Abstract: A pitching practice device consisting of a sheet of canvas or the like supported in a vertical plane, and having an aperture formed therein defining a strike zone, at which a baseball pitcher may pitch baseballs to develop his accuracy and control. For still greater accuracy of control, and to "catch" the balls, a canvas chute is attached to the rearward surface of the sheet, and divided into a plurality of sections each opening through the sheet aperture, for receiving and trapping any ball entering its opening. The sheet aperture is thus divided into zones for indicating, and recording, whether a pitched ball is "high", "low", "inside", "outside", or "down the middle". The sheet is resiliently supported to prevent damage either to the device or to the ball. The device may also be adapted for use, with a set of playing rules, as a competitive game, particularly for children.

Abstract: A wood-burning furnace including a combustion chamber having a novel combustion air distribution system including jets whereby air is delivered only to a limited portion of the area of the fire bed, and whereby clogging of the jets by the large quantities of wood ash is prevented, the combustion air being delivered by a thermostatically controlled blower and damper system such that the heat delivered by the furnace may be controlled and regulated with substantially the same degree of accuracy as that obtainable with gaseous and liquid fuels.

Abstract: A phonograph record holder comprising a substantially dust-proof flat, circular case including separable sections each adapted to carry a group of stacked records, locking means operable to secure the records in each case section when that section is removed from the other with its own side down, to facilitate handling of the record stacks when placing them on or removing them from the spindles of automatic record changers, and spring presser members operable to maintain the stacks under compressive pressure to inhibit warpage of the records.

Abstract: A soda straw dispenser consisting of a fixed body having an outlet for a single straw, a container movable within said body member and also having an outlet for a single straw, an ejector member carried by the container, the ejector member normally being open to the container for receiving a single straw therein, and mechanism carried by the container and operable to close the ejector member to the container and open it to the container outlet, when the body and container outlets are in registering relation.

Abstract: A lawnmower deck of inverted dish shape having three generally circular, laterally spaced but interconnected open-bottomed compartments in each of which is mounted a horizontally extending blade rotatable on a vertical axis and operable to impel cuttings from one compartment to the next toward one side of the deck, the deck having an outlet opening at that side and at the rearward portion of at least certain of the compartments, there being controllable gates at each of the outlet openings and between each successive pair of compartments, to the end that by opening or closing the gates in the proper combinations, the cuttings may be selectively discharged to the side or to a grass collector, or discharged to the rear, or finely mulched for rapid decomposition to enrich the soil.

Abstract: A machine operable to twist the end portion of a cross wire around a longitudinal wire disposed at right angles to the cross wire, and then to twist the cross wire end portion about the standing portion of the cross wire, to form a "knot". The machine consists of a knotter die rotatable about the axis of the longitudinal wire to form the first twist, and to force the end portion of the cross wire operatively against an anvil configurated to form the second twist so that both twists are formed in a single operation, although the two twists lie in substantially right angled planes. This substantially doubles the speed at which the knots may be formed in automatic machinery. As optional equipment, other dies may be added for pressing the wire bend formed in the second twist, and the raw end of the cross wire, closely adjacent the longitudinal wire, so that the raw wire ends are shielded.

Abstract: A water ski tow assembly consisting of a semi-circular rail connected at its ends to a boat and extending rearwardly therefrom at variable angles of inclination from horizontal, a rolling carriage movable along the track, and a special rope hitch mounted on the carriage, the hitch permitting the attachment thereto of a plurality of tow ropes, and having provisions permitting quick attachment and detachment of ropes, locking the ropes against accidental detachment, and preventing entanglement of the ropes. The rail encircles the motor of the boat to prevent the ropes from becoming fouled in the propellor, protects the propellor from growing brush in the water, and insures the most desirable line of pull of the ropes relative to the boat.

Abstract: A holder for food as it is barbecued over an open charcoal bed, the holder consisting of a clamp comprising a pair of open grids linked pivotally together at their forward edges and having elongated handles projecting from their rearward edges whereby they may be opened for the insertion of food therebetween, and closed to clamp the food therebetween, and a sliding connector joining the handles and movable to close the grids forcibly together to clamp the food securely, and to secure them in the closed position.

Abstract: A device for de-icing power cables consisting of one or more wheeled dollies mounted for rolling movement along a cable, being movable along the cable by "loping" of the cable in wind when ice has formed on the cable, and having scrapers thereon capable of removing ice from the cable, and arms affixed transversely to the cable at intervals therealong and having unequal weights carried at their extended ends, the arms serving as stops to limit the rolling movement of the dollies, and by rocking movement thereof induced by wind, to apply torsion to the cable to loosen ice formed on the cable.

Abstract: A combination tool including a table base, a carriage mounted on the base and having a screw jack for moving it forwardly and rearwardly relative to the base, a main table top carried by and movable with the carriage, and an auxiliary table unit having a planar surface through which the blade of a power saw projects. The auxiliary table may be mounted on the carriage in a first position, in which the auxiliary table surface forms an extension of the main table for conjointly supporting work pieces to be moved in cutting relation to the saw blade, with the screw jack functioning to adjust the spacing bewtween the saw blade and a fence carried fixedly by the base, and a second position in which the auxiliary table surface is disposed vertically at an edge of the main table top and the projecting saw blade overlies the main table surface for grooving, edging or shaping the edge of a work piece supported on the main table.

