Abstract: A drum of the invention has a tubular drum shell, a replaceable annular bearing edge, a spline interconnecting the shell and the bearing edge, and a membrane overlaying the bearing edge. The bearing edge may have any of various profile configurations. The bearing edge overlays a shell edge in releasable engagement. A spline extends from the bearing edge and engages a recess, including an annular rabbet between the wall edge and an inside wall surface, or an annular void, including an annular slot dado, in the shell wall, releasably coupling the bearing edge and the shell. The shell may include an aperture through the wall. An air valve may be provided to regulate passage of air through the aperture between open and closed positions. The air valve may support an audio reception device. A portion of the inside wall surface may have an acoustic pattern that influences the drum's sound. The drum may also have a flangeless hoop or arcuate portions of the hoop without a flange.

Abstract: A folding cover for a pickup truck bed comprises at least two panels pivotally connected together. An attachment mechanism for the cover restrains the cover from sliding on the pickup truck bed while permitting both panels to be opened. The attachment mechanism comprises a track and follower mechanism interconnecting one panel with the bed, the track and follower mechanism defining an arcuate path that generally follows the arc of a circle having the panel hinge axis as a central axis. One of a track and follower is attached to the pickup truck bed and the other of the track and follower comprises either one element attached to one of the panels or separate elements attached to each of the panels, the track and follower fitting together such that the follower is constrained to follow the arcuate path between open and closed positions of the panel.

Abstract: A grapple assembly that is particularly suited for use as an attachment to a skid steer loader comprises jaws that are no wider than the wheels of the loader and are lightweight and rigid. The grapple is operated by a single hydraulic drive cylinder that is inexpensive and easily replaceable. The lower jaw is L-shaped and formed of spaced vertical ribs having a bar extending across the tips of the ribs. The upper jaw of the grapple also has vertically spaced ribs which are interconnected by a bar adjacent the tips of the ribs. An intermediate bar reinforces the upper jaw and provides an attachment point for the drive cylinder at the center thereof.

Abstract: A clip-on stirrup mat for a concrete reinforcement cage comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of resilient clips attached to the stirrup mat and extending outwardly therefrom in the direction of application of a mat to a cage. The clip has a relatively narrow outer end that fits between adjacent wires in the cage and has inwardly extending, diverging first and second legs that lead to more widely spaced distal ends that form an inner end of the clip. The first leg is attached to the mat adjacent a distal end of the leg, and the second leg is resiliently deflectable toward the first leg. The clip and legs are shaped and positioned on the mat such that, as the mat is attached to the cage, the outer end of the clip fits through adjacent wires in the cage and the second leg engages and is deflected toward the first leg by one of the adjacent cage wires. The second leg includes a gripping surface thereon, which may be convolutions, that engages a wire on the cage as the mat is installed on the cage.

Abstract: A modular panel partition system has a number of partition panels, each with opposing top and bottom edges, with opposing side edges that are adapted to releasably couple with a panel connector, and with an upper portion and an adjoining lower portion that extends between the upper portion and the bottom edge to define a wire-way. The panel connector has an elongated one-piece body that defines a post, has at least two sides that are adapted to releasably couple with a side edge of a panel to couple adjacent panels, and has an aperture that extends through the at least two sides of the panel connector. The aperture is aligned with the wire-ways of the panels and is adapted to pass conduits between the panels. The one-piece post extends from the bottom edge to the top edge of the panels. The aperture in the panel connector may extend through a bottom end of the panel connector. The panel connector post may also be hollow and adapted to pass conduits through the hollow portion.

