Abstract: A free floating fishing apparatus includes a float and a spool that is positioned on the float for holding a supply of line to be dispensed. A hook setting trigger mechanism is mounted on the float and has a line guide that enables fishing line to be spooled from the spool through the line guide and then underwater for fishing. Rigging such as a hook, sinker or the like can be attached to the free end portion of a line. The trigger assembly includes an arm that is pivotally movable between extended and retracted positions. The arm is spring loaded to bias the arm toward the retracted position. A sear plate enables the arm to be retained in an intermediate position that is in between the extended and retracted positions, but closer to the extended position. The sear plate is spring loaded to move the sear out of engagement with the arm when the arm is moved beyond the intermediate position toward the extended position such as when a fish bites the hook and pulls on the line.

Abstract: A garden edging system is made up of (a) one or more straight edger units, (b) one or more curved edger units and (c) one or more corner units. Each unit has a connecting face at each of its ends for connecting and holding adjacent units in end-to-end alignment with one another. The connecting faces facilitate the layout of a myriad of garden edging designs. The curved units have both their convex side and their concave side formed on the same arc of curvature so that a plurality of the units may be nested together with the concave side of each unit engaged flush against the convex side of the next adjacent unit. This facilitates packing and shipping of the units and mitigates against damage to the units. The units are dimensioned and sized to be stronger, more damage resistant, more versatile and more user-friendly than conventional edger bricks or tiles. A process of making the edger units is also disclosed.

Abstract: Artificial fishing lure which has a flexible resilient core (10) surrounded by an elongated flexible body (12). One or more hooks (18) are installed in the core (10) substantially perpendicular to core (10) by way of apertures (24a) and (24b). The core (10) provides longevity to the lure for small and large lures when cast from rod and reel or trolled. Large of heavy lures of this design can be cast with great distances. Grooves (14) in the elongated flexible body (12) and core (10) create a predetermined or erratic motion during retrieval through the water. This action can simulate that of any type of prey including a wounded prey.

Abstract: A shoulder support element is disclosed for use in a firearm. The shoulder support element includes a shoulder support adapted to support the small arm in the firing position and a base plate removably mounted to the shoulder support such that impact forces applied to the base plate are distributed to the shoulder support.

Abstract: A live insect (e.g. cricket) dispensing cage to be used by fishermen enables one insect at a time to be selectively dispensed and encourages the insect to travel within the cage interior to a distal end portion of the cage housing that is less illuminated and that has a dispensing outlet. A trigger and pushrod linkage arrangement can be used to open and close a valve that registers in an outlet opening through which insects are to be dispensed.

Abstract: A method of suppressing shrapnel ejection inherent with fragmentary and shrapnel munition destruction. The present invention utilizes a method of imploding an initiating explosive onto the munition device whereby the munition device is exploded. The method has the counterbalancing effect between the explosion and the implosion, thus controlling and drastically decreasing the quantity, velocity, and kinetic energy of the resultant shrapnel ejection. An alternate embodiment of the present invention utilizes a combination of a cylindrical container with the wrapped munition device. The munition device to be destroyed is wrapped with flexible explosive material and placed into the cylindrical container and the resultant void space between the container walls and the munition is filled with pourable or fluid explosive material. Upon detonation of the flexible explosive material and fluid explosive material, an implosion and simultaneous chain reaction occurs whereby detonating the munition device itself.

Abstract: A birdfeeder having a base and a cage or openwork attached to the base. The openwork having a plurality of substantially longitudinal members attached to the base and arranged radially about a central axis. A feed container releasably coupled to the base is positioned interior the openwork and spaced-apart therefrom. At least two of the longitudinal members are spaced-apart one from the other such that certain birds can enter the openwork and access the feed container. The openwork can include a plurality of substantially horizontal members wherein at least two of the horizontal members are spaced-apart one from the other to allow certain birds to enter the openwork. The feed container being releasably coupled to the base allows the feed container to be easily removed from the openwork. The feed container can extend through an opening in the openwork for accessing the feed container exterior the openwork.

Abstract: An adjustable harness and animal birth control device for female quadrupeds comprising an adjustable harness having an adjustable waist collar, an adjustable left harness strap, an adjustable central harness strap and an adjustable right harness strap, each of the harness straps being detachably secured to the waist collar, and a birth control device which is detachably secured to the adjustable harness. The adjustable harness utilizes hook and loop fastening means in order to provide proper fitting and adjustment for various sizes of quadrupeds.

Abstract: A fishing lure has a hollow body that contains a battery and a selected recipient device (eg. a light emitting device, horn, vibrator motor). A switch interrupts a circuit to deactivate the light emitting device (or other recipient device) when the lure body is moved from a generally horizontal, “swimming” position to a more inclined position. The apparatus has a rechargeable battery that can be charged by connecting to hook eyelets on the lure body.

Abstract: A cow indexing and positioning system comprising a first and second actuating systems where the first actuating system repositions a cow brisket bar assembly in the horizontal plane to index the cows located in a stall to be milked. When the cows are finished being milked the first actuating system then disengages from the cows' briskets and the second actuating system vertically raises the cow brisket bar assembly to allow the cows to pass thereunder.

