Abstract: A collapsible animal cage wherein a cover frame includes two pairs of pivot projections, each pair of which extend downwards at different distances from sides of each end. A pair of side plates, one of which is higher than the other, upper parts of them are pivotally mounted to the pivot projections of the cover frame. Upper parts of a pair of end plates are also pivotally mounted to the cover frame and lower parts of the end plates are fixed to the side plates and are detachable therefrom. A bottom plate is inserted into bottom grooves formed in the lower ends of the side plates. A carry handle may be attached to one of the side parts of the cover frame.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a mobile main frame adapted to advance over a field of standing crop and including a forward header having an axially transverse stripping rotor with stripping elements that impact the seeds on the standing crop and deliver them rearwardly to a crop converging auger, which discharges the separated crop material through a housing to a blower type elevator. The elevator delivers the material to a rotary type cleaner that separates the seeds from some of the other crop material, the partially clean seeds then being delivered to a conventional combine cleaning shoe that finishes the separation of the seeds from the rest of the crop material, the seeds then being delivered to a clean grain conveying system.

Abstract: Underwater weed cutter that includes a front base plate or mounting member that pivotally mounts a pair of blade mounts for movement between a weed cutting position extending diverging rearwardly and a generally parallel storage position, the blade mounts mounting the blades to be on remote side edges of the mounts when the mounts are in a weed cutting position and adjacent one another when the mounts are in a storage position, an elongated back brace that is connected at its opposite ends to portions of the blade mounts remote from the mounting member when the cutter is in a weed cutting position, a pair of parallel runners having one ends connected to the brace in transverse spaced relationship and opposite ends pivotally connected to the respective mount when the cutter is in a weed cutting position, a combination weed deflector and runner, a handle mount assembly pivotally mounted on the front member for movement between a weed cutting position and a storage position, and a handle mounted by said assembly

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rolling and wrapping a crop bale are described. A baling press including a rolling chamber has an interior circumference lined with rotating conveyor elements. A crop entry port receives cut crops as well as a wrapping material. During a final layer formation of the bale, the crop material is fed to the entry port to roll with the baled crop exiting said entry port.

Abstract: A harvesting machine has a mobile main frame with a forwarding harvesting header that includes an axially transverse stripping rotor that is rotated with the front side moving upwardly to engage the grain bearing heads of a standing crop and separate the grain from the crop by impact while leaving the stem attached to the field. The impact with the stripping elements projects the grain rearwardly on the header to a crop collecting mechanism, which conveys it to a grain cleaning means in the body of the harvesting machine. An upper drum-type rotor is mounted on the header above and parallel to the stripping rotor and is provided with vanes and an arcuate hood, the upper rotor being rotated in the opposite direction from the lower rotor and generating an air flow between the drum and the hood that exits from the hood in a downward and rearward direction to assist in directing the grain heads into the stripping rotor and to convey the stripped grain rearwardly to the crop collecting mechanism.

Abstract: A stripper type harvesting machine has a forward harvesting header that carries a plurality of modular independently vertically shiftable stripping units at the front end of the header for engaging the upper seed bearing portions of a standing crop as the machine advances over the field. Each stripping unit comprises an axially transverse rotor having a plurality of disk-like stripping elements mounted side-by-side on the rotor, each stripping element including a hub and a relatively thin annular web portion coaxially mounted on the hub. A plurality of ribs project laterally from the opposite sides of the web portion and extend outwardly from the hub to the periphery of the stripping element.

Abstract: An ocular muscle hook used in ocular surgery having a muscle holding tip and a handle, a shank extending forwardly of the handle, a leg extending from the forward end of the shank, a tip connected to the forward end of the leg. The leg and the tip define an angle of approximately 150.degree.. The leg and the shank define an angle of approximately 120.degree., thereby positioning the hand of an individual holding the muscle hook laterally away from interference with the line of sight of the surgeon. When the leg is pulling an eye muscle away from an eye, the upwardly angled tip acts as a stop to prevent the muscle from sliding off the leg. The handle is substantially cylindrical in shape and is sized to be held between the thumb and fingers of a hand providing maximum control, comfort, and familiarity to the individual using the muscle hook.

Abstract: The wire basket bird cage can be assembled from wire grating parts, namely from two flat walls (1) lying opposite one another, two curved or bent walls (2) and a curved or bent roof (3). The walls are joined together by individual connecting parts (20) made of plastic, each with a groove with a catch opening surrounding one wire of the wall. A shoulder part (10) made of a solid plastic is provided for connecting the roof to a curved wall, the shoulder part having an edge (11) to which the roof is attached and an edge (14) to which the curved side wall is attached. A plurality of connecting elements are formed in the area of this edge, each with a groove which receives a wire and with a downwardly directed catch opening for locking the wire into place. The individual pieces can be shipped in a shallow carton. The user of the cage can assemble it into a stable body simply.

Abstract: A shroud is provided for a poultry drinker to protect the poultry drinker bell from contamination, and to enhance the versatility and functionality of the drinker. The shroud comprises a plastic bell adapted to be releasably mounted so that it is stationary with respect to the valve body and/or hanger for the drinker, and is exterior of the drinker bell. The shroud includes a generally concentric opening formed at the top, and has a substantially flat bottom. Releasable attachment of the shroud to the drinker is provided by a generally radially extending flange at the top opening, and/or by a collar substantially defining and concentric with the top opening. The shroud is particularly useful with poultry drinkers that can both stand and be suspended.

