Abstract: A tube clamp including a transversely grooved binding strap having a first end terminating in a head and a second end terminating in a tail, a screw holder having hinged clamping plates and being fastened to an opening of the head of the binding strap by its clamping plates and adapted for joining the head and tail of the binding strap, and a screw mounted in the screw holder and turned to move the tail of the binding strap relative to its head in tightening up the tube clamp, wherein the head of the binding strap has two longitudinal bridging elements longitudinally disposed at two opposite sides of its opening, four rounded convex portions disposed in four corners of the opening at a top side of the binding strap for supporting the tail of the binding strap, four rounded concave portions respectively disposed between two opposite ends of the bridging elements and the rounded convex portions at the top side of the binding strap and adapted for buffering the pressure of the hinged clamping plates of the screw

Abstract: Many openers are mounted on the lateral tool-bar of a farm implement. For crop and fertilizer change, different spacings along the tool-bar are required for the openers. Multi-position tool-mounting structures are provided, for each opener as required. Each has a pivoting arm, which may be locked in one of several positions. The locked-in position of each arm may be changed manually, and independently of the other tools, upon manually releasing a biassed locking pin. Adjustment to cater to the next application is light, quick, simple, and accurate.

Abstract: A wheeled, manually propelled vehicle with vertical support structure has an ergonomic handle attached to the support structure, the handle having a central section extending substantially horizontally in use and inclined sections which incline downwardly from the opposite ends of the central section and respectively terminate in curved end sections which curve toward the support structure and are integral for attachment plates for attachment to the support structure. The inclined sections facilitate grasping of the handle with an ergonomic arm position when a user is pushing the vehicle and facilitate maneuvering the vehicle around corners.

Abstract: Trellis wires tieing clips are used with pairs of spaced longitudinal trellis wires which are located to control the direction of growth and support of plant foliage of crops such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and grapes. One wire is the longitudinal reference trellis wire, and the other wire is the longitudinal gathering trellis wire. Each trellis wires tieing clip is made of a molded plastic having: resiliency and a retention of shape memory, and having the integral portions of a transverse elongated top body portion; a transverse elongated trellis wire receiving volume in the top body portion; a centered bottom entry to guide trellis wires into the transverse elongated trellis wire receiving volume; a right side arm depending at a wire guiding angle from the transverse elongated top body portion; and a left side arm depending at a wire guiding angle from the transverse elongated top body portion.

Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seal disposed in the bore for providing a fluid-tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer detachably secured to the housing and cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore.

Abstract: An attachment for mounting an object on a belt or the like, including a spring clip having a U-shape with first and second arms joined at a bight, an arrangement for mounting the first arm of the clip on a face of the object, a pin support carried on the object, the pin support having spaced arms projecting from the face of the object and aligned openings in the spaced arms, and a pin for positioning in the aligned openings for maintaining the free end of the second arm in position between the pin and the face of the object. The free end of the second arm has an inward bend towards the first arm and an outward bend away from the first arm defining a groove for receiving the pin.

Abstract: A device for holding containers, particularly plastic oil bottles, in the inverted position whereby the container may be completely emptied without the need for someone to hold the container the entire time. The invention comprises a pair of container lock plates, pivotally secured together, and each having an aperture approximately one and five-sixteenths inches in diameter; larger than the approximate one inch diameter of the neck of standard oil bottles. The lock plates further include a spring loaded clamp which is clipped over the edge of an oil funnel placed within the oil inlet tube of the engine to be serviced. After the invention is clipped into place on the oil funnel, the oil container is next inverted with its mouth and neck placed downward through the lock plate apertures. The lock plates are then pivoted in opposite directions, effectively decreasing the size of the opening and locking the oil container in place in an inverted position for emptying.

Abstract: A friction adjustable positioning pivot includes a first shaft including a tapering threaded rod which defines a hollow space therein and a slot along a periphery thereof. An urging tube includes an inner threaded periphery for rotatably threading onto the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft and an inner smooth tapering periphery adjacent to the inner threaded periphery for limiting the tapering threaded rod to thread into the urging tube at a constant direction. A second shaft includes a rod portion which is received in the hollow space of the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft and is in contact with an inner periphery of the tapering threaded rod.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a length of webbing, comprising a generally U-shaped body formed from two side arms connected by an end arm. A transverse bar having a gripping surface is mounted between the two side arms. A connecting device such as a buckle or hook is attached to the ends of the side arms. A pivotable plate is mounted between the two side arms and in between the transverse bar and connecting device. The pivotable plate has a gripping surface that contacts the gripping surface of the transverse bar. A release device is mounted on at least one side arm for selectively pivoting the pivotable plate. A length of webbing threaded through the device is securely held between the gripping surfaces of the transverse bar and pivotable plate until the release means is actuated. The friction from the gripping surfaces and pressure from the pivotable plate prevents the webbing from slipping out of the device even under tension from all angles. The release device permits simple adjustment of the webbing.

Abstract: A liquid seal unit having a seal ring with an annular end face cooperating with a seal mating ring on an associated component to form a liquid-tight dynamic seal. A composite multi-functional member with a flexible finger spring embedded in a unitary elastomeric body urges the seal ring and the mating ring together. The spring has an annular continuous outer body portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, radially inwardly extending flexible spring fingers. The unitary elastomeric body includes radially spaced, first and second annular load bearing formations that extend in axially opposite directions. The elastomeric body still further includes an axially extending sealing ring positioning collar lying radially between the load bearing formations and having an inner surface that engages a seating surface in the seal ring to provide a secondary seal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tillage conservation plow (100) for plowing the earth and exposing, on the surface of the earth, weeds and past harvest residue. The plow includes a hitch frame (1) and a framework (2) connected to the hitch frame. A support (10) is connected to the framework. The support is operable to allow the earth to pass unturned. A blade (4) is connected to the moldboard support. The support, in combination with the blade, is operable to place the weeds and past harvest residue on the surface of the earth without turning over the soil.

