Abstract: An animal restraint is comprised of a fabric panel with two elongated rigid members attached to two edges. A fastener system such as a hook and loop fastener system is attached to said panel and may be quickly secured by manipulating the two elongated rigid members. The fabric panel may be manufactured with an elastic material to hold the animal securely. A neck restraint may also be provided to secure the neck in addition to the body of the animal. An aperture may further be provided to allow access to portions of the body of the animal while the animal is restrained.

Abstract: A pet toilet comprising a shallow tray 2, a plate-shaped urine absorbent mat 3 which is put in the tray 2, and a perforated film 4 which has a number of openings H and covers the entire upper surface of the absorbent mat 3 is disclosed. The openings H of the perforated film 4 have a sidewall extending from one side to the other side of the film. The perforated film 4 is fixed at such a position that at least the lower end of the sidewall of the openings H is in contact with the upper surface of the urine absorbent mat 3.

Abstract: A support structure for a pet, wild bird or small animal treat which includes a stem having a first end and a second end. At the first end there is a disk and hanger that fit into a mold. At the second end is a branch member perpendicular to the stem. Food is packed into the mold so that is surrounds the stem and branch. The resulting treat is removed from the mold for packaging.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and formulations for making and using synthetic hoof shoes, repairing an animal's hooves, and/or providing prophylactic measures for protecting an animal's hooves. In general a synthetic material is applied either in situ to the hoof area of a hoofed animal or is used to produce a pre-molded shoe to be attached to the hoof area of a hoofed animal.

Abstract: A dog coat or blanket includes a generally rectangular body section with chest and stomach straps extending from front and side edges respectively. The straps are adjustable so that a few sized will fit most domesticate dog breeds. Both the body section and the straps are two ply construction and the straps both secure the coat to the dog and cover a substantial portion of either the chest or the stomach to limit heat loss. The dog coat can be mounted on a dog from above merely by draping the coat over the dog and attaching the chest and stomach straps.

Abstract: To optimize the performance of a canard airplane with an engine in front, the canard is mounted forward of its location in existing canard airplanes. Specifically, the canard is located with its leading edge significantly ahead of the firewall. This allows the canard to be mounted higher on the fuselage, providing aerodynamic improvements. The engine may be mounted to, or near, the canard spar, simplifying the structure. The added leverage of the further-forward canard allows the wing to be moved forward also. This makes possible a low wing under the occupants of the airplane. Efficient loading of the lifting surfaces is maintained by using a high aspect ratio canard.

Abstract: A shock wave in a gas is modified by emitting energy to form an extended path in the gas; heating gas along the path to form a volume of heated gas expanding outwardly from the path; and directing a path. The volume of heated gas passes through the shock wave and modifies the shock wave. This eliminates or reduces a pressure difference between gas on opposite sides of the shock wave. Electromagnetic, microwaves and/or electric discharge can be used to heat the gas along the path. This application has uses in reducing the drag on a body passing through the gas, noise reduction, controlling amount of gas into a propulsion system, and steering a body through the gas. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pet-play apparatus (20) for interactive use with a domestic cat or other pet (24) incorporates a lash (26) made of a strip of fake fur (56) formed into a tube (42) with a nap (58) of the fake fur (56) upon an external surface (60) of the tube (42), a crop (22) coupled to a first end (32) of the lash (26), a toy (28) detachably coupled to a second end (36) of the lash (26), and a sonic device (86) coupled to the crop (22) and configured to produce a prey-sound for the domestic cat or other pet (24) in the form of a chirp or squeak in response to a movement of the crop (22). A first attachment device (62) is affixed to the second end (36) of the lash (26) and incorporates a hook part (70) of a hook-and-loop fastener (88). A second attachment device (64) is affixed to the toy (28) and incorporates a loop part (72) of the hook-and-loop fastener (88), the hook and loop parts (70, 72) being detachably coupled to each other.

Abstract: A bird cage ladder equipped with a locking connection mechanism that is biased toward a closed position and is easy to install and remove from a bird cage. Particular embodiments of the present invention have the flexibility to connect with various shaped bird cages. Other embodiments provide additional ladder stability by limiting the range of movement of the ladder from side-to-side. Utilization of a locking connection mechanism as disclosed makes it very difficult for the ladder to disengage from the bird cage due to rocking cause by a bird. The locking connection mechanisms are releasably connected to the bird cage and bird cage ladder, allowing the bird cage ladder to be easily installed and removed from the bird cage.

Abstract: A tie-out that is attachable to a door and allows a user to secure an object or a pet to the door. When used with pets, the tie-out allows the user to connect a pet's leash to either side of a door without having to remove and reconfigure the tie-out, and is also configured to hold a pet's leash securely to a door without coming loose or damaging the door. Typically the tie-out is mounted to the bottom edge of the door, but may be mounted on a side edge of the door depending upon the design. In addition, the tie-out is not confined to use with doors located on the inside of a building and can be connected to doors that lead to the outside of a building.

