Abstract: This invention is a protected enclosure to allow upland game birds including bobwhite quail to be introduced into and to thrive in the wild with low mortality rate. This is accomplished through the use of an acclimation portion where the birds become used to feeding and watering in the protected enclosure while being allowed to ingress and egress between the acclimation portion and the feeding and watering portion. Provision is made for one or more call birds to be isolated after the acclimation period upon initial introduction into the wild. The call bird or birds can then be reunited with the covey. Commercially available cooked ration can be used which allows vitamins, minerals and other supplements to be added to the normal diet of the birds.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder for use with an automatic feed delivery system having a feed drop tube operatively connected thereto for dispensing feed into a feed bin is disclosed. The improved feeder is provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge that retains clips in their slots and also facilitates removal of the clips by a clip applier. The slots are provided with at least one and preferably two retaining members that protrude from and preferably run substantially parallel to the slot-defining walls. The retaining members interfere with the clip to an extent sufficient to retain the clip in the slot while permitting relative movement between the clip and the saddle. In a preferred embodiment, the legs of the clip are flared to further facilitate engagement between the clip legs and the grooves of the applier jaws.

Abstract: An improved arrow rest for use in combination with an archery bow is disclosed. The present arrow rest provides complete radial support to an arrow disposed in a ready-to-draw position even if the bow is tilted or rotated radially relative to an axis of the arrow. Such radial support is provided by an inverted coil brush comprising a disc-shaped structure having a plurality of radially disposed, inwardly projecting bristles of a predetermined length attached therein forming a central opening in the arrow rest wherein the arrow shaft is radially supported. The bristles are arranged within the coil brush so as to impart no significant hindrance to the passage of an arrow therethrough. Thus, no angular orientation of the arrow vanes to the arrow nock is required which permits the use of the arrow rest with any configuration of arrow fletching or number of vanes.

Abstract: To overcome the difficulties of properly spacing the lower terminal edge of siding above a roof with flashing therebetween, an outwardly projecting elongated guide is formed in the elongated vertical portion of the siding at the predetermined level above the elongated horizontal portion of the flashing. This allows the installer to use the guide to properly cut the siding as well as installing the same the correct distance above the roof. If an attempt is made to install siding to close to the roof, the same will not lie flat against the flashing so that an obvious incorrect installation is indicated.

Abstract: An ornamental fence which can be changed from one desired color to another includes hollow pickets and rails formed of a thin wall translucent material substantially free of pigmentation having sufficient transparency such that exterior surface of the pickets and rails assume the coloration of a fluid contained therewithin as admitted to the interior through exteriorly accessible drain and fill openings.

Abstract: A surface mount carrier device which permits an electrical component having wire leads to be converted for surface mounting on a printed circuit board is disclosed. The carrier device comprises a body member fabricated from an electrical insulating material which includes a pair of upwardly extending, U-shaped lead supports. The lead supports define a pair of vertically opposed, symmetrical notches wherein the wire leads of the component are attached to the carrier device. In one embodiment the carrier device includes a pair of electrically conductive tabs which are secured within the notches and bent around the end faces of the carrier device and extend to a bottom surface thereof so as to provide an electrical pathway from the component to the printed circuit board whereon it will be fused. The wire leads are soldered to the conductive tabs and cut off at the end faces of the carrier device.

Abstract: A method of splicing the platen component of a linear stepper motor to extent its range of travel for various applications is disclosed. In a linear stepper motor the so-called forcer or armature component moves linearly along the platen or stator in the manner of a track assuming discrete locations in response to the state of the electrical current in the field windings of the forcer. Conventional machining equipment limits the maximum length of the platen that can be produced for such a motor. Because various industrial applications demand an extended length of the platen component, the splicing method enables two or more platen components to be arranged in an end-to-end relation while maintaining positional accuracy, preventing air loss from the air bearings typically utilized with such a motor, and maintaining the magnetic flux path necessary for proper operation of the forcer component of the motor.

Abstract: A convertible multi-purpose covering is disclosed being formed of pair of similarly shaped and sized flexible sheets of material having predetermined surfaces and edges positioned in face-to-face relationship at a first location. The sheets are aligned along their edges and connected along the top and side marginal edges leaving the sheets bottom edges open and thereafter turning the connected sheets right-side-out. Insulating filling sufficiently shaped, sized or volumed is inserted through the opening and arranged to evenly fill the space between the connected sheets, with the sheets then being connected along the bottom marginal edges to close the opening forming a comforter body. Two pluralities of fasteners arranged in parallel longitudinal rows are attached to the top surface of the body along the right side edge.

