Abstract: A shopping cart including a wheeled basket having a hinged cover and a rear wall pivotable upwardly and forwardly by the forward end of the basket of a like cart to permit nesting of said carts. Mechanism is provided whereby the wheels are locked when the cover is open and unlocked when the cover is closed, although the wheel lock may be operated manually if the cover is held open by overloading of the basket. Mechanism is also provided for locking the rear basket wall whenever the wheels are locked. A key lock mechanism is provided for locking the cover, wheels and rear basket wall in the event the user desires to leave the cart unattended.

Abstract: A water drainage and thermal insulating material for subterranean walls consisting of a panel adapted to be applied to the exterior surface of a wall prior to applying earth or other backfill material to its outer surface. The panel consists of a relatively thick slab of thermal insulating material, both surfaces thereof being grooved in a diamond pattern to provide water flow passages, the slab being completely wrapped in a filter cloth fabric with a layer of loosely compacted fibrous material secured to the surface thereof confronting the slab. All of the materials are substantially impervious to ground moisture.

Abstract: A roof ventilator consisting of a conduit adapted to be secured in a hole formed through roof deck to extend upwardly therefrom, the conduit including a first perforated section extending through a hole formed in layered roofing material applied over the deck, a second section adapted to seal the hole in the roofing material, a third section extending to any desired height above the roof, and a header providing downwardly directed air outlets to the atmosphere. A drip pan is suspended in the attic space below the roof deck to collect and dispose of moisture either condensing in the conduit, or expelled from the layered roofing material.

Abstract: A motorcycle having in-line front and rear wheels, and a pair of outrigger wheels spaced laterally apart at opposite sides of the rear wheel. The outrigger wheels may be extended downwardly to engage the roadway to provide lateral support against overturning, or retracted upwardly when their use is not desired. When extended, they are yieldable upwardly to permit leaning of the vehicle in turns. A control system permits selective use of a first operational mode in which the outrigger wheels are automatically retracted only at vehicle speeds above a pre-set level, a second mode in which the wheels remain extended at all speeds, and a third mode in which the wheels are retracted at all speeds.

Abstract: A line attachment device for a fishing float having a buoyant body member, the device consisting of a stem fixed in the body member and projecting outwardly therefrom, and having at its outer end a conically enlarged head terminating in a flat, circular flange having a re-entrant peripheral lip of larger diameter than the head, the lip, flange and head having a first notch extending radially inwardly from the outer periphery thereof, and a second generally U shaped groove formed therein in a plane generally parallel to the stem and opening at its ends through the outer end of the head. A plunger slidably encircles the stem and has its outer end socketed to mate with said stem head, flange and lip, but does not enter said notch or groove. A spring biases the plunger outwardly on the stem, but the plunger may be retracted manually to permit a fishing line to be looped around the stem head.

Abstract: A lawn mower in conjunction with a small tractor, and including a main mower deck disposed forwardly of the tractor and a pair of laterally extending wing mower decks disposed at respectively opposite sides of the tractor, all of the decks carrying mower blades, and a single power source operable to drive all of the blades of all of the decks. The wing decks may each be raised to an inoperative position closely adjacent the sides of the tractor, and in so doing the power drive to the blades of that wing is disconnected, so that the mower may be used with only the main deck in operation if so desired.

Abstract: An electrified fence gate including a tensioned flexible support wire extending horizontally across a fence gate opening, at a height greater than that of vehicles normally intended to pass through the opening, a series of spaced gate wires connected at their upper ends to the support wire and depending closely adjacent but not engaging the road surface, and a fence charger operable to charge the wires with a shocking electric charge. Vehicles, insulated from the ground by their rubber tires, may thus pass freely through the gate without stopping, merely deflecting the hanging wires, but any livestock attempting to pass through, being grounded, will receive an electric shock whenever they touch any of the hanging gate wires, and hence be driven away from the gate.

