Abstract: An assembly for connecting a first body to a second body includes a first element having a connection end to the first body and a first tubular portion, and a second element having a connection end to the second body and a second tubular portion extending along the longitudinal axis. The first tubular portion and the second tubular portion are interlocked by at least one complementary tubular portion nested in the first tubular portion and around the second tubular portion. A rigid piece connects the first body to the second body and is fastened to the first and second bodies. One of the first and second bodies is connected with functional play at one of the two attachment points of the rigid connecting piece, wherein the rigid connecting piece is formed of two flat rigid pieces extending on both sides of the first and second elements along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An air rooting shell comprises a first shell half mateable with a second shell half to form a shell for enclosing around a branch. The shell comprises a reservoir for containing planting medium and an upper lipped opening that receives the branch and collects and funnels water to the reservoir. A bottom opening is provided through which the lower portion of the branch may exit. Side openings on the shell may be used to enclose a branch in a horizontal orientation, while the upper lipped opening remains vertically oriented to receive water.

Abstract: A saddle latigo strap is threaded to secure a saddle. A body portion of a saddle latigo is looped through a permanent saddle rigging. A first end of the saddle latigo having a tapered portion is inserted through a second end. Notches of the body portion are engaged with holes of the first end to secure the saddle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant aid for surrounding a young plant. The plant aid comprises a tube at least partly sideways surrounding a young plant placeable in the plant aid. The plant aid further comprises a water collection sheet for collecting moisture present in the atmosphere. The water collection sheet comprises a water collection surface comprising a receiving surface, which receiving surface operatively makes a first angle with respect to the orientation of gravity. The water collection sheet further comprises a collecting surface adjoining a lower edge of the receiving surface, which collecting surface operatively makes a second angle with respect to the orientation of gravity. The first angle is smaller than the second angle.

Abstract: Lightning protection arrangement for diverting a current, caused by a lightning strike, from an electronic unit which is fitted to an aerodynamic fairing of an aircraft. The device includes an electrically conductive mounting plate which is arranged on an outer side of a CFRP sandwich panel of the aerodynamic fairing. Furthermore, the device has an electrically conductive rear plate which is arranged on an inner side of the CFRP sandwich panel of the aerodynamic fairing and is connected electrically to the mounting plate. In this respect, a first group of attachment means provided for the electronic unit connects the electrical unit electrically to the rear plate. An electric current generated during a lightning strike is diverted with low resistance from the electrical unit via the rear plate and the mounting plate onto the fuselage of the aircraft.

Abstract: A first trailing edge portion of a scarfed jet engine exhaust nozzle aft of a second trailing edge portion relative to a central axis of an associated exhaust duct causes an automatic nozzle-pressure-ratio responsive transverse deflection of the associated exhaust flow away from the first trailing edge portion. When offset from both the center of gravity (CG) and the central longitudinal axis of an aircraft, at a relatively low nozzle pressure ratio, e.g. during takeoff, the thrust vector from the exhaust flow acts relatively close to the CG, whereas at a relatively high nozzle pressure ratio, e.g. during relatively high-speed cruise, the scarfed exhaust nozzle deflects the exhaust flow so that the resulting thrust vector is relatively parallel to the path of the aircraft. With the final portion of the exhaust duct skewed, the primary axis of the jet engine can be relatively parallel to the path of the aircraft.

Abstract: An automated feeding station feeds an animal in a feeding event. An automated collection system, such as a urine collection system, fecal collection system, or combination urine/fecal collection system, collects and excrement from the animal in an excrement elimination event. The feeding event and excrement elimination events provide insights into the health of the animal.

Abstract: An actuator which can be installed in a system for the virtual simulation of aircraft, ships and vehicles to help the system with the controls. More specifically, the invention is an actuator used for a control loading system, which can be installed into a virtual simulation system, receive force delivered by the movement of a control stick laterally while measuring the applied force. It can connect a lever which delivers the control force equivalent to the applied force and reaction force by making use of a direct drive motor, including a potentiometer which senses the angle of rotation while sensing the initial reference position separately from an encoder, limiting the rotation range of the rotating lever, fixing the initial neutral position, and the control loading system for actuators manufactured compactly on the whole.

Abstract: The helix-shaped, dog chew that has a helicoidally shaped configuration that is similar to an auger (or Archimedes' screw). The chew is fabricated from an extruded or die-cast, pliable material with the consistency of a firm rubber. The material is edible and non-harmful to animals. The helicoidally shaped configuration allows the chew to make contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth to promote thorough cleaning thereof, and to also massage the gums, thereby greatly reducing the incidence of disease and bleeding.

Abstract: A portable fish anesthetizing system is also described having a tank cover, an electrode pair with the electrode pair configurable attached to the tank cover; a control system for creating a potential difference, the control system electrically connected to the electrode pair, so that when the tank cover is placed on a laboratory tank and the control system is activated, current flows from the control system through the electrodes.

