Abstract: A fishing rod includes an outer rod section, and an inner rod section inserted into the outer rod section for telescopic movement. The inner rod section is retainable in an extended position and a compressed position relative to the outer rod section. The inner rod section includes a tapered portion extending from an intermediate position to a tip end thereof and tapering toward the tip end, and a straight portion extending from the intermediate position to a rear end. Further, the inner rod section defines an inside wall becoming progressively thicker from the intermediate position to the rear end. The inner rod section is manufactured by using a mandrel having a tapered outer surface tapering from an intermediate position to a forward end, and a straight outer surface from the intermediate position to a rear end thereof.

Abstract: An animal and insect trapping device is disclosed having a cylindrical form with an inner circumferential surface. A helical band of adhesive is disposed on this inner circumferential surface for trapping and holding the targeted species. The cylindrical member may include a window or be transparent for providing positive visual indication of the trapped species.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus for selectively soldering designated areas on the surface of a printed circuit (PC) board for mounting multi-pin, through hole circuit components thereto includes a wave solder pot, a fixture for receiving and positioning the PC board over the solder pot, and a plurality of spaced nozzles disposed adjacent a lower surface, i.e., solder side, of the PC board. When actuated, the apparatus directs a solder flow through the nozzles to designated areas corresponding to the location of various components on the PC board. Each nozzle is configured and positioned to match the location and pin pattern of components to be soldered on the PC board for applying solder only to the local area, not affecting adjacent parts, and minimizing the amount of solder applied as well as limiting the temperatures to which the PC board is subjected. The apparatus may be used with either a foam or wave flux application to selected areas of the PC board.

Abstract: A fish or fish bait preservation apparatus and method utilizing ice as a coolant and piping bait or fish containing water therethrough to maintain this water at an automatic electronically controlled temperature and returning this water appropriately cooled to a fish or bait tank through a conductor having an aerating nozzle.

Abstract: A downrigger for releasably retaining a fishing line terminated by a lure and including a fishing line retainer for releasing the fishing line when a fish strikes. An alarm may be activated in response to the release. The downrigger is configured to reflect sonar signals for indicating the depth of the fishing line retainer. The downrigger is constructed to attach rotatably and removably to a cleat on a fishing vessel. The downrigger line may be electrically conductive to transmit the alarm signal on release of the fishing line.

Abstract: Device for attracting moths, for example Ephestia cautella, which comprises at least one external surface exhibiting light and dark stripes which are vertical when the device is disposed for use, there being present on or in the device a substance e.g. a pheromone which is an attractant for moths.

Abstract: A door closer of the kind which acts between a door hinge stile and a hinge jamb has a body for mounting usually in the stile, and from the body a spring-biased tension member extends for anchoring to the jamb. A hydraulic cylinder piston damper is interposed between the tension member and its biasing spring, the damper incorporating no unidirectional valve means and instead its piston being undersized relative to the cylinder by an amount predetermined by the viscosity of hydraulic fluid in the damper so as to allow fluid to flow restrictedly around the piston when the tension member is moved in door-closing and door-opening directions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting a flexible film semiconductor chip carrier on a second level electronic package. The resulting electronic packaging structure includes electrically conductive spacers, such as solder balls or solder coated copper balls, which electrically interconnect outer lead bonding pads on the flexible film semiconductor chip carrier and corresponding bonding pads on the second level electronic package, and which physically support the flexible film of the semiconductor chip carrier substantially in a plane above the surface of the second level electronic package. This electronic packaging structure is made using a special assembly fixture comprising a base plate, a pressure insert with a resilient member, and a top plate. The flexible film semiconductor chip carrier with the spacers attached thereto is placed over the resilient member of the pressure insert which is clamped together with the second level electronic package between the top and base plates.

Abstract: An artificial lure is disclosed having loose ballast contained within a sealed cavity. One embodiment of the lure is generally configured to have an outward appearance similar to that of a small fish with a tail of a second smaller fish protruding from its mouth, the tail forming a generally planar surface extending at a downward angle to serve as a diving plane when the lure is drawn through the water. A second embodiment of the lure is generally configured to present an outward appearance similar to that of a crayfish. The second embodiment of the lure is drawn through the water tail first and configured such that the swimmerets are fanned and extend in a downward angle to serve as a diving plane when the lure is drawn through the water.

Abstract: A method is provided for soldering using tin-containing solder to substrate surfaces that are gold plated wherein a selected portion of the gold plated surface is treated by impacting with a high velocity stream of fine nickel containing abrasive particles to remove all the gold from the treated surface and then effecting joining to the treated surface by conventional soldering techniques.

Abstract: A long-line fishing hook apparatus includes an orientation station for serially receiving and orienting hooks on snoods as the hooks are drawn by a moving long-line. Initially, the hook bend of the hooks are drawn through a hook slot in a pipe and when advanced to an angularly offset shifting slot, are deflected therethrough by a shifting bar actuated by an enlargement on each snood. This deflection guides the hook bends into a bottom-most slot which guides them past a sensor device. Deformed hooks activate the sensor to position a hook straightening assembly in the path of the traveling hooks. Hooks leaving the orientation station and/or straightening assembly subsequently are directed to a baiting mechanism to complete the readying of the long-line for re-use.

