Patents Assigned to Radio Systems Corporation
  • Device for dispensing a fluidic consumable for an animal
    Patent number: 8813682
    Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, Greg Gillis
  • Remotely activated reward dispenser
    Patent number: 8807089
    Abstract: A remotely activated reward dispenser. The remote dispenser delivers consumable rewards in response to a trigger signal from a remote triggering device. The reward dispenser uses a two stage delivery system to prevent unintentional release of the consumable reward. A vibration stage moves a portion of the consumable reward from a reservoir to a staging platform without crushing the consumable reward. The second stage transfers the consumable reward from the staging platform to an area accessible by the animal. A vibration damping system reduces the noise generated by the reward dispenser. An adjustable transition varies the feed rate for the consumable reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brown, Steven Schrick, Matthew Strong, John Rowlands
  • Docking system and apparatus to track and stimulate an animal
    Patent number: 8803692
    Abstract: A system and apparatus to track and control an animal, including a tracking unit to track the animal, and a stimulus unit to provide a stimulus to the animal, wherein the tracking unit and stimulus unit are configured to be removably coupled together, and the tracking unit and/or stimulus unit communicate with a common control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Andrew Goetzl, Aaron Russell
  • Animal watering device
    Patent number: 8770147
    Abstract: Disclosed is a watering device for animals and a method of producing the same, including a base unit defining a bowl portion, a housing portion disposed in the base unit and including an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the bowl portion, a dispensing unit proximate the outlet port to dispense water from the housing portion to the bowl portion via the outlet port such that water flows around the bowl portion to the housing portion via the inlet port, and a filtering unit interposed between the outlet port and the inlet port to filter the water flowing from the bowl portion to the housing portion via the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Sean Rowe
  • Antenna enclosed within an animal training apparatus
    Patent number: 8736499
    Abstract: An animal training apparatus including an electrical conductor embedded within a flexible member, and a housing having a through-opening for receiving the electrical conductor therethrough. The flexible member is molded around the electrical conductor and the antenna, while the electrical conductor is positioned such that it extends into the housing through the through-opening. As a result of the molding process, the flexible member shields the housing through-opening, discouraging substances such as water from accessing the interior of the housing via the through-opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Goetzl, Kevin Zinn
  • Bark deterrent apparatus with internal vibration sensor
    Patent number: 8714113
    Abstract: A bark deterrent apparatus with an internal vibration sensor. The probeless bark deterrent apparatus uses an internal mechanical vibration sensor that detects vibrations induced in the housing. The probeless bark deterrent apparatus eliminates the external probe used in conventional bark deterrent devices to pick up vibrations at the dog's throat and communicate them to a mechanical vibration sensor to be eliminated while still allowing accurate bark detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Leon Lee, IV, Patrick Allan Tyndall, David Alan Weston
  • Device for Dispensing a Fluidic Consumable for an Animal
    Publication number: 20140102373
    Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, Greg Gillis
  • Self-cleaning Litter Box
    Publication number: 20140069343
    Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box. The self-cleaning litter box includes a rake drive housing that is securable to and removable from a litter tray. The rake drive housing contains the rake drive control system. The rake drive control system automatically cleans the litter tray after each use and/or on a periodic basis by combing the litter with a sweeping rake. The sweeping rake is paired with a spade that loosens waste products that is stuck to the litter tray. At the disposal end of the self-cleaning litter box, a disposal rake cooperatively rotates with the sweeping rake to transfer waste products into a waste receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: RADIO SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Myra Loveday, Xiao JiangLin, Shang Lianhui, Yu Ziqian
  • Dispensing Device for Animal Consumables and Methods of Using the Same
    Publication number: 20140048017
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing an edible consumable substance to an animal, and methods of training an animal, including the provision of a housing with an edible substance therein, a dispensing member provided at one end of the housing, the dispensing member having at least one aperture through which the edible substance is dispensed, a pushing member provided inside the housing to push the edible substance in a direction of the dispensing member, and a control interface to control the movement of the pushing member such that a user can control an amount of the edible substance that is provided to the animal through the dispensing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, Brad Allen
  • Remotely Activated Reward Dispenser
    Publication number: 20140033990
