Patents Examined by Kimberly S. Smith
  • Receiver collar
    Patent number: 7404379
    Abstract: An animal collar assembly including a wireless receiver and a collar. The wireless receiver having a pair of first attachment features. The collar having a pair of ends, each end having a second attachment feature, each second attachment feature coupled with a corresponding first attachment feature and maintaining the corresponding collar end at a fixed orientation relative to the wireless receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Nottingham, Nick E. Stanca, Craig Saunders, Duane Gerig
  • Lure latching system
    Patent number: 7401435
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus to aid in the storage, display, and transportation of fishing lures. A conventional glass bottle or jar has lure retaining notches for receiving the lure hooks around the periphery of the opening of the bottle or jar for the retention of said lures. A lid with an extruding lip portion is also provided to aid in retaining said lures and protecting the user from accidental impairment with the lure hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Tim D. Ryan
  • Method and apparatus for deploying an animal restraining net
    Patent number: 7398617
    Abstract: An apparatus and method uses a central firing chamber, a plurality of pipes extending outwardly and slightly downwardly from the central firing chamber, means for actuating an explosive charge within the central firing chamber, a deployable net, and a plurality of net-anchoring weights attached to the perimeter of the net, each weight being releasably retained within a pipe until the explosive charge is detonated thereby deploying a net downwardly to live-capture an animal situated below the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventor: Harry Mattox
  • Pet toilet
    Patent number: 7395784
    Abstract: A pet toilet that prevents scattering of litter material or tracking of litter material into the home is disclosed. The pet toilet comprises a toilet body having a box portion for containing sand or litter, a seat having a floor defining an opening so that dung and urine may pass from the animal to the sand. The seat is removably mounted on the upper opening of the box portion, and the seat may be lifted from a first position to a second position. Preferably, the seat structure defines a plurality of holes. These holes encourage sand to return to the box rather than to be tracked into the house. The toilet may be used without the seat for small pets such as kittens and still provides advantages to prevent the scattering of sand or litter during digging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Richell USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirokawa, Orie Tani
  • Method of milking an animal
    Patent number: 7370604
    Abstract: A method of milking an animal, in which method a movable milking platform is used. The method comprises the following steps: setting the movable milking platform in motion, allowing an animal access to the milking platform, supplying a sort of feed to an animal on the milking platform, subsequently allowing the animal exit from the milking platform, and milking the animal on the milking platform during a milking period. The method further comprises the step of providing the animal a span of time on the milking platform in which the animal is not milked, the span of time having a magnitude that amounts to at least approximately half the milking period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Lely Enterprises AG
    Inventors: Karel Van Den Berg, Greorgius Rudolphius Bos
  • Pest trapping device
    Patent number: 7363745
    Abstract: A pest trapping device including a cap, a spewing member, a fan, a rotatable shaft, a transformer, a tray, a blue light emitting element, an electric circuit board, and a net. The spewing member has symmetrical holes to which support rods are secured for supporting the transformer controlling the rotatable shaft to rotate and further rotate the fan connected with the shaft. The tray is placed on the support rods for holding a pest-attracting chemical. The electric circuit board is positioned on a fixing frame fixed in the cap and connected with the light emitting element and the transformer that is turned on and off by a switch on the cap. When the device is powered, pests can be attracted by a smell giving out by the volatile chemical in the tray and the yellow color of the device, and during nighttime also by the blue light emitting element and sucked in by the fan and then held in the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventors: Liao Hsin-Chang, Liao Yi-Shawn
  • Atomization system for odor and environmental control in livestock holding areas
    Patent number: 7360503
