Abstract: A trailer to vehicle laterally stable hitching mechanism wherein an attaching plate of the trailer vertically and laterally self-aligns into a receiving plate of the vehicle establishing the trailer as an operational extension of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for dual-attachment of a trailer to a vehicle by either manually or robotically so that the trailer becomes a laterally-stable extension of the vehicle.

Abstract: A connector and method of connecting two surfaces in an irregular, interrupted, or non-uniform space is provided. The connector is composed of at least one link, wherein each link has an adjustable spatial feature such as the length, thickness, or angle of the link. The spatial features of the links are adjusted to custom fit the connector to the two surfaces and the available space therebetween. Once the links have been adjusted to provide a satisfactory custom fit, the adjustable spatial features of the links may be fixed to form a substantially permanent solid structure or may be recorded to allow production of a custom shaped connector with substantially the same spatial features as the custom fit connector.

Abstract: A portable animal feed supply bin for holding a few feedings in which a hopper has a lid on the top end for refilling the hopper and a slide plate covering a feed dispensing open bottom end. Within the hopper is an open grate assembly attached to a bar slidably that is mounted by a housing removably attached to a wall of the hopper. A lever assembly, or gear drive, engages the grate assembly bar to raise and lower the grate assembly to break up clumps and bridging of the feed.

Abstract: A baby bottle equipped with a uniquely effective bottle nipple shield is provided which permits continuous access by the child to the contents of the bottle while simultaneously protecting the nipple from contamination if the bottle is dropped on a surface. In the preferred construction, the nipple shield of the bottle of the invention includes a generally planar base member which defines a central bore in substantially coaxial relation to the nipple proper and which mounts a pair of wing members which project generally upwardly from the base member in spaced apart relation to each other and in substantially parallel relation to the principal axis of the nipple. The projecting wing members terminate with their respective upper free ends position in fixed spaced apart relation to one another so that continuous access to the nipple is enabled.