Abstract: The present invention teaches a converter whereby a power driven agitator brush type vacuum cleaner such as a hand held cleaner, may be converted for use with an extended vacuum hose and associated suction tools. The converter incorporates a tool caddy having storage posts upon which the suction tools may be stored both during use of the cleaner in the converted mode or when the converter is not in use.

Abstract: The improved carpet cleaning machine, intended for use with "dry" carpet cleaning systems using dampened granules or particles, can be used in either of two modes. One involves carpet "brushing" for dirt removal by urging particles into the carpet and along the fibers. The other involves later vacuuming for particle removal. To facilitate the latter, one embodiment of the machine has first and second particle-removing media such as a concentrically-mounted cyclone separator and conical screen filter, respectively. The separator has air flowing through it downwardly along a vortical path and then upward, such air flow often carrying along a few particles. Such high-velocity particles impinge on the outer surface of the screen filter and many particles adhering to such filter are dislodged. The filter is said to thereby be "purged" or cleaned. There may also be a third medium and even a fourth medium to remove very fine particles before the air is expelled back into the room.

Abstract: A connection for adjustably holding two window hardware members in pivotally connected relationship, including a first hardware member with a first cylindrical opening, a second hardware member with a second cylindrical opening, and a stud. The stud has a flange having two substantially parallel faces and a peripheral surface therebetween, with a rivet portion projecting from one face and a pivot portion projecting from the other face. The rivet portion includes a cylindrical neck extending through the first cylindrical opening and a head on the end of the neck, the flange and the head engaging opposite sides of the first hardware member to frictionally secure the stud against freely pivoting relative to the track. The pivot portion includes a cylindrical shaft eccentric from the cylindrical neck and extending through the second cylindrical opening. A C-ring is disposed in an external peripheral groove in the pivot portion to secure the second hardware member thereto for pivoting about the cylindrical shaft.

Abstract: A wool card includes a rotatable Morel roller and first and second burr beaters rotatable relative to the Morel roller and relative to each other and spaced apart about the periphery of the Morel roller. The wool to be carded moves in one direction about the Morel roller and between the first burr beater and the Morel roller and then between the second burr beater and the Morel roller. The first burr beater turns at a lower speed than the second burr beater. The burr beaters have blades thereon which contact the wool to remove impurities from the wool. The number of blades on the first burr beater is less than the number of blades on the second burr beater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device for semipermanently fixing a part, such as a fluid conveying hose, dustproof bellows, axial boot or the like, on the circumferential surface of an desired mating device. According to this invention, even if such part looses its elasticity owing to aging, the clamping device maintains the permanent stable firm clamping state. For this purpose, the inner and outer overlap portions (11a, 110a; 11b, 110b) of the clamp band (11, 110) made of metal strip material (M) are forced by an operating tool to close until the seizing tooth (16a, 160a) of the inner overlap portion (11a, 110a) and the fixed tooth (22b, 220b) of the outer overlap portion (11b, 110b) seize each other, thereby contracting the bore diameter of the clamp band (11, 110).

Abstract: A buckle has a pair of side flange portions interconnected in spaced relation by a plurality of transverse bars. A first anchoring bar and a second anchoring bar are held in spaced partially superimposed relation to each other to define therebetween a substantially "Z"-like path for wrapping therearound a web-like material or a belt. The belt is thereby firmly secured in place relative to the buckle after its length has been adjusted.

Abstract: A one-piece clip for attaching thermostats to pipes has a peripheral wall that is circumferentially interrupted to define adjacent end portions that are reversely bent into cooperative hooks. The clip has a top portion attachable to a thermostat and an opposite bottom portion that is positionable on the opposite side of a pipe from the thermostat. The clip is resiliently deformable to move the hooks into interengaged relationship and the clip then holds the thermostat against the pipe.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle guard comprises a one-piece, molded plastic, box-like enclosure having one open end and an opposite end wall with a slot. The seat belt buckle fits through the open end into the enclosure with its latch plate receiving slot aligned with the slot in the housing. The latch plate on one belt half can be inserted through the housing slot to make with the buckle. Formed in the top wall and the end wall is an opening for gaining access to the buckle release button. In one arrangement, the opening is a narrow slot through which a flat object, such as a key, can be inserted to operate the buckle's release button. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the opening is a circular aperture of a size permitting one's finger to be inserted to operate the release button. The opening is surrounded by a tubular stub or neck threaded on its exterior to receive a child-resistant safety cap of the type commonly used on medicine bottles.

