Abstract: An animal treat delivery system is configured to hold a treat and dispense the treat to an animal. The animal treat delivery system includes a rounded top portion joined to an expansionary central portion. A truncated lower portion is joined to the expansionary central portion. A rope channel is bored into the top portion. A treat compartment is bored into the truncated lower portion and the expansionary central portion. The rounded top portion is configured to swing in air such that maneuvering the treat compartment enables obtaining the treat by the animal.

Abstract: A beekeeping apparatus includes a bottom side having an arcuate groove defined therein, the arcuate groove being sized and dimensioned to correspond to the rim of a repository; and a top side including a recessed area defined therein, the recessed area being sized and dimensioned to correspond to a beekeeping frame, and a plurality of generally rectangular openings defined through the recessed area, the rectangular openings each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain a portion of a beekeeping frame, and collectively being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain portions of different sizes of beekeeping frames.

Abstract: A fishing lure including a head portion and a plurality of flow-through appendage cavity portions which are removably secured to the head portion, each cavity portion including an open front end, a closed tail end, and a substantially rigid sidewall between the front and tail ends, the sidewall having a plurality of sidewall openings disposed to permit flow-through of fluid while preventing pass-through of solids dimensioned greater than the widest sidewall opening.

Abstract: A steerable fishing lure with highly improved steerability is disclosed. The fishing lure has a generally hollow body having an inner surface and a generally tubular cam sleeve located inside the body and fixedly attached to the inner surface. The cam sleeve has a forward cam surface and an aft cam surface. A generally cylindrical rotor is slideably inserted into the cam sleeve. The rotor has a forward cam and an aft cam. Each of the forward cam and the aft cam extends outwardly from the rotor such that the forward cam rides along the forward cam surface and the aft cam rides along the aft surface. A biasing member is mounted within the body. The biasing member is adapted to bias the forward cam against the forward cam surface. A method of redirecting a track of the fishing lure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-adjusting link for connecting two anchors that move under a varying external force, comprising: N magnetic units; N?1 link connectors, each link connector connecting one unit to an adjacent unit, each magnetic unit being held by the link connectors such that each pair of adjacent units can move from a closed position where they are magnetically bound to an open position where they do not exert significant force on each other; and anchor connectors attached to the anchors. The length of the link increases as the external force increases sufficiently to cause one or more pairs of magnetic units to move from the closed position into one of the open positions to permit the anchors to further separate, and the length of the link decreases as the external force is reduced and one or more pairs of magnetic units move into the closed position.

Abstract: A chewable pet-entertainment device. The chewable pet-entertainment device includes a first body portion and a second body portion operatively coupled to the first body portion. At least one of the first body portion and the second body portion define an internal cavity. The chewable pet-entertainment device includes a timer mechanism disposed in at least one of the first body portion and the second body portion. Responsive to the timer mechanism measuring a set period of time, the first body portion opens relative to the second body portion allowing access to the internal cavity.

Abstract: A light-weight, modular, adjustable vertical hydroponic growing system and method of Native American design for cultivation plants and beneficial soil organisms (BSO's) in symbiotic combination. Forest-like arrays of fully rotatable and demountable grow tubes are suspended within climate-moderating greenhouses, optionally from conveyor tracks. The tubes are filled with light-weight, porous 100% in-organic grow media predominately comprised of expanded volcanic or recycled glass granules. The grow tube arrays are provided with an insulated, overhead-mounted fertigation distribution system delivering metered intermittent flows from insulated mixing and holding tanks. The flows are recycled via an insulated return piping system to maintain cool fertigation temperatures near those of natural ground water.

Abstract: A dredge having easily replaceable arms, a composite dredge which is configurable to laterally couple at least two hubs, and methods for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a dredge includes plurality of arms having at least one teaser attachment and hub configured to removably retain the arms in a radial orientation. The hub includes a retainer cap configured to removably mate with a body in a manner that captures a first end of each of the plurality of arms to the hub in a cantilevered orientation. The arms are freely replaceable from the body upon the removal of the cap.

Abstract: A seat support device for a riding animal or a pack animal, a saddle tree, and a saddle with such a saddle tree are disclosed. The seat support device comprises a right multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section and a left multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section. A pivoting device with a pivot axis is each formed case between two adjacent link sections, so that two adjacent link sections are pivotable towards one other around a pivot axis substantially within a pivot plane which penetrates the pivot axis substantially perpendicular.

Abstract: An automatically refreshed water supply for pets is provided by diverting the water from the water supply of a toilet to a water dispenser accessible to the pet and returning excess water to the toilet. The water is diverted from the flush cycle of a toilet to an exterior dish which fills to a predetermined level and then overflows over the edge of the dish and then by way of channels into the toilet, retaining the water after the flush cycle is completed. Alternatively a mechanism can be provided for triggering the replacement water flow by sensing of the motion or weight of the pet. The system can be pet-triggered for the toilet flush and/or flow of replacement water to the pet dish, or continuous water flow as long as the pet is detected.

