Abstract: A pet door gasket assembly adapted to provide a strong thermal, chemical, and mechanical bond between the gasket and a rigid pet door flap adapted to be mounted within an opening in a frame in a manner permitting a pet to have unattended ingress and egress through the opening. The gasket assembly incorporates a flexible, resilient, and permanently lubricated polymeric material chemically and mechanically bonded to the perimetrical portion of a rigid pet door flap. The gasket is formed of a moldable resilient and flexible polymeric material encircles the perimetrical edge of the flap and extends radially inwardly and along the first and second faces of, the annular perimetrical portion of the central portion of the flap, about end portions of pins which project from the opposite faces of the annular portion of the flap, and terminates at flanges defined on the annular portion of the perimetrical portion of the flap.

Abstract: Described is an animal containment system for containing an animal within a boundary, for maximizing the animal's usable area within the boundary, for not discouraging the animal from returning to within the boundary in the event the animal moves beyond the boundary, and for doing so without utilizing an independent polarity indicator. The animal containment system determines whether the animal is within the boundary or beyond the boundary by considering the polarity of an activation signal the animal containment system transmits from the boundary and receives at the location of the animal. The animal containment system determines the polarity of the activation signal by modulating the signal such that the modulation indicates the polarity of the activation signal. The animal containment system achieves the above-discussed features by delivering a stimulus to the animal only when it traverses the boundary from within the boundary.

Abstract: Described is a two-probe bark control device for detecting an animal's bark by way of an electrode that is also used in delivering an electrical stimulus to the animal. The two-probe bark control device includes a housing, a first probe, and a second probe. The first and second probes include first and second electrodes, respectively. The first electrode is secured to the housing by way of a resilient overmolding such that the first electrode extends outwardly from the housing and has the potential to vibrate within the housing. The housing is carried by the animal such that the first probe detects the bark of the animal and the first and second probes deliver an electrical stimulus to the animal in response the first probe detecting the animal's bark such that the first probe both detects the animal's bark and delivers an electrical stimulus to the animal.

Abstract: Described is a collar saddle device for maintaining the position of a device carried by an animal at the top of the animal's neck. The collar saddle device includes a saddle, a carried device, and a collar. The saddle is fixedly secured to the collar and includes a contoured portion that is structured to substantially parallel the contour of the top of the animal's neck. The carried device is fixedly secured to the collar and is situated proximately to the saddle. The contoured portion of the saddle matingly receives the top of the animal's neck to the extent that the saddle does not slide or rotate from the top of the animal's neck. Because the saddle and the carried device are situated proximately along the collar, the position of the carried device is maintained at the top of the animal's neck.

Abstract: Described is a vibration stimulus delivery device for delivering a vibration stimulus to an animal by way of a vibration probe secured in physical contact with the skin of the animal. The vibration stimulus delivery device includes a vibration probe, a stimulus trigger detection device, and a carrying device. The vibration probe and the stimulus trigger detection device are secured to the carrying device, which is secured to the animal such that the animal carries the vibration probe and the stimulus trigger detection device. The vibration probe is disposed on the carrying device such that the vibration probe is secured in physical contact with the skin of the animal. The stimulus trigger detection device is adapted to detect an undesirable behavior and is in electrical communication with the vibration probe such that when the stimulus trigger detection device detects the undesirable behavior, the vibration probe is activated. When activated, the vibration probe generates a vibration.

Abstract: Described is a vibration stimulus delivery device for delivering a vibration stimulus to an animal and for maximizing the robustness and intensity of the vibration stimulus. The vibration stimulus delivery device is carried by the animal and includes a housing and a vibration probe. The vibration probe is positioned in direct contact with the skin of the animal and generates a vibration, which, when delivered to the animal, is the vibration stimulus. The vibration probe is coupled to the housing such that the coupling minimizes the inherent vibration dampening effect caused by the weight and mass of the housing. The result is a vibration stimulus delivery device that delivers a more robust and intense vibration stimulus to the animal.

Abstract: An animal collar system including an animal collar, a housing mounted to the animal collar and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is enclosed in the housing and a built-in-test circuit is electrically connected to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A bark control device for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device includes a vibration dampening material forming or covering at least a portion of the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material reduces the transfer of vibrations through the bark control device housing by reducing the vibrations to levels undetectable by a bark sensor, by preventing the production of vibrations having characteristics sufficiently similar to a bark, and/or by inhibiting the propagation of such vibrations through the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material of the housing reduces the occurrence of corrections to the dog due to vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.

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.

