Abstract: A cutting device comprising one or more cutting elements is configured for connection to a kite string for use in a game of kite fighting. Each of the cutting elements has at least one blade for snagging and cutting an opposing player's kite string. Each blade is formed inwardly from the periphery of the cutting element so that the blades are recessed for eliminating the risk of contact with the blades during connection of the cutting device to the kite string or if the cutting device strikes a player or spectator during a game of kite fighting, thereby avoiding the chance of injury. Preferably, the cutting elements have cooperating slots for interfitting the cutting elements together. Eyelets are preferably formed integrally with each of the cutting elements for connecting the cutting device to a kite string by threading the kite string through the eyelets and tying knots.

Abstract: A holder for modern drafting pens is described consisting of a grasping handle and platform supported at three points, two of the supports being friction glide feet and the third point being the end tip itself which is connected to the platform via an adaptor plate containing a threaded hole which engages the threads on the barrel of the pen.

Abstract: An accurate level sensor having an electrolytic switch 10 is mounted within a chamber 22 on a thermally insulating member 12 and is surrounded by a thermally insulating air space 23. Chamber 22 is mounted within a chamber 24 by thermally insulating members 38 and is surrounded by a thermally insulating air space 25. Chamber 24 is mounted to an inertial reference member 44 by thermally insulating members 46. All mounting surfaces are precisely parallel to each other and sensitivity to ambient temperature conditions is attenuated to provide a sensor for maintaining the inertial reference member level and stable within a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A rail type universal parallel ruler device wherein a balance weight is provided which is connected to the head by means of a cord or the like and shifts along a vertical rail in a direction opposite to the shifting of the head. A fixed magnet is disposed along almost the entire length of the path of travel of the balance weight, and a magnet is provided on the balance weight opposed to the fixed magnet, and the balance weight is repulsed so as to be suspended as it moves along the path of travel by the magnetic force between the magnets.

Abstract: A T-square useful for drawing lines and cutting paper or plastic sheets comprises a ruler main body of a plastic material and an auxiliary ruler section detachably and turnably connected to an end of the main body by threaded fastening members, one of the opposed surfaces of the main body and the auxiliary ruler section adjacent to where they are connected being provided with a number of retaining bores arranged in a circular pattern about the threaded connection, the other opposed surface being provided with at least one retaining projection engageable in any one of the retaining bores, whereby the angle between the ruler main body and the auxiliary ruler is adjustingly variable. A metallic edge member covers a side edge of the main body to prevent a cutting knife from bitting into the plastic material of the ruler main body.

Abstract: A method for freeze-drying flower arrangements whereby freshly cut flowers and foliage may be arranged and placed into a glass container with the arrangement subsequently dehydrated by a freeze-drying process. This process rapidly sets the arrangement such that wilting and distortion are minimized. Any color loss in the arrangement from the dehydration process is restored by spray tinting techniques. After the dehydration and tinting process, the container is sealed for protection from the ambiance. The method of the invention allows a floral arrangement to be dried as a whole, eliminating the delicate operation experienced when pre-dried flowers and foliage are used in assembling the dried arrangement.

Abstract: A fluid bed combustor as well as a method of making same is disclosed. The combustor comprises a chamber containing a bed of relatively inert particles supported on a substantially horizontal distributor plate, a plurality of heat extractor tubes which pass upwardly through said plate in a substantially vertical direction, said tubes being distributed substantially uniformly over all or part of the plate surface so as to permit efficient heat extraction from the entire fluid bed volume, and means for supplying combustion gas through said plate to support combustion and to fluidize the bed.

Abstract: Wet plasterboard to be dried is advanced along a path. At an upstream portion of the path, air is heated and directed towards the plasterboard for initial drying of the latter. A portion of the heated air is withdrawn and passed through one section of a heat exchanger whose other section contains water which exchanges heat with the heated air. The heated water is passed through a section of another heat exchanger whose other section contains fresh air which is heated by the heated water. The heated fresh air is directed towards the articles for further drying of the latter at a downstream portion of the path. A portion of the heated fresh air is exhausted and recirculated at the downstream path portion.

