Abstract: A handle slide control for a push implement that includes a cable running in a tubular handle. The tubular handle includes a slot and a knob slideably engaged in the slot. The cable, running generally in a loop, is fixed at a proximal end portion to an interior portion of the knob and is further fixed at a distal end portion to a component of the push implement. One preferred implement is a snowthrower and a preferred component is a snow directional chute. The tubular handle is hinged and may be folded with the cable to its compact form for storage. Pulley wheels direct the cable from the tubular handle to the body of the push implement. In operation, a sliding of the cable by the knob to an infinite number of positions in turn permits a wide variety of options for the component. Operation of the sliding cable is easily accomplished, even while squeezing the elongate kill bar switch.

Abstract: A dredge head for dredging sludge by a trailing and pushing motion thereby defining a trailing and pushing direction is configured to be fitted on a ladder of a stationary dredger. The ladder is movable in the trailing and pushing direction for moving the dredge head.

Abstract: A latch (48) for securing a pivotable portion (34) of a foldable corn head (10) to a fixed portion (32) thereof, the latch being actuated to close or open by the folding action of the corn head portions. In closing the latch, a slidable pin actuator (50) on one of the frame portions, which extends beyond the frame is engaged by the other frame portion. The motion of the pin rotates a crank (56) connected by a connecting link (64 to a rotatable overcenter catch (62) extending through a slot (69) in the other frame portion. The crank rotation causes the catch to rotate to engage and secure the other frame portion on its rear surface (70). Opening of the latch is the reverse of closing. Preferably, the lengths of the crank arms (58 & 60), connecting link, catch shaft (67), and the angles therebetween are selected such that the motion of the catch mimics in synchrony the motion of the pin.

Abstract: A first pipe is press-fitted into a second pipe having an inner peripheral surface, circular in section, about an axis of the second pipe. The first pipe, having an outer peripheral surface provided with recesses each located between arcuate portions, and which recesses have the same radius about an axis of the first pipe and are located at a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart points, The recesses are each located radially inwardly of a phantom circumferential extension of the arcuate portions to extend axially over a predetermined length of the first pipe.

Abstract: An excavation tooth point longitudinally extending along an axis and having a pocket area extending inwardly through a rear end thereof is telescoped onto a nose portion of an adapter structure by inserting the nose portion into the tooth point pocket area. The inserted nose portion has a tapered side opening therein that is positioned between a corresponding pair of similarly tapered tooth side wall openings. The tooth point is removably coupled to the adapter nose using an elongated, wedge shaped connector member which is inserted, small end first, through the generally aligned tooth and adapter openings. An internal passage longitudinally extends through the large connector member end and receives an inner portion of a force exerting member which compresses a spring within the passage, the spring in turn resiliently biasing an outer portion of the force exerting member into abutment with an interior surface portion of the tooth.

Abstract: A transplant machine including a bucket for digging a plant such as trees and shrubs from the ground, a main frame for pivotably supporting the bucket, an arm for lifting the main frame, a shaft extending from the main frame at right angles and an intermediate frame for connecting the main frame with the lifting arm such that the frame can rotate about the shaft relative to the lifting arm. The frame and the bucket rotate together. As the main frame rotates about the shaft, the bucket rotate with the main frame. Therefore, the transplant machine can change a direction of the a tree after a digging operation. In other words, it is possible to turn the tree while the bucket is holding the tree above the ground. During the turning of the tree, the lifting arm (or a main body of the transplant apparatus) is stopped since the intermediate frame allows the main frame and the bucket to rotate relative to the lifting arm. The bucket may be removable from the lifting arm.

Abstract: An interactive braking system for an electric mower is comprised of an directional control that is connected to a cam follower that, in turn, engages a brake lever. A linkage system connects the brake lever to a brake caliper assembly which is operable to engage a disc connected to an input shaft of a transaxle of a riding mower. The interactive braking system is designed to allow the operator to optimize control of the mower during slow speed operation, for example, when traversing the crown of a green or going down a hill. During these conditions, the directional control can be articulated to a slow speed position thus proportionally engaging the brake assembly. Increased braking force is realized the closer the directional control approaches the neutral position, i.e., zero throttle. The interactive braking system provides for enhanced control of the mower during slow speed operation of both forward and rearward movement of the mower.

Abstract: A self-leveling system for a multi-purpose vehicle used primarily for off the road operations such as roadside mowing. The vehicle frame and operator's station will automatically remain substantially level on sidehills, and if a slope greater than a predetermined amount is encountered, the operator will be given a warning signal which, if ignored, will result in the shut-down of the vehicle's operating system and the vehicle will stop. If the operator chooses, the vehicle can be operated from a remote location after the warning signal is received.

Abstract: An agricultural planter comprises a frame with a plurality of wheels and adapted to be towed by a tractor. The planter has a plurality of row planting units mounted on the frame and carrying planting implements, and the planting units are vertically movable relative to the frame. A soil-hardness sensing unit carried on the frame produces a signal representing the hardness of the soil. A controllable biasing device is connected to the planting units for adjusting the force applied to the soil by the planting units, in response to the signal representing the hardness of the soil.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a magazine (18) having a series of barrels (26) for holding several projectiles (P). An actuator (50) indexes the magazine with each shot of the gun and automatically controls bursts of pressurized air. The magazine has a mounting plate (25) with two concentric annular arrays of opening (28). A sealing plate (38) is configured to seal one opening with each sequential indexing of the magazine.

