Abstract: A transportable load supporting structure such as a fish stringer having an essentially vertical carrier arm provided with attachment structure and a receiver arm, preferably having a blunted receiver end, and which is upwardly canted with respect to, crossing, and being partially twisted about said carrier arm at an openable junction area. A depending load-supporting receiver loop integrally connects said arms. A load such a fish is received by said receiver arm and descends under the force of gravity toward and opens said junction area, twisting about said junction area, to descend onto said receiver loop to be supported thereby at essentially the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A device to cover live wells or other holding containers to retain fish and other aquatic animals. The cover has a plurality of flexible, resilient strap-like web members spaced apart in parallel and connected at at least two ends to a border. The cover may be attachable to the side of the container of a live well by various fastening means, such as hook and loop material, adhesive tape or hooks. One embodiment of the live well cover is provided with tubular members filled with foam so that it can float flush with the water in the live well, thereby requiring no attachment means to the live well whatsoever. This device prevents fish from escaping from a live well, yet allows them to be readily retrievable for weighing and cleaning.

Abstract: A method for impregnating an aluminum product with a hard wear resistant surface area comprises providing a desired pattern of particles thereon, providing a sand core which has an high temperature adhesive layer on at least a portion thereof and transferring the pattern of particles onto the adhesive layer, in such a manner so as to minimize contact with the adhesive. After the adhesive is cured, an aluminum melt is cast around the carbides so as to produce an aluminum product having a wear resistant material surface layer. Preferably, the aluminum alloy contains about 4% by weight of copper and the wear resistant material comprises tungsten carbide containing 12 wt. % Co. In one embodiment, the particles are transferred onto the adhesive layer through the use of an adhesive tape which is used to pick up the pattern of particle and then placed upon the adhesive layer on the core surface.

Abstract: A tick trap comprises a raised base having inclined walls at each end, an upper portion having sticky tick trapping surface and an upwardly extending box-like portion having a plurality of holes around the lower surface thereof, a rectangular rain guard extending outwardly from the box at a spaced distance from the surface of the base and a hinged lid over the open end of the box. The box includes a carbon dioxide cannister which is periodically activated by batteries to emit CO.sub.2 from the portholes about the box to attract ticks onto the sticky surface where they are destroyed.

Abstract: A method for impregnating an iron product with a hard wear-resistant material surface layer comprises providing a pattern of particles onto a high temperature adhesive layer on a sand core and casting of the iron melt around the particles so as to produce an iron product. Preferably, the pattern of particles is produced by providing a mesh plate having a desired pattern of holes and spreading the particles onto the sheet. The pattern of particles is then transferred on to the adhesive layer so as to minimize contact with the adhesive. This can be accomplished, for example, through the use of adhesive tape. Preferably, the iron product of the present invention comprises ductile iron while the wear-resistant material comprises tungsten carbide which can include about 12 wt % Co.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming macrocomposite bodies and the novel bodies formed thereby. Particularly, a suitable matrix metal, typically in a molten state, is in contact with a suitable mass of filler material or preform located adjacent to, or in contact with, at least one second material in the presence of a suitable reactive atmosphere in an impermeable container, at least at some point during the process, which permits a reaction to occur between the reactive atmosphere and the molten matrix metal and/or mass of filler material or preform and/or impermeable container, thereby causing molten matrix metal to infiltrate the mass of filler material or preform due to, at least in part, the creation of a self-generated vacuum. Such self-generated vacuum infiltration occurs without the application of any external pressure or vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of a fish-attracting scent or other topical material to fishing lures and other fishing components. This apparatus has a cavity containing an absorbent material into which the scent or other topical material is absorbed, with a cooperating absorbent material attached to a cover. When the cover is in a closed position, any item enclosed between two absorbent layers is treated with the material absorbed on the layers. A foot pedal mechanism is connected between the body of the apparatus and the cover for raising the cover to at least ninety degrees from the closed position to permit full access to the body, and a spring member causes closure of the cover when pressure on the pedal is released. A second cavity within the body permits insertion of weights so that the apparatus will have reduced movement across a support surface when the foot pedal is operated. Alternatively, the body can be fastened to the support surface.

Abstract: A fishing rod stand adapted to be positioned adjacent to fishing water having a V-shaped configuration on one end attached to an upper rod section coupled to a movable connecting sleeve. A lower rod section member fits into the connecting sleeve and has a point on one section thereof for penetrating the ground. A bar member is attached to the lower end section adapted for foot pressure to press the fishing rod stand into the ground. Three embodiments of this invention are presented: (1) one with a foot pressing bar, (2) one with a novel latching member coupled to the V-shaped member to secure the fishing rod, and (3) the third with a stop plate member slidably positioned on the lower rod section to steady the fishing rod stand when it is pressed into the ground. Embodiment (3) may be combined with either embodiment (1) or (2).

Abstract: A device is provided which will act as a lure or teaser to attract fish and which will carry and guide the hook and bait laterally away from the boat when being pulled in the same manner as trolling, to separate fishing lines in the same fashion as out-riggers but with much greater distance. The device is lightweight and is configured and preferably weighted to remain at a steady, level course while minimizing tension and drag on the fishing line.

