Abstract: Alpine ski boot comprising an outer shell, in which an inner slipper is placed, the shell being constituted by a shell base incorporating at least one rear cover which pivots on the shell base around a transverse axis to a pivoted open position and vice-versa, while the inner slipper comprises a rear tongue extending upward. The upper part of the rear tongue is held attached to the upper part of the rear cover by at least one connecting slide device.

Abstract: An electric steam iron includes a housing, a water reservoir, a boiler in fluid flow communication with said water reservoir, a soleplate, a first heater for the boiler, and a second heater for the soleplate. A fluid control device regulates the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the boiler. A first thermostat independently regulates the operation of the boiler heater and a second thermostat independently regulates the operation of the soleplate heater. The first and second thermostats are electrically separated from each other and thus the first and second heaters are independently controlled. The boiler comprises a first member in direct contact with the first heater for receiving water from the reservoir and transforming the water into steam. A second member overlies the first member and defines therebetween a first flow path for the steam. A third member overlies the second member and defines therebetween a second flow path for the steam.

Abstract: An electric steam iron includes a housing, a water reservoir, a boiler in fluid flow communication with the water reservoir, a soleplate, a steam cover overlying the soleplate in spaced relation thereto for defining a steam boiler chamber. An electrically operated heater is associated with the soleplate. A fluid control device regulates the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the steam boiler chamber. The chamber has a first portion for receiving water from the reservoir and a second portion. An extraction channel is formed overlying the second portion of the steam chamber. The steam cover has a first opening communicating the steam chamber with the extraction channel. The soleplate has a steam distribution chamber spaced from the steam boiler chamber. The steam cover has a second opening for communicating the extraction channel with the steam distribution chamber.

Abstract: A frame, including a plurality of frame elements 1 and at least one connecting corner element 5 on which the frame elements 1 are mounted in intersected relation, is provided to form a readily accessed enclosure to accommodate therein an article, a glass plate to allow viewing of the article, a backing plate at the rear and an illumination louver. At least one of the frame elements 1 is mounted to the connecting corner element 5 for relative angular movement therebetween, to facilitate easy opening of the enclosure and access to the space defined therein.

Abstract: A device for the identification of objects such as patients, competitors and visitors to trade fairs, animals and baggage. The identification device comprises a strip-like tape made from a tear-resistant material and the attachment of one end of the tape to an arbitrary point on the tape so as to produce a closed strip loop. The tape has at least one field for information identifying the object, and the closed loop may be applied around a projecting part of the object associated with the information in question. The attachment of the aforementioned one end of the tape to an arbitrary point on the tape for producing the strip loop consists of a piece of double-sided adhesive tape applied at the aforementioned one end of the tape. This adhesive tape is covered prior to use by a removable protective film. The adhesive tape is of a type such that, when the joint forming the closed loop is parted at that point, the adhesive tape separates in a laminar fashion so that rejoining is not possible.

Abstract: Identification device for distinctively marking objects, location or sides of symmetrical objects such as audio tape cassettes, so that they can be distinguished in the dark. A carrier lamina has a matt phosphorescent pigment coating exposed on one side so that indelible writing or other marks can be made thereon using a writing instrument. The dark writing or other marks are viewable in the dark in contrast against the glow of the unmarked phosphorescent pigment surface and will not smudge or erase when handled. The opposite side carries a permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive coating so that the phosphorescent lamina can be easily adhered on objects or locations to be marked.

Abstract: Described is a dual magazine assembly comprising a left magazine and a right magazine held together by a holder. The assembly permits either magazine to be received by a firearm even when the firearm has only a single magazine port. The holder comprises a female half, and a male half.The female half has a plate with left and right extensions for engaging the left and right magazines. The female half also has a tube perpendicular to the plate and integral with it. The tube has a hook-receiving surface.The male half also has a plate with left and right extensions for engaging the left and right magazines. It carries a prong adapted to mate with the tube of the female half. The prong has a manually releasable hook at its extremity. The hook overrides the ramp and engages the hook-receiving surface of the female half thereby holding the two halves together.

Abstract: The present invention provides protective padding for preventing damage to a weapon caused by slings used to carry the weapon and the swivels that are used to attach the sling to the weapon, the invention including at least one pad for having an adhesive inner surface that is attached to the weapon in the area where damage would occur.

