward on the hat to define a space therebelow that is contoured to hold face protective gear in its normal shape when not in use by the wearer of the hard hat. A forward part of a fore and aft extending reinforcing projection defines a finger hold thereon.

Abstract: A disposable, inhalation-therapy, container in which a chamber for liquid is defined between the sides, top and bottom of the container by transverse upper and lower, flexible, multi-slitted partitions, spaced from the top and bottom of the container. The partitions are porous when flexed by inhalation gas pressure and impervious when not so flexed. Inhalation gas under pressure is introduced into the space between the container bottom and the lower partition and flexes it to porosity, the gas bubbling through theliquid chamber is silenced and slowed by the upper partition as it is flexed into porosity by the gas pressure to better humidify the escaping gas for inhalation. When the therapy ceases, inhalation gas pressure is shut-off and the sterile liquid is resealed by the unflexed partitions in the liquid chamber.

Abstract: Sealing a building with flexible plastic sheets continuously wrapped and sealed therearound from base to above anticipated flood height. All glassed openings are covered with plywood before wrapping building, and drains below anticipated flood height are closed with inflatable bladders. Main application is to slab houses and wharehouses.