Abstract: An irrigation and aeration device includes a drum having a plurality of probes for penetrating the ground and injecting water into the soil. The probes are made from stainless steel spring pins having an elongated slot and an open outer end. The drum includes a plurality of compartments for receiving water from a supply and a valve assembly for selectively dispensing the water to the compartments. The valve assembly can be actuated by a foot contacting the ground, a valve actuated by rotation of the drum, or a solenoid actuated valve.

Abstract: Gas/solids contact apparatus includes a tower-like, vertical vessel divided by internal wall structures into three axially-extending, concentric spaces. An inner space, typically of generally circular cross section and extending along the axis of the vessel, receives the gas which is to be contacted with particulate solids. An intermediate space, which may have a variety of configurations, surrounds the inner space and, during operation the contactor, contains a downwardly moving bed of solids. An outer space, typically of annular configuration, surrounds the intermediate space and serves to collect gas which flows from the inner space, generally horizontally through the moving bed of solids and then into the outer space for discharge through a gas outlet. In a preferred embodiment the moving bed of solids is contained by louvered walls, and these walls are constructed as modules which can be arranged to provide contactors having different gas and solids handling capacities.

Abstract: An animal litter box includes a housing and a tray for containing a bed of litter material. The tray is provided with a porous bottom spaced from the bottom of the housing to define an air space. An exhaust fan is connected to a port through the wall of the housing to draw air downwardly through the litter bed to dry the litter and exhaust the litter odors. The exhaused air may be passed through the odor absorbing filter assembly to deodorize the air before venting the air.

Abstract: An animal litter apparatus includes litter supply bin pivotally mounted above a litter trough. The litter supply bin has an opening at the lower end thereof to allow dispensing of the litter on the trough by the oscillating movement of the supply bin. As the bin swings in a forward direction, litter is pushed along the trough to form a litter bed. Continued oscillations of bin push the spent litter in the trough to a collection receptacle. The collection receptacle may include a washing apparatus to spray water onto the spent litter and carry the litter and animal waste to a sewer system.

Abstract: A self-propelled, three-wheeled vehicle includes a power-driven single front wheel used also for steering the vehicle and two transversely spaced apart rear wheels. The front wheel is rotatably mounted on a front frame which is pivotally connected to a rear frame to allow steering movement of the front frame. The rear wheels are connected to the rear frame, which supports the rider or riders, by a parallelogram-type balancing linkage which allows the vehicle frames and the rider to lean into turns and also to remain upright when the vehicle passes over or is parked on laterally inclined terrain. The front wheel is driven by one or more hydraulic motors supported by the front frame. Hydraulic pressure to the motor(s) is supplied from an engine-driven pump assembly supported by the rear frame.

Abstract: In a rotary feeder for feeding granular material downwardly with gravity assist through a feed aperture: a stationary container having a side wall and having a generally horizontal wall in which the feed aperture is located; a rotatable feed assembly located above the feed aperture, the assembly including a vertical shaft and a plow blade secured to the shaft for contacting granular material and urging it over the edge of the feed aperture; a support fixture fixedly connected to the container, the fixture including a stationary, vertically-elongated, stiff support axle coaxial with the feed assembly shaft; vertically spaced-apart bearings coaxial with the feed assembly shaft and connected to the feed assembly shaft and to the stationary support axle such that the feed assembly is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the stationary support axle and such that the weight of the feed assembly is supported by the stationary support axle; and a drive device supported independently of the support fixture, the

Abstract: A rotary plow feeder for feeding granular material downwardly through a feed aperture in the bottom of a bin, hopper or other housing in the form of an annular stream comprises a rotary scoop disposed above and close to the feed aperture, the scoop including at least one plow blade continuously and gently curved in the form of a spiral and extending essentially around the whole periphery of the feed aperture and a cover or shroud disposed above and connected to the blade. The outer end of the blade is disposed in contact with or close to the side wall of the housing, and the inner end of the blade is disposed adjacent the feed aperture at a distance therefrom sufficient to permit granular material to be moved into position around the entire periphery of the feed aperture.

Abstract: In a feeder for granular material the material passes in a controlled manner from a mass thereof downwardly through a central feed aperture in a horizontal feed plate which is driven in a horizontal orbital path above a bottom wall having a discharge aperture therein. An annular plate overlies the periphery of the feed plate for the purpose of reducing the tendency of the feed plate to become jammed by the granular material. To further reduce this tendency the feed plate has studs projecting from its lower surface into sliding contact with the bottom wall, and inner and outer rings are provided between the inner and outer edges, respectively, of the feed plate and the bottom wall so as to orbit with the feed plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the controlled feeding of finely divided powdered material from a bin or the like by gravity assist through a mechanical feeding device are characterized by fluidizing or at least aerating the powder above the feed device in a manner to promote flow and prevent packing of the bed of material above the feed device while maintaining a stable unfluidized mass of powder at the feed device.The system is particularly useful in the controlled feeding of finely divided powdered material from a closed bin or the like into a pneumatic conveying conduit by gravity assist through a mechanical feeding device and characterized by constantly equalizing the pressure in the bin to pneumatic conveying line pressure for the purpose of equalizing the pressure in the pore and void space in the bed of material while maintaining a stable unfluidized mass of powder at the feed device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for effecting gravity-assisted flow of granular material from a chamber through an aperture in the bottom wall thereof include an annular horizontal plate orbiting in its plane at a location above the bottom wall in a manner to cause flow of the material toward and through the aperture. The direction of orbital movement reverses periodically to prevent accumulation of the granular material between the plate and the wall. Partitions above the plate divide the granular material into portions each of which is engaged by a part of the plate during each orbit whereby the extent of engagement between the plate and each portion determines the relative amount of that portion being fed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying granular material by gravity assist from an upper zone and a lower zone by means of a horizontal annular plate which is disposed between the two zones, the plate being orbited in a horizontal plane below a fixed shroud so that the material flows downwardly through the aperture in the plate along a path which moves in a horizontal plane around the periphery of the aperture.

Abstract: Granular material is fed downwardly in a stream of controlled rate from a bin or the like by means of a horizontal apertured plate moving in a horizontal orbital path beneath a fixed shroud which is disposed within the mass of material in the bin.