Abstract: A snow traction device for motorcycles or other vehicles consisting of a frame adapted to be supported from the axle of a power driven vehicle wheel, an endless flexible belt mounted about rollers carried by the frame and moving in an elongated loop extending forwardly and rearwardly beneath the wheel so that its lower reach may engage the snow, and a pair of rollers carried rotatably by the frame and snugly engaging both the vehicle wheel and the upper reach of the belt, whereby the former drives the latter to propel the vehicle. The frame mounting is adjustable to adapt it to fit operably relative to vehicle wheels of different diameters, and the froward end portion of the lower belt reach is angled upwardly to better attack the snow. A pair of skis are disposed respectively at opposite sides of the frame, parallel to the line of vehicle travel, and are urged resiliently downwardly relative to the frame.

Abstract: A storage box for the clippings of a lawnmower consisting of a normally covered box adapted to be mounted on the mower vehicle and to receive grass cuttings and the like of the mower until it is full, and a power mechanism operable when actuated to first raise the box until its pouring lip is higher than the receiving box of a disposal vehicle, such as the bed of a pick-up truck, and transport it horizontally until its pouring lip is over the truck bed, and then to uncover the box and tilt it to pour its contents over its lip into the truck bed.

Abstract: A gang reel mower consisting of a pair of mower heads of the ordinary reel type laterally spaced apart in a forward row, and another mower head disposed behind and laterally intermediate the mower heads in the forward row. Each mower head is castered about a vertical axis disposed forwardly thereof, in order that it may operate directly forwardly even when the mower as a whole is negotiating a turn, and the caster axis of the rear mower head is shifted laterally of the mower frame in order that it will always be aligned to cut the strip of grass left uncut by the front mower heads. Mechanism is provided for elevating the mower heads to a transport position well above ground level, and in so doing to cancel and lock any castering motion thereof.

Abstract: A lock for a pair of doors hung in a single door frame, usually an inner main door and an outer door which may be a storm door and usually includes glass or screen panels through which a caller may be observed and identified, the lock including a pair of bolts carried by the door frame and operable to be extended therefrom to engage sockets formed therefor respectively in the door edges to secure them against opening. The bolts are operated by a lock shaft carried in the door frame to unlock first the inner door, so that it may be opened to permit observation and identification of a caller, while the outer door remains locked, and then to unlock the outer door if desired, to permit ingress of the caller. The lock shaft may be operated from inside the doors by a manual lever, and from outside by a key mechanism.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing netted materials composed of spaced apart strands consisting of extruding a pair of plastic strands, either or both of which may include a steel core wire, respectively at opposite sides of a sheet of the net material, and fusing the strands together intermediate the strands of the net sheet while the former are still in a highly plastic, nearly molten condition, immediately after their extrusion.

Abstract: A sub-structure for boat docks consisting of an elongated, ladder-like frame having a pair of side bars connected by a series of cross bars extending between and connected at their ends to the side bars, the side bars and cross bars being of such cross-sectional configuration, and the connections therebetween being of such a nature, that the frame may yield in a vertical direction with relatively great resilient flexibility, whereby to accomodate wave action in the water therebeneath, while at the same time being relatively highly resistant to deformation in its own plane for maintaining its horizontal form and shape. Generally, the side and cross bars are of such configuration as to strongly resist bending stresses, but to permit torsional yielding with relative ease, and the cross bars are connected to the side bars to permit a degree of universal pivotal movement therebetween.

Abstract: A table saw consisting of a base, a table top supported by the base and consisting of a pair of coplanar slabs spaced apart to define a wide gap extending the full length of the table, a saw carriage slidable lengthwise of the table within the gap, in guideways mounted at the confronting edges of the slabs, a powered circular saw mounted on the lower surface of the carriage with its blade in a plane transverse to the gap and projecting upwardly through an aperture of the carriage, a filler plate at least as long as the table, flush with the tops of the slabs and overlying the gap between the slabs and also said carriage, the filler plate being slidable longitudinally of the table, having a series of longitudinally spaced apertures formed therein, and adapted to be indexed relative to the carriage to bring any one of its apertures into coincidence with the carriage aperture, and a clamp operable to secure said carriage at any desired position in its sliding movement.

