Abstract: Paddle handle locks for securing push-pull, paddle-style door latches. In a first preferred embodiment the paddle handle lock is characterized by a handle lock having a frame with parallel side plates separated by spacers and fitted with a clamp arm pivotally attached to one of the spacers. Registering frame pilot holes and clamp arm pilot holes facilitate locking the clamp within the frame, such that the respective spacers prevent movement of the paddle door handle upon which the handle lock device is mounted. The padlock can be removed to allow pivotal extension of the clamp arm and manipulation of the door handle or removal of the handle lock from the door handle, to render the door latch operable. In another preferred embodiment a lockset handle lock is provided which includes a cylinder lock mounted in a lock housing and fitted with a pivoting clamp arm, one end of which clamp arm extends into the lock housing and engages a conventional cylinder bolt on the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A folding saddle carrier for carrying one or more saddles, accessories and equestrian equipment, which folding saddle carrier includes in a preferred embodiment, a wheeled frame fitted with an extensible saddle support riser that is pivotally attached at one end to the frame and a handle pivotally attached to the saddle support riser and the frame, such that manipulation of spring-loaded adjusting pins connected to the saddle support riser and the handle facilitates selective retraction and extension of the saddle support riser and the handle with respect to the frame. A saddle board support is pivotally attached to the free, telescoping end of the saddle support riser and is controlled by a pivot pin to facilitate horizontal orientation of the saddle board support when the telescoping end of the saddle support riser is raised by forward manipulation of the handle.

Abstract: A spear fishing tool for engaging an object to be removed from a well bore, commonly called a "fish". The spear fishing tool is characterized by a cylindrical housing, typically attached to a length of coiled tubing by means of a top sub and fitted with a reciprocating, hydraulically-operated plunger seated on an internal spring and having a bevelled end facing the down-hole "fish". Multiple latch fingers lie adjacent to the housing and are movably secured in place between the housing and plunger by means of a slotted finger collar threadably attached to the housing.

Abstract: A self-contained outflow meter for resting on pavement and measuring the rate of water drainage from the pavement. The outflow meter includes a vertical tube for containing water and having a bottom water discharge end sealed by a rubber sealing ring. A spring-loaded plunger is suspended from a cap mounted on the upper end of the tube for selectively sealing a water discharge opening provided in the base. Upper and lower float switches are suspended from the cap into the tube and include upper and lower switch floats, respectively, which are vertically displaceably mounted. A timer is provided on the cap and is wired to the float switches. The base is placed on the pavement surface with the plunger sealing the water discharge opening and water is poured into the tube. As the water level exceeds the respective levels of the switch floats, the floats are displaced upwardly.

Abstract: An adjustable cage assembly for selectively varying the path of abrasive in an abrasive blast swath produced by a mobile surface abrading apparatus. The adjustable cage assembly operates in cooperation with a rotable wheel having multiple, radially-extending blades positioned in a wheel housing. A cage having a cage window extends into the center of the wheel and an impeller having multiple impeller slots is positioned in the cage for rotation with the wheel, and receives a supply of abrasive particles such as steel shot, from the apparatus. As the impeller and wheel are rotated and the abrasive is continually fed into the impeller, the abrasive is discharged through the rotatably aligned impeller slots and the selectively-positioned cage window, and is propelled by the rotating wheel blades through the abrasive discharge opening to abrade, clean or etch the pavement.

Abstract: A rake compactor and helical paddle wheel system for an aquatic harvester, the rake compactor of which includes a carriage or trolley movably and horizontally mounted by means of rollers on rails above the deck of the aquatic harvester and characterized by a dual endless chain drive system for selectively moving the trolley forwardly and rearwardly above the deck and a rake pivoted to the trolley for engaging, loading, compacting and unloading aquatic growth harvested by the aquatic harvester and deposited on the harvester deck. Dual, independently driven, helical paddle wheels serve to drive and maneuver the aquatic harvester.

Abstract: A wound wire terminal assembly for replacing spade terminals in joining wires, particularly in air conditioning compressor and fan motor relays. The wound wire terminal assembly includes a primary wire connector constructed of wound wire for receiving a male spade terminal connected to a first wire or the first wire itself, and a screw threaded into the primary wire connector and engaging the male spade terminal or the first wire to secure the male spade terminal or first wire in the primary wire connector of the wound wire terminal assembly. The primary wire connector is typically wound on a primary mandrel shaped in the configuration of a cylinder and is connected to a typically smaller, cylindrical, mandrel-wound secondary wire connector that receives a second wire by soldered connection.

Abstract: Laser-illuminated lures which are characterized by lures of selected design having a hard or soft body and fitted with a laser beam-emitting mechanism or device which includes a laser emitter, a laser circuit board and a battery for energizing the circuit board and laser emitter. In a preferred embodiment the laser device is implanted in the lures and the laser emitter positioned to highlight one or more features of the lures such as a spinner, skirt, hook or the like to attract fish to the lure. In another preferred embodiment more than one laser device may be implanted or otherwise positioned inside a lure to highlight various features of the lure, as desired. The laser circuit may be energized by tightening a removable segment of the lure against a spring seated on the battery which supplies electricity to the laser circuit or by a switch mounted in the lure body.

