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: 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 pet door having a locking mechanism for normally limiting ingress and egress, the pet door being adapted communicate with a conventional environmental detector to unlock the locking mechanism when a hazard environmental condition is detected. The pet door is adapted to work in cooperation with either a conventional smoke detector 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 door of the present invention. In either embodiment, when the smoke detector detects an event such as the presence of smoke and/or fire such that an audible alarm is sounded, the pet door locking mechanism is unlocked. The pet door is also useful in cooperation with other detectors such as a carbon monoxide detector or a security alarm.

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.

Abstract: Described is an insulated probe device of adjustable anal 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 insulted 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 unitized receiver-housing bearing planar collar for a pet wherein the bottom end of the receiver housing is integrally formed with the collar, the bottom perimetrical edge of the receiver housing being oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the collar. The collar is overmolded, free of independent connectors or fasteners, on the receiver housing adjacent the bottom end of the receiver housing such that when the collar is affixed to the neck of a pet, for example, there is established and maintained a pre-selected orientation of the receiver housing relative to the pet.

Abstract: A housing (10) for a pet accessory, and an associated collar mounting system for mounting the housing (10) on a pet collar (12). The housing (10) includes a casing (14) for housing at least certain components of the pet accessory. Further, the housing (10) defines at least first and second selectively spaced channels (22, 24) for receiving the pet collar (12) and releasably securing the housing (10) on the pet collar (12). The housing (10) also includes at least one protrusion (26) disposed between the selectively spaced channels (22, 24) and which extends outwardly from the casing (14) for engagement with the pet collar (12) to inhibit movement of the housing (10) along the length of the collar (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for defining a tunnel through a wall includes a first elongated tubular section having an outboard end and a distal end. A first peripheral flange extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the outboard end of the first elongated tubular section. A second elongated tubular section has an outboard end and a distal end. A second peripheral flange extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the outboard end of the second elongated tubular section. The cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the second elongated tubular section are sized to slidingly telescope within the first tubular section when the distal end of the first tubular section is inserted through a hole in a first side of a wall and the distal end of the second tubular section is inserted through a coaxial hole in the opposing side of the wall.