Abstract: A harrow assembly adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle in either a working mode or a transport mode. The harrow assembly includes front and rear offset disc harrow units pivoted at one end portion. Each offset disc harrow unit includes a transport wheel assembly, each assembly having a pair of opposed, spaced transport wheels arranged on either side of the respective harrow units.

Abstract: An hydraulic system for operating double acting piston/cylinder assemblies and for effecting automatic transition from a regenerative mode of operation of a double acting piston/cylinder assembly to a non-regenerative mode of operation thereof. Pressure responsive valve means automatically converts the hydraulic system from one initially being a high-speed/low force operation to a high force/low speed operation.

Abstract: Forward and rear gang disc harrow carriers are hingedly joined near corresponding ends by a vertical axis hinge structure. Near their other corresponding ends, the gang disc harrow carriers are interconnected through a four element linkage having an operating cylinder and a latch bar whereby the carriers can be positioned at varying prescribed angles for working the soil and in parallel locked relationship for transport. Transport wheels are pivotally attached to the rear carrier and are equipped with power cylinders which raise and lower the wheels for lowering and raising the rear carrier. The front carrier has a pivotal connection with a drawbar and another power cylinder is connected between the drawbar and front carrier and is operable to raise and lower the front carrier.

Abstract: A tree harvesting machine is disclosed in which a grappling arm functions to reach behind a tree and draw the machine forwardly to force a shearing blade through the tree close to the ground. The harvester frame holds the severed tree and includes spring-loaded holders which allow the tree to enter the collecting space but prevent its escape once severed. The grappling or draw arm is operated by two piston/cylinder devices connected mechanically in parallel but which are hydraulically actuated in a particular sequence and fashion which assures quick closing of the draw arm upon a tree, slow but powerful shearing action, and quick opening of the draw arm.

Abstract: Two gang disc harrow units are pivotally joined near corresponding ends by a vertical axis hinge coupling. Near their opposite corresponding ends, the harrow units are connected by a collapsible toggle linkage which operates in a horizontal plane under influence of a power cylinder, whereby the harrow units can be positioned at a prescribed angle for working the soil and in parallel relationship for transport. Two transport wheels are pivotally attached to the rear harrow unit on transverse pivot axes which are parallel to the rear unit. Power cylinders interconnecting these wheels with the rear harrow unit are operable to lower and raise the wheels for lifting and lowering the rear unit. The front harrow unit has a pivotal connection with a drawbar which in turn is coupled through a draft tongue with the hitch of a towing or transport vehicle. Another power cylinder connected between the pivoted drawbar and front harrow unit is operable to lift and lower the front unit.

Abstract: A small-lot bookbinding technique wherein a stack of collated paper sheets is held within a one-piece cover folder and adhered to the backbone thereof. The folder is constituted by a flexible panel having a pair of score lines defining a backbone zone flanked by front and rear cover sections. Fully coating the backbone zone and overlapping the score lines is a band of hot-melt adhesive material, the margins of the band slightly invading the cover sections, whereby when the paper stack is inserted within the folder with the edge thereof engaging the band and heat is thereafter applied to the band for a predetermined period, the adhesive melts and then, upon cooling, sets to firmly bond all sheets to the backbone including the first and last sheets of the stack.

Abstract: Two gang disc harrow units are pivotally joined near corresponding ends by a vertical axis hinge coupling. Near their opposite corresponding ends, the harrow units are connected by a collapsible toggle linkage which operates in a horizontal plane under influence of a power cylinder, whereby the harrow units can be positioned at a prescribed angle for working the soil and in parallel relationship for transport. Two transport wheels are pivotally attached to the rear harrow unit on transverse pivot axes which are parallel to the rear unit. Power cylinders interconnecting these wheels with the rear harrow unit are operable to lower and raise the wheels for lifting and lowering the rear unit. The front harrow unit has a pivotal connection with a drawbar which in turn is coupled through a draft tongue with the hitch of a towing or transport vehicle. Another power cylinder connected between the pivoted drawbar and front harrow unit is operable to lift and lower the front unit.