Abstract: A head restraint for animals such as sheep, comprising a support carrying arms for engaging the bridge of the snout and the lower jaw to clamp the jaws in a closed position, arms carried by the support, the arms carrying caps which in use cover the eye of the animal, each cap having a lug which engages a cavity in the skull of the sheep just behind each eye socket.

Abstract: This invention relates to a leash which coils up automatically when the handle is released. The invention comprises a generally cylindrical center portion with handles on either side, which is manufactured in two parts and can be assembled easily. The two parts are then sonically sealed to provide a strong and secure body. A retractable spring is fixedly attached inside the body in such a manner that it easily pulls out and retracts without catching or snagging.

Abstract: A leash for a pet, comprising a series of closely spaced electric lights which are disposed longitudinally in a central axial passage in a hollow, flexible transparent tube. The tube is provided with thinner longitudinal strengthening ribs or flanges along opposite sides of the center portion in which the lights are housed, and has an integral hand loop at one end and an integral choker collar at the other.

Abstract: An improved animal waterer which provides a cover having a depending polygonal basin with ports in the sidewalls of the basin. The cover overlies a water container such that the basin engages water in the container. A float which glides vertically along a pair of guides allows an animal to depress the float angularly while preventing removal of the float from the basin. A sloped, ribbed bottom of the container facilitates draining and cleaning of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for very accurately metering a quantity by weight of food for being supplied to small livestock, such as poultry, which small livestock is present in a number of cages placed one behind the other. The outflow of food from a foodhopper filled with food, can be stop the moment when is determined that the receiving trough contains a sufficient quantity of food. This quantity of food corresponds to a certain desired quantity of food per animal multiplied by the number of animals to be fed. After the receiving trough has been filled it is emptied for example into a feed trough. The preference the device is provided with a sensor or the like which can scan an indicator which can be fastened to a cage, which indicator emits a signal indicating the number of animals present in that cage.

Abstract: A portable self-contained milk flow indicator is provided for dairy barn applications. The milk flow indicator consists of a milk sensing device, a timing and switching circuit, indicators of the condition of milk flow, and a rechargeable battery, all sealed in a self-contained portable unit which can be used at any point in the milk line of a conventional dairy barn milking operation. The indicator is also provided with a battery charger which can be mounted on the wash manifold of a dairy barn milk house so that when the indicator is placed on the wash manifold for cleaning the battery, housed in the indicator, will automatically be recharged.

Abstract: An insecticide applicator for animals is described which is comprised of an elongated hollow tube which is filled with insecticide dust at the factory. A closure element seals the end of the tube and also provides a mounting structure to enable the tube to be secured to a suitable mount. The tube is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart ball-like protrusions which extend downwardly from the bottom thereof and which are removed at the point of use to enable valve members to be inserted into the openings created by the removal of the protrusions. When all of the valve members have been installed, the tube is rotated 180.degree. and is positioned in its supporting mount. When an animal rubs against the tube, the valve members move upwardly in their respective valve openings so that the insecticide dust flows downwardly from the interior of the tube onto the animal.

Abstract: Automatic positioning of milking cups on the teats of an animal is achieved by way of an installation comprising a stall accessible to an animal, a device for calculating the coordinates of the teats of an animal in the stall, and arms carrying the cups for positioning same on the teats of an animal under the control of a signal generated as a function of the measured coordinates. The coordinates of the teats are determined using an overall sensor which is located in a fixed spot on one side of the stall and which has scanning device permitting the formation of an image of the teats, and a processing device for working out the instantaneous coordinates of the teats from the information supplied by the sensor. Four independent arms are provided, each carrying a respective cup, and each being controlled independently of the others in order to bring the carried cup to a respective teat of an animal without interfering with the movement of the other arms.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a squirrel guard which prevents squirrels from reaching the bird seed held by the feeder. The squirrel guard is mounted on the base of the feeder and includes roller elements which extend completely around its perimeter. The roller elements are positioned so they must be gripped by the animals, and the elements then rotate to prevent or grip secure enough to allow the animal to climb past the squirrel guard onto the feeder. The guard can also be used by itself to protect posts and trees against climbing animals.

Abstract: A safety release apparatus 10 for use with a cattle stanchion apparatus 11 which includes a top cover plate 30 having side plates 27 depending perpendicularly therefrom and attached to top end of release stanchion 17 and further enclosing top rail 12 and stanchion actuator 20. Stop dog 24 and catch tang 25 are pivotally attached to side walls 27 via dog and tang bolt 26 and engage couplers 21 which are radially attached to stanchion actuator 20. Stop dog 24 has a pair of grab walls 32 depending perpendicularly therefrom to facilitate the disengaging of stop dog 24 with coupler 21 by the cattle stanchion operator. Cover plate 30 in connection with side plates 27 present a safe grab hold for the hand of the stanchion operator while disengaging stop dog 24, or catch tang 25, with coupler 21.

