Abstract: A device is provided for preventing flexible lines such as hydraulic hoses or electrical cables from being fouled or damaged as they run along telescoping suction pipe. Conduits are clamped to the inside pipe of the moving part of the suction pipe and a guide roller is placed upon the sleeve of the suction pipe. The conduit is guided by the guide and the flexible lines are telescoped within the conduits or strapped to the side of the conduits.

Abstract: A subsoil plowing implement having winged subsoil plows that break and lift the soil thereby loosening said soil. The plows are mounted so that an upper surface of the wing of the plow may be oriented at varying degrees of incline to horizontal. Spikes are located at a leading edge of the wing and a shank so that said spikes precede the wing and shank through the soil. The spikes initially break the ground and reduce the resistance that the wing and shank experience as they progress through the soil. A bevelled and sharpened deflection strip fixed to a leading edge of the shank making said shank more knifelike and allowing it to cut through the soil with reduced friction. By varying the arrangement and orientation of the plows, areas of loosened soil with different cross-sectional shapes are created.

Abstract: The traditional feed plate or stationary feed bar of a lint cleaner in a cotton gin is replaced by a rolling feed bar to press the cotton fibers onto the saw teeth of the saw cylinder. A rolling feed bar is a cylinder of about 1/4 the diameter of the saw cylinder which is rotated to have a surface speed of about 1/25th (+ or -50%) of the surface speed of the saw cylinder. The rolling feed bar is a smooth aluminum roller which co-acts with a ribbed or splined steel roller.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning unit has a fan compartment containing a hammock-type filter. The hammock-type filter rests upon feet elevated above the bottom of the fan compartment so that air may flow into the fan through either the bottom panel of the hammock filter or either of the side panels. The front and back of channels of the bottom pannel are telescoped so that they can be expanded and always be longer than the width of the fan. Sponge rubber is provided at the front and back so that if a larger compartment is used that air leakage at the front and back is prevented by the sponge or foam rubber. The top edges of the side panels rest against the sides of the fan compartment. Foam rubber along these edges prevents noise caused by vibration as well as preventing air leakage.

Abstract: A pair of horizontal rods mounted to be very close to the ground run on either side of a row of stalks. The rods are mounted under harvesting equipment which would harvest the crop from the stalks. The rods are independently biased toward the row so that each of the rods contact and slide along the stalks. The rods are at least partially supported by pendants which hang from the harvesting equipment. The lateral movement of one of the pendants is measured to determine the deviation of the vehicle from the row.

Abstract: A handle is provided for a joint of PVC agricultural irrigation pipe. The handle is either integral with PVC end portions which are glued to the saddle or the handle is telescoped in PVC tubes which are glued to the saddle. The saddle is glued to the joint of pipe forming convenient means for carrying the pipe.

Abstract: A pump for sampling fluids from a pipe line has a very high volumetric efficiency. The pump has a plunger that substantially completely displaces the volume of the cavity within which it works. To prevent flow of the fluid from the pipe line to the sampling container when the pipe line pressure is higher than the sampling container, a floating plunger liner has a passage open to the pipe line pressure. The pipe line pressure will force the liner against the outlet valve if the pipe line pressure is higher than the collecting vessel pressure. When the plunger evacuates the cavity the pressure in the cavity will be greater than the pipe line pressure and the outlet pressure and will force the plunger liner downward to open the outlet valve to permit flow of the fluid from the cavity through the outlet to the collecting vessel. If the pressure is lower in the cavity than either the pipe line or the collecting vessel, there will be no flow from the collecting vessel but only flow from the pipe line.

Abstract: A fishing tool for composite sucker rod has a four fingered collet. An overshot tube is connected to the top of the fishing tool. The top of the collet has a stack telescoped within a helical spring. A fish deep within a well has a splintered partial joint of composite rod above a metal coupling having a four faced wrench flat. In operation, the splintered joint is telescoped within the overshot and the four fingers engage the four faced wrench flat. The tool is disengaged by rotating the tool 1/8 of a turn to bring the collet fingers over the corners between the flat faces of the wrench flat.

Abstract: A sensor used to sense a path in a cultivated field is attached to a tractor. The sensor is stabilized to prevent the sensor from bouncing. The stabilizer may take the form of a coulter. In other cases the sensor and the stabilizer may be combined in the form of a heavy, massive sensor. The preferred form of the stabilizer is a flexible drag strip behind the sensor. A roller chain forms a suitable drag strip.

Abstract: A stent is made from a thermoplastic material having a glass transition temperature below the normal temperature of the human body. Therefore the thermoplastic polymer may be necked in situ. The stent is made with a series of circumferential strips.

