Abstract: A decoy, typically used for hunting fowl, having a hollow body including a head, a tail and a pair of feet. The decoy includes a pair of wings mounted to the body of the decoy for multi-axis movement. A drive mechanism typically including an electric motor and a power source is positioned within the hollow body. A pair of crank members connects to the electric motor and extends outwardly from the body. A pair of link members connect the wings to the crank members whereby rotation of the crank members enables cyclic movement defined by up/down and fore/aft motion of the wings.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing by-catch of seabirds or turtles during fishing include a fish hook (220) and a barrier or shield (227) mounted in a position relative to the fish hook (220) such that the barrier (227) reduces or prevents hooking of a seabird or turtle by the fish hook or ingestion of the hook by a seabird or turtle. The apparatus includes a degradable component (226) that degrades when placed in water such that when the degradable component degrades the barrier moves away from the position relative to the fish hook or no longer exists to allow the fish hook to be taken by a fish. The degradable component (226) may be a retaining means or a mounting means. The degradable component may form part of, or all of, the barrier.

Abstract: A fishing reel equipped with a fishhook hanger and a fishing rod using the fishing reel. The fishing rod includes a fishing rod body; and a reel body mounted to the fishing rod body, the reel body having a female or male locking part; and a fishhook hanger including a fishhook hanging part for hanging a fishhook thereon, a connection part extending from the fishhook hanging part, and a male or female locking part that extends from the connection part and corresponds to the locking part of the reel body, wherein the female or male locking part and the male or female locking part are configured to be removably locked to each other. The fishing rod further includes a holding unit that can hold a fishline, a fishhook, a sinker connected to the fishline, or a sinker connector that connects the sinker to the fishline.

Abstract: A watering device for animals with continuously flowing water to attract the attention of the animal utilizes a water screw device within the watering device to move water from a lower bowl of the device to an upper bowl to create flowing water. The water screw is configured such that the electrical components of the water screw remain separated from the water of the watering dish to remove the possibility of electrocution of the water. Rather, only the mechanical components of the water screw device contact the water of the watering device while the electrical motor of the water screw remains safely out of the water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling system for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements from or into a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking rods, serving for storing products, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The handling system comprises a robotic device with at least one robotic arm being movably in three dimensions, at least one gripping device for reversibly gripping the rod-like elements, wherein the gripping device is attached to the robotic arm of the robotic device. Moreover, a preventing unit for preventing uncontrolled movement of the products hanging up on the rod-like elements is provided.

Abstract: An illumination and grow light system and associated methods are provided to produce an emission spectrum which may be optimized for plant response curve, as well as provide high quality light with respect to the human response curve. Embodiments of the present invention may include highly efficient tunable lamps and associated modulation controls that allow specific radiation wavelength bands to be manipulated, the emission direction and intensity to be varied, and the output power to be coordinated to create high fluxes of photosynthetic active radiation while maintaining a desirable color temperature and high color rendering index.

Abstract: A method for applying a substance to the teats of a dairy livestock comprises extending a robotic arm between the legs of a dairy livestock positioned in a stall. The method continues by rotating a linear member of a spray tool about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm, wherein the linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The method continues by discharging a substance as the linear member rotates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bird feeder having a bottom structure, a roof structure, and a side support structure extending between the bottom and roof structures.

Abstract: A swiveling tip for a fishing rod includes a housing with a barrel positioned therein for rotating 360° around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The housing includes a first bore for receiving the barrel and a second bore for receiving a fishing rod. The barrel has a guiding assembly at a distal end thereof and nose member, which together with the roller, guides and receives a fishing line therebetween.

Abstract: A handle system for use with a fishing rod. In one embodiment the system is attachable to a rod having a reel seat and operable in conjunction with a reel having a rotatable spool about which fishing line is wound. An attachment section attaches the reel to the handle system and attaches the handle system to the fishing rod. A handle section includes a handle about which a first hand can be placed to hold the rod while catching a fish. The handle extends in a direction away from the attachment section. A leveling system provides back and forth movement of fishing line along the reel spool when the reel is attached to the handle system and the fishing line is being wound on to the spool.

Abstract: A strike indicator has a hollow plastic spherical body with an opening through which water can flow into the body to weight the body for spin cast fishing and out of which water can be removed from the body for fly cast fishing. An easily manipulable thumbscrew can engage the opening to selectively block the opening while trapping a fishing line between a grommet on the thumbscrew and the spherical body to hold the strike indicator onto the fishing line.

