Abstract: An animal ear tag includes a component locking member of novel design. The component locking member has an interior passageway which substantially conforms in shape to the post or pin of an ear tag installation tool to stabilize the connection therebetween which prevents slippage or other undesirable movement of the component locking member when installed on the ear of an animal. The component locking member is characterized by a transverse portion having a pair of opposed flanges, and a substantially planar rear edge. The planar edge is adapted for contact with an inner surface of a jaw of an installation tool which further provides stabilization between the component locking member and the ear tag installation tool. As an ear tag assembly, the invention utilizes the component locking member and an ear tag panel having a grommet which engages the component locking member.

Abstract: A decorative hollow Christmas ornament supports a generally spherical body having a plurality of flat, small reflective surfaces for rotation about a horizontal axis. A light source disposed a distance from the reflective spherical transmits light to the small flat surfaces so that their images are then reflected to a wall, such as the exterior of a house, to simulate descending snowflakes.

Abstract: A uniquely mating jewelry item includes a first stand-alone jewelry piece including a first gem part which has been cut along a separation line from a gemstone, the first gem part having a first outer surface with one-of-kind, naturally occurring markings thereon and a first mating surface different from the first outer surface and extending along and to one side of the separation line, and a first jewelry holder secured with the first gem part for holding the first jewelry piece on a support such that the first outer surface and the first mating surface are exposed and visible; a second stand-alone jewelry piece including a second gem part which has been cut from the same gemstone, the second gem part having a second outer surface with one-of-kind, naturally occurring markings thereon and a second mating surface different from the second outer surface and extending along and to an opposite side of the separation line, and a second jewelry holder secured with the second gem part for holding the second jewelry

Abstract: A marketing display device such as a shelf or a "Pegboard" type hanger is provided with an outer display panel that has a release coating, such as of silicone, for ready attachment, removal and replacement of adhesive labels that carry indicia pertinent to the marketing of products on the hangers to passing potential customers. In one preferred embodiment the release coating is carried on a liner that is adhesively attached to the shelf or hanger for such removable mounting of labels and wherein the liner, including the attaching adhesive, also is readily and cleanly removable by peeling the liner from the surface to which it is adhered.

Abstract: A merchandise display hook provided with an improved form of pivoting label holder. A label support arm extends above a merchandise display arm and has a transversely disposed cross bar secured to an upper surface portion thereof. The cross bar provides a pivotal mount for a plastic label holding device, optionally with the end extremity of the label support serving as an abutment stop to limit rearward pivoting movement of the label holder. The label holder has a U-shaped retaining clip portion with a slot sized to accommodate the label support arm during pivotal movement of label holder on the cross bar. The slot is tapered such that the open end thereof is wider than an intermediate portion to prevent contact with the label support arm during downward rotation. The tapered slot can be formed by directing a triangular or trapezoidal-shaped tool through the retaining clip portion parallel to the panel of the label holder.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for securing jewelry to a person's body, or to secure together the ends of a piece of jewelry. In one embodiment, an earring back for receiving a post of an earring has a base having a base aperture therein for receiving the post, and a first primary leg extending from a first end of the base, and a second primary leg extending from a second end of the base. A first spring leg extends from the first primary leg, the first spring leg having front face having a tear-drop shaped front aperture therein for receiving the post. A second spring leg extends from the second primary leg, the second spring leg having intermediate face having an intermediate aperture therein for receiving the post. The spring legs are biased such that when the earring back is uncompressed or not under external applied compressive forces, the front aperture, the intermediate aperture, and the base aperture are in axial misalignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for securing jewelry to a person's body, or to secure together the ends of a piece of jewelry. In one embodiment, an earring back for receiving a post of an earring has a base having a base aperture therein for receiving the post, and a first primary leg extending from a first end of the base, and a second primary leg extending from a second end of the base. A first spring leg extends from the first primary leg, the first spring leg having front face having a front aperture therein for receiving the post. A second spring leg extends from the second primary leg, the second spring leg having intermediate face having an intermediate aperture therein for receiving the post. The spring legs are biased such that when the earring back is uncompressed or not under external applied compressive forces, the front aperture, the intermediate aperture, and the base aperture are in axial misalignment.

