Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and transporting particulate material from directly underneath the discharge outlet of a vehicle includes a collection chamber for receiving the particulate material. An auger is provided to convey particulate material from the collection chamber to an auger chamber for subsequent discharge of the particulate material into a receiving hopper. An extension mechanism is provided which permits telescopic extension of the collection chamber and auger chamber so that the collection chamber may be placed directly underneath the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A vertical positioning mechanism is also provided which allows the collection chamber to be raised from a lowered position to closely abut the discharge outlet of the vehicle. A swivel base mount is further provided so that the collection chamber and auger chamber may be selectively rotated between a position generally parallel to the vehicle and a collecting position under the vehicle.

Abstract: A friction type carpenter jack has a carrier capable of movement upwardly when the inner surface of a jacking friction bar is capable of frictionally gripping the shaft. A downwardly jacking means also allows the carrier to move along the shaft toward a base plate. The downward movement is facilitated by a load holding friction bar being displaced angularly downwardly thereby having its inner surface of the shaft opening frictionally gripping the shaft. The carrier is rotatably mounted along the shaft and includes a plurality of holes for nail placement therethrough to secure a first workpiece. A head plate is also rotatable about the shaft and includes a plurality of openings for nail placement therethrough to secure a second workpiece. The jacking action of the carpenter jack permits the first workpiece to be moved toward the second workpiece for a variety of applications. The carpenter jack further includes a locking means for holding the carrier along the shaft in a stationary position.

Abstract: A single cup electric heating device for heating a cup of tea, coffee or the like includes a generally vertically oriented mounting support having a flat rear surface adapted to be mounted on the wall of a motel room, hotel room or the like. The mounting support has a horizontal cup holder at its lower end for supporting the cup to be heated. Cooperating guides on the cover and sides of the mounting support slidably guide the cover for shifting movement between a raised position permitting a cup to be placed on the cup holder and a lowered position covering a cup so placed. An electric immersion heating element carried by the cover is immersed in the contents of the cup when the cover is in the lowered position and is energized by cooperating electrical contacts on the cover and mounting support which engage in the lowered cover position. An electromagnetic retaining mechanism simultaneously energized with the heating element retains the cover in its lowered position.

Abstract: A double lock safety hook adapted to a single lock hook permitting a belt connection, such as a fall protection device, window washer's harness, and the like, to be retained within a hook throat. A snap keeper is engageable with the latch member to lock the latch member with the latch member abutting the hook nose so that accidental release of the belt connection is reduced. The snap keeper is mounted along and in juxtaposition to the shank of the single lock hook and is easily installed on equipment without the necessity of drilling holes in the hook body. A means for positioning the keeper along the shank is also provided for moving the keeper between its first and second positions.

Abstract: A chicken watering device solves the problem of leakage while still allowing easy actuation of the trigger by a bird by utilizing a coil spring having a spring coefficient of one to two pounds per inch of displacement and prevents jamming of the device by feed, cage waste and the like through use of a conical portion positioned along the inlet conduit and surrounding the trigger.

Abstract: A shock absorber as designed for use in fall protection systems and may be incorporated integrally with either a belt or lanyard or may be used as a separate component in conjunction with conventional belts and lanyards. A shock absorbing mechanism of the invention utilizes a piercing member having smooth edges which pierce a piece of webbing material. When force is applied to opposite ends of the shock absorber, the piercing member stretches and breaks latitudinal fibers of the webbing material. This allows near complete retention of the strength of the longitudinal fibers as those fibers are not damaged during the absorbing operation.

Abstract: A pole mounted, fruit picking device for collecting fruit from trees. The fruit picker is comprised of a double ring jaw assembly mounted on the top end of a pole, with the bottom jaw being stationary and having a receiving bag or chute attached to it. The upper ring has a cutting edge and is pivotally movable by a pull device on the pole handle to snap down against the lower jaw and sever a fruit stem. The severed fruit drops through the bottom ring into the receiving chute. Flexible guard bands on the top ring extend around both sides of the cutting edge, and serve to protect the fruit against damage as a fruit stem is severed.

