Abstract: An automated modular plant growing system includes a rack structure with primary guiding tracks and secondary guiding tracks transverse to each other, and upper guiding tracks in parallel and above the primary guiding tracks. The automated modular plant growing system also includes a plurality of mobile modules detachably connected to the upper guiding tracks and to a nutrient solution supply system.

Abstract: An apiary tool for breaking free and vertically lifting, removing, inspecting and transporting a frame from a bee hive box. The apiary tool having one or more handles, a cross member and one or more lever cams, where a lever cam includes a cam that slides underneath a bee hive frame top bar and an arcuate rolling surface. Rotation of a handle providing dual action that forces the arcuate rolling surface to hold down an adjacent frame while the lever cam pushes upward on the desired frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for growing plants in a controlled environment comprises an enclosure, at least one basket for receiving plant material to be grown in the apparatus, and at least one cassette for receiving a basket therein. The apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism, said drive mechanism operatively coupled to the at least one basket and/or the at least one cassette, that imparts a drive force to cause the at least one basket to rotate in the at least one cassette and in the enclosure. The apparatus and system also include a climate-control mechanism that may include a light source, a fan, a ventilation system, an air passage, and ductwork. The apparatus and system also include a trough with a sump for drainage of the trough, an intake aperture, a baffle, a closure, an air intake sleeve, and an intake fan.

Abstract: A bee nesting block, comprising: a first arrangement having a first slab, a second slab, a third slab and a fourth slab, wherein a stacked first arrangement forms a first staggered ledge and a second staggered ledge to provide a landing surface and greater planer space as a visual cue for improved nest recognition for one or more mason bees; and a second arrangement having a fifth slab, a sixth slab, a seventh slab and an eighth slab, wherein a stacked second arrangement forms a third staggered ledge and a fourth staggered ledge to provide a landing surface for the one or more mason bees; wherein the first arrangement is stacked onto the second arrangement to form the bee nesting block having a hexagonal shape; wherein the first arrangement stacked on to the second arrangement are fastened to one another using a plurality of bands or sleeves.

Abstract: Horticulture systems and methods including an air handling rack system comprising frame supply and return plenums, an input diffusion assembly physically supported by and fluidically coupled to the frame supply plenum, and a plant support tray assembly physically supported by and fluidically coupled to the frame return plenum. The input diffusion assembly is configured to direct a supply airflow flowing through the frame supply plenum downwardly from an underside thereof. The plant support tray assembly is positioned below the at least one input diffusion assembly to form an environmental cultivation chamber therebetween. The rack system is configured to direct the supply airflow through the environmental cultivation chamber from the input diffusion assembly to the plant support tray assembly past one or more plants positioned on a support side of the plant support tray assembly and into the frame return plenum as a return airflow.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in finding a center of balance of a hoof a horse, and methods for using the apparatus for fitting a shoe for the hoof based on the center of balance. The apparatus includes a body, an elongated member, and an attachment means for removably attaching the apparatus to the hoof. The apparatus is useful for finding the center of balance in a horse's hoof and that information may then be used by a farrier to trim and shoe the hoof in balance with each horse's individual center of balance.

Abstract: A long walk litter box has a lid upon a base of rectangular prismatic form. The base has four walls upon a bottom and the lid has four matching walls matching those of the bottom. The walls of the lid receive a top opposite the bottom of the assembled box. One wall of the lid has an entry for a cat into the box. Upon the walls of the bottom, the box has a perforated walkway where the cat walks. The walkway rests upon catches within the bottom. The catches present angled surfaces that receive litter from the cat and gravity carries the littler down to the bottom. A cat enters the entry, walks around the walkway, hops into the bottom, climbs onto the walkway, walks around the walkway again, and exits. All litter that drops from the cat enters the perforations for collection in the bottom.

Abstract: A novel fishing tackle rig generally consisting of an open-eye formed by double “U” bends on the shaft of a hook or other tackle, a hook-shield which threads onto a fishing line with a hollow rear section to slide over the open-eye, a solid front section to provide structure, and a pin extending perpendicular to secure the hook-shield to the bait, and a cone shaped bait protecting device where the narrow end threads onto the fishing line and the wide end fits over the bait and other components of fishing tackle holding everything together. In an alternative embodiment, the hook-shield is replaced by integrating onto the shaft of the hook or other tackle a closing mechanism that slides along the shaft from an open position to a closed position that completes the open-eye.

Abstract: A strike trap with improved reliability and ease of setting. In a preferred configuration the improved trap is in the form of a tunnel or tube trap. In a preferred embodiment the strike bar moves upward from a low position to strike against an interior wall or equivalent structure of the tube. The strike bar is set by pressing it downward to become automatically latched near a floor or bottom of the tube. With the downward set action a single hand or foot can provide the set motion wherein the ground or other support surface exclusively provides a reaction force. A two stage retention system provides reliable low force, low travel trip action. The strike bar therefore can pivot adjacent to a wall with the bar extending away there from. This compact arrangement ensures the tube entrances in the tube embodiment are adjacent to the wall.

Abstract: A beehive feeder barrier assembly includes a barrier that is positionable between a beehive and an entry feeder that is integrated to the beehive. In this way the barrier can inhibit bees that do not occupy the beehive from accessing the entry feeder. The barrier forms a tunnel between the beehive and the entry-feeder when the barrier is positioned therebetween. In this way the barrier facilitates bees living in the beehive to travel back and forth between the entry feeder and the beehive. A pair of bumpers is provided and each of the bumpers is coupled to the barrier. Each of the bumpers engages the entry feeder when the barrier is positioned between the entry feeder and the beehive such that the bumpers inhibit the barrier from being displaced.