Abstract: A jewel, such as an earring or other pendant, a broach or a finger ring, may be worn alone or with one of a plurality of readily attachable and interchangeable enhancers. In a preferred embodiment, a finger ring generally comprises a band for encircling the finger and a plurality of attachable enhancers. The band appears to be a conventional ring having any desirable setting and a concave inner side for disposition toward the finger. However, a blind bore in the inner side includes a resilient collar. Each enhancer includes a base having a concave inner side for disposition toward the finger and a convex outer side for mating with the inner side of the band at the bore. A stem attached to the outer side of the base has a bulbous distal portion. Upon attachment of enhancer to band, the stem is inserted in the bore and through the collar which deforms and retains the stem. Front and back ornamental portions, attached to the base, are visible in front and back of the band.

Abstract: A hoop earring comprising a front portion and a back portion, where a post is attached to the front portion and a finding is hingedly connected to the back portion. When an earring is worn the finding is rotated about an axis of the hinge to cover the post. The front portion is designed in a way that allows it to be partially inserted inside an extended pierced hole, so that, when viewed from outside, such hole is not visible.

Abstract: A padding machine (10, 100) is disclosed which is capable of separating materials in a spoils bank beside a trench into coarser materials, which are redeposited in the spoils bank behind the machine, and finer materials which are conveyed to the trench for padding the pipeline. The machine includes a conveyor with a conveyor chain which moves around the perimeter of the machine. Material caught by the scraper blade (28) is conveyed by the conveyor chain along a belly pan (70) and thereafter over a plurality of grizzly bars (72). Coarser material which will not pass through the grizzly bars is conveyed by the conveyor chain (56) to the rearward end of the machine and dumped off the rearward end of the machine back to the ground. The finer materials passing through the grizzly bars are again separated by a vibrator unit (76, 104).

Abstract: A hinged hoop-style earring where a post is curved to conform to the outside shape of the back of the earring. In this design, when the earring is closed, the post, and a protruding end of the post, substantially follows the shape of a curved outer edge of the back of the earring. Thus, the post and the protruding end of the post is no longer positioned away from the surface of the earring. Instead, it substantially lies within or adjacent to the contour the curved shape of the back half of the earring and, therefore, will not distort its aesthetical appearance and will not be dangerous.

Abstract: A jewelry piece 10 includes a light transparent, ornamental element 20 and a light emitting diode 16 positioned near the ornamental element. A battery case 12 has a side wall 12b having a threaded opening 29 therein providing access to a battery being held within the battery case. A clasp 14 has an outwardly projecting threaded element 14b adapted to be received in the threaded opening 29. There is a first conductive wire 26 having one end connected to one terminal of the battery and another end connected to the diode 16 and a second conductive wire 30 having one end connected to the light source and another end having a clasp 14. The clasp 14, when partially inserted into the opening 29, completes a loop but does not contact the other terminal of the battery, preventing the diode 16 from being energized. When completely inserted into the opening 29, the clasp 14 makes contact with the other terminal of battery to energize the light source.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seamless hollow comfort fit wedding band is provided, where precious metal is flattened into a metal sheet from which ring-size "washers" are punched out at a press-machine. The seamless comfort fit look is then achieved by forming thin concave and convex shaped rings out of the "washers", which are later slipped into each other and soldered at their side edges to form one comfort fit wedding band.

Abstract: An openable gem setting for a jewelry article in which a gemstone is removably retained by a removable holding plate, the plate being removably fastened to the jewelry article by means of a plurality of fasteners. The holding plate includes at least one major aperture adapted for the mounting of a gemstone, and at least two minor apertures through which portions of the fasteners extend and removably engage a part of the jewelry article.

