Abstract: An animal trap comprises a trap body with a sliding trap door at one end. A bait holder is pivotably mounted on the top of the trap body, the top including an opening through which the bait holder is inserted into the trap body. The bait holder is connected to a trip mechanism, which includes a rod having a ball mounted thereon. The ball is positioned towards the front end of the trap, the ball being a support mechanism that balances the trap door in an open position. When an animal enters the trap and takes the bait, the bait holder is pivoted, moving the trip mechanism to upset the balance of the trap door on the rod, thereby closing the trap and retaining the animal therein.

Abstract: An air gun includes an air pump with a pumping piston mounted to reciprocate within a pump cylinder, which is mounted on the barrel of the gun to pivot about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barrel so that as the pump cylinder is moved back and forth around the pivot, the cylinder and piston reciprocate relative to each other to pump air into a high pressure housing carried by the pump cylinder. A discharge conduit is also provided for releasably connecting the high pressure housing to the breach end of a gun barrel when the pump is moved toward the barrel. A firing valve in the discharge conduit releases air from the high pressure housing into the breach end of the barrel. Preferably, a floating differential piston disposed to reciprocate in a high pressure housing divides the housing into a storage chamber and a high pressure chamber.

Abstract: A blasting system facilitates the actuation of a plurality of programmable detonators according to a desired blasting pattern, to cause the discharge of a plurality of associated charges, by downloading to the detonators blasting information that can be automatically determined by a portable handheld unit that incorporates a positional detecting device, such as a GPS device. The blasting information for any given detonator can be determined by the handheld unit as a function of the distance and the direction of the movement of the unit to the detonator, and/or by the actual GPS location while at the site of the detonator. This automatic determination of blasting information, and particularly the delay times, based on the movement of the unit to the detonator, eliminates error prone human calculations of the delay times needed for multiple detonators at a blasting site. This simplifies the operations and procedures needed for achieving a desired blasting pattern, without sacrificing safety or quality.

Abstract: The instant invention is a two piece waist mounted harness for use in hands free exercising of pets. The two pieced waist harness includes a back portion which is enlarged and padded and can be placed about a persons waist with a front portion which allows for ease of securement by the use of hook and loop attachment. A nylon strap engages the entire circumference of the first and second portion of the waist harness to prevent disengagement of the harness during use. The waist harness includes multiple attachment loops to allow for caring of addition items including attachment of multiple pets. A pouch is formed integral to the waist harness for carrying of small items such as pet treats. In addition, a flexible strap is provided for carrying of bottled water. The front portion of the waist harness is securable to a quick release snap mechanism that allows for engagement of multiple tethered pets and for quick disengagement as necessary.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed whereby an assurance agreement with a building owner is made for annual or other periodic insect inspections. Monitors are placed within the treatment zone and annual or other required inspections are thereafter made to determine insect activity and to evaluate termiticide effectiveness. Appropriate corrective action as necessary is taken to protect the building from damage caused by insects such as termites.

Abstract: A non-linear shaped charge perforator for use in perforating an oil and gas formation into which a wellbore has been drilled comprises a monolithic, axisymmetric metal case in which is disposed a main explosive charge between the front of the case, which is closed with a concave metal liner, and the closed back end of the case. The main explosive charge contains multiple initiation points, preferably two initiation points located about 180° apart on the outside surface of the charge, so that when the perforator is detonated the main charge is initiated such that the metal liner is collapsed into a non-circular jet, preferably a fan-shaped jet, that pierces the casing of the wellbore and forms non-circular perforations, preferably slot-shaped perforations, in the surrounding formation.

Abstract: A flexible blanket is made of plural layers including a pair of mutually insulated electrically conductive layers. Electrically conductive stitchings extend between the electrically conductive layers, and a top abrasion resistant layer and are exposed on its exterior surface. A voltage potential is applied between the conductive layers so that the exposed stitches can provide an electric shock to an animal's foot when it is brought into contact with the exposed surface.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a hopper above a shelf onto which feed can fall to be taken by the animal or dropped into a trough below the shelf. The height of the shelf is adjustable to change the width of the opening through which the feed passes to control feed rate. The shelf is carried on straps which extend along the end walls of the hopper and are movable by an adjustment linkage defined by a plate carried on the end wall and a manually adjustable lever mounted for pivotal movement on the plate. The plate has an arcuate outer edge which is serrated to define an arcuate row of saw teeth and the lever is formed by a flat of sheet material which lies in a plane parallel to and slides over the plate and includes a portion thereof which is bent out of a plane of the lever into the plane of the plate which is also serrated with a row of saw teeth shaped to mesh with the saw teeth of the arcuate portion.

Abstract: A splice system and method for linear connection of fishing lines include a female connector and a male connector. Each connector has first and second opposite ends and a longitudinal axis, about which the connector is symmetric. The first end of the female connector is connected to a first fishing line section and the second end has a first opening; the connector has an interior feature with a radial extent. The second end of the male connector is connected to a second fishing line section and the first end has a projection configured for coaxial insertion into the first opening of the female connector. The projection has a radial extent greater than the radial extent of the interior feature of the female connector. At least one of the connectors is resilient so that the projection compresses or the interior feature expands.