Abstract: Novelty covers for a tank including tank walls defining a tank perimeter, the novelty cover including a plurality of panels interconnected to define a frame surrounding a void and defining a frame perimeter, the frame perimeter being complementarily configured with the tank perimeter, wherein each of the panels in the plurality of panels includes an exterior surface with ornamentation the frame is configured to receive the tank in the void, and the ornamentation on the exterior surface of the panels forms a cohesive ornamental scene when the panels are interconnected to define the frame.

Abstract: An automated plant pot assembly includes a first pot for containing an aqueous solution. A second pot is provided for having a plant potted therein and the second pot is insertable into the first pot. A spray bar is removably positionable in the second pot and the spray bar has a plurality of spray ports each fluidly integrated therein. A pumping unit is integrated into the first pot to pump the aqueous solution in the first pot. The pumping unit is placed in fluid communication with the spray bar when the second pot is positioned in the first pot to spray the aqueous solution onto the plant that is potted in the second pot.

Abstract: A nest box or birdhouse wherein a removable roof panel provides easy physical access to a nest cavity and also secures an interchangeable entrance panel in multiple positions—for both active-breeding-season use and off-season storage. All vertical enclosure components can remain in place during activity monitoring, avoiding harm to eggs or hatchlings when the nest box is opened. In the off-season-storage configuration, the enclosed nest cavity is eliminated to prevent infestation. The nest box utilizes a hollow roof-locking pin for increased ventilation. Furthermore, an adjustable-height mounting mechanism helps prevent predator attacks and allows the nest box to be accessed at safe heights during physical monitoring and maintenance.

Abstract: Apparatus for training horses includes a housing including a lower section under an upper section, the lower section configured with a stall for confining a horse and having opposed sides, and the upper section including a tank for loose granular material and configured with a hopper proximate to each of the sides, the hoppers concurrently openable for releasing the loose granular material into the lower section from above the stall along the respective sides for sufficiently filling the stall with the loose granular material for covering at least a portion of the horse.

Abstract: A system for automated horseshoeing. The system is a three cell concept generally including a tool change area, a gluing area and a modification area. The system generally include a platform for a horse to stand thereon wherein all working components are contained below. The system is configured so that a horse can stand on said platform and the working components move from hoof to hoof thereby allowing the horse to remain in a neutral standing position during the entire shoeing process without having to bend its ankle. The automated horseshoeing process of the present specification is entirely monitored by a farrier.

Abstract: Some embodiments of apparatuses and methods according to the present invention control the growth of plants in indoor systems. In some embodiments, an electronic device is provided that wirelessly discovers, couples to and controls one or more peripheral devices, the one or more peripheral devices including one or more of a light for illuminating a grow, a water pump for supplying water to the grow, a fan for circulating air to the grow, an air pump for oxygenating water for the grow, a heater for increasing a temperature ambient to the grow, and a chiller for decreasing a temperature ambient to the grow. The electronic device may also wireless couple to one or more sensors, including one or more of a temperature sensor, camera, light sensor, pH sensor, electrical conductivity sensor, and/or any other environmental, plant, biology, water, electrical, light, and/or power sensor.

Abstract: A system, comprising: a housing comprising an elongated hollow body configured to be at least partially embedded in a soil environment adjacent a plant at a desired depth; a swellable element dimensioned to be disposed within the housing, the swellable element being configured to swell when absorbing moisture; a resiliently-compressible flexible tube configured to provide water to the soil environment, the flexible tube is laced transversely through tube openings of the housing, the flexible tube is disposed adjacent to the swellable element inside the housing such that a swelling or displacement of the swellable element compresses the flexible tube, thereby limiting or preventing water flow therethrough; and a moisture transfer adapter configured to communicate moisture along its length from a desired location within the soil environment to the swellable element, as well as methods of using the system.

Abstract: A feeding device for honeybees is described that can be used when open feeding honeybees using a container. The container is filled with liquid syrup. The feeding device can be placed over the liquid syrup. The feeding device includes several feeding holes on the surface of the liquid syrup. The honeybees can land on top of the surface of the feeding device and can drink the liquid syrup by reaching through the feeding holes on the feeding device. The feeding device prevents the honeybees from drowning in the liquid syrup and provides a safe surface for multiple honeybees to land on while open feeding.

Abstract: A modular vertical water storage greening unit includes a water tank (1), a planting groove (2), and a water supply device. The water tank (1) and the planting groove (2) are arranged on a facade of a building. The planting groove (2) is installed at a front wall of the water tank (1). The water supply device includes a main water pipe (14) and a capillary tube (15). A certain amount of water is supplied to the interior of the water tank (1) so as to water a plant in the planting groove (2). A modular vertical water storage greening system includes a plurality of the modular vertical water storage greening units. Compared with conventional facade greening techniques, the unit solves the problems, such as nonuniformity watering of plants, low watering levels, and high maintenance costs.

Abstract: A roping simulator (sometimes referred to as a roping or practice dummy or sled) is designed to mimic the natural movements and anatomy of roping cattle. Embodiments of the instant disclosure mimic the anatomy and movement of a roping cattle when the animal “washes out,” meaning that its back end slips and pivots during a turn. In various embodiments, the disclosed roping simulator also includes a feature whereby the head portion of the dummy rotates and pivots downward when a force is applied by a rope, simulating head movement of a live animal. In one embodiment, a sled assembly and a body assembly are connected to one another to form the roping simulator. The sled assembly is the component that makes contact with the ground. The body assembly is the component that provides roping targets, and that simulates the movement of live cattle.