Abstract: A long term isolation cabinet microbiologically secure with high isolation integrity with an isolation device and waste removal apparatus commensurate thereto for isolation such as laboratory animals or chicks.

Abstract: An animal tether device having a plurality of upright post members embedded in the ground interconnected by at least one fence member with a rail member mounted on the post members a distance above the ground, such rail member having a carriage member moveably contained therein with a leash member extending therefrom attached to the animal and fence extension members disposed at each end of said plurality of post members extending from beneath the level of the rail member and curving downward at an angle to the ground to prevent the animal from going around the end posts of the series of posts too sharply so as to prevent tangling of the leash pulling the carriage moving within the rail member.

Abstract: A modified cat litter pan utilizing a pair of adjustable brackets that support the device on the rim of a commode bowl at a sufficiently acute angle to allow the device's contents to be discharged through a front hinged gate when forced out by a sliding brush contained within. After discharge the discarded material can be then flushed down the existing drain.

Abstract: A sturdy animal feeding station contains separate food and water compartments. The water compartment is sized to hold an extended supply of water in a container that fits within the water compartment with minimum clearance therearound. The food compartment defines a depression for holding a quantity of food at a convenient level above the feed floor. An outdoor version includes a roof, and a depression in the water compartment floor for receiving a heating element that keeps the water from freezing in sub-freezing weather. In an indoor version, the roof and water compartment depression are eliminated.

Abstract: A heatable hair brush capable of being utilized for either curling or straightening hair as desired. The hair brush is also capable of being molded with integral bristles in a relatively simple two-part mold. The hair brush has a hairwinding portion provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced bristles arranged in a pair of diametrically opposed sets of parallel bristle rows, the central row of each set being radially extended and the rows on either side of the central row being parallel thereto.

Abstract: A disposable pet toilet unit is disclosed having a body portion within which a deodorizing, absorbent, granular material is contained for use by household pets to defecate and urinate. The body portion is made of a moisture-proof material and includes a bottom and a plurality of sides extending upwardly from the bottom to form an opening. A moisture-proof film is secured to the body portion and gatherable about the opening thereof by a closure, such as a drawstring. Thus, when the deodorizing, absorbent, granular material becomes sufficiently soiled so as to no longer adequately deodorize and absorb odor and moisture, the drawstring may be pulled to gather the film together about the opening to substantially seal it. In this manner, the disposable pet toilet unit may be transported and discarded without spillage or leakage of the soiled, deodorizing, absorbent, granular material.

Abstract: An animal trough waterer and novel trough heater and thermostat arrangement are disclosed. The waterer includes a trough surrounded by an insulated housing. Attached to the bottom wall of the trough is a bracket which holds the heater in place against the trough. The bracket provides a slideway in which the thermostat is carried in any one of a range of positions. By adjusting the location of the thermostat to the heater, the water can be maintained at a relatively low but even temperature, and heater energy consumption can be reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed an insect trapping mat for domestic animals. The mat has a predetermined shape and is formed from a top layer, a bottom layer, and an intermediate layer. The top layer is insect pervious to allow insects such as fleas and ticks to travel into the intermediate layer. A wet or slow drying adhesive is located either on the bottom surface of the top layer, on the top surface of the bottom layer, or in the intermediate layer. The adhesive may be mixed with pheromones or bait to attract insects or fleas. Once the insects have touched the adhesive they will not be able to release themselves from it.

Abstract: An amphibious aquaculture feed and chemical distribution machine for traveling both upon land and water having a storage tank disposed within the amphibious vehicle and an auger for transferring feed from the storage tank up to a drop chute. A drop chute then drops the feed onto a centrifugal distribution fan which disperse the feedstuff or chemicals through the air to the surface of the water. The centrifugal distribution fan includes apparatus for controlling the directional distribution of feedstuff and chemicals.

Abstract: A suspension-type water supply system for poultry includes a plurality of rigid, elongated suspension members each formed at one side with a longitudinally-extending socket section receiving a water supply pipe for supplying water to poultry drinking devices suspended therefrom, and formed at its opposite side with a continuous, longitudinally-extending flange section for increasing the resistance of the water supply system to sagging; and a plurality of bridging members each bridging the ends of two adjacent suspension members and securing them together by fasteners passing through the bridging members and the ends of the suspension members. The flange section flange section of each of the suspension members is formed with a pair of longitudinally-extending ribs on its opposite faces. The system further includes a plurality of hangers slidably receiving the ribs for supporting the water supply system in suspension at any desired points thereof.