Abstract: A sight apparatus is formed of a small housing having a curved top and an internally disposed chamber which is intended to be positioned generally at the location of a normal front sight as used with firearms intended for shooting remote targets. The housing incorporates a switchable light emitter such as an LED of substantial brightness which is positioned adjacent a small collimation portion and exit aperture pointed parallel with the gun barrel axis toward the shooter's eye station. The brightness of this emitter output is selected with respect to the brightness of the ambient suround about the target so as to achieve enhanced brightness contour via physiological lateral inhibition within the shooter's eye. There then results a sharp sighting image which represents gun tip positional data to the shooter. This data is available to the shooter even though both eyes are focused at the remote field of the target, generally at infinity, and defocused at the tip of the gun barrel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for use by hunters for the depositing of animal scent for the purpose of attracting game. The invention includes a rigid scent container releasably and sealably engagable with a temperature buffering scent reservoir. The present invention is suspendable above the ground whereby the scent reservoir depends below the scent container. The scent reservoir includes an attachment portion providing for the releasable and sealable engagement with the container, and a reservoir portion. The reservoir portion has an exterior surface defining an interior volume thereof. The scent reservoir also includes a conduit having a first end adjacent the attachment portion and secured thereto, and a second end terminating within the interior volume of the reservoir portion. The conduit provides for fluid communication of the liquid scent between the interior of the container and the scent reservoir portion.

Abstract: A wild game decoy including a flexible reconfigurable neck interconnecting a head and a body. The neck may be manually reconfigured to position the head relative to the body, and the neck will remain in the selected position so as to cause the decoy to assume and retain various selected lifelike poses. The decoy may include supports which selectively permit it to stand in a rigid position or rock back and forth upon the supporting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus having a support post rotatably mounting a tube member, having a first end in engagement with an abutment flange of the support post, with the rotation of the mounting tube relative to the support post, wherein the mounting tube is pivotally mounted within a bifurcated support, wherein the mounting tube receiving a fishing rod therewithin is engaged to a position plate, whereupon a fish strike is released therefrom and retracted by cooperation of a spring member secured to a spring leg mounted to the mounting tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved fishing lure in which the main features of the fishing lure comprises a substantially flat one-piece body portion from the leading front end to the back end. The intermediate portion of the body portion extends to the leading front in a taper providing a decreasing width to a pointed front end and extends to the opposing back end in a taper providing a decreasing width to a circular rear end which contains a hole to include the attachment of a rotatable hook device such as a split ring or snap device to which a fishing line is attached. The leading front portion of the body frame device includes a vertical side portion which extends upwardly and about the top edge portion of the leading front portion of the body device with a hole in the front portion adapted to receive the shank portion of the hook which is attached to the forward portion of the body frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for serial insertion in a fishing line comprising a line segment of substantial elasticity and having connecting eyes at each of its ends for attaching the respective ends of the segment to one end of a fishing line and a fishing leader. The line segment is trained through a transverse opening in a buoyant mass, such as a casting bubble and a pair of stop beads are carried by the segment between the ends of the buoyant mass and the respective connecting eyes in order to provide limited and highly responsive elasticity in the fishing line as built in assistance in setting the fishing hook upon a strike.

Abstract: A method of attaching a line to a hooked item such as a fishing hook, plug, gig, lure or spoon. Each hooked item includes an elongated shank and an open-ended slot disposed contiguous with one end of the shank. Formed when the material from which the shank is fabricated is bent back upon itself, the slot is tapered, having a slight divergence toward the open end of the slot. For a particular slot, a line having a transverse cross-section with a radius approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the closed end of the slot is employed; but because of the tapered slot, each slot size can be used with a wide range of line sizes. To attach the line to the hooked item, one simply places an end of the line through the slot, runs a portion of the line past the slot along the shank, wraps the line extending beyond this portion around it and the shank, and finally pulls the free end of the line into the slot and towards the closed end thereof of the slot.

Abstract: A device for keeping row crop spraying booms, cultivating tools and other agricultural equipment in the correct position relative to rows of plants, where infra-red beams are used to determine the position of the booms or tools in relation to the rows, and activates rams or other actuators to move the booms or tools to the desired relationship with the rows when preset allowable deviation is exceeded.