    Abstract: A remotely activated reward dispenser. The remote dispenser delivers consumable rewards in response to a trigger signal from a remote triggering device. The reward dispenser uses a two stage delivery system to prevent unintentional release of the consumable reward. A vibration stage moves a portion of the consumable reward from a reservoir to a staging platform without crushing the consumable reward. The second stage transfers the consumable reward from the staging platform to an area accessible by the animal. A vibration damping system reduces the noise generated by the reward dispenser. An adjustable transition varies the feed rate for the consumable reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brown, Steven Schrick, Matthew Strong, John Rowlands
  • Housebreaking Reward System
    Publication number: 20140033989
    Abstract: A housebreaking reward system. The housebreaking reward system includes a moisture sensitive pad, a moisture detector, a reward dispenser, and an optional handheld transmitter. The moisture sensitive pad is constructed to contain and hold fluids (e.g., urine) deposited by an animal and is laid down at location where it is acceptable for an animal to eliminate. The moisture detector is selectively connectable to sensing elements on the moisture sensitive pad to detect when fluid is deposited. If fluid is detected, the moisture sensitive detector signals the reward dispenser to reward the animal for appropriate elimination. At least a portion the moisture sensitive pad is disposable to facilitate easy cleanup of the appropriate elimination area. After one or more fluid deposits, the moisture detector is disconnected from the sensing elements, and the used moisture sensitive pad is discarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Patti A. Ault, Myra Loveday, Ricky Dukes, Steven Schrick, Jeffrey Brown, Matthew Strong
  • Twitch toy
    Patent number: 8640653
    Abstract: A motorized cat toy having a suspended teaser toy at the end of a detachable stretchable string connected to a flexible swing arm biased against a waveguide within a housing having a programmable electronic control, a gearbox with meshing gears including one spur gear on the rotor of the motor to provide control of the teaser toy movement to include a twitch and other erratic movements pleasing to a cat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alan J. Cook, Kevin Augustyniak, Gerard Fubershaw, Jeff Smith
  • Image-Based Animal Control Systems and Methods
    Publication number: 20140020635
    Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking an object within the field of view of an image sensing device. The system can include an animal control system having an image sensing system to determine a location of a pet within a field of view of the image sensing device, a controller to define a pet containment border within the field of view and to compare the location of the pet relative to the defined border, and a transmitter to transmit a stimulation signal to the pet to encourage or discourage the pet from crossing the border based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sayers, Duane Gerig, Travis Vickery
  • Device for dispensing a fluidic consumable for an animal
    Patent number: 8631765
    Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, Greg Gillis
  • Chew Item Enhancement For Animals
    Publication number: 20130340685
    Abstract: A chew item enhancement for animals, a chew item enhancement for animals, including an edible treat wrap having a separator provided to at least one side thereof, the edible treat wrap being formed of a self-adhering material such that when the treat wrap is removed from the separator and the treat wrap is applied to a chew item, the treat wrap adheres to the chew item to encourage the animal to chew the chew item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Grepper
  • Robotic pet waste treatment or collection
    Patent number: 8601637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device is robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • Liquid treat dispensing system and method of using the same
    Patent number: 8596220
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of supplying liquid consumable substances to animals using a dispenser device, including storing a volume of viscous fluid in a storage chamber of the dispensing device, capturing a roller ball in a flanged opening at an open end of the dispensing device such that a first surface of the roller ball communicates with the storage chamber, communicating at least a portion of the stored volume to the first surface such that a quantity of the stored volume adheres to the first surface, and exposing a second surface of the roller ball to an animal's tongue such that when the animal licks the second surface, the roller ball rotates with respect to the flanged opening to deliver at least a portion of the adhered quantity to the animal as a reward for a desired exhibited behavior of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • Collar Strap Attachment Mechanism
    Publication number: 20130305491
    Abstract: A collar strap attachment mechanism. One embodiment of collar strap attachment mechanism utilizes a rotatable clasping system with a locking mechanism. The collar strap attachment mechanism is compatible with collars of various widths and thickness. This collar strap attachment mechanism does not require the strap to be looped through any openings so removing the clasp of the strap is unnecessary. The collar strap attachment mechanism includes a rotatable clasp with a plurality of fingers configured to close around the collar strap. The user places the collar strap attachment mechanism on the strap and rotates the two parts until the strap is captured. Once closed around the collar strap, a lock prevents the collar strap attachment mechanism from rotating back to the open position unless unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin M. Sayers
  • Dog bone chew consumable
    Patent number: D708417
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Brad Allen
  • Dog bone chew consumable
    Patent number: D708418
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Brad Allen