Abstract: A printing press includes an impression cylinder formed with axially directed channels for sheet-clamping means, a radiant dryer arranged above the impression cylinder to radiate heat on the printed sheet, a screening hood mechanism tiltably mounted for movement between an inactive position in which the sheet is exposed to heat rays from the dryer and a screening position; the driving motor is connected to the power source by two parallel power supply circuits each including a separate switch, one of the switches being actuated by a relay which in turn is actuated by series-connected contacts closed respectively when the dryer is in operation, when the driving motor is disconnected, when the printing machine stops, and when the channel for the clamping means on the impression cylinder is not facing the dryer.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a fabric drying machine which includes both an automatic dry control and a timer mechanism. The timer mechanism includes operator movable actuators for positioning various timer switches. Machine cycles are controlled either entirely by the automatic dry control or partially by the automatic dry control and partially by the timer mechanism. In a particular cycle the control system functions to provide first a drying cycle controlled by the automatic dry control and then a secondary no-heat tumbling cycle controlled by the timer mechanism.

Abstract: A material web drier containing a device for controlling the gas flow of a drying medium as a function of the actual state of the wet material web which is to be dried, comprising nozzle casings or surfaces containing blow-out or discharge openings arranged in cooperating relationship with respect to the material web. The discharge openings are directed towards the material web and serve for blowing-out the drying medium onto the web. For the purpose of dosing the gas flow or stream effluxing at the nozzle casings or surfaces, there are provided opening and closing elements which free the discharge openings or partially or completely close the same, as desired, whereby it is possible to vary the impingement of the material web by the drying medium selectively at discrete locations or regions thereof, both in the lengthwise and transverse directions of such material web.

Abstract: A device to facilitate locomotion of a person moving by foot on the ground and adapted to be used in shoes worn by the person, wherein each shoe has a forward portion and a rearward portion, includes a first storage device for storing a certain amount of energy when one of the portions impacts with the ground, and a second storage device which communicates with the first storage means for receiving at least a portion of the energy stored in the first storage device, and for releasing at least a portion of the energy stored in the second storage device as the other portion is about to leave the ground, so as to aid the leaving motion.

Abstract: The cross country skiing boot fitting into a device carrying a plate (8) with preferably one, two or more parallel longitudinal ribs (9) has corresponding parallel depressions (10) in the sole (5). These ribs engage in the depressions and provide lateral guidance for the long distance skiing boot, specifically during descents. The relative movement of the boot (3) with respect to the ski (1) is not impeded during cross country skiing, neither special engagement nor disengagement being unnecessary.

Abstract: In a mobile device for preparing the surfaces of ice-rinks with an essentially rectangular rink, an ice-scraping device for the mechanical smoothing of the ice surface and a distributing device for the even application of a film of water on the ice surface are mounted on a framework which extends parallel to a first rink edge across the whole rink and is slidingly guided at its axial ends along the two rink edges running at right angles to the first rink edge. The framework is mounted in height-adjustable manner on supports which roll on rails outside the rink. A barrier section of a barrier enclosing the rink, which is erected at right angles to the direction of movement, can be displaced in the direction of movement so that ice scraped off by the ice-scraping device can be pushed into a trench outside the rink.

Abstract: A snow-blowing chute apparatus of a snow-plough vehicle includes an arcuate stationary duct and at least one arcuate movable duct. These ducts have axial curvatures equal with each other. The movable duct is vertically movable to extend from said stationary duct in an operative state and is superimposed therewith during a non-operative state in response to the operation of a means for moving said movable duct.