Abstract: A solar greenhouse structure includes a plurality of supporting frames, a light-permitting roof supported by at least one supporting frame, and at least one solar panel disposed below the roof and near the bottom surface thereof. The instant disclosure uses thinner solar panels, where the supporting frames can be less rigid, in lowering the solar greenhouse cost.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder having a spring base, rod receiver, at least one rod receiver arm and a first spring. The spring base being mountable to a secure mount. The rod receiver including a top and bottom, and an open area within the rod receiver at the top to receive a fishing rod. The at least one rod receiver arm connecting the rod receiver to the spring base, wherein the rod receiver is connected by the at least one rod receiver to the spring base such that the rod receiver can pivot to provide motion during fishing. The first spring mounted between the spring base and the rod receiver to provide resistance to movement of the rod receiver.

Abstract: A shipping container for livestock having a plurality of walls, a container roof and a container floor enclosing an interior storage space. The front wall may include a container door and one or more of the sidewalls may be mounted with one or more column support plates that support web support plates. A floating partition, end wing, loft and feed troughs may be mounted with the web support plates. Additionally, the floating partition may be tilted inward to efficiently divide space and provide access to the loft. A catwalk may also be mounted with the floating partition.

Abstract: A bait delivery system having a container for holding water and a lid releasably attached to the container. The lid includes a door opening and a door is pivotally connected to the lid. A rod extends through a rod opening in the lid and a loop assembly is connected to a lower end of the rod. A bait net is connected to the lid and has a lower portion connected to the loop assembly. The loop assembly has a first position adjacent the container bottom and a second position near the lid. The loop assembly is moved from the first position to the second position by raising the rod. In the first position the door is closed and in the second position the door is open. In a preferred embodiment, the door automatically opens as the loop assembly moves from the first to second position and automatically closes as the loop assembly moves from the second to first position.

Abstract: A semi-automated crop production system featuring a growing module with grids of cells for growing plants and a lighting and airflow fixture positioned above each cell. The lighting and airflow fixtures feature a fan disposed in a housing, a light emitting diode (LED) assembly board comprising LEDs disposed below the fan; a light diffuser disposed below the LED assembly board, and an adjustable airflow nozzle extending downwardly from the fan and protruding through the LED assembly board and the light diffuser. The adjustable airflow nozzle provides directed airflow downwardly toward a bottom area of the housing. The growing module and lighting and airflow fixtures are housed in a shell. The growing module may be slidably attached to the interior wall of the shell via mounting components.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus and methods of attracting and capturing flies with toxicant treated darkened cords and printed or painted strips on sidewalls of housings. The darkened cords and strips black to confuse flies into believing they are cracks and crevices. Flies feed off the insecticide treated strips and are killed over time. At least one black line over a blue background can simulate a harborage to attract flying insects. At least one black line over a sticky surface card can be used. Geometrical housing shapes can include triangular, pentagon, cylindrical, rectangular, square, cube and/or other geometrical shapes. Housings can be tied off to be suspended. Second housings can be suspended beneath a main housing by attaching strips to the lower suspended housing. The housings can also work in an unassembled state where planar type sheets can be mounted on a wall.

Abstract: An improved processing assembly having a meat emulsion pump connected to a stuffing horn. The stuffing horn positioned to fill casings with meat emulsion which form a strand of processed meat that is received by a twister, then a linker, and subsequently deposited on a conveyor.

Abstract: Methods of automated meat processing including an end to end processing method in which carcasses are cut into major portions at a first robotic processing station and into minor portions at robotic processing sub-stations. In one processing method carcass portions are acquired by a robotic arm, imaged and then cuts performed without transfer. In another a first series of processing steps are performed by rotating carcass portions through a plurality of processing stations and a second series of processing steps are performed as carcass portions are advanced along a linear conveyor. In another processing method a plurality of clamps are employed to stabilize a saddle section during a flap cut. In another processing method split pins are used to position a saddle section for a vertebrae cut. In another method a spinal cord is removed by applying a pressurized fluid stream against one end of the spinal cord and applying suction at the other end of the spinal cord.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for repelling elasmobranchs with high-pull-force magnets, including devices and methods for reducing by-catch in commercial fisheries and protecting humans from attacks by elasmobranchs.