Abstract: A revolving coin display stand for the display of proof coin sets encased in hermetically sealed plastic display cartridges is disclosed. The coin display stand is constructed so as to permit a user to view both the obverse and reverse sides of the coins by manually revolving a pivoting frame assembly 360 degrees relative to a supporting base plate. The base plate is constructed of sufficient weight to prevent the proof coin set which is permanently captured in the supporting frame from toppling over during rotation by a user. In an alternative embodiment the supporting base is provided with writing implement holders adapted to receive implements such as pens and pencils in the maimer of a traditional desk set.

Abstract: At improved centrifugal batting practice machine of the type having a tethered ball that is repeatedly revolved past a hitter by a generally horizontal rotating arm is disclosed. The rotating arm is mechanically coupled to a vertically disposed, motor-driven shaft within a vertical frame that is fixedly attached to a base support. A height adjustment mechanism is interposed between the motor-driven shaft and the rotating arm to permit incremental adjustment thereof in a vertical plane such that the ball is presented to a batter at the desired vertical height. The batting practice machine includes functional features that produce a random pattern in the pitches delivered by batter. In one embodiment the batting practice machine is placed in a condition of imbalance by the removal of detachable pads or feet from the base support to produce a random pattern in the pitches.

Abstract: A non-toxic fire ant extermination system providing probe injection of scalding water below ground level within a fire ant mound is disclosed. The system includes a propane fueled water heater and water circulating pump capable of heating water in the range of 200 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit and of delivering the same at a flow rate of least three gallons per minute which is effective to eradicate the insects within the core region of a fire ant mound. The injection probe features a cylindrical capture shield which is radially disposed about the probe and adapted for sliding attachment therewith being spring-biased in a downward direction against the surface of the ground during operation thereof to retain the intense heat generated by the process,to capture fire ants emerging from the mound, and to protect the operator from the backflow of scalding water as the treatment proceeds.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing data communicated between a computer system and a printer. The data capture system monitors data communicated between the computer system and printer, acquires pertinent portions of the data, and stores the acquired data for later use. This system and method may be used to acquire patient encounter data, including demographic and insurance data, entered into a medical provider's computer office management system when the patient visits the medical provider. Often, the medical provider will print patient encounter data at a printer connected to the office management system. The data capture system acquires and stores pertinent portions of the patient encounter data, such as the demographic data, communicated from the medical provider's office management system to the printer.

Abstract: An electrostatically controlled blind system for use in limiting the passage of light through windows, doors, and skylights in building structures is disclosed. The blind system comprises a plurality of elongated, electroconductive louvers which are pivotally supported within an electroconductive peripheral frame. The blind system is inserted between sheets of insulated glass having an electroconductive coating and is thereby insulated from the ambient atmosphere. A voltage converter converts alternating current to an electrostatic charge which is distributed on the surface of the louvers causing them to repel each other. The electrostatic charge on the louvers induces an opposite electrostatic charge on the grounded sheets of insulated glass creating an electrostatic force of attraction therebetween.

Abstract: A thruway electrical outlet box system of the type that will extend entirely through an internal wall of a building and present on the opposite surfaces of that wall an opening for an outlet plug or switch mounting is disclosed. The outlet boxes of the present system are fabricated from electrically nonconductive, engineering grade plastic materials having mechanical and physical properties suitable for electrical applications. Each electrical outlet box includes an internal, central partition that separates back-to-back compartments which open onto the opposed wall surfaces. The present system includes outlet boxes of various configurations ranging from a pair of single outlet boxes to a pair of quadruple outlet boxes and combinations thereof. The overall length of the electrical outlet boxes is made adjustable by the inclusion of break-away extension members integrally formed about peripheral edges of the opposed compartment openings to accommodate various thicknesses of plaster and wallboard construction.

Abstract: A collapsible carrier including an inflatable roller assembly for transporting a load such as a downed game animal or an injured person in remote areas over rough terrain is disclosed. The collapsible carrier includes a generally rectangular load supporting frame fabricated from light-weight, tubular material. The load supporting frame includes forward and rear frame sections being interconnected by a pair of triangular support frame members extending therebetween and being adapted for sliding, telescoping engagement with the forward and rear frame sections permitting convenient assembly or disassembly of the carrier. The carrier includes a cylindrical, inflatable roller assembly having axial bearings which is fabricated from a flexible fabric material capable of containing compressed air and adapted to be transversely mounted between the support frame members.