Abstract: An attachment facilitating device and a pet carrier for a bicycle. The attachment facilitating device is an elongate support for a bicycle-mounted carrier that mounts between the saddle and the handlebars of a bicycle. The support includes first and second ends. A first clamp is associated with the first end for gripping a tubular, member of the bicycle adjacent to the handlebars. A second clamp is associated with the second end for gripping a tubular member of the bicycle rearwardly of the first clamp. First and second elongate arms are slideably engageable with each other The first and second arms each have a proximal end region opposite their respective distal end regions associated with the clamps. The first arm is for supporting the carrier and is fastenable thereto. The second arm includes a linear region extending from the distal end of the second arm towards the proximal end of the second arm. An angled region is adjacent the linear region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for capturing and constraining motion of unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be captured at an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. A trigger mechanism coupled to the recovery line can actuate a hoist device to reduce slack in the recovery line. A tension device coupled to the recovery line can absorb forces associated with the impact of the aircraft on the recovery line.

Abstract: A milk sampling apparatus for use with a processor controlled milking system. The apparatus may include a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements are placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the processor controlled milking system, into the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements. The apparatus may further include a micro processor arranged for two-way communication with the processor controlled milking system.

Abstract: A squirrel repelling hanger for a bird feeder which utilizes a load cell which senses the weight of a squirrel thereon and which energizes a motor to rotate a repelling disk located at the upper end of the hanger without rotating the bird feeder which is supported from the lower end of the hanger.

Abstract: Capture devices are mounted on a space platform such as a spacecraft or utility satellite. Each capture device includes a folded capture net stored in a housing, guide weights connected to the net and received in spring-loaded ejection tubes oriented at an acute angle relative to the axis of the housing around the perimeter thereof, and a spring-loaded releasable cover that is connected to the net, covers the net in the housing, and holds the weights in the ejection tubes. When the cover is released, it is spring-ejected from the housing while pulling out and unfolding the net, and the weights are spring-ejected out of the ejection tubes while spreading out the net. After the net wraps around a free-flying target object in space, net closure mechanisms reel-in a net pursing line to close the net, which is connected to the space platform by a tether line on a winch.

Abstract: A saddle pad for laying on the back of a riding animal comprises a first side panel, a second side panel and a web from which the first and second side panels hang. The web includes a lengthwise groove configured and arranged to overly the spine of the riding animal, so that the panels resting on the flanks of the riding animal have a greater thickness than the web connecting the first and second panels to one another over the spine, where undersides of the first and second panels that contact the riding animal are made of lambskin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing and dispensing a liquid deicer. The apparatus and method allow deicer ingredients or precursors to be combined in an exothermic reaction to produce a heated deicer at the location where it will be used. In one implementation, potassium hydroxide and acetic acid are combined using the apparatus and method to make hot potassium acetate for use in numerous deicer applications, including deicing of airport runways.

Abstract: A leash assembly having a strap or leash that can be reeled or unreeled for walking animals. The assembly has a handle and a housing attached thereto in which the strap is arranged on a turnable roller device for being reeled or unreeled. The assembly also includes a brake key that can stop and prevent rotation of the roller device to restrict a part of the strap extending externally of the housing to a desired length. In addition, the assembly includes an exit opening through which the strap extends externally of the housing. Preferably, the exit opening is formed as a slit, and the slit has a central region along its longitudinal extension that has an enlarged opening porfion extending laterally from at least one side of the slit.

Abstract: A milk sampling apparatus for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus may include a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements may be placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the automated milking system, in the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements. Further, the milk sampling apparatus may include an agitating device, such as a shaking table, for agitating the milk sample.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention refer to a milk sampling apparatus and method for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus comprises a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9) by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the automated milking system, into the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9).

Abstract: Methods an apparatus for accurately and reliably positioning a device within an egg are provided. An opening is formed within a portion of the shell of an egg and a device is extended through the opening. The device includes a needle having a lumen containing a fluid under pressure. Fluid pressure is monitored and, in response to detecting a change in pressure of the fluid, movement of the device is stopped. Alternatively, fluid flow is monitored and, in response to detecting fluid flow from the needle, movement of the device is stopped. The device may be a substance delivery device that is configured to deliver a substance into the subgerminal cavity of the egg. The device may be a substance removal device that is configured remove a substance from an egg.

