Abstract: The present invention provides a tilting control assembly for a chair. The chair comprises a support device, a seat supported above the support device, and a seat back arranged behind the seat to tilt rearwardly. The tilting control assembly comprises a tilting control spring device for elastically supporting the seat back against rearward tilting thereof via a load applying member, a displacing mechanism responsive to a downward load applied to the seat for causing the load applying member to move relative to the spring device, and a lock device for preventing the load applying member from moving reversely relative to the spring device when the seat back is rearwardly tilted.

Abstract: An improved animal trap 10 includes a housing 12 with a hinged lid 14 that may be locked in a closed position by way of a latch 18 and a pin 20. When the lid 14 is closed, a non-linear passageway is formed within the trap 10 with two rectangular cross-sectional passageways 22, 24 that are secured at a right angle to each other. External access to the non-linear passageway is made through an opening 26 in a wall of the housing 12. Each of the two passageways 22, 24 maintains a door 36, 38, respectively, that opens only inwardly with respect to the interior of the housing 12. The doors 36, 38 are substantially prevented from being opened from the inside of the housing 12 by way of the non-linear characteristic of the passageway and a corresponding pair of slotted pivot regions 32, 34, respectively. Animals are attracted to the trap 10 with bait that is confined within a protruding cylinder 42 having a mating cap 44.

Abstract: An illuminated fishing rod for fishing under poor ambient lighting conditions. The fishing rod includes a translucent and hollow rod coupled to a hollow handle. A light source coupled to a power source within the hollow handle is used for directing light to illuminate the translucent rod. A rotatable switch on the handle is used to activate the light source.

Abstract: An ice fishing support assembly for a fishing rod which carries a fishing line. The support assembly includes a pivotally mounted fishing rod holder having a spring connected thereto to bias the holder to an angular position relative to the horizontal, and a latching rod connected to the holder for retaining the fishing rod in a cocked position. The latching rod is pivotally mounted to a base member intermediate the ends of the latching rod wherein one of the ends of the latching rod projects over the fishing rod and where the other end of the latching rod includes an open ended eyelet for engaging a stretch of the fishing line so that tension on the line produces rotation of the latching rod.

Abstract: A low cost, light-weight inertial latching mechanism for use in latching an automotive vehicle seatback member with respect to a cooperating seat member under collision or collision-like conditions wherein high acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle occurs, is disclosed. The latching mechanism has first and second hinged members pivotally mounted on the seat and seatback members about a common first pivot. The first hinged member has a gear rack adapted to engage a pawl means that is mounted on the second hinged member. The pawl means moves between a first latched position, a second transitional position, and a third unlatched position. A spring means is operationally interconnected between the second hinged member and the pawl means and is adapted to bias the pawl means toward said third unlatched position until forces of acceleration or deceleration above a design threshold value occur.

Abstract: In a method of soldering for use in fabricating electronic circuit device, after an oxide layer and/or contaminated layer on a surface of a soldering material and members to be soldered thereby is removed by sputter-cleaning with atom or ion, the members are aligned in an oxidizing atmosphere within a predetermined time period and, then, the soldering material is heated in non-oxidizing atmosphere to performe soldering. An apparatus for performing the above method comprises a sputter cleaning device, an alignment device operable in atmospheric condition and a heating and soldering device in the form of a belt furnace operable in non-oxidizing or reducing environment. Instead of the sputter cleaning device, a mechanical polishing or cutting device can be used to cleaning a surface of solder or a member to be bonded or a solder ball plated with gold may be used.

Abstract: This invention provides a rigid, floating, carrying case for a fly fishing reel mounted on a fly fishing rod. The case has a tubular main body and features a hinged, end door for access to the rod and reel. The door can be closed to render airtight the end of the case. The case will then float indefinitely, with the airtight end bobbing visibly out of the water. The end door contains a small fly tackle compartment. A set of plastic rod clips, each rod clip comprising a plurality of branched clips of varied diameters, enables sections of a fly fishing rod to be clipped together alongside each other to fit into the case.

Abstract: A one-piece seat shell having a backrest and a seat connected by an angled transition section that contains a plurality of slots to permit resilient deflection of the backrest with respect to the seat.

Abstract: A fishing lure for improved securement of the bait to the hook comprising a hook of an essentially rigid material which has a central linear portion and a curved portion at the outboard free portion terminating in a barb at the free end and an upturned inboard portion terminating in a first eyelet. A head is formed of a material which has a specific gravity greater than water to allow, when coupled with the hook, the sinking thereof. The head is in an oval shaped configuration and covers that portion of the inboard and central portions of the hook where the inboard portion bends from the central portion. The first eyelet is located at the inboard end of the hook exterior of the head. A generally cylindrical extension extends outboardly from the head along a minor extent of the central portion of the hook. The outboard end of the cylindrical extension terminates in a radial projection to assist in maintaining the bait on the hook in contact with the cylindrical extension of the head.

Abstract: A fishing line release is described with a body and a pivoted fishing line receiving arm. The arm is pivoted at one end and is releasably held by an adjustable release clip at a remaining end. A stepped fishing line receiving surface is provided along the arm to enable selective spacing of the points of engagement for the fishing line from the pivot axis of the arm. The resulting tension forces required to release the line are thereby effected. The stepped fishing line receiving surface includes axially spaced enlarged and reduced fishing line receiving surfaces. The enlarged fishing line receiving surface includes a section thereon for abutment with the edge surface of the body when the arm is in the fishing line holding position, to clamp the fishing line in place on the body.

