Abstract: A bottom fishing weight is provided with an attaching eye for a fishing line at the leading end. The leading portion of the lower surface of the weight is upwardly inclined so as to create a lifting force when reeled in and the trailing portion of the lower surface is concavely cupped to also create a downward force which stabilizes the attitude of the weight. A vertical fin on the upper surface of the weight is included to improve directional stability.

Abstract: An appliance for facilitating the sorting and handling of household trash as an aid to recycling such materials includes a housing with a plurality of vertically arrayed compartments containing horizontally disposed flexible bags with open ends extending through a separately covered access hole in each compartment front panel. Supporting slide mechanisms allow each compartment to be pulled out of the housing for unloading and alternate compartment configurations provide for the handling of waste newspaper or the inclusion of a trash compactor.

Abstract: A continuous excavating and loading machine having a front mounted rotary digging element divided into sections to allow cantilevered support, digs a width greater than that of any other part of the machine so that the machine may advance on the surface it has cut. The digging element is driven by digging chains which also break up material in their path so that the full digging face is excavated. Excavated material is discharged outwardly from the digging element by both centrifugal force and gravity after rotation past top center. The excavated material falls onto a conveyor system to be elevated and transported to the rear of the machine for transfer to appropriate carriers. A moldboard blade trims surface irregularities and pushes passed material forward into the bucket wheel. A movable skid plate, held against the cut surface by a constant force, supports digging torque reaction loads and damping is provided for shock conditions.

Abstract: The digging apparatus support boom of a continuous excavating machine is vibrated in a directional mode so as to enhance digging efficiency. Directionally compliant mounting of the boom isolates this vibration from the machine proper while allowing unimpaired application of digging torque and crowd forces.

Abstract: The operation of a combustible atmosphere furnace is controlled by monitoring the temperature of the combustible atmosphere, and the rate-of-change thereof. The measured rate-of-change is compared to a previously determined safe rate-of-change so as to anticipate and discourage incipient internal ignition.

Abstract: A pet animal excrement absorbing, disposable litter material container for placement of a supporting surface comprises a foldable side-wall structure without inherent leakage sealing characteristics and employs an impermeable membranous sheet as a barrier seal as well as for disposal of excrement and contaminated litter material. A rectangularly erect assembled state is maintained through balanced folding moment forces at each corner or by folding stiffening panels having squared ends which fit inside of adjacent side-wall sections. The components all fold to make a flat package for commercial distribution.

Abstract: A sucker rod depth adjusting attachment for conventional oil well surface units for operating down-hole pumps includes a cross bar which rests atop the existing carrier bar and supports a matching adjusting bar by means of interconnecting, adjustable length rams. The ram locations are off-center of the well center and sucker rod depth is varied by adjusting the ram length. In an alternate embodiment, the carrier bar and cross bar are combined as a single part.

Abstract: Probes attached to the moldboard blade penetrate in situ formations while digging with a continuous excavator, thus enabling the direct and simultaneous sensing of characteristic strata property data signals both above and below the digging depth of the excavator. The data signals are evaluated to provide a reference for control of the digging depth so that product contamination by parting material can be minimized while mining, as well as the loss of product while removing the parting material.

Abstract: This invention pertains to method and apparatus for accurate control of the cutting depth and grade for mobile excavating system excavators having a continuous bucket excavating system mounted at the leading end of a structural main frame. Such excavators have a rubber tire or crawler track undercarriage and dig while advancing on the freshly cut grade.

Abstract: The digging chain support boom of a continuous chain type excavating machine is vibrated in a directional mode so as to enhance digging efficiency. Directionally compliant mounting of the boom isolates this vibration from the machine proper while allowing unimpaired application of digging torque and crowd forces.

Abstract: A liquidified gas fired system facilitates starting of an internal combustion engine by external heating of the engine coolant and fuel so as to allow periodic shut down in cold weather. The system includes an engine coolant heat exchanger inside a refractory lined fire-box which is heated to incandescent temperatures. Both engine coolant and liquified gas are preheated by regenerative cooling of the combustion products and an auxiliary gas heater is providded for unassisted cold starting of the system.