Abstract: A bottom fishing lure consisting of a fishhook having a weighted, non-buoyant head adapted to be pulled head first along the bottom surface of a body of water by a fishing line, and adapted to carry a trailing bait, the hook being supported on the bottom on its bight portion and on an adjacent pair of a series of resilient legs carried by and extending radially from the head, each effective leg being movable during forward movement of the lure alternately to drag along the bottom, and to be resiliently flexed by the drag resistance, and then to free itself from the bottom and snap forwardly when the flexure force has built up to a sufficiently high level, the flexing and recovery pattern of the legs being such as to impart a forward "walking" motion, accompanied by a lateral waggling of the hook and bait. This creates an unusually lifelike "swimming" motion to the hook and bait which is highly attractive to feeding fish.

Abstract: A protective cover for keyboard machines consisting of a transparent hood affixable to the machine housing and open at one side to admit the operator's hand, including a panel generally parallel to the keyboard face and spaced apart therefrom by a distance sufficient to allow normal hand and finger movements by the operator, but too close to permit any appreciable whole-hand movements normally to the keyboard whereby the operator cannot strike the keyboard buttons with excessive force which can damage the machine. The hood prevents access of spilled liquids, paper clips, coins, bits of metal or the like to the keyboard. Such foreign matter may find its way to the interior of the machine through slots and other openings of the keyboard, and cause malfunctioning thereof.

Abstract: A fishing rod wrapping device consisting of a fixed frame adapted to support one or more spools of wrapping thread for axial rotation, a friction device resisting rotation of said spool whereby thread may be paid out therefrom under a controlled and adjustable tension, a support for a fishing rod adapted to support the rod in parallel relation to the spool, so that the thread, when attached to the rod, is wrapped on the rod when the rod is manually rotated about its axis, the rod support being configurated to maintain the rod parallel to the spool, to retain the rod thereon despite any degree of thread tension, and to permit locking of the rod against movement relative to the spool whenever interruption of the wrapping process may be desired, whereby to preserve both the rod position and the thread tension until the process is recommenced.

Abstract: A line clamp for a fishing float having a buoyant body member, the clamp consisting of a stem fixed in the body member and projecting outwardly therefrom, having at its outer end a conically enlarged head terminating in a flat circular flange having a re-entrant peripheral lip, the lip flange and head being notched radially inwardly. A plunger slidably encircles the stem and has at its outer end an enlarged head socketed to mate with said stem head, flange and lip, except for the slot thereof, and a spring biasing said plunger outwardly on the stem. The plunger is retractable manually against the spring to expose the head of the stem to permit looping of a fishing line thereabout with its reaches projecting through the notch, so that the line is clamped between the stem head and plunger when the plunger is released.

Abstract: A fish bait protector consisting of a two-leaf folder having an outer waterproof cover and an inner layer of sponge adapted to be saturated with water, and adapted to receive flesh baits therein for moisturization protection. Fastening devices are provided for securing the folder leaf edges releasably together to inhibit circulation of air therebetween. The folder may also receive a fishhook or lure therein, so that the flesh bait need not be detached from the hook during periods of non-use. Also, the folder may be folded about a fishing rod to secure the bait in position for immediate use whenever desired, and to prevent fouling thereby of nearby gear in a fishing boat or the like.

Abstract: A drive system for an electric vehicle including an electric motor having a rotatable case and a counter-rotating armature, one being operatively connected to the ground-engaging drive wheels of the vehicle, and one being operatively connected to an electric generator, and rechargeable electric storage batteries connected to the motor to drive it, the generator output being connected in re-charging relation to the batteries. A speed control consists of a drive train whereby the wheel-drive element of the motor may drive the generator-drive element of the motor, thereby stabilizing the speed of the former, whenever the former reaches or exceeds a speed representing a given vehicle speed. A continuously adjustable transmission in this drive train, manually controlled, permits ready adjustment of the vehicle speed.