Abstract: In a firearm of the type having an open-top receiver and a nonrotatable breech bolt longitudinally slidable therein between open and closed positions in which an upper portion of the breech bolt is exposed, the upper portion of the breech bolt is adapted to allow a sighting device to be fixedly but removably mounted thereto. The upper portion of the breech bolt preferably has a pair of longitudinally extending and transversely opposed grooves positioned above but closely adjacent to opposite sides of the receiver. One or more conventional mounting clamps can be employed to securely engage the grooves for mounting a sighting device to the bolt. The sighting device should be sufficiently short to ensure that ejected shell casings do not impact any part of the sighting device.

Abstract: The invention relates to framing for a ready to assemble building, which employs a novel connector for connection of a column to a rafter (“knee connector”) or a rafter to another rafter (“peak connector”). The connector includes a hub comprising multiple substantially planar hub portions. The hub portions include a first hub portion, a second hub portion integrally connected to the first hub portion so as to define an acute angle with respect thereto, and at least one other hub portion integrally connected between the first and second hub portions. The connector further includes first and second legs comprised of elongated plates. The first leg perpendicularly extends outwardly from the first hub portion, and the second leg perpendicularly extends outwardly from the second hub portion. Each leg has a plurality of holes therethrough for alignment with corresponding holes in a structural member, preferably light gauge C-channel.

Abstract: A taxidermic ear opening tool for use upon an animal's ear which has skin with an underside thereof connected to cartilage, comprising: a tool body; a hook member fixedly connected to the tool body and having at least one prong that is engageable with the underside of the skin so as to secure the tool body with respect thereto; a rod having a longitudinal axis and opposing front and rear ends, the rod being received by the tool body so as to allow longitudinal movement of the rod with respect to the tool body; a separation member fixedly connected to the rod at or closely adjacent to its front end, the separation member lying in a plane substantially parallel and adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the rod; and a rod advancement means for moving the rod and associated separation member longitudinally and forwardly, whereby such forward movement of the separation member as positioned between the skin and cartilage separates the skin from the cartilage.

Abstract: A circumcision device is provided which comprises: a ring having a tapered interior surface, an open anterior end, an anterior opening defined by the interior surface at the anterior end, an open posterior end, a posterior opening defined by the interior surface at the posterior end which is larger than the anterior opening, a longitudinal axis extending between and through the anterior and posterior openings, an exterior surface, and a groove circumferentially defined around the exterior surface adjacent to the anterior end; a bridge extending over the anterior opening and fixedly connected to the anterior end at circumferentially spaced points thereof; and a handle fixedly but frangibly connected to the bridge at a junction between the handle and bridge, the handle extending longitudinally and outwardly from the junction and being structurally weaker at and adjacent to the junction than any other portion of the handle to thereby make the handle readily breakable and detachable from the bridge at the junctio

Abstract: An outdoor cooking apparatus is provided which comprises: a housing having an open upper end, a closed lower end, and at least one sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends; a pipe having an open upper end and an open lower end; a cover having an opening therethrough and mounted on the pipe such that the pipe adjacent to its open upper end is closely received by the opening in the cover, the cover being adapted to fit over the open upper end of the housing; a combustibles receptacle having an opening therethrough and being mounted on the pipe such that the pipe adjacent to its open lower end is closely received by the opening in the receptacle, the receptacle also having a periphery and being receivable within the housing such that the periphery is spaced from the sidewall of the housing; at least one food grill mounted on the pipe between the cover and the combustibles receptacle, the food grill(s) being receivable within the housing; and a support and vertical adjustment mechanism for supporting t