Abstract: A bait bag and drainage system for storing and transporting live bait on a vessel includes a bag having a bottom, a top and one or more sides defining a fluid carrying chamber, an attachment system for attaching the bag to the vessel, a drainage system for controllably draining fluid from the bag, and the drainage system including an anti-clog system therein for preventing the drainage system from becoming substantially clogged with bait fish or other matter in the bag such that the bag overflows and bait is lost.

Abstract: Buoyant support for outdoor gear such as fishing, hunting, or archery equipment, the support in one aspect having a body member with one or more compartments for receiving and holding equipment and with one or more pairs of wheels attached to the body member to facilitate transportability; and sized, in one aspect to be suitable as a personal floatation device; in one aspect the support includes a box removably mounted on or in the body member, the box with or without a lid suitable for holding outdoor gear.

Abstract: A net web is supported by upper and lower float and weight lines by a connecting structure which is connected to the respective line to resist movement along the line. Each connecting structure has an outer portion with a locking opening therein and cooperates with a cord loop. An inner loop end portion of the cord loop cooperates with the line and the connecting structure to resist movement along the line. An outer loop end portion passes through the selvage of the fish net web and cooperates with an adjacent connecting structure and its associated loop. The cord loop of one connecting structure passes through the locking opening in an adjacent connecting structure, and a cord loop of the said adjacent connecting structure passes through the cord loop of the said one structure to interfere therewith to prevent separation of the cord loop of the said one structure from the adjacent connecting structure.

Abstract: A fishing rod with a support handle is disclosed wherein the handle is designed to distribute force along its multiple points. Two embodiments are shown. In the preferred embodiment, the handle includes a hook-shaped wrist support that wraps around the majority of the user's wrist, but allows easy access and exit; a forearm cradle that cups the user's arm, near his elbow; and a strap that holds the arm in the cradle. In an alternate embodiment, the wrist support is tunnel-shaped and surrounds the user's entire wrist.

Abstract: A hand held backing plate tool for the welding repair of holes in sheet metal panels includes a demountable backing plate which may be selected with a size and shape adapted to fit the contour of the panel adjacent the hole to be repaired. The selected backing plate is demountably attached to an insulated handle for convenient positioning by the repairman during repair. The backing plate is made of a copper base alloy to which welding metal will not adhere. The handle is made of a lightweight aluminum core including a heat transfer barrier and the outer surface of the handle is covered with an insulated hand grip. In an alternate embodiment, a mounting block is attached to one jaw of a C-clamp adjustable locking wrench to which the same variety of packing plates may be demountably attached. The locking wrench allows clamping the backing plate in position in some applications.

Abstract: A paddle-fish landing net combination which includes a hollow paddle-shaped housing having a handle opening in an upper side thereof, and a net opening in its opposite, lower side. An elongated handle extends slidably through the handle opening and has an inner end inside the housing. A fish landing net is attached to the handle inner end and nests within the housing when the handle is fully extended upwardly from the housing. The fish landing net moves into an expanded, fish netting position outside the housing when the handle is slidingly pushed into the housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method wherein pressure is exerted onto a semiconductor surface by a chemically inert and non-solid medium. An opposite pressure is prevented from building up in an intermediate layer, for example, with the assistance of a seal. A connection between the semiconductor and the substrate occurs by pressure sintering or by diffusion welding. A contact between an active, inside region of the semiconductor and a plunger can be avoided since the plunger has a raised and annular outside region for sealing, and the actual pressing power is effected by the pressure medium via a bore situated in the plunger. This raised edge for sealing can also be situated on the semiconductor instead of being situated on the plunger. When a semiconductor component is extrusion-coated with a plastic melt, then this plastic melt itself can serve as a pressure medium.

Abstract: In case of suspending an apparatus upon the completion of soldering operation, from not smaller than 50% to less than 95% of a thermomedium in a reflow section is transferred to a filtering tank and the remaining thermomedium is made to pass through a water separator in advance of suspending the apparatus, so that water in the thermomedium is removed. This water removing operation makes it possible to prevent the corrosion of the reflow section and the deterioration of the thermomedium. Additionally, a method is disclosed for preventing water to be mixed with the thermomedium by warming the reflow section before operation.

Abstract: A method for killing fire ants in subterranean tunnels includes fogging the subterranean tunnels with an insecticidal amount of thermal aerosol fog through a boot covering the subterranean tunnels and then blowing hot air into the subterranean tunnels whereby the thermal aerosol fog is forced further into the subterranean tunnels. The apparatus used in the method includes a heat generator unit capable of producing thermal fog and a boot with skirt connected to said generator and which covers said subterranean tunnels. A dye may be added to the fog to provide a color marking for each fire ant mound treated by the fog.