Abstract: A lineless rigid-rod-anchor-weight assembly provides for anchoring, throwing, and retrieving a decoy or a set of decoys without any tangling of the members of the set. The assembly is attachable to floating object and includes a rigid-rod permanently molded into an environmentally safe, hermetically encapsulated, lead weight. The impermeable encapsulate may be a polyvinylchloride. The rod may be fiberglass or a naturally-occurring material exhibiting rigidity with limited flexure. The floating object may be a decoy, such as a puddle duck decoy with a keel having a receiver aperture for receiving the anchor-weight attachment means. One end of the attachment may be a clip connector means for fastening the attachment means to the floatable object and may also be attached to the rod. Alternatively, if the decoy has a receiver aperture above the keel, the anchor-weight attachment means comprises an adapter to provide for such attachment.

Abstract: An open-ocean fish-growing platform has a submersible cage structure for growing fish, an antenna for receiving positioning signals transmitted from an external source, a position-correction apparatus for calculating a position error signal from a target geostationary position, and an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system for generating electric power for thruster units to maintain the cage structure in the target geostationary position. The OTEC system inducts colder ocean water from a deeper ocean depth for driving its heat exchange cycle, and is also of hybrid type using a fuel-fired unit as a heat source. The cold water effluent from the OTEC system is directed into the cage for flushing wastes generated by the growing fish. The self-positioning, self-powered open-ocean platform enables unmanned, extended marine deployment in deeper ocean waters without the need for tethering or anchoring to the ocean floor.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing drinking water to an animal includes inner and outer annular walls which define a water supply reservoir. The inner wall forms a draw reservoir that is in communication with the water supply reservoir to replenish water in the draw reservoir and maintain the level of water in said draw reservoir equal to the level of water in said water supply reservoir.

Abstract: A robotic pet-sitter system comprises a control system and a robotic body, the control system used to wireless launch control instruction signals; a wireless receiver module is defined in the robotic body, used to receive control instruction signals and to process the control instruction signals into control signals, the robotic body further comprises a driving system and a feeding module, the driving system used to drive the robotic body moving according to the control signals, the feeding module used to open the feeding box placed with pet food according to the control signals. The local PC communicates with a remote PC through Internet, and the remote PC long-distance controls the robotic body and monitors pet through Internet. The robotic pet-sitter system of the present invention can care for and monitor the pet when the owner is not at home.

Abstract: A pitcher is provided as a preferred form of apparatus for use in a fishbowl cleaning procedure. The pitcher has a side wall extending from a floor to a rim. Holes are formed in the side wall spaced above a floor and below the rim. Water and fish can be poured from a fishbowl into the pitcher. The fish and residual water remain within the pitcher below lowermost holes in the side wall. Excess water drains through the holes in the side wall. The fishbowl can then be cleaned or otherwise reconfigured. Finally, the pitcher can be tilted to pour the residual water and the fish from the pitcher back into the fishbowl.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable pet leash apparatus having a hollow casing, a spool which is mounted for rotation within the casing and which has a pair of sides, a leash which is coiled on the spool in a retracted position and which is extendable through an aperture formed in a wall of the hollow casing upon application of a force, a spring means which is disposed within the hollow housing and which is engageable with the spool for biasing the spool for rotation to retract the leash into the hollow casing. A brake device is engageable with the spool for selectively fixing a free end of the leash at a predetermined distance from the casing and enabling retraction and extension of the leash relative to the hollow casing. The invention also provides a pocket on the exterior surface of the casing for receiving pet identification or immunization tag and a carrying ring.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a milking system for simultaneous milking of a plurality of milking animals, wherein the milking system comprises a plurality of milking positions (P1-P24) and an arrangement for establishing identities of and expected milking times for the milking animals. Each of the milking positions is provided with teat cups, which are attached to the teats of a milking animal and are connected to a source of vacuum to milk the milking animal. The inventive arrangement comprises means (10) for determining a milking position, at which the milking animal having the longest expected milking time is present, based on the established identities and expected milking times; and a device (11, 13, 17; 20) for performing an action with respect to the milking system in response to the determination.

Abstract: The dual function bowl lifting and filling apparatus of the present invention allows a user to clean or fill a surface laying bowl with fluid or food, or to lift or move the apparatus without bending. Specific designs are utilized to enable the dual function bowl lifting and filling apparatus to be used by people with special needs. The bowl-filling apparatus also allows excess fluid to be stored in the apparatus. A method of filling a surface-laying bowl is disclosed as well as a method for storing excess fluid in a bowl-filling apparatus.

Abstract: A device capable of diverting, redirecting, and collecting fresh water from a faucet to a pet for drinking. The device includes a plurality of elbows and a reservoir with a faceplate or a reservoir connected to the faucet by use of a connection piece. The device includes extensions which allow the user to position the reservoir at a desired height and distance from the faucet. The device further includes a plurality of designs for the reservoir and faceplate that allow for different water flows from which the pet can drink. The chosen reservoir and faceplate can be changed by the user. A method for having multiple reservoirs and faceplates connected to a single faucet allowing multiple pets to drink at a time is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fishing line release system is disclosed. The fishing line release system includes a fishing line quick release mechanism that may be used in conjunction with a planar device for trolling or may alternatively be used with a down rigger cable and weight when used in down rigger fishing. When used in conjunction with the planar device, the system may be used for directional trolling. The planar device comprises a planar body, the fishing line quick release mechanism attached to the planar body, and a line locking assembly for securing a portion of a fishing line to the planar body. When used in conjunction with a down rigger cable and weight, the quick release mechanism may be used either on the down rigger cable or may be attached to the down rigger weight.