Abstract: A soil aerating device consisting of a spindle inclined from vertical but power driven to rotate about a vertical axis, and an arm rotatably mounted at its midpoint on the spindle, having a downwardly projecting tubular tine mounted at each end thereof, and being disposed just above ground level, the gyrating movement of the spindle as it rotates about a vertical axis imparting to the arm a movement having a vertical rocking component in a plane longitudinal thereto, so that said tines are alternately inserted into and withdrawn from the ground to form holes therein, and an axial rocking component around the axis of the arm, so that the arm is caused to "walk" rotatively around the vertical axis of rotation.

Abstract: A device for assisting males in producing and maintaining erection of the penis, consisting of a split ring of flexible but substantially inextensible material adapted to be engaged about the organ with its ends spaced apart peripherally of the organ, the ring having internal lugs formed thereon so as to engage the organ around only a portion of the circumference and to be spaced apart therefrom around the remainder of the circumference, and an elastic band connecting the ends of the ring to secure the latter in place, the band being adjustable to vary both the diameter of the ring to the diameter of the organ, and the pressure with which the ring grips the organ.

Abstract: An oil burner for distillate fuel including a blower and air guiding elements producing a rapidly whirling pattern of combustion air close to the burner nozzles to produce an extremely hot fireball close to the nozzles. The fireball, once ignited, provides reliable continuous ignition of the entering fuel, obviating the usual requirement of continuous electrical ignition, and permitting the use of low voltage for the initial ignition. The blower produces an excess of air over that needed for combustion, and the excess air cools the combustion chamber externally to obviate any necessity of forming the chamber of stainless steel, cast iron or the like. When the burner includes a plurality of burner nozzles intended for use singly or simultaneously, automatic means are provided for supplying the necessary carefully regulated amounts of combustion air.

Abstract: A lawn edger attachment for power driven vehicles consisting of a rolling coulter blade carried for rotation on a horizontal axis transverse to the line of travel of the vehicle at one end of an arm pivoted at its opposite end to the vehicle on a parallel axis. Power means are provided for pivoting the arm. The blade is cup-shaped in order that earth pressure thereagainst will force it to follow the edge of a paved surface. The blade may be reversed so that the vehicle may operate either on the grass or on the pavement. The arm may be extended either forwardly or rearwardly from its pivot, for convenience in various situations. The arm is a horizontal parallelogram linkage, so that the blade can follow the pavement edge even if the vehicle is not steered precisely parallel to this edge.

Abstract: A log splitting device comprising a frame on which two aligned wedges are respectively fixed and movably mounted, a support for positioning a log to be split between the wedges, and a manually operably hydraulic jack for advancing the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw, whereby said log is split.

Abstract: A support grid for upholstered seating of the "bucket" type, consisting of a series of closely space transversely extending spring cross wires defining the main cushion area of either a seat bottom or a seat back, connected at their respective ends to a pair of side spring wires, and angled upwardly and outwardly from the side wires to form the seat "wings" or bolsters, the novelty of the invention lying in the connection of the cross wires to the side wires, in which each cross wire has an S-bend formed therein in a plane normal to the main cushion area, the loop of the S-bend adjoining the main cushion area containing the associated side wire, whereby loading of the associated wing portion tends to open said loop rather than clamping it more tightly about the side wire, so that metal fatigue is reduced, and the other loop of the S-bend opening outwardly, tending to distribute the flexure strains along a longer section of the wire to further reduce metal fatigue, selection of the radius of curvature of this

Abstract: A portable duck blind consisting of a lightweight frame collapsible and foldable to a compact size for easy transportation, a pliably foldable cover adapted to be supported on the frame to form a concealing enclosure for one or more hunters, the cover having concealed openings for allowing the hunters to view the flight of game birds and a top flap which is easily displaced to allow the hunters to stand for shooting, and a hollow stool on which a hunter may sit while occupying the blind, and into which the folded cover may be placed for storage.

Abstract: A knee protection device for use by athletes, particularly football players, consisting of a jointed rigid reinforcing bar adapted to be worn at the inside of the knee, with its pivot coaxial to the transverse axis of the knee joint, and extending above and below the joint, the surface of the bar next to the leg being specially conformed to the leg whereby to be firmly positioned when pressed firmly against the leg, a pair of straps encircling the leg and reinforcing bar respectively above and below the knee joint, and pressing the bar firmly against the leg, and an impact-operated strap tightening device interposed in each strap and operable to tighten the strap further whenever the knee receives a blow at its outer side.

Abstract: A bench vise consisting of a table having a planar top including a depending vertical planar apron along its forward edge, the apron forming a fixed vise jaw, a movable jaw fixture including a planar movable vise jaw, and brackets for supporting the fixture selectively either in a position with the movable jaw confronting the apron jaw, in parallel relation thereto, or in a position above and parallel to the table top, so that the table top serves as a fixed vise jaw.

Abstract: A portable radial saw consisting of a planar work table, an arm extending horizontally over the table, being pivoted on a vertical axis to the table adjacent one edge of the table and guided for movement concentric to its pivotal axis adjacent the opposite edge of the table, being connected to the table by vertically yieldable connectors whereby to rest by gravity on work pieces supported on the table, a carriage movable along the arm and adapted to carry a power saw operable to saw a work piece on the table as the carriage traverses the table, clamps operable to secure both ends of the arm solidly against pivotal movement, and a gauge operable to preset the depth of the saw cut despite the variable elevation of the arm above the table.