Abstract: A fishing apparatus including a shank, a hook extending from the shank, one or more extendable barbs, and a spring. Each extendable barb has first and second ends and is disposed for angular movement with respect to the hook from the first end, from a first barb position in which the barb second end is proximate the hook to a second barb position in which the second end of the barb extends outwardly from the hook. The spring forcibly urges each extendable barb from first to second barb positions. A band may be included, circumferentially encircling the hook, slidably movable from first to second band positions. When in the first band position, each barb is held in a slot by the band. When in the second band position, each barb is urged by the spring into its second barb position. Fixed barbs may also be included.

Abstract: An aircraft including at least one system rack positioned under a floor and including a series of vertical first uprights, distributed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The aircraft includes at least a first upper connecting system connecting at least one of the first uprights and a rail of the floor oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis. In so far as the first uprights of the system rack are not connected to the crossbeams of the floor, they can be positioned irrespective of the position of the crossbeams, and this contributes to simplifying the design of the system racks and allows these to be standardized.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to selectively inducing ingress and/or egress of live food creatures (FCs) relative to a reservoir using a controllable light source based on innate behavior(s) of the FCs. In an illustrative example, a feeder for dispensing live food to a carnivore may have a (partially) opaque chamber configured to receive FCs. A controlled light source may, for example, be selectively operable to illuminate at least part of the chamber. A carnivore interface may, for example, be in communication with the chamber via at least one dispensing aperture and be configured to present a dispensed FC to the carnivore. Operation of the controlled light source in a dispensing mode may induces motion of the FCs in the chamber towards the carnivore interface to be presented as food to the carnivore. Various embodiments may advantageously induce self-dispensing and/or self-retention of insects as food.

Abstract: A method and apparatus can include: providing a base; coupling a container supporting structure to the base; and coupling a container to the container supporting structure, the container having a rim and an inner surface, the container coupled to the container supporting structure with a pivot mechanism and a rotational brake, and wherein: the container supporting structure provides the container with a vertical offset from the base, the pivot mechanism provides the container with a rotational range of motion, and the rotational brake provides a resistance to movement within the rotational range of motion for angling the rim and the inner surface of the container to correct for an underbite or an overbite of an animal.

Abstract: An aircraft having a systems cabinet positioned in an avionics bay to the rear of a landing gear compartment and connected to the fuselage by at least one lower connecting system. The systems cabinet and/or the lower connecting system comprises at least one longitudinal beam, which has a front end connected by a front connection to a wall separating the avionics bay and the landing gear compartment, the front connection comprising a sliding connection sliding in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention is to a tightening or cinching harness that reversibly tightens (cinches) and relaxes as the lead is pulled and relaxed by an owner or by the animal. The present invention is also to a compression harness that applies compression to an animal's torso. The harness may provide both tightening and compression.

Abstract: A scarecrow includes a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal; an assembled hollow scarecrow head of molded plastic construction corresponding in shape to a head of the live animal, the assembled head having a front face portion and a separate rear head portion fixed together to form the head, the front face portion having an aperture at an eye location of the front face portion; a camera having a lens configured as an eye and located at the eye location to appear as an eye of the scarecrow; a motion sensor associated with the camera to sense motion proximate the scarecrow; and a motor assembly mounted to the scarecrow body and the head and configured to move the head in multiple axis.

Abstract: A lavatory is provided which includes a plurality of walls including a first wall having a doorway, and an expandable door. The expandable door includes a main panel having dimensions that conform to the doorway and a main hinge connecting the main panel to the first wall. The lavatory further includes a latch. The main panel is configured to, in a deployed state, increase in at least one dimension to form a privacy barrier around an expansion zone located outside of the plurality of walls. The latch is configured to lock the expandable door in place in the deployed state.

Abstract: A stirrup having a deformable and detachable structure includes a frame, a pedal, and a side arm. The frame is C-shaped and has a first end and a second end. An opening is defined between the first end and the second end. The second end has a first coupling portion. The pedal is disposed on a bottom of the frame. The side arm is made of a flexible material and located at the opening of the frame. The side arm has a second coupling portion. A connecting member is configured to connect the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. When a sufficient force is applied on the inner side of the side arm to curve and deform the side arm, the side arm is rotatable relative to the frame with a joint of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion as a pivot.

Abstract: An insect watering station includes a bowl, a stem, and an ultraviolet pattern. The bowl is configured to capture water for bees to drink. The stem is attached to an outside surface of a bowl and configured to support the bowl. The ultraviolet pattern is applied to an inside surface of the bowl. The ultraviolet pattern includes a center portion of a non-ultraviolet color, and alternating ultraviolet and non-ultraviolet concentric rings around the center portion.

Abstract: A birdhouse comprises a housing. The housing includes inner volume and a camera platform disposed within the inner volume. The camera platform divides the inner volume into a nest chamber and a wiring chamber. A camera is connected to the camera platform. The housing also includes a portal that is in open communication with the nest chamber and the external environment. The housing further includes a channel extending through the nest chamber. The channel is in open communication with the wiring chamber and the environment external. The channel is configured to retain wiring.

Abstract: A piglet-protection device for a farrowing pen is equipped with a first side part, with a trough console, which is connected to the first side part, and with a second side part, which is connected to the trough console so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis. By pivoting the second side part, the piglet-protection device can be brought into a piglet-protection position, in which the second side part is arranged substantially parallel to the first side part, and into a movement position, in which the second side part is spread away from the first side part. A first door element and a second door element delimit the piglet-protection device at the rear in the piglet-protection position. The first door element and/or the second door element are arranged in a length-adjustable manner on the first and second side part, respectively.

