Abstract: A bearing adjustment and monitoring system is provided for a bearing mounted between a hub and a spindle, one of which is rotatable relative to the other and one of which has a threaded end section with traversing keyway and the other of which has an abutment for limiting inward movement of the bearing. A backing washer member is arranged to removably abut the bearing on the end opposite the abutment and has a key extending into the keyway to secure it against rotation, and a calibrated nut member has threads configured for threading onto the threaded end section. One of the backing washer member and calibrated nut member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings and the other of the backing washer member and calibrated nut member has a plurality of openings registering with the openings in the one member but spaced apart differently therefrom, whereby to provide vernier adjustment of rotation of the calibrated nut member.

Abstract: A method of logging utilizes a combination log yarder and processor vehicle having a basic vehicle structure not unlike that of a track-type excavating machine, but with a boom arm assembly arranged for operation in conjunction with a log processing head apparatus and its particular requirements for the handling and processing of felled logs and trees. The vehicle mounts a collapsible yarder tower arrangement which rotatably mounts a cable guide head member for relative rotation between the cable guide head and the vehicle on the same center axis of rotation as the vehicle turntable rotates on its undercarriage, thereby permitting the vehicle full rotational capabilities and operation of its boom arm apparatus when the yarder apparatus' cables are extended and anchored and in operation, and thereby permits a yarding operation of felled trees to be conducted simultaneously with a log processing, log sorting and log loading operation by a single personnel at a destination location at a logging site.

Abstract: The compact rotary evaporative cooler of this invention includes a case containing a powered rotor mounting a partition that divides the case longitudinally into a wetted chamber and a nonwetted chamber. An annular array of elongated Perkins tubes is supported for rotation with the rotor and each Perkins tube extends through the partition, with the evaporation end section extending into the nonwetted chamber and the condensing end section extending into the wetted chamber. Each Perkins tube mounts a plurality of closely spaced heat conductive fins along its length, and a layer of porous metal is bonded to the entire inner surface of the evaporation section of the tube. A first inlet port introduces hot, dry outside air into the wetted chamber and a first outlet port vents the cooled but humidified air from the wetted chamber to the atmosphere or to a space to be conditioned.

Abstract: The ball throwing machine of this invention includes a vertical base plate mounting a wheel support plate for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which defines an arcuate slot in the base plate through which a clamp bolt extends from the wheel support plate. The wheel support plate mounts top and bottom pneumatic tired wheels for rotation to grip a ball between them and project it forward. An electrical control circuit affords adjustment of wheel rotational speed by a single rotary switch and also allows selection of a variety of types of pitches by a single rotary switch. The electrical circuit also provides for the setting of a differential rotational speed between the top and bottom wheels, for optimum quality of pitching control, and also provides for limiting the minimum and maximum wheel rotating speeds to achieve realistic pitching speed range.

Abstract: The magnetic sweeper of this invention includes a laterally elongated hollow body of non-magnetic material having an open top and containing a pair of laterally spaced permanent magnets. The elongated side walls of the body have outwardly extending flanges slidably receiving a pair of covers of non-magnetic material for the magnets, and the covers have outer downturned ends facing the closed end walls of the body. An opening in each downturned end removably receives a wheel axle having an enlarged end captured between the body end wall and the adjacent downturned end of the cover, and interengaging detents on the body and each cover secures the cover removably to the body. A wheel is mounted rotatably on each axle and a handle extends from the body member for manipulating the sweeper over a surface to be swept of metallic objects.

Abstract: The rappelling rope controller of this invention includes a U-shaped rod supporting three bars of circular cross section movable along the arms of the rod, enlarged abutments on the free ends of the rod preventing removal of the bars. A rappelling rope may be reeved over the three arms in various configurations, and a person to be rappelled is connected to the closed end of the U-shaped rod.

Abstract: A hard shell safety knee pad is shown as having a cushion padding member formed of a plurality of layers of bubble cushioning material retained together against separation whereby to more comfortably distribute and support a wearer's weight and more effectively and comfortably cushion against the abrupt forces of a sudden and strong impact to the safety pad.

Abstract: A carrier for the two-person transporting of beds, sheet material such as plywood or drywall, and innumerable other elongated, bulky loads is formed of a main strap loop arranged to freely encircle a load to be transported in its longitudinal direction, the main strap mounting a pair of depending, load-supporting sling strap members positioned on the main strap member in equidistant, spaced apart condition from the mid point of the main strap loop for supporting the weight of the load.

Abstract: A portable core sampler includes a portable electric drill having an output rotary shaft connected detachably to a coupler shaft that supports a water swivel which connects a source of water to an axial water delivery passageway in the coupler shaft. The passageway in the coupler shaft communicates with the water delivery passageway in an elongated core sampler tube connected detachably to the coupler shaft, either directly or through one or more spacer tubes, for simultaneous rotation with the coupler shaft. The end of the core sampler tube opposite the coupler shaft includes core cutting elements for cutting core material for collection in the core sampler tube. Water injected into the system assists the cutting elements in cleanly cutting sub-surface materials by removing heat and cuttings. An inner shoulder in the sampler tube supports a core sample in the core sample tube during retraction of the tube assembly from the sub-surface.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine which includes a tripod leg support is provided with the rearwardly positioned leg formed as a pair of telescopic sections. Rack and pinion components are mounted one on each leg section and the pinion is operated by a crank to effect lengthening or shortening the telescopic sections, to effect an incremental change in the trajectory of a ball thrown by the machine.

Abstract: An improved walking leash apparatus for dogs and other animals utilizes a length of elastic, stretchable, bungee-type cord anchored to and carried within a substantially rigid, hollow tube member having a hand grip portion with a safety wrist snap, the forward terminal end of the elastic cord member mounting a collar fastener for connection to the collar of a dog to be walked, whereby the jerks and pulls of the animal are accommodated in shock-absorbing fashion by the leash, to the benefit and comfort of both operator and animal.

Abstract: A multiple electric switch is formed by inserting a plurality of electrical contacts in a plurality of spaced apart holes in a base of electrically non-conductive elastomeric material, in groups of two pairs per group, and mounting a control member in the base for movement to move one of the pair of contacts of a group resiliently into engagement with the other pair of contacts of the group, to effect closing of the electric switch. A second group of electrical contacts are spaced apart in a circular pattern adjacent a circular, electrically conductive contact ring, and a cam member on the base is rotatable to engage and move each of the contacts, one at a time, resiliently into engagement with the contact ring. The second group of contacts are included in the electric circuit of the first groups of contact pairs to effect control of multiple movements of each of a plurality of electric loads.