Abstract: A button includes a button body having a centrally holed boss, and a fastener having a shank adapted to fit forcibly into an axial hole in the boss. The shank has a plurality of axially extending ridges spaced angularly at equal intervals for maintaining the shank in accurate axial alignment with the boss hole.

Abstract: A safety collar device prevents choking of an animal when the animal catches the collar on a stationary object while running loose. The device includes a safety enclosure which envelopes the connecting mechanism of the collar (such as the "live" and "dead" rings at the ends of the chain of a choke collar) thus preventing the rings from being caught on the stationary object. The enclosure includes first and second enclosure halves which preferably are hinged to each other and operable between an open and a closed position. When in the closed position, the first and second halves completely conceal the rings of the choke collar. The enclosure has openings for the chain of the collar to pass through but which are sufficiently small to retain the rings within the enclosure. The safety enclosure includes a mechanism for keeping the first and second halves in the closed position.

Abstract: A unitary frame for mounting a film transparency having leading and trailing ends and spaced parallel sides which surround a picture area. The frame includes first and second members which are adapted for movement between a film transparency loading position and an operative position wherein they enclose and support the transparency. The frame includes, in the transparency loading position, a pair of laterally spaced open-ended guides for slidably receiving the parallel sides of the transparency as it is advanced into its proper relationship relative to the frame, and a pair of surfaces which extend forwardly of the open end of each of the guides and which function to direct the leading end of the transparency into the open end of each of the guides.

Abstract: A leaf stripper for tobacco stalks and the like wherein the leaves are removed from the stalks by the stalks being pulled or forced through a cooperating spring loaded scraper bars and a roughly eliptically shaped opening in a flat plate and wherein the leaves are held by the invention until removed by an operator, and wherein the opening can be easily manually opened to allow fast insertion of the stalks by the operator.

Abstract: A device for delivering an electric discharge to pets coming into contact with or coming close to bait, having an electrically insulated housing, circuitry for generating a high voltage mounted within the housing, including a battery to feed itself, an electrode surrounds the periphery of the housing and connected to one pole of the high voltage circuitry, and a second electrode mounted on the top cover of the housing connecting the other pole of the high voltage circuitry to the bait so that the electric circuit between the first and second electrode may be closed by the pet.

Abstract: A watering cup has a rear wall, shaped as by ledges, to direct water downwardly into the cup in a swirling motion. A triggering arm is mounted on the cup for pivoting in accordance with the operation of the arm by the fowl. A valve disposed in the cup is operative between a normally closed position and an open position in accordance with the triggering of the arm by the fowl. Water passing through the valve is directed in a swirling movement along the rear wall of the cup to clean the rear wall. This may be accomplished by hooded portions with configurations defining converging arcuate areas at their centers and outwardly and downwardly directed channels at their peripheries. The cup has a body portion and a clamping member. The clamping member may be coupled at one end to a pipe for supplying water to the cup and is provided at the other end with fingers for retention by the opposite lateral ends of the body portion.

Abstract: A transaction security device comprising a booth of a material and construction capable of selective voluntary entry and involuntary personnel retention and incorporating a transaction interface; entrance means for said booth; a closure for said entrance means, and control means adapted to secure and unsecure at least said entrance means; and cooperating with said booth, disposed, therein, or indeed independent thereof, at least one secondary enclosure adapted to contain apparatus disposed upon at least one turntable within a housing module composed of an enclosure, portions of which are independently rotatable about said turntable and the devices disposed thereon; and means for access to the interior of said housing and with said transaction interface.

Abstract: An automatic feeding device for animals includes a housing having multiple receptacles. Each receptacle is provided with a cover movable from a closed position to an open position. Each cover includes a latch for securing the cover in the closed position. The device includes an actuating mechanism for selectively releasing the covers. The actuating mechanism is in the form of a solenoid and a plurality of fingers connected to the solenoid. The fingers are arranged relative to each other such that, upon sequential actuation of the solenoid, the fingers sequentially engage and release the latches of the covers.

Abstract: A trapdoor for a birdhouse, particularly one constructed to attract purple martin birds, so as to trap in a compartment of the house species of undesirable birds, such as sparrows. The door includes an opening to permit the undesirable birds to enter a compartment of the birdhouse. A pivotal gate is secured to the door behind the opening and is retained by a trigger mechanism in an unblocking position above the opening. When a bird enters the compartment through the opening and alights on the trigger mechanism, the gate is released and drops by gravity across the opening to trap the bird within the compartment. The trapdoor includes structure for positively locking the gate against inadvertent pivotal trapping movement should the birdhouse or trapdoor be moved or displaced.