Abstract: A material processor having an enclosure with an ingress to receive material into the enclosure, and a discharge to remove material from the enclosure. A spindle is located in the enclosure, has a longitudinal spindle axis, and is rotatable about the spindle axis. A drive is operatively connected with the spindle to rotate the spindle about the spindle axis. A centrifugal sieve is located in the enclosure and coupled with the spindle. The ingress feeds material into the sieve. A conveyor is connected with the discharge to transfer material from the enclosure. The conveyor further has a generally cylindrical tube with a tube diameter, two opposing ends, and a tube axis extending through the ends. A helical blade extends along the tube axis between the two ends and is rotated about the tube axis. More particularly, the helical blade may have a series of blade tips that are spaced along the tube axis.

Abstract: A folding cover for a pickup truck bed includes an improved adjustable front hinge support for mounting the cover that permits the front panel to be opened and permits lateral, vertical, and longitudinal adjustment of the cover position. A wire spring latch fastens the front panel in a closed position and provides for vertical latch position adjustment. A rear panel side latch is opened with a depressible latch opener at the rear of the cover. An intermediate panel latch fastens the intermediate panels down at the side of the pickup truck bed. These latches release automatically when the cover is folded. Another intermediate panel side latch has a wire spring pin that can be manually or automatically disengaged. The cover also has wind deflecting sloped side edges integral with the panel frame and hinges integral with the panel frame. Novel seals seal the junctions between adjacent panels.

Abstract: A handle member, providing a hand gripping section connected to a linking section, is coupled to a hook member, providing a shank region and a point-bearing region such that the hook member may overlay the handle member in a pocket-sized storage or carrying arrangement, said handle member shielding a point of said hook member from accidental engagement with the user in said carrying arrangement. Several shapes of handle members include triangular, hexagonal, rectangular, trapezoidal, or elliptical. Several configurations or hook members include an angularly offset, transverse point-bearing region, a substantially linear shank merging with an arcuate point-bearing region, or a hook member having a plurality of linear segments each angularly offset from adjacent segments. The hook member may be linked directly to the handle member by a loop formed on the shank of the hook member engaging with the linking region of the handle member, or it may be coupled to the handle member by a length of cable, rope, or chain.

Abstract: A universal remote control mechanism for controlling a power spraying device comprises an electronic control contained within the nozzle housing of the sprayer. Membrane switches in the controller are actuated to cause radio wave signals to be generated and transmitted by an internal antenna. The radio signals are detected by a receiver which converts the radio signals into control signals for a main pumping unit. The radio waves may also control the introduction of various chemicals into the liquid solution by the main pumping unit. The nozzle also contains a deadman's switch for turning off the flow of liquid in case the unit is accidentally dropped. A delay feature lets the operator change hands without deactuating the system. The nozzle gun can be used for wired cable systems as well as for radio controlled systems.

Abstract: Pneumatic protective pads are provided for attachment to the interior vehicle structure. One form of the invention retains the pads in compressed deflated condition until the admission of gas under pressure in response to activation by a collision sensor. Another form of the invention involves restrictive passages within a pneumatic chamber for highly damped absorption of the energy of cushioning the forces from crash conditions. Another form of the invention involves integrally molded pockets, posts, ribs, and convolute side walls which progressively deform to provide efficient energy absorption.

Abstract: A cushion for support ribs of tubular furniture comprising a flexible cushioning construction formed in an elongated shape and with a continuous saw tooth seat on one side running from end to end lengthwise and extending inwardly towards a central cavity that similarly extends lengthwise from end to end. The central cavity is of a suitable diameter to envelope and snugly engage the support ribs, with the overall dimensions of the cushion being compatible with installation on support ribs of tubular furniture insofar as clearance between said ribbing and adjacent webbing, and as to overall length. The outer configuration of the cushion may be provided with a cosmetic appearance of an animal such as an alligator or other whimsical likeness.

Abstract: A security bar maintaining the closure of a hinged door has telescoping inner and outer sections, with the opposite ends of this assembly engaging receptacles in a door jamb or the wall structure adjacent the door opening. Aligned transverse holes in the inner and outer sections are engaged by a release pin to maintain the bar in engagement with the receptacles to prevent unauthorized opening of the door. A spring pulls the bar sections to a shorter overall length on removal of the release pin to permit the bar to fall away from the receptacles for emergency exit.