Abstract: A rotary-wing aircraft includes a fuselage, and an external device. The fuselage is provided with a rotary wing. The external device is mounted on the outside of the fuselage. The external device includes a mounting device, a mass variation device, and a damper. The mounting device is fixed to the fuselage and disposed so as to project in a lateral direction of the fuselage. The mass variation device is mounted on the mounting device and has mass that varies as the mass variation device is used. The damper couples the fuselage to the mounting device and supports the mounting device. The damper includes a stiffness variable mechanism configured to change stiffness of the damper in response to variation in the mass of the mass variation device.

Abstract: An autonomous cargo container retrieval and delivery system locates a select cargo container and maneuvers an unmanned aerial vehicle proximate to the container for retrieval. The vehicle positions itself to engage the cargo container using a grasping mechanism, and, responsive to engaging the cargo container, retracts the cargo container toward the vehicle. As the cargo container is retracted toward the vehicle, weight sensors within the retrieval mechanism sense the weight and the weight distribution of the cargo container, and, can modify the cargo container's location on the vehicle to optimize vehicle flight operations or replace the container on the ground and alert the operator that the cargo container is too heavy or has an improper weight distribution. Upon mating the cargo container with the vehicle, a coupling mechanism latches or secures the cargo container to the vehicle for further flight and/or ground operations.

Abstract: An agricultural trellis system is provided and generally includes a notch configured to receive a trellis wire therein and selectively release the trellis wire upward during mechanical pruning. The notch can be positioned on an above-ground portion of a vertical line post or a cross arm. The notch can include a tab extending upward from the bottom of the notch, and a first edge and a second edge each formed on the body. The first edge can be a flat edge and can be positioned laterally outwardly from at least a portion of the second edge, which can be a curved edge. The notch can include a retention protrusion extending laterally into the notch toward the second edge to a position where a lateral distance between the retention protrusion and the first edge in a direction normal to the central plane is less than a diameter of the trellis wire.

Abstract: A propeller for an aircraft includes at least two blades, arranged about a central hub, which is coupled to at least one motor, driven by a power source. At least one blade is attached to at least one sleeve member, configured for being in an outer sliding connection to a first cylindrical element of the hub. An inner surface of each of the at least one sleeve member includes at least one projecting element, configured to be in a sliding connection with a corresponding at least one first recessed guide path, arranged in an outer surface of the first cylindrical element. Each of the at least one first recessed guide path circles at least partly around the first cylindrical element from a first position to a second position. Each of the at least one sleeve member positions its blade in an operational position when its, at least one, projecting element is positioned in its corresponding first position in its designated first recessed guide path of the first cylindrical element.

Abstract: The invention refers to a VTOL aircraft of the type that uses certain aerodynamic phenomena to increase the lifting force and to reduce the thrust/weight ratio. An aircraft 1 uses a propulsion system 2 consisting of four thrust producing elements, two in front 3 and two in rear 4. Each front thrust producing element 3 contains at least one front rotor 5 operated by at least one front electric motor, fixed on a fuselage 10. Each rear thrust producing element 4 contains at least one rear rotor 7 driven by at least a rear electric motor 8, fixed on the fuselage 10. On the fuselage 10 is attached symmetrically a front wing 12. On the fuselage 10 is attached symmetrically a rear wing 13. The wing 12 and 13 are used also in static conditions respectively in take-off and landing.

Abstract: An airframe design may include a bonded frame or assembly, and one or more components that may be removably attached to the bonded frame. The bonded frame may include struts, central bulkheads, a tail section, a plurality of wing sections, and motor mounts that are adhered together using adhesive. The one or more attachable components may include a forward fuselage, motors, propellers, motor pod fairings, stabilizer fins, and landing gear that are attached using fasteners. The bonded frame may reduce the number of parts of the airframe design and may also reduce complexity, cost, and weight, while also increasing stiffness and strength. Further, the various attachable components may facilitate fabrication, assembly, and maintenance of an aerial vehicle having the airframe design.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft door having a support arm (6) connected to a support forearm (9) by a first pivot connection (7) about a first pivot axis (8), the support forearm (9) being connected to the leaf (5) by a second pivot connection (10) about a second pivot axis (11) parallel to the first pivot axis (8). The support arm (6) is connected to the door frame (4) by two hinges (13, 14) each having a pivot (26, 27) for rotating the support arm (6) about a third pivot axis (12) which is parallel to the first pivot axis (8) and to the second pivot axis (11), this pivot (26, 27) being connected to the door frame (4) by an attachment (22, 23) that is translatably adjustable in two directions (35, 37, 43, 47) orthogonal to one another and orthogonal to the third pivot axis (12).

Abstract: Landing pads for a drone. One of the landing pads can include a landing area with a first surface configured to receive a second surface of a landing gear of a drone; a docking area i) with a first end adjacent to the landing area and a second opposite end and ii) a docking surface configured to contact the second surface of the landing gear of the drone; a fixed member i) with a third surface adjacent to the second end of the docking area and ii) configured to contact an end of the landing gear of the drone; a moveable member configured to i) move the landing gear across the first surface of the landing area onto the docking surface and ii) secure the landing gear of the drone in place between the docking surface of the docking area and the third surface of the fixed member.