Abstract: A decoy anchoring mechanism with a detachable reel and weighted handle is mounted vertically under the keel of a decoy using a pivoting cam and clamp assembly. The reel will automatically play out only enough line to set the anchor, and will permit the decoy to rise and fall naturally on the waves without significant drifting.

Abstract: A fish lure has a bouyant casing containing a pump and a battery mounted inside a watertight compartment providing positive bouyancy to the casing. A spray nozzle is mounted on top of the casing and is driven by the pump. The prepulsive force of its discharge causes rotation of the casing about a vertical axis. The underside of the casing is open and leads into a water chamber which fills with water quickly when the lure is placed in the water, to provide it with a self-righting capability. The outside of the immersed portion of the casing is of frusto-conical shape and has horizontally-spaced upright reflectors attached to it. As the casing rotates, the reflectors produce an occulting effect under water which appears to attract deep-swimming fish to it. A light may also be provided on the casing for night fishing.

Abstract: A light emitting fishing lure of the plug type is provided with an external switch. The light emitting structure is formed to simulate semi-globular protruding eyes for maximum illumination.

Abstract: A remote controlled fish trolling vessel 10 is described for trolling a fish line remote from a fisherman in response to transmitted radio commands. The vessel 10 has a miniature hull 15 with a depending electrical motor and propeller assembly 42 for propelling the vessel. A rudder 58 is provided that is for turning the vessel. A control means controls the direction and speed of the vessel 10. A fish line attaching arrangement 96 having a first magnet 110 affixed to the fishing line and a second magnet 102 mounted to a housing in which the spacing between the magnets 102 and 110 may be adjusted to adjust the tension required to release the fishing line.

Abstract: A fish hook with a generally J-shaped body has three sections, a shank section, a curved bend, and a tip section. At least one resilient U-shaped flexibles barb is pivotably and rotatably mounted on the tip. On hooking a fish, the flexible barb rotates downward and pivots inward to pass through a hole in the catch, and thereafter springs outward to restrain the hook from disengagement.

Abstract: A fishing float comprising a rotatably mounted hollow tube suspended above an upper cavity in a buoyant base, wherein a buoyant arm is attached to a pivotably mounted locking mechanism comprising a brake shaft having a central opening. The mechanism is locked and unlocked by rotation of the brake shaft which aligns or misaligns the central opening with respect to the path of a fishing line. The float can be used to change the depth of the fishing line within the water either a predetermined distance to effect jigging or an indefinite distance depending on the orientation of the hollow tube.

Abstract: An insulated aerated live bait bucket is disclosed comprising a container for water formed from a bottom wall and a side wall with a bottom wall having an aperture therein for the admission of air into the water, an insulated liner which fits within the side wall and atop the bottom wall of the container with an opening therein which is in alignment with the aperture and the bottom wall of the container and the structure for removably holding the liner within the container. In one embodiment the holding structure is formed from a plurality of hooked clips. In another embodiment the holding structure is formed from a skirted washer. In addition an improved arrangement of the aeration system is disclosed.

Abstract: A hook protection and float device including a pair of cooperating enclosing halves operable to open and close with respect to each other. Flanges integral with each enclosing half are used to manipulate the halves into the open position against the biasing of a resilient band. The halves each include an exterior perimeter surface terminating in a perimeter edge. The edges provide for overlapping cooperation of the perimeter edges when the halves are closed with respect to each other. The exterior surfaces define an enclosure space for the placement therein or removal therefrom from a fish hook. The perimeter edges define a hook shank hole through which the shank portion of the hook protrudes when the hook is enclosed within the enclosure space. The present invention also includes a hook shank collar the perimeter of which is coterminous with the perimeter of the hook shank hole and extends therefrom into the enclosure space.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for use in eliminating bats from the interior of a structure. The device includes a housing having a tubular entry passage and a prism shaped exit chamber. The entry passage is mountable to a structure so as to substantially cover an opening through which bats are accessing the interior of the structure and to allow entrance to the exit chamber. The exit chamber includes a perforated door secured thereto for outward swingable movement. The door will open upon pressure from within but not without the housing.