Abstract: A seed boot for use with a furrow forming disk of a grain drill for depositing seed within a furrow. The seed boot includes a housing having an inner side, an outer side and a furrow firming edge. The furrow firming edge extends between a lower edge of the inner side and a lower edge of the outer side. The furrow firming edge includes an opening positioned below an axis of the disk and in communication with an internal seed delivery tube that extends the length of the housing. At least one side wear insert is attached to the lower edge of the outer side of the seed boot to prevent side and down force wear of the seed boot.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an agricultural row unit accessory, such as residue wheels for a planter row unit, includes an assembly for mounting the residue wheels in front of a leading coulter on the row unit. A cam, mounted to the residue wheel assembly for quick and reliable angular adjustment, engages a support arm for the coulter wheel. By rotating the cam, the operating height of the residue wheels is quickly and easily adjusted, while leaving the residue wheels free to rise if they encounter an obstruction.

Abstract: Quick-connect couplings having a sleeve with a tubular tube support mounted therein, an internal O-ring, an external O-ring and a collet are configured to retain a tube on the tubular tube support by engaging the tube with the collet. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tubular tube support is retained in the sleeve by engagement with a first internal annual shoulder in the sleeve. The interior O-ring positioned against a second annular shoulder within the sleeve to seal against the tube. The collet resiliently fits within the sleeve to retain the tubular tube support and internal O-ring in place prior to assembly. An external groove is provided in the sleeve for receiving an external O-ring to seal with the bore which receives the coupling. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the tubular tube support is staked to a first end of the sleeve by a radially extending flange. The internal O-ring is disposed between the end of the collet and the radially extending flange.

Abstract: A lawn aerator has a series of tine assemblies spaced along a driven shaft driven by a motor. Each fine assembly has a plurality of tines for aeration extending in a substantially radial pattern about the driven shaft. The inner tine assemblies along the middle portion of the driven shaft are secured to the driven shaft to drive the aerator along the lawn as the driven shaft rotates. The outer tine assemblies adjacent to the ends of the driven shaft are rotatably mounted to the driven shaft. This permits the outer tine assemblies to rotate independently and thereby makes the aerator more maneuverable and easier to turn. Removable weights can be attached to either side of the aerator housing to help maintain a straight course when traversing a slope.

Abstract: A projectile launcher having a barrel for holding projectiles traveling through an aligning opening in or connected to a rigid support. Two bow arms extend from the rigid support. A bow string travels between the ends of the two bow arms and behind the aligning opening. The rigid support may include a brace which extends from the rigid support to the forearm of the user. A piston within the barrel or the barrel itself is propelled by the string. The piston moves relative to the rigid support which remains substantially motionless when used. This bow may have an arm brace characteristic of a wrist slingshot or other bow designs. Pulleys or cams of novel design having curved lips are attached to either bow arm to decrease wear on the bow strings. A novel pulley arrangement is disclosed which limits the number of strings passing behind the rigid support.

Abstract: A real time soil constituent sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system may measure simple in situ soil constituents without the aid of externally applied solvents, or such solvents may be utilized intermittently to calibrate the measurements for greater accuracy. A real time complex in situ soil resistivity sensor and prescription agricultural chemical delivery system includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools in association with individual soil electrode arrays which measure complex solute and matrix resistivity levels. Conventional ground-engaging tools may serve as electrodes for impressing a voltage source and serve as a current sink for the purposes of determining complex resistivity values and components thereof in in situ soils. Alternatively, local resistivity measurements in a single tool can also be employed for separation of resistivity contributions of the soil solute and the matrix.

Abstract: Quick-connect couplings having a sleeve with a tubular tube support mounted therein, an internal O-ring, an external O-ring and a collet are configured to retain a tube on the tubular tube support by engaging the tube with the collet. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tubular tube support is retained in the sleeve by engagement with a first internal annual shoulder in the sleeve. The interior O-ring positioned against a second annular shoulder within the sleeve to seal against the tube. The collet resiliently fits within the sleeve to retain the tubular tube support and internal O-ring in place prior to assembly. An external groove is provided in the sleeve for receiving an external O-ring to seal with the bore which receives the coupling. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the tubular tube support is staked to a first end of the sleeve by a radially extending flange. The internal O-ring is disposed between the end of the collet and the radially extending flange.

Abstract: A rotary cutter includes first and second pairs of blades pivotally mounted to opposite ends of a first blade holder, with the first pair of blades being spaced vertically above the second pair of blades. A third pair of blades for enhancing the shredding characteristic of the cutter are mounted to the opposite ends of a second blade holder having a longitudinal axis disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first blade holder. The third pair of blades are located to operate at a height in between the respective heights of operation of the first and second blades and are located to trace a path which is radially inward from that traced by the first and second blades. The second blade holder is mounted to the first blade holder exclusive of the drive shaft to which the first blade holder is coupled and may be removed or assembled without disturbing the mounting of the first blade holder.

Abstract: A pair of arrow rest prongs are supported beneath an arrow by a bracket secured to an archery bow. The prongs are supported in a mirror arrangement and define corresponding mirror image structures. Each arrow rest prong includes an attachment pin of generally cylindrical shape and defining a head portion to which a multiply curved multiply angled Teflon prong portion is attached by direct molding. Each prong defines an end proximate to the cylindrical pin and receiving the head portion from which the molded portion of the prong curves outwardly to an outwardly angled portion and transitions to an inwardly angled portion which in turn transitions to a rest end which defines a downwardly and outwardly curved portion. A curved crown is formed at the uppermost portion of the rest end. The prongs are identical in structure and shape with the difference being a mirror image relationship between the prongs.

Abstract: An apparatus for grading soil or dirt adjacent to a curb, gutter, or other structure. The apparatus includes a blade portion, a handle portion, and a guide which may be attached to the handle or blade portions. The guide can be positionally adjusted relative to the blade portion to set the depth of penetration of the blade into soil. The guide is placed along the curb or gutter when the apparatus is used, with the guide controlling the depth of the blade.