Abstract: A gemstone setting is provided having channels into which grooved gemstones are snapped and secured. Each channel is provided with opposing, flexible prong members extending from the base of the gemstone setting. As the grooved gemstones are snapped into the channels, the prong members flex outwardly as the gemstones are pushed downwardly into the channels, such prong members snapping into engagement with the grooves on the gemstones to securely hold the gemstones within such channels. When the channels of the gemstone setting have been filled with gemstones, the gemstone setting is rendered invisible.

Abstract: A framing member for use in a bleed sign construction assembly, the construction assembly including a projecting mounting surface and at least one construction light fixture arrayed proximate to the projecting mounting surface which is encased within a light permeable covering material. A substantially elongate and joinable member includes a body with a selected width and height in cross section and a longitudinally extending channel which reveals an interior cavity of the body. A first flange extends longitudinally from along a first side of the body and secures to the mounting surface to arrange the body at a spaced distance therefrom. A second flange extends longitudinally from along a second and opposite side of the body terminates along a remote extending edge. A plurality of the framing members are connected in end to end fashion to form a closed perimeter and the covering material is anchored within the interconnected channels and drawn across the framing members.

Abstract: A combination bag tag and zipper lock is formed from a stamped out piece of metal, and has a pair of pointed legs which may be formed from a frangible central portion and bent outwardly, away from a first surface of the stamped out blank so as to form a pair of pointed securing elements. The securing elements are preferably bent outwardly at about 90.degree. from the first surface, and have their pointed ends inserted through opposite sides of a zipper closure at either or both ends on a body bag until a bottom surface of the bag tag/zipper lock contacts the closed zipper closure. The securing elements are then bent over the closed zipper closure so as to securely hold the zipper closure together.

Abstract: A setting of metallic parts for setting a facet cut precious stone comprises a prong portion for pressing the crown of the facet cut precious stone or the crown and the table of the facet cut precious stone from above so as to be in pressure-contact therewith. The setting also includes a concave-shaped inserting portion in pressure-contact with the culet of the facet cut precious stone from below. The facet cut precious stone is held on one side of the setting, and a heated and dissolved thermoplastic agent is flowed into a pressure contact-surface of the prong portion of the setting of metallic parts. Subsequently the thermoplastic agent is cooled and solidified, thereby to bring the setting metallic parts into close contact with the facet cut precious stone.

Abstract: Bucket dredger, comprising: a swivelling ladder connected to a vessel, a driven upper wheel at the top end and a polygonal lower wheel (7) at the lower end of the ladder, one or more endless chains (6) which are guided along both wheels, and buckets (9) connected to the shackles (8) of these chains (6). For receiving the lateral force exerted on a bucket the bottom wall (12) of each bucket (9) is provided with two ribs (15) extending downwardly, which extend substantially parallel to the side walls (14) of the bucket and which, in the assembled state of the bucket, extend adjacent the chains (6) and between the chains and upright edges (16) placed on the lower wheel (7). The ribs (15) can extend along the length of two shackles (8).

Abstract: A label holder for displaying information-containing non-adhesive labels or signs on a channel member at the front of a variety of forms of merchandise shelves in a supermarket or the like, particularly adapted for secure support and ready attachment to both Streator and Lozier type shelf systems wherein the height and configuration of the channel members are different. The label holder may be a co-extrusion of an opaque body panel and a transparent cover resiliently connected along their lower edges to define a label-receiving pocket therebetween. An upwardly and rearwardly extending leg member is integral with the rear of the body panel and underlies and extends behind the channel member. A lower finger is also carried by the rear of the body panel and is biasingly engaged with the upper surface of the lower flange of the channel member. An upper finger is provided on the upper edge of the body panel and is biasingly engaged with the lower surface of the upper flange of the channel member.