Abstract: An animal training system including a programming apparatus and an animal training collar. The animal training collar is communicatively couplable to the programming apparatus. The animal training collar includes at least one stimulation probe and a programmable device operatively connected to the at least one stimulation probe to activate the at least one stimulation probe. The at least one stimulation probe also transferring data at least one of to and from the programming apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for watering animals generally include a container having an inner recess. A pump directs water from the inner recess of the container through a fluid column, which may contain filter medium. One or more spouts are located at a terminal end of the fluid column and direct the water in one or more streams back to the inner recess of the container. The spouts may be associated with one of various spout plates that can be interchanged with one another and adjusted to orient the streams of water. Some embodiments employ a restrictor plate that may be variably positioned within the flow of water. Other embodiments provide a variable speed pump that incrementally adjusts the rate of flow.

Abstract: A hand orthosis supporting a patient's thumb and fingers spaced apart and separated from contact with the palm of the hand, including an elongated body having a palm surface, a thumb portion, and a finger support portion. The elongated body includes a plurality of unequal cross-sectional areas spaced along the axial length between a distal end and a base end. A plurality of finger concavities are angled in helical orientation along the orthosis, including spaced apart concavities for each finger and the patient's thumb. Each finger and thumb concavity is angled non-perpendicular relative to the orthosis axial length to retain the fingers and thumb spaced apart, curved in a relaxed orientation, and apart from the palm of the hand during extended periods of time without impeding hand or wrist motion. A method of extended use for the hand orthosis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sign system for roads includes a back sign. The back sigh has a mount affixed to the ground that is adjacent to a road. A back sign device is affixed to the mount. The mount has a front face that is visible to oncoming traffic. The back sign device is located on a rear face visible to traffic that has passed the back sign, wherein a driver may observe the back sign device in a mirror mounted upon their vehicle after passing the back sign device and the back sign provides information to the driver. The sign system for roads may further include a broadcasting unit. The broadcasting unit may be in communication with a receiving unit being positioned in a vehicle and is adapted to communicate with the driver. When the driver of said vehicle approaches the back sign, the receiving unit can alert the driver of additional information.

Abstract: A gate for a pet enclosure having limited visibility from inside the enclosure of events taking place outside the enclosure. In one embodiment, the gate of the present invention is formed from a plurality of removable panels which define an outer facial surface of the gate. At least one portal is provided in the gate for limited protrusion of a pet's face into the portal only to the extent of the nose and eyes of the pet. The portal is provided about its perimeter with an artistic which enhances the outer appearance of the gate itself, and when associated with a pet animal's partial exposure within the portal, provides a striking and enjoyable, sometimes comical, visual alteration of the facial surface of the gate. In various embodiments, the artistic associated with a given portal in the gate may be changed employing plural artistics which are arrayed on a moveable mount which positions selected artistics in register with selected ones of a plurality of portals defined in the gate.

Abstract: Described is a portable and intuitive golf swing improvement device for indicating the proper shift of a golfer's body weight to the front foot during a down swing. More specifically, the swing improvement device measures the shift of the golfer's body weight during a golf swing and indicates when such shift is in accordance with a technically sound swing. Additionally, the swing improvement device is self-sufficient and portable such that the device is deployable almost anywhere. The swing improvement device also provides swing analysis in a manner that is immediately understandable to the golfer.

Abstract: An adjustable mold for manufacturing a pre-cast cantilevered concrete retaining wall. The adjustable mold includes a base, at least one upright form disposed substantially perpendicular and adjacent to the base, and a plurality of rails interchangeable and repositionable adapted to be secured to the base to vary the size and surface features of the retaining wall. The base, the upright form, and the plurality of rails cooperate to define a plurality cavities in fluid communication that shape and allow sufficient curing of a combination of fluid concrete and concrete reinforcement to form a retaining wall of a selected configuration. A top surface of the base is contoured to define the mold negative of a textured shape desirable for the external surface of the pre-cast cantilevered concrete retaining wall.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for recreational purposes. The system includes a vessel rotatably mounted, a support stand, and a drive system. The vessel has a wall that defines an internal cavity, sufficient for at least one occupant to be received wherein the occupant is in contact with the wall, and a tunnel for accessing the internal cavity. The wall has dampens the contact between the occupant and the vessel. The support stand has two connectors carried by elevated members on opposing sides of the vessel for supporting the vessel. A drive system that includes a motor mechanically connected to at least one of the connectors for rotating the vessel and the occupant within the internal cavity.

Abstract: A variable voltage electronic pet training apparatus. The variable voltage electronic pet training apparatus controls the intensity of the stimulation by the controlling the voltage level present at the primary side of the transformer while maintaining a fixed signal to the correction pulse switch. A trigger signal contains information about the desired stimulus intensity level. A controller interprets the trigger signal and produces a voltage control signal associated with the desired energy level. Application of the voltage control signal to a power converter keeps the voltage level applied to an energy storage capacitor sufficient to produce the desired stimulation intensity.

Abstract: A light-diffusing safety cap for use with a light cable that couples an endoscope to a high intensity light source. The light-diffusing safety cap can be detachably or releasably coupled, in lieu of the endoscope, to the light cable, such that when the high intensity light source emits a high intensity light and the endoscope is not connected to the light cable, the light-diffusing safety cap reduces the intensity of the high intensity light emitted to the environment and provides an indication that the high intensity light source is activated when the endoscope is not connected to the light cable.

Abstract: Rubber-modified cementitious substances and various methods of making such substances or components thereof. One embodiment of the substance includes a mix of cement and composite particles, wherein essentially each of the composite particles has a rubber core enclosed in an inorganic exterior and wherein the rubber core is chemically coupled to the inorganic exterior. The chemical coupling between the rubber core and the inorganic exterior and the bonding between the inorganic exterior and the cement result in a rubber-modified cementitious substance that has greater strength than comparable conventional rubber-modified cementitious substances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device us robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.