Abstract: A tree- or post-collar apparatus and method to form a protective area about the base of a tree or post, and which collar apparatus comprises a plurality of edge-overlapping, generally trapezoidal, flat panels having an inner and outer arcuate edge, to form an adjustable, inner, open circle about the tree or post, and fasteners extending through slotted openings, to permit the adjustment of the collar apparatus to the defined, open, inner diameter, and to secure the flat panels in the adjusted position.

Abstract: A receptacle allows planted pots to be placed above the ground and anchored to the ground. The receptacle is made to allow nesting of one receptacle inside another receptacle. The receptacle has an open-topped cavity in which the potted plant may be placed, still within its pot. Additionally, drainage materials are placed in a lower part of the same cavity and the drainage materials serve to anchor the receptacle to minimize the possibility that wind would blow-over the plant. Further, the cavity has a floor with a hole therein for receiving a stake so as to secure the receptacle to the ground. Additionally, a generally circular support flange extends peripherally around the outside of the receptacle in order to provide greater stability. The receptacle has a conical inner wall which is narrower at its lower end and a conical outer wall which is wider at its lower end. A sheet of insulation may be disposed in the inter-wall space between the inner and outer walls.

Abstract: A novel automatic tree waterer is provided herein. It is adapted to be connected to a stand which holds a tree, e.g. a Christmas tree, in an upright position. The waterer includes a hollow support base and a hollow two-piece body section. The lower body section is assembled to the support base by means of a slide coupled lip/coupling support lip to be airtight and watertight. The upper body section is assembled to the lower body section by means of male/female threads to be airtight and watertight. The upper body includes a male threaded upper neck. A hat including an inner well with interlock threads is assembled to the upper body by means of the male/female threads to be airtight and watertight. A water outlet is provided from the interior of the body section. A flow controller unit is connected to the water outlet to close the water outlet to enable filling the interior of the hollow two-piece section with water.

Abstract: A container for a cemetery floral arrangement consists of a disposable paper cup adapted to hold the arrangement and a reusable plastic holder for supporting and retaining the cup in a desired position on the ground. The holder comprises a cup portion adapted to retainingly receive the paper cup and a projecting, tapered, cruciform spike, on the bottom of the cup portion, for fixing the holder in the ground.

Abstract: A vine stake having a sharp point at its lower end for penetrating soil adjacent to a growing vine, a solid flat upper end and along the exterior of its body, a plurality of protruding nodules or ruffles upon which vine-tieing ropes or straps can be rested. Desirably the vine stake comprises a hollow core below a solid flat upper end and is adapted for sub-irrigating vine roots by containing an ingress hole on the exterior of its body through which water or fertilizer solution or suspension can be introduced and also a plurality of egress holes in the exterior of its lower portion through which the water or liquid fertilizer can exit below the soil.

Abstract: A centrifugal disk finishing apparatus utilizing dry media comprising a finishing chamber including an upstanding wall and a rotatable disk forming the bottom wall of the chamber. The disk is mounted in such a manner that a precision gap, known as a seal, is provided between the lower edge of the upstanding wall and the periphery of the disk. The seal extends upwardly and inwardly from the periphery of the disk. The construction of the wall and the support of the wall and disk is such that the disk and wall are rigidly maintained in concentric relation in all conditions of operation and load and therefore gaseous fluid under low pressure utilized in the finishing apparatus can flow readily from a chamber beneath the disk through the seal during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of machining using a jet 14 of abrasive laden fluid. A workpiece 10 is rotated about its central axis 11 on a table and the jet 14 is moved in a radial direction 16. By controlling the relative movements, an overlapping cut can be produced thereby machining an entire chosen area.

Abstract: Dust collection apparatus for collecting dust during the grinding of tires includes a collection head mounted on the end of an arm, the collection head having a series of brushes which are arranged to contact the surface of the tire in proximity to where the grinding is taking place, in order to remove and trap the dust. Vacuum aspiration removes the trapped dust from the area surrounded by the brushes, and conveys it away for disposal, preferably via the arm, the arm being hollow for that purpose. The brushes are arranged such that all or substantially all of the tire surface which has been ground is subjected to the brushes. The dust collection apparatus is preferably attached to the arm which carries the grinding wheel used in the grinding machine, such that when the grinding wheel is moved into position against the tire, the dust collection apparatus moves with it, and is positioned against the tire.