Abstract: A fishing pole mounting device to signal the movements of a fishing pole when a fish strikes the bait. A cradle means rests on top of a box shaped enclosure. The cradle holds the pole and translates downward movements of the pole into an electrical signal for audible and/or visual alarms.

Abstract: A container for fishing lures having a box with a vertical receptacle positioned therein, a panel received by the vertical receptacle, and a lure receiving member in a horixontal slot on the vertical panel. The lure receiving member detachably receives a fishing lure. The box has a lid hinged thereto so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. A handle is formed along one surface of the box and includes a suitable lock mechanism for locking the lid to the box. The panel is a flat member having a plurality of horizontal slots extending across the front side and the back side of the panel. The panel has a male connector formed along one edge of the panel and a female receiving slot formed on an opposite edge of the panel. The lure receiving member is a clip having a body, a first and second arm extending outwardly from the body, and a T-shaped member extending outwardly from the opposite side of the body. The T-shaped member engages the horizontal slots on the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for stiffening a circuit board during soldering, assembly, and repair/rework, which includes an elongated crossmember having two opposing ends, an outer support leg extending downward from each crossmember end to form a bridge support with the crossmember and a central support leg extending downward from a central portion of the crossmember. A central portion of the circuit board is attached to the central support member to prevent the circuit board from softening and sagging when exposed to the heat from soldering.

Abstract: A trolling device for a fishing lure includes a frame to be towed through water. A spool on the frame has a length of fishing line for connection to a fishing lure. A drive means driven by the force of water as the frame is towed through water causes the line to wind upon the spool. The drive means is periodically disengaged to allow the spool to freewheel and the line to unwind. Thus, the lure will alternately accelerate toward the frame and drop back from the frame as the frame is towed through water. A selectively operable pause means is provided to delay retrieval of a lure toward the frame for a predetermined period of time, and further means are provided to disengage the drive means from the spool upon application of excessive force to the towing line.

Abstract: A rodent trap that is constructed with a housing having a rodent entry and containing a launching mechanism that is activated by a photo sensor when a rodent enters the housing, the launching mechanism ejecting the rodent through an opening in the top of the housing and into a receptacle for disposal.

Abstract: A mousetrap apparatus is arranged to include a plurality of contact bosses mounted fixedly to a mousetrap assembly base, whereupon tripping of the mousetrap bail effects electrical communication between the mousetrap boss members to provide indication of a mousetrap bail in an actuated orientation relative to the mousetrap assembly.

Abstract: A rodent barrier means, made of non-conductive material, attached to an electrical cable, hawser, or the like providing for egress in a certain direction but preventing ingress from that direction. A rodent barrier means having alternative means of exit in the form of a ladder and a tapering passageway. A rodent barrier of unitary construction having a top half and a bottom half and which halves are clamped onto said electrical cable, hawser, and the like. The tapering passageway further having a safety measure in the form of a spring loaded screen door allowing for egress through said passageway but preventing ingress. The bottom half of the rodent barrier means having either weight means or otherwise being bottom heavy to thereby further provide stability in severe weather conditions.

Abstract: A flea trap includes a cylindrical housing having a housing lower edge received in contiguous communication with a base upper edge of a housing base. The housing base includes a desiccant powder container receiving a desiccant powder therewithin, with a housing fan and heating grid positioned over the desiccant powder to direct heat and air movement exteriorly of the housing to attract fleas within the housing for their reception within the desiccant powder.

Abstract: A termite protection system (10) for a wooden foundation structure (12) is disclosed having a plurality of perimeter pipe sections (34) which include integral nozzles orifices (66), and a plurality of interior pipes (38) with non-integral nozzles (44), for distributing a delivering termite control fluids. The pipes (34) and (38) each have a plurality of male ends (50) which can be permanently inserted into a female end (48) of another pipe (34) or (38) or accessory fittings such as "T" fittings (40) and elbow fittings (32). Longitudinal ridges (56) and (58) within each of the male ends (50) fit into receiver grooves (62) in each of the female ends (48) as an aid to orientation of the (34) and (38) and other components. The female ends (48) have interior locking teeth (64) for locking into ridge indentations (60) on the male sections (50) such that components snap together and cannot be easily disassembled.

Abstract: A floating fishing light and tranducer apparatus 10 is provided to be used while fishing in a boat 11. The apparatus 10 includes a bouyant housing member 12 having a light 22 and transducer 34 coupled thereto. The light 22 is provided to attract fish thereto while the transducer 34 emits a signal which facilitrates the determination of the presence and depth of fish in a designated area. As a result the chances of catching fish are enhanced.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus includes the inspection of structural wooden members within a structure wall, and then the isolation of the wooden members infected with the insects. Heat producing devices are positioned adjacent to a first one of the isolated wooden members on the outside of the wall. The positioned heat producing device is then activated, and the adjacent isolated wooden member is caused to be heated to increase the temperature thereof sufficiently to kill a large number of the insects contained therewithin to eradicate substantially the entire infestation thereof. The heat producing device is then deactivated after the insect killing temperature has been attained. Thereafter, the remaining individual ones of the isolated infected wooden members are treated in a similar manner.