Abstract: A paint ball gun comprises a receiver including an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A bolt is slidably mounted in the upper compartment and includes a chamber in a front end thereof for receiving a bolt pin. A gas control device is mounted in the lower compartment and includes a valve assembly, a striker, and a striker spring, the bolt and the striker being connected together to move jointly. The valve assembly comprises a positioning sleeve secured in the lower compartment, a valve pin, a valve spring mounted in the positioning sleeve, a seal member mounted to a front end of the positioning sleeve, and a cap secured to an end of the valve pin. The valve pin extends through the valve spring and located in the positioning sleeve. The valve pin includes a rear end extending beyond a hole in a rear end of the positioning sleeve.

Abstract: A water shut-off structure of the drinking device for a pet is formed of a water outlet, a spout tube, a washer, and a steel ball. The water outlet is fastened at the inner end to a water container of the drinking device. The spout tube is fastened at the inner end to the outer end of the water outlet and is provided at the outer end with a discharge port. The spout tube is provided in the inner wall of the outer end with a stop ring. The washer is conical in form and is disposed in the spout tube such that the washer is confined by the outer end of the water outlet and the stop ring of the spout tube. The steel ball is movably received in the conical washer to allow or prevent the passage of water.

Abstract: An improved squeegee with integral nozzle and wiping blade for the washing and grooming of animals, especially large animals such as horses and other livestock, includes a body portion, a valve to regulate the flow of water, a nozzle oriented to direct a spray of water generally perpendicularly downwards relative to the body, and an arcuate wiping blade. The arcuate shape of the wiping blade enables it to be oriented relative to the surface being cleaned so that the curvature of the blade conforms to the shape of the surface. The apparatus is connected to a supply of water such as a garden hose, such that when it is drawn across the animal's body, water from the nozzle wets the animal's coat, and the wiping blade then removes water, soap, and dirt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved system for the packaging, presentation, and delivery of a semi-solid arthropod diet, for the feeding or oviposition of arthropods. The arthropod diet delivery system of the invention has a diet-filled reservoir covered with a stretchable membrane, wherein the reservoir membrane has a plurality of stretched, thinned outwardly projecting areas thereon (feeding protrusions) which are filled with the semi-solid diet. The interior of a protrusion is in fluid communication with the diet-filled reservoir. The arthropod diet delivery system may optionally further include stretched, thinned inwardly projecting areas in the stretchable reservoir membrane (intrusions), which are particularly advantageous as oviposition sites for certain arthropods. The invention is also directed to methods of making the arthropod diet delivery system wherein the protrusions are substantially simultaneously created and filled with diet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for minimizing or even avoiding the transfer of an infection from an infected teat/quarter udder to a healthy teat. The invented method for cleaning the teats (9) of a dairy animal's udder is controlled by a robot means (6) for carrying and operating a cleaning means (8, 14) to clean said teats (9) in succession. This is accomplished by first cleaning one or more healthy teat(s), and then cleaning one or more teat(s) being subjected to various levels of infection. The invented apparatus for cleaning the teats of a dairy animal's udder comprises a control unit (1), a cleaning means (8, 14), a robot means (6) controlled by the control unit (1), a robot arm (7) arranged on the robot means (6) to carry and operate the cleaning means (8, 14) so as to clean the dairy animal's teats in succession.

Abstract: A gun having a trigger assist mechanism that includes a chamber, a trigger having a firing position and a released position, a compressed gas source in pneumatic communication with the chamber, and an actuator in pneumatic communication with the chamber. The compressed gas source provides compressed gas to the chamber upon movement of the trigger to the firing position. The actuator is operably disposed to apply a force tending to move the trigger from the firing position to the released position when compressed gas is directed from the chamber to the actuator.

Abstract: A semiautomatic rifle (10) with inertial operation comprises an arming unit (11) and an inertial-loading device (12), where the arming unit (11) has a breechblock (13), there being housed inside the breechblock (13) a firing pin (18), and further has a cocking lever (21) equipped with a corresponding spring (22) and with a kinetic mass (23), as well as with a magazine follower (24) designed to transfer the cartridges (20) supplied by the magazine box (25) of the inertial-loading device (12) to the arming unit (11). The arming unit (11) is functionally associated with the inertial-loading device (12) for loading the cartridges (20) in such a way that it is possible to exploit the inertia associated to the recoil of the rifle when the rifle is fired, both for operation of the arming unit (11) and for feed of the cartridges (20) from the magazine box (25) to the cartridge chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fishing lures, and more particularly to fishing lures of a type which simulate crustaceans. The present invention is also aimed at providing a fishing lure which simulates a natural range of motions of a crustacean as observed by the target prey, or which at least provides a useful alternative to known lures.

Abstract: A tag for application to the ear of an animal includes a male portion and female portion. The female portion includes a chamber within which an insert is accommodated, the insert engaging in an interlocking manner with the chamber and allowing access of a head of the male portion into the chamber but then acting to prevent removal of the head. The male and female portions may be connected at a central portion which enables folding of the male and female portions. In another embodiment, the central portion may include a weak-link so that the male and female portions can be torn apart if the tag becomes caught on an obstruction.

Abstract: A gun having a wedge-type breech block and a barrel seated in a cradle for firing electrically-ignitable cartridges containing electronic components, and an ignition contact (4) for connection to an external current source, and a signal contact (5) for connecting the electronic components to an external electronic control device are disposed on the cartridge base (3). To ensure reliable ignition of the cartridge, and transmission of data from the cartridge, an axially displaceable ignition and signal-transmission unit (8) is provided in the breech block, and includes a housing (11) having two parallel, axial guides (12, 13), and two spring-loaded, needle-shaped contact devices (16, 17) arranged to be displaced inside the respective guides such that, in the extended position of the unit (8), the first contact device (16) is pressed against the cartridge ignition contact (4) and the second contact device (17) is pressed against the cartridge signal contact (5).