    Abstract: An atomization system for odor control in a livestock storage facility providing a quantity of odor control product in a reservoir holding an odor control product; a pump in communication with the reservoir; a circulation loop running throughout the livestock storage facility and communicating with the pump and the reservoir; and a plurality of atomization nozzles connected with the circulation loop for distribution of the odor control product onto surfaces of the storage facility and the livestock. The odor control product contains a mixture of vegetable oil, a natural acidic compound, alcohol, and water. Advantageously, the acidic compound in the odor control product is vinegar or concentrated citrus juice. A water supply line is also connected to the circulation loop through a water pump to provide a cooling mist throughout the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Gary L. Rapp
  • Decoy system
    Patent number: 7347024
    Abstract: Decoys are placed, retrieved, and stored in a system that contains a line assembly and a holder. The line assembly contains: (1) a main line having an anchor at each end and a stop member attached to the line a spaced distance from the anchor; and (2) a plurality of decoy lines connected at their proximate ends to the main line at spaced intervals. Each decoy line is adapted for connection to a decoy at its distal end and has a stop member attached to the line a spaced distance from the distal end. The holder is a tube having a longitudinal slot extending from the inlet end substantially the entire length of the tube. The slot has a width about equal to or greater than the main line and less than the stop members. The tube has a diameter and a length sufficient to accommodate the main line, the decoy lines, and the stop members within its interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald K. Vest
  • Animal housing structure and apparatus
    Patent number: 7341020
    Abstract: A housing structure assembly includes a hull and a front wall removably coupled to the hull and configured to simulate a front cover of an air conditioner upon inserting the housing structure assembly into a wall or window opening that is shaped and dimensioned to receive the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Ryan
  • Submersible farm
    Patent number: 7341021
    Abstract: An improved submersible mollusc farm is disclosed. A line of cables bearing the culture ropes and the cylindrical buoys which maintain the line horizontal is suspended from end floats. The end floats include a filling/emptying system using water by way of ballast, in order to raise or submerge the line by inflating the end floats with air. Submerged tension buoys are connected to the end floats by tension cables and pulleys which are fixed to the dead weights provided at either end of the line. The vertical thrust of the tension buoys causes the pulley to stretch the cable and tauten the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventors: Andres Quinta Cortiñas, Eladio Diaz Arbones
  • Teaser apparatus for offshore fishing
    Patent number: 7322226
    Abstract: A teaser apparatus for fishing includes a flat, transparent, substantially horizontally oriented, plastic sheet having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a top surface and an underside. A primary spreader bar is attached to the leading edge of the sheet. A secondary, spreader bar is attached at or near the trailing edge of the sheet. If the secondary spreader bar is attached near the trailing edge, optionally a tertiary spreader bar may be attached at the trailing edge to aid in the floatation of the entire sheet. A plurality of three-dimensional, imitation fish is attached either on a top surface or to an underside of the sheet and is made of flexible rubber. The spreader bars are made of clear plastic and may be cylindrical tubes with cross sections which may be L-shaped, circular, oval-shaped or triangular. End caps with finger grips seal opposite ends of the cylindrical tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Michael Rathgeb
  • Apparatus for pulling loose teeth
    Patent number: 7314373
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulling loose teeth having a releasably attachable decorative element for soothing the patient. The apparatus of the present invention provides a first arm and a second arm each with a decorative end and a tool end wherein the first and second arms are connected at the decorative ends. The tool ends of the first and second arms are moveable between a first position, wherein the tool ends of the first and second arms are adapted to disengage the tooth, and a second position, wherein the tool ends of the first and second arms are adapted to engage the tooth. A decorative element is releasably attachable to the decorative end of the first and second arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Roderick L. Smith, Ryan L. Smith
  • Method and apparatus for anterior and posterior mobilization of the human ankle
    Patent number: 7297091
    Abstract: An apparatus for anterior and posterior mobilization of the human talocrural joints for rehabilitation and/or therapeutic utilization. A patient's foot is secured in an apparatus and an Ankle Mortise Strap is looped around the mortise of an ankle of the foot. A force strap is attached to the ends of the Ankle Ankle Mortise Strap. Anterior mobilization is achieved by moving the force strap ventrally from the foot so that the foot including the talus remains stationary while the tibia and fibula glide anteriorly. Posterior mobilizations are achieved by securing the foot, and looping an Ankle Mortise Strap around the front of the ankle. A force strap is attached to the ends of the Ankle Mortise Strap. Posterior mobilization is achieved by moving the force strap dorsally from the foot so that the foot including the talus remains stationary while the tibia and fibula glide posteriorly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Michael J. Nushart
