Abstract: A collapsible feeder for birds comprising a mesh feeder body wall which is constructed of either a polyester mesh coated with PVC or a material containing rubber. The mesh wall defines alternating first and second rows with each of the rows having spaced-apart wall members which are separated by an opening. The first and second rows are staggered with respect to one another so that the openings in one row are positioned below or above the wall members in adjacent rows to define feed openings. Preferably, the feeder body is generally tubular-shaped but may have other shapes such as frusto-conical or inverted frusto-conical shapes.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring an animal includes a light source and an optical source. The light source, which is preferably an array of monochromatic light emitting diodes, at least partially backlights one or more of the animal's legs. The optical sensor or device, which is preferably a single dimension camera or charged-coupled device, opposes the light source and obtains an image that includes silhouettes of one or more legs of the animal. A processor, such as a computer with software and data storage, determines measurements, such as the approximate skeletal trunk length of the animal, from the silhouetted legs in the image. One or more first ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate height of the pelvic region, and one or more second ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate width of the pelvic region.

Abstract: A frame supports a bundle of natural logs providing nooks, crannies or crevices attracting lepidoptera and like insects as a nesting site. The frame may be affixed to a wall, tree or post at an elevation and in a location for ease of viewing and examination. Two flexible rods or supports emulating antennae support shallow dishes disguised as flowers above and in front of the bundle. These may contain water and nectar, respectively. The bundle may be collected naturally and over time replaced. The habitat provides an attractive and natural setting to observe lepidoptera insects substantially year round.

Abstract: A pet brush including a brush body; which has a central aperture therethrough and a lower cylindrical peripheral wall of an enlarged diameter and an upper peripheral wall; a handle, which is adapted to be grasped by a user with a free proximal end and a cylindrical distal end with an aperture; a bristle pad, which is provided with a plurality of bristles; which have tips at a location remote from the brush body and the upper ends coupled to the bristle pad and located within the cylindrical lower wall of the brush body; a push plate, which is included with apertures receiving the bristles therethrough and included with an interior central rod extending through the central aperture of the brush body to an operator controlled push button secured to the upper end thereof; a spring within the upper cylindrical peripheral wall of the brush body adapted to push the push button away from the bristle pad and adapted to be contracted upon the depression of the push button to move the central rod downwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dissemination of food to a first animal when the first animal is disposed proximate the apparatus includes a container for receipt of the food and a transmitter that is attached to the first animal and a receiver that is operatively attached to the apparatus. The transmitter emits a signal continuously according to a preferred embodiment or a signal only when it is proximate the apparatus, according to a modification. The apparatus is adapted to receive and respond to the signal to allow access to the food in the container when the signal is present. When the signal is not received by the apparatus, access to the food in the container is denied.

Abstract: A clumping animal litter comprises an organic material, a surfactant, and a clumping agent. The clumping agent may be a combination of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and guar gum. The material may comprise 1–2% CMC, 3–6% guar gum, 1–5% surfactant, and the remainder wood fiber. The material is formed into pellets with a uniform distribution of the various ingredients. The pellets are then crumbled to improve absorption characteristics. The mixture results in a fully-biodegradable, organic-based litter product with improved clumping abilities, natural odor control, and ease of litter pan maintenance.

Abstract: A fishing rod holding apparatus which enables the fisherman to resist lateral and twisting loads imposed on the rod by a fish which is pulling the line from one side to the other. The apparatus comprises a forearm mounting section which is connected securely to the forearm, and a hand engagement section which engages the person's hand and also enables a gripping of the handle of the rod. The hand engagement apparatus is able to rotate about a side-to-side axis of rotation, but limits movement about a back-and-forth axis of rotation.

Abstract: An illuminated fish hook has a self-contained lithium polymer battery and light unit, preferably an LED, permanently attached thereto. The light unit is provided with an on/off switch. In an alternative embodiment the light unit is inserted directly, or a capsule containing the light unit is inserted, in a translucent fish lure.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical ice protection system implements three ice protection methods in various combinations. The ice protection methods include the fully-evaporative anti-ice protection method, the wet running anti-ice protection method, and the de-ice method. The particular methods that are implemented vary, depending on the particular aircraft structure for which ice protection is being provided and on the power condition of the aircraft.

Abstract: A horse-control device that allows a handler or rider to control the pressure exerted on the horse's nose and/or poll area is described. In one embodiment, the horse-control device comprises a halter that is worn on the horse's head. The halter includes a first, resilient nose band and second nose band that cooperate to regulate pressure applied to the horse's nose. When tension is applied to a lead line of the halter, the first nose band expands across the horse's nose and the second nose band applies concentrated pressure to the horse's nose. Upon removing tension from the lead line, the first nose band immediately contracts and causes the second nose band to immediately remove the pressure from the horse's nose. Also described is a strap component for a horse-control device that comprises a cable embedded within a flexible outer sheath.