Abstract: A corrugated cardboard coffin for use in cremation funeral services, comprising a body receiving portion and a lid which is telescopically mounted thereon. Two embodiments of the lid are presented, one of them being of a unitary construction and the other consisting of two sections which fit onto the top of the body receiving portion in back-to-back fashion. One of the sections can be removed to allow mourners to view the body. The present invention provides a sturdy and cosmetically appealing coffin with no corrugated cardboard fluting being visible in the erected structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a fiber batt to a needle loom, in which a gusset gap is filled between the reversing roller of an upper pre-compression conveyor band and an upper supply roller by means of a slim transmission roller, which is suspended at its length at several locations, in order to avoid sagging. The suspensions can consist of ribbons, which carry the transmission roller, or they can be formed by holding fingers which are integrally formed with guide fingers of a finger roller and which are located in respective circumferential grooves in the transmission roller. In an alternative the transmission roller is divided into several segments and roller bearings are provided at the connection positions of the segments and are suspended from above (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Threads consisting of one or more filaments are drawn by being pulled through a braking fluid. Threads consisting of a plurality of filaments are formed into a ribbon for the drawing process. Inside the drawing bath, the thread is heated to a temperature corresponding to its second order transition temperature and is braked in such a way that its tension reaches the tension necessary for drawing the filament or the filaments. Through setting and/or controlling the length of the thread path inside the braking fluid, the viscosity of the fluid, additional mechanical braking means and/or the flow characteristics in the bath, the process is made adaptable for different thread materials and different thread speeds and can be optimized for thread quality. The device for carrying out the process has a quasi-closed main chamber through which a braking fluid is circulated. An antechamber with a variable fluid level may be arranged in front of the entrance to the main chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming a tapered channel for a jack which uses less material comprising forming curved openings in the center portion of the channel and then stretching the middle portion of the channel so that it is tapered to produce a tapered channel.

Abstract: A machine tool for performing drilling operations at a high speed on a rotating workpiece and for subsequently performing threading operations while minimizing loss time due to speed changes, based upon synchronization of the workpiece with tools that separately perform the drilling and threading operations. During the performance of the drilling operation, a high speed rotation of the workpiece is maintained and workpiece position is detected. The tapping tool is rotated to a similar high speed and is synchronized with the rotating workpiece in both rotational velocity and position. Upon completion of the drilling operation, tapping is performed and subsequent drilling operations may be resumed promptly. Since synchronization has been achieved, the switching between drilling and tapping operations may be obtained with little loss time.

Abstract: Worn screw threads in the lower unit of a motorboat are repaired by cutting off the trailing end of a housing that is formed integral with the lower unit. The cut off part has the worn screw threads formed in it. A replacement part having pre-formed screw threads is welded into place to replace the cut off part, and a screw thread-cutting tool is used to clean and remove warpage from the screw threads in the replacement part after the welding is completed. An alignment tool holds the replacement part during the welding procedure.

Abstract: A method of installing a filter belt onto each of a pair of wind up rollers disposed on either side of a filter housing is disclosed. The filter belt is detachably secured at either end to a respective roller by a sewn in flexible element received in an undercut groove in the roller surface. Each end of the belt is fully inserted lengthwise into the undercut groove in the respective roller surface while bending the flexible element around side plates of the filter housing so as to secure each end of the filter belt to a respective roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zipper for a reclosable thermoplastic bag having opposing rib and groove profiles wherein at least one of the opposing zipper profiles has an longitudinally extending part interlockable and substantially free of interdigitation with the opposing profile and wherein the part is structurally discontinuous along its length. When the rib and groove profiles are interlocked, an audible clicking sound and/or a vibratory or bumpy feel perceptible to the touch is imparted.Further disclosed is a process and apparatus for making the zipper wherein a zipper profile is extruded and indentions are formed within and along it.

Abstract: A crimping tool resembling tongs is disclosed, with an anvil in which, by means of the swing of a handle, a component can be supplied, via a feed device, to the anvil and in the latter is capable of being crimped with the cable end, where the swing motion of the handle is transmitted via a transmission mechanism to close the anvil, which is designed so that the anvil, at the end of the swing range of the handle, is to open for removal of the crimp connection. Feed of the component to the anvil is effected by means of a transport linkage and a transport fork, which by way of a control element are in active communication with the transmission mechanism, so that the rate of motion of the transport fork is capable of being influenced in the entire range of swing of the movable handle.

