Abstract: A shotgun choke characterized by multiple, radially-arranged, longitudinal blades having blade edges of selected size and shape for contacting and scoring a wad containing the shot in a shotgun shell, causing the wad panels to open upon expulsion from the shotgun barrel and fall short of the shot string. The shotgun choke of this invention can be built integrally with or detachable from the shotgun barrel, typically by means of threads. The displacement blades constrict the wad containing the shot to effect random constriction forces on the encapsulated shot, define linear gas relief passageways and score the wad linearly to facilitate rapid opening of the wad panels upon ejection of the wad and the shot string from the shotgun choke, such that the wad does not interfere with the shot string as the latter continues to the target. Ports are provided in the shotgun choke and connect to the gas relief passageways to reduce recoil.

Abstract: Low-density polyethylene dental whitening or bleaching trays are molded to a dental impression cast of a patient, typically by vacuum or pressure thermoforming techniques. In a typical application, a low-density polyethylene plate or sheet is molded on a dental impression cast by operation of a vacuum or pressure thermoforming machine to produce bleaching trays of high quality and extended use for whitening the teeth of patients. The low-density polyethylene material so molded has superior memory for repetitive clinging fit on the teeth and is comfortable and virtually transparent while in place.

Abstract: Pendulum and fixed bow sights which are fitted with sight rings having monofilament crosshairs and optionally provided with a source of black light for illuminating the crosshairs under conditions of low lighting. The pendulum bow sight is mounted to a bow in pivoting fashion, facilitating sighting of the target in a direct line of sight regardless of the elevation of the hunter. The sight ring in the pendulum bow sight is mounted on a pendulum bracket which is pivotally and adjustably attached to a frame mounted on the bow. The pendulum bracket and thus, the sight ring, may be stabilized by operation of a stabilizing pin and supported in a limited pivoting configuration with respect to the frame, by means of a pendulum bracket support. The fixed bow sight is mounted in fixed relationship on the bow.

Abstract: A game feeder for suspending from a tree limb or other support and automatically feeding corn or other particulate feed from a hopper to the ground silently and at timed intervals to simulate the falling of nuts such as acorns from the tree. In a preferred embodiment a feed bowl is hingedly attached to the bottom of the hopper and contains a feeding mechanism suspended from the bottom of the hopper and characterized by a rotating wheel driven by a timing mechanism and mounted in a feeder housing. Particulate food such as corn is dispensed from the hopper through an opening in the hopper feed bowl by operation of the wheel and sound-insulating material is provided in the feeder housing and the hopper feed bowl for noise abatement. The timing mechanism thus dispenses the feed from the hopper to the ground at selected operational intervals with a minimum of noise.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting on a supporting object or support and receiving and suspending pressure seal or closure bags in open configuration, which bracket typically includes a generally elliptically-shaped frame fitted with a flange along one edge, the flange extending from the edge of the bracket and having an upwardly-projecting flange lip for mounting the bracket on a support such as the dash of an automobile, a cabinet, desk, or the like. The bracket is designed to suspend an open, tab-and-slot, pressure seal bag as a receptacle for trash and other articles, wherein the reversed tab-and-slot pressure seal elements in the mouth of the bag engage the outside periphery of the bracket frame at a bag fold and secure the pressure seal plastic bag on the bracket.

Abstract: Decorative mirror frames, each characterized by a typically rectangular wooden frame having a pair of spaced-apart side frame members spanned by top and bottom frame members. Corner blocks overlap the junctions of the side frame members with the top and bottom frame members, respectively, at the corners of the frame. In a preferred embodiment various ornamental designs are provided in the corner blocks and top frame member, and a fluted molding panel is provided on each of the side and or the bottom frame members, between the corner blocks. In another preferred embodiment a mantel shelf or bottom shelf is mounted on the top or bottom frame member, respectively, and in still another preferred embodiment a decorative spindle column is provided on each side frame member, between the top and bottom corner blocks.