Abstract: A device for training animals such as rats, dogs, etc. to recognize and associate target odors/scents with food. The training device, sometimes referred to herein as an odor or scent training device, includes a feeding dish/pan that is configured to have food positioned therein. The scent training device creates a scent curtain of a target scent above the food so that the animal's nose and head first penetrate the scent curtain before the animal can eat the food. As such, each time the animal reaches for more food in the feeding dish, an association between the reward of food and the target scent is strengthened.

Abstract: The stackable plant container module is adapted such that a plurality of plant container modules will nest together for storage and/or shipping while allowing the plant container modules to be stacked vertically into a multi-level plant tower. The stacked plant tower includes a water bowl, defining a reservoir for receiving water, carried by the upper most plant container module, and a water tray disposed between stacked plant container modules. The stacked plant tower is adapted such that the water bowl is in fluid communication with each water tray, such that the stacked plant tower incorporates structure for managing the flow of water through the stacked plant tower.

Abstract: An irrigation system for hanging plants in a hanging plant carousel system that includes a frame and a measuring assembly. The frame is fixedly coupled to a substantially stationary structure, such as the building or a portion of a truss system supporting the carousel system. The measuring assembly includes a movable arm, a sensor and a controller. The movable arm has a contact surface with a measuring start and end point, which extends into the path of the basket hook coupled to the cable of the carousel system. The movable arm is displaceable by at least one of the basket hook or a plant pot structure coupled thereto. The sensor coupled to the movable arm and is configured to provide data from which the weight of a plant pot structure can be determined. The controller is configured to control a watering system to provide water to the plant pot structure.

Abstract: A self-contained, low-maintenance planter insert assembly used indoors or outdoors in planters and other containers to provide prolonged self-watering of plants in a tray supported by its fluid-containing base member. A fill-tube and handle combination upwardly-depending from the tray helps lift and position a bottom perimeter notch against an interior rim in the base member for stable but readily-separable connection between them. Plant roots may be in growth/support medium distributed directly into the tray, or in drainable pots. Fluid-permeable material under the support medium allows surplus rainwater to refill the base member, and a wicking member or members extend from the base member to the tray distributing fluid upwardly to plant roots. No connections for power or water are needed for insert assembly function, and its tray has detachable rings for height-adjustment. Applications include, but are not limited to, residential and commercial use, including hotels, convention centers, malls, and schools.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for convenient management of animals within a rodent containment cage system that includes labeling components, receiving data, associating the data, reporting the data and/or associations and locating components within the cage system. The management of the system may be self-contained, networked through a controller, local server and/or main server.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for convenient management of animals within a rodent containment cage system that includes labeling components, receiving data, associating the data, reporting the data and/or associations and locating components within the cage system. The management of the system may be self-contained, networked through a controller, local server and/or main server.

Abstract: A pet fountain having a housing of snap together construction formed of a base and cover. The base includes a basin in which an integrally formed filter-holding divider is disposed that separates the basin into a return sump and pumping chamber. The cover includes a water holding bowl, an inlet and a drain overlying the return sump that encloses a pump that provides fluid to the bowl via inlet when attached to the base. The cover includes a downwardly extending tube that fluidly registers with a discharge of the pump when attached to the base. In a preferred embodiment, the cover has upper and lower bowls connected by a spillway that conveys overflow from the upper bowl to the lower bowl where it is return via drain to the return sump. The cover can be configured to mate with the housing to enclose the entire basin, pump, and filter.

Abstract: A feeding nipple comprising a dome-shaped crown having a convex-shaped outer surface and a lower region which is concentrically formed with the convex-shaped outer surface and which extends therefrom to form a shelf, wherein the crown provides a surface whereby an animal may knead on the feeding nipple while the animal is feeding from the nipple. The crown comprises a diameter sufficiently sized so as to prevent the nipple from being inhaled by the animal. The feeding nipple further comprises a collar which is contiguously formed with the lower region and which is recessed relative thereto. A mount is contiguously and concentrically formed with the collar and comprises a diameter that assists in securing the feeding nipple to a fluid source. A transverse interior wall is transversely positioned within an opening centrally formed through lower region, wherein transverse interior wall assists in securing the feeding nipple to a fluid source.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a greenhouse (10) for underwater cultivation of terrestrial plant species as well as to an underwater cultivation assembly using it, in which the greenhouse (10) for underwater cultivation of terrestrial plant species is characterised in that it comprises a balloon (11) adapted to being filled with air in an underwater environment (50), the balloon (11) comprising an aperture (12) for lower access, the balloon (11) being made from material that is impermeable to water and permeable to light, the balloon (11) comprising at least one inner support shelf (17) for housing at least one seedbed (53) and means for restraining (14) to the floor (51) of the aquatic basin.

Abstract: One embodiment of a treat dispenser for an animal comprises a support and a plurality of coaxially stackable and nestable pods slidably disposed along the support, each pod having an interior for receiving a treat, a sidewall, a first opening and a second opening coaxial with the first opening, the first opening being dimensioned for slidable movement along the support, the second opening being larger than the first opening for the dispensing of treats to an animal.