Abstract: Animal traps are usually difficult to sterilize in order to remove human odor therefrom and difficult to hide when setting and often contain moving parts, tubes, pins and the like. The present device consists of a pair of spring arms made of heavy wire with a hairpin spring at the junction thereof. Eye loops are formed one on each distal end of the arms and one of these has a slotted semi-circular plate welded otherwise secured into the base of the eye. A freely running snare loop is provided on one end of a standing part, in which part extends through the slot in the disk or plate and through a cotter pin assembly spanning the other eye and terminates with a ferrule outboard of the other eye. A trigger block is secured to the standing part inboard of the slotted disk when the trap is set with the two arms close together and being urged apart by the spring.

Abstract: The invention pertains to culturing ascoscarps or fruitbodies of species of the genus Morchella. Mycelia are provided with nutrients and subsequently produce nutrient-primed mycelia, such as nutrient-rich sclerotia or nutrient-rich hyphae, in which are stored sufficient nutrients to supply the ascocarps that develop later. The fungus is induced to give rise to ascocarp development by initially maintaining the fungus in an environment that is poor in exogenous nutrients, and by exposing the fungus to a high level of water. After induction, primordia appear. The period from primordia appearance until midway to maturation of the fruitbodies represents a critical period during which the fruitbodies are prone to abort. During this critical period, particular attention is directed to maintaining favorable conditions. The fruitbodies, which may be grown to maturation, are ultimately harvested.

Abstract: A decorative device for camouflaging a well casing which projects above the ground comprises a base place adapted to be secured on the upper end of the casing, a clamping assembly on top of the base plate, and a plurality of rod members secured in and projecting from the clamping assembly, the outer end of each of these rod members being configured to support a flower pot.

Abstract: For self-closing a sliding door, e.g. of a showcase, combinations of belts and sprockets, cables and pulleys, rods and springs and the like, which have proved difficult to construct, service and replace are replaced by one or more constant force springs associated with a spring-retention cavity or other spring retainer. This permits the doors to be easily removed for servicing and for improved access to the interior of the showcase. Upon door removal, no self-closing apparatus still links the door to the case. The parts are simple and easy to replace, few moving parts are involved and the system is applicable both for new construction and for retrofitting to existing cases.

Abstract: An elastic seal for a displaceable panel of an open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a mounting section and a hollow sealing section made of rubber. The mounting section is adapted to be disposed along the periphery of the panel. The sealing section is arranged outwardly of said mounting section. The mounting section is provided with outwardly extending flanges, which engage the upper or lower side respectively of the sealing section. In the bended condition of the seal these flanges have been displaced inwardly towards each other with respect to the non-bended condition thereby pinching the sealing section together in a direction perpendicular to the plane of bending.Herein a substantially constant distance between the outer border of the sealing section and the mounting section is maintained under all circumstances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing or machining a gear workpiece with a hyperboloidally, globoidally or similarly formed gearlike tool which has an abrasive or similar surface. The axes of the workpiece and tool are skew lines. During changing of the center distance, in particular as the workpiece and tool are moved apart at the end of the machining operation, the crossed-axes angle is automatically adjusted to conform to the effective rolling circle.

Abstract: A cutting tool having grit particles coated onto its outer surface, most of which include a substantially flat outer surface defining at least one cutting edge. The tool has two surfaces which intersect, and the grit particles are adhered to each surface and to the intersection of the surfaces. The grit particles at the intersection of the surfaces have a further substantially flat outer surface defining at least one cutting edge, with the further substantially flat outer surface being inclined relative to the substantially flat outer surfaces on each of the other two surfaces.

Abstract: A wire coil support in the form of a boom for a wire coil blasting apparatus wherein abrasives are thrown at or blasted at a coil wire carried by a wire support in the form of a boom. When the diameter of the wire in a given weight coil decreases, the number of coils in the coil greatly increases. As a result, the number of rows of coils increases and makes it more difficult to separate the individual coils for the reception of an abrasive blast. By modifying the boom to incorporate radial lifters, the coils may be separated, not only longitudinally, to provide for a more efficient abrasive blasting operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for deburring or other surface treatment of workpieces has a tubular housing with a set of axially parallel flexible, elastic or rigid rod- or wire-like components which define gaps and whose end portions are separately affixed to driven rotary end walls. The end walls wobble in synchronism with one another so as to move the components longitudinally while the components orbit about the axis of the receptacle. The workpieces which are admitted into one end of the receptacle are agitated and rotated as a result of rotation of the receptacle and move toward the other end of the receptacle due to reciprocation of components in parallelism with the axis of the receptacle. One or more nozzles admit jets of flames, solid, liquid and/or gaseous media which penetrate through the gaps between the components of the receptacle and treat the workpieces.