Abstract: A spacecraft is described which uses a magnetic field source to generate a shield magnetic field to protect the spacecraft from energetic charged particles. The field may be perturbed to increase the effectiveness of the protection. Injection of material into the shield cavity to enhance the local plasma density may also be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind propulsion device, particularly for watercrafts, comprising an aerodynamic wing being connected to a steering unit located below the aerodynamic wing via a plurality of tractive lines, a tractive cable, a first end of the tractive cable being connected to the steering unit and a second end of the tractive cable being connected to a base platform, the aerodynamic wing having an aerodynamic profile which generates an uplift force in the direction of the tractive cable when the airflow direction is about perpendicular to the tractive cable. According to the invention, an aerodynamic wing is provided being coupled to a steering unit located close below the wing via a plurality of tractive lines of different elasticity.

Abstract: A multifunction electromechanical device for an aircraft undercarriage. The device comprises a first shaft (10) mounted to rotate on the aircraft about an axis of rotation (R) that is substantially parallel to a hinge axis (X) of the undercarriage relative to the aircraft and a telescopic second shaft (20) mounted to rotate on the undercarriage extending downwards to the proximity of the wheels carried thereby. The device also includes a transmission (19) for transmitting rotary motion from the first shaft to the second shaft and a transmission (21) for transmitting rotary motion from the second shaft to at least one wheel carried by the undercarriage. With this configuration, if the wheel is not fitted with a brake, there is a specific brake (30) for braking one of the shafts relative to the undercarriage, and a motor (11, 15) for causing the first shaft to rotate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pet toy designed compatibly both to allow cleaning inside the toy as well as introducing and removing the food into/from the pet toy to be performed by a user in a significantly easy manner and to make the animal to be continuously engaged by the toy for a long time. A pet toy 1 has a flexible and axially flat body formed with a cavity disposed inside thereof that can accommodate an amount of food for an animal. The body comprises: a lateral band portion 3 defining an outer perimeter of an axially central part of the body; a first and a second coverings 4 and 5, each extending in the axial direction from the lateral band portion; and a slit 2 formed in the lateral band portion 3 so as to communicate with the cavity.

Abstract: Decorating methods including a vase for associating flowers and other decorative items with cakes and other food products are described. Vase embodiments which may be used to practice the method may include a water-holding reservoir having a bottom wall, an upright rim, and plural flower-stem-receiving wells. Each well is defined by at least one well wall depending from the bottom wall and has an opening capable of receiving water from the reservoir. Vase embodiments may include a reservoir of various shapes and sizes. Vases may be placed on a cake or other food product permitting the cake or food product to be attractively and easily decorated.

Abstract: A covering for protective collars used to prevent an animal from licking or biting at wounds or injuries (an “Elizabethan collar,” or “e-collar”), is disclosed. The covering is made of a material that prevents the Elizabethan collar from irritating an animal's neck. The covering is easily removed by the animal's caretaker and can be laundered or changed as desired. The covering is sized to accommodate a range of Elizabethan collars.

Abstract: A bird-operated interactive bird feeder is provided. The interactive bird feeder attracts birds and dispenses a substantially predetermined amount of bird feed (e.g. bird seed) when a bird operates a tool. Bird feed is held in storage in a feed hopper (i.e. housing) above a stage. An aperture is provided in the bottom of the housing large enough for the enclosed feed to flow freely from the housing to the stage. However, the aperture is equipped with the tool that causes the feed to bridge. When a bird operates the tool, the tool disrupts the bridged feed causing feed flow for a period of time, and then rebuilds the feed bridge when the bird ceases operation of the tool. Avid bird watchers can therefore enjoy watching birds for extended periods of time since the birds encounter larger amounts of feed at the stage.

Abstract: A device and methods for catching, removing from within buildings, and releasing wild birds are provided. Sonic and/or dynamic characteristics of water are utilized as an attractant to lure birds towards a device for capturing birds. The attractant is located within a holding area of the device. The walls of the device are transparent and vented to allow the dynamic characteristics of the water to be seen from outside the device and to allow the sonic characteristics to be heard from outside the device. The device includes an opening that allows birds to enter the holding area of the device and that also prevents birds located within the holding area from exiting the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a hand-held electronic device for injecting an agent into a tree with continuous pressure sensing technology for real-time measurements of the pressure within the tree. The pressure measurement information is conveyed to an onboard central processing unit for data collection, analysis and optimization of the speed of injecting the agent into the tree. By continually monitoring the pressure and injection power, the injection pressure can be modified to adapt to back pressure fluctuations. In one embodiment of the invention the agent is injected into the tree under a preprogrammed pressure profile. In another embodiment of the invention the agent is injected into the tree under a variable pressure profile until the fastest injection time is obtained.

Abstract: A cart-handler for mobile carts within narrow confines is provided. The cart-handler is constructed from an elongate frame having at least one upright support rail and opposite ends supported on wheels. A pair of stabilizers is connected to the frame with each stabilizer being movable into a retracted position on the frame and into a laterally-extended position in which the stabilizer directly engages an underlying floor surface to aid in supporting the cart-handler on the floor. When the stabilizers are placed in the laterally-extended position, each stabilizer extends outward from a common side of the elongate frame. A cart-lifter is mounted on the support rail of the frame and is movable vertically along the support rail so that the cart-lifter can engage, elevate, and support a separate mobile cart above the underlying floor surface. The cart-handler can be interconnected to a pair of elevated mobile work platforms.