Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the barking of a dog through application of a spray deterrent, or spray control bark collar. The spray control bark collar administers a dose of a pressurized substance in response to the barking of the dog. The spray control bark collar detects the barking of the dog through the measuring of vibrations produced by the dog. In addition, the spray control bark collar delivers successively larger doses of the spray deterrent to the dog to deter the dog from further barking should the dog fail to respond to previous deterrent attempts. Finally, the spray control bark collar monitors the usage of the spray deterrents to gauge the amount of the deterrent substance remaining in the deterrent substance reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the barking of a dog through application of a spray deterrent, or spray control bark collar. The spray control bark collar administers a dose of a pressurized substance in response to the barking of the dog. The spray control bark collar detects the barking of the dog through the measuring of vibrations produced by the dog. In addition, the spray control bark collar delivers successively larger doses of the spray deterrent to the dog to deter the dog from further barking should the dog fail to respond to previous deterrent attempts. Finally, the spray control bark collar monitors the usage of the spray deterrents to gauge the amount of the deterrent substance remaining in the deterrent substance reservoir.

Abstract: In a device adapted to dissuade a dog from barking, there is provided a reservoir of spray material associated with a collar which encircles the dog's neck. The reservoir includes at least one wall member defining an interior volume for the receipt of spray material therein. The reservoir includes a first dimension (i.e., a centerline) which lies within the median sagittal plane of an erect dog which is facing forward, thereby orienting one portion of the interior of the reservoir vertically lowermost. An exit port is provided for the transport of spray material from the interior to the exterior of the reservoir. A semi-rigid, lengthwise substantially non-compressible, conduit having a first end thereof connected in fluid flow communication with the exit port, extends from the exit port and terminates at its opposite and open end at the vertically lowermost interior portion of the reservoir when the present appliance is mounted at a location on the collar beneath the lower jaw of the dog.

Abstract: Single Channel Autonomous Trunking (SCAT) radio frequency systems and methods use a single duplex Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) channel for the control and working channels thereof. By providing a single duplex TDMA radio frequency channel including a plurality of TDMA time slots in SCAT systems and methods, the SCAT systems and methods can simultaneously operate in a control channel mode and a working channel mode using the single duplex TDMA radio frequency channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the barking of dogs in a group setting, or group bark control apparatus, and method for use. The group bark control apparatus detects the barking of the host dog and applies an appropriate correction to the host dog while also broadcasting a desired correction signal to other group bark control apparatuses within range. Upon receipt of the correction signal, the receiving group bark control apparatuses apply the appropriate correction stimulus to their respective dogs, including those which are not currently barking. By preemptively correcting the non-barking dogs in response to the barking of other dogs, the phenomenon known as group barking is hereby avoided.

Abstract: A system for confining and training a pet is provided. The system includes a stationary transmitter in communication with a receiver collar worn by a pet and the other configured as a portable transmitter for controlling the operation of the stationary transmitter. The stationary transmitter includes a correction signal generator and a warning signal generator which feed an amplifier having an adjustable amplification factor controlled by a processing device. The amplified correction signal is transmitted through the wire loop antenna via a transmitter. The normal confinement mode operation of the system is interrupted by a training signal from the portable transmitter. Upon receipt of a training signal, the processing device produces a signal corresponding to the desired deterrent signal and increases the gain of the appropriate amplifier thereby boosting the signal strength such that the entire confinement area is filled with the desired deterrent signal.

Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting a portable radio and accessory devices. The connector attached to the accessory device includes a slot for initially engaging a tab on the portable radio, which provides proper alignment between the portable radio and the connector, while the connector is rotated toward the portable radio. Maintaining alignment ensures proper mating between the electrical contacts of the portable radio and the electrical contacts of the connector, and further ensures that a quarter turn latching device of the connector is properly received by a receiving member on the portable radio. The user then rotates the quarter turn latching device to urge the contacts against each other and secure the connector in place. Because the electrical connector includes a two-point attachment mechanism to the portable radio, rotation of the connector relative to the portable radio is prevented.