Abstract: A rocker barrel usable in conjunction with a blast stream of abrasives for the cleaning of work pieces. The rocker barrel is of the shallow depth bed type and is mounted for oscillation. The rocker barrel is provided internally with rocker members which will engage both smaller work pieces, such as engine heads, and larger work pieces, such as engine blocks, to effect the tumbling of such work pieces as the rocker barrel oscillates and at the same time maintaining work pieces within the rocker barrel always within the blast stream so as to prevent the blast stream from being directed against the rocker barrel.

Abstract: A gutter system for mounting under a structure's roof edge, which collects water run off in preference to leaves and debris, includes a shield, back support wall, and trough, integrally connected. The shield comprises a continuous double-curved convlute curve, generated on a first and a second radius, which extends from the back wall, down short of the inside of the front wall of the trough, and inward over the trough. The system is fastened to the structure by fastening means attached to the shield front, which pass generally horizontally under the shield and through the back support wall. In a preferred embodiment, the first radius has its origin generally where the trough bottom joins the back support wall, and the second radius has its origin generally at the fastening means, with their curves joining at a location where each is tangent to a common line.

Abstract: A cable dome has lower and upper outer cables each connecting nodes of an edge ring which are spaced by two other nodes. The lower and upper cables connecting the same nodes are spaced from each other in elevation by a pair of outer struts each having an upper and a lower node. Each upper node in turn supports lower and upper inner cables, serving a function similar to that of a corresponding edge ring node.

Abstract: A wall system for use on a vertical wall, such as a basement wall, is disclosed. A drain conduit is positioned adjacent the wall footer and a collection member is mounted along the bottom of the wall. A plurality of connector conduits extend between the collection member and the drain conduit. In one embodiment a vertical support column is mounted adjacent the wall.

Abstract: A roofing product is provided that has a release film on the back surface thereof, and the release film is split to allow the material to be flopped back; one side is stuck and then the other side is flopped down. The roofing product includes a top surface having roofing granules thereon and wherein a selvedge is provided along the length of the product for overlapping several of them on the roof. An important aspect of the present invention is that the back surface has a silicone coated 2-section release film. The composition of the roofing product consists of polymer-modified bitumen which makes the product self-adhering. There is a fiberglass reinforcement inside the product. The peel-off film on the back surface of the product consists of two separate strips instead of a single strip or film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the construction of stairs provides a series of specially-designed brackets to enable the builder to screw or bolt the steps to the inside surface of the stringers, thereby obviating the need to notch the stringers, and avoiding undesirable wood-to-wood contact. In addition, such bolting is considerably more efficient than traditional nailing, and allows easy access to and replacement of the steps and/or hardware when necessary. Furthermore, this bolting and bracket method enables the use of precalculated dimensional instructions for proper location of the brackets on the stringers, and thus is especially conducive to the modular construction and prefabrication of stairs.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed for venting and relieving pressure within a blister in built-up, multiple layer roof structure, which includes a hollow shaft having one open end adapted to be inserted into the blister and the other end covered by an air permeable, water impermeable membrane protected by a housing. The exterior of the shaft is threaded to permit penetration into the blister and holding of the valve. Air is vented through the membrane and out a passage provided in the housing.

Abstract: The skylight may be of the domed-type or flat type and of single or double glass (acrylic or other transparent or translucent plastic) construction. The skylight fits within an opening in a roof or the like and has a peripheral curb of an extruded rigid thermoplastic, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), which is fixed to the roof construction about the opening. The rigid thermoplastic curb has a top co-extruded flexible thermoplastic (such as PVC) gasket intergral with the curb and compressible against the edge of the glass or plastic dome or panel, a second flexible integral co-extruded thermoplastic gasket adapted to contact a retainer secured to the curb for retaining the dome or panel on the curb, and a third co-extruded flexible gasket adapted to contact and seal between the curb and a support wall there below preferably against an outer aluminum wall.

Abstract: A lintel system includes a steel flange plate adapted to rest on the wall adjacent both sides of an opening to be spanned, a steel reinforcing structure integral with the flange plate and steel primary reinforcing rods welded to the reinforcing structure and extending upwardly. After the flange plate has been emplaced, two courses of masonry blocks are laid to encompass the primary reinforcing rods. Different embodiments of the invention employ different upper structures. In a first embodiment, a wooden beam directly overlays the upper plate, and each includes apertures generally aligned with and larger than the primary reinforcing rods, each of which is threaded to receive a nut along its terminal portion such that the nuts may be tightened to compress the lintel system into a rigid structure. In the second embodiment, the lintel system also includes secondary reinforcing rods welded to the lower face of the upper plate and extending downwardly into the interior space of the masonry blocks.