Abstract: A cutter head assembly for dismantling pallets includes a cross member pivotally supported on a machine. The cross member supports one or more cutter heads thereon in forwardly projecting operational position which is freely slidable in a lateral direction. The cutter heads have an offbearing tray for portions of the pallets. The assembly of cutter heads is tiltable rearwardly on the pivot support to an upper maintenance position. Lock pins hold the cutter head assembly positively between the down operational position and the up maintenance position. The center of gravity of the cutter head assembly is at the pivot support to provide a balanced structure, and a spring loaded member is provided to urge the assembly rotatably down to its operational position. The spring loaded member also maintains the cutter head assembly in its maintenance position. A positive lock is provided between the cutter head assembly and the machine frame in both of these positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming the leads of electrical components such as five-leaded TO-220 packages is provided. Taped components are supplied from a reel to a sensor which detects the presence of an electrical component contained on the tape, and stops advancement of the tape. While the tape is stopped, a cutter singulates a segment of tape having at least one electrical component from the remainder of the tape. The singulated tape is then advanced through a lead forming station, where the leads of the electrical component are formed into the desired configuration. A method is also disclosed for forming the leads of electrical components supplied on a roll of tape.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micro-strip antenna in which when a radiating conductor is installed on one side of a dielectric which has a grounding conductor on another side. A projection is installed at an edge portion of the radiating conductor and cut a specific amount so as to adjust the center frequency of the micro-strip antenna. Instead, such an adjustment of the center frequency of the micro-strip antenna is obtained by cutting away a part of an edge area of the radiating conductor a specific amount.

Abstract: A chip inductor is provided and a ceramic enclosure is formed with a central bore therein by means of known powder metallurgy techniques. The ceramic powders are bonded with a suitable bonder, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), to form particles of a suitable size. The particles are then compacted and pressed by, for example, a hydraulic device to form a desired shape and then sintered and 1,300 to 1,500 degrees Celsius. Thereafter, terminals for external connection, which has three layers of different metals and/or alloys, such as silver, nickel and the alloy of tin and lead, are formed on suitable locations of the ceramic enclosure. The naked chip inductor is disposed inside the central bore of the ceramic enclosure and soldered to the pre-formed terminals. The final phase of the manufacturing process is to seal the openings of the central bore of the ceramic enclosure with resin, such as epoxy resin or acrylic resin.

Abstract: In a parts mounting apparatus, suction nozzles are mounted on a rotating carrier driven by a motor. With rotation of the rotating carrier, parts are sucked by the nozzles at a feed station and carried to a mounting station where the parts such as electronic parts are mounted on substrates, for example. A counter counts output pulses from an encoder mounted in the motor driving the rotating carrier. A microcomputer determines the rotational speed and rotational position of the rotating carrier from the count value of the counter. Based on the result of the determination, the microcomputer calculates a timing for delivering a signal for switching the nozzles between two different pneumatic states.

Abstract: A capacitor is disposed within a semiconductor device assembly atop a plastic layer pad, beneath which passes a pair of leads connected to a semiconductor device. The capacitor is connected to the pair of leads, such as by soldering, spot welding or conductive epoxy through cutouts in the pad. In one embodiment, the cutouts extend into the pad from inner and outer edges thereof. In another embodiment, the cutouts are holes through the pad. A plurality, such as four, capacitors are conveniently disposed atop a corresponding plurality of pads, and are connected to a corresponding plurality of pairs of leads within the semiconductor device assembly. By positioning the capacitor(s) as closely to the semiconductor device as possible, the efficacy of the capacitor(s) is maximized. Method and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, and apparatus useful in the method, for the automated loading of probes in a probe head intended for use in automated testing of printed circuit boards. The invention automatically places probes in a probe head at on-grid and at off-grid test points, with probes for the latter test points being vertically inclined from base ends which are on-grid to test ends which are off-grid, corresponding to the off-grid test points of the printed circuit board. In the method, the probes are stored in a dispensing unit which is fully populated with on grid probes at a uniform grid spacing. A mask is custom drilled for the circuit under test at on-grid locations and is used to permit transfer of selected probes from the dispensing unit to a probe cassette. The probe cassette is then transferred to a probe loading unit which is loaded with a stack of the probe plates intended for the probe head.

