Abstract: A pet foot washer having a body and an upper lid provided with a trough and a tray. The body includes a bucket and a brush wheel unit secured in position and striding over both sides of the body to roll between the trough and the bucket containing water. A foot of the pet is put on brush wheel while turning the crank to clean a sole of the foot of the pet.

Abstract: Animal litter composed of plural discrete particles that are dual component granules. Each of the absorbent granules of this invention is made up of an inner core and an external coating complex. The inner core of the granule may be made with natural or artificial fibers, mineral filler, and binder. The coating of the granule may be made with an agglomerating agent and with natural or artificial materials that reduce odors and/or prevent the formation of malodors. The external coating layer may consists essentially of bentonite, zeolite and/or boric acid, and, optionally, fine cellulose fibers. The granules of this invention agglomerate into clumps when wetted. The highly absorptive and lightweight litter of this invention substantially reduces litter box malodors, extends usage duration of a given cat litter volume unit, and increases consumer convenience by substantially reducing the weight of the product in conventionally sized packaging.

Abstract: A quick-release fish hook enables an angler to one-handedly release a fish caught on the hook without dangerous hand exposure to sharp fish teeth or the hook itself. A forward hook shank portion with an interior channel is connected to a slotted rear shank portion extending obliquely from the rear end of the forward hook shank portion. A generally U-shaped hook member with a sharp tip and an opposed locking notch is rotatively attached in the slot in the rear shank portion by a swivel pin which is displaced from the axis of the forward hook shank portion. A lock rod rides in the interior channel and is rearwardly spring-biased at all times to be disposed in the locking notch. The hook is released by pulling a distal button connected to the lock rod to retract the lock rod from the notch. A cam surface is adjacent the locking notch and forces retraction of the lock rod from an extended position and into the interior channel when the unlocked hook member is rotated.

Abstract: A fishing rod rack for the support of a plurality of fishing rods, the fishing rod rack spanning the width of the bed of a pick up truck. The fishing rod rack has a two piece bracket member at each end for engaging the inward lip of the respective side walls, there being a support rod extending between opposing bracket members. A plurality of support tubes are rotatably secured to the support rod by a clasp member rotatable about the support rod and secured in angular position by a pair of set screws.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bait station for rodents, in particular for rats, with a box, entry and exit holes in the vicinity of the box floor and run areas extending in the box between the latter for rodents. The aim is to construct such a bait station such that when in the ready position the run areas for the rodents in the box are accepted more quickly and less timidly. For this purpose when the bait station is in the ready position the zones of the box floor of the bait station corresponding to the run areas are left open and the run areas for the rodents run in the box of the bait station on the floor of the surroundings of the area of use of the bait station.

Abstract: A first horizontal hollow cylinder open at both ends has a first narrow elongated slot. A second horizontal hollow cylinder open at both ends is disposed concentrically within the firtst cylinder and has a second narrow elongated slot that extends between its ends. A vertically elongated element is secured at its upper end to the first cylinder and has an opening intermediate its ends. A flexible elongated connector secured at one end to the lower end of the element with its other end being detachable with the element opening. A rotatable member is secured to one end of the second cylinder and is spaced from the first cylinder so that the member can rotate the second cylinder about its axis without rotating the first cylinder.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of rearing a bird of germ-free status. The method comprises housing a bird as a parent bird, surgically removing an egg in its shell from the parent bird prior to transfer of the egg to the cloaca in the parent bird, incubating the egg still in its shell and hatching the egg to produce a laying bird. The invention also relates to the production of avian eggs of germ-free status.

Abstract: The animated game bird decoy simulates wing movements of various species and creates the illusion of living waterfowl on water by disturbing the surface of the water. A wing/paddle constructed from a planar flexible material is mounted to a flexible stem situated beneath a stationary hollow decoy. An operating cord manipulated by a hunter is attached to the steam Alternately applying and releasing tension on the line causes movement of the flexible stem that imparts motion to the wing/paddle device. The oscillating movement of the wing/paddle device produces the illusion of a duck with beating wings on the surface of the water. The unit can be used in the absence of water, the hunter relying on the stationary decoy and the movement of the wings to attract waterfowl. The unit does not rely on motors or air movement, and activates only when the hunter applies and releases tension on the cord.

Abstract: A technique is provided for keeping rodents and other pests out of warehouses and other buildings. A pest control device or guard is provided which is attached or fixed near the bottom surface of a door, such as an overhead door. The pest control device can adjust to uneven ground surfaces so that a fence or guard is provided to prevent pests, such as rats from entering buildings. The pest control device may be comprised of first, second, and third brackets which are connected together and can be mounted to a door. The brackets may be L-shaped. A plurality of pins is connected to the first, second, and third brackets so that each of the plurality of pins can move with respect to the first, second, and third brackets.