Abstract: A portable transducer mount for positioning a transducer in the water forwardly of a barge or other floating vessel, which mount includes an elongated, hollow mount shaft having one end fitted with a mount collar or sleeve and the other end of the mount shaft terminated by a spring and a hollow shaft leg. A pair of collar legs extend from the mount collar to the vessel for removably and adjustably securing the mount shaft to the bow of the vessel. The transducer is mounted on the shaft leg and the spring connecting the mount shaft and the shaft leg is designed to facilitate deflection of the shaft leg and the transducer rearwardly if the transducer or shaft leg strikes a submerged object. Guys or cables attached to eye bolts connected to the mount shaft serve to stabilize the mount shaft in position on the bow of the barge or vessel.

Abstract: A stabilizing arm for stabilizing and securing an all-terrain vehicle in the bed of a pickup truck, which stabilizing arm includes in a preferred adjustable embodiment, a support typically selectively pivotally or rotatably and slidably disposed in a support sleeve mounted on a drawbar typically fitted to a conventional truck trailer hitch. A support arm projects from the top end of the support and terminates in a fixed or pivotable ball coupler designed to couple to an ATV ball attached to the all-terrain vehicle. In a preferred embodiment a clamp is threaded in the typically box tubing support sleeve and selectively engages the box tubing support for securing the support in non-sliding relationship with respect to the support sleeve.

Abstract: A saw carriage or module for manually, semiautomatically or automatically cutting stems typically supplied by a stem handling apparatus, which stem handling apparatus delivers full-sized, substantially tree-length stems to one or more of the saw carriages for cutting into logs, poles or other segments. During automatic operation of the module(s) stems are typically scanned by an optical device and the physical characteristics of the scanned stem are sent to a computer, which selects the cutting pattern and transfers this information to a programmable logic controller. The programmable logic controller typically orchestrates positioning of one or more linearly-adjustable saw carriages or modules and on-board carriage saw blades to optimize cutting of the stems into the segments. After the modules and saws are so positioned, each stem is sequentially transferred by the handling apparatus to the saw modules, where it is positioned, clamped and cut into multiple segments at the preselected optimum points.

Abstract: A two-piece water closet ring for receiving a water closet drain fitting extending upwardly through a floor and anchoring a water closet to the floor in fluid communication with the drain fitting. In a preferred embodiment the two-piece water closet ring has substantially coplanar bottom flange surfaces when assembled and is characterized by substantially semicircular first and second bottom flanged ring segments, each end of each ring segment terminating in a slotted flange. The channel-shaped ring segments are fitted around the extending end of the drain fitting to form a circular water closet ring, with the raised slotted flange on one end of each ring segment overlying the straight slotted flange on the corresponding end of the other ring segment. Ring mount screws secure the ring segments to the floor and against the water closet drain fitting.

Abstract: A hair follicle harvesting device which is characterized by a pencil-like harvesting tube fitted at the distal end with a needle of selected bore size for insertion over one or more hairs and hair follicles in a scalp flap and puncturing the scalp flap. The harvesting tube is connected at the proximal end to a source of saline solution and accommodates a flow of saline solution through a venturi or tube constriction by operation of a pump to remove the encircled and loosened hair follicles as micrografts, minigrafts and hair plugs from the scalp flap. The hair follicles are caused to flow through the needle and into the saline solution stream by reduced pressure responsive to flow of the saline solution through the venturi or tube constriction located near the base of the needle in the harvesting tube.

Abstract: A drip irrigator which is fitted around the trunk of a tree and holds a supply of water which slowly percolates into the soil to maintain irrigation of the tree roots, particularly during hot or dry weather. In a preferred embodiment the drip irrigator is characterized by a flexible, plastic irrigating ring which is interrupted by a slot to facilitate placing the ring around the tree, and the water percolates into the soil around the tree through multiple openings provided in the bottom of the ring. A fill opening, sealed by a removable cap, is provided in the ring to facilitate periodically filling the ring with water, as needed. In another embodiment, the irrigating ring is characterized by complementary top and bottom ring portions which removably snap together, and the assembled, slotted ring is fitted around the tree.