Abstract: A bird feeder with electronic squirrel deterrence that includes a bottom, a top, a swivelling hanger, a reservoir for storing bird feed and at least one feeding opening disposed in the reservoir. Feeding roosts having a perch are received in the feeding openings and inserts, having selectively sized beak openings and selectively sized feed baffles are received by the feeding roosts in order to accommodate birds of various species. In one embodiment, the bird feeder includes correction circuit for administering an electrostatic shock to a squirrel. The roost, the bottom, and the top include conductive surfaces which form an open circuit. The circuit is closed when an animal such as a squirrel makes contact with the conductive surfaces and one of the feeding roosts and delivers a mild electrical shock to the animal.

Abstract: A fastener which allows for the attachment of two articles without the need for hardware such as a screw, or such as nuts, bolts and washers. The fastener comprises two members—a fastener post which serves as a male member, and a fastener post receiver which serves as a female member. The male post defines two elongated prongs, with each prong having a flange near its end. The female receiver is configured to mate with the prongs of the post. To this end, the receiver has walls which extend from a base, with the walls having a series of teeth for receiving the flanges of the post as the post is advanced into the female receiver. In addition, the walls of the female receiver are separated by channels. The channels allow the walls of the receiver to pivot about the base. This feature, in turn, allows the walls to contract and engage the male post when one attempts to separate the male post from the female receiver.

Abstract: Calls are transferred from a first call to a second call in a trunked digital radio communications system that includes a first transmitting user terminal that communicates with a receiving user terminal or group of user terminals in the first call over a first working channel via a base station. A second call is transmitted from a second transmitting user terminal to the base station over a second working channel, that identifies the receiving terminal. Transfer data is transmitted from the base station to the receiving terminal or group of user terminals in the first call on the first working channel, the transfer data identifying the second call and the second working channel. The transfer data is detected in the first call on the first working channel at the receiving user terminal and the receiving user terminal transfers to the second call on the second working channel based upon the transfer data.

Abstract: Clamping assembly, comprising a base part, a clamping part, a pivot pin and spring means. The base part and the clamping part have projections with passages. In the assembled state, the passages lie in line with one another and hold the pin in place. The passages of one part are formed by a recess which extends from a side of the part which does not have the projections to the side of the part which does have the projections.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a break in a single conductor unshielded wire is provided. The system includes a transmitter generating two continuous wave radio frequency signals attached to each of the wire segments of a broken wire. Each signal has a unique frequency and is transmitted in opposite directions around the wire. When a locator is operated near a wire transmitting one of the signals, an audible tone of the appropriate frequency is generated. The volume of the tone decreases as the locator is moved closer to the break. In this manner, the operator can determine the location of the break within a margin of about six inches. Accordingly, no unnecessary digging is required to locate the break in the wire.

Abstract: An animal deterrent system for protecting a specific area. The animal deterrent system includes an infrared detection system for determining when an animal enters the protected area and an electromagnetic field (EMF) generator for communicating with a stimulus delivery system disposed on a collar worn by the pet. The stimulus delivery system produces a non-lethal electrostatic shock which encourages the pet to leave the protected area.

Abstract: A bird feeder with electronic squirrel deterrence that includes a bottom, a top, a swivelling hanger, a reservoir for storing bird feed and at least one feeding opening disposed in the reservoir. Feeding roosts having a perch are received in the feeding openings and inserts, having selectively sized beak openings and selectively sized feed baffles are received by the feeding roosts in order to accommodate birds of various species. In one embodiment, the bird feeder includes correction circuit for administering an electrostatic shock to a squirrel. The roost, the bottom, and the top include conductive surfaces which form an open circuit. The circuit is closed when an animal such as a squirrel makes contact with the conductive surfaces and one of the feeding roosts and delivers a mild electrical shock to the animal.

Abstract: An electronic training leash and collar is provided for training an animal by providing consistent negative reinforcement regardless of the trainer. The elongated leash member includes a control module, proximately attached to an adjustable handle, electrically connected to a reinforcement module, proximately attached to an adjustable collar loop. The intensity of the control stimulus is selected by cycling the reinforcement processing device through a plurality of intensity levels incrementally spaced between a predetermined minimum and maximum voltage. Use of the correction button illuminates a visual indicator, and generates both an audible warning sound and an electrical stimulus from the reinforcement module. Similarly, the warning button illuminates the visual indicator and generates an audible warning sound from the reinforcement module. A timer limits abusive use of the corrective stimulus.