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a tank housing and a partition disposed in the tank housing so as to divide the interior thereof into pumping and cleaning chambers as the only chambers within the tank housing adapted to contain cleaning liquid. A submersible pump mounted inside the pumping chamber has an outlet connected to a first end of at least one tubular member, which defines a flow path extending from the first end and through an opening in the partition to an opposing second end inside the cleaning chamber and connected to a respiratory device for cleaning thereof. Cleaning liquid is pumped from the pumping chamber along the flow path, through the device for interior cleaning, and into the cleaning chamber to fill such chamber to an upper end portion of the partition defining an overflow weir, thereby immersing ad the device for exterior cleaning and allowing overflow into the pumping chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for closing an internal divider gate in a livestock transport vehicle (i.e. trailer). The vehicle has one side with an opening. A bar is pivotally connected to the side adjacent to the opening, and is received through the opening such that the bar has an outer bar portion outside the vehicle and an inner bar portion inside the vehicle. A roller is rotatably connected to an inner end defined by the inner bar portion. A handle is preferably fixedly connected to the outer bar portion adjacent to an outer end defined by such bar portion. An operator pulls on the handle to move the outer bar portion outwardly from the side and the inner bar portion in the opposite direction to place the roller in rolling contact with the gate. The bar pushes the gate from an open position and partway to a closed position with the roller in rolling contact with the gate, the gate gaining sufficient momentum to swing the rest of the way to the closed position with the roller out of contact with the gate.

Abstract: A fence assembly is provided which comprises: a first fence post extending upwardly from the ground; a first tubular member having a first upper end and a first lower end, the first tubular member being received over but not connected to the first fence post such that the first lower end rests upon the ground; a first lug laterally extending from the first tubular member; a second fence post extending upwardly from the ground; a second tubular member having a second upper end and a second lower end, the second tubular member being received over but not connected to the second fence post such that the second lower end rests upon the ground; a second lug laterally extending from the second tubular member; a brace having opposing ends; a first connection means for removably connecting one end of the brace to the first lug; and a second connection means for removably connecting the other end of the brace to the second lug.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for hanging a hammock with opposing ends using a single vertical support, comprising: an elongated arm having opposing ends and a longitudinal axis; a butt plate fixedly connected to one end of the arm so as to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm; a suspension mechanism having a first portion, for circumferentially extending around the vertical support, and a second portion for extending downwardly from the first portion to the arm for connection thereto at first and second longitudinally spaced connection points to thereby securely support the arm, with the butt plate abutting the vertical support such that the arm extends outwardly and substantially horizontally from the vertical support; a gripper belt for circumferentially extending at least partially around the vertical support so as to securely hold the butt plate in its position abutting the vertical support; and a hammock hanging mechanism for connection of the opposing ends of the hammock to the

Abstract: There is provided a spring comprised of a wire which includes an elastic, coiled central portion and opposing end portions formed as hooks. Each hook terminates in an end having a hole therethrough. The spring is useful with an exhaust system of the type having a pair of sections joined but not affixed to one another to thereby form a flexible joint. A loop is fixedly connected to each section adjacent to the joint. The opposing hooks of the spring are securely received by the loops, and a safety wire is received through the hole in the end of each hook and secured to the corresponding loop. In an aircraft having an exposed exhaust system, the safety wire prevents a broken spring or loop from impacting and damaging vital components of the aircraft, particularly a pusher propeller positioned to the rear of the exhaust system.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for winding line onto a spool having a hub with an inner surface defining a central cavity therein, wherein the apparatus comprises: a header having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second sides; a pair of prongs transversely and outwardly extending from the first side of the header; a prong adjustment means for adjusting the longitudinal separation between the prongs, which as received in the cavity of the spool can be adjusted to be in snug contact with said inner surface to thereby securely hold the spool; a shaft affixed to the header so as to transversely and outwardly extend from the second side thereof; and a rotation means for rotating the shaft to thereby also rotate the header and prongs, such that the spool as securely held by the prongs is rotatable by rotation of the shaft so as to permit winding of line upon the spool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wire harness assembly employ a formboard with a plurality of holes and a plurality of layout sheets having respective free edges and opposing attached edges that are attached to the formboard so as to be aligned with and stacked upon one another. Each layout sheet also has a harness pattern thereon and a plurality of holes corresponding to holes in the formboard. One of the layout sheets can be selected to expose its harness pattern. The other unselected layout sheets comprise either or both of (i) at least one layout sheet under the selected layout sheet, and (ii) at least one layout sheet folded back from the selected layout sheet along the attached edge thereof. A plurality of guide pins can be inserted through respective holes in the selected layout sheet adjacent to its harness pattern, through respective holes in any unselected layout sheet under the selected layout sheet, and into corresponding holes in the formboard so as to be removably secured therein.