Abstract: A ditching machine for digging a ditch or a trench for submarine cables having at least several plurality pairs of blades disposed along the longitudinal direction of the center body of the machine. At least the blades in the forward position have a ditching portion which ditches soil, and a soil-pushing portion which pushes away the soil thus ditched substantially and horizontally in a direction lateral to the moving direction of the ditching machine. Said soil-pushing portion is at the top of said ditching portion and has a wider horizontal width as seen from front of the ditching machine than that of said ditching portion when the ditching machine is in a normal operating position.

Abstract: The push frame (12) of a tractor-scraper (10) normally has a plurality of cover plates (14) relasably secured therebelow to provide access internally of the push frame. In standard practice, the cover plates are secured to the push frame by a plurality of bolts and the heads of the bolts are subjected to wear and possible breaking-off due to their exposure upon operation of the tractor-scraper. This invention provides a mounting assembly (13) for expeditiously removing and replacing the cover plates upon wearing or breaking-off of the heads (19) of bolts (18) thereof by providing an internally and externally threaded bushing (24) which is threadably connected on the push frame and is further threadably connected to each bolt. Thus, a workman need only engage the bushing with a socket wrench or the like to release the bolt and thus the cover plate upon wearing or breaking-off of the heads of the bolts.

Abstract: A rifle having a stock, a receiver, a barrel, a trigger assembly, a magazine, and stock inserts forming mounting blocks for supporting the receiver in the stock. The magazine is a removable integral sheet metal member with inwardly turned longitudinal retainer flanges along the top rear edges of the side walls, a vertical internal retainer boss along each side wall spaced forwardly from the retainer flanges, cartridge case loading ramp edge surfaces along the top edge of each of the side walls of the magazine spaced from the longitudinal retainer flanges, and internal stops on the side walls for limiting the upward movement of a follower within the magazine. The stock inserts are longitudinally spaced mounting blocks having upper cylindrical surface portions fitting the cylindrical surface of the bottom of the receiver along the forward and back ends of the receiver and rectangular side, bottom, and end surfaces for mounting the stock inserts in rectangular cavities in the rifle stock.

Abstract: In an automatic angling machine of the type comprising a line reel driven by a motor through a clutch device, and which may be used for jigging and bobbing type of fishing with automatic reversal of the movement direction of the fishing line and for automatic hauling by increased line load, there is provided a drum which is mounted next to and as an extension of the line reel, which drum is provided with a helical line-guiding groove which is adapted to receive the portion of the fishing line comprising angles or drags, a line guide being provided in association with the drum and being adapted to guide the line from the line reel onto said drum when actuated by an element which is attached to the fishing line.

Abstract: Fishing lure bodies according to this invention comprise the combination of a main body composed of a soft, highly flexible, and resilient polymeric material, and at least a first, elongated appendage composed of a soft, highly flexible, resilient polymeric material having a low penetration resistance. The elongated appendage is coupled to the main body member in close proximity to the nose end thereof and has a thickness when relaxed and undistorted of between about 2 mm. and about 7 mm. The appendage has a length when relaxed and undistorted of at least about 2 cm. and is impaled axially by, and fully encloses the pointed end and barb of a hook. The combination of length, thickness and position of the coupling of the appendage to the main body together with softness, flexibility and low penetration resistance characteristics of the appendage are such that it functions as a weedguard. The bite of a fish causes the point and barb of the hook to penetrate outwardly through the appendage.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a toy of the type incorporating "ball people" figurines to transfer the figurines from one location to a second location includes a base radially displaced from both the first and the second locations and a carrier which is rotatably mounted on the base. The carrier includes a support member having a first end which is movable in an arc between the first and second locations and a holding member which is pivotally mounted on the first end of the support member. A platform is located at the second location and includes an edge capable of being engaged by a portion of the holding member. The holding member is capable of swinging about its pivot; then it engages the platform. The edge of the platform includes a guide and when the first end of the support member approaches adjacent the second location the guide engages the holding member tilting the holding member allowing a "ball person" to roll off of the holding member onto the platform.

