Abstract: A rotating disk electrode of a soft alkali metal reactive to oxygen and mture in the air is made from a stainless steel core, a tubular Teflon sheath, a circular disk electrode of the soft alkali metal, a self-tapping stainless steel screw to secure the soft alkali metal electrode and a steel spring to provide electric contact to the soft alkali metal electrode.

Abstract: A system for placing, soldering and inspecting component parts, such as soldered joints and electronic components, on a printed circuit board utilizes a transfer device for selecting and transferring specific electronic component parts to predetermined positions on a printed circuit board and holding each component part in the desired position by use of the transfer device during a reflow soldering operation to mechanically and electrically connect the component part to the printed circuit board. The reflow solderiung utilizes a laser beam for injecting thermal energy into each soldered joint to melt the soldered material. An infrared detector senses thermal radiation and/or reflected radiation from the heated solder material to discontinue the application of the laser beam to the solder material upon liquifaction of the solder material.

Abstract: A method for mounting electrical components or wires having connections both on and off circuit boards is provided in which the component is machine inserted and flow soldered along with other parts. Leads to be connected off the board are inserted into dummy holes, i.e., holes having no metallic pads or plating, so that these leads are not bonded to the board during the flow solder process. In the final assembly stage, the unbonded leads are raised from the board and electrically and mechanically connected to a terminal of an off-board component.

Abstract: A single use disposable medical razor having an elongated handle member within which is disposed a hollow portion defining a reservoir extending from a proximate end to a distal end, closure means for the reservoir at the proximate end and a dispensing orifice at the distal end of the reservoir, plunger means transversely disposed to the hollow portion of the reservoir and essentially filling generally a first half of the reservoir adjacent the proximate end thereof and adapted to move along throughout a length of the second half of the reservoir from about a midportion of the hollow portion to a distal end thereof, the reservoir adapted for storing shaving cream in the second half thereof, a race means disposed along an element of the reservoir and extending less than the entire length of the handle from about a midpoint of the hollow portion to the proximate end thereof essentially generally along the first half, protrusion means extending from the plunger means outwardly through the race means for grasping

Abstract: In pruning shears a rope-and-pulley device is incorporated between the shears legs in such a manner that by pulling the free end of the rope an amplified closing force is obtained. For convenient remote operation one shears leg force lever arm is connected fixedly or detachably to a handle of any desired length, by a handle securing coupling which extends parallel to the shears leg. An opening spring biases the shears in the opening direction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pruning apparatus having a drive motor which is mounted on a carrier adapted for mounting on the back of an operator. The drive motor is connected with a rotating cutting tool by means of a flexible shaft. The flexible shaft includes an output member and a drive member. The output member is connected to a drive motor and is contained in a connecting tube. The output member is connected via a coupling unit to the drive member which is disposed in a guide tube. The guide tube carries the rotating cutting tool which produces a smooth cut so that the formation of fungus at the cut is completely eliminated. A cover plate is affixed to the guide tube so as to be adjacent to the cutting tool and has an outer diameter smaller than the cutting circle defined by the tip of the rotating cutting tool. While operating the apparatus, the stationary cover plate, unlike the rotating cutting tool, remains clearly visible thereby facilitating a precise cutting operation.

Abstract: The sighting angles to above horizon points in the geostationary satellite orbit around the earth are determined from any known location on the earth with this device.

Abstract: A pipe fitter's tape measuring strip of 25 foot length is marked on one surface thereof with cumulative inch markings along one edge, with information providing take-off charts along the other edge at a leading end of the strip and with cumulative foot and inch markings following the charts along the remainder of the strip length. The opposite surface of the strip is marked with charts providing information of flange sizes related to different pipe sizes.

Abstract: A viewing device to assist a golfer or the like in assessing transverse inclination of terrain along his sight line, including a base assembly adapted for attachment to a cap, hat or headpiece worn by the golfer or the like, a vertical plumb element pivoted to the base assembly about an axis parallel to the wearer's sight line of the terrain and a horizontal sighting element fixed perpendicularly along its length permitting the wearer to view seleccted terrain relative to the horizontal sighting element and rapidly assess its transverse inclination. With the base assembly secured to the bill of a cap or the like, a viewing frame surrounds the vertical plumb element and horizontal sighting element while including means for retaining both the viewing frame and vertical plumb element and horizontal sighting element out of the wearer's sight line when desired.

