Abstract: An aircraft has an armor releasably attached to the body of an aircraft, an actuator connecting the armor to the body of the aircraft, and a control that, upon operation, actuates the actuator to release the armor from the body.

Abstract: Weathertight fitting (41) for the mounting of the tail vertical stabilizer of an aircraft in a rear area of its fuselage, the construction being based on a casing (5) made with a composite material as one unitary piece and some frames (7) that are comprised of: one first piece (43) comprised of two bodies (45, 45?), that include the mounting lugs (47, 47?) for the tail vertical stabilizer and some vertical walls (49, 49?) for joining the fitting (43) to the frames (7) of the fuselage, and a weathertight central profile (51); two pairs of additional pieces (55, 55?; 65, 65?) of angular shape, that include some horizontal walls (57, 57?; 67, 67?) for joining to the casing (5) and some vertical walls (59, 59?; 69, 69?) for joining to the aforementioned bodies (45, 45?). All the weathertight fitting's (41) pieces are made with a composite material.

Abstract: A device for the generation of aerodynamic vortices to be arranged on the spanwise side edge of a wing, or a regulating flap adjustably arranged on the latter, which in each case have a chordwise direction and a spanwise direction, wherein the device is formed from one aerofoil component or from a plurality of aerofoil components, wherein the at least one aerofoil component is designed as a part that can be moved relative to the wing or regulating flap in its spanwise direction, wherein the device for vortex generation has an actuation device for the retraction and extension of the aerofoil components into a recess, and also a drive device to operate the actuation device. A regulating flap of a wing, and also a wing, with such a device for the generation of aerodynamic vortices, and a wing, which has at least two aerofoil segments at its side edge situated at the spanwise end.

Abstract: A retractable leash having a tension strap connected to a safety line that can be releasably fastened to a tethered article. The retractable leash allows freedom of use of the tethered article without the retractable leash impinging any spring force on the tethered article. A retractable leash that employ a series of metal rings, a plastic spacer and a flat sided ball that can rotate in any direction to guide and to prevent tangling of the tension strap and preclude friction from the plastic collar edges. A retractable leash that uses means of a furrow in the spring cup for locking the inner loop of the tension strap from rotating. A retractable leash having an arbor with a flat side for mounting a spring retaining clip thereto and a central bore that keeps debris out of the spring cup in sandy conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a housing, a first member, and a second member. The housing may have a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an opening located in the first end, and a passage extending from the opening. The first member may extend from the first side. The first member may have a first channel in communication with the passage and the channel has a first center axis. The second member may extend from the first side. The second member may have a second channel in communication with the passage and the second channel has a second center axis substantially aligned with the center axis of the channel in the first member.

Abstract: An integral animal feeder and bumper assembly for dispensing animal foodstuff from a vehicle includes an impact member to fend off blows to the vehicle, a hopper to store therein a quantity of substantially granular foodstuff such as, for example, feed corn, and a dispenser to selectively discharge from the hopper foodstuff contained in the hopper. The hopper is substantially contained with the extents of the impact member and/or the aesthetic coverings thereof. In this manner, assembly is adapted to function as a road feeder with little or no interference with other features of the vehicle configuration such as, for example, utilization of the tailgate and/or towing hitch, legal display of the license plate associated with the vehicle, access to the rear area of the vehicle and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a breeding system for aquatic fauna that includes a chamber (2) having a wall (4) made from a water impermeable material. In one embodiment the chamber is provided with one or more hatches (20) in the wall where each hatch can be opened to a selectable extent. In another embodiment, the chamber has a selectable volume. The breeding system according to another embodiment includes one or more of the life support systems (30) adapted to be submerged in water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously monitoring the weight of an object. The apparatus does not obstruct a central portion of the bottom of the object being monitored, and is especially well-suited for monitoring the weight of a beehive. In the illustrative embodiment, a ring-shaped fluid-filled bladder is sandwiched between a ring-shaped top surface and a ring-shaped base, and a pressure hose connects the bladder to a pressure gauge. Beehive weight data can be obtained in a continuous fashion, without requiring any moving of the beehive or of the apparatus, and without any other type of disruption. Moreover, the apparatus provides a stable platform that keeps the beehive immobile during monitoring, which is beneficial for the health of the colony. Advantageously, the apparatus can be constructed from inexpensive, off-the-shelf components and materials, and is capable of obtaining accurate measurements over a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions.

Abstract: A spacecraft deployment mechanism employing a pair of bi-stable tape springs attached to a cylinder such that rotation of the cylinder extends or retracts the tape springs in opposite directions. The tape springs are fabricated such that they are stable when wrapped around a cylinder (stowed configuration) or when deployed and have a higher energy state when stowed than when deployed. A plurality of bi-stable tape spring mechanisms may be combined to create a deployment device that does not impart rotational torques to the spacecraft during deployment. Deployment may be accomplished by release of the stored energy in the coiled or packaged state progressing to the lower energy deployed state. Alternatively, a motor may be employed to rotate the cylinders for deploy or retrace the tape springs.

Abstract: A cage protects the roots of a pond plant planted in a pot from fish and other animals. If the roots are eaten, the plant will die. The pot has a rim and the pot resides on the bottom of a pond. The pond plant has a plurality of stems and each stem has a leaf. The cage covers the top of the pot so that the fish cannot gain access to the roots. In one embodiment the cage includes two sections that are connected together and to the rim of the pot. In another embodiment the cage is a single piece. In both embodiments the leaves of the pond plant are rolled up and passed upwardly through a grid of the cage.