Abstract: A valve disposed in a cup is operative between a normally closed position and an open position in accordance with the triggering of a triggering arm pivotally operated in the cup by fowl. The watering cup is formed from a body portion and a clamping member coupled to a pipe at one end for supplying water to the cup. The clamping member has fingers at the other end for retention by the body portion. A pivot pin is disposed on the rim of the body portion and pivotably supports the triggering arm. A rocker arm is also pivotable with the pin at a position internal to the body portion of the cup and adjacent to the inner wall of the cup. The pivotal movement of the rocker and triggering arms is limited in one direction by raised portions or detents on the inner wall of the cup. A gutter extends downwardly and outwardly from a position near the top of the cup to define a channel for directing from the cup water overflowing from the cup.

Abstract: Improvements in animal confining and holding devices, such particularly adapted to farm animals and most particularly to horses; an improved horse chute for receiving, holding, confining and effectively immobilizing a horse for trimming, washing, treating, palpating, worming and the like.

Abstract: A lockbox is provided for a word processor printer output bin attached to a printer. The lockbox, which is insertable and removable from the output bin, is locked in the bin upon insertion, and can only be removed by disengagement of a first locking means. The lockbox has a security door which is positioned in a paper receiving position upon insertion into the output bin and which must be closed in order to remove the lockbox from the output bin.

Abstract: The odor preventing animal litter unit employs the use of a pad consisting of a non-absorbent film, a very absorbent pad treated with a buffer and other antibacterial, bacteriocidal compounds and a protective ripproof screening, which can be used in a specifically designed container or in independent containers. The chemical additives and absorbent material prevent the urine odor and the non-absorbent film prevents leakage during disposal. The ripproof screen prevents animal accessability to the inner pad materials. The complete pad unit is disposable.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing money in a receiving safe of a bank in which a door having a concave rear wall is rotatable between open and closed positions. A movable wall is mounted rotatably with the door to form a pocket with the concave wall when the door is open for receiving a money bag or envelope, the movable wall scraping the concave rear wall as the door rotates to its open position. A pawl is likewise mounted for rotation with the door to engage a ratchet and prevent reopening the door after it begins to close and has rotated to a position where the pocket is inaccessible.

Abstract: An animal watering apparatus has a thermal insulated tank having a water storage chamber. An upright tubular member located in the chamber has openings in its opposite ends to permit thermal circulation of the water in the chamber. Animal actuated water dispensing nipples mounted on the tank are surrounded with thermal insulated housings. Thermal insulated covers mounted on the housings with flexible sheets cover the outer ends of the nipples.

Abstract: A menu board is provided which utilizes members carrying interchangeable numbers, letters or other characters, and possesses special features which render the menu board highly legible. The menu board is provided with window-like openings and means for replaceably mounting the interchangeable character members behind the board openings. The character members include appendages selectively engageable with end stops provided on the board, or with slots provided on the board for positioning and locking the members in place. In one embodiment, the characters are each of a selected length and are overlaid one upon the other within the board openings, but so that the characters themselves are not overlain as viewed from the front of the menu board. Alignment means is provided for controlling the registration of the characters with respect to one another within the windows, and locking means is provided for securing each group of character members in place.

Abstract: A unitary, integrally formed wire clamp comprises an elongate, open-ended housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section for receiving a wire therein and a restraining web integrally formed in the housing for restraining axial movement of said wire in an axial direction opposite the first axial direction. The elongate housing comprises a bottom wall and a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and the restraining web comprises a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel rib members extending angularly inwardly of each of said side walls toward the opposite axial direction.

Abstract: A unitary portable and self-contained spraying apparatus for farm animals may rest on top of a feed or watering trough and is operated by the animal when the animal moves its head to a food or water consuming position. In so doing, the animal elevates a pivoted panel on a rocker shaft having crank extensions which produce movements of connecting elements leading to the triggers of three separate spraying units. Two of the spraying units dispense pesticide or medicine onto the face of the animal while the third spray unit dispenses onto the animal's back to rid it of insects, parasites and grub. The apparatus is simple in construction, rugged and durable and efficient.

Abstract: A safety guard device for a wallet includes a salient button which penetrates the corner or the edge of the laminae of a wallet and fastens with a lock base that is installed in the upper portion of one's trouser pocket or at the lower end of a belt clamp. To remove the wallet, one presses down on the tenon button which is hidden inside the trousers or inside the lower end of the belt clamp. In addition to being convenient in use, the present invention can effectively prevent one's wallet from being picked, snatched or lost.

Abstract: A latching, releasing and locking stanchion apparatus for cows and the like includes reciprocating operating bars and latching/release mechanism operated by the bars wherein the latching/release mechanism is supported completely independently of the operating bars and independently of the stanchion members. Relatively thin section materials are bent into the shapes desired and welded together to form an upper support structure having rigidity and strength while retaining light weight. Fixed, release and bracing stanchions are provided and are, appropriately, welded to a lower support at their bottom and the upper support at their top. The support structure is channel shaped and holds within itself the latching and release mechanism while the operating bars are carried externally to the channel. Self-catch, single release, delayed release, group release, lock-in, lock-out and non-catch features are provided. Manual release mechanism permits the removal of a stanchion member in an emergency situation.