Abstract: In an entrance gate apparatus for a crab, shellfish, or other animal trap; said apparatus is adapted to be attached to a wall of said trap, and means are provided for selectively adjusting the size of the opening of said entrance gate to prevent animals of a larger than desired size from entering said trap. An adjustable divider mechanism provides means for selectively reducing the size of the opening of the entrance gate. A flexible finger assembly is provided to allow entrance to, while preventing exit from, the trap. The apparatus is preferably constructed of light weight and durable tubular and other molded plastic components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting and dumping a waste receptacle attachable for use with refuse loaders and the like is illustrated as including a stationary frame A carrying a pivoted depending housing B supporting the waste receptacle provided with tracks C and cam rollers D for converting linear motion to rotary motion whereby the depending housing is pivoted for lifting and dumping the waste receptacle.

Abstract: In fish traps of the type that are lowered into and left in the water, an improvement comprising automatic baiter apparatus for obtaining live bait fish in the trap after the trap is lowered into the water while inflicting an injury on the live bait fish. In a preferred embodiment for trapping crabs, the automatic baiter apparatus comprises a plurality of molded plastic flexible fingers secured to a rigid frame to form a converging passageway into the trap when the rigid frame is attached to a similar frame on the wall of the trap. A means for injuring the bait fish is provided by a cutting implement attached to one of the flexible fingers such that the cutting implement will penetrate the stomach of the bait fish as it passes through the converging passageway and is gripped by the flexible fingers as they are deflected and spread apart by the body of the bait fish.

Abstract: In fish or crab traps of the type that are lowered into and left in the water, an improved entrance gate apparatus for allowing entry of fish into, and preventing egress of fish from, the fish trap. The entrance gate apparatus is self-contained and adapted to be rapidly attached to, and through the wall of a fish trap, and in a preferred embodiment, comprises a rectangular frame to which is attached a plurality of flexible plastic finger assemblies which collectively form a converging passageway into the fish trap. The finger assemblies preferably comprise flat individual fingers with blunt ends, a width exceeding one-quarter inch, a thickness of less than 50% of the width, and a spacing for the individual fingers of at least the width, and preferably two to three times the width, of the fingers to provide good visibility through the entrance gate and into the trap.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes two pairs of lift arms having respective displaced pivot points on a movable carriage for projecting such carriage up into a refuse-receiving opening of a garbage truck, and in an inverted position so as to dump the contents of a receptacle held on such carriage. The two pairs of arms are also axially nested in a co-planar orientation when the carriage is in its fully lowered position, so as to minimize the overall width of the lifting apparatus. A particular hydraulic rotary motor having a relatively thin width may be used to actuate the apparatus. The hydraulic rotary motor utilizes meshed rack and pinion teeth generally within the confines of a cylinder thereof for minimizing the width of the cylinder block. Also, the rack and pinion teeth remain enclosed within such cylinder immersed in hydraulic fluid passing therethrough so as to lubricate the moving components for prolonging their service life with less maintenance.

Abstract: Dumping apparatus is illustrated wherein a novel compound linkage system is employed in which a first link is pivoted to move a receptacle and the like as to be dumped to an intermediate position and thereafter through movement of a second link the receptacle is raised to dumping position, but only after a latch mechanism to positively position the receptacle is secured through a novel lost motion coupling.

Abstract: A comb-like gate structure having a plurality of resiliently bendable tines is affixed adjacent a constricted opening at the inner end of an inwardly convergent entry tunnel to prevent escape of crabs once they have entered the trap enclosure through such opening. The trap is of the type in which the entry tunnel is formed by netting stretched between a large entranceway in a side of the enclosure and the constricted opening formed by a rigid hoop that is disposed interiorally of the enclosure and is spaced above the bottom, and below the top, of the enclosure and is oriented so as to open generally upwardly, in facing relation to the top of the enclosure. The gate structure is attached to that segment of the hoop which secures the top portion of the tunnel netting and the tines of the gate structure are oriented to project generally horizontally across and somewhat above the opening formed by the hoop.