Abstract: A bore hole navigator utilizing a two axis directional gyro on the inner frame of the navigator and a single axis accelerometer on the outer frame is disclosed. This allows the inner frame of the navigator and thus the entire navigator to be smaller in diameter, both because of the removal of the acceleration axis to the outer gimbal and because the electrolytic level sensor, if used, is much smaller than a single axis accelerometer. The overall smaller diameter is maintained by using a belted design wherein the gyro/electrolytic level sensor, the inner frame torquer/gear and the inner frame resolver are connected in series along the length of the navigator, with a high gear reduction ratio on the inner frame torquer providing a positive drive within a smaller diameter. This configuration, together with unique calculation algorithms allows smaller diameter and deeper holes to be surveyed.

Abstract: A tool for locating an accessory with respect to a vertical wall stud so that an opening can be cut in a panel or sheet of dry wall to accommodate the accessory before the panel is attached to the wall. The method includes tacking a vertical arm to a wall stud adjacent the side edge and either the top or bottom edge of a previously mounted wall panel, and connecting to the vertical arm a horizontal arm with a template located according to the position of the accessory, such as an electrical outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for displacing a first liquid which surrounds and wets a solid, with a second liquid immiscible with the first liquid and having a substantially lower boiling point than the first liquid. The wetted solid is heated to a temperature between the boiling points of the two liquids, and the heated, wetted solid is admixed with a sufficient quantity of the second liquid to displace the first liquid from the solid, causing the second liquid to boil in the vicinity of the solid.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed drying process, the average temperature of a group of particles being dried rises during a warm-up zone, remains constant during a constant-temperature drying zone and again increases during a final zone. In order to maintain the moisture content of the product at the output of the oven at a substantially constant level despite variations in the moisture content at the inlet to the oven, the temperature and/or flow rate of the drying air to the oven is varied in accordance with measured differences in the temperature of the group of particles at two instants in time during the drying process. At least one of the instants occurs during the warming-up zone or during the final temperature-increasing zone.

Abstract: A mounting structure for use in rotationally supporting a rotatable drum dryer is provided which prevents spauling, flaking and pitting of the dryer tracks, which supports the rotational movement of the dryer, and which prevents axial shifting of the dryer. The mounting structure preferably includes a fixed base, at least a pair of proximal, continuous, annular tracks fixedly secured to the dryer, and a corresponding pair of trunnion rollers rotatably coupled with the base and adapted for contacting the faces of the tracks respectively. The mounting structure also advantageously includes at least one thrust wheel for engaging the side of one of the tracks to prevent axial shifting of the dryer. More particularly, two mounting structures are provided, one for each end of the dryer, and each mounting structure includes two pairs of thrust wheels, one pair engaging the side of each track and opposedly configured to prevent axial shifting of the dryer in either direction.

Abstract: A spring structure for a ski boot includes a leaf spring element overlying the instep and shin cuff elements of the boot. The spring is affixed at its lower end to the toe element, hingedly mounted at an intermediate portion to a hinge pin affixed to the shin cuff, and coupled at its upper end to the shin cuff, preferably by an elastic strap. The lower portion of the spring structure is bowed inward and downward so that as the hinge pin moves forward in response to forward lean, the lower portion of the spring flexes inward and downward. The inward flexing of the lower portion of the spring produces a torque about the hinge pin and urges the upper portion of the spring to deflect outward. This outward deflection is resisted by the coupling of the upper spring end of the cuff, causing the upper portion to deflect concavely outward so that the spring assumes an "S" shape. The spring geometry provides a rising rate spring and prevents the top of the spring from contacting the shin of the wearer.

