Abstract: A manually operable spreader which can be moved from behind on a surface is especially suitable for distributing salt and other particulate materials which tend to conglomerate or clump in a hopper of the spreader. Wheels are mounted to a frame also support the hopper. A horizontal drive shaft between the wheels is coupled to rotate a vertical shaft. A distributor below the hopper rotates with vertical shaft rotation to distribute particulate material which drop via openings in the bottom of the hopper. The vertical shaft extends via a hole in bottom of hopper and carries at the top thereof an auger having a helical vane. The auger is rotatable with the vertical shaft as the spreader is moved on its wheels. The auger circulates the particulate material in the hopper as the spreader moves while directing material in the hopper towards the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A manually operable spreader which can be moved from behind on a surface is especially suitable for distributing salt and other particulate materials which tend to conglomerate or clump in a hopper of the spreader. Wheels are mounted to a frame also support the hopper. A horizontal drive shaft between the wheels is coupled to rotate a vertical shaft. A distributor below the hopper rotates with vertical shaft rotation to distribute particulate material which drop via openings in the bottom of the hopper. The vertical shaft extends via a hole in bottom of hopper and carries at the top thereof an auger having a helical vane. The auger is rotatable with the vertical shaft as the spreader is moved on its wheels. The auger circulates the particulate material in the hopper as the spreader moves while directing material in the hopper towards the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A shut-off having a flexible diaphragm valve resting on a valve seat. The force of the pressurized liquid presented to the valve lifts the diaphragm valve and opens the shut-off, when a plunger biased to hold the valve against the valve seat is lifted by movement of a handle attached to the plunger. A mechanism is provided to assist the lift-off of the diaphragm valve to provide a positive mechanical lift-off force. Such mechanism may include a projection on the diaphragm valve which is captured in the plunger, or a spring captured in an opening of the valve seat via which pressurized liquid is presented to the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A manually operable spray gun which provides a variable spray pattern of liquid passing through the gun from a source of pressurized liquid. A valve spool is reciprocally movable in opposite directions by a pivotally mounted trigger. One spool end has a valve which closes flow through the spool; the other spool end is a flow control element having a flow control surface. The spool can be moved from a position where the valve controlling the flow into the spool is closed to a position where the valve is open and the spacing between the flow control element and the nozzle is varied. By varying this spacing, liquid flow can be varied from flowing directly to a nozzle orifice to flowing along the interior conical surface of the nozzle. The diameter of the conical pattern may be varied by changing the spacing between the flow control element and the nozzle.

Abstract: A portable distributor for particles, especially of grass seed and fertilizer, has a platform connected to a strap which goes over the shoulder of the individual carrying the distributor. The platform has a turn crank for rotating a set of gears connected to a shaft that rotates a circular finned spreader. The spreader is located over a slot in the platform through which the particles fall and are distributed in a circular pattern. The gears and other movable parts of the distributor are contained within a cover between the platform and spreader so that it caps the gears and a portion of a plate that adjusts the width of the slot. The cover prevents the gears to be clogged by the particles being distributed and also enhances safety by preventing the individual operating the crank and carrying the distributor from engaging the gearing with his or her hands or clothing.

Abstract: Apparatus providing a tethered cap for a fill opening of a sprayer tank which is tethered inside, rather than outside the tank, via a tether line movably attached to a basket suspended in the tank, and having a gasket at an upper end of the basket which is engaged by the cap to seal the fill opening in the tank when the cap is closed. The tether line extends through the gasket so that the basket, the gasket, and the cap are tethered to each other. Since the tether line is inside the tank, catching or snagging of the line and the cap on obstacles, such as trees, or branches, is precluded. The cap remains connected to the sprayer tank when it is removed from the tank in order to fill the tank and misplacement of the cap is also precluded even though the cap is not held by the sprayer operator while the tank is being filled.

Abstract: A closure for a liquid container includes a spout and a loop member extending upwardly from an end wall of the closure. The loop may be sized to receive a user's finger or attachment hardware such as a clip, hook or strap extending through the loop. A flip cap is supported for rotational movement on the loop and is movable between a closed position in which the spout is covered and an open position in which the spout is exposed. The flip cap includes a plug seal that is configured to engage and seal with a top edge of the spout when the cap is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A drinking container comprises a bottle and a permanently leak-proof closure. The bottle is formed with contours that facilitate grasping by a user and has an opening sized to facilitate placing ice cubes into the bottle. Graduations on the sidewall of the bottle provide an indication of the volume of fluid within the bottle. The closure has threads configured to engage corresponding threads on the bottle and has a seal ring for sealing the liquid contents within the bottle. The closure further includes a lobe having an aperture.