Abstract: A rodent trap for catching rodents having a housing and a top cover with a plurality of inside walls and at least one inside wall has a lateral tab protruding inward. The rodent trap also has a bottom base with a plurality of inside walls and at least one inside wall there is an opening that aligns with the at least one inside wall of the top cover that comprises the lateral tab. Further, the bottom base has a tunnel adjacent a poison cavity, and the tunnel has an opening configured for allowing the rodents to travel from the tunnel to the poison cavity. Also, the poison cavity has at least one structure for retaining poison for the rodent to eat the poison and die either in the housing or outside the housing.

Abstract: An underwater device for subduing underwater invasive species includes a translucent or transparent fixture having a TiO2 coating on at least one side of the fixture and a light source positioned to expose the coating with light having sufficient intensity and selected range of frequencies to activate the photocatalytic TiO2 coated fixture.

Abstract: Vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, systems, and methods include one or more probe assemblies for engaging with and securing the target vehicle. The one or more probe assemblies may include one or more attenuation features or movable joints to enable and/or dampen movement of the one or more probe assemblies relative to a capture vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable tension kite holding and release apparatus, which has an apparatus head, and an apparatus body having an adjustable thumbscrew coupled to the apparatus body, and first and second ring grippers having first and second bumps providing a ring gripping mechanism at a distal end of the apparatus body. The ring gripping mechanism holding a releasable ring, running a fishing line through the releasable ring, tightening the adjustable thumbscrew such that the ring gripping mechanism applies tension to the releasable ring, and increasing or decreasing the tension based on an estimated force desired to release the releasable ring.

Abstract: A joint for an actuator of a rotorcraft includes a housing configured to be coupled to an input lever of the actuator; and a rotary bearing coupled to the housing, the rotary bearing comprising an inner race and an outer race and configured to be coupled to a control rod, wherein the inner race and outer race are rotationally fixed relative to each other until a torque applied to the joint exceeds a threshold torque value, upon which there is a relative rotatability between the inner race and the outer race.

Abstract: A land-and-air vehicle configured to switch between a ground traveling mode and an aerial flight mode incudes a body, a wing, a wheel, a suspension, and a lock mechanism. The wing is attached to the body. The wheel is provided on a lower side of the body. The suspension is configured to support the body via the wheel on ground, and to contract due to self-weight of the land-and-air vehicle. The lock mechanism is configured to limit expansion of the suspension from a state in which the suspension has contracted due to the self-weight.

Abstract: A saddle horn roping tape to assist a roper during dallying may include an elongate tape body; a slit opening extending through the elongate tape body proximate to a first end thereof; a plurality of raised ribs extending upward from a top surface of the elongate tape body proximate to a second end thereof; and an adhesive applied to a bottom surface of the second end of the elongate tape body. Each of the plurality of raised ribs may be positioned at an angle with respect to a length of the elongate tape body, wherein each of the plurality of raised ribs may have a rounded cross-section.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle including a frame elongated along a frame axis, the frame has a leading side and an aft side, the frame further includes a left end portion and a right end portion, a first forward rotor assembly connected to the left end portion of the frame, a second forward rotor assembly connected to the right end portion of the frame, the first forward rotor assembly and the second forward rotor assembly being positioned on the leading side of the frame, a compartment connected to the frame, the compartment having a leading side, and a curved leading-edge fairing disposed on the frame, wherein a portion of the curved leading-edge fairing extends to cover the leading side of the compartment, and wherein the curved leading-edge fairing reduces drag during flight in a forward direction to enable a substantially level flight profile.

Abstract: A rotor wing aircraft provided with a propulsion apparatus is disclosed. The aircraft has a rotating mast configured to rotate said rotor wing and the apparatus includes a pole mechanically connectable to the rotating mast of the aircraft. At one of the ends of the pole there is placed an electric turbine, powered by a battery, and configured to rotate the pole around an axis of the rotating mast in such a way that the rotation of the pole can be used to rotate the rotor wing. Preferably the pole is made of carbon fiber.

Abstract: Aircraft door (1) having an inside door opening lever (6) coupled to a vent flap (5) by a conditional opening mechanism having two modes and including a flap stop (20) to cooperate with a stop surface (21). The stop (20) has a first trajectory, the stop surface (21) being arranged outside this first trajectory of the flap stop (20). The stop (20) has a second trajectory, the stop surface (21) being arranged on this second trajectory of the flap stop (20).

Abstract: An arrangement of photovoltaic panels is configured for installation in a greenhouse having support beams. The arrangement includes frames. Each frame includes at least one photovoltaic panel mounted on a rod. At least one motor is mechanically connected to rotate one or more rods, for bringing each photovoltaic panel to different fixed angular positions. Fittings are arranged at a perimeter of the arrangement. Each fitting is sized and shaped to attach to at least one of the support beams, such that the arrangement is supportable exclusively by the support beams. A system includes at least one such arrangement, a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller is programmed to select an optimal fixed angular position for each photovoltaic panel for promoting plant growth, based on environmental and plant conditions and the sensor outputs, and to instruct each motor to rotate each rod to the selected angular position.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus for transporting an animal in worn about the human torso wherein the animal will rest in a secured portion similar to the body of a backpack on an individual's back with straps that rest over a human's shoulders. The carrier provides plenty of breathable openings for the animal, as well as several pockets on the device and a hydration pass for the human, as well. There is an adjustable strap that permits the carrier to be draped over the shoulder, across the human chest made from a padded material, too. This device allows the pet to be carried distances while remaining safe and comfortable on one's back.