Abstract: A doll capable of raising itself in a natural realistic manner from a generally prone position on a supporting surface to either a sitting position or a standing position. The doll includes a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the doll's torso for movement about their respective axes in a timed sequence and a drive mechanism including a motor and a pair of cams which control the timed leg movements. In operation, the doll is placed in a prone face down position on a suitable supporting surface with its legs aligned with the torso in a generally horizontal position. Upon activation of the drive mechanism, one leg is pivoted downwardly approximately 150.degree. to a position generally alongside the torso and then remains in that position while the second leg is brought forward to a position in generally parallel alignment adjacent the opposite side of the torso. Continued energization of the drive mechanism causes the torso to pivot upwardly to a sitting position.

Abstract: Controllable response systems for providing remote control over one or more toy objects, such as a miniature toy vehicle, on a playing surface. A linkage mechanism beneath the playing surface has an end which is accessible to an operator and is used to manipulate another end, beneath the surface, which is magnetically coupled to the object being controlled. The linkage mechanism is adjustable to control the relationship between the area of movement of the end accessible to an operator and the area of the playing surface over which the toy object is moved.

Abstract: A support structure for growing plants such as lettuce by hydroponic cultivation includes a buoyant, closed cell, foamed plastic pallet having an array of spaced integral punch-out plugs arranged preferably in staggered rows. Selected patterns of plugs are removed to permit insertion of plants growing in porous seed blocks into the resulting holes, the patterns having different spacings depending on the size of the plants. Blocking members prevent the plants from falling through the holes when the pallets float on liquid nutrient solution in a trough and also space the pallets above the bottom of the trough for access of air to the plant roots when the trough is periodically drained. When plants outgrow one selected spacing pattern, they are readily and precisely transferred to another pallet having a selected pattern of greater spacing. When the plants are ready for harvesting, the pallets with mature plants in them can be carried to a packaging area.

Abstract: A door seal for use on an aircraft in which one portion of a striker (22) is attached to the door (12) and a second portion of the striker (34) is attached to the door frame (14) and in which one portion of a lip (18) for engaging the striker is attached to the door (12) and a second portion of the lip (16) is attached to the door frame (14), the two lip portions (16, 18) being configured to overlap one another and to mate with the two striker portions (22, 34) and with one another when the door (12) is closed, whereby the lip (18) on the door (12) transitions to a lip (16) on the door frame (14).

Abstract: An improved method and grinding machine are used to grind lobes on a camshaft. The grinding machine includes a longitudinally extending rocker bar which is pivotally mounted on a work table or carriage. A headstock and tailstock are connected with the rocker bar to rotatably support the camshaft as the cam lobes are ground by a grinding wheel. A control assembly includes a motor which is operated to pivot the rocker bar from a retracted or loading position through an index position to an operating position in a range of operating positions. Immediately before the rocker bar reaches the range of operating positions, the speed of the motor is reduced to effect a corresponding reduction in the speed of movement of the rocker bar. In addition, the motor actuates a biasing assembly to urge the rocker bar toward the camshaft with a relatively large force during a rough grinding operation and a reduced force during a finish grinding operation.

Abstract: A grinding machine (10) includes apparatus for grinding grooves in inner races (16) of constant velocity universal joints with a high production output achieved by indexing of a race without stopping rotation of a holder (14) on which the race is clamped for rotation during the grinding. An indexer (46) of the apparatus is supported for rotation with the holder (14) and provides the indexing of the race about a central axis C thereof as the holder rotation proceeds. A locater (48) also rotates with the holder (14) and accurately locates the race after indexing to provide alignment thereof with the grinding wheel (12) that performs the grinding. A jaw operator (44) controls first and second jaws (40,42) of the holder clamp and has a high clamp mode for fixing the race during the grinding and a low clamp mode for permitting the indexing and locating operations as well as an unclamp mode that permits a ground race to be unloaded and another race to be loaded onto the holder in preparation for the next cycle.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for subjecting an article to shot blasting under cryogenic conditions which comprises a housing encompassing an entry station, an impacting station and an exit station. In connection with the housing, there are means provided for transporting an article to be shot blasted sequentially from the entry station, through the impacting station, and then to the station. A connection is made to the housing permitting the introduction of a cryogen into the impacting station thereby maintaining such station at a cryogenic temperature. The apparatus also has a means for directing media at a high velocity so as to impact upon an article to be treated while such article is being transported through the impacting station. The apparatus of the invention also functions to rotate the article while it is being transported through the impacting station, thereby permitting the stream of media to contact all critical portions of the article.