Abstract: In a method for forming a semiconductor wafer with an orientation flat along a cleavage plane, a groove or hole is formed in the substrate on a line along which the substrate is cleaved to form an orientation flat and the substrate is treated to produce a mirrorlike surface. Then, the substrate having the mirrorlike surface is cleaved from the groove or hole to form the orientation flat. Accordingly, edges of the cleavage plane are not rounded due to the surface treatment. In addition, the substrate is easily cleaved along the cleavage plane from the groove or the hole. As a result, a semiconductor wafer having a sharp cleavage plane as an orientation flat is produced with improved yield, and alignment is performed with high precision in a subsequent process, such as photolithography.

Abstract: A method for cleaning articles with pellets. The apparatus has a housing where an article can be cleaned with pellets. A first auger is rotatably disposed in the housing and rotatably passes therethrough for conveying pellets out of the housing after the pellets have been discharged into the housing for contacting an article for cleaning. A second auger is rotatably disposed on the outside of the housing and communicates with the first auger for receiving and transporting pellets therefrom. The second auger has a sleeve having a structure defining at least one opening wherethrough pellets pass after being transported. A rotating impeller is mounted on a side of the housing and receives the pellets through the opening of the sleeve and propels the pellets towards the article. As the pellets contact the article, the article is abrasively cleaned.

Abstract: A rotary finishing tool and a method for making the same characterized by a rolled or coiled strap of plastic material with abrasive homogeneously embedded throughout. The coiled strap is secured to the bottom interior surface of a cup element by a thin layer of liquid quick setting or instant adhesive. The strap may include transverse slits or serrations to provide the degree of flexure desired and/or to provide fracture lines. To make the tool, a longitudinally extending strap of an abrasive containing plastic material is heated and rolled along its longitudinal axis thereby forming a lightly coiled strap. A cup element is supported and the coiled strap is driven into the cup element whereby one end face of the coiled strap is driven into contact with a thin layer of the instant adhesive. Upon curing of the adhesive, the one end face is secured to the bottom interior surface of the cup element, and the opposite or outer end face becomes the working face of the tool.

Abstract: A device for removing hair from the human body is in the form of an abrasive disc and an ergonomically designed handle for applying the disc to the skin with a rotary, orbital or sweeping motion to remove hair by abrasion. The top of the disc retains a supply of liquid which is supplied to the abrasive skin interface through an aperture in the disc. The undersurface of the disc is uniquely contoured to facilitate use on awkwardly shaped areas of the body such as around elbows and ankles.

Abstract: A pressure compensating lung balances pressure between open and closed environments which are substantially isolated from and independent of each other, for example, the Earth's open environment and the closed environment of a second, smaller closed ecological system, Biosphere 2. The lung has an airtight housing and a barrier which includes a flexible membrane, one side of which faces Biosphere 2 and the other side of which faces the outside, with a central pan the perimeter of which is surrounded by the membrane. The membrane has approximately the shape of a surface of a torus. It deviates from a toroidal shape sufficiently to avoid substantial circumferential tension in the membrane. The weight of the pan exerts a positive pressure on the atmosphere in Biosphere 2 for preventing inward leaks.

Abstract: A molded base element includes a base element body having a substantially rhomboid longitudinal sectional shape and formed of two side walls intersecting one another along a longitudinal direction. Each of the side walls extends between longitudinally spaced cut surfaces and has a base surface adjacent a free end thereof opposite the intersection of the side walls. Slots or holes can be formed at the flattened surface at the line of intersection. Alternatively, grooves can be formed on the inner or end surfaces of the walls.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular frame which is made up of a suitable plastic material and is capable of giving the correct L-shaped profile to the upper edges of wells or of canalizations or of openings in general and is prepared so as to give the possibility of anchoring the same strongly to the cement mortar employed for its installation.

Abstract: The invention provides a moving mechanism which can be made so small and lightweight as to be portable when being contracted, which can be formed into a longer higher column than conventional potable column, and which can thus realize a large moving amount without increasing the weight thereof. The movement mechanism has a slender moving member, a driving portion for moving the moving member, a plurality of centering members each having a through hole for the moving member at the center thereof, connected to each other and are moved in linkage with the movement of the moving member so that the distance between the respective centering members can be changed, and a movement passage for supporting and guiding the movement of the centering members.

