Abstract: A tree net assembly includes a pole vertically oriented and positioned adjacent to a plant. Each of a pair of globes is slidably positioned around the pole, and each of the globes has a plurality of wells each extending toward a center of a respective one of the globes. each of a pair of rods is comprised of a resiliently bendable material. Each of the rods is removably coupled between the globes when the globes are positioned on the pole. The globes are spaced apart from each other a distance less than a length of the rods. The rods curve outwardly from the pole between the globes such that the rods define a sphere surrounding the plant. A net is positionable around the rods to surround the plant.

Abstract: Subject matter of the invention is a fishing line insertion aid for threading a fishing line into rod rings of a fishing rod. Creation a fishing line insertion aid of the type mentioned above by means of which a fishing line can be rapidly and easily threaded into the rod rings of the fishing rod is achieved by a substantially elongated body (110) into which a line notch (112) is embedded for fastening of the fishing line (14) in a clamping manner.

Abstract: A method of rearing chickens comprises providing a chicken shed (10) having a floor area (12) over which the chickens can move freely. The shed (10) is provided with a plurality of lights (18) arranged to illuminate respective different regions of the floor area (12) so that, collectively, the lights (18) are able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area (12). The shed (10) is provided a plurality of cameras (20) arranged to view respective different regions of the floor area (12) so that, collectively, the cameras (20) are able to view substantially all of the floor area (12). Chickens are provided in the livestock shed (10) on the floor area (12). A controller (22) is provided and is operatively connected to the lights (18) and to the cameras (20). The controller (22) receives and analyses signals, such as images, from the cameras (20).

Abstract: A pet toy, in combination, including a containment structure having a longitudinal axis and cross section defining an interior volume. The containment structure, which is preferably collapsible, includes a plurality of containment openings along its longitudinal axis exposing the interior volume to a pet during use of the pet toy, and an electronic component in the form of a hollow shell having a shell opening configured therein. A motor having a rotatable shaft extends toward the opening. A power supply for powering the motor and optional microprocessor, the motor, microprocessor and power supply being supported within the interior of the hollow shell. An attractant is affixed to the rotatable shaft and extends through the shell opening, the microprocessor being programmed to control operation of the motor to cause the attractant to rotate intermittently, the electronic component and attractant being visible to a pet during use of the pet toy.

Abstract: A soft-in-plane proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode. The proprotor system includes a hub, a plurality of proprotor blades and a plurality of blade support assemblies coupling the proprotor blades with the hub. Each blade support assembly includes a flapping bearing coupled to the hub and a yoke having first and second longitudinal sections with outboard grip members and an inboard arcuate section connecting the first and second longitudinal sections and coupled to the flapping bearing. A lead-lag damper is coupled between the hub and an inboard station of the respective proprotor blade. A twist shank is coupled between the outboard grip members of the yoke and an outboard station of the respective the proprotor blade. The twist shank defines a virtual lead-lag hinge outboard of the yoke and coincident with the respective pitch change axis.

Abstract: A drive system for an aircraft landing gear is described. The drive system includes a drive pinion, a drive shaft arranged to rotate the drive pinion about a drive axis, and a casing which rotatably supports the drive shaft. The drive pinion is rotatably supported on the casing by a self-aligning bearing. The drive pinion is coupled to the drive shaft by a flexible coupling adapted to transfer torque between the drive pinion and the drive shaft and to permit tilting of the drive pinion relative to the drive axis.

Abstract: A landing gear is disclosed having a main strut connected at one end to an aircraft via a main joint is disclosed. The landing gear further includes an inboard sidestay assembly connected to the main strut. The inboard sidestay assembly includes a forward stay connected at one end to the aircraft, a rear stay connected at one end to the fuselage, and a shear web extending between the forward stay and the rear stay and configured to resist movement of the forward stay relative to the rear stay. The landing gear is arranged such that when the landing gear is extended substantially all the landing gear loads are transferred from the landing gear to the aircraft via one or more of the main joint, the forward stay and the rear stay.

Abstract: A helicopter uses electric propeller torque arm as power source directly driving main rotor to rotate. The helicopter may be battery powered. The helicopter may be without an engine, a clutch, a reducer, a tail driver, a tail boom, a tail rotor and a fuel supply system. The main design goal is to have the output shaft of the high-energy motor being coaxial with the main rotor shaft or having output shafts of a plurality of motors as close as possible to the main rotor shaft. The centrifugal force of the motor(s) is negligible or minimized. The torque arm assembly includes a plurality of torque arms. Each of the torque arm of the plurality of torque arms includes a propeller and a driving system. In the case of a malfunction, the helicopter's main rotor will spin like a maple leaf and will facilitate the spin autorotation landing.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing plants is includes a body section having an upper orifice, a lower orifice, a back section, and at least one door. The upper orifice allows for planting of a plant while the at least one door allows for removal of the plant for transplanting. The upper orifice is smaller in cross-sectional area than the lower orifice allowing for plants to grow in their natural pattern giving the roots more room to grow in more soil from which to absorb nutrients making for a happier, healthier plant which will not need to be transplanted as often.