Abstract: Shaped contacts (40, 42) for interconnecting circuits or for use in an integrated circuit test probe are electroplated as integral parts of circuit traces (34) upon a stainless steel mandrel (10). A shaped, hardened steel indentation tool (16, 18, 26, 28) makes indentations (24a, 24b) of predetermined shape in the surface of the mandrel (10), which is provided with a pattern of dielectric, such as Teflon (12), or photoresist. Areas of the steel mandrel, including the indentations (24a,24b), are electroplated with a pattern of conductive material (34, 36, 38), and a dielectric substrate (32) is laminated to the conductive material. The circuit features formed by the indentations define raised contacts of a conical (18) or pyramidal (28) shape, having free ends with a small area that allows higher pressures to be applied to a surface against which the contacts are pressed.

Abstract: Two-piece socket contact assemblies and methods for manufacturing these assemblies are provided. The manufacturing process includes providing a blank strip of indefinite length, piercing the strip to provide a plurality of apertures, profiling a contact body shape along at least an edge portion of the blank to form precursors of a contact body, forming the precursors into a predetermined configuration, plating these precursors, and thereafter assembling them with a coaxially disposed sleeve.

Abstract: A roll which has a metallic core and an elastomeric envelope is obtained by assembling the cover from a stack of discs each of which surrounds the core. In order to impart to the cover a desired elasticity, the discs contain a fibrous material and a plastic substance and are pressed against each other in the longitudinal direction of the core. The plastic substance is hardenable within an interval exceeding 48 hours. The pressing step is started with a delay following the step of placing the discs around the core such that the hardening begins prior to compressing and is terminated within an interval not less than 48 hours following the start of the pressing step.

Abstract: A safety razor having two independent separate shaving heads for shaving with and against the grain by pulling the handle of the razor across a working surface, then turning the handle about its longitudinal axis and using the other head by pushing the handle to shave against the grain. The shaving head used by pulling is mounted at an angle with respect to the handle and the head used by pushing is mounted substantially parallel to the handle.

Abstract: A hand operated ratchet tool includes first and second pivotally coupled jaws, first and second links pivotally coupled to the first and second jaws, respectively, a third link pivotally coupled in common with the first and second links, and first and second handles pivotally coupled with the first and third links, respectively, and with one another. First and second pawls are mounted on the pivots between the third link and second handle and between the first link and first handle, respectively. Each alternately engage with teeth provided along a semi-circular edge of the second link to rotate the second link in a direction which closes the adjoining working faces of the jaws. The first pawl has two separate sets of teeth configured to respectively engage with the link teeth when the second link is being rotated in either of two opposing directions to open and close the jaws.

Abstract: An arresting device for force-transmitting fixing of two relatively movable parts, particularly for cutting angle or cutting depth adjustment of electric hand saws, the arresting device has a pin having a radially extending pressing surface for pressing against one of the parts, a clamping element having a pressing surface for pressing against another of the parts and arranged on the pin so that by a relative turning of the clamping element and the pin the pressing surfaces are moved toward one another for producing a clamping and from one another for releasing the clamping. The clamping element is formed as a hand lever having a clamping sleeve and a lever arm extending from the clamping sleeve. The clamping sleeve is turnably arranged on the pin and has a clamping collar extending over the lever arm and provided with a ring-shaped end surface forming the pressing surface of the clamping element.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes an open-ended, non-spinning housing, which is fitted with an inner lining that rotates within the housing at speeds sufficient to de-water material loaded from within and along the length of the inner liner. A loading conveyor system has a discharge end that can be relatively positioned horizontally at various depths within the inner liner to deposit product at continuously variable layer depths on the inner liner while it is spinning. Once loaded, the inner liner is accelerated to a drying speed and the housing is swiveled to vertical on gudgeons. Once drying is complete, the inner liner is slowed down, or stopped, and the de-watered product can fall out to land on an unloading conveyor.

Abstract: A gas supply system includes a gas source containing a process gas to be supplied in a reduced-pressure container, a piping unit including a metallic pipe through which the process gas circulates and arranged between the gas supply source and the reduced-pressure container, and a duct formed of a metallic and/or nonmetallic pipe and arranged between the piping unit and the reduced-pressure container. At least part of the duct is formed of an austenitic stainless steel containing 6% or more of molybdenum by weight.

Abstract: To support a foot, a special shoe is adapted to receive a flat flexible member having a first fastening means on one end thereof, whereby it may be fastened to a shoe. The shoe has first, second, third and fourth fastening means attached thereto. The second and third fastening means are positioned on opposite sides of the medial plane of the arch of the shoe and are spaced from each other within a range of one-half to four inches; the first and fourth fastening means being positioned within a range of one-eighth to two inches upwardly from a sole and within a range of one-half to three inches of a heel, whereby they are located lower than the arch of the shoe and within a range from the arch of one-half to three inches. The flat flexible member has a second fastening means on a second side, whereby one of said first and second fastening means may be fastened to a shoe over the arch of the foot and the other fastened to a location on the shoe near the sole adjacent to the heel.