Abstract: The invention comprises a physical barrier which deters the entrance of snails and slugs into an enclosed area. In preferred embodiments, the barrier is a treated rigid edging (such as fencing, or benderboard of wood or plastic) or a treated flexible edging (such as a tape). The edging material has an exposed surface (e.g., at or above the soil level) which includes a particulate copper material in a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A carrier for fishing lures includes a cylindrical tube having a plurality of holes along the side wall. A hook of a fishing lure may be inserted into any of the holes and positively retained when the carrier is in its normal substantially vertical position due to gravity. The shank of the lure hook will likewise depend downward to lie substantially parallel to the major axis of the cylindrical tube, and cannot be removed from the hole due to the abutting of the hook shank against the side of the tube. However, when the tube is swung to a horizontal position and twisted so the lure hook retaining holes face vertically upward, the hook shank will fall to a vertical position due to gravity to be perpendicular to the major axis of the tube. Due to the relatively small diameter of the tube, the hook may then be lifted from the retaining hole in the tube for use, or a lure may be installed for storage in the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for spearfishing includes a fishing rod having a whip-like casting portion and a rigid handle section that secures a reel which holds a spirally wound line. The free extremity of the line is attached to a collar having a centered bore. A spear is slidably engaged by the bore of the collar. The spear includes a shaft having a barbed forward extremity, and a rearward extremity having stabilizing flights or feathers. Forward and rearward stops positioned on the shaft serve as abutments to limit sliding travel of the collar. The spear is intended to be cast forwardly, during which action the collar rests upon the forward stop. When the spear is retrieved, the collar rests against the rearward stop.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder adapted to support a fishing rod comprising a member formed of a rigid material, the member being shaped to form two parallel long extents spaced a distance from each other sufficient to receive the handle of a fishing rod, the long parallel extents having a forward end whereat the member is down-turned to form two short parallel extents terminating in a closed end for receiving thereabove a forward portion of a fishing rod handle, the long parallel extents having a rearward end whereat the rod is up-turned to form two short parallel extents terminating in a closed end for receiving therebeneath a rearward portion of a fishing rod handle; and attachment means secured to the long parallel extents of the member for releasably coupling to a bucket.

Abstract: An adjustable cover and seating system for a wheelchair. The cover has a first or enclosing portion surrounding the inner seat members and a second or skirt portion extending about the sides of the first or enclosure portion and downwardly under the lower section of the enclosure portion. The first or enclosure portion of the cover can be placed over the seating members and secured in place by a zipper to encase the seating member. The skirt section can then be pulled to draw the skirt section downwardly which, in turn, draws the upper section of the enclosure portion snugly across the top of the seating members. In doing so, the peripheral side section of the enclosure portion is also drawn downwardly on itself into gathers or bunches which are held firmly in place against the seating members by the skirt section. This serves to present a neat outer appearance to the user and to prevent excess material from catching in the spokes of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A fish hook for live bait includes a coil spring axially positioned on the fish hook shank. One end of the spring is fixedly attached to the shank adjacent to a barbed end of the hook, and the other end of the spring can be slideably moved along the shank as the spring is compressed and released. A flexible line is positioned axially within the spring and defines a looped end which is positioned adjacent to the barbed end of the hook. The looped end grasps and holds the bait adjacent to the barbed end and in an orientation which enables the bait to be in alignment with the shank. The positioning and orientation of the live bait with respect to the barbed end of the hook enables the bait to move in a natural manner during trolling and provides the hook with the characteristic of being weedless.

Abstract: A fishing lure having a body portion and a separate head portion, provides for the ready removal and installation of the head upon the body. Several heads having different hydrodynamic characteristics may be provided with the lure, allowing the interchangeability of the different heads to suit the particular effect desired for the conditions; e. g., bottom running, surface running, oscillating "jitterbug," or turbulent "popper" action. The lure and heads include provision for locking the heads in alignment with the body, in order to insure that any markings and/or colorings on the head and body are aligned. Provision is also made for the ready removal and replacement of the hook(s) from the body portion, to allow the hooks to be sharpened or replaced as needed. At least the body portion is preferably formed of solid wood for buoyancy, but may be formed of synthetic (e. g., plastic) materials if desired.

Abstract: A polar motion bond head for bonding semiconductor devices includes voice coil motors for providing positioning motion to the bond head, and a vision system that has an optical path that allows the camera to see all polar positions with the image staying on the camera centerline.

Abstract: A fishing lure has a lure body and a chamber open to an interior of the lure body. An intake extends from the outside of the lure body to the chamber at a first end of the chamber. A discharge extends from the outside of the lure body to the chamber at a second end of the chamber. A plunger sealingly engages a circumference of the chamber and is connected to a stem. The stem is adjustable between a first, a second and a third position located on a tongue extending from the lure and results in the plunger being displaced within the chamber. The plunger acts to draw ballast within the intake and to discharge air through the discharge opening to adjust the operating depth of the lure.

Abstract: To minimize injury during electrofishing while inducing a high degree of electrotaxis, a packet of DC pulses having sharp leading edges and preferably an exponential or square decay are transmitted under water between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode several times each second to stimulate contraction of the red muscle tissues and bring about electrotaxis without inducing epileptic seizure of the white muscle tissues of fish and thereby avoiding injury to the fish. The power level of transmission is reduced between the packets.