Abstract: A greenhouse structure is formed with a substantially flat and horizontal roof formed of a plurality of roof sections each pivoted about a pivot or hinge end to swing upwardly from a closed position to an open position to admit ambient air to flow into or from the interior of the structure to cool the same. The roof sections are lifted by a lift means which becomes part of the roof supporting structure, and, to this end, the lift means is associated with the vertical support columns. Preferrably, the lift means comprises elongated straight lift members each carried by and stabilized by an associated support column for traveling along vertical and rectilinear paths of travel. The preferred means for shifting the lift members and thereby the roof sections comprises a rotatable nut in threaded engagement with the lift member to shift the same vertically as the nut is turned by a worm gear means.

Abstract: A fire rated, demountable partition structure is disclosed which provides H-shaped studs having a core of combustion-resistant insulation material and opposed channel-shaped metal members secured to opposite faces thereof. Spline clips secure one side of the stud to the panel at joints therebetween. Each clip includes a lateral projection extending with a close fit into a kerf in the edge of the panel and a reverse bend providing opposed clip walls which fit along opposite sides of an adjacent flange on the stud. If the partition is exposed to a fire or the like, which tends to cause shrinkage of the panels and opening of the joints, the core of the stud bridges the joint and prevents direct exposure of the metal channel elements of the stud to heat or water through the opened joint. The spline clips are free to expand if the clips are subjected to greater heat than the channel members so that the stud is not caused to bow toward the fire side of the partition.

Abstract: A support for a trailer tip out is provided. Larger house trailers, in particular, sometimes have additional rooms or tip outs which are hinged or slide out of side walls of the trailers and moveable through openings therein between a storage position within the trailers and an operating position extending out through the openings from the side walls. Heretofore, the floor of the tip out has been supported above the ground by concrete blocks or the like. These are carried within the trailer and are heavy as well as space consuming. Also, the blocks may shift or sink in the ground and throw off the level of the tip out floor. The new tip out support supports the tip out through the frame of the trailer to eliminate the blocks and any problems caused by shifting or sinking.

Abstract: A pair of opposed parallel upright walls formed of upstanding studs support a pair of longitudinally standing parallel, horizontal opposed double plates, respectively. These double plates respectively support the outer end portions of a pair of converging upwardly and inwardly extending roof rafters, the ends of which abutt each other at the central portion of the building. A pair of truss struts criss-cross beneath the peak of the roof rafters, the outer ends of the truss struts resting on the plates and the inner ends of the truss struts being secured to intermediate portions of the opposite roof rafters. Bolts secure the end portions of the truss struts in place. A king post extends vertically upwardly from the junction or intersection of the truss struts and is connected to the junction of the roof rafters.

Abstract: A method of shaping elongate cylindrical structural members so they can be interfitted to build walls or similar structures which uses the natural shaping of the member in interfitting surfaces and involves the cutting of diametrically opposed grooves in the member, each groove involving a single cutting operation and being similarly shaped so as to co-operate with a similar groove and the adjacent circumferential area in other members such that when interfitted to form a wall the logs resist lateral forces.

Abstract: A fiberglass pole suited for use in electric transmission systems and reinforced against flexure stress includes a plurality of reinforcing regions perimetrically disposed and selectively placed thereon. The regions are integral with the pole and are formed of composite material that includes a plurality of pre-stressed longitudinally disposed fibers and a bonding agent embedding the fibers and structurally joining the same to the pole.