Abstract: A display mount has four panels of lined paperboard with the first panel flexibly hinged to the second panel and the second panel flexibly hinged to the third panel and the third panel hinged to the fourth panel with a ductile hinge material. The first and second panels are substantially the same length and width with the third panel being of a shorter length than the first and second panels and the fourth panel being of a shorter length then the first, second and third panels. The fourth panel can be bent on its ductile hinge relative to the third panel which can be placed on a flat surface. The first and second panels can be folded to lay across the edge of the fourth panel as a slant type easel back desk calendar. The first panel can also be propped on the third panel to act as an upright type desk calendar and the first and second panels can be folded forward onto a flat surface for viewing referenced material or writing on the inside surface of one of the panels or on paper sheet supported thereto.

Abstract: Undulations in ear side of tag, such as alternating ribs and troughs, permit air flow to area around stem of pin having conical head or point. Hole leading to socket well is larger than pin stem and the socket well is larger than the large end of the pin head to permit air flow to ear as well as permitting tag to move around pin to maintain air passages clear. Pin has a soft plastic base attached to stem opposite conical point and a hard plastic button larger than head of pin, surrounded by soft plastic. Pin stem has groove at button, which has holes and convex undersurface. Applicator has opposed arms on pivoted handles, one arm having a laterally enlarged platform with a rim on both sides and at rear, the latter to position the pin base longitudinally. Spring clip engages pin base and has slot to laterally position pin stem. Opposite arm has rimless surface engaged by tag head, to permit different angular tag positions, for about 260.degree..

Abstract: A connector particularly designed for attaching fishing lures to fishing lines quickly and effectively. The connector includes a continuous spring steel member particularly shaped to provide a pair of spring loops, one of the loops providing a first ring for connecting the same to a key ring loop or the like with the second such spring loop arranged intermediate along one of the arms of the clip to provide a snap lock force to an engaging hook arranged on the ultimate end of the arm. The unit then provides a pair of spring loops, one at the end of the clip and the other intermediate one of the arms thereof with two such arms being provided and each such arm having a connecting hook to provide interconnection to each of the arms. The dual spring loop assembly provides a more positive connecting relation between the arms of the clip and the dual hook effect respectively on the ends of each of the arms provides a wider and more accessible opening for the user to attach a lure thereto.

Abstract: A breakaway clip is disclosed which fails at a predetermined tension level, and when interposed between a fishing lure and hook, may be used to allow the lure to be pulled from the hook in the event of hook snagging. The failure level of the clip is chosen to occur at a slightly lower tension level than that of the associated fishing line. In use, the coupling that is supplied with a lure is first removed and the breakaway clip installed in its place.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding fishing rod and reel outfits including a frame with a first clip attached to the frame for holding a lower portion of the fishing rod and a second clip attached to the frame for holding an upper portion of a fishing rod. A first support is attached to one end of the frame and a second support is attached to the other end of the frame. A first pair of substantially parallel legs are operatively attached, one to each end of the first support. The first pair of legs are transversely disposed with respect to the length of the frame. A second pair of substantially parallel legs are operatively attached, one to each end of the second support. This second pair of legs is also generally transversely disposed with respect to the length of the frame whereby the first and second pair of legs permit the apparatus to be placed on the floor or a boat, recreational vehicle, car trunk, truck bed, or a house without the rod and reel combinations coming in contact with such floor.

Abstract: A reel mount incorporated within the handle (10) of a fishing rod. The gripping portion (14) of the handle (10) has a smoothly contoured exterior gripping surface (14) and a hollow, interior cavity (20) into which the foot (15) of a reel (16) may be received. An aperture (23) penetrates the gripping surface (14), and the foot (15) may be button holed through the aperture (23) to be received within the cavity (20). A seating surface (45) is provided at the longitudinal extremities of the aperture (23), and a pressure plate (38) is translatable demountably to secure the foot (15) between the seating surface (45) and the pressure plate (38). A threaded shaft (36) is attached to the pressure plate (38), and an adjusting nut (35)--which threadably engages the shaft (36)--is rotatably received within a passageway (32) oriented transversely through the handle (10).

