Abstract: Described are apparatus and methods for harvesting crawfish from relatively shallow water such as flooded rice fields. Among the principles utilized are the following:creating a forwardly moving zone of turbulence in the water to draw the crawfish from the floor of the submerged field upwardly in the water from when they can be captured by means of suitable apparatus;establishing in the water a forwardly moving water-permeable zone in which the crawfish are readily captured for transport to a storage area, and forcing water away from behind such zone to create a rearward flow of water into the zone to assist in continuously directing additional crawfish into the zone;employing a plurality of underwater jet streams to "tickle" the crawfish located alongside the path being traveled by the crawfish harvester--i.e.

Abstract: The automatic poison dispenser consists of a tubular element (5) intended for being mounted vertically at a wall (2), a pole or the like and containing stacked solid poison rods (13). At the lower part of the tubular element there are means (8) allowing an end portion (13') of the lowest poison rod (13) to be exposed for destructive animals at a certain distance from a floor (3). Screening means (9) prevent dogs, cats, etc. from getting access to the exposed end portion (13') of the poison rod. A poison preparation in the form of solid rods (13) contain poison but for an upper end portion (13"). To advantage the rods contain a mixture of poisoned so-called dry bait (typically about 2/3) and a stabilizing material or holder, preferably paraffin (typically about 1/3).

Abstract: A dripping evaporation type of insect luring device which is operated by putting the insecticide container inside a base assembly having framework including a strut ending in a support bar over which an insecticide container is inverted onto a cork base. By permeating the insecticide into the cork base, which is supported by the strut of the base assembly, this insect luring device is highly advantageous for dispersing the smell of the insecticide into the nearby atmosphere.

Abstract: Insecticide is administered to ectoparasites of rodents by filling a container with insecticide-impregnated fibrous nesting material and fixing it in a desired location. The container has an aperture permitting entry by rodents. Rodents incorporate the insecticide-impregnated fibrous material into their nests, thus exposing ectoparasites and their nymphs and larvae attached to these hosts, as well as those otherwise dwelling in the rodent's nest, to the insecticide.

Abstract: A bedding device for use with an animal leg hold trap includes a platform providing support for the free jaw of the trap when the trap is in its set position. In one embodiment, the platform contains one or more integral channels for releasably retaining in the device at least one frame member of the trap. The channels are defined: (i) by floors that are shaped to accommodate the contour of a frame member; and (ii) by convergent, upstanding resilient side walls for snapping the frame member into position and releasing it upon triggering of the trap. In another embodiment, one or more resilient clips are inserted from the bottom of the platform through holes in the platform. The clips retain a trap frame member between their convergent legs. The platform is preferably formed from a single piece of material, most preferably a resilient polymer, such as polypropylene, polystyrene and teflon, that does not absorb odors.

Abstract: A typical method for bonding a die to a substrate includes the steps of placing a solder preform onto the substrate, contacting the die to the preform and applying heat sufficient for the solder to flow and wet the substrate and die forming a bond therebetween. The present invention comprises heating the substrate and preform to a temperature below the melting point of the solder preform and thereafter maintaining this temperature while applying pressure to the preform sufficient to substantially reduce the thickness of the preform and to cause the preform to adhere to the substrate prior to contacting the die thereto.

Abstract: A fishing bobber assembly. The assembly includes an elongated body having spaced end panels and an elongated bore. A radial slot in the body extends outwardly from the bore through an outer face of the body. The bobber assembly also includes plug members, each of which includes a stem frictionally receivable in the bore at one of the end panels and a head for bearing on said one of the end panels. An elongated bore in each plug member extends lengthwise of the stem and the head thereof. A radial slot extends from the bore of each plug member through an outer edge thereof. The slots of the plug members are alignable with the radial slot of the body so that a line can be inserted through the slots. The line is locked in the bores of the body and the plug members when the plug members are rotated from aligned position.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure to be attached at the end of a fishing line so that a streamlined lure is provided that penetrates a body of water with a minimum of disturbance. The weight is mounted at the head end of a flexible worm member thereby providing maximum pendulum arm and being disconnected completely from the hook member and the line. The worm then rests on its head end providing a lure that resembles more a life worm and has the desired characteristics of a projectile that facilitates accurate casting.

Abstract: A fishing apparatus particularly adapted for ice fishing. Fishing line having a first stop member thereon is wound around a rotatable spool member. A winding mechanism is connected to the spool member for automatically rotating the spool and winding the fishing line therearound. A mounting assembly is connected to the winding mechanism and passes through the spool member for supporting both the winding mechanism and the spool member. The mounting assembly is connected to a platform when the apparatus is used for ice fishing. The platform has an opening therethrough and is designed to fit over a hole in the ice. An adjustable trip mechanism is positioned between the spool member and the platform and is engagable with the first stop member on the fishing line in order to restrain the stop member from moving toward the spool member and to halt the rotating motion imparted to the spool by the winding mechanism while the stop member is restrained.