Abstract: A flexible weighted device for the purpose of practice or warm-up formed from a moldable plastic resin with an integrally molded weight at an outer portion and a stiffening device at an inner end. The configuration simulates a bat or the like with standard dimensional appearance with a grippable handle and an outer portion designed to strike a ball. The bat has a flexible intermediate portion with sufficient resiliency to bend and discharge substantial amounts of inertial momentum at the end of a swing, thereby preventing injury to the user.

Abstract: Fresh air make-up apparatus for a furnace located in an enclosed building comprises an elongated diffuser housing positioned adjacent the furnace, with the housing having an inlet in communication with fresh outside air and a pair of outlets, one being connected to the cold air return of a forced air furnace at a point substantially upstream of the heat exchanger, and the other outlet leading to the room. The outlet leading to the cold air return provides fresh make-up air for the building, while the opening leading to the room provides both a means for diffusing and preheating the fresh air supplied to the cold air return and a means for providing fresh air diffused with warm room air to the combustion in the combustion chamber of the furnace. The apparatus also includes a removable filter for removing contaminants from the fresh air. The apparatus can include a heat exchanger for preheating the fresh air with warm air from the warm air duct of the furnace.

Abstract: A multi-panel display comprises a plurality of rectangular panels formed of a foam core laminate interconnected at adjacent side edges by flexible plastic strip hinges formed of resilient sheet material and fastened in slots in the adjacent side edges of the panels. The outer edges of the panels include longitudinal slots that extend around the outer periphery of the panel display. The front and back surfaces of the panel display are covered by a loop fastener fabric, with the ends of the fabric on the front and back surfaces extending over the outer edges of the panel display and tucking into the slots around the periphery of the panel display so as to conceal the ends of the fabric. Separate panel display sections can be interconnected by stiff splines that fit in the slots in opposing edges of display sections placed edge-to-edge on top of each other. Panel display sections can be interconnected horizontally by hook fabric strips inserted in the outer side edges of the panel displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to automatic lattice fabrication apparatus for automatically forming sections of lattice from strips of wood of a predetermined length and width. The apparatus includes an elongated horizontal conveyor that conveys lattice strips from a lay-up section through an automatic adhesive dispenser, under an automatic stapling bridge where the lattice is stapled, through rip saws that trim the sides of the lattice and, when desired, cut the lattice in half, and through an automatic cross-cut saw mechanism that periodically stops the conveyor, lowers a saw and cuts off a section of lattice when it reaches a predetermined length, and then lifts the saw out of the way and resumes conveyor movement.

Abstract: A flue control device for slowing the rate at which heated exhaust gases rise through an exhaust stack comprises a cylindrical housing enclosed by end caps, with an offset inlet and outlet being positioned in opposite end caps. The interior of the housing defines a baffle chamber, and a baffle mechanism is positioned in the baffle chamber between the inlet and outlet. The baffle mechanism comprises two overlapping plates, each plate having a prominent flange extending in an upstream direction relative to the flow of gases through the baffle chamber. The flanges interrupt and slow the swirling circular flow of gases as they pass through the baffle chamber. The baffle and housing are of a size such that the cross-sectional area of the restricted portion of the housing adjacent the baffle is at least as large as the cross-sectional area of the exhaust stack.

Abstract: A three wheel vehicle is provided with improved drive and handling characteristics, especially when turning. The three wheel vehicle includes a frame with a pair of front wheel and axle assemblies rotatably mounted on either side near the front of the frame. A rear fork, wheel and axle assembly is mounted at the rear center of the frame which is rotatable and laterally pivotable for turning the vehicle. Steering means are provided for rotating the fork and pivoting the fork laterally in a direction opposite the direction of turning the vehicle. Preferred drive means provide two wheel positive forward drive and pedal actuated independent dual braking.