Patents by Inventor Ruth E. Foster

Ruth E. Foster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5088272
    Abstract: A combination collar and muzzle is used as a humane method of restraining, controlling, and achieving obedient behavior of animals, dogs in particular. A collar member or loop encircles the neck immediately behind the ears, and a second muzzle loop encircles the upper and lower jaws of the animal to form a type of a figure eight combination collar and muzzle. The two loops are coupled together with a ring that is separately attachable to a continuous collar on the dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert K. Anderson, Ruth E. Foster
  • Patent number: 4941313
    Abstract: A humane training aid comprising a collar loop and a muzzle loop that are mounted together to permit placement onto an animal such as a dog where the muzzle loop is slideably mounted through a ring held by the collar loop at the rear of the lower jaw and against the neck of the dog. The muzzle loop is placed over the muzzle of the animal. In order to make the humane training aide work effectively, the muzzle loop is made so that it closely fits the muzzle and has a portion that is positioned on the lower side of the ring held by the collar to which a leash can be attached so that upon applying a pulling force on the muzzle loop, the loop and the collar will provide pressure against the muzzle and neck of the animal to provide a calming effect and control. An adjustable slide-lock device is used to quickly adjust the muzzle loop. The slide-lock device has universal applications for adjusting loop sizes for various uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert K. Anderson, Ruth E. Foster, Bertyl W. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4838206
    Abstract: A combination collar and muzzle is used as a humane method of restraining, controlling, and achieving obedient behavior of animals, dogs in particular. A collar member or loop encircles the neck immediately behind the ears, and a second muzzle loop encircles the upper and lower jaws of the animal to form a type of a figure eight combination collar and muzzle. The two loops are coupled together with a ring behind the jaw. The muzzle loop is adjustable in length. An optional adjustable keeper strap is connected between the collar loop and the muzzle loop to retain the muzzle loop from being pawed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert K. Anderson, Ruth E. Foster, Jeffrey A. Levine
  • Patent number: 4828210
    Abstract: An adjustable lock for a tether line or the like, which permits one-hand operation and which is incorporated into a clamp to permit the lock to be clamped onto a support, for example, an upright column or railing on a animal grooming table, and which will permit a person to either lengthen or shorten the tether to a suitable length with one hand operation. The lock comprises a bore and an angled cross cam slot in the clamp housing. The bore carries the tether line, and the slot has a roller mounted therein. The slot has an end that intersects the bore and that will pinch or clamp the line in one direction of camming movement, and will release in the opposite direction to permit locking or release of the line by pulling the line in the appropriate direction through the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Alpha-M, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Anderson, Ruth E. Foster, Bertyl W. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4741288
    Abstract: A combination collar and muzzle is used as a humane method of restraining, controlling, and achieving obedient behavior of animals, dogs in particular. A collar member or loop encircles the neck immediately behind the ears, and a second muzzle loop encircles the upper and lower jaws of the animal to form a type of a figure eight combination collar and muzzle. The two loops are coupled together with a ring behind the jaw. The muzzle loop is adjustable in length. An optional adjustable keeper strap is connected between the collar loop and the muzzle loop to retain the muzzle loop from being pawed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert K. Anderson, Ruth E. Foster, Jeffrey A. Levine
  • Patent number: 4621591
    Abstract: A combination collar and muzzle is used as a humane method of restraining, controlling, and achieving obedient behavior of animals, dogs in particular. A collar member or loop encircles the neck immediately behind the ears, and a second loop encircles the upper and lower jaws of the animal to form a type of a figure eight combination collar and muzzle. The two loops are coupled together with a ring behind the jaw. The loops are slidably connected so that when a leash is attached to the portion of the muzzle loop extending out from the connecting ring it will slide easily and at the same time will exert a downward pressure on the neck immediately behind the ears. Pressure is thus simultaneously applied to nerves and muscles tending to control the dog humanely and without choking or applying pressure to the trachea and larynx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Robert K. Anderson, Ruth E. Foster, Jeffrey A. Levine