Abstract: A ladder locking device designed for attachment to a frame-mounted ladder. The ladder lock includes a panel dimensioned to cover the front side of the ladder over an area including a plurality of ladder rungs. The upper edge of the panel is bent to form a lip engageable with an upper ladder rung. Attached to a lower portion of the panel is a lock operable to position a locking member into engagement or disengagement with a lower ladder rung, whereby the device is locked to or released from the ladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for sizing and finishing batches of lumber including a sizing station and a finishing station. The sizing station includes at least one pair of opposed, power-driven belt abraders operable for dimensionally sizing the lumber to a predetermined thickness by abrading opposed, first and second lumber faces. The finishing station includes additional belt abraders which are staggered on opposite sides of the path of lumber conveyance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the drying of lumber and the like. During drying, the weight of a lumber charge is continuously monitored to indicate both total weight loss and rate of weight loss. These data are employed, either automatically or manually, to adjust drying action so as to control the moisture-removal rate, and to stop drying action when the desired terminal dryness is reached. Multi-point weight monitoring is used to provide localized moisture-content data. The latter data is used further to adjust drying action so as to promote uniform moisture levels throughout a charge during drying.

Abstract: An improved feather plucking device of the type having a plurality of soft rubber projections are arranged about the peripheral surface of a resilient drum. The drum is securely attached to a threaded shaft for rotation therewith by a pair of opposing washers and nuts which press firmly against the sides of the drum. The improvement comprises a pair of compressible bosses integrally formed with the sides of the drum and extending outwardly therefrom allowing the washers to be forcibly tightened against the sides of the drum with minimum deformation of the body of the drum.

Abstract: A self-contained heating apparatus adapted for mounting in a fireplace includes an air chamber surrounding a combustion chamber. An air mover is provided for circulating air through the air chamber and outwardly from air ducts which extend across the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A knock-down container comprising four interlocked side panels and a panel-supporting pallet. Each side panel has opposing end regions which extend beyond the outwardly-facing surfaces of adjacent interlocked panels. Cleats attached to the inwardly-facing surfaces of each end region abut the outwardly-facing surfaces of adjacent panels to brace adjacent panels against an outwardly-directed force. The interlocked panels are supported on pallet skids which extend outwardly from two opposite edges of a pallet base.

Abstract: Equipment for processing produce including a rotatable drum with outwardly facing pockets distributed circumferentially. The lower portion of the drum is submerged in a pool of liquid confined by a tank. Liquid is circulated in the tank to cause produce to travel into the pockets as the pockets move into the liquid pool with rotation of the drum, and to cause produce to travel out of the pockets as the pockets move out of the liquid pool.

Abstract: A knife accommodating interchangeable blades. The knife includes a blade having a tang extending from its base, and an elongate handle having a front, blade-receiving region and an opposed back region. An elongate lever having opposed pivot and locking points is attached at its pivot point in the back region of the handle for swinging toward and away from a locked position in which the lever is axially aligned with the handle. The lever provides, adjacent its pivot point, a cammed surface dimensioned to engage a spring arm within the handle, thus to lock the lever in its locked position. The blade tang is securely held within a cavity defined in part by the locking point of the lever, with the latter in locked position.

Abstract: A model aircraft launcher for releasing a self-propelled model aircraft by remote control. The launcher comprises an elongate arm pivotally anchored to a stationary surface, a spring arm swingably attached to one end of the elongate arm for spring-action swinging motion between a hold position and a release position, and a release member with an attached remote control cord. As the cord is pulled, the release member slides over an end portion of the spring arm, initially exerting a spring bias on the arm, and finally disengaging the arm, allowing the arm to swing by spring action to its release position. The aircraft, attached to a line held by the spring arm, is thereby released for takeoff.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the peripheral vision extent of a patient's eye includes a contact lens type construction detachably fitted to the eye having multiple optical fibers each extending to an illuminating source. Upon illumination of a selected fiber, light is directed into the eye and the patient's response noted. The fibers are distributed so as to extend radially outwardly on the lens and thus a patient's responses provide a so-called "map" of peripheral vision extent.

