Abstract: Improved backhoe bucket transport apparatus including an engagement member secured to a loader bucket and having an open hook for engaging and suspending the backhoe bucket by its pivot pin. Normal rolling motion of the loader bucket causes it to receive the backhoe where it may be securely held during transport. Unloading is carried out by reversing the steps.

Abstract: An improved combine conveyor of the type having a conveyor surface, elongated carriers across the surface, and endless chains to move the carriers along the conveyor. The carriers are resiliently deformable slats adjustably secured to the chains by self-adjusting, preferably double-pivoting, attachment devices. The slats are preferably flat, of spring steel, angled with respect to the surface, and in a trailing position with respect to their attachment to the chains.

Abstract: Improved automatic surface-treating apparatus of the type supported by and traversing a horizontal surface unattended. The apparatus includes mobility members for movement in a principal direction and side-step members having rotational axes a given distance above the surface. Each side-step member has a first sector with a far periphery spaced from its axis by more than the given distance, and a second sector with a near periphery spaced from its axis by less than the given distance. This arrangement allows a single rotation of the side-step members to accurately lift and move the apparatus laterally through a predetermined distance, to a new surface-treatment path.

Abstract: Improved means for removably attaching digging teeth to the cutting edge member of an earth-moving bucket. The attachment means includes a pair of clamping means which both apply sandwiching pressure on both the upper and lower surfaces of the edge member to hold the tooth in place against both front and side impacts.

Abstract: An adjustable two-pedal swing control apparatus for tractor backhoe booms and the like. The apparatus has a pivot shaft member pivotably mounted with respect to a tractor upright, a shaft-engaging structure on the pedal engaged with an end portion of the pivot shaft, such end portion and shaft-engaging structure being dimensioned and arranged to allow a degree of rotation of the pedal with respect to the pivot shaft, a pair of aligned projecting members from the pivot shaft and shaft-engaging structure, and a threaded adjustment therebetween to set the position of the rotational range of the pedal.

Abstract: A multi-arm tractor hitch with an improved adjustable arm having a pair of threaded end members with slots therealong, a middle member engaged with the end members in turnbuckle fashion, a locking member movably, preferably pivotably, attached to the middle member and having tabs positioned to engage the slots of both ends members when the locking member is in a lock position, to firmly lock them and the middle against relative rotation without any connection beyond the middle member.

Abstract: An improved swingable tractor-backhoe interconnection for a tractor-mounted backhoe having a pair of vertically-spaced articulation means along the axis forming an axially-aligned void space therebetween, a preferably free-floating center yoke in the void space with two vertical rows of openings securing hydraulic hoses in two adjacent rows, and a pair of side yokes on the tractor, one for each row of hoses, positioned on opposite sides of the center plane and spaced from the axis and center plane such that the two rows of hoses are divergent between the center and side yokes.

Abstract: A kit for visual demonstration of principles relating to carpets and carpet care. The kit includes a horizontal base member, vertical members removably securable in erect position with respect to the base member at their proximal ends, and means on the base member to hold the vertical members in carrying position when not in their erect positions. A highly preferred base member is a transparent rigid box with spaced upper and lower walls, the vertical members being attacked to the lower wall and extending loosely through openings in the upper wall.The method includes applying dirt onto a shaft near its distal end and, when the shaft is erect on the lower wall of the preferred base member, executing a cleaning step. The cleaning step may involve applying a free liquid, which carries dirt through the opening into the rigid box, or rubbing with a damp wiper and then removing the dirty wiper from a position on top of the rigid box.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the framing of target portions of garments in hoops for attachment to embroidery machines or the like. The apparatus includes a workboard adjustably mounted to a base and movable between garment-mounting and hooping positions, a garment-supporting form secured to the workboard, and members for removably attaching one of the hoops.

Abstract: An applicator for particulate compositions having a horizontally oriented apertured dispensing container, wheels on either side, and an improved upright handle apparatus. The handle apparatus includes a yoke with a cross member, a mounting bracket affixed to the cross member, a pivotably attached slide mount which is preferably a support tube, a slidably mounted elongated handle, and lock members on the mount and handle for selectively securing the handle member in the slide mount in either an upright use position or a horizontal carrying/storage position. The lock members are preferably spring-loaded button members with buttons receivable in a lateral opening in the support tube. A socket in the bracket base provides rigid connection of the handle member to the cross member.

