Abstract: A first portion and a second portion of a decoy where the first portion is weighted or weightable and the second portion is buoyant. A housing attached to the first portion of the decoy by a hinge. An actuator combined to the housing engages the first portion of the decoy to selectively raise and lower the first portion of the decoy into the water.

Abstract: An improved lunging tool utilized to train animals, such as horses. The lunging tool includes a stiffening component inserted into an internal pocket of the body. The lunging tool is configured to attach to a harness or halter on one end and a lunging line or rope on the other end to enable a trainer to lead the animal by both pushing and pulling on the animal. The length of the stiffening component of the improved lunging tool prevents entanglement with the animal's legs if the trainer drops the improved lunging tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrified garbage container cover that destroys insects that may attempt to access, or escape from a garbage container. The electrified garbage container cover frame is configured to fit in the opening of a garbage container enclosing or sealing the interior of the garbage container with the lower edge of the electrified garbage container cover. The electrified garbage container cover frame supports a mesh frame portion between the upper and lower edges, which supports an electrified mesh. The electrified mesh is capable of electrifying insects destroying them upon contact. The electrified garbage container cover also has a fastening mechanism supported by the frame, which is configured to attach the electrified garbage container cover to a garbage container. The electrified garbage container cover also has a power source which is able to provide electricity to the electrified mesh, and is capable of being recharged.

Abstract: An exercise tool for small animals includes a rotating wheel 1 having an opening 1 formed on a front side, a wall surface portion 15 formed on a back side, and a through hole 13 formed in the wall surface portion 15; a bearing holder 2 inserted into the through hole 13 from the back side; a bearing 3 attached to this bearing holder 2; a cap member 4 coupled to the bearing holder 2 from the front side for securing the bearing holder 2 to the wall surface portion 15 of the rotating wheel 1; and a shaft member 5 attached to a stand 100. The shaft member 5 has a shaft 52 formed thereon to be press-fit and coupled to the bearing 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a top-type cat dish, and more particularly to, top-type cat dish in which a top part provided in a bowl part allows the cat to eat food by inclining the cat dish according to a cat's body structure, a support part having an angle provided at an edge minimizes shaking, and an uneven portion formed inside the bowl prevents food from slipping so that the cat may comfortably eat food.

Abstract: A feeder includes a base portion defining an internal storage chamber and having at least one opening, a tubular insert configured to be positioned within the opening and attachable to the base portion, the insert including a sealing system and defining a through passage, the sealing system configured to seal the internal storage chamber, a lid configured to attach to the insert so to prevent passage through the through passage, and a bowl configured to be disposed within the insert.

Abstract: The fish-holding apparatus is a stick device which may be used to take pictures of fish. The device may be attached to any boat that has a pedestal hole to secure the device. In addition, the device may be held in hand by a user, with a fish positioned at one end of the device, so as to allow taking of a picture of the fish itself or of a group picture together with the fish. Further, the apparatus includes additional support members for better stability and gripping elements for improved ease of use. Additionally, the fish-holding apparatus has access for installing a variety of attachable links, to which a wide variety for fish-grips and/or hanging scales may be attached to. The fish-holding apparatus provides a cost-effective, portable, and easy-to-use device for taking pictures of fish.

Abstract: An identification tag made from a flexible, durable material, and in a substantially flat, preferably symmetrical shape, and with a front side having a substantially flat surface, and a back side having a substantially flat surface, and a mount extending outward from the back surface and extending partially along the horizontal axis, equidistant from the vertical center. Disposed on the back surface under the mount is a recess extending below the surface, and substantially occupying the same surface area as the area covered by the mount. A ring can pass through the mount so that the ring can be mounted parallel to the surface of the tag. Alternatively, a ring with a tab can be passed through the mount wherein said tab can interlock within the recess under the mount, permitting the ring to be maintained in a supportive position relative to the tag.

Abstract: The modular planter assembly incorporates a pedestal structure, a stanchion structure, and a plurality of planting trays. The pedestal structure and the stanchion structure elevate each of the plurality of planting trays such that elevation of any initial planting tray selected from the plurality of planting trays differs from the elevation of any subsequent planting tray selected from the plurality of planting trays. The modular planter assembly is a modular structure. By modular structure is meant that: a) any initially selected planting tray can be substituted for any subsequently selected planting tray; and, b) the number of planting trays contained in the plurality of planting trays is adjustable. The modular planter assembly is a rotating structure. By rotating structure is meant that the cant between the center axis of any initially selected planting tray and the center axis of any subsequently selected planting tray is adjustable.

Abstract: A water nipple controlled by the animal has a valve seat inside a housing. The valve member has an elongate valve shaft providing a forward end at the circular discharge mouth for operation by the animal. A resilient body on the valve member defines a convoluted or serpentine water flow path for flow of water along the flow path through the housing with the flow path defining a rate of flow of the water. A resilient ring is mounted on the valve shaft spaced the valve seat and the forward end with an outside edge of the resilient ring adjacent to and spaced from the inside surface of the housing so as to define an annular channel therebetween through which the water passes so that the resilient ring restricts direct flow of water from the valve seat to the discharge mouth to prevent excess squirting of the water.