Abstract: Disclosure is made in this invention of a secondary fishing line release apparatus in downrigger fishing, wherein this secondary fishing line release comprises a line release eye freely slidable on primary fishing line release wire and this secondary line release eye comprising a leg of the line release eye extending through line release loop of line release eye and the line release loop flexes outwardly beyond the leg of the line release eye to free the line extending from the fishing pole to the fish caught on the hook.

Abstract: A water fillable casting float includes a hollow shell with an interior tube that mates with a conduit defined as a plug. Mating slits allow mounting of the assembly upon a fishing line. A valve structure permits allowing water to enter the float in order to adjust its, thus, weight and ultimate depth of position in the water. Another valve accommodates that approach. A line stop, mountable upon a fishing line, also cooperates with the float. It features a staggered arrangement of line-receiving openings.

Abstract: A method of trapping common houseflies and many other flying insects is disclosed. The method utilizes a device comprising an upright array of parallel exposed conductors dimensioned and spaced such that alighting houseflies virtually have to alight in contact with two such conductors, means to periodically apply opposing pulsating charges to adjacent pairs of such conductors which causes such houseflies to dive downwardly toward an adhesive-covered sheet or other means to receive and hold insects diving from the array. The charges are about 25 to 40 volts peak and have a frequency of about 60 to 600 Hz. Applying such charges as a square wave is very hightly preferred.

Abstract: A roach trap formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid having a relatively flat top surface has a concavity formed in the top surface. A pair of parallel slits extend across the concavity defining a narrow strip. The strip can be pushed outward to form a convex shape so that the slits are spread to create entranceways into the trap. The trap is closed by pushing the strip downward to its original concave shape thus providing a closeable trap which can be disposed of without having an opening allowing trapped roaches to escape.

Abstract: A clip for securing a molding of an automobile door, being of a substantially channel-shaped downwardly open sectional profile, has an outer leg for extending over the outer side of an outer surface of a portion of an outer panel constituting the lower edge of a window and an inner leg integral with the outer leg for extending over the outer surface of an auxiliary member secured to the inner surface of the outer panel portion or over the outer surface of a downwardly open channel-shaped portion thereof, the inner leg in engagement with the outer surface of the auxiliary member or the other surface of the downwardly open channel-shaped portion being provided with a lock pawl to be click engaged with the auxiliary member or the downwardly open channel-shaped portion, the outer leg having an inner projection projecting obliquely outwardly from the inner surface thereof toward the inner leg, and the inner projection having a pawl-like portion extending from the upper end toward the inner surface of the outer leg

Abstract: A honing device for simultaneously honing a plurality of commonly mounted discrete cutting elements such as multi-blade broadheads, treble fishhooks, and replaceable multi-blade broadheads. The honing device includes spaced-apart honing surfaces disposed relative to one another for simultaneously engaging and honing at a determined angle on each honing surface, a cutting edge of one of the commonly mounted discrete cutting elements. Interposed between and integral with adjacent edges of the spaced-apart honing surfaces is an accommodation for supporting the ferrule or common mounting device of the discrete cutting elements.

Abstract: A profiling and dressing tool for grinding wheels which are used for the cutting of external threads has a diamond roll with a first circumferentially extending rib at one axial end and a second circumferentially extending rib at the other axial end. One of the ribs is used for preliminary profiling of the grinding wheel, and the other rib is used for final profiling and dressing. The tool can be used for the profiling and dressing of a wide range of grinding wheels having different diameters and grooves of different depths. One of the ribs is idle when the other rib is in use, and vice versa. If the grinding wheel is to be formed with a series of grooves alternating with ribs, each of the selected ribs of the diamond roll is moved radially of and toward the periphery of the grinding wheel, is thereupon extracted, moved axially of the grinding wheel, caused to plunge again into the material of the grinding wheel, and so forth until the profiling is completed.

Abstract: A rain gutter adapted to be mounted upon the fascia of a building beneath the lowermost extremity of a sloped roof is designed in a manner to easily discharge any accumulated wind-borne debris. The gutter is comprised of a flexible trough having first and second parallel stiffened edge extremities. The first edge extremity is held in fixed position and the second edge extremity is adapted to fall, causing dumping of the contents of the trough. Tether lines control the positioning of the second edge extremity.