Abstract: A damping device for use with a conventional dirt bucket on a dirt mover which includes a skid shoe hingedly attachable to the bucket by means of a hinge at the front end of the skid shoe, the skid shoe having a wear plate attached to the bottom. The skid shoe with wear plate attached is attachable to the back of the bucket by a spring loaded leg removably connected to an outer sleeve which substantially encloses the spring loaded leg and which is rigidly attachable to the back of the bucket.

Abstract: A high production dragline bucket which has a low profile in the back wall as well as fewer components than those commonly in use. The bucket is not only lower in production costs, but has higher operating efficiencies. It is adaptable to both single or double sheave dumping assemblies. A replaceable basket portion for the bucket is also described.

Abstract: An ironing machine with a computer-assisted control device for the advancing pressure and the pressing time between an upper and a lower shaping board (10, 16) which are movable relative to one another both vertically and horizontally, the ironing machine has a differential-pressure regulating device (1 to 6, 11) which, during the computer-controlled application of pressure to the article to be ironed, takes into account the dead weight of the movable shaping board, as a rule the upper shaping board (10). A substantially higher ironing quality, especially where sensitive textiles are concerned, can be achieved by the invention, because the ironing pressure can be preselected reproducibly within very fine steps.

Abstract: A steam burst electric iron utilizes a flat horizontal sole plate with a pointed front end and provided with a plurality of steam ports. A hollow body having a top disposed handle is disposed above and is secured to the sole plate. The portion of the body which is secured to the plate is congruent therewith. The front end of the body is disposed above the plate and contains a water inlet port. A water reservoir is disposed in the body. The reservoir is connected to the inlet port and has a floor which extends longitudinally through a major portion of the body. The reservoir has a front end communicating with the inlet port and has an opposite rear end. The floor is longitudinally inclined downwardly toward the rear end and contains a longitudinal recess extending between the front and rear ends of the reservoir. A manually operated steam burst pump has an actuating button disposed in the handle. The pump has an inlet and an outlet and extends downwardly in the body.

Abstract: A picture frame (10) for safe handling by children having a front subframe (12) and rear subframe (18) with smooth, substantially unbroken outer surfaces which sandwich a transparent sheet (14) against which the picture (16) is placed. The picture (16) is sealed such that moisture under normal atmospheric conditions cannot reach it.

Abstract: A front-loading poster frame assembly is disclosed with molded corner frame members positioned between adjacent frame sections. The corner frame members securely attach together the base portions of adjacent frame sections. The cover portions are mitered at the corners and hinged to the base portions. Interference members are situated in openings in the hinge pintle members on the base portions and prevent the cover portions from relative longitudinal movement.

Abstract: An attachable informational booklet attachable to an elongated member is provided. The booklet includes a plurality of information providing segments. Each segment is a generally flat member having front and rear faces and including a mechanism for providing transcribed information to a user thereof. Each of the plurality of segments is connected to at least another of the segments such that the booklet can be folded so that at least two of the faces can oppose one another. The booklet further includes a coupling mechanism for coupling two opposing faces together, wherein the coupling mechanism can couple the booklet together around the elongated member thereby attaching the booklet thereto.

Abstract: A display supported on the roof comprising a case and a flexible panel. House number indicia is on the panel. The case is connected to the roof of a house structure and the panel is movable from a storage position wherein the panel is disposed in the case to a display position wherein the panel extends a distance from the space so that the house number indicia is observable or visible from a position above the roof.

Abstract: Netting, consisting of threads (3) of wires for fences and/or sporting activities, as an information carrier, being coated each on one of the two viewing sides I and III, in which instance the coating (6) of each thread (3) or wire extends up to an imaginary center plane (7) of the netting as a maximum, splitting said netting into two halves of the threads (3) or wires, rendering visible each half from one side only.

Abstract: An electrostatic and magnetic holder for paper, signs and the like wherein the holder is mounted upon glass or similar dielectric surfaces by electrostatic attraction. The holder includes an electrostatically attractable flexible base, and a folded clip section also preferably formed of flexible electrostatic material which is attached to the base either by electrostatic attraction, heat sealing or an adhesive. The clip section includes a pair of opposed magnets, one of the magnets being mounted upon a movable flap whereby the magnets may move relative to each other, and a thin article such as paper, or paper signs, may be gripped between the magnets for support by the holder.