Abstract: A window bird feeder. In a described embodiment, a window bird feeder includes a bird feed storage compartment bounded by an arch fastened to a base. The arch has openings therethrough for dispensing bird feed from the storage compartment onto the base. A rail on a front wall of the storage compartment separates a bird feed dispensing area of the base from a bird positioning area of the base. An upper lip and a lid of the bird feeder are configured for ease of filling the storage compartment.

Abstract: A plurality of panels are coupled rotatably by a hinge mechanism. The panels are folded when a rocket loaded with the panels is launched and unfolded in space after the artificial satellite is released. Each of the panels is loaded with at least functional elements such as a solar panel, a battery, an attitude control device and a communication device separately or together. The devices loaded on the panels are electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: In the computational fluid dynamics analysis of airfoils, a laminar/turbulent transition location is determined by consideration of a turbulence length scale in addition to a turbulence intensity. In an exemplary implementation, the transition is predicted as occurring when a momentum thickness-based Reynolds number reaches a given exponent of the factor multiplied by a constant. The factor may consist of the turbulence intensity multiplied by a momentum thickness and divided by the turbulence length scale.

Abstract: A toy for use by domestic cats. The toy includes a spherical body portion made of pelletized materials and an interior portion. The interior portion contains a quantity of catnip and the shell has an opening to introduce and remove the quantity of catnip from the interior portion. The shell is characterized as permitting odors emanating from the catnip to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An aircraft with a long body 1 which has a forward end 2 and an aft end 3, which is able to achieve vertical take-off by means of a tiltable rotor and blade assembly 4 at the forward part of the aircraft and a tiltable turbojet 19 at the rear of the aircraft. The rotor and blade assembly is rotated by an engine assembly 8, with the engine assembly, the rotor and blades all positioned on top a multi-directional tilt enabling joint 9. The tubojet is fitted to a multi-directional tilt enabling joint 27 to allow control of lateral movement of the aircraft as well as providing vertical lift and forward propulsion during forward flight.

Abstract: A method for yaw steering a spacecraft including performing yaw steering of the spacecraft to have a yaw angle (?) for all sun elevation angles (?). The method further including smoothing a yaw steering motion for orbital position parameters (?) where high rotational rates {dot over (?)} and high rotational accelerations {umlaut over (?)} would occur. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A handle apparatus for use with a harness comprising a handle grip; a first release joint coupled to the handle grip; a second release joint coupled to the handle grip; and a release line coupled to the first release joint and the second release joint. A harness assembly comprising a harness; a handle assembly including a handle grip; a first release joint coupled to the handle grip; a second release joint coupled to the handle grip; and a release mechanism coupled to the first release joint and the second release joint; wherein the handle grip is released from the harness upon activation of the release mechanism.

Abstract: These interface pads with proportional valves have at least one inflatable member having a foam core with a cell structure that absorbs atmospheric air. The transmission of air into the foam core is controlled by a valve in said opening. Fasteners are used to affix this inflatable member in a location where it can serve as an interface pad between a living creature and another object. The valve used is a proportional valve adjustable to different pressure settings, where the different pressure settings allow air to escape from the valve until the set pressure is reached. In one preferred embodiment, there are two inflatable members adapted for placement adjacent the upper sides of a load-bearing animal. An important subcategory of this embodiment covers bareback riding pads, including bareback riding pads for use by handicapped persons. In other embodiments, at least one inflatable member is adapted to pad an interface between a human and an object.

Abstract: A system and method for interconnecting analog legacy stores to both legacy and modern aircraft. One aspect of the invention provides for a dual mode launcher having a first interface for interfacing with a modern aircraft and a second interface for interfacing with a legacy aircraft. Either the first or the second interface is connected to the aircraft depending on the hardware platform supported by the aircraft. Signals received from either interface are converted to digital and placed on a digital input/output bus and converted to analog for use by the store. Likewise, signals transmitted by the store to the aircraft are converted to digital and placed on the digital input/output bus for transmission to the aircraft. The signals are further acted upon depending upon which interface is connected to the dual mode launcher assembly. The dual mode launcher provides seamless operation of the store interface regardless of which type of aircraft is equipped to carry the analog store.