Abstract: A grill member for use in a poultry feeder assembly has a generally curved rim member having an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of the grill member and a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to a generally planar lower edge of the rim member without the need to adjust the grill member. The grill member also is configured to be rotated relative to a rotationally stable drop tube member in order to change both a position of a brood gate defined in the drop tube member relative to a base portion of a pan member and a height of a feed gate provided between a distal end of the drop tube member and the base portion of the pan member in order to control the flow of feed into the pan member through the brood gate and the feed gate.

Abstract: A mobile, indoor, sit-and-plant gardening station that provides individuals with the year round opportunity to enjoy their love of plants and gardening well into their later years in life and enables them to garden sitting down.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a turboprop under an aircraft wing includes a rigid structure provided with an aft underwing box, and at least one forward rigid section. Each forward rigid section has two transverse frames at a spacing from each other. At least one forward rigid section of the rigid structure also includes at least one forward upper box connecting a top part of the two transverse frames of the forward rigid section.

Abstract: One advantageous embodiment of the present invention is an integrated transport system (14) for moving an object (20) in an aircraft (10) between a main cabin (16) and an overhead cabin (18) via a shaft (24) in connection therebetween. This integrated transport system (14) includes a single-unit gantry-lift device (42) with an object carrier (32) for receiving the object (20). This object carrier (32) has one or more restraint members (34, 38) for securing the object (20) in the object carrier (32) and preventing the object (20) from inadvertently tipping or falling out of the object carrier (32). In this embodiment, the single-unit gantry-lift device (42) further includes a lift device (46) for moving the object carrier (32) generally along a longitudinal axis (22) of the shaft (24) and a gantry device (44) for moving the object carrier (32) generally along a first axis (26) of the overhead cabin (18) and/or a second axis (28), which is disposed generally perpendicular to the first axis (26).

Abstract: An aircraft having a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) propulsion system. The aircraft includes a fuselage, the VTOL propulsion system, at least one forward thruster, a power source used for both the VTOL propulsion system and forward thruster, fore and aft wings and a plurality of spars attached to and spanning the space between the two wings. The VTOL propulsion system includes a plurality of VTOL cells (including a motor, motor controller, and propeller) attached in a spaced relation along each spar. The VTOL cells are used exclusively for vertical flight or hovering and are powered down as the aircraft develops forward flight velocity and corresponding wing lift. During forward flight the VTOL propellers are articulated to allow the aircraft to take on a low drag configuration. The present invention is suitable for use in manned or un-manned aircraft of any scale.

Abstract: A rapid deployment system has an inflatable landing tube with an inflatable exit slide coupled to an aircraft. Connectors couple the landing tube to the aircraft. Flexible retarders extend inward from the inner surface of the tube for retarding gravitational descent of cargo and/or personnel from the aircraft. The tube has tubular segments, with ribs and reinforcements, forming a continuous descent tube. A spine along the tube is retractable telescopically allowing for the tube to be retracted within the aircraft. The tube is connected to exterior edges of any exit port of the aircraft. A window coaming adapter is positioned around the exterior edges and a membrane extending between sides of the adapter expands with the landing tube as the landing tube is inflated. The membrane is of multiple layers with expansion cells between adjacent layers for allowing independent expansion of the layers. The entry port has a shield behind the membrane and connected to the aircraft for protecting the membrane.

Abstract: A method is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.

Abstract: An enclosure is provided having openings for allowing entry of rodents into the enclosure. There is arranged one or more applicators in the form of a suspended flexible web configured to contact rodents entering the chamber and having a chemical on the web for application to the rodents.

Abstract: Precut, production blank components can be folded manually to form a birdhouse without the need for tools or other aids in assembly, even where the blank components are manufactured from metal, rigid plastic or the like. The precut blank components include a one-piece main panel and a detached panel. The one-piece panel includes a rear section, a base section, first and second side sections, and a top section. Each section includes precut slots, tabs and hinges that act as folding guides, allowing the blank to easily fold into a structure defining an enclosure like the birdhouse. The detached panel then is mounted to the so constructed main panel to cover the enclosure and thereby complete the birdhouse.

Abstract: A device for interacting with biota either on a pre-specified schedule or via actuation by remote signal. Preferably, the biota are fauna and more particularly fish. In selected embodiments, it comprises frangible packaging enclosing means for timing interaction, at least part of the means for programming the device and means for opening the packaging. In select embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is inserted in fish. Specific examples of the present invention are implanted in triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to facilitate control of aquatic weeds in bodies of water. When the carp have been in the water for a pre-specified period or, alternatively, long enough to effectively control the target aquatic plants, toxins in the device are dispensed to kill them. Otherwise, the carp may destroy all vegetation and harm the aquatic environment for other aquatic life.