Abstract: A wearable tubing safety vest configured to harness medical treatment delivery tubing and/or communication cables. The tubing safety vest comprises a vest component having a body-encompassing component cooperable with a plurality of releasably securable flaps, and an elongate tubing harness configured to releasably receive and retain therethrough at least one of medical treatment delivery tubing and communication cables. The tubing harness may be securely engaged with the vest component or alternatively, at least one hinge component can be interposed the vest component and the tubing harness. The vest component is configured for demountably encircling a mammalian body torso, e.g, a human infant torso, juvenile torso, or an adult torso. The tubing harness may be demountably engaged with the front or with the back of the vest component. The wearble tubing safety vest may be optionally configured for demountable engagement about an animal's torso.

Abstract: A pet fountain that presents circulating water that is continuously filtered and pumped through the fountain. The fountain includes a basin that has a sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom wall (or floor) and a cover. A pump assembly is housed between the basin and cover, and circulates water through the pet fountain by pumping the water from the basin to an upper drinking bowl of the cover. The water spills out of the upper drinking back to the basin. An opening is provided between the cover and the basin which allows a pet to drink directly from the basin in addition to the upper drinking bowl of the cover.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to a tree guard. One embodiment provides a modular tree guard assembly. Various other embodiments disclosed include one or more of the following: a multi-purpose top rail unit facilitating flexible installation of various side panel units and top rail accessories; modular side panel units including decorative units and urine guard units; corner and other post units; and various adjustable foot units. In one embodiment, a sign holder unit of the tree guard assembly is provided with different tamper proof bolts than are other elements of the assembly such that control over signage on the tree guard may be effectively given to a different entity than an entity with control over assembly of the rest of the tree guard unit. Various other embodiments related to tree guards are disclosed.

Abstract: An indoor livestock confinement system including a plurality of hollow plastic panels. One of the hollow plastic panels defines a U-shaped door frame. The door frame is open at the top and includes an attachment for a door at one edge. The door frame includes a reinforcement inside the panel that extends across a bottom threshold and sides of the door frame.

Abstract: In accordance with the method, an inside layer of a fuselage section skin made from first fibers is placed on a manufacturing surface, the first fibers being placed in one or more first fiber directions. On the inside layer, a stiffening structure is formed from stiffening fibers, the stiffening fibers being placed in one or more stiffening fiber directions. An outside layer of the fuselage section skin, comprising fourth fibers, is placed on the stiffening structure formed from stiffening fibers, the fourth fibers being placed in one or more fourth fiber directions. The stiffening structure is designed and developed in such a way that the fuselage section does not require an additional stiffening structure, is connected with the fuselage section skin, and comprises the inside layer, the stiffening structure, and the outside layer; in particular, an additional stiffening structure in the form of stringers and frames is not required.

Abstract: A permanent full year inner cover having a transparent base and a central channel for improved ventilation and with ventilation ports that can be used as an additional entrance. A modification of the central channel to allow for an exteriorly controlled bee escape mechanism. An additional enclosure over the central channel to allow for the feeding of sugar syrup. The safety feature of the capabilities to observe, monitor, and feed bees without the removal of the inner cover and the necessity of protective clothing.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for indicating an undesired detachment of a milking member from an animal in a milking stall. The arrangement includes a removing device adapted to detach the milking member from the animal and move the detached milking member to a parking position when the milking process has been completed, and a supervision device adapted to supervise when the milking member has been detached from the animal before the milking process has been completed. When the milking member has been detached from the animal before the milking process has been completed, the removing device is adapted to move the undesirably detached milking member to an indicating position located at a distance from the parking position.

Abstract: An animal training device and system which uses a voltage to frequency conversion technology (VFC) providing the capability to adjust in gradual incremental levels upward and downward for consistent and individual electronic control of separate output to an animal undergoing training to learn new behaviors which are desired by its owner/handler/trainer. The device is contained in a housing which is worn around the neck of an animal by means of a collar strap or attached to a harness that properly fits onto an animal. The primary use is with dogs, but all kinds of domestic animals may be trained using this device. This VFC technology is offered in a variety of electronic platforms.

Abstract: A process to accelerate growth and regenerate lawns whereby the lawn (2) is at least partially surrounded on the top by a space (4) that is open downward and surrounded on all sides and whereby CO2 is fed into the space (4) and the space (4) covered by the lawn (2) is outfitted with a lighting system (14) and is subjected to light and a device for executing this process are disclosed.

Abstract: A stackable elevated planter has a rectangular or oval body that holds potting soil. Two or four legs sockets are attached to and extend away from the bottom of the planter body to define a rectangle. Legs are provided such that each leg has one end sized to fit within one of the leg sockets. The legs have a length less that the length of the rectangle and an average width which is less than one fourth of the width of the rectangle such that the four legs can be laid next to one another within the planter body and a similar second planter will fit within that planter. The body of the second planter may be positioned over the four legs such that the leg sockets of the second planter body extend beyond the four legs and the leg sockets of the second planter may rest on the top surface of the base of the first planter. An optional shelf that fits within the planter body for storage and is attached to the legs when the planter is assembled may also be provided.