Abstract: A habitable shelter and method of construction having a continuous floor portion with a plurality of four exterior walls attached to the floor portion via a hinge means along contiguous sides, the walls movable between horizontal positions along the floor to vertical upright wall positions. There is further provided means for allowing the walls to lay parallel to the floor, with the end walls foldable atop the side walls, and a plurality of exterior walls stacked between the folded end walls for compact storage for shipment. There is further provided a plurality of corner beam members for stabilizing the walls in their upright position in interlocking fashion, and a roof member positioned atop the vertical walls for defining an angulated roof on the structure. There is further provided a plurality of interior walls which in their upright position are doweled into the floor portion and interlocked into the side walls for further support.

Abstract: A building includes an annular structure having inner and outer walls and a dome roof enclosing building units. An open space within inner wall is covered by air-supported fabric dome roof. Through selection of surface areas, thicknesses, and coefficients of heat transfer, for a given temperature difference the rate of heat flow through the inner wall is substantially equal to the rate of heat flow through the dome roof, providing optimum efficiency of climate control, including minimizing heat loss or gain, therefore minimizing power requirments for atmospheric control within the building and pen space. Preferably, the surface area of inner wall is substantially equal to the surface area of the dome roof.

Abstract: A device for marking out land includes a stake of flexible plastics material including a stem which has a point at its lower end and which is extended in its upper part by a marker head. The stem has an upper region which is less rigid than the lower region which is adapted to be driven into the ground.

Abstract: In the construction of tall concrete towers, a two part derrick is suspended by cables from the tower to the lower part of the derrick. The derrick is extended on hydraulic rams, raising its upper part and outside casting forms. A pulley system maintains a deck scaffold and inside forms at their original level during extension. Extension of the derrick slakens cables from the tower to the upper part of the derrick. These cables are disconnected from the tower and reconnected at a higher level. Outside forms are fixed, reinforcing steel set in place, and the derrick retracted, raising the deck scaffold and inside forms by the pulley system, and slacking the lower cables. The lower cables are disconnected from the tower and reconnected at a higher level. Inside forms are set and concrete is poured. The concrete sets and the procedure is repeated.The deck scaffold comprises radiating wooden beams with endpieces.

Abstract: The simulated pipeline construction gives the outward appearance of an actual plumbing pipeline but without the weight or expense. The pipeline is constructed using a pair of parallel mounting rails which hold one or more outwardly bowed flexible plastic panels. One-piece plastic corner members are used to simulate a pipeline extending around a corner of a building, and one-piece plastic end caps are used to simulate an actual plumbing end cap. The corner members and end caps are also inserted into the channels of the mounting rails.

Abstract: A beam support joint for a column and a beam, which are each constructed from concrete and at least one metal section having a pair of flanges joined by a web and forming at least one recess of the metal section which is filled with concrete and the outer surfaces of the flanges of the metal section are not covered with concrete and are otherwise free. An upper support strap is mounted on an upper flange of the beam, and is attached to the column and the beam. The upper support strap and the webs of both the beam and the column all lie substantially in the same plane. On a flange of the column a lower support plate is advantageously welded which has a width corresponding approximately to the flange of the column. This lower support plate has at least one recess on its upper side which suitably engages at leat one projection provided on a lower flange of the beam.

Abstract: Insulation configurations for the ceiling, floor and walls of structures, which include in a first embodiment, at least one layer of particulate or "blown" insulation with a water vapor-permeable film or films isolating the layer or layers to limit air circulation and infiltration through the layers. In another embodiment, sheets of a moisture vapor-permeable film membrane are provided in association with insulating "batts" or rolled sheet, fibrous, non-solid insulation to divide the insulation into discrete layers and limit air infiltration through the layers. A method for increasing the efficiency of insulating material in structures, which includes providing one or more moisture or water vapor-permeable membrane films or membranes in association with the insulating material to isolate the insulation in discrete layers and limit air infiltration and circulation through the layers.

