Abstract: A vending apparatus for individually vending an article from a set of articles and for vending a display article after the set of articles has been depleted. The apparatus includes a rack for vertical storage of a stack of newspapers, and a bracket for positioning a display newspaper in a front window of the vending apparatus. The invented vending apparatus includes means for individually dispensing newspapers from the stack of newspapers and includes means for discharging the display newspaper after the stack of newspapers has been depleted. The dispensing means includes a dispensing bar having spikes for engaging the front newspaper in the stack of newspapers. The dispensing bar is protected by a dispensing bar cover that encases the dispensing bar and spikes when the door is in an opened position for loading newspapers. The cover has an extension with a distal roller for engaging a guide on the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for individually dispensing an item such as a newspaper from among a set of items. The dispensing machine includes a mechanism for individually dispensing an item from among a vertically stacked set of items; a money collection device for activating the dispensing mechanism upon payment of particular sum of money, and a housing containing the dispensing mechanism and the money collection device. Each article is urged against the front of the machine, and upon activation, is lifted slightly to clear a barrier, then discharged to the exterior of the machine.

Abstract: A blanket of heavy fabric is provided as a protective device to prevent injury to workers while cutting straps on a compressed bale of cotton or the like. The blanket has a rigid frame providing an access opening between two sections of the blanket. When the portions of the straps in the opening are cut, the frame and proximal sections of the blanket prevent injury to workers by confining the cut straps between the bale and the blanket. One surface of the blanket is textured for adherence of the blanket to the bale.

Abstract: A centrifugal switch for preventing overspeed of a rotary shaft driven by an electrical motor is arranged to open the electrical circuit to the starting windings at a predetermined speed of rotation. A split slip ring arrangement is engaged by metallic conducting elements urged into the conductive position by a compression means, which, when the compressive force is overcome, allows the contacts to move outward from the slip ring, to break the electrical contact. The critical rotational speed can be readily adjusted by changing the weight of the metallic conducting elements or by changing the tensile force of the compression spring.

Abstract: A centrifugal switch for effecting an activation or deactivation of an electrical circuit at a predetermined rotational speed of a shaft. The switch comprises magnetic means mounted for rotation about an axis and for sliding movement under the influence of centrifugal force from a starting position adjacent the axis to an operating position radially outwardly therefrom, spring means urging the magnetic means toward the starting position, and electrical switch means operatively responsive to the movement of the magnetic means at a predetermined rotational speed so as to either activate or deactivate an associated electrical circuit.

Abstract: A device adapted for mounting on a fishing rod for tensioning fishing line as the line is being wound onto the reel. The tensioning device comprises a body having a peripheral recess, a fastener for securing the body to a fishing rod, and a resilient wire which is carried by the body and has portions thereof extending within the peripheral recess so that fishing line positioned between the resilient wire and the body is snubbed as it is wound onto the reel.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a platform for supporting a substantially vertical stack of articles, such as newspapers, magazines and the like, with the articles inclined downwardly and forwardly. Article hold-back apparatus, positioned alongside the platform, extends upwardly therefrom and is adapted to engage and extend across forward edges of the articles in the stack to restrain the same from forward sliding movement from the stack, and a carriage mounted for substantially vertical movement alongside the forward edges of the articles in the stack, is operatively connected to the article hold-back apparatus to successively effect disengagement of the article hold-back apparatus with the uppermost article in the stack.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for dispensing articles such as newspapers, magazines and the like is disclosed and claimed herein. The dispensing apparatus includes a housing in which the articles are separately supported in superposed fashion, being downwardly inclined in compartments therefor, awaiting dispensing one by one. Pliable restraining means are in engagement with the article and moveable out of engagement with the article to permit gravitational dispensing of same. Movement of the pliable restraining means is incrementally provided by an amount sufficient to permit dispensing of a single article. Actuation is accomplished by a predetermined coin deposit, or the like. Suitable pliable restraining means may include, without limitation, chains, steel tapes, wires, plastic strips and the like.