Abstract: A soldering iron is provided of a type in which the solder is fed through the interior of the soldering iron to the tip, which is heated by a heating element in the soldering iron. In order to prevent the solder from melting before it reaches the tip, as a result of the heat transmitted from the heating element to the solder, the soldering iron is provided, e.g. on a feed tube for the solder, with an inlet for a coolant, e.g. water or air, which is made to flow through the interior of the soldering iron around the solder, thereby cooling the surroundings of the solder.

Abstract: A thermostatic metal comprises a layer of a low expansion metal bonded to a layer of a high expansion metal, the outer surface of one of the layers comprising a layer of similar composition but containing, in addition, a grain growth limiting additive.

Abstract: A method of effectively connecting a fishing net without the necessity for tying each net mesh to the support rope prevents a tearing-off of the fishing net with consequent loss of the net. During the connecting operation, a number of pairs of depending ear portions are formed along the support rope, one after another, by inserting a first depending ear portion into the support rope to form a second ear portion. The net is hung from the depending ear portions. Each pair of depending ear portions are successively connected to one another, without tying the two together at any position on the support rope.

Abstract: A fishing bait especially designed for jig fishing in which there is a vane pivotally secured at an intermediate portion of the shank portion of the fishing bait, the vane pivotally swinging back and forth between two spaced protuberances so as to alternately engage them to produce sound waves. The protuberances may be in the form of beads secured to and surrounding the shank portion of the bait. Or, the protuberances may be in the form of outwardly bent portions of the shank portion of the bait. The upper of the protuberances is preferably smaller than the lower one. The vane preferably has at least one aperture therethrough to allow water to pass through the vane and thus increase the ease with which the vane can move back and forth between the protuberances. The vane is preferably of metal and of a thickness of between 0.018 and 0.023 inches. The bait has a hook portion as well as a shank portion, and the hook portion and the shank portion are shown as being integral with each other.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure comprising a wire body formed in the shape of a V so as to have first and second arms joined at an apex, the first arm having at least one spinner blade attached near the distal end thereof, a hook connected to the distal end of the second arm, a weight formed about the second arm adjacent the hook, the second arm having a significantly greater diameter than the first arm, a line attaching portion formed in the wire body at the apex and having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the second arm, a filamentous skirt secured near the distal end of the second arm in such a manner as to conceal the hook, whereby the spinner blade is capable of generating vibration in the fishing lure without significant dampening of the vibration by the first arm, and the second arm provides greater strength for connecting the line attaching portion and the hook.

Abstract: A hood or cover is disclosed for use in eradicating ants. The hood is translucent and uses a lens shape to intensify sunlight. It is placed over an ant mound, where it raises the temperature sufficiently to kill the nest.

Abstract: A fish attracting device is adapted to be submerged into the water below a fisherman's boat or the boat dock. The device has a central section comprising a perforated hollow container for retaining fish bait therein in a manner to permit the fish bait to be dispensed from the container through the perforations. A tray member adapted to be attached to the bottom of the container collects fish food dispensed from the container. The device includes a cylindrical mesh screen mechanism positioned essentially concentrically about the perforated container in a manner to prevent larger fish from direct access to the fish food dispensed from the container and/or collected in the tray below.

Abstract: Keepnets allowing safer and easier release of fish retained therein with reduced danger of damage to the fish comprise a tubular net (1) open at one end (2) and closed at the other (3), the net having a rigid mouth-ring (5), a terminal ring at the closed end and a plurality of intermediate support rings (4) spaced along its length between the mouth-ring and the terminal ring. One of the intermediate rings (10) is of substantially rigid construction as opposed to the relative flexibility of the remaining intermediate rings (4). The rigid ring (10) is used as a secondary mouth when releasing the fish to reduce the length of net over which they have to be tumbled and thus the risk of damage to them. Various designs of net using this principle are described.

Abstract: A fishing line clamping and release assembly for attachment to a floatation member used to transport a fishing line to a remote fishing area of a body of water. The assembly includes superimposed members held together by magnetic force between which an intermediate portion of the fishing line is positioned and held fast. One of the members is slidably movable with respect to the other member to release the fishing line and permit it to drop into the water. The slidable member is actuated by a solenoid connected thereto which is remotely operated through a radio transmission signal.

Abstract: A solder resist paste having the feature that it is relatively easily removed is disclosed. The paste is comprised of a liquid polyglycol (e.g. Pluronic 25R2 by BASF) and either Kaoline or talc powder. In operation, the paste is selectively applied to holes in the PCB which it is desired to keep open during a soldering process. The paste is then washed out of the holes, additional components mounted via those holes, and soldered into place.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a known process for welding liquid-filled aligned end sections of pipe. The known process involves positioning a sleeve over the junction between the pipe ends and fillet welding the two ends of the sleeve to the pipe ends. The improvement comprises providing an insulative ring within each pipe end directly beneath the line along which the sleeve's fillet weld is to be applied. The ring is composite in nature, being formed of a heat-insulating liquid-disintegratable material coated with a second material which is liquid-impermeable but slowly dissolvable in the pipe line liquid contents. The ring is operative to reduce the rate of heat transfer, from the weld area to the pipe line liquid, during welding. With a ring in place in each pipe end section, the engirdling sleeve is fillet welded to the pipe ends. Subsequently, the rings are disintegrated over time by the liquid.