Abstract: A horizontal load carrying pin is rotatable on a horizontal pivot and has a free end supported on a saddle on a latch arm which may be withdrawn to release the load. Upon release of the load a counterweight on the opposite end of the pin returns the pin to horizontal position. The latch arm is spring opened and held in closed position by a pawl which may be released by a remote controlled fluid pressure cylinder and piston or by a manually operated lever in the housing of the hook. The load carrying pin is of generally cylindrical shape to carry flat web type slings as well as steel rings.

Abstract: A platform is supported around the periphery of its under surface by a pneumatic tube cushion secured to the platform by strap loops. The top side of the platform is equipped with adjustable means of securement to the shoe or boot of the user. Vent holes in mid portions of the platform prevent suction effects under the platform when the foot is lifted. The device is collapsible into a compact package for shipment or storage.

Abstract: The hatch cover is secured and locked in place by a spider which is rotatable into locking position against the underside of a deck ring which receives the cover plate. The spider is clamped by a center bolt passing through the cover and the spider. Means are provided on opposite ends of the center bolt for rotating it from either the outside or inside of the cover. The cover is adapted to stow a removable wrench for this purpose recessed in the outside of the cover. A peripheral seal on the cover plate maintains a water tight and air tight joint when the cover is clamped and locked in place while allowing metal to metal contact between the cover and supporting ring when necessary.

Abstract: A clamshell-type loader bucket has a pair of jaws with meeting edges that close together on one side of the bucket and on the bottom of the bucket to retain fine material such as sand, dirt or dry grain. The meeting edges on the bottom of the bucket are arranged to pick up such material from a flat supporting surface when the bucket is in vertical position. The bucket has a hopper bottom with inclined bevel plates on the jaws arranged to force material upward in the bucket as the jaws close on the material when the bucket is in vertical position.

Abstract: The machine automatically pivots itself into alignment with the orientation of a log being drawn into the machine, and/or pivots the log, and is vertically adjustable to conform to the inclination of a log in process. To cut off an end piece of the log, a shear blade first makes a partial stroke cutting less than entirely through the log. Then the shear blade frame moves away from the input end of the machine, pulling in another length of log. Then the first cut is completed and the shear blade and shear blade frame retract to starting positions for the next cut. This cycle is repeated in automatic operation. When splitting is desired, as for firewood, the shear blade is utilized as a ram to force each end piece of the log through a splitter at the output end of the machine.

Abstract: A tree holder bar and an inverted U-shaped support bar are welded at their lower ends to a circular base ring, leaving an open space to receive a water container. Upper portions of the two bars are welded together adjacent a downward bend in the tree holder bar, the lower extremity of which has an upturned point to be driven into the trunk of the tree. A V-shaped bracket adjacent the bend in the tree holder bar receives a pair of nails to be driven into the sides of the tree trunk. The tree holder bar is bendable to make the tree stand straight.

Abstract: An elongated lift frame, lifted and moved by a crane, has a plurality of transverse spreader bars which may be shifted to different positions along the frame. The spreader bars have extensions in their ends equipped with supports for load hooks. A latch pin at each end of each spreader bar secures its extension in extended or retracted position and secures the spreader bar in a selected position on the lift frame.

Abstract: A hand operated combination handle and control valve assembly applicable to each of three related cleaning devices. The valve, when attached to a standard pressurized water hose, controls the pressure flow as desired; such as off, pressure to a first outlet port, pressure to both the first and second outlet ports, and finally, pressure to only the second outlet port. A first scrubbing device consists of the handle/valve attached to a pair of water passage tubes assembled to receive pressurized water to impart rotational motion to a turbine operated, planetary gear reduction driven scrubbing brush and also to rinse the soap residue of the scrubbing operation. A second scrubbing device consists of the handle/valve attached directly to a housing which directs pressurized water to a nozzle to wet or rinse an object and also through an inclined orifice to impart rotational motion to a water turbine attached to a central shaft designed to receive a scrubbing brush, such as a bottle brush.

