Abstract: A sectional smokestack wherein each section is assembled from multiple precast concrete segments having aligned vertical ribs. The sections are stacked axially one upon the other during erection of the smokestack. Concentrated reinforcement extends vertically through aligned apertures in each rib from the bottom of the smokestack to the top of the smokestack. Each of the segments which are used to assemble a section have structural tie rods which extend laterally within a segment and extend into the aperture on opposite sides of the concentrated reinforcement to transfer wind loads and heat stress loads to the concentrated reinforcement.

Abstract: An improved hay feeding apparatus is mounted on a vehicle bed and utilizes a hay walker for separating portions of a bale of hay and discharging the separated hay into a windrow alongside the vehicle. The present invention utilizes a sweep to gather bales from the ground and a lifting device for lifting the bales to the bed of the vehicle. Separate conveyors on the vehicle bed transport the bales to the hay walker. The hay walker separates hay from the bale and delivers the hay to a chute for delivery to the ground.

Abstract: A tug release connector which is opened by tugging on an object being held by a clip. The tug release connector having a hollow body member with a bore therethrough. At one end there is provided a lip surrounding the bore. The lip acts as a catch. An elongate shaft is received by the bore and is spring loaded to partially retract into the hollow body member. The shaft extends from the hollow body member outwardly beyond the lip.To hold an object, one end of a curved lip is hingedly mounted to the shaft outside the body member. The clip hingedly rotates between a closed position, where a free end of the clip is held by the lip of the body member, and an open position, where the free end is unconstrained from rotating away from the lip. When an object held by the clip is tugged, the shaft extends releasing the free end of the clip from the lip.

Abstract: The present invention includes structure for redirecting the stream flow of a high velocity flow of particulate material. A chamber is mounted between an entrance spout and a discharge spout through which a stream of particulate matter flows. The chamber includes a baffle apparatus which is positioned in the stream flow within the chamber. The baffle apparatus includes two members formed in a "V" shaped pattern with the apex of the "V" positioned closer to the discharge spout than the free ends of the "V". The apex of the "V" is broken away to permit particulate matter to slide from the baffle to the discharge spout when flow into the chamber stops. The baffle is positioned so that the incoming matter strikes the baffle. Particulate matter is collected by the baffle so that further incoming matter strikes the particulate matter instead of the baffle.

Abstract: A backpack including a stiffened but bendable planar element which is held in a pocket secured to the backpack bag to provide a flexible pack frame. The pack frame supports a VELCRO portion located on the side of the frame adjacent the backpack bag forming one side of a second pocket sized to receive the ends of a pair of shoulder straps for holding the backpack bag. The two shoulder straps are provided with corresponding VELCRO portions at the ends to be inserted into the second pocket for gripping the VELCRO associated with the pack frame. Further, each shoulder strap has a stiffening element sewn inside the strap adjacent the portion where the VELCRO of the strap is located which assists the gripping action of the VELCRO when the backpack bag is carried by a user.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aligning structure for aligning pin-receiving holes on a screen frame used in screen printing relative to upright pins mounted on a pin bar. The aligning structure, includes a pair of plates clamped on the frame. A first plate has an upright-pin-receiving hole to slidably receive the upright pin. A second plate has an upright-pin-receiving hole substantially larger than the upright pin. If the upright pin is received by both upright-pin-receiving holes and the clamp is loosened, the two plates can slide relative to each other to reposition the upright-pin-receiving hole relative to the screen frame. Retightening the clamp maintains the new alignment.

Abstract: A slip resistent apparatus for walking aids such as canes, crutches and walkers is disclosed. The apparatus provides a spring biased, lever actuated, selectively operable, ground engaging probe slidingly displaced within the vertical structure of the walking aid. The probe is a pointed elongate rod. A hand operated lever with attached actuating arm is affixed to the walking aid and rests against the upper portion of the rod. Actuation of the lever transmits a compressive force to the spring biased probe extending the pointed tip to make engagement with the ground, thus providing a slip resistant walking aid. The sliding rod is adjustable in length to accommodate different heights of walking aids and is adapted to fit the different types of walking aids including canes, crutches and walkers.

Abstract: A wide-range hitch assembly which mounts on a towing vehicle is provided wherein a hitch ball can be pivoted in an arc and extended or retracted to simplify mating the hitch ball with a cooperating ball hitch fitted on a towed vehicle. The present invention includes a rectangular housing holding a conventional rectangular receiver tube mounted for pivotal movement within the interior of the housing. The receiver tube has pin receiving bores located in the top and bottom walls which bores may be coaxially aligned with corresponding bores in the top and bottom walls of the housing. A drawbar, slidably positioned within the receiver tube, has a bore therethrough which bore may be positioned in coaxial alignment with the bores through the receiver tube. A pin is used to automatically lock the receiver tube in a central, proper towing position as the receiver tube is centered for towing and then the drawbar retracted.