Abstract: A post puller is provided which is useable with a front end loader to pull a post out of the ground in a manner described herein. The post puller includes a pipe and a pair of tooth members integrally connected to the interior surface of the pipe at opposing ends thereof. The tooth members are transversely opposite one another in the pipe so as to be on opposite sides of the pipe. A mounting member is integrally connected to the exterior surface of the pipe, and a connection mechanism fixedly but removably connects the mounting member to a bucket of the front end loader to thereby fixedly mount the pipe to the bucket.

Abstract: The invention is a method of processing grass sprigs comprising: digging the sprigs while in a dormant state; placing the thus dug grass sprigs in a plastic enclosure (i.e. a bag); sealing the plastic enclosure; and storing the grass sprigs as contained in the sealed plastic enclosure under predetermined temperature conditions so as to maintain the grass sprigs in the dormant state. The dormant sprigs can be taken out of storage at the desired time and transported to a planting site under substantially the same temperature conditions.

Abstract: A collapsible article is disclosed herein which comprises: a plurality of slats, each slat having opposing longitudinally extending edges, a flute extending along one edge, a bead extending along the other edge and adapted to fit within the flute of an adjacent slat, and at least one opening transversely extending between the bead and flute; and at least one elongated elastic member received in and extending through said at least one opening of each slat so that the slats are selectively positionable between (i) an expanded, hollow form having opposing open ends, and (ii) a collapsed, substantially flat form. The collapsible article preferably further comprises a support member engageable with the slats in their expanded form and removable from the slats to allow collapse thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a fishing device for use with a fishing rod which carries a fishing line, wherein the fishing device comprises: a support post; a rod holder for securely but removably holding the fishing rod and being pivotally connected to the support post; a resilient member, such as a spring, interconnected between the rod holder and support post; a support arm integrally connected to and transversely extending from the support post adjacent to the rod holder; an extension arm integrally connected to and transversely extending from the support arm so that such extension arm is spaced from the rod holder; an activating lever having a first end portion pivotally connected to the extension arm and an opposing second end portion adapted to receive a portion of the fishing line; a trigger bar having opposing first and second ends, the first end being connected to the first end portion of the activating lever so that such first end is freely turnable with respect to the first end portion; and a trigger retainin

Abstract: A scraper head of a scraping tool includes (i) a base having a longitudinal axis, longitudinally opposing first and second ends, and an interior threaded surface defining a longitudinally extending cavity within the base, the cavity having an open end at the first base end and a closed end within the base, and (ii) a pair of blades extending from the second base end so as to terminate in respective end portions which converge to a tip aligned with the base axis. The cavity in the base of the scraper head can threadedly and securely receive the threaded end portion of an extension pole. In use, the tip of the scraper head is positioned at the junction between a textured ceiling and a wall, and the scraper head is moved with the extension pole along the junction such that the blade end portions cut away excess texture material. A straight line is created at the junction in preparation for painting of the wall.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a caddie for a chain saw having a saw bar, comprising: at least one wheel, having a rotational axis, for resting upon a supporting surface with the rotational axis substantially parallel thereto; a mounting bracket, supported by the wheel(s), to which the chain saw can be fixedly but removably mounted and oriented in a position in which its saw bar defines and lies in a plane substantially parallel and closely adjacent to the supporting surface; and handlebars, in a fixed relationship to the mounting bracket, for being grasped by a user of the caddie in movement and manipulation thereof.

Abstract: A fishing apparatus is provided which overcomes a number of disadvantages with the conventional “jug line” used in jug fishing. The fishing apparatus includes an elongated cylindrical float of a pliable, resilient, and buoyant material. The float has a longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced first and second ends. An eye is fixedly secured to the first end of the float, and a fishing line has an end attached to the eye. At least one hook is attached to the fishing line at a position spaced from the end of the fishing line. A counterweight is embedded in the second end of the float to assist in maintaining the float in a horizontal position before a fish strikes. The float assumes a vertical position when a fish is caught.

Abstract: An accessory for a T-post, having a longitudinal axis, comprises: a first bar having a central portion and a longitudinal axis; a second bar having a central portion and a longitudinal axis; and a connecting mechanism for fixedly but removably connecting the first and second bars together in a secure and fixed relationship to the T-post. The central portions of the first and second bars are adapted to be received around the T-post such that the longitudinal axes of the bars are substantially parallel to one another but substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the T-post.