Abstract: A modular structure, stud therefor, and method of construction are disclosed. The modular structure includes a wall formed of an inner and outer panel defining a cavity therebetween. The stud may be disposed between the inner and outer panels with one of the panels being secured to a first portion of the stud and the other of the panels being secured to a second portion of the stud such that the first and second portions are relatively movable but may be interlocked in a fixed position within the cavity such that the inner and outer panels of the wall can be maintained in spaced apart relationship by a preselected distance. The method of construction includes placing one modular structure on top of another. Additionally, the present invention contemplates the use of retainers for maintaining a wall in a selected position relative to a floor and ceiling.

Abstract: A connector guide system for the constructing of block walls (12) is disclosed. The blocks (14) are uniformly notched (20,22,24,26) to allow for the placement of connector guides (16). The guides include platforms (18) upon which the blocks (14) rest. Based on constant placement of notches (20,22,24,26) and connector guides (16), the wall (12) is constructed to allow for uniform mortaring.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system for a room comprises a plurality of inverted T-shaped members suspended from the structural ceiling of the room and extending across the room, each T-shaped member having a horizontal base portion, and a plurality of open metal ceiling panels having opposed sides and ends and a bottom are supported by the inverted T-shaped members by means of a flange on one side wall of a panel resting on one side of the horizontal base portion while the other side of the horizontal base portion is received in slots in the end walls of the next adjacent panel.

Abstract: A snap-up panel for suspension ceiling systems is disclosed. The panel is formed of sheet metal and provides a central planar section and four upwardly extending flanges along the edges of the planar section. Each flange is formed with an inwardly directed rib extending along the length of the flange at a point spaced from the upper and lower edges thereof. Detents are provided in the flanges adjacent to the corners and are positioned in alignment with the ribs and sized to project beyond the inner extremity of the ribs. These detents provide additional support for the panel when the ribs are snapped over supporting lips in a suspension ceiling grid system. Improved alignment and support of the panels are provided by the detents when the panels are installed in a suspension ceiling grid.

Abstract: A capping machine comprises a rotating carriage positioned above a conveyor delivering open neck containers to a work station position, the carriage including circumferentially positioned sockets that receive snap-lock caps in a fixed orientation from a second conveyor. The carriage rotates about an axis transverse to the direction of conveyance of the first conveyor so that the proximate carriage position closest to the first conveyor has a velocity in the same direction as the direction of conveyance of the container. As the tangential position of the cap on the carriage changes as the cap approaches the proximate carriage position, the cap is progressively engaged against the open neck of the container. At the proximate carriage position, the cap is positioned for sealing engagement with the neck of the container.

Abstract: A container capper is provided which includes a container clamping mechanism for clamping previously-filled containers at a capping station that is positioned at a point along a container conveying means. The capper also includes an adjustable speed rotary motor which drives a capper head having a plurality of radially movable, cap-grasper jaws supported therein for grasping caps and rotating them relative to the containers. Motor speed adjustability and torque sensing are provided to give precise control of the amount of torque with which caps are applied to containers. The capper head is vertically movable from an upper, cycle start, position to an intermediate position, at which the jaws thereof may be loaded with a cap, and to a lower position, at which the loaded cap is placed onto the top of a clamped container and is rotated thereon until a predetermined torque is reached. The capper head is moved between its upper, intermediate and lower positions by means of a camming mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic container stuffing apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus is especially useful for the insertion of two component gas generating pouches into pressurized containers of the type wherein the pressurizing gas does not come into contact with the contents of the container. The apparatus receives the pouches, performs necessary bursting operations to initiate gas pressurization, compresses the pouch into an elongate shape and inserts the pouch into a container. Two embodiments are disclosed. One embodiment receives pouches in a continuous sheet and separates the pouches from the continuous sheet prior to insertion into a container. Another embodiment receives individual separate pouches arranged in a stack extending in the longitudinal direction of a transport conveyor, thus eliminating the need to separate the pouches from a continuous sheet.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising:(a) an intermittently rotatable pouch filling turret (1) having a plurality of pouch receiving stations;(b) a pouch supplier (4);(c) a pouch transfer unit (5) for taking empty pouches in sequence or in pairs from said pouch supplier and delivering the pouches in pairs to a first receiving position to the filling turret;(d) means (2,3) for supplying material to be packaged in measured portions to said turret at a second receiving position of said turret;(e) means (33) for discharging the measure portions from the turret into said pouches in pairs, and(f) a pouch take-off device (6) for taking off the pairs of filled pouches at a delivery position of said turret.