Abstract: An improved reinforced structural member and method of fabricating the member. The structural member is a truss slab of a type embodying a lower concrete slab having reinforcement embedded therein; means providing a network of passages overlying the base slab; and an overlying concrete slab with reinforcement therein, including concrete columns extending between the overlying slab and the base slab. Additional reinforcing members or struts are provided connected between the reinforcing members in the lower slab and the reinforcing members in the upper slab. These members are of improved construction embodying a lower section and a separable upper section. The lower section extends to the height of the top surface of the lower slab permitting improvements in the method in that the lower slab can be poured without the reinforcing struts or members being in the way. The upper section of the reinforcing strut is then joined to the lower section, after which the upper slab is poured.

Abstract: An insulating bonded masonry or brickwork contains insulating layers formed of insulating material in the vertical joints disposed parallel to the brickwork plane between the bricks. These insulating layers extend at least at one bearing or support joint up to the neighboring bricks. The bricks neighboring the insulating layers in vertical direction possess continuous holes extending from bearing side to bearing side. To improve the insulating properties of the bonded masonry or brickwork at least the holes neighboring the insulating layers are filled with insulating material and the insulating layer is connected at least at one bearing side with the insulating material of the bricks.

Abstract: A bracket for receiving and retaining in position the head portion of a panel fastener for joining two panels or other similar articles. The apparatus comprises (i) a bracket member provided with a seat portion for engagement with the head portion of the panel fastener and base plate portions adapted for intimate contact with the surface of a first panel and containing fitting holes and (ii) pin-insertion type fasteners.

Abstract: Wall assemblies useful for a wide variety of different applications can be economically constructed utilizing extruded polymer panels shaped so as to have sloped positioning walls located adjacent to interlocking connecting elements at their side edges. The connecting elements are shaped so that the connecting element along one side edge of one panel can be pushed into engagement with a connecting element along another side edge of another panel through the use of a tool pressing against the adjacent positioning walls when the side edge of the first of the panels is located over the side edge of the other panel.

Abstract: A method of constructing an elevated liquid storage tank is disclosed wherein an upright, cylindrical, reinforced concrete shell is erected using a centrally located co-axial scaffold having a concentric working platform slideably mounted thereon, and a working crane mounted on the top of the scaffold. An annular steel tank is fabricated concentrically about the base of the upright cylindrical shell. The tank has floor and roof openings for the upright shell to pass therethrough. The tank is raised to the top of the upright shell, and a reinforced concrete tank floor is poured to sealingly close the tank floor opening. The concrete tank floor interlocks with the upright shell to secure the tank in position.

Abstract: The device comprises a first pair of pressure chambers, the facing inner walls of which are provided with contoured pleating pads, and a second pair or pressure chambers, the facing inner walls of which are provided with contoured pressing and lapping pads, each said pad being outwardly shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of a bottle neck. The pleating pads have a substantially constant thickness when the pressing and lapping pads have lateral end portions of a greater thickness than the mid-portion thereof. The method comprises the step of first pressure applying the pleating pads, then the pressing and lapping pads to tightly press the cap onto the bottle neck with formation of two symmetrical pairs of outwardly extending pleats, to retract all the pads and to bring back the pressing and lapping pads into pressure contact against the neck to cause said lateral end portions thereof to overflow around the bottle neck, thereby to fold or lap over the thus formed pleats.