Abstract: A system includes a higher unmanned multicopter, a lower unmanned multicopter, and a flexible connector. The flexible connector connects the higher unmanned multicopter and the lower unmanned multicopter. The VTM system is configured to carry a payload, including by having the higher unmanned multicopter fly above the lower unmanned multicopter with the flexible connector taut such that both the higher unmanned multicopter and the lower unmanned multicopter contribute to carrying the payload.

Abstract: A multiple hoist system is used with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for delivering parcels. An example of the multiple hoist system comprises two or more hoists that are independently operable, meaning that a first hoist can lower or raise a first line independently of using a second hoist to raise or lower a second line. The hoists can independently raise and lower their associated lines to allow the UAV to deliver multiple parcels to multiple delivery locations, or the hoists can synchronously raise and lower the associated lines together so that larger parcels can be delivered using the UAV. The hoists can be comprised within a body of the multiple hoist system. The body can further include a securing device for releasably securing the multiple hoist system to the UAV.

Abstract: The tension-adjusting fishing pole has a composite prism structure. The tension-adjusting fishing pole is a flexible structure with an elastic nature. By flexible is meant that the tension-adjusting fishing pole will deform when a deformation force is applied to the tension-adjusting fishing pole from a direction that is perpendicular to the center axis of the composite prism structure of the tension-adjusting fishing pole. The tension-adjusting fishing pole has an adjustable stiffness. By adjustable stiffness is meant that the modulus of the response of the tension-adjusting fishing pole to the deformation force is adjustable. The tension-adjusting fishing pole comprises a first pole structure, a second pole structure, a fitting structure, and a plurality of working fluids. The fitting structure attaches the first pole structure to the second pole structure to form a fluid impermeable containment structure. The plurality of working fluids are contained in the fluid impermeable containment structure.

Abstract: A hydrogen-fuelled aircraft 200 comprises a fuselage, wings and a plurality of cylindrical elongate hydrogen storage tanks mounted on the exterior of the fuselage and disposed vertically above a plane containing the wing-tips of the aircraft. An aerodynamic fairing forms a continuous air-washed surface of the aircraft together with a lower portion of the fuselage. The hydrogen storage tanks extend generally parallel to the fuselage and are contained between the fairing and the fuselage. The aircraft provides for storage of a large volume of compressed hydrogen without compromising the volume of usable space within the fuselage. The aircraft is able to carry out flight missions comparable in range and payload to those of an equivalent conventionally-fuelled aircraft.

Abstract: A safety stirrup having a frame structure, a hooking to a stirrup strap, a support element for the user's foot, and a first side arm to connect a first edge portion of the support element to the hooking portion. A second arm extending between a second edge portion of the support element and the hooking portion, when used by the user's foot. The second side arm hinged with a first end portion to the frame structure and rotatably movable between a closed position, wherein the second side arm laterally defines the stirrup opening, and an open position, wherein a free end of the second side arm, opposite the joint end portion allowing the sidewise exit of the user's foot. The second side arm at the end portion and movable integrally in the passage between the closed and open positions to guide the user's foot and preventing it from accidentally re-entering.

Abstract: An acoustic system for an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicle may comprise a first shield configured to be disposed around a rotor of the UAM vehicle, the first shield having an annular shape, the first shield configured to be disposed radially outward from a blade tip of a rotary blade, the first shield configured to redirect sound waves from a substantially radial direction to a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the radial direction.

Abstract: An apiary accessory to protect an apiary entrance from rain, flooding, excessive heat, wind, and other elements and debris. The awning device has rectangular planar sheet with lateral or transverse and longitudinal edges. The awning device is secured to front surface of the apiary using a securing sheet that is fastened thereto using mechanical fasteners. During use, the awning device extends over the entrance of the apiary to protect the same and may further comprise one or more sensors for sensing conditions related to the apiary.

Abstract: A shock absorbing system for use when landing an unmanned aerial vehicle uses a rocker arm pivotally attached to each landing leg of the vehicle. A strut bracket is attached to each landing leg below the rocker arm. A damper leg is pivotally attached to the rocker arm on one side of the landing leg attachment and the upper end of a damper-loaded strut is pivotally attached to the rocker arm on an opposing side of the landing leg attachment. The base of the strut is fixedly attached to the strut bracket. As the vehicle, it places a downward force on each landing leg which cause the bracket to slide downward along the damper leg, causing the damper leg to pivot its end of the rocker arm upwardly and thus the strut end downwardly causing the strut to compress against the bias of the damper and thereby dampen the landing. Damper leg pairs can be joined by a skid.