Abstract: A covered walkway system for a parking lot of a store such as a supermarket having a covered walkway across the front of the store, covered branch walkways extending out from the cross walkway into the lot, parking spaces marked off at opposite sides of the branch walkways, and covered corrals for shopping carts extending out from the sides of the branch walkways.

Abstract: An aluminum frame window includes an outer frame assembly peripherally attached with a water-proof strip assembly, an inner frame assembly fastened to the outer frame assembly on the inside to hold a top-hinged outswinging windowpane and peripherally attached with a water-proof strip assembly, wherein air vents and air fan are made on the top on the inside between the outer frame assembly and the inner frame assembly on the outer frame assembly for ventilation.

Abstract: A fire and smoke seal assembly including an elongate casing housing intumescent material and a flexible elongate seal member projecting from the casing, the casing and seal member being co-extruded from compatible plastics materials so as to be integrally connected, the flexible elongate seal member extending along and adjacent to one side of the casing.

Abstract: A wall structure comprising a track, a plurality of vertical posts secured to the track at predetermined locations, a plurality of horizontal header beams bridging the posts and secured to the posts, and a plurality of wall sections having a grooved side and tongue side and adapted to receive the track in its bottom side, the header beams in its top side, the wall sections assembled together in a tongue and groove relationship along the wall structure with the posts being encapsulated in the tongue and groove joint to form a monolithic wall structure.

Abstract: An insulated load bearing wall (10, 10') comprising panels of extruded polymer foam (20, 22, 50, 52, 54, 56) into which tubular, load carrying frame members (12, 14, 48) have been incorporated. A tongue is formed at one vertical edge of each panel (10, 10') and a groove is formed at the opposite vertical edge. The tubular frame members (12, 14, 48) are bonded to the extruded polymer foam.

Abstract: In a method of constructing a ceiling frame to support a filter at the ceiling of a clean room, the method is characterized in that a number of divisional frame units are formed, each in a rectangular frame, to frame a filter unit to be installed, that those divisional frame units are positioned one after another at the ceiling of the clean room, that the ceiling frame is formed by connecting, to unify, abutting frame members of the divisional frame units, and that the divisional frame units are hanged at the ceiling with hangers applied at the abutting portions of the divisional frame units.

Abstract: There are disclosed building enclosure assemblies consisting of panel members, a support means and a clip attachment means, for the construction of fixed or demountable, full or partial, interior or exterior walls, ceilings and floorings, which can meet code-mandated fire-rating and loading requirements, and in which differently sized and shaped panel members can be articulated to one another through the cooperative assembly of the panel members with the support means and clip attachment means.

Abstract: A rigid patch body for placing over and around a damaged portion (hole) of the external wall of a pressurized vessel, such as a space vehicle or habitat. The rigid patch body allows a person such as an astronaut to make temporary repairs to the pressurized vessel from the exterior of the vessel to enable more permanent repairs to be made from the interior of the vessel. The pressure wall patch of the present invention includes a floor surrounded by four side members. Each side member includes a threaded screw for anchoring the patch body to the external wall of the pressurized vessel and a recess in its lower surface for supporting an inflatable bladder for surrounding the damaged portion (hole) of the external wall to seal the area surrounding the damaged portion to allow the vessel to be repressurized. The floor of the rigid patch body supports a source of gas in communication with a gas supply valve and a gas supply gauge in communication with the gas supply valve and the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A composite girder is described which has a steel Wide Flange beam with the top flange of the Wide Flange beam being embedded in a reinforced concrete compression member that completely encases the top flange of the Wide Flange beam and also encases a portion of the web of the Wide Flange beam adjacent the top flange. The composite girder is intended for use in constructing parking garages and has a unique slope of the upper surface on the concrete compression member to permit drainage of floors constructed when pre-stressed, precast concrete double tees are utilized to span the distance between adjacent composite girders. Apparatus and a method for forming the composite girder in the field have been devised which include the erection of a temporary concrete form support above the steel Wide Flange beam and the pouring of the concrete to form the concrete compression member while the temporary form is in place.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for uncuffing a bag in a case, forming the top of the bag into a neck, and taping the neck, operable on non-square rectangular cases as well as square cases of different sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading open flattened bags has a first air-pervious endless belt having a working flight provided with a working face and an opposite, reverse face; and a second air-pervious endless belt having a working flight provided with a working face and an opposite, reverse face. The working flights of the first and second belts are divergent at an acute angle in the bag conveying direction. There is further provided a suction device generating a vacuum for urging a gas to flow across the working flights in a direction from the working face to the reverse face of each working flight, whereby each bag introduced between the working flights adheres, with opposite bag panels, to the working faces of the working flights and is forwarded thereby in the conveying direction, while being gradually spread open.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic packing system including a station at which a serial stream of articles are placed into stacks (one on top of another) or groups and discharged into a transversely moving tray-type package, or the like. The system includes a conveyor belt for transporting the articles, one by one, while they lie in a horizontal plane. The articles are transferred by another conveyor to a station at the end of the conveyor where the articles are stopped by protruding pins, picked up by a vacuum holding device, transferred by lever mechanisms and carried to a loading station where the articles are dropped one upon another in a stacked manner until an appropriate group has accumulated.