Abstract: A trap (10) for insects, vermin, and similar subjects is described. The trap includes a container (12) having a volume (26), an opening (28) into the volume, and a whisker assembly (14). The whisker assembly is located at the opening and extends into the volume, allowing subjects to enter the volume, but not exit the volume. In one embodiment, the whisker assembly includes a plurality of nonmetal flexible strands (30) arranged in a conical manner. The bases of the strands are located at the opening. The tips of the strands are located near one another. In another embodiment, the container has a top portion (20) and a bottom portion (22). The bottom portion includes the volume and the opening. A light assembly (18) is attached to the top portion, directly adjacent the opening in the bottom portion, and includes an LED that emits blue light onto the opening.

Abstract: A ice fishing strainer assembly made adaptable for use in the sport of ice fishing, principally serving as means to remove ice particles from a drilled ice hole for unhindered access thereto, the ice fishing strainer comprising in combination a body of cylindrical form having a bottom end for pivotally attaching thereto a strainer plate possessing the capacity to be angularly positioned therewithin by a support rod having an end portion pivotally attached to the strainer plate and an upper end having a lever integrally connected thereto for controlling the rotational movement of the strainer plate and a top end for mounting a brace, principally serving as a handle and means for preventing lateral movement of the support rod during vertical movement thereof, specifically while controlling the angular positioning of the strainer plate to capture and release ice particles from the body of cylindrical form.

Abstract: A concealed stall door latch is installed in a sliding stall door. The sliding stall door includes a bar portion disposed on a top thereof. A handle channel is preferably disposed on one side of the bar portion. A single end channel terminates each end of the sliding stall door. The concealed sliding door latch is preferably slidably retained inside the handle channel and the end channel. The concealed sliding door latch includes a latch rod. A handle preferably extends through the handle channel from the latch rod. One end of the latch rod is biased to extend past a perimeter of the sliding stall door. A latch retainer is positioned adjacent the one end of the latch rod. The latch rod is retracted by the handle to allow the sliding door to be moved.

Abstract: A swinging gate assembly is provided for use in an electronic livestock feeding station and an automated sorting system. The gate assembly has a generally V-shaped configuration in plan view with first and second side openings defined on each side of the V-shape. A gate panel has a first side edge pivotally connected to the frame for rotation about a substantially vertical first pivot axis at the apex of the V-shape. The gate panel is swingable about the first pivot axis between a first position in which the first side opening is closed by the gate panel and a second position in which the second side opening is closed by the gate panel. A mechanical actuator and locking assembly is provided for moving the gate panel between the first and second positions and locking the gate panel in a selected one of the positions.

Abstract: Flexible multi-shock shield system and method are disclosed for defending against hypervelocity particles. The flexible multi-shock shield system and method may include a number of flexible bumpers or shield layers spaced apart by one or more resilient support layers, all of which may be encapsulated in a protective cover. Fasteners associated with the protective cover allow the flexible multi-shock shield to be secured to the surface of a structure to be protected.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for securing a soft bait on a fishing hook. The method includes using one or more stay pieces slidable along a hook shaft to prevent undesired movement of the soft bait on the hook shaft.

Abstract: An automatic milking plant is provided with a short milk hose, which, due to spaced-apart elevations in its center piece, has sufficient mechanical stability vis-a-vis pressure differences as well as a high flexibility. The use of the short milk hose according to the present invention leads to a reduction of the mechanical strain on the udder and thus also reduces irritations of the animal to be milked.

Abstract: A trailer mounted automatic livestock feeder for feeding livestock in a field employing a timed feeding mechanism allows for a rancher to fill the feeder storage bin with bulk feed pellets at a bulk feed location and tow the feeder to location where livestock are feed and set a timer located on the feeder to feed livestock at a set time distributing a controlled amount of feed pellets to a perimeter trough located on the feeder trailer for several days, or until the amount of feed pellets are depleted. The feeder is provided with shielding that prohibits the livestock from access to the feeder storage bin, and is also provided with a rechargeable solar battery power supply allowing for use of the feeder in remote rural locations where there is no electrical power.

Abstract: The instant invention proposes to utilize a multi-ply composite tubular structure of fibers and a polymer matrix to construct superior outriggers that do not require cable truss systems for support. By utilizing the aforementioned materials, the thickness and flex characteristics of the outrigger can be tailored and controlled. The combination of utilizing a non-circular cross section, an ellipse for example, allows the bending stiffness in the fore-aft and lateral planes to be tailored individually for optimum outrigger performance. The separate control of the bi-directional bending properties will allow a much higher control of fishing baits during trolling.

Abstract: A fish bag (1, 1?) comprising a netting with bag rings (3) and at the end a second at the end a second netting (4) with purse lines (5, 6) and a towing line (9). One or more braces (9) and locking rings (8) to connect several fish bags (1) into larger units.

Abstract: A modular airbag cushion system adaptable to different vehicle platform configurations comprises i) a plurality of separate, interconnectable inflatable airbag cushions each of which comprises at least one port for transmitting gas; ii) an optional connector for transmitting gas comprising a tube having a coaxial opening at at least one end, said tube being between and connected with at least two of said airbag cushions to provide a gas-tight connection between said ports; and iii) a gas source in communication with at least one of said ports for inflating said cushions in response to a signal. By varying the length of the connector or the ports, the system can be adapted to a variety of vehicle configurations using cushions of essentially the same length to protect outboard vehicle occupants from injurious contact with exposed interior sides of the vehicle in a crash.