Abstract: A film tubing device for use in a packaging apparatus comprising a former arranged in a transfer path of a continuous length of a heat-meltable film, the former including an inner former member on which the film is wrapped with its longitudinal side edges overlapping each other, the former further including an outer former member having a longitudinal outlet through which the overlapping side edges of the film project out, a pair of longitudinal sealers disposed adjacent to the longitudinal outlet as slightly spaced from the outer former member for nipping the overlapping side edges of the film, the sealers being heated for heat-sealing the overlapping side edges of the film, a thin air guide plate arranged between the outer former member and each sealer to define a clearance between the guide plate and the outer former member, and an air supplying nozzle for feeding cooling air into the clearance.

Abstract: A fluid continuously variable transmission system that includes a body forming a cylindrical chamber. A rotor with blades positioned in the chamber is connected to a power input shaft. The rotor is rotatably movable relative to the body, which in turn is connected to a power output shaft. A valve, preferably a rotary plug valve, is connected to the rim portion of the body. The valve is movable between fully open and fully closed positions, and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween. The body forms a fluid circuit between a high pressure channel from the chamber to the valve and a low pressure channel from the valve to the chamber. The rotor pressurizes fluid in the fluid circuit against the valve in proportion to the degree of closing of the valve which action rotates the body in all valve positions except the fully closed position.

Abstract: Unwanted aquatic weeds are removed by first dragging the bottom of a lake with a horizontal bar to loosen the weeds from the bottom. The uprooted and broken weed stalks are permitted to float to the surface of the lake. The weeds are scooped from the water by a mesh scoop capable of being carried to a dumping area and emptied. The method is carried out by a self-propelled hull having a boom pivotally attached to a forward end thereof. The boom is adapted to receive various implements on its free end. One such implement is a horizontal drag bar with downwardly depending tines to drag the lake bottom and another of the implements is the wire mesh scoop mentioned above. The tines of the first implement each preferably include at least a portion that is angled forwardly, so that when the boom is lowered sufficiently to meet the lake bottom the angled portion of the tine if substantially orthogonal to the lake bottom.

Abstract: Improvements are described for power mowers comprising a prime mover, a rotatable drive shaft driven by the prime mover and rotatable grass cutting means adapted to be driven by power from said drife shaft. The improvements involve including in the mowers (a) a centrifugal clutch interposed between the drive shaft and the cutting means, (b) apparatus enabling the prime mover to operate at a rate of speed at least high enough for the clutch to engage, and alternatively at a rate of speed low enough for the clutch to disengage, and apparatus including a pulley and at least one stationary belt frictionally engageable therewith for stopping rotation of the cutting means concurrently with the disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A peanut combine having an improved separator system employing a series of parallel shafts all rotating in the same direction, each carrying a plurality of disks and a blower to separate the chaff from the peanuts. The disk assembly is substantially horizontal. The disks are offset relative to the disks on adjacent shafts so that disks on the two shafts interdigitate. The action of the rotating disks and the blower on the material flowing over the disks provides a more efficient cleaning mechanism for the peanuts.

Abstract: Apparatus for leveling the front axle of an agricultural combine includes left and right wheel linkages in the form of four-bar linkages. A connecting rod synchronizes the motion of the four-bar linkages. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the vehicle frame and the wheel linkages respectively to actuate the linkages such that as one wheel is raise above the axle the other wheel is lowered beneath the axle substantially the same amount as the first wheel is raised thereby maintaining the axle in a generally horizontal disposition.