Abstract: An efficient and highly productive method for rearing pigs wherein successive litters of pigs are placed in an enclosed building within a series of cages following weaning, the cages having floors of openwork construction to allow animal waste to pass therethrough and to keep the pigs in a dry condition. The animal waste passing through the floors of the cages is collected in an underlying trough where it is readily accessible for periodic inspection to locate any unhealthy pigs and thereby facilitate segregating them from the healthy pigs. Several times a day a sweeping flow of water is directed along the trough to flush away the animal waste from below the cage.The cages are arranged in the building end-to-end in vertically aligned tiered relation to form respective upper and lower elongate series of cages, with each cage comprising a floor of openwork construction and an open-bottomed enclosure also of openwork construction restingly positioned on and supported by the floor.

Abstract: An integrated modular assembly for facilitating cohabitation with house pets, particularly cats and dogs, who normally live under conditions of semi-freedom in the lodgings of their master. The assembly includes a movable support which may even be transportable, and a collection of interchangeable modules carried by the support and fulfilling a number of functions among which are required arrangement in a given space, fulfilling bodily conveniences, stimulating instincts and/or simulating a presence, with the combination of selected modules responding to the particular needs of a given house pet for providing for the house pet a territorial refuge, vital comforts, mental and physical exercise, and/or friendship.

Abstract: There is provided a packaged disposable animal waste container which has in packaged combination an open-top moisture resistance receptacle of such size that an animal may stand in the receptacle and with side walls sufficiently low that the animal may step into the receptacle, but sufficiently high that normal animal pawing will not displace animal waste and the like therefrom. Packaged within the receptacle are a plurality of nested trays each having dimensions so that the trays closely fit within the receptacle side walls. The trays also have side walls sufficiently high for containing an effective layer of animal waste absorbent. The package has a removal retainer means for retaining the nested trays in the receptacle during shipping and handling. The nested trays are removed from the receptacle and serially placed in the receptacle for use by the animal. A soiled tray is removed and replaced by a clean tray.

Abstract: An improved veterinary examination table is provided which includes means for determining the weight of the animal being examined. In order to facilitate the examination of animals of varying weights, the height of the table may be varied through the use of a hydraulic actuator. A horizontal examination platform is vertically movable within a frame having vertical support members. A scale is interposed between the examination platform and the frame in a manner to support the entire weight of the platform when the examination platform is moved to its lowermost position to thereby allow the weight of an animal to be determined. Elevation of the examination platform automatically deactivates the scale.

Abstract: A box-like frame contains a squeeze gate component, a floor and a pair of side frames pivotally secured one to each side of the floor and normally held apart at the upper ends by a latch bar. When a hog or the like enters the gate, it displaces the latch bar and enables the sides to fall inwardly whereupon a rope or cable is connected to the upper ends of the side frames and to an overhead winch. This enables the squeeze gate together with the animal to be lifted clear of the floor for treatment purposes or for weighing by means of a spring scale which is connected between the winch handle and the frame.

Abstract: A spin casting fishing reel assembly is presented wherein actuation of the reel and feathering of the fishing line leaving the reel may both be accomplished at a single point forwardly of the reel itself. Fundamentally, the invention consists of a casing maintaining therein a spool about which the fishing line is wound. A tubular handle is connected to a front end portion of the casing with the fishing line leaving the reel and passing through the tubular handle. The handle includes an outer tubular member having an inner tubular member slidingly received therein. A spring-biased slide button is connected to the inner tubular member and rearward motion of the slide button by the user's thumb causes the inner tubular member to engage a cam maintained within the casing. This cam causes a retraction of a carrier pin to allow the line to be released from the spool, through the tubular handle, and across the slide button.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a plurality of wheels each having a shaft, and housing means carrying a cutting element and drive means for driving the latter. The housing means are connected to the shafts movably relative to the same so as to change the distance between the housing means and the shafts to thereby correspondingly change the cutting height of the cutting element. Energy storing means are provided between the housing means and at least one of the shafts and adapted to counteract the weight of the housing means, the drive means and the cutting element so as to aid a user in upwardly adjusting the cutting element. The energy storing means may be formed as a spring, one end portion of which is connected to the housing means and another end portion is connected to a bracket provided on at least one shaft.

Abstract: An animal leash including an elongated leather strip on which there is sewn a transparent polyvinyl chloride strip having a prism design on one surface thereof and an opaque polyvinyl chloride strip secured to the one surface of the transparent strip. The combined polyvinyl chloride strips are sewn to the leather strip resulting in a leash having a light reflective surface. The areas around the stitching are crimped thereby increasing the reflecting angle of the polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A fish-gathering block comprising a plurality of supports erected on a base frame and supporting an upper structure. The current flows through an opening between the lower end of the upper structure and the base frame. This flowthrough opening prevents the sinking of the fish-gathering block into the sea-bottom by eliminating or materially weakening the ocean-current's excavating action.

Abstract: An insect capturing and exterminating device comprises a capturing unit actuated to open and close by a hand-operated actuating mechanism, the capturing unit containing an insect exterminating agent therein and having at least one isolation exit leading to a transparent isolation unit which seals off the or each isolation exit.

Abstract: A fish-bait tank is provided which includes fluid intake and discharge heads integrated with the outer surface of the tank side wall, with the intake head having intake port means and the discharge head having discharge port means. Intake aperture means traverse the tank side wall within the perimeter of the intake head for extending fluid communication from the intake head to the interior of the tank. Discharge aperture means traverse the tank side wall within the perimeter of the discharge head for extending fluid communication from the interior of the tank to the discharge head. Level control means cooperate with the discharge aperture means for selectively controlling fluid level in the housing.