Abstract: A powered drain-cleaning implement of the type with a rotatable snake extendable for drain insertion. The device has a housing with a rear portion over the motor and a front portion terminating in a collar, a snake container rotatably supported in the front portion and having a forward tubular portion extending through the collar and ending in a distal opening where the snake is adjustably secured, a ring gear on the back of the container, and a pinion gear on the motor engaging the ring gear for high-torque rotation of the snake. The housing preferably substantially covers the motor, gears and container. Its rear portion preferably has a handle and associated trigger for easy holding and operation.

Abstract: A tractor power take-off shaft shield assembly having fixed side plates projecting from a tractor wall on either side of the shaft(s), a top plate hinged to the wall and sized to pivot between the side plates, and a slot in one and preferably both side plates each receiving a slot follower pivotably attached to the top plate, which is set in normal, lowered or raised position by positioning the slot follower(s). Preferred embodiments include each slot having an upper slot section angled downwardly somewhat from horizontal to support the slot follower when the tractor is not in use and cause it to automatically return the top plate to its normal position during tractor use. Some preferred embodiments include sidewalls on the top plate adjacent to the side plates.

Abstract: A board game simulating golf. The game has an annular golf course playing surface which maps fairway surface and a contiguous array of hazards with a grid of radial distance lines and annular direction lines on it. Highly preferred embodiments provide infinite variation in golf hole characteristics by virtue of a rotational partial overlay having its own map portions combinable with varying exposed map portions of the base board. Preferred embodiments also include a top member providing a movable tee and a shot distance gauge. Two sets of random determiners simulate golf shots.

Abstract: An insect repellent camouflage composition for application to the skin including N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide and camouflage pigment to provide both camouflage and insect repellence by a single application without interference with either function. Some embodiments include a skin-compatible vehicle miscible with the pigment and toluamide, preferably including water, skin oil(s), and emulsifier(s).

Abstract: A heating pad of the type having a particulate chemical mixture, which is exothermically reactive in the presence of air, and a pair of opposed panels forming an envelope containing the mixture and admitting air to support the reaction. Differing perforation sets in the opposed panels allows the pad to generate two levels of heat and allows opposed body-contact surfaces of the pad to apply two different heat conditions to the human body.

Abstract: A container for shipping and handling a motion picture film of feature length ready for projection using turntable-type projection equipment without the need for splicing or cutting the film. The device has spaced upper and lower main walls with central openings, an inner ring between the main walls removably secured to the lower wall and providing for film attachment, an outer annular wall extending between the main walls near the peripheral edges and preferably an inner annular wall near the central openings, and devices drawing the main walls together to close the container. Preferred embodiments have the outer and inner annular walls affixed to the upper wall such that the lower main wall forms a substantially flat disk without substantial projections, to facilitate film removal and rewinding during first and last showings of the film at a theater. Other features relate to inner ring characteristics aiding attachment and removal.

Abstract: An improved clarinet tuning barrel (10). The tuning barrel is a thermally-conductive tubular member having a plurality of grooves (36) in the outer wall (24) over most of its length. The grooves preferably extend around the tubular member, are annular, parallel and most preferably closely and substantially equally spaced. The grooves are preferably quite deep. The tuning barrel is preferably a unitary piece of lightweight aluminum alloy.

Abstract: An improved vehicle-mounted lifting apparatus for a vibratory device. The apparatus includes bearings in which a principal pivot shaft is journaled, a lifting link and at least one center-bonded joint spaced along and nonrotatably mounted on the pivot shaft, a lift cylinder secured to the vehicle and extending to the lifting link, and a rigid arm extending from each center-bonded joint to a support for the vibratory device. Although a compact simplified lifting structure, excellent vibratory isolation to protect the lift cylinder is provided.

Abstract: An improved flexible sole for athletic shoes for field sports of the type having an annular cleat providing improved pivotability and excellent traction. The annular cleat has opposed breaks along its distal edge in opposed main lateral portions which are centered on the juncture of the ball-of-the foot and toe portions of the sole. In one embodiment, a wide single break on each side of the shoe extends to the main sole surface and forms a flexing region across the sole. In another, a pair of breaks on each side form opposed annular cleat side portions, with which a central cleat may be aligned.