Abstract: A mowing device comprises a frame movable across a field and a cutter bar carried by said frame and having a plurality of cutting members rotatably driven about standing shafts through a transmission housed in said bar, said frame being adapted to accommodate crop crushing means at a higher level than the cutter bar, wherein a common main drive rotates one of the outermost cutting members and, if necessary, the crushing means through an intermediate drive arranged in a rotating drum on top of said outermost cutting member.In order to limit the disadvantage of crop winding around the drum at low numbers of revolution and to minimize the imbalance of fast rotating cutting members the drum of the mowing device is constructed in the form of two coaxial, aligned drum parts, between which a gap-shaped space is left free.

Abstract: A pet feeding bowl is equipped with hinged apertured cover plates which are biased closed by gravity to protect food in the bowl from contamination and are opened when the pet thrusts its snout into the bowl for feeding. The cover plate apertures allow the animal to detect the scent of food from a distance.

Abstract: A structure for housing plants and animals, particularly poultry, in a controlled environment, comprises a base and opposite sides inclined towards an apex at which there is provided an opening. A ceiling is provided inside the structure over the plants or animals. The ceiling is opened to allow hot air trapped below it to pass out through the opening in the apex, thereby cooling the interior. To heat the interior, the ceiling is closed to retain the heat generated by the plants or animals as well as solar generated heat. Vents are preferably provided in the sides of the structure to allow cooling air to be drawn in when the ceiling is opened.

Abstract: In an axial flow rotary separator, each radially extending finger-like crop-engaging element of the rotor is individually and obliquely journaled on a fixed eccentric shaft. Push bars spaced 90 degrees apart rotate about the axis of the separator to drive the fingers so that the finger tips describe a circular path eccentric to the separator casing and inclined to its axis. The plane of rotation of the fingers and the speed of rotation of the rotor are chosen so that the fingers maintain the crop material in an annular mat in contact with the inside wall of the casing and propel it spirally downstream. Finger element bearing housings are split for convenient assembly and repair.

Abstract: A lawn rake having an improved means of tine containment. The tines are positioned and locked within a spreader bar heretofore used primarily for maintaining a spacial relationship between adjacent tines. Additionally, the tines are anchored within the rake socket portion by means of a spring clip which also coacts with a stiffener spring engaging the spreader bar to enhance fixed tine location within the rake head assembly.

Abstract: A preventive single-sided knee brace for athletes includes independently pivotable and laterally rigid upper and lower leg bars interconnected at laterally rigid polycentric clevis joints of a shield plate assembly. Straps affixed to a knee plate of the shield plate assembly encircle the leg adjacent the knee joint and buckle to the knee plate to hold the assembly adjacent the lateral side of the knee joint in any position of leg flexion. The upper leg bar extends from the shield plate assembly along the outside of the upper leg and is secured to the leg at the bar's upper end. Similarly, the lower leg bar extends from the polycentric joint along the outside of the lower leg and is secured to the leg at the bar's lower end. The upper and lower leg bars are shaped to follow the contour of the leg and bridge the knee joint to hold the shield plate assembly laterally spaced from the side of the knee joint.

Abstract: A combined bird feed container and bird feeder has an upright plastic housing which contains a supply of seeds or the like and the lower portion of which has a transverse horizontal tunnel open at both ends and surrounded by walls which, in turn, are fully surrounded by feed in the housing. The wall below the tunnel can be pierced or provided with a cutout to afford access to feed in the lower portion of the housing. A perch is driven through the lower portion of the housing. During shipment of the container, the perch is removably held in a longitudinally extending external groove of the housing. The upper portion of the housing is connected with a pivotable yoke which can be suspended on a tree branch or on a piece of cord.

Abstract: A therapeutic bench for extending the thoracic cage and cervical areas of the body, comprising an elongated, horizontal support, a shorter thoracic cage support thereon, the bench being made to support only the sternum and chin with arms and head unsupported when a person sits on the support and lies prone as to the torso.

Abstract: A safety device for attachment to the free-riding ring of a choker-chain or collar to be worn by an animal is in an openable container configuration that is dimensioned to receive said ring and has a slotted wall adapted to accommodate the cross-sectional extent of the collar length. A tubular element contained within the safety device passes through and further secures said ring. Optionally, a plurality of spaced slotted wall means are adapted to assemble the device to the collar whereby the device may be stored at an intermediate section of the collar length when the free-riding ring is to be leashed. The contained parts may be unitarily hinged. One type of hinge is an elongated and apertured strap whereby the device may be slidably mounted on said collar length.

Abstract: A cotton harvesting machine is provided with an on board cotton module maker. The module maker is capable of operating simultaneously with the harvesting of cotton by the harvesting machine.

Abstract: An attachment for a floating crop divider of the type used on a harvester having a transverse frame and reel with opposite upright sidewalls with the floating crop divider including a conically shaped divider shroud extending forward from an open end which includes opposite shroud sidewalls to a snout, the attachment consisting of a plurality of tines mounted to the inside sidewall of the shroud to extend toward the center of the reel. The tines each include a spring like axis of flexure near their mounting end, to permit them to bend resiliently in both their horizontal and vertical axis. Mounting brackets are provided to attach the tines to the inside sidewall of the shroud, with one bracket bolted to the inside sidewall of the shroud and another bracket bolted to the opposite outside sidewall of the shroud, with a brace member extending therebetween, to provide added lateral and vertical rigidity to the tines.