Abstract: The specification discloses a floor-to-ceiling partition system including telescoping studs wherein resiliently compressible friction members are positioned on each side of the upper portion of said studs near the upper ends thereof for frictional engagement with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of a ceiling channel mounted on a ceiling.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises at least one ply comprising approximately parallel unidirected twines comprising helically-configured matrix-impregnated continuous strands of filament reinforcements to provide a flanged composite cantilever spring which serves as the principal constituent of a coupling structure. An interior ply of a coupling structure body member comprises unidirected longitudinal twines configured at a body member extremity to provide a flange member connected to a cantilever spring. An exterior ply is disposed transversely of and superimposed upon the interior ply to provide the cantilever spring hinge line. The composite cantilever spring can be constructed to deflect about either a straight or curved hinge line. A preferred tubular form of the coupling structure comprises at least one end configured as a polygonal array of flanged cantilever springs which serve as the socket end of a spring-lock coupling used to connect mating flanged spigot-end structures.

Abstract: A front glass moulding of an integrally formed synthetic resin body has a top and a leg extending downwardly from the top. The body has a central portion and two side portions connected at one end to the respectively adjacent end of the central portion. The central portion includes a front glass pane receiving groove, and the side portions each include a rainwater guide and a front glass pane receiving groove for supporting a front glass pane in cooperation with the glass pane receiving groove in said central portion. A glass pane support board helps retain the glass in cooperation with the leg of the moulding.

Abstract: A front glass moulding which comprises an integrally moulded synthetic resin body having a top and a leg extending downwardly from the top with at least one arm extending outwardly from the surface of the leg both below and in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to the top to define a groove therebetween. The body consists of a central portion and two side portions integrally connected at one end to the adjacent end of the central portion. The central portion is cut along a line extending horizontally below the arm to remove a lower portion of the leg below the arm, and each of the side portions is cut on the undersurface along a line extending upwardly slantingly from the undersurface at the free end of the side portion to the other end thereof where the side portions merge with the central portion.

Abstract: A washer for attaching insulation to a roof member over which roofing membrane is to be placed. The washer includes a laterally extending apertured flange and an upstanding hollow cylindrical protrusion adapted to snappingly engage the head of a fastener used with the washer. The protrusion has an inwardly extending lip on the inside surface of the free end of the protrusion. In an alternative embodiment sloping ribs guide a fastener head into snapping engagement with an inwardly projecting lip. In all embodiments a resilient rib is disposed on a shoulder formed in the aperture in the washer. The rib resiliently urges the head of the fastener into engagement with the lip. The washer includes a downwardly extending hub, which may be equipped with means for retaining the washer in a batten strip.

Abstract: A roofing fastener is shown adapted to fasten membrane roofing film to roofing structures. The fastener comprises a base plate having a segmented upper, tapered circular flange section; a segmented middle circular ring locking section; and a lower base section. After attaching the base plate to the roofing structure by means of a fastener inserted through an axial hole located in the center of the base plate, and an annular snap ring having an internal diameter just large enough to fit over the film covered base plate when the segments of the base plate are compressed, is forced over the film covered base plate, and adjacent to the locking section, thereby locking the roofing film in place.

Abstract: A drywall furring system comprises a plurality of longitudinal carrying channels having congruent tongues co-planar with, spaced apart along and depending from the opposite flanges of the channels and a plurality of furring channels having pairs of slots spaced apart along the opposite flanges thereof. On opposite edges of the tongues there are tabs tapering upwardly from the rounded corners thereof and elongated, narrow fingers whose lower margins angle up from a point space apart from the distal edges of the tongues. The tabs and fingers have seats in the same horizontal plane and the fingers have retaining hooks extending up beyond the seats. A gridwork of the carrying channels and furring channels is constructed by aligning opposed congruent fingers of the former with a pair of slots in the latter and passing the fingers through the slots and pushing the opposite flanges of the furring channel over the rounded corners of the tongues so that the furring strips rest on the seats of the fingers and tabs.

