Abstract: The invention is a multifunctional, mobile appliance capable of performing a variety of tasks safely, quietly, without pollution, and out of sight of its owner. Such tasks might include lawn mowing, fertilizing, and edging, floor vacuuming, waxing, and polishing, or rug shampooing. In its preferred implementation, the mobile unit 1 would obtain precise real time and position information using the Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System. The user initially guides the appliance around the work-area perimeters. The device then uses this information to determine the full working area. Proximity detectors and impact sensors help the appliance avoid unexpected obstacles. The device is quiet enough to perform its task in the middle of the night while its owner is asleep, but can be programmed to work continuously or during any user-specified time interval. The small turning radius of the appliance allows it to follow intricate perimeters.

Abstract: This invention is a mounting system which provides impact protection for crop dividers or row dividers mounted on crop sprayers or harvesters and the like. A divider extends forwardly and downwardly and terminates with a ground engageable shoe. The ground engageable shoe rotates downwardly about a generally horizontal axis relative to the rest of the crop divider assembly. The ground engageable shoe is retained in operating position by gravity and a unique and simple link system. Upon engaging an obstruction the ground engageable shoe rotates downwardly about its axis of rotation thereby activating the link system which lifts the entire divider and ground engageable shoe clear of the obstruction.

Abstract: An attachment for a corn harvester to pick up loose ears off the ground. In the embodiment described, novel pickup and conveyor mechanism are substituted for the forward, pointed snout members at the forward ends of the longitudinally extending hoods which are part of the row dividers in a conventional corn head and which define throats aligned with rows of corn. The attachment cooperates with the conventional stripper plates, gathering chains, and snapping rolls, making the harvester doubly effective in that it collects loose ears from the ground as well as picking them from the stalks.