  • Bird perch holder
    Patent number: 7290500
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a bird perch to a bird cage wherein first and second sides of a mounting means clamps to the cage and holds a perch holding means onto which a perch is attached and which enables the user to compression clamp a ball joint component at a predetermined angle to position the bird perch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Robert M. Burrell
  • Service dog harness
    Patent number: 7281363
    Abstract: A service dog harness has a base member and a strap system for attaching the base member to a dog. A rigid platform is provided on a top side of the base member, and a soft cushion material extends under and beyond the sides of the rigid platform to impart a soft cushion feel over the underside of the base member. A collar strap assembly is attached to the front end of the base member and is adjustable to fit about a dog's lower neck and chest in front of the forelegs. A trunk strap assembly is connected between the left and right sides of the base member and is adjustable to fit about a dog's trunk behind the forelegs. A ventral strap is connected between the collar and trunk strap assemblies. Padded sleeves cover the collar and trunk strap assemblies to minimize discomfort to a dog wearing the harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: KSDS, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Woerner
  • Liquid gravity feed ant elimination device
    Patent number: 7278235
    Abstract: An insect attractant and elimination device comprising a base, reservoir and shield, each of which cooperates to house, protect and provide a liquid bait which is dispensed from the reservoir to the base in a selected quantity for the consumption by targeted insect groups. The reservoir is made cooperable with the base by an adapter which may be easily removed from each thereof so as to facilitate replenishment of the bait supply and otherwise servicing the device, and to permit use of third party containers, with or without bait included, and containers of varying capacity and shields and bases of different configurations accommodating differing insect control applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: KM Investors, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Jay Kupfer, Robert E. McManus
  • Bird feeder
    Patent number: 7275500
    Abstract: A bird feeder having a container, a selector, and a base is disclosed. The selector has at least one large opening and at least one small opening. The base includes at least one feeding port. When one of the openings is aligned with the feeding port, the other opening is covered by a perimeter wall of the base. In preferred embodiments, the base includes a rain guard above the feeding ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Daisy Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: W. Grady Fort, II
  • Fishing net device, and system
    Patent number: 7269921
    Abstract: A fishing net device, and system. The fishing net device is compressible to releasably connect the fishing net device to the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Bruce R. Lee
  • Container apparatus with edible container closure
    Patent number: 7270085
    Abstract: A container apparatus includes a container having an interior compartment and an opening communicating with the interior compartment. A first interlocking closure member extends at least partially within the compartment through the opening to an exterior of the container. A second interlocking closure member is removably secured to the first interlocking closure member and covering the opening, such that items placed within the interior compartment are restricted from being dispensed via the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Triple Crown Dog Academy, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Joe Wolfe, Jr., Harold Keith Benson, Robert Troy Dunn, Jessy B. Gabriel
  • Housing for a collar-mounted pet accessory and associated collar mounting system
    Patent number: 7267081
    Abstract: A housing (10) for a pet accessory, and an associated collar mounting system for mounting the housing (10) on a pet collar (12). The housing (10) includes a casing (14) for housing at least certain components of the pet accessory. Further, the housing (10) defines at least first and second selectively spaced channels (22, 24) for receiving the pet collar (12) and releasably securing the housing (10) on the pet collar (12). The housing (10) also includes at least one protrusion (26) disposed between the selectively spaced channels (22, 24) and which extends outwardly from the casing (14) for engagement with the pet collar (12) to inhibit movement of the housing (10) along the length of the collar (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt J. Steinbacher