Abstract: The invention provides for a fastening arrangement for a screening or lining panel in which the fastening arrangement includes half-tubular protrusions along the periphery of the panel which can fit in pairs into corresponding apertures in a support frame. The bore of each half-tubular protrusion is blanked off so that when a pair of such protrusions are fitted in an aperture in a support frame, a blind bore is formed. The fastening means further includes a pin which can be inserted into the bore formed by a pair of protrusions fitted into an aperture. The pin when inserted into the bores of the protrusions spreads the ends of the protrusions and thereby fastens the panel to the support frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming integrated truss structures wherein the molding apparatus includes a plurality of alternating male mold members (17) and female mold members (29) arranged in two opposed layers or mold halves. The male mold members each have a plurality of open grooves (19, 19') formed therein which are disposed orthogonally therein and slope away from a top or plateau surface (21) thereof. Each of the female mold members (29) has a centrally located, generally circular recessed cavity (31) with a plurality of open grooves (33, 33') which are orthogonally disposed with regard to one another and which slop away from the plane of the recessed cavity (31).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for wrapping and closing a blank (1) of wrapping material around an article to be packaged. The wrapping blank consists of a rectangular piece of protective cardboard (3, 4), serving as an outer jacket for the package, and of a wrapper element (2) fastened to the other surface of said protective cardboard and wrappable around an article. The side edges of a package are closable by folding both ends (3, 4) of protective cardboard around the side edges of an article.

Abstract: A roll-wrapping method where rolls are wrapped with an envelope of heat-shrink plastic film with a label positioned between the envelope and roll and electrostatically bonded to the film. The bond prevents misalignment of the label prior to heat shrinking of the film onto the roll.

Abstract: To provide for continuous feed of a packaging film, the film into a tube, filling the tube into packages and severing the packages, markers are located longitudinally along the film for example of plastic; the film is fed and formed into a tube by a pulling mechanism, the drive of which is synchronized with the bag-forming operation as such, that is, sealing and severing tube portions, under control of the markers so that slippage between drive rollers or units and the film being fed or inaccuracies in operation of the filling mechanism are immediately compensated by change in speed of the drive unit or operation of the filling and bag-forming mechanism to maintain relative alignment of bag closing with respective areas on the film, preventing accumulation of positioning errors and hence possible misalignment of printed information on the film with respect to the closing seams of the bag.

Abstract: There is provided an overall system of packaging commodities such as garments or other like compressible articles in which the articles are initially conditioned to provide relatively low temperatures and relative humidity, following which the garments are enveloped with wrapping material, and subjected to a vacuum packaging operation. The system may include a transport system for transporting packaged commodities between the wrapping and vacuum packaging steps and stations. The vacuum packaging apparatus in which the apparatus functions to initially compress the central portion of the packaged commodity and progressively outwardly therefrom to provide improved packaging techniques to remove any entrapped air. The wrapping device may vertically envelops a commodity to be packaged. There is also provided a conditioning step and apparatus for conditioning the articles before packaging.

Abstract: The leaves and stalks of plants have previously been topped using pick-up fingers for raising the leaves and stalks to an elevated more or less vertical position, and blades for cutting the thus elevated plant tops. The plant tops can be elevated more effectively by blowing air against the leaves and stalks simultaneously from opposite sides thereof. A cutter is provided at the trailing end of the streams of air.

Abstract: An improved seal assembly for a cotton picker for reducing or eliminating passage of lubricant out of the spindle assembly area to increase service interval and decrease lubricant usage. A first sealing ring contacts and seals the outer surface of the spindle. A second sealing ring, mounted over the first ring, seals non-moving components. The first seal includes a tab which is received within a corresponding notch in a bushing located adjacent the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly is constructed such that presently available cotton picker spindle assemblies may be retrofitted easily with the new arrangement.

Abstract: To form a double windrow of a grass crop after it has been cut, a windrow grouper is mounted behind a mower conditioner unit. The windrow grouper has an upright rotating drum which is provided with crop-engaging tines, and is positioned to deflect the cut crop into the double windrow when the crop is still in flight from the mower conditioner unit and before it has any substantial contact with the ground. The windrow grouper is swung clear of the crop delivered by the mower conditioner unit to enable an initial windrow to be laid, and then is swung back into the flight path of the crop to form the double windrow.