Abstract: A truck bed extension for pickup trucks, which extension is designed to increase the effective loading capacity of a pickup truck bed and requires no fasteners for mounting. The truck bed extension is characterized by a pair of quick-release cleats and brackets to facilitate rapidly loading and unloading the truck bed extension on the truck tailgate at the rear end of the bed of a pickup truck. In a preferred embodiment the truck bed extension includes a frame having parallel side frame members, each fitted with a cleat for removably engaging corresponding conventional bed brackets provided in the bed of the pickup truck. A pair of tailgate brackets are also welded or otherwise attached to the side frame members, respectively, for engaging the conventional latching pin mechanism attached to the ends of the downwardly-extended, horizontal tailgate of the pickup truck.

Abstract: A plunger or traveling valve and seal for a well pump and an oil well pump in particular, which plunger includes a mandrel of selected length, at least one plastic sleeve fitted with at least one metal insert mounted on the mandrel for sealing the mandrel in a pump barrel and a ball and seat valve provided on at least one end of the mandrel. The plunger may include fiber rings and ring holders and is seated inside a conventional pump barrel and the plastic sleeve serves to seal the plunger as the plunger reciprocates in the barrel. The plastic seal is typically constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with one or two flanged, typically brass, inserts tightly mounted in the plastic seal bore to control or limit thermal expansion in the plastic seal.

Abstract: A method for the biological control of various weeds such as sicklepod using the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria. In a typical application, conidia of the fungus are applied with liquid surfactant to the weeds in amounts effective to produce typical plant lesions which kill or suppress, and thus control, the weeds. In another embodiment, phytotoxin produced by the fungus is used to control the weeds. In still another embodiment a synergistic combination of M. verrucaria and the fungus Alternaria cassiae is used to control sicklepod and in a fourth embodiment phytotoxin produced by M. verrucaria is used synergistically with A. cassiae to control sicklepod. A strain of M. verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in Surrey, UK and has been assigned the number IMI 368023.

Abstract: A method of isolating microorganisms and viruses, including phages, bacteriophages and cyanophages from an environment, particularly an aquatic environment, and propagating the isolated microorganisms or viruses for inoculum formulation. A specific target organism or selective growth medium is first immobilized in a stable substrate form such as sodium alginate gel pellets. The substrate containing the target organism or growth medium is then introduced into the environment to be sampled and microorganisms and/or viruses which are pathogenic to the immobilized target organism, or which can utilize the nutrient included in the growth medium, colonize the pellets. The colonizing microorganism or viral pathogens are removed from the gel pellets using standard laboratory techniques. One of the isolated pathogens, particularly an isolated viral pathogen, may be selected and propagated for inoculum formulation.

Abstract: A combined thermometer and fecal sampling apparatus which allows concurrent sampling of a fecal specimen and measuring of body temperature from a single penetration of the rectum. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a proximal end, or handle which is enlarged to facilitate handling and encloses a digital thermometer with a switch cover on one end of the handle covering a switch that activates the thermometer. A temperature display window is provided in the handle of the device for displaying temperature and in a most preferred embodiment, grip splines or knurls are provided on the handle to facilitate gripping and rotating the apparatus to collect the fecal sample. An elongated, hollow probe extends from the handle to a proximal end that terminates in a fecal sampler which is characterized by an ovoid loop having concave collection surfaces defining an ovoidal cavity.

Abstract: A watertight manhole insert and tether apparatus designed to prevent rainwater from entering sanitary sewer or other systems through a manhole closed by a manhole cover. The manhole insert is located beneath the manhole cover and is connected directly to the manhole by a tether mounted in the manhole, to plug the manhole and prevent theft of the manhole insert. The manhole insert is characterized by a pan-shaped insert body having a flat insert bottom and a pressure-relief valve, one or more lift straps optionally provided with a warning tag, and an upward-standing, sloping or perpendicular side wall fitted with an outwardly-extending top rim for engaging a shoulder shaped in the manhole to support the manhole insert. One end of the flexible stainless steel tether is connected to the manhole wall and the opposite end first extends through a grommet in the insert bottom and subsequently through a lever bar locking device.

Abstract: A modular structure consisting of three modular units, the center module being the primary module containing the mechanical components of the building, with plumbing, air conditioning and heating ducts, and electrical wiring in the slab floor structural foundation and door jambs. The primary module is completed at the factory. The major exterior walls, slab floor foundation panels, and ceiling/roof panels for all three modules are similarly manufactured in one piece. The major components of the side modules, consisting of the slab floor foundation panels, ceiling/roof panels and the exterior side walls, are all hinged so that they fold to the side and on top of the primary module. Accessories and wall panels and partitions not hinged are placed on top of the primary module for transportation. Two end walls are bolted to the center module during transportation to the site.

Abstract: A multi-orifice plate carrier for use in a modified orifice fitting and a differential pressure-operated, mechanical valve and piston system for vertically and horizontally adjusting the multi-orifice plate carrier to facilitate recordation of various line pressures on an appropriate recording meter. In a preferred embodiment two or more pressure recording meters are fitted with corresponding meter valves and a common pressure selector valve, along with a spring-loaded or fluid-operated plate piston connected to the multi-orifice plate carrier and a horizontal adjusting bar engaging the plate piston rod, to facilitate vertical adjustment of the multi-orifice plate carrier, horizontal shifting of the orifice plate carrier and resulting alignment of an orifice of selected diameter in the line bore of the orifice and reading of a corresponding recording meter responsive to automatic operation of the pressure selector valve and meter valves.