Abstract: A low profile tilt-ramp trap includes a tube providing entrance into the trap. Within the tube is a tilt ramp that has a flap on its exit end to prevent mice from moving beneath the tilt ramp. Once a mouse enters the tilt ramp, the ramp pivots to provide the mouse access to the interior of the trap. A counter weight causes the tilt ramp to move back to its initial position after the mouse has entered.

Abstract: A door lock mechanism for an animal trap, an animal trap, and a method of capturing animals, typically, rodents and small animals. The door locking mechanism, trap and method employ a gravity-driven door and lock used for a door having a ledge and two bars that are pivotally mounted above the door. When activated by a release mechanism, the door and bars pivotally deflect whereby the bars engage the ledge on the closed door and prevent the door from being opened. The door lock mechanism may be used on any size and shape trap, but one typical trap for which the mechanism can be used is disclosed. A trap entrance arrangement having a conduit for leading animals to the entrance of a trap, that can be used with or without the disclosed door lock mechanism, is also provided.

Abstract: An insect control station for baiting and/or trapping insects that includes a base, a cover, and an insert locked between the base and cover. The insert is preferably a glueboard or tray. The glueboard, to which insects stick, is used for trapping insects in an environment. The tray is used for holding a toxic bait or attractant that the insect takes back to its nest. The tray may also be used to hold glue for trapping purposes. To maximize the safety of the naive person, especially a child, who does not know what an insect control station is, the base and cover are locked to each other with two hand operated keyless locks that operate independently of the other. The keyless locks are recessed relative to the cover at a span having a width greater than a child's hand such that a child may not operate the locks at the same time with one hand. The operating portion of the lock is located on the base so that if two hands operate the two different locks, the cover will not move.

Abstract: This invention deals with a process for treating and sanitizing animal habitats. In addition to sanitizing the habitat the production of ammonia and odor from fecal matter and urine is inhibited or terminated. In the process an animal habitat is cleaned and subsequently treated with trichloromelamine (TCM). The TCM may be applied by spraying the habitat with a solution of TCM, by dusting the habitat with powdered TCM or by treating bedding/litter with TCM. This process produces healthier animals and as such the productivity of a given grow out is increased. The process of this invention is particularly suited to animal habitats which are used to raise batches of hogs, cattle, turkeys and chickens on a continuous basis.

Abstract: An insect trap fitting adapted to cover an opening in a receptacle containing insect attractant. The fitting includes a cover plate with a first aperture in it and a first skirt extending downwardly from the periphery of the first aperture. A screen with a second aperture in it is located at the lower edge of the first skirt. A blade extends from the second aperture to a position above the first aperture in the cover plate. The fitting may also include a second skirt extending downwardly from the periphery of the second aperture, the blade extending from the lower edge of the second skirt to above the level of the first aperture in the cover plate. A fly trap includes the fitting and a receptacle.

Abstract: A lure for bees which is utilized during a rescue attempt. The lure is activated by the rescuer and tossed a short distance away from the attack site to draw the attacking bees, together with newly arriving bees, away from the victim and the rescuer. The lure is equipped with a variety of devices designed to attract the bees, including, but not limited to: noise attraction, chemical attraction, and motion attraction.

Abstract: A tactical weapon includes a firearm assembly that is for firing ammunition. The firearm assembly has a stock member. The stock member is for facilitating supporting of the firearm assembly by a user. The stock member has a butt portion. The butt portion is coupled to a main portion of the stock member such that the butt portion is selectively positionable with respect to the main portion of the stock member. The butt portion is for permitting the user to position the firearm assembly around an object. A handle member is coupled to the firearm assembly. The handle member is selectably positionable with respect to the firearm assembly such that the handle member is for permitting the user to position the firearm assembly around the object.

Abstract: A fishing line twist removal apparatus for removing accumulated twist from a fishing line while a fishing lure is secured to the fishing line. The lure is placed into a container body having a cavity, and a slitted cap entraps the lure into the container with the fishing line extending through the slit. A plurality of blades extending outward from the container body cause the apparatus to rotate as it is pulled through water. The blades may angle for clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. A blunt nose on the apparatus allows it to skip or skim the surface of the water for reduced rotation, thereby avoiding excessive twist removal and reverse direction overtwist.

Abstract: A folding frame apparatus is provided that contains a removable and pivoting rod clamp employed to hold a ice fishing jig rod in the desired position, and is designed in a manner that it can be used with almost all of the ice fishing jig rods on the market today. The frame of the present invention is constructed in a manner that all joints are pivotal in nature which allows the frame to be opened or closed as desired by the user. The present invention is also equipped with a signal flag assembly which, when a fish takes the bait, causes the flag to move to an upright position and alerts the fisherman to the presence of a fish.

Abstract: A fishing tackle holder, including an elongated channel piece with lipped edges, a mounting bracket having either a substantially diamond-shaped or a round base portion for slidably mounting within the channel, a fastener to hold the mounting bracket in the channel, an adjuster to position a barrel sleeve which holds a fishing rod, and a lock down to hold the barrel sleeve in place. The fishing tackle holder may also include eyelets on the side of the barrel sleeve, with a securing cord to hold the fishing rod so that a fish will not pull the fishing rod out of the barrel sleeve.