Abstract: In one aspect, an exterior lighting insect zapper includes a photosensor configured to sense an amount of light for turning on or off an exterior light and an insect zapper coupled to the photosensor. The exterior lighting insect zapper also includes a twist-lock plug compatible with a receptacle of an exterior light for a photosensor unit plug, such that the exterior lighting insect zapper can replace existing photosensors of exterior light fixtures.

Abstract: A snap type rodent trap with remote notification capability is provided. The trap includes a non-conductive base, conductive bail and trigger components, and an electronic PCB assembly mounted on the trap base. According to a first embodiment, the base is wood and the PCB assembly is selectively coated or printed with a layer of a flexible conductive material that contacts bail and trigger wire components mounted on the upper surface of the trap base as well as a conductive strip positioned to be contacted by the bail when the trap is tripped and empty. According to a second embodiment, the base is molded plastic. The PCB assembly in both embodiments is configured to detect and provide remote notification of trap states using the bail as an antenna. A method of retrofitting a snap type trap with an electronics monitoring system is also provided.

Abstract: A protective cover system for protecting produce growing on trees and plants includes a hollow, protective cover having an end wall and a sidewall defining a partially enclosed interior space. The device includes an opening that allows the produce item to be received and secured within the interior space. The sidewall includes one or more elongated slots for securing the device on tree branches and plant vines and the produce item within the interior space. An optional installation kit may be provided including a pole adapter having a socket that receives an optional pole. The pole adapter is inserted into a cavity formed in a pole adapter receptacle on the device when placing the device on fruits on trees. The pole and pole adapter are used to facilitate placement of the device on fruits on trees from ground level.

Abstract: A cage assembly can have at least one enclosure. Each enclosure can have a floor defining a floor area having a major dimension and a cover having a bottom surface. A spacing between the bottom surface of the cover and the floor can define a cage height. At least one sidewall can extend between the floor and the cover. A ratio of the cage height to the major dimension of the floor area of each enclosure of the at least one enclosure can be at least 0.70.

Abstract: A method for producing a straw mat in a living space for livestock, in particular for sows and/or fattening pigs and/or piglets, confined in a straw pen, is disclosed. The method comprises the step of automatically and initially spreading straw, such as defibrated straw, into the living space up to a substantially uniform thickness (d) of the straw mat. Also disclosed is a straw pen and pen building in accordance with the disclosed method.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that can detect the presence of a user such as a mammal (e.g., a horse), and fill a water basin to enable the user to consume the water. The system can detect consumption of the water in the basin and refill one or more times. After detecting that the user is no longer in the vicinity, any remaining water can be drained from the basin. In addition to detecting the presence of the user, an ID can be associated with certain users of the system to track water consumption and other metrics. This data can be gathered, stored, and provided to a server or service (e.g., in the cloud) to enable data to be logged, processed, analyzed and alerts, reports and notifications provided to entities that monitor the users, e.g., to track hydration of the users.

Abstract: A grip assembly configured for fixing a reel to a fishing rod includes a front seat grip non-movably fixable to a fishing rod, a gear rack on the front seat grip, a sliding grip movably fixable to the fishing rod and configured to slide in an axial direction of the fishing rod so as to selectively engage the front seat grip, a lever pivotally connected to the sliding grip, and at least one tooth provided on the lever. When the lever is actuated from an open position to a locked position, the at least one tooth engages the gear rack and the lever pulls the sliding grip toward the front seat grip on the fishing rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a livestock tag strap comprising an animal-safe element, a human-safe element or both.

Abstract: A beehive system includes a main hive body with opposed, insulated side walls having access ports formed respectively therein. A vent assembly fits into an access port, and includes a valve case with an outer housing, a coaxial core portion, and plural opposed panels between the outer housing and the core portion, with openings formed between the panels. A pivotally movable valve member includes a core portion and two or more blades attached to and extending outwardly from the core portion. The valve member cooperates with the valve case to regulate air flow through the vent assembly. A bimetallic coil interconnects the valve case and the valve member, and a perforated screen cover is attached to the valve case to allow air flow therethrough. A kit of components usable to retrofit an existing hive, and a method of retrofitting an existing beehive to add a vent thereto, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The pet backpack for feeding and watering consists of a main body, a cover, a watering device, a feeding device, an hidden shelf, a first zipper, a first side bag, a second side bag and a strap. A top of the main body is provided with the cover, the watering device is arranged at the left side of the main body and the feeding device is arranged at the right side of the main body. The pet backpack for feeding and watering is provides the watering device at the left side of the main body and the feed device at the right side of the main body, which results in that the pet can be feeded and watered in the backpack. The pet backpack for feeding and watering saves time and effort, improves the use frequency and facilitates to travel with the pet.