Abstract: A solar collector is designed for use in the window opening of a house and also serves to retain the window function for the occupants of the house. The collector has a rectangular frame having an inner pane of glass, an outer pane or panes and a plurality of rotatable louvers mounted in the frame between the inner and outer panes. The louvers have a reflective material on one side and a dark or solar absorbing surface on the other, thereby allowing the proper side to be rotated into position depending on the season. A heated chamber is provided within the louvers so that the working fluid may flow directly through the louvers and allow the heat transfer to occur therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling bags and simultaneously providing complete, controlled collection and discharge of dust generated from particulate material with which the bags are filled. The discharge end of a spout positioned under a hopper is formed by a pair of closure members movable between open and closed positions on which the mouth of a bag may be clamped by clamping devices movable into clamping engagement with the top, opposed faces of the bag against the outside of the spout closure members. Dust collectors are provided on the spout and are so located as to be in fluid flow communication with the interior of the top of a bag hung on the spout discharge end. Suitable conduits connect the dust collectors with a vacuum source to remove all dust generated when particulate material is discharged from the hopper, through the spout, into a bag. A flexible liner is also hung inside the spout to contain the prevent the escape of dust during bag filling operations.

Abstract: A plastic sewer vent line extending through the roof of a building is provided with a defroster for preventing blockage of the vent line by freezing and the consequent back-up sewage gas into the building. The defroster is located above the roof and includes a metal pipe, e.g., of copper, having its bottom end coupled to the plastic sewer vent line and provided with an electric heating coil in contact with a portion of the exterior thereof. An outer shell is spaced outwardly from and surrounds the exterior of the pipe and has a top sealed to the pipe top and a bottom sealed to the roof to provide an annular providing an insulating effect and enhancing the effectiveness of the heating element. A heat limiting switch is provided to prevent overheating.

Abstract: A stand for the mounting of floor toms is provided with a circular member having several inwardly directed flanges which engage the lugs of a drum. The circular member has a moderate adjustment as to circumference to provide optimum sound quality. Grommets and springs are utilized in conjunction with the flanges to mount the drum. Several supporting legs are utilized to suspend the circular member above the floor.

Abstract: A transvenous, endocardial heart pacemaker lead having a conical fixation device on its distal end for holding a distal tip electrode in proper pacing position within the heart. There are open spaces around the conical surface of the fixation device defined by spaced apart, circumferential rings interconnected with spaced apart ribs extending lengthwise along the conical device. Engagement of trabeculae of the heart within the open spaces and against the rings holds the lead in place.An electrical conductor contained within an insulating sheath or catheter connects the distal tip electrode with a source of power. The conical fixation device is made out of flexible, nonconducting material.

Abstract: A grain pickup is designed for the picking up of windrowed grain for supply to a combine. One or more belts pass around two spaced parallel rollers which guide and propel the belt or belts. The rollers are supported and driven at either end by conventional equipment and in the center are supported by roller assemblies which are forced apart from one another and into the rollers so as to provide roller support and guidance. The roller assemblies can be loaded from the outside frame of the machine allowing adjustment of the pre-load on the rollers.

Abstract: A compact, highly efficient braking assembly for a snowmobile utilizes first and second plates, one of which swings relative to the other to actuate a wedging device therebetween when a brake control lever is actuated by an operator. The wedging device includes cooperating, adjacent, tapered slots on the confronting faces of the first and second plates and which confine a rolling spacer ball therebetween to urge the plates apart as the ball is forced from deep regions of the slots to more shallow regions during swinging of the moving plate. As one plate moves away from the other along a helical path, a pair of brake pads carried by the moving plate engages one side of a brake disc, forces the disc against a stationary pair of brake pads, cooperates with the stationary brake pads to grip the rotating brake disc therebetween and utilizes brake disc momentum to assist movement of the swinging plate toward braking position.