Abstract: A container construction and method for displaying a compact disc for sale and for subsequent storage thereof after purchase by a consumer. The container comprises a base having a storage compartment, a tray pivotally mounted on the base for releasably holding a compact disc, and a lid pivotally mounted on the base for enclosing the tray and disc within the storage compartment of the base to protect the compact disc when not in use after purchase. A locking mechanism is provided on first ends of the base, tray and lid and lock the base, lid and tray in a generally flat extended end-to-end relationship for display with the tray being pivoted into the lid so that the compact disc is secure between the lid and tray. Graphic sheets are placed over the base and lid when in the extended and locked position, and then covered with a clear plastic wrapper for display. After purchase, the wrapper and graphic sheets are removed and the base and lid pulled slightly apart to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A horizontal sealer for a vertical pillow type form-fill-seal packaging machine has a pair of horizontally elongated heater assemblies which are supported such that they remain horizontal as they individually rotate around mutually parallel axes. The distance between these axes are varied as the heater assemblies rotate around them such that the heater assemblies have generally D-shaped trajectories as they horizontally seal a tubularly formed thermoplastic flexible film material to make a bag. Mechanisms are provided whereby the heating surfaces of the assemblies remain oriented in the same direction, the pressure applied to the film material can be controlled and the bag can be squeezed before the horizontal sealing such that articles being packaged will settle inside the bag. A similarly structured vertical sealer may be provided to a horizontal pillow type packaging machine.

Abstract: A machine for conditioning filled and sealed bags for testing, to assure that the bags are accurately tested without damaging the product contained in the bags, and for packaging the bags that have passed the test in cartons with the longitudinal axis of the bags arranged vertical.

Abstract: The high speed rotary cutter bed of a harvester or other mowing machine has a rubberized deflector curtain that wraps around opposite ends and front extremities of the cutter bed to guard against thrown objects, yet permit the ingress of standing crop materials as the machine is advanced. The curtain is divided into a series of discrete sections which mutually overlap along their upright marginal edges so as to permit independent raising and lowering of the curtain sections with their respective, overhead rigid covers into positions permitting access to the cutter bed for maintenance or other purposes.

Abstract: A lever assembly including a clutch actuator mechanism is located within a housing on a handle assembly of a self-propelled machine for selectively activating and deactivating respective clutches for applying power from a prime mover, such as a gasoline engine, to at least one of a set of drive wheels for propelling the machine over a work surface and for applying power to one or more cutting elements, which may be, for example, a blade of a self-propelled lawn mower. Depending upon the sequence of actuation of two clutch activating control levers, the self-propelling drive wheels, cutter element, or both can be selectively actuated so that an operator may, for example, cause the lawn mower to travel across a surface without power being applied to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A clearing apparatus which includes a clearing device for use in clearing operations, and a carriage for supporting the clearing device during use. The clearing device is of conventional type and has an elongated support tube, a clearing head mounted at one end of the support tube, and a motor mounted at the other end of the support tube. The carriage includes a frame, a single support wheel which is rotatably mounted on the frame to support the frame, and a guide handle for use in guiding the apparatus, and the frame has a mounting bracket which mounts the support tube on the frame so that the clearing apparatus will be supported proximate its center of gravity on the support wheel during use.