Abstract: A net blanket for a horse for use as an easy-to-handle holding harness for flexible and easily replaceable attachment of a urine collecting device to the horse, which net blanket comprises a net (1) for covering the predominant part of the horse's rump, the net blanket at the sides reaching down to at most approximately the lower rump line and being closed or closable in front of the breast of the horse (2). The net blanket according to the invention is useful to flexibly suspend a urine collecting device for obtaining a natural mixture of conjugated estrogens from pregnant mares' urine.

Abstract: A drain, for example for an aircraft engine support strut, arranged on the trailing edge of the rear secondary structure of the strut. The drain includes a conduit with a substantially horizontal axis and a substantially rectangular cross-section, taken in a plane parallel to the trailing edge, the conduit closed at an outer extremity by a terminal portion with a substantially ogival cross-section taken in the axis of the conduit and including at least one opening for drainage with an elongated shape on at least one of the opposing lateral walls.

Abstract: A safety ensemble with inherent, highly visible radiance/luminosity and a releasable link to allow the animal to shed the ensemble if it becomes dangerously snagged. The ensemble takes the form of bridle, collar, halter or harness, for draping/encircling a portion of an animal's body, and includes at least one strap member, the opening or separation of which allows the animal to break free of the ensemble. The safety link is realized in disengaging-resetting elements, as well as frangible/breakable-replaceable types. Inherent high visibility is acquired through use of highly luminous, reflective or radiant materials in or placed on selective elements of any article of the invention.

Abstract: A one piece fabric wrap has multiple elongated pockets sewn into an inner surface. A cylindrical rope light or heat tape is positioned within the multiple pockets and hook and loop material is attached to an outer perimeter of the inside surface to provide closure of the fabric wrap around frost challenged plants. A drawstring attached along a bottom edge of the fabric wrap secures the assembled foliage wrap around the base of the plant.

Abstract: The bottom fish rig 12 has a strong leader 13 with a removable sliding c-weight 25 and a horizontal unilateral three-pronged hook 41 that resists snagging and reduces possible injuries. A horizontal unilateral three-pronged hook 41 differs from the standard treble hook by having all three barbs oriented upwards in a 180-degree plane and the hook 41 is designed to lie flat on the surface. An elongated leader 13 has a hook end 14 and a line end 16. The hook end 14 has a leader hook loop 18 and the leader line end 16 has a leader line loop 20. A first movement stop 22 is crimped to the leader 13 before the leader line loop 20. A second movement stop 24 is crimped to the leader about two-thirds of the length. A sliding c-weight 25 connects to the leader 13 between movement stops.

Abstract: A tether system for providing thrust to or power subsystems of an artificial satellite in a low earth orbit. The tether has three main sections, an insulated section connected to the satellite, a conducting section connected to the insulating section for drawing in and releasing electrons from the space plasma and a non-conducting section for providing a tension to the other sections of the tether. An oxygen resistant coating is applied to the bare wire of the conducting section as well as the insulated wires of the insulated section that prevents breakdown during tether operations in the space plasma. The insulated and bare wire sections also surround a high tensile flexible polymer core to prevent any debris from breaking the tether during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pet bed that includes a heating layer which is formed of an enclosure and a heating composition sealed inside the enclosure. The enclosure includes a gas-permeable section such that the heating composition generates heat when a gas is received through the gas-permeable section. The pet bed further includes (i) a liner attached to the heating layer to engage a pet as the pet lies on the pet bed; (ii) a conforming layer attached to the heating layer such that the conforming layer conforms to the shape of the pet as the pet lies on the pet bed; and/or (iii) a backing layer attached to the heating layer such that the backing layer restricts movement of the pet bed. The enclosure may further include a cover over the gas-permeable section such that the heating composition generates heat when the cover is removed from the enclosure.

Abstract: A cat scratching apparatus is disclosed. The cat scratching apparatus comprises a casing and first and second scratching surfaces. Each of the scratching surfaces is formed by superimposed edge portions of stacks of corrugated material. Further, each of the scratching surfaces is disposed within the casing such that each is opposing the other scratching surface. Additional scratching surfaces may also be added.

Abstract: A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provided on the payload. The rail includes a plurality of teeth, and the transfer mechanism includes a gear which interacts with the teeth for moving the rail. Two platforms may be positioned adjacent to each other for transferring a payload. Docking of the two platforms includes engagement of tapered pins and tapered holes on the platforms. In this manner, the grooves of the platforms are aligned. The rail is passed between the grooves of the platforms for transferring the payload between the platforms.

Abstract: A joint type minnow having a body which is formed so as to imitate a bait fish and divided into a main body portion and a tail portion so that the main body portion and the tail portion are mutually swingably joined to each other through a latch structure, is further equipped with a structure for regulating the mutual swing motion between the main body portion and the tail portion. The structure regulates the swing motion of the tail portion at a casting time to reduce air resistance, thereby avoiding reduction in flight distance of the lure.