Abstract: A knife is secured in a holder by a cambered clamp plate which is flattened against one face of the knife by a pair of sliding wedges engaging opposite side edge portions of the clamp plate. The wedges are tightened individually to facilitate accurate positioning of the clamp plate and proper seating of the knife for producing a smooth surface on the underlying wood.

Abstract: The lifting of a load moves a piston to pump a charge of air into a small compressed air reservoir above a load hook. A remote control radio signal opens a valve to transmit the air pressure to the load hook causing the hook to release itself from its load. The device may be incorporated in a self contained module associated with a single load hook or it may be adapted to a lifting frame having a plurality of releasable load hooks. Also, the device may be arranged to produce the pumping stroke of the piston by lowering the lifting frame down on top of the load as the load is lowered onto a support.

Abstract: A pair of strapping carriages move in one direction from station to station along opposite sides of the bale applying straps simultaneously in different positions from said opposite sides of the bale at each station. The carriages continue to a rest station beyond one end of the bale for removal of the strapped bale and placement of the next bale to be strapped. Then the carriages move in the opposite direction from station to station along said next bale applying pairs of straps in like manner and continue to a rest station beyond the opposite end of the bale. Improved strap guide tracks and strap length adjustment means are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus on the back of a tractor carries an adjustable shear blade frame. This frame may be inclined upward or downward from horizontal to cut off trees at ground level and parallel with an inclined ground surface. The frame may be side shifted to receive the trunk of a tree to be felled when the tractor is not backed to a precise position adjacent the tree. The frame may be removed from the apparatus for felling trees at a distance from the tractor. The frame may be turned upright and side shifted to cut to desired lengths the trunks of felled trees pulled alongside the tractor. The frame is also equipped for splitting short lengths of the tree trunks into firewood.

Abstract: A guide bar has a pair of clamps for mounting on the shoe of an electric power hand saw. The guide bar is adjustable both longitudinally and laterally in relation to the saw. This arrangement facilitates trimming strips off the ends or side edges of wood panels wherein the width of such strips may vary from a small fraction of an inch to several inches.

Abstract: A tandem wheel suspension unit contained in a wheel well on a trailer. A frame is supported by a precompressed coil spring on the trunion shaft of a walking beam assembly, the walking beams having stops engaging said frame to normally prevent oscillation of the beams. The precompression of the supporting spring prevents one wheel from dropping into a highway chuckhole while permitting each wheel to rise in response to the impact shock upon striking an obstruction on the road.

Abstract: A water spray system applied directly to cooking units in a kitchen rather than to the ventilating duct for the cooking units. The system may be a wet system with water pressure maintained at spray nozzles which open in case of fire, or an open head, or dry, system controlled by thermostats and a solenoid water valve. Safeguards are provided against loss of water pressure, surges in the water supply line, flare ups after partial cooling of the thermostats, closing of a solenoid gas valve supplying gas burners in the cooking units as a result of momentary outages in the electric service supplying the control circuits, and other contingencies.

Abstract: A retractor mechanism is mounted on the collar adjacent the buckle, the weight of these parts holding them under the animal's neck when the leash is retracted. A guide ring half way around the collar provides a stop for a handle on the free end of the leash when the leash is retracted, thus positioning the handle on top of the animal's neck when the leash is not in use. A semicircular spring steel stiffening member extends between the retractor mechanism and said guide ring to secure these parts to the collar and provide a smooth sliding surface for the leash as it is extended and retracted.

Abstract: Choke attachments are applied to that portion of the inlet of the ventilator serving low pollution cooking units in a row of various types of cooking units in a restaurant kitchen. This reduces the rate of air removal from the kitchen, and in most cases also the rate of air removal from an adjoining dining room, to conserve energy without impairing the efficiency of the ventilator.