Abstract: A removable cap assembly having a cap, a stopper and a sipper tube. The cap has a curved side wall which has an inner and outer surface. From this wall extends a top portion. A boss extends perpendicularly from the top portion. The boss has a bottom portion and a top portion. A circumferential rib extends perpendicularly from the top portion of the boss. The boss and rib define an opening in the cap. A stopper is provided that is dimensioned to seal the opening of the cap. The stopper is maintained in the cap by the boss and circumferential rib. The stopper includes a disc-shaped base and a cylindrical wall portion that extends therefrom. Additionally, a first groove that is dimensioned to receive the bottom portion of the boss is positioned in the base around the wall portion. Also, a second circumferential groove is positioned in the top portion of the wall portion. This second, groove is dimensioned to receive the rib. The stopper has a hole for receiving a sipper tube.

Abstract: A long-haul airplane has a private cabin for the pilots within a storage compartment disposed on a floor below the flight deck. The private cabin is in communication with the flight deck through an opening in the floor.

Abstract: An animal insecticide applicator is presented. The applicator includes a bag for holding a quantity of insecticide, the bag having a top, two sides and a bottom. The bag is formed of a first layer of coarse mesh material through which powder insecticide can pass. A rigid tubular support is coupled with and extends across the top of the bag. A first tie rope is secured to and extends at least partially across a first side of the bag and then through the tubular support in a first direction. This tie rope terminates in a length which is hanging free at a second side of the bag. The second tie rope is secured to and extends at least partially along the second side of the bag. This tie rope is passed through the tubular support in the opposite direction of the first tie rope and includes the length hanging free at the first side of the bag. In one embodiment the applicator also includes couplers for joining two identical bags together.

Abstract: An arrangement of individual seats for passengers in an aircraft, comprising a plurality of seats which can be converted into beds and disposed in rows, and comprising two lateral groups (3a; 13a) of two contiguous rows, each group being disposed along a wall (4) of the aircraft fuselage, and at least one central group (3b; 13b) of two contiguous rows, the said central group being separated from each of the lateral groups by a gangway. Each lateral group comprising, between two consecutive groups in a first row, and a pitch (P1) able to allow transverse passage for the passengers in the other row. The at least one central group comprising, between two adjacent seats in the same row, and a pitch (P2) less than the pitch provided in the lateral groups.

Abstract: A trolling release device for use during fishing. A ring of the device has an aperture formed between sidewalls and a slit in one of the sidewalls for extending a line through the sidewall. A handle is mounted to the ring and has peripheral sidewalls with an aperture formed between the sidewalls and a slit in one of the sidewalls of the handle. A string is attached to a fishing line at one end and the opposite end is inserted into the handle aperture. When a fish strikes a lure on the fishing line, the string is cut, thereby releasing the fishing line.

Abstract: A pet transporter that can be towed behind a wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The pet transporter comprises a carrier member, a frame adapted to receive the carrier member, a pair of side bows attached to the side walls of the carrier and to the frame, a pair of wheel assemblies attached to the frame on opposite sides of the carrier, and an attachment arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to be attached to the frame proximate the front wall of the carrier and the second end is adapted to releasably attach to a rear axle of a wheeled vehicle. The pet transporter has a low center of gravity, making tipping of the pet transporter more difficult. In addition, few tools are required to assemble and disassemble the pet transporter.

Abstract: A ventilating and particle-filtering airflow system, and related methodology, for managing the flow of air to the brush region of an on-board aircraft (vehicle) electrical generator. Conduit structure collects intaken air during aircraft (vehicle) engine operation, filters this air to capture and prevent the passage of particles, and directs filtered airflow to that brush region. Water drainage is provided for in a region near where filtering takes place. The filtered airflow is substantially the only airflow admitted to this region.

Abstract: An animal litter box which is configured to urge an animal toward a desired orientation in the litter box. The litter box includes a floor, a sidewall extending upward from the floor to define an interior of the litter box, which sidewall has an interior sidewall surface facing the interior of the litter box, and a cue associated with a selected portion of the interior sidewall surface, which cue urges the animal toward the desired orientation.

Abstract: An elongated housing for use with an airbag module is provided. The housing comprises a first wall, a second wall, a bottom wall joining the first and second walls such that a first width is defined by the housing, and a cushion deployment opening opposite the bottom wall. The cushion deployment opening is between a first edge of the first wall and a second edge of the second wall. The cushion deployment opening has a second width that is between about 90 percent of the first width and about 30 percent of the first width.

Abstract: A retractable dog leash system is designed to attach to the collar of a pet and be permanently worn in this manner is small and lightweight, and comprises an ergonomic handle that fits neatly against the case when the leash is in a retracted condition. Advantageously, the leash system comprises a leash retraction biasing mechanism that is free on one end permitting an unwinding of the biasing mechanism and not merely a tightening of it.