Abstract: A safety display sign includes a wire post member having spaced apart wire legs extending from a rounded end portion. The wire legs extend through the channels of a corrugated polyethylene sign panel, and project therefrom a sufficient distance to permit secure fixation in the ground. An extruded polyethylene base member is provided with two slotted passages integrally formed at opposite side edges of the base member to receive and grip the wire legs in a unitary assembly which prevents the sign panel from sliding along the length of the wire legs. The polyethylene base is positioned along the length of the wire legs and is urged against the edge of the sign panel by the ground or other supporting surface to secure the sign panel at the top portion of the post.

Abstract: An information display device wherein there is a base plate with information bearing face plates detachably mounted thereon by one or more spline elements that press-fit with formations on each of the opposing faces of the base and face plate. End caps are optional as are also separator strips between panels where there are a number of panels mounted on one base plate. Splines press-fit into grooves in each of the base plate and face plate. In one embodiment the spline is U-shaped receiving therein a rib on one member and projecting into a groove formed between two ribs on the other of the two plates.

Abstract: An adjustable band (10) is provided which utilizes magnetic force to retain the desired circumference. The band is fabricated from a planer strip of flexible magnetized material (12), and allows a continuous range of circumferential adjustment. Magnetized or magnetic guides (22, 24) hold the ends (18, 20) of the adjustable band (10) together.

Abstract: A radially loading ignition system for a muzzle loading weapon generally comprises a body having threads on its outer surface and a well sunk into one end for loosely holding a shotgun shell primer; a first opening through the side of the well for passing the primer into the well radially; and a rotatable cover enclosing the well and having a second opening which is aligned with the first opening for loading the primer and which is rotated out of alignment with the first opening for closing the ignition system. The ignition system is suitable for use in muzzle loading weapons using either an in-line firing system or a conventional swing hammer. A spare primer holder is also disclosed which comprises a semi-circular ring of elastomeric material adapted to snap onto a rifle scope or barrel and having a series of holes for frictionally receiving spare primers.

Abstract: A deer scent dispenser is provided for use in the field to attract deer. The dispenser is comprised of a cylindrical container provided with a bottom reservoir for liquid deer scent. The upper part of the container has plastic screen walls which hold a wick of absorbent biodegradable rayon, cotton or the like. The wick is supported upon a spindle and spaced from the interior wall of the container to provide for maximum diffusion and avoid dripping of scent on the wall. A cap closes the container at the top and a loop or bail detachable at one end for fitting over a support such as a branch is provided for supporting the container. The screen wall of the container has openings of a sufficient size to provide visual inspection for the condition of the wick and the reservoir and to receive a probe for moving the wick to ascertain the level of the liquid. The reservoir may be filled with liquid from the top by opening the cap or through the screen by slightly tilting the container.

Abstract: At least two rod-holding units are mounted on a substantially vertical, elongated flat surface. Each of the units has a mounting flange that holds a bracket in a vertical plane, normal to the flat surface. Each of the brackets has a central opening within which a diaphragm of flexible material is secured. The flexible material is cut into a series of wedges between a centrally-located hole and the central opening of the bracket. The wedges are intended to flex in either direction to accomodate any portion of a rod, and hold it. Each of the wedges has a series of lateral ridges, to grip the adjacent portions of the rod, and hollows molded into the flexible material, between the centrally-located hole and the central openings, to increase the flexibility of the outer portions of the wedges.

Abstract: A fishhook remover includes a tubular housing for retaining a cylindrical plunger biased toward the bottom of the fishhook remover by a compression spring bearing against the plunger in a handle end, capped by a knob. A T-shaped handled mounted on the plunger allows the fisherman to reciprocate the plunger within the tubular housing. A grabber hook extending from the working end of the plunger is used to grab the embedded fishhook by the shank. Pulling the handle toward the knob at the top of the device causes the fishhook to become aligned with fishhook aligning means consisting of a downwardly extending flange portion of the tubular housing and into a V-shaped notch in the flange portion. Further, a pair of opposed slots in the lower portion of the tubular housing allow the curved shank portion of the hook to slide through the slots as the fishhook is drawn into the lower portion of the housing and thereby the fishhook is withdrawn from the fish along the same path it took when it entered the fish.