Abstract: A method of using a reconfigurable pet enrichment system to help pets fulfill their natural behaviors is provided. The system can be arranged to facilitate an environment that helps stimulate, entertain, and exercise a pet, and also provides a defensible space for napping, resting, or sleeping. The system can be constructed from two pieces of pliable material: a base component and a top-covering component attached to the base component by means of semi-permanent fasteners to create a variety of forms such as ripples, nooks and tunnels. The top component can contain several openings of different sizes. Openings appeal to a pet's predatory nature, as the openings provide a source of stimulation and interaction. The system may also be configured with a plurality of members attached via semi-permanent fasteners.

Abstract: An animal trapping device with a base having a substantially planar lower surface and an upper surface opposing the lower surface, a wire mesh cage assembly, and first and second wire mesh entrances. The first and second wire mesh entrances coupled to the wire mesh cage assembly and defining an enclosed entrance opening and a second free end elevated above the upper surface of the base and defining an exit aperture, and of a conical shape defining an enclosed entrance channel spanning from the enclosed entrance opening to the exit aperture, wherein the upper surface of the base, the wire mesh cage assembly, and the first and second wire mesh entrances defining an animal retention zone and the exit apertures of the first and second wire mesh entrances each disposed within the animal retention zones and aligned with one another.

Abstract: Fishing device, such as a lure (1), in which there is a body (2), to the front end of which are attached means (3) for attaching a line (4) and at the rear end of which are winglets (11, 12) that rotate due to the force of the water flow. The winglets (11, 12) are mounted eccentrically on bearings on an essentially wire-like axle (9) to rotate in opposite directions and/or at different speeds. The winglets (11, 12) are essentially triangular, the bearing point being essentially at, or in the immediate vicinity of one point of the triangle.

Abstract: A battery powered helicopter uses one or more torque arms as the power source directly driving the propeller to rotate. The helicopter does not require a combustion engine, a clutch, a reducer, a tail driver, a tail boom, a tail rotor, or a fuel supply system. The output shaft of the high-energy motor is coaxial with the main rotor shaft. The centrifugal force of one or more motor(s) is negligible or minimized. The torque arm assembly includes a plurality of torque arms. Each of the torque arms of the plurality of torque arms includes a propeller and a driving system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for twisting a wing rib of an aircraft that when deployed across the wing span allows for a wide range of wing shape variations. This variance in shape may be used to steer the airplane without the use of flaps, and change the wings from a high-speed, low-lift shape to a low-speed, high-lift shape, including interim wing configurations, during flight to increase efficiency. The apparatus utilizes high strength-to-weight ratio polymer artificial muscles wrapped in heating wire as the rib twisting actuators. Wing rib twist is accomplished by electrifying the heating wire of the appropriate polymer artificial muscle to alter the wing rib twist. The wing rib apparatus includes a venting design that allows for faster activation of the wing rib twist by using ambient air convection to accelerate cooling of the relaxing polymer artificial muscle.

Abstract: An aerodynamic body operable to both promote laminar flow and satisfy structural requirements is disclosed. A perforated panel skin comprises an inner surface and an outer surface of the aerodynamic body. A micro-lattice support structure is coupled to the inner surface and defines airflow gaps allowing suctioning of air from the outer surface through the perforated panel skin and into a plenum of the aerodynamic body. Rows of main beams of the micro-lattice support structure are aligned along land lines oriented in a substantially chord-wise direction relative to an airflow over the aerodynamic body.

Abstract: A rotational power device including a blade having a core formed by battery material as a power source.

Abstract: A wing assembly comprises a raked wing tip having an outboard portion hinged to one of a main wing having at least one moveable control surface and an inboard raked wing tip portion. The outboard portion of the raked wing tip does not carry any moveable flight control surfaces.

Abstract: A wingtip device for a wing is provided. The wingtip device has an inner end and an outer end, and in which the local dihedral of the wingtip device increases or reduces from the inner end to the outer end, with a pressure-side flow surface and a suction-side flow surface. At least two ancillary wing sections are arranged on the wingtip device, projecting in each case from the flow surface of the wingtip device. The ancillary wing sections in each case form an interface with the surface of the wingtip device; which interfaces are located spaced apart from one another. A wing with such a wingtip device is also provided.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments may provide for an apparatus and method of controlling the folding of a wing. The apparatus may include a sensor, an actuator, and a wing fold controller. The method may include receiving a status of at least one of an aircraft and a wing fold system of the aircraft by the wing fold controller of the wing fold system. The method may also include receiving an automated command by the wing fold controller in response to receiving the status. The method may also include operating the wing fold system by the wing fold controller based on the automated command and the status. The method may also include transitioning a wingtip of a wing of the aircraft to one of a flight position and an on-ground position by an actuator of the wing fold system in response to commands from the wing fold controller.

Abstract: An extensible pesticide applicator is provided enabling application of both liquid and powdered insecticides to distal, out-of-reach areas. An extensible pole has a distal and a proximal end for manual wielding whereby a pair of nozzles is deployable proximal an out-of-reach habitat. Pressurization of ambient atmosphere into the extensible pole is enabled by a pump member and timed release of the pressurized ambient atmosphere to forcibly eject powdered and alternately liquid pesticide from the distal end is enabled by manual action effected to depress a trigger member. Direct application of pesticide is thereby enabled to distal and out-of-reach habitat without a user coming into proximity with the habitat or the pesticide released.