Abstract: A portable driving device for permanently driving stakes, survey flags, posts, or the like, of varying sizes and shapes, into the ground. The invention provides for powering the device by a pressurized fluid with a single power cylinder, a valve control assembly including a self-exhausting spool valve controlled by a rod that runs through the spool valve, and safety switches in series for controlling delivery of pressurized fluid to the driving device.

Abstract: An improved valve for a portable post driver. The post driver has an inner hollow cylinder open at both ends and adapted to receive a post through a lock clamp located at its lower end. An outer hollow cylinder having a closed upper end, and slightly larger in diameter than the inner cylinder, is located in sliding engagement over the inner cylinder. First and second power cylinders are attached to upper and lower surfaces of the outer cylinder in alignment with each other. A common piston rod connects the pistons of the power cylinders. A stationary fastening pin attached to the piston rod extends through a slot in the wall of the outer cylinder and is attached to the wall of the inner cylinder. The valve has a reciprocating valve piston which alternately communicates the two power cylinders to a source of fluid under pressure.

Abstract: A portable driving device for permanently driving stakes, survey flags, posts, or the like, of varying sizes and shapes, into the ground. The invention provides for powering the device by a pressurized fluid with a single power cylinder, a valve control assembly including a self-exhausting spool valve controlled by a rod that runs through the spool valve, and safety switches in series for controlling delivery of pressurized fluid to the driving device.

Abstract: An improved valve for a portable post driver. The post driver has an inner hollow cylinder open at both ends and adapted to receive a post through a lock clamp located at its lower end. An outer hollow cylinder having a closed upper end, and slightly larger in diameter than the inner cylinder, is located in sliding engagement over the inner cylinder. First and second power cylinders are attached to upper and lower surfaces of the outer cylinder in alignment with each other. A common piston rod connects the pistons of the power cylinders. A stationary fastening pin attached to the piston rod extends through a slot in the wall of the outer cylinder and is attached to the wall of the inner cylinder. The valve has a reciprocating valve piston which alternately communicates the two power cylinders to a source of fluid under pressure.

Abstract: A portable power driven post driver. The post driver has an inner hollow cylinder open at its upper end and adapted to receive a post through a locking mechanism located at its lower end. The inner cylinder is located within an outer hollow cylinder in sliding engagement therewith, the outer cylinder having a closed upper end in contact with the upper end of a post held in said inner cylinder. Two fluid powered cylinders and associated pistons are attached to the outer surface of the outer cylinder, the longitudinal axes of the two fluid powered cylinders being in alignment. A common piston rod extends between the two pistons and is attached by a fastening member to the inner cylinder, the fastening member extending through a slot in the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage for an arm rest is disclosed comprising an elongate component defining an opening proximate each of two ends of the component. A first shaft is fixed at one end to a base and a second end is rotatably coupled to the elongate component at a first opening. A second shaft is fixed at one end to an arm rest support and a second end is rotatably coupled to the elongate component at the second opening. A pressure adjustment mechanism adjustably contacts the shafts for adjusting the force required to position the arm rest. The pressure adjustment mechanism is initially set to provide the desired resistance to movement and need only be readjusted to compensate for wear.

Abstract: A chair is provided with an adjustable back support which quickly and easily conforms to the contours of the user's back. The chair has a seat and an upwardly extending support bar. A number of segments are received on the support bar to define a support surface for supporting the back of the user. The segments are movable to allow the support surface to conform to the back of the seated person. A locking mechanism allows the person to lock the segments in the desired position.

Abstract: A tent supported by a center pole in which the center pole serves as a chimney for a stove disposed within the tent. A water jacket surrounds the center pole for heating water stored in the water jacket. The center pole is formed from pole segments with are nested on top of another through a slip fit connection, whereby the center pole can be disassembled for transporting and storing.

Abstract: A tennis ball retrieving apparatus comprises a wheeled vehicle having a front end and a rear end. The vehicle has a ball storage container disposed at a level enabling ready removal of balls therefrom by a person next to the vehicle while the person is in a standing position. There are a pair of horizontal ball gathering arms at the front of the vehicle arranged in V formation to provide an apex portion to which gathered balls are fed. A pair of the wheels of the wheeled vehicle are in traction contact with the surface on which the vehicle is supported to be driven thereby in rotary fashion as the vehicle is moved over the supporting surface. The wheels are supported with the lower portions of the tires spaced from one another less than the diameter of a tennis ball so as to grip the same when a ball is fed thereto. A chute extends from the area just rearwardly of the lower portions of the tires upwardly to the storage container.

Abstract: A pair of longitudinally extending side rail assemblies are arranged to be mounted on the top of a vehicle, and these rail assemblies adjustably support transverse rollers at selected positions along their length. One of the rollers is driven by a motor, and this powered roller serves as a winch drum for lines serving upon selected rotation of the roller to raise a piece of equipment from a horizontal position behind the vehicle to an upright position and furthermore to pull such equipment over onto the top of the vehicle. Reverse movement of the winch roller moves the piece of equipment rearwardly and the lines lay the equipment down on the ground in the horizontal position. Tie-down lines are provided which support the rearward portion of the piece of equipment off the ground in portions of the loading and unloading operations. These tie-down lines also assist in tying the equipment down when loaded.