Abstract: An improved machine and method of making and folding an insert and a personalized envelope therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for dispensing open-topped flanged containers such as propagation pots and the like from rows of pot stacks for individually locating the pots on a tray. The pot stacks of each row depend between parallel resiprocable support bars provided with opposite, laterally extending shoulders vertically staggered along their length, the shoulders each supporting a pot stack via the top flanges of the lowermost pot thereof. The upper ones of the shoulders have pointed wedge shaped ends that enter in between the top flanges of the two lowermost pots of the stack upon longitudinal motion of the support bars, thus separating the lowermost pot from the stack and taking over the supporting of the stack from the adjacent lower shoulder. Each lower shoulder terminates in a pointed end sloping down below the pointed wedge end of the adjacent upper shoulder to thereby enhance the separating action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for purging air from containers, such as pouches, while in the ambient atmosphere, which apparatus uses a continuous flow of a neutral purging gas at a pressure between a range of about 1"-2" of water that is directed into the open end of the container through a flow control valve having a flat surface overlapping the open end of the container and disposed substantially parallel to and within about 1/8th inch from the open end of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically placing large plastic lids onto containers. Lids 24 are dispensed individually from magazine 11 onto slide 33. Each dispensed lid is individually retained at the bottom of the slide 33 for pickup by a container 41. The lid is urged onto the container by a pivoted roller 47 and further leveled by a roller 58 which is extended twice by a pneumatic piston to first contact a leading edge of the lid and to secondly contact a trailing edge of the lid. Thereafter a pneumatically operated lid securement means 61 comprising a convex plate 70' burps the air from beneath the lid and fully seats the lid on the container. The apparatus has various sensing means for sensing the depletion of lids from magazine 11, for sensing that a lid has been dispensed onto slide 33 and for sensing a container at the capping station. The sensing means control the various operations of the machine in proper sequence.

Abstract: A bundling device for rods having a hollow mandrel through which the rods are passed and which mandrel has prongs that are provided with steps. The steps carry elastic rings which are removed from the prongs onto the rods by a stripper. The stripper consists of a tubular member that surrounds the prongs and which has protrusions for engaging the rings and stepwise moving the rings along and off the steps of the mandrel as relative movement is created between the stripper and the prongs.

Abstract: A single bladed rotary lawn mower comprises a toroidal cutting chamber of gradually increasing height over the cutting zone, and abruptly decreasing height adjacent the end thereof. A top discharge port and a side discharge port separate therefrom is provided, one or both of which may be optionally closed whereby the lawn mower may be used in mulching, rear bagging or side discharge operation as desired.

Abstract: An agricultural rotary mower has a frame mountable upon three point linkage of a tractor. A rotor supporting beam extends in its operating position to one side of the tractor. Extended from the beam are two spindles with ground engaging skids at the lower end. Frustro conical rotors are mounted on the spindles and in use a single cutting swathe is formed with the rotors driven by independant drives to rotate in opposite directions towards one another. A crop compressing head is located in advance of the rotors and this together with a slight inclination of the shafts towards one another ensures an even cut of crop and a wide relatively undisturbed windrow of cut crop.

Abstract: In a mower equipped with a grasscatcher, the grasscatcher is attached easily by means projecting upwardly from a deck of the mower, means being integral to a rigid portion of the grasscatcher and embracing the projecting means when the grasscatcher is mounted to the deck, and a block which cooperates with an upper lip on the rigid portion so as to restrain the grasscatcher from being detached unintentionally from the deck if the grasscatcher happens to be bumped from beneath, but so as to enable the grasscatcher to be detached easily.

Abstract: A height adjuster for an agricultural implement, such as the crop pickup device of a field chopper, picker, thresher or like machine having an intake or pickup unit drawing the crop to a chopper or blower, has at least one movable front point or shoe which is swingable about an axis transverse to the direction of travel and rides on the ground. Within this shoe switches are provided to respond to the pivotal movements of the shoe and control a hydraulic cylinder for lifting or lowering the pickup unit to conform to changes in the ground contour.

Abstract: A balanced self-propelled and manually guided lawn edger is disclosed in which an edging cutter blade is positioned near the inner side and rearwardly of the larger of two traction wheels of unequal diameters on a common drive axle. The smaller traction wheel can be axially adjusted relative to the larger wheel to regulate the angle of cut adjacent to a side wall or curbing.