Abstract: A device (10) for use in increasing milk flow from a feeder bottle (B). The device (10) includes a shaft (11) adapted for entry into a correspondingly shaped hole (H) in the feeder bottle (B). The device further includes a retention element for retaining the device in the hole (H) and a channel element (13), formed in a wall of the shaft (11). The shaft element (11) is movable such that it can, in a first position, seal the hole (H) closed and, in another position (illustrated), permit airflow into the feeder bottle (B) via the channel element (13).

Abstract: A kit for confining a pet within a preselected area is provided. The kit includes a pet anchoring apparatus that can be freely positioned within any environment, that is relatively devoid of obstacles and potentially impaling protrusions, and that can be varied in weight and size to accommodate the pet as well as the environment of the area in which the pet is to be confined. The kit also includes a pet pad for protecting the surface area of the environment in which the pet is confined. The kit, moreover, can include a pet feeder and also can include a pet bed, provided either separately or as an integral part of the pet.

Abstract: A toy rocket set that includes a rocket and a launcher for the rocket that utilizes compressed air to launch the rocket. The upper end of the launch tube has an end cap secured thereupon by a threaded connection. An annular elastomeric element is retained between the end cap and the launch tube body. As the end cap is tightened onto the launch tube body, the elastomeric element is compressed resulting in an adjustable frictional engagement with a radially enlarged nose cone on the rocket. The centerpoint of the parachute is secured by a tether to a removable link in the rocket body. The removable link is retained within the rocket body by a slidable rod. During flight, when the rocket inverts, the rod slides within the rocket body to release the link and permit the parachute to deploy to an open position.

Abstract: A bird feeder comprises a generally rigid tube and a flexible bag. The tube has a bottom and a top and a wall therebetween. The bottom and top are open. A ledge is integrally connected to the outside surface of the wall close to or at its bottom. Feeding holes and perch holes are formed through the tube wall. A conventional wire hanger is used to hang the bird feeder. A cap removably slides onto the top of the tube to cover the tube. The bag has a mesh wall. The top of the bag is open and the bottom of the bag is closed. A band is located in the top of the bag. The bag is removably securable to the tube above the ledge on the outside surface of the wall. The band is tensioned to pull the bag tight around the outside surface of the tube.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatically operated kit assembly is provided for connection to a paint ball gun body, the kit assembly having a trigger initiating a programmed electrical control unit which actuates a first solenoid valve to move a hammer to open an air distribution path to allow pressurized air into the barrel to fire a paint ball sitting within the barrel of the gun body. The first solenoid valve then closes and a second solenoid valve opens to move a bolt away from the path of projectile storage path to release the next single paint ball into the barrel to await another trigger actuation. The first solenoid valve controls the movement of the hammer while the second solenoid valve controls the movement of the bolt so that the hammer and bolt move independently from each other.

Abstract: This invention is an improved shotgun shell catcher. It has a cage of very light weight construction, which captures many casings before it must be emptied. Toggle action permits near effortless operation to quickly unload the empty casings. Thumbwheel locking means permits near effortless attachment and removal of the device from the side of a shotgun.

Abstract: A launching apparatus including a launch tube having fore and aft ends, each end having an opening formed therein. A muzzle cap is fitted to the fore end and a breech mounting is formed at the aft end. A primary housing is seated in the aft end, the primary housing having fore and aft ends. A first telescoping cylinder containing a first telescoping piston is positioned within the fore end of the housing and a second telescoping cylinder containing a second telescoping piston is positioned within the aft end of the housing. A ram plate and a breech mounting are connected to the first and second pistons respectively. A gas generator is provided within the housing and a projectile is seated between the ram plate and muzzle cap. The first and second cylinders and the first and second pistons expand from the housing and propel the projectile.

Abstract: A system for actuating an accessory mounted on a weapon with the sighting light beam generated by a laser sighting device. A light probe, adapted to be mounted on the weapon proximate the optical pathway of a sighting beam of light generated by a laser sighting device, is provided for detecting the sighting beam and producing in response thereto an electrical detection signal. An actuation circuit, adapted to be mounted on the weapon, is provided for receiving the detection signal and, in response thereto, actuating an electrical accessory mounted on the weapon. An ambient light sensor is provided for receiving ambient light and producing an electrical reference signal. The actuation circuit includes a comparator for comparing the detection signal to the ambient light signal and actuating a flashlight or other accessory when said detection signal passes said reference signal by a predetermined amount. The system inhibits the accessory when the ambient light passes a predetermined intensity.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a mid-grip high-powered pistol by modifying an existing rifle receiver, wherein a portion of the original trigger is removed, a new trigger is added in a position forward of the partially removed original trigger, and the new trigger is coupled to the remaining portion of the original trigger via an extension, wherein a recoil lug is added to the rifle receiver to handle the recoil, a plurality of different length barrels can be coupled to the new pistol, and a pivot pin diameter and location of a forearm lug prevent creation of an illegal rifle.

Abstract: A cartridge for setting devices if formed of a pot-shaped plastics material cartridge housing (2), which has a surface (8) contacting the inner contour (12) of a cartridge chamber of the setting device. A sealing cover (3) closes off the housing (2) at its open end (4). The sealing cover (3) has a cylindrical section (6), which extends into the interior (5) of the housing (2) and expands under the pressure developed upon ignition of the cartridge, so that a positive connection results between the housing (2) and the sealing cover (3).