Abstract: Method and apparatus that automatically monitors the level of moisture absorbed in and adsorbed on the grain flow after the addition of a liquid conditioner. A moisture sensor is located downstream from a liquid applicator head and is capable of accurately measuring the total moisture absorbed in and adsorbed on the grain flow while said grain flow is freshly wetted. By monitoring the moisture level of the grain after the wetting process, the actual level of moisture present in the grain that has been imparted by liquid application is detectable. Therefore, the moisture detection serves as a check on the wetting process and provides adjustment capabilities rendering the conditioning process and resulting moisture contents of the grain flow more accurate than if the moisture content of the grain is detected prior to application of the liquid.

Abstract: A defective automobile gauge is repaired by placing a resistance across the back of the gauge. At least 95% of the automobile gauges which fail do so because the regular resistance shunt has opened. The regular resistance shunt is mounted upon a ceramic plate that is necessary for the structural support of the galvanometer of the gauge. Therefore, the ceramic plate with the defective resistance remains in place and additional resistance is attached in parallel with the defective resistance.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harnessing fluid energy from a fluid current and converting it into mechanical energy. The invention comprises a big wheel and a little wheel where the little wheel rotates about on axis parallel to but offset from an axis about which the big wheel rotates. The little wheel rotates within the big wheel. Flexible sails are fastened between masts of the big wheel and masts of the little wheel so that when the wheels rotate each sail is unfurled and extended during one phase of operation and said sail is folded upon itself during another phase of operation. When extended or stretched open, the sail derives power from the fluid current. When the sail is folded, it offers a reduced resistance to the fluid current into which said sail is moving.

Abstract: Spills from an oil well are caught in a basin surrounding the oil well casing. The basin is drained from the bottom through a conduit connected to a tank. A vacuum is applied to the tank by a suction pump. The control for starting and stopping the suction pump is by a control which is located above the basin. The control is manually operated by a man who works on a grating above the basin and may see into the basin.

Abstract: A guidance system for an agricultural tractor includes a furrow feeler which depends from a horizontal shaft so that the shaft rotates about a horizontal axis aligned with the direction of draft. Misalignment causes rotation of the horizontal shaft, which through arms and switches causes an electric motor to turn in a first or second direction as is appropriate to cause the tractor to follow the furrow. The motor is connected by suitable transmission to a yieldable tire which engages the steering wheel of the tractor so that rotation of the tire from the motor will cause the tractor to be steered from the steering wheel. A gauge wheel forms a track furrow so that in future operations, the tractor follows the precise path as before.

Abstract: An integral polyurethane bell is placed on the bottom of a suction pipe of a cotton gin. A hook is placed on the top of the outer barrel of the suction pipe and a chain swung from pivot mechanism of the suction pipe. When the suction pipe is not in operation the hook is engaged to the chain to hold the suction pipe in a non-obstructive position. Nylon bearing pads are placed between the inner and outer barrels of the suction pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing the hide from animal carcasses. The structure includes a slotted pulling pin that is attached to a loosened skin flap of the animal's hide. The pulling pin is mounted to a platform assembly. The platform assembly may be tilted thereby setting the height of the pulling pin with respect to the floor of a processing plant. The tilting or rocking of the platform is accomplished with height adjustment mechanism that are extendable and retractable. To facilitate attachment of the hide to the pulling pin, said hide is first manually detached from the upper hind end of the animal carcass which is hanging head end down. After attachment of the hide to the pulling pin, the pin is rotated by a hydraulic motor thereby pulling the hide from the animal carcass. The motor is positioned on the platform so that it is angled away from the pulling pin and is a distance from the animal carcass at all times during the pulling process.

Abstract: A sand pump for an oil well includes a tail pipe connected to a barrel. A swab on a mandrel is reciprocatingly operated within the barrel to draw fluid upward from the bottom of the tail pipe. A flap valve at the bottom of the tail pipe and a ball check valve at the top of the tail pipe and below the barrel prevent debris and fluid caught within the pump from running backward through the tail pipe or the barrel. A traveling ball check valve is located immediately above the swab within a knocker on the mandrel to force the fluid upward. A double action swab is used on the mandrel to wipe the barrel bore clean to reduce problems with the sand which is within the liquid being pumped. Also, square shoulders on working parts are used to prevent guiding sand into areas having close tolerance. The fluid openings on the barrel bore are small and restricted so that the velocity of the movement of the mandrel is restricted.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mechanically "pitching" a ball to a batter for the purpose of batting practice. A ball tethered to the end of a cord is revolved about a motorized base unit. The batter approaches the operating machine and positions him or herself so that they are positioned to bat the ball as it circles past them. The pitching machine has several elements for varying the "pitch" of the ball so that the batter is less likely to be able to anticipate the nest pitch thereby increasing his batting abilities. The ability of the entire machine to rock or wobble during operation, acts to produce a randomness in the pitches so that there is no pattern in the pitches delivered to the batter.