Abstract: A portable animal tracking system. The portable animal tracking system provides two-way communication between a first unit carried by an operator and a second unit carried by an animal. The first unit allows an operator to issue warnings or corrections to an animal and to locate an animal. The second unit delivers warnings and corrections to the animal by the second unit and responds to location requests from the first unit. Location is accomplished through an angular-bearing analysis.

Abstract: An RFID collar for tracking and locating animals, and method of manufacturing the same. The RFID collar includes an RFID tag substantially enclosed within an animal collar. In manufacture, a mold for defining a collar-shaped volume is provided. At least one support member is configured to engage an RFID tag and suspend the RFID tag within the volume, in preparation for the molding process that forms the collar. An amount of uncured collar material is forced by an injection molding apparatus into the mold, thereby substantially surrounding the RFID tag. Thereafter, the uncured collar material is cured.

Abstract: A button assembly for selectively actuating a switch. The button assembly (10) includes a button member (16) for being mounted in an opening of a housing. The button member (16) is fabricated of a resilient material and defines an outer surface (38) that can be depressed to bring the button assembly (10) into contact with the switch for purposes of actuating the switch. The button assembly (10) also includes a compression ring (26) for being received in a bore (28) provided in the button member (16) whereby the compression ring (26) compresses the button member against the edges of the housing that define the opening in the housing creating a substantially liquid impervious seal and holding the button assembly (10) in place in the opening.

Abstract: An animal condition monitor. The animal condition monitor measures diagnostic parameters from the animal and determines whether the parameters indicate that the animal is at risk of a specified condition, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, or hyperthermia. The condition assessment is considered in light of a profile containing information about the age/health of the animal. When warranted, the animal condition monitor provides notification of the condition of interest.

Abstract: Described is an insulated probe device of adjustable axial length for delivering an electroshock stimulus to an animal. The insulated probe device includes an electrode that is positioned in contact with the animal's skin and is disposed within an electrically non-conductive housing. The housing is a two-part housing, where the two parts cooperate such that the ultimate length of the housing is adjustable. The insulated probe devise includes a mounting device that electrically and mechanically secures the insulated probe device to an electronic animal training device. The mounting device is electrically connected to the electrode by way of a conductor, which is disposed within the housing. The conductor is a metal-rubber substance that conducts electricity like a metal and stretches like rubber such that it is capable of various lengths. Consequently, the ultimate length of the insulated probe device is adjustable.

Abstract: A portable animal containment device for confining an animal to a defined area. The portable animal containment device includes a flat and a correction unit. The flat is adapted to be portable and defines the area within which an animal is confined. The flat has an associated presence detector for detecting whether the animal is occupying the flat. When the presence detector indicates that the animal is not occupying the flat, a signal is transmitted to the correction unit by way of wireless communication. The correction unit is carried by the animal and administers a stimulus to the animal when the correction unit receives the signal from the transmitter. Consequently, when the animal moves beyond the boundary defined by the flat, it receives a stimulus, which encourages the animal to remain in the flat.

Abstract: A variable voltage electronic pet training apparatus. The variable voltage electronic pet training apparatus controls the intensity of the stimulation by the controlling the voltage level present at the primary side of the transformer while maintaining a fixed signal to the correction pulse switch. A trigger signal contains information about the desired stimulus intensity level. A controller interprets the trigger signal and produces a voltage control signal associated with the desired energy level. Application of the voltage control signal to a power converter keeps the voltage level applied to an energy storage capacitor sufficient to produce the desired stimulation intensity.

Abstract: A pet collar for alerting others as to the location of a pet is provided. The pet collar is provided for announcing the presence, audibly and visibly, of a pet such as in a burning structure or otherwise when the pet cannot be found. The pet collar is adapted to work in cooperation with either a conventional or an improved smoke detector. In one embodiment, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter is used in cooperation with a conventional smoke detector to communicate with a pet collar of the present invention. In either embodiment, when the smoke detector sounds an audible alarm either automatically or manually, the pet collar is activated to sound an alarm and to illuminate at least one light. The pet collar is also useful in cooperation with other detectors such as a carbon monoxide detector or a security alarm.

Abstract: A pet collar having a digital pet information storage and retrieval device for the identification of a pet is provided. The pet collar carries a modular ID device which is connectable to a computer via a conventional connection device. The ID device is provided for storing information data relative to the pet, including but not limited to identification information, owner information, health records, and the like. The ID device is removably received within an ID device housing secured to the pet collar. When a lost pet wearing the pet collar and ID device of the present invention is found, the finder removes the ID device and connects it to a standard computer and retrieves the data stored thereon in order to contact the owner and ensure proper care is taken of the animal until returned to its owner.