Abstract: In solar collecting apparatus including heat transfer conduits for circulating fluid, a regulating device is provided for controlling conduit temperature. The regulating device includes a barrier which is operable for selectively presenting a fluid layer or shield in front of the conduits to inhibit absorption of the conduits of solar energy. The conduits are thereby effectively prevented from rising above a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A scraper for dislodging accumulated debris from a bicycle tire includes a unitary blade and mounting member, the mounting member being detachably secured to a frame member of a bicycle for positioning an edge of the blade adjacent a portion of the outer tire circumference. The scraper is mounted by means of adhesive material which is positioned on the mounting member.

Abstract: A stud grip or clamp bracket for removable mounting onto a building stud. The bracket includes a generally channel-shaped end which permits lateral positioning of the bracket toward a stud for engagement therewith. An elongate pivot arm is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the bracket for engaging the stud such that the stud is clamped or frictionally engaged between the channel-shaped end and a contacting end of the arm. A coil of cable may be suspended from the pivot arm so that the cable may be paid out for installation in a home or building.

Abstract: A combination stove-fireplace assembly for an open-top fire pit. A fire hood supported on legs above the pit is vertically movable between raised and lowered positions through a cable and pulley arrangement located below the top of the pit. The hood is vented by a unitary stack which moves vertically through a roof mount as the hood is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A holder for a trash bag, or the like. The holder includes a side support member defining a generally frusto-conical surface which tapers inwardly on progressing upwardly, and a bottom member detachably secured thereto. The trash bag is supported within the holder, with the open end of the bag detachably secured adjacent an upper opening in the side support member. To remove the bag when filled, the side support member is detached from the bottom member and lifted over the bag.

Abstract: A tape drive shifting apparatus designed for remote controlled shifting among positions effecting forward, rapid-forward, and rapid-rewind movement of a length of recording tape. A first drive mechanism is shiftable into and out of a position effecting forward tape movement. A second drive mechanism is shiftable from a neutral position into and out of positions effecting rapid-forward and rapid-rewind tape movement. A pivot arm operatively interposed between the two drive mechanisms causes the first mechanism to shift away from its position effecting tape movement upon shifting of the second mechanism from its neutral position toward one of its positions effecting rapid tape movement.

Abstract: A tape cleaner for mounting on a magnetic tape recorder between take-up reels on the recorder includes opposed cleaning elements for receiving a stretch of tape therebetween and wiping the tape on both sides thereof as the tape is drawn therethrough. A mounting is also provided for mounting the cleaning elements on the recorder which permits the cleaning elements to reorient both rectilinearly and rotationally in response to a change in tape position relative to the mounting.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing fuel gas from lignocellulose material such as wood. Wood is converted to fuel gas in a descending bed reactor which encloses a descending bed of wood material. Gas produced in the reactor travels upwardly through and thence out from the top of the descending bed, with a portion of the gas being recirculated and introduced as reflow gas, together with air, to a combustion zone established at the base of the descending bed.

Abstract: A spring tunable antenna for mounting to the frame of a vehicle. The antenna includes a base adapted to be mounted on the vehicle, a flexible rod supported at its lower end in the base, and a low-resistance wire conductor wound helically around the rod. The conductor windings in the tip region of the rod are selectively movable, whereby the antenna may be tuned.

Abstract: A nipple usable to ignite a propellent charge in a firearm of the type which employs a percussive firing cap. The nipple includes an elongate body having, adjacent one end, a cap-receiving portion, and adjacent the opposite end, a mounting portion. Extending axially into the nipple, through the cap-receiving portion, is an elongate firing chamber. The outer surface of the cap-receiving portion is dimensioned to receive a firing cap, with the sides of the cap closely confronting such surface. A pair of diametrically opposed ports extend between and open to the firing chamber and to locations on the cap-receiving surface of the nipple, which locations are covered by the sides of the cap when the same is mounted in place.