Abstract: A tool, and method of utilization, for achieving fine vertical adjustment of a crop divider pivotally mounted on the front of a crop header. The tool includes an inverted J-shaped support member adapted for attachment to a frame member of the crop header. Rotatably secured to the support member is an elongated screw member to which is threadably mounted for axial movement an annular ring. The tool is mounted such that a coarse adjusting chain, which normally extends between the crop row divider and crop header, passes through the annular ring. By rotating the elongated screw, the ring moves axially in a direction generally perpendicular to the normal orientation of the chain to alter its effective length, causing the crop row divider to pivot about its mounting and thereby adjust its vertical position relative to the ground.

Abstract: A cylindrical fruit tree shaker pad is provided with small parallel longitudinal channels manufactured into the exterior walls of the pad. The pad also has a larger centrally located longitudinal bore which communicates with grooved channels manufactured into each end of the shaker pad body structure or in grooved channels designed into two end caps, all of which communicate with the longitudinal parallel channels. These channels and grooves are designed to circulate liquid throughout the shaker pad for cooling purposes. The liquid movement can be accomplished through gravitational, convectional, or mechanical pump means. The liquid can be cooled by a radiator, by coils in an ice chest, or by refrigeration.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for simultaneously twisting a channeled core rod, inserting optical fibers into the channels and capturing the twist of the rod while minimizing the insertion stresses imposed on the optical fibers. The apparatus comprises a shape capture die, an insertion die and a core capture means which are located proximate one another to provide a short region of twisting. The insertion die is rotationally fixed to the shape capture die so that as the core passes through the center of the insertion die the fibers are automatically inserted into the channels of the core. The core and inserted fibers are then passed to a core capture means which controls rotation of the core but permits its axial translation. The rotating elements of the machine are driven from a line shaft or other suitable means providing them with identical rotation rates.

Abstract: A yarn splicer having a closable pneumatic chamber which is permanently open at each end so as to receive the yarns to be spliced from opposite ends, discrete yarn rolling means arranged on either side of the splicer adjacent each end of the chamber to engage the running portion of a respective yarn in the chamber, and yarn gripping means also disposed at either end of the chamber to engage the respective loose ends of the yarns. Actuation of the splicer results in a prescribed rolling action on the yarns in a direction to completely detwist them, and deactivation results in an equal and opposite action on the yarns so as to restore the original twist.The preferred arrangement has a biased lost motion linkage between the actuation means and the chamber-mechanism which provides a drive to the rolling means and gives an over-twist to the yarns during detwisting and which recovers the over-twist as well as restoring the original twist at the termination of the splice.

Abstract: An open-end spinning machine includes a low inertia sensing wheel frictionally engaging the package so that the rate of rotation of the frictional sensing wheel is sensed by a tachometer generator to provide a "winding rate" signal fed to a controller for controlling the speed of a stepper motor driving the fibre feed roller of the fibre opening unit during piecing, in response to the take-up of yarn at the package. Optionally, the sensing wheel is supported on a link such that the angular position of the link indicative of the diameter of the package is sensed by an angular position transducer and the signal of the transducer is also fed to the controller.Yarn delivery rolls are separated, during piecing, to allow the rate of withdrawal of the yarn from the doffing tube of the open-end spinning unit in response solely to the accelerating package.The draft is non-linear during piecing, in accordance with a predetermined programme.

Abstract: An open-end rotor spinning apparatus is provided which includes at least one spinning unit having yarn deflecting elements downstream from a yarn withdrawal duct. The yarn deflecting elements deflect yarn from the yarn withdrawal duct in a yarn spinning path. The yarn deflecting elements include at least one false-twisting edge. Yarn returning elements are provided for returning a yarn end to the yarn withdrawal duct past the yarn deflecting elements in a piecing path having a deflection less than the yarn spinning path deflection.

Abstract: A doffing carriage is mobile at the level of the flyer support bed of a roving frame, and carries cop and empty tube gripping elements which are orientatable between a vertical position and an oblique position. A peg conveyor loaded with empty tubes in a reverse zig-zag arrangement to that of the cop rotators is disposed at the level of a footboard. The cops, lowered on to an orientatable cop carrier, are gripped by the gripping elements in an oblique position, raised, disposed vertically and deposited on to the free pegs of the conveyor, proceeding from one end of the roving frame to the other. After moving the conveyor through one step, the gripping elements deposit the empty tubes on to the cop rotators by proceeding in the reverse direction. The same carriage loads the empty tubes on to the conveyor and unloads the cops from it at one end of the roving frame, while this latter is in operation.