Abstract: A hunting blind allows the hunter to lie on his back in an inclined position. The hunter's head rests on a head rest. A gun rest is provided laterally across the hunter's body. A pair of flaps cover the hunter and are easily openable when the hunter brings his or her gun into a shooting position and/or moves to a sitting position. The blind is collapsible, requires no assembly in the field, and may be carried on the hunter's back like a backpack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the disposal of excrements of animals kept in a stable, wherein solid manure is separated from liquid manure in the stable and separately removed from the stable and separately stored and/or subjected to further processing. The new system is characterized in that the removal of solid and liquid manure and storing/further processing thereof is effected before the onset of decomposition and in that further processing of the solid manure comprises at least the following steps: surface expansion of the fresh manure and drying of the manure with a humidity content preventing decomposition. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: A shaped fish hook guard designed to enclose various sized fish hooks or gangs of fish hooks pivotally suspended from a lure. The fishook guard is made of hard plastic that comprises a slotted casing through which the shank of a fish hook can be slid and a snap on cover extending partially over an open end of a pair of opposite coincident slots. Where the lure is not used, a fishing line passes through a slot to be attached to the shank of a single pronged hook.

Abstract: A rodent trap includes a box having one or more entrance tubes provided therein. The entrance tubes are in communication with a mouse hole in the side wall of the box. Within each tube is a tilt ramp that tilts in response to a weight of 4 grams at a distance of one and {fraction (5/16)} inches from the pivot axis to the tilt ramp.

Abstract: A slug barrier employs a salt or another non-toxic irritant to gastropods. An elongated flexible edge barrier extends along a margin of the garden, and has a lower edge protruding into the soil and an upper edge extending above the soil. A channel member formed at the upper edge holds a length of wicking material. The wicking material can be a compressed flat synthetic sponge. A paste of salt and other possible minor constituents is charged into the wicking material. The salt is an irritant to garden slugs and snails. Cayenne pepper and garlic juice can be added as know deterrents to a insects and animals such as rabbits. A liquid organic detergent in the paste prevents animals such as deer from licking or biting the sponge. The detergent deters other animals from crossing the barrier.

Abstract: The invention regards an apparatus for performing an animal related operation like milking or grooming, where the animal (9) is confined in a stall (8). In order to protect animals and equipment, it is so arranged that any breaking of the functions activates an activable state, which retracts devices (21; 10) from the region of confinement before the apparatus is allowed to finally stop.

Abstract: A free standing, portable support system stand for a liquid dispensing bottle having a dispensing apparatus being angularly disposed from the body, the dispensing apparatus having a tube with a pet/animal activated mechanism, a support base having a supplemental lower plate and a vertical member, the lower edge of the vertical member being coupled to the horizontal rectangular plate. A bottle retaining brace includes a horizontal resting plate coupled to the vertical member of the support base. The resting plate has a receiving end with a first recess with an annular recess. The receiving end of the resting plate has a semilunar recess adjacent to an exposed edge, such that both the first recess and the annular recess coincide with the semilunar recess. The bottle retaining brace has a horizontal support member coupled to the vertical member of the support base at a position superior to the resting plate.

Abstract: A weight belt for maintaining the vertical orientation of a fish which has been rapidly taken from a significant depth and placed in shallow water without time to adjust the amount of air in its air bladder. The belt is placed around the fish between the dorsal fin and the pectoral fins, and has weights at the underside of the fish to maintain its vertical orientation by gravity.

Abstract: A portable fishing pole holder and carrier has a tubular metal frame. A row of posts projects out-of-plane at each end of the frame for cradling one or more fishing poles, which are held in place by elastic cords. Support members depending from the frame hold the frame above a surface or adjacent to it for compact hand carrying. Optionally, magnetic or VELCRO® brand fastening patches anchor the support members to a deck or truck bed. Optionally, the fastening patches stabilize the support members when the support members are positioned adjacent the frame. Optionally, the frame or the support members may have wheels or handles. Optionally, a support member serves as a handle.

Abstract: A heavy fishing line useful in fishing to reduce the environmental impact on marine birds has a high specific gravity and a high sink rate in water. The composite line has a central core of heavy metal and metal salt particles surrounded by a polymeric monofilament for use in long line fishing as well as fish nets.

Abstract: An animal ear tag including a female opening through which a head of a stem of a coupling member can pass to effect a coupling action when installing the tag on an animal, the female opening being formed as part of a separate enclosed boss component of hard material, the boss component having a flange extending peripherally from an external surface thereof, the flange being located within resilient material forming a part of the ear tag sized to anchor the boss component to the tag.