Abstract: The harness comprises a carrying strap and a connector. The connector is formed from a resilient material and comprises a strap like member having a rectangular portion, a truncated triangular portion and a narrow strap portion. A distal end of the narrow strap portion has a round opening communicating with a rectangular slot which receive a domed nipple and stem formed on the triangular portion such that the narrow strap portion can be folded over itself with the nipple and stem forced into the opening and slot thus forming a loop for attachment to an article to be carried. A plurality of walls are formed on the triangular portion to maintain the distal end of the narrow strap portion locked in the looped position. The rectangular portion is formed with a strap receiving slot to connect with the carrying strap.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an efficient aeration system for use in a pool or lagoon. The system employs a venturi nozzle structure for mixing air and water. With this nozzle, multiple air streams surround a water stream to promote effective mixing. The air water mixture is discharged into a long discharge pipe which extends the mixing time for the air/water mixture leaving the turbulent mixing zone of the nozzle. Small holes drilled in the upper wall of the discharge pipe permits smaller bubbles to escape along the pipe while larger bubbles which have not yet been broken are carried further down the pipe. Further, the discharge pipe of the present invention is made larger than the nozzle area in order to slow the flow of the air/water mixture when passing through the pipe.

Abstract: A float tube and a separate power unit floater combination wherein the power unit floater includes a toroidal shaped float tube and a power unit shaped to fit in a central cavity of the float tube. The power unit further includes a battery and electric motor for turning the propeller. A switchbox, used to control both the speed and direction of the propeller is placed forward on the fisherman's float tube at a location convenient for the fisherman to manipulate. The power unit being attached to the float tube behind the fisherman to allow the fisherman to have a clear area in front of him.

Abstract: An indicator is provided for indicating rotation of a seed metering shaft used with a grain drill. The present invention incorporates a cylinder mounted to the seed metering shaft with its longitudinal axis offset but parallel to the axis of the shaft. The cylinder is mounted to rotate with the shaft. An indicator arm is hingedly mounted to the frame of the grain drill with one end positioned to ride on the outer surface of the cylinder and the other end free to move in correspondence with movement of the first end. With this invention, the indicator arm moves continually with movement of the seed metering shaft and thus provides a continuous indication of rotation of the seed metering shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shock absorption device for absorbing recoil shock when a camera is mounted to an archery bow. The present invention includes a first mechanism which operates to absorb shock in a generally horizontal plane when the shooting device is being used for shooting and a second mechanism which operates to absorb shock in a generally vertical direction when the shooting device is being used. The two mechanisms operate independently of one another. The mechanism operating in the horizontal plane uses first and second planar members which have polished, greased, flat surfaces abutting each other in a mating relation which members are held together with a wide elastic band tightly encasing the perimeter of the two members. The two members slide relative to one another when the shock force is applied, and after the shock force subsides, the elastic band restores the two members to their normal static resting position.

Abstract: A counterbalancing assembly for use with a gate vertically rotatable about an axle carried by a support structure. The counterbalancing assembly utilizes a coil spring having one end attached to the support structure and having its other end attached to one end of a cable. The other end of the cable is attached to the gate at a point spaced apart from the axle. This cable, intermediate its ends, is trained around a pulley. The pulley is positioned so that as the gate is lifted, the spring provides a resilient force assisting in the opening of the gate and, as the center of gravity of the gate crosses over the axle and the gate starts to fall on the other side of the axle, the spring provides a force counteracting this falling movement. With this arrangement, the coil spring also assists in closing the gate from the open position.

Abstract: A vertically rotatable gate which incorporates a torsion beam strengthened by bracing stringers to form a compact, rigid foundation structure along the bottom of the gate for resisting torsional and transverse forces acting on the gate. Further, a separate carriage assembly may be used to mount gates of different sizes to a gate axle.

Abstract: A closed system pneumatic exerciser which includes a double acting pneumatic cylinder in which an external line pneumatically connects chambers formed within the pneumatic cylinder on either side of an enclosed piston. The exerciser is portable and includes structure for removably mounting the cylinder to a wall, for example. A handle or other exerciser engaging device is attached to a shaft connected to the piston to enable a user to push and pull the piston against air pressure developed in a corresponding chamber. Two adjustable valves are mounted in the external line, each of which valves restrict the rate of flow of air in the external line in one direction but does not restrict air flow in the opposite direction. The two valves are positioned back-to-back so that air flow in the external line may be restricted in each direction. A pressure gauge is positioned intermediate these two valves to indicate the pressure in the external line.

Abstract: An automatic gain setting circuit for automatically adjusting the gain of an amplifier which drives an analog meter. The gain of this amplifier is adjusted automatically with the push of a button switch so that the meter will read mid-range for the signal input to the amplifier. In this circuit, the operational amplifier is connected between an input signal and the analog meter readout. This operational amplifier utilizes a feedback circuit having a variable resistance which changes the gain of the amplifier as the resistance is changed. The resistance in this feedback circuit is changed by an electrical comparison circuit which compares the output signal from the amplifier with a reference voltage upon the push of a button switch. The reference voltage is preset to cause the meter to read mid-range. Once the button switch is pushed, the comparison circuit provides an output control signal which is directed to the feedback circuit of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A livestock weighing apparatus including a weighing cage suspended inside an outer support structure. A cantilevered weight transfer tube is mounted to the outer support structure and this weight transfer tube has two arms, one at each end thereof, from which the weighing cage is suspended. An electronic weighing scale is attached to one of the arms attached to the weight transfer tube. The weight of the animal on the platform is concentrated at the point at which the scale is attached to the weight transfer tube.