Abstract: A pet strap formed of a transparent material, such as plastic or synthetic rubber, with photoluminescent or phosphorescent colored pigment homogeneously dispersed within and incorporated into the elastometric material. The preferred photoluminescent is strontium oxide aluminate or strontium barium aluminate, which emit a yellow-green light. The strap may be disposed to encircle the neck of the pet as a conventional collar with a buckle and strap end retainers. The strap may also be made in various dimensions suitable for pets of all sizes, and may be configured to be trimmed to the desired size. Another embodiment of the pet strap includes a light reversion strip and an underlying or encased fabric reinforcing strip encased within the elastomeric strap adjacent the bottom side of the strap that contacts the pet. The light reversion strip will allow available light to charge the luminescents more proficiently for better performance.

Abstract: An ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus comprising a vacuum motor, a microscope, a display, a non-flexible pivoting door and a containment chamber, wherein the microscope is in electrical communication with the display. The ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus provides a method of capturing live ectoparasites for observation removing live ectoparasites from a subject animal, disposing the live ectoparasites in the containment chamber, opening the non-flexible pivoting door and inserting a flea control compound, closing the non-flexible pivoting door and observing the effects of the flea control compound on the live ectoparasites via the microscope and the display.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a hopper above a shelf onto which feed can fall to be taken by the animal or dropped into a trough below the shelf. The height of the shelf is adjustable in a course movement to move the shelf from a low height for smaller animals to a raised height for the animal after they have grown. The shelf is also adjustable in fine movement to change the width of the opening through which the feed passes to control feed rate. The shelf is carried on straps which extend along the end walls of the hopper and are movable by an adjustment linkage defined by a plate carried on the end wall and a manually adjustable lever mounted for pivotal movement on the plate. The lever has two pivot positions on the plate providing the two course adjustments and two graduated scales for the fine adjustment each cooperating with a respective pivot position.

Abstract: One embodiment of a castable fish catching net device operable by one person for capturing aquatic animals from any body of water without the need for the operator to enter the water. Includes a purse type seine supported by a generally triangular frame which is heavier than the surrounding water thus providing a sinking force. A handle is attached to the apex of the triangular frame extending in towards the center of the frame. A casting and retrieval cord is attachable to the most center end of the handle. Buoyant means is provided to orient the fish catching net device in a substantially vertical attitude relative to the surface of the body of water as it descends into the water. The purse shaped net has membranes that generate a buoyant-force as the fish catching net device is dragged through the water thus providing the operator with the ability to control the depth of deployment by varying the speed of forward travel through the water.

Abstract: Measures for controlling nuisance-carp populations include a harvest apparatus for harvesting not sub-surface fish but fish that leap out of the water proximate the harvest apparatus. Detectors detect when subsurface fish are within proximity of the effective range of the harvest apparatus and, when such are detected, a stimulus is applied which causes target fish like nuisance carp but not desirable fish to leap out of the water. When that happens, the harvest apparatus takes its toll on the leaping fish, harmlessly to the desirable fish which do not leap, and instead might flee from the stimulus by diving deeper.

Abstract: A water bottle has a main body section and a dispensing mechanism. A tapering section is between the main body section and the water dispensing mechanism. A support base includes a horizontal lower plate and a vertical upper plate, a pair of laterally spaced top holes and at least one pair of vertically aligned, laterally spaced additional holes. A bottle retainer has a vertical component. The vertical component has a pair of bolts. The bolts extend rearwardly from the vertical component. The bolts are spaced the same distance between the holes. A pair of horizontal components extend forwardly from the vertical component. Each of the horizontal components have an opening to receive the main body portion of the bottle. A rotation abater is secured to the bottle retainer with an angled face to contact the water bottle there adjacent.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a selectively positionable brake for a towed fishing body. Additionally, a system is disclosed that includes a speed control for a planer board. The planer board is used for fishing by being towed through water. Moreover, a method is disclosed including positioning a brake attached to a towed fishing body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the incubation of eggs and to a device for the incubation of eggs. The incubation device includes a cabinet provided with a climate control for regulating the atmospheric humidity and temperature of the air that is to be passed through the cabinet, and at least one frame. At least one stack of trays positioned vertically above one another is arranged in the frame, each tray having a multiplicity of egg positions for receiving an egg. To turn the eggs, the trays of the stack can pivot to and fro through a defined pivot angle about a horizontal axis with respect to the frame. The vertical distance between the trays positioned above one another thereby changes. In the method, the trays are periodically pivoted through the defined pivot angle and the magnitude of the defined pivot angle is variable.

Abstract: A restraint harness for a dog, particularly a dog of medium size and larger, including a conventional adjustable dog harness and an attached harness control extension. The harness control extension includes a plurality of straps configured to extend to the hind end of the dog and a motion control cord that is interlaced in and between the conventional adjustable dog harness and the harness control extension. The motion control cord encircles the dog's hind legs and can be tightened around the thighs with minimal force, where such tightening substantially restrains the dog without causing injury to the dog.

Abstract: A restraint harness for a dog, particularly a dog of medium size and larger, including a conventional adjustable dog harness and an attached harness control extension. The harness control extension includes a plurality of straps configured to extend to the hind end of the dog and a motion control cord that is interlaced in and between the conventional adjustable dog harness and the harness control extension. The motion control cord encircles the dog's hind legs and can be tightened around the thighs with minimal force, where such tightening substantially restrains the dog without causing injury to the dog.