Abstract: A device for oil-impermeably sealing a stationary hood (6) off from a rotating, tumbling barrel, containing at least one stationary packing cord (7) which is forced against a race (8) by a pre-stressed and compressed gasket (9). The race is part of the barrel and rotates along with it. A cap (10) is connected to the hood (6) and demarcates in conjunction with part of the hood's end wall a region of expansion for the packing cord (7) and the gasket (9).

Abstract: A coupling for sealing a leak location in a pipe or pipeline by compressing against the pipe or pipeline a pair of annular gasket members fitted about the pipe or pipeline on opposite sides of the leak location comprising a first axial sealing pad disposed in a recess in an annular coupling member and a second axial sealing pad attached to a sealing plate which extends across an axial split in the coupling. The first and second axial sealing pads form an axial seal when the coupling is closed about a pipe or pipeline for preventing passage of fluid from between the annular gasket members to the outer surface of the coupling member through the axial split. The annular coupling member of the coupling has an axial split defined by first and second axial edges and comprises a first portion extending from the first axial edge to an axial shoulder which extends outwardly to a second portion.

Abstract: A restraining end clip is mounted on a component of a vehicle power seat adjuster and has a portion coupled to and rotatably supporting the free end of a rotatable drive shaft for minimizing resonance of the free end of the drive screw. The end clip has a first end detachably mountable in an aperture on one of the seat adjuster components. A second end depends from the first end and carries a receiver having an internal recess conformed to the shape of the free end of the drive screw.

Abstract: An adjustable free motion friction clutch assembly having an input end and an output end. The input end includes a splined drive hub for receiving therein a splined power shaft and the drive hub is freely rotatable through a predetermined angle relative to the output end for alignment with the splined power shaft.

Abstract: An improved single stage snowthrower includes a housing with an open front portion, the housing including two side walls, a rear wall therebetween and a discharge chute. The rear wall includes deflecting ledges that angle upwardly toward the discharge chute, inwardly toward the center of the housing and forwardly toward the open front. The deflecting ledges provide both an inward and an upward component to snow travelling in the housing. The snowthrower also includes an impeller having axial ends and a radial edge. The impeller is comprised of two molded identical body sections that are joined about a shaft. Each body section includes a central portion, two end portions and a pair of helical portions with one helical portion between each end portion and the central portion. A portion of the radial edge of the impeller includes a shovel-like projection that is oriented in a direction extending laterally away from the impeller in the direction of rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: A boat portage dolly for a boat that includes mounting gudgeons (30) on the transom (34), the dolly having a bifurcated carriage (20) with downwardly distending legs (22) attached to an upright frame member (24). The upright member also contains a pair of apertures (28) and an axle (36) is attached between the distal end of the legs. A wheel (40), preferably including a pneumatic tire, is rotatably mounted on the axle. The dolly is mated to the boat by placing the apertures over the gudgeons and penetrating holes in the gudgeons with a bent rod (44) that is contiguous with the inner surface of the carriage, holding the dolly in place tightly against the transom of the boat. The boat is portaged to water by lifting the bow by a single person and wheeling the vessel wheelbarrow fashion. Other embodiments change construction techniques of the carriage and retaining means.

Abstract: A radial garden support system for climbing plants and non-climbing plants that can be used directly on the ground, with or without planting containers, and can also be used on a deck or patio with planting containers. Adjustable upper and lower radial arms support the climbing surface to meet the vertical needs of the climbing plants chosen. Leveling screws on the lower radial arms maintain proper orientation of the system on uneven ground. Triangular planting containers fit between the lower radial arms defining the growing area and resulting in less weeds and decreased quantities of water and fertilizer. Removable greenhouse tents fit within each planting container and enable early plantings, therefore increasing the growing season. A watering collar introduces water directly to the roots of the plants and enables introduction of plant food to the roots minimizing water and plant food requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved agricultural seeding; especially useful in no-till direct seeding. In the illustrated embodiment an inclined furrow is cut with a rotating disk that is inclined with respect to the vertical and the horizontal; the furrow has a raised lip, and straw and the like stalks are cleaved during the cutting. Seed is inserted by known means, and then a packer wheel, preferentially inclined in vertical and horizontal directions opposite to those the disk is inclined, runs across the lip and closes the furrow. Advantages include substantially reduced energy required for the furrow cutting, less weight required on the furrowing disk, more even seeding depth, less hairpinning, less soil disturbance, and less weed seed burial.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a plough blade arrangement, advantageously in a snow-plough, which plough (1) is intended to be attached to a vehicle, advantageously a tractor or lorry. The plough blade arrangement includes a frame (2) consisting of a flat part removably attached to the plough (1), several blade plates (4) covering the desired working width, and attachment members for the blade plates (4) to the frame (2). The aforesaid attachment members consist of flexible members (3), which are arranged to permit the movement of the blade plates (4) essentially in only one direction in the direction of the surface of the frame (2) when the blade plate (4) strikes an obstacle or pit. In addition, the working width is divided into separate, independently flexible parts.