Abstract: A molded reinforced plastic dome-shaped shelter for animals, having a door, a base having a floor spaced from the ground, a feeding stall in an outside alcove in the shelter housing, a track surrounding the shelter adjacent its base, a glide freely movable around said track for attachment of a tether for the animal, and spike means for anchoring the housing and base together and to the ground. The housing and base may be of one piece of plastic and then separated, or may be made into sectors and assembled by bolts or other fastening means. The door may be locked so the shelter may be used as a shipping container and lifted by the track around the base as its handle. The feeding stall or alcove is preferably provided with two dishes, one for water and the other for dry food, and their supply may be maintained automatically by containers mounted above these dishes in the alcove.

Abstract: Novel instantaneously emptiable animal food tray, particularly adapted to be mounted externally of but between two juxtaposed and longitudinally facing animal cages, is disclosed. The tray comprises a bottom which is angled downwardly from a central longitudinal apex to its side edges, vertically extending members at the ends of the tray, and handle means for manipulating the tray into and out of the space between the juxtaposed cages.

Abstract: An enclosed litter container for animals, the container having upper and lower enclosure portions coupled together to provide an enclosed space. The upper enclosure portion has an opening therein to provide access for an animal to the enclosed space. The lower enclosure portion defines a cavity for containing litter. The upper enclosure portion includes a widened rim portion, and the lower enclosure portion includes a mating widened flange portion. Part of the widened rim portion of the upper enclosure portion includes a downwardly convex convolution having a vertex or free extremity extending into the enclosed space. The construction prevents urine from collecting in and/or escaping from the joint between the enclosure portions. A series of downwardly sloped channels in the widened flange portion of the lower enclosure portion help direct the urine toward the litter.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture are disclosed for the controlled delivery of pest controlling substances. Methods for producing such articles and utilizing them in pest control programs are also described. Laminated articles are provided which comprise one or more layers containing active pest control and pest attractant substances and which allow the controlled release of the pest controlling substance from within the laminate to the surface of the laminate so as to maximize efficiency against target species in the surrounding environment. The laminated structure also permits prolonged, controlled release of pest controlling substances and properly timed combinations of such substances that might otherwise be prematurely dissipated, decomposed or inefficiently applied. Various combinations of polymeric materials and active agents and a number of different laminated structures are utilized to optimize efficient use of the pest controlling substance against a variety of target species.

Abstract: An aquarium waterfall composed of a base, vertical member and cap and wherein a lift tube extends from the base to the cap. A sand reservoir is formed in the base. An air tube operatively connected to the lift tube causes water to rise in the lift tube, and the water carries sand with it from the base to the cap where the mixture of sand and water is redirected in a downward direction toward the base over outcroppings in the vertical member to simulate a waterfall.

Abstract: A trap for marine life having a top member of annular configuration with the center area covered with netting, a similarly configured bottom member also covered across the center area with netting, and similarly configured intermediate members provided with side netting extending between said top and bottom members. An elastic member is provided substantially midway of the side netting for the purpose of effecting collapse thereof and to keep the side netting folded in an orderly manner when collapsed. In one embodiment, flexible ropes interconnect the top and bottom members. In other embodiments, guide structure connects between the top and bottom members to provide guide channels in which at least one of the intermediate members supporting the collapsible side netting may move. Additional side netting structure may be provided suspended from the top member for covering any gaps between the said top member and the side netting when only partially closed.

Abstract: An animal feces disposal device is provided. The device includes a thin flexible sheet of water repellent material which has a stiffening member centrally mounted to it. A drawstring running about the periphery of the sheet serves to close the sheet after use. The stiffening member is arranged so that the feces will be centrally positioned within the device to avoid any hand contact by the user. After use the device may be disposed of as a unit.

Abstract: In stanchions of the type used for milking and/or feeding but primarily the feeding of cattle, a stanchion structure having vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal members with swing pipes defining spaced positions for accommodating cattle in spaced, captive relationship and having intermediate vertical support posts, an improved structure is provided employing an extending draw bar having spaced notches or slots wherein a locking member is pivotally secured to each of the swing pipes so that the individual swing pipes may be selectively opened or closed either individually or in unison to permit free access or egress from the spaced, cattle positions by the cattle and wherein the locking mechanisms are protected by the swing pipe structure so as to inhibit opening of the locking mechanism by cattle. The invention is also directed to a conversion kit for existing stanchion structures to provide for the locking feature in a simple and economically feasible manner.

Abstract: An ear brace for dogs, such as Doberman-Pinschers, whose ears require support during their early weeks and months to train the dog to hold its ears erect. The ear brace comprises a light wire frame having a crossarm slightly larger than the width of the dog's head, and two toed-in side arm members which converge inwardly as they extend downwardly from opposite sides of the crossarm. At the end of each side-arm member remote from the crossarm a substantially 90 degree bend is formed, toed inwardly and extending for about one-half inch and a reversely directed bend is then formed to provide a return portion in each side-arm member. The return portion of each side-arm member extends upwardly angled toward the respective ends of the crossarm from which the side-arm members depend, on a line which if extended would progressively approach the junction of each respective side-arm member and the respective ends of the crossarm from which they depend.