Abstract: A system and method for use in obtaining precise positional information relating to one or more points. The points may comprise key locations on a large structure allowing for the geometry of the structure to be assessed based on the positional information. In one embodiment, a high accuracy angular resolution and measurement system includes a laser beam source (110), a bi-directional acousto-optic modulator (112), and an optical detector (104). The position of the optical detector (104) is determinable from deflection angles (120, 122) of the laser beam (106) when the laser beam (106) is deflected by the bi-directional acousto-optic modulator (112) in a direction corresponding to one of a plurality of illumination locations (140) coinciding with the position of the optical detector (104) within an illumination region (142) defined by the illumination locations (140).

Abstract: A port assembly for mounting within an opening of a mounting structure, such as a feed port assembly for mounting within a bird feeder opening. The port assembly includes a feed port having a port plate with a port opening therethrough aligned with the housing opening to enable access to the bird feed within the housing. The port plate includes a flange engageable with the housing wall. Disposed within the interior of the housing is an anchor having a pair of clamping feet in engagement with the inwardly facing housing wall whereby the anchor is movable with respect to the feed port to clamp the wall between the feed port flange and the clamping feet of the anchor.

Abstract: Floor covering (I) for an animal house for beef animals and dairy animals comprises an elastomeric mat (2) which can be fixed to a floor or floor slat by screws (8). Rigid strips (6) are located at the base (7) of mat (2) for securing the screws (8) which are coverable by the mat when it is fixed to the slat. Mat (2) is designed for cleanliness and enhanced protection and comfort for animals. Flap valve (3) forms an openable flap valve along one longitudinal edge of the mat (2) to seal a gap between adjacent slats of a slatted floor to reduce the emission of gases and fumes emanating from a tank beneath the floor. The flap valve (3) allows waste material to pass through the slatted floor to the tank.

Abstract: A pet washing assembly for includes a housing having a bottom wall, a top wall, a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a back wall and a front wall. The front wall has a door therein for selectively positioning a dog into an interior of the housing. The door has an aperture extending therethrough that adapted for receiving a head of the dog. A water inlet tube extends through the back wall. A plurality of supply tubes is positioned within the housing and each is fluidly coupled to the inlet tube. A plurality of nozzles is mounted with the housing. Each of the nozzles is fluidly coupled to one of the supply tubes.

Abstract: A method for automatically calibrating the control system of a device for providing domestic animals with a feed. The feed or the constituents thereof are discharged from supply containers (2.1-2.5) into a mixing container (1) which is connected to an area (3) from which the animals can take the feed. The time at which the feed or at least one of its constituents is added is predetermined in the control system and the time required for a certain quantity (volume and/or weight) of the feed or of a certain constituent of the feed to reach the mixing container (1) is determined automatically at intervals. In the event that the desired quantity is modified, the time which is predetermined in the control system is also modified.

Abstract: Devices and methods for tracking animals. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a method of tracking an animal that includes assigning an animal identification to a first animal, collecting a biological sample from the first animal and associating the first animal with each premises at which the first animal is located. The invention further provides an identification device that includes a tag portion and a sample portion. The tag portion can be configured to be attached to animal in any method known in the art. The sample portion can be detachably coupled to the tag portion and can include a biological collector that can collect a biological sample from the animal.

Abstract: An insulation package to reduce the transmission of heat and/or noise between the outer skin and the cabin lining of an aircraft composed of an insulating material enclosed by an encapsulating membrane. The encapsulating material has a vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) at least partially dependent on the ambient humidity, and for a gradient of relative humidity across the encapsulating membrane of 3% to 50% it has a vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) of at least 0.8 m and for a gradient of relative humidity across the encapsulating membrane of 50% to 93% it has a maximum vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) of 0.3 m.

Abstract: A toy is provided that includes a clear plastic ball to be readily movable along a supportive surface, such as the ground. Within the ball there is located a motorized character assembly. The character assembly has an upper housing cover in the form of a mouse or other rodent that would visually trigger an instinctive response in a cat or some breeds of (hunting) dogs. Beneath the upper housing cover is a motor which operates a drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly is to be in continuous contact with the inner surface of the ball. The wheels further are made of soft rubber that does not slide in the internal ball surface, but rather causes the ball to roll and be propelled forward.

Abstract: A marine habitat enhancement system is provided that in one embodiment is configured for attachment to existing pilings and in another embodiment is a stand-alone system anchored to the soil. The system includes a housing formed of a plurality of panels configured for attachment together to surround either a piling or a marine habitat. Compartments on the exterior of the housing can be used to promote the growth of plants and other marine aquaculture. A cap is provided for use with stand-alone pilings to prevent contaminated water and material from escaping outside the sleeve formed by the plurality of panels.

Abstract: A system and method for dissipating vortices that form at the wingtips on aircraft and from other airfoils. A jet air stream is discharged in a location at or proximate to the outer end portion of the airfoil into the vortex flow, and the jet air stream is moved cyclically back and forth. The cyclic movement can be at lower or higher frequencies to alleviate at least in part intensity of the vortex or accelerate instability of the vortex which leads to vortex dissipation.