Abstract: A birdcage is disclosed that includes a collapsible cage having an opening adapted to be coupled to a support wherein the support is adapted to support at least one of a feeder and a waterer so that a bird in the cage may be provided at least one of food and water while being blocked from exiting the cage via the opening. The birdcage also includes a base adapted to receive and support the cage, wherein the base includes side walls that extend out beyond a perimeter of the cage and are flared upwardly and outwardly relative to the cage so as to be disposed to catch debris expelled from within the cage.

Abstract: A pet bowl assembly which provides protection for the food from birds by means of a swinging cover and protection from crawling insects by means of a water channel surrounding the food bowl. A pet watering dish, which provides fresh drinking water from the water channel. The water dish is sufficiently sized to allow the pets lapping to clean the bowl during each use. A combination of the food bowl and watering dish which provides protection form birds, crawling insects and contaminated drinking water. Means are provided to allow for internal cleaning of the assembly, means for use in larger constructions, means for lifting the food from the ground and means for providing food and water for extended periods of time.

Abstract: Interoperable aerial refueling apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a receptacle configured to fluidly receive a terminal portion of a refueling boom is coupled to a refueling drogue. A retainer is coupled to an aircraft that removably retains the receptacle when the aircraft is refueling another aircraft configured to directly engage the boom. The receptacle releases the receptacle when the terminal portion of the boom engages the receptacle so that an aircraft that receives the refueling drogue may be refueled. In another embodiment, a method includes providing fuel to a first receiving aircraft that receives fuel by directly coupling to an end of a refueling boom. The method further includes, while the tanker aircraft is in flight, configuring the boom to supply fuel to a second receiving aircraft having a refueling probe operable to receive fuel from a drogue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automated milking of dairy cattle employing live capture of the teats of a dairy cow without requiring identification of a particular dairy cow or the prior knowledge of the location of the individual teats. The live capture milking apparatus locates the individual teats of a dairy cow and attaches a teatcup to the teat without the need for human intervention. After the milking operation is completed, the live capture milking apparatus returns to a home position where cleaning and sanitization the milking equipment occurs.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is a method of reducing ungulate pressure on burned sub-areas within a mosaic burn area. The method comprises identifying an unburned sub-area within the mosaic burn area and providing at least one highly palatable, portable, self-limiting, animal feed supplement in the first unburned sub-area. The highly palatable, portable, self-limiting, animal feed supplement attracts the ungulates to the first unburned sub-area and increases the length of the ungulates' stay in the first unburned sub-area. The ungulates are attracted to the first unburned sub-area by the supplement in preference to the burned sub-area with new growth.

Abstract: A landing arrangement for an aircraft comprises an aircraft support assembly (22) to support the aircraft (10) when the aircraft is on the ground. The aircraft support assembly (2) is movable between a first ground engaging condition (22b) in which the aircraft nose (24) is spaced above the ground by a first distance (X) and a second ground engaging condition (22C) in which the aircraft nose (24) is spaced above the ground by a second distance (Y). The second distance (Y) is less than the first distance (X).

Abstract: The invention refers to an arrangement and a method for milking of animals. The arrangement includes a number of milking stations (1). Each milking station includes a set of teatcups to be attached to the animal to be milked, a local milk-collecting unit, a local milk discharge conduit (10) and a local feeding member. At least a first main milk conduit (31) is arranged to connect each local milk discharge conduit (10) to a central milk-receiving unit (30) for the transport of milk from each milking station (1) to the central milk-receiving unit. Each local feeding member is arranged to feed the milk by pressure from the local milk-collecting unit to the central milk-connecting unit via the local milk discharge conduit (10) and the first main milk conduit.

Abstract: A collar to which is mounted an illumination source and one or more insets. Each of one or more light-transferring fibers includes a first end coupled for receiving light from the illumination source, and a second end coupled for transmitting light to an inset.

Abstract: A self-cleaning litter apparatus that separates and extracts clumped litter waste material from litter material contained therein during use includes a chamber adapted to contain a quantity of litter material. The chamber is rotatable about a centrally disposed axis. A rake is disposed within the chamber. The rake is rotatable about an axis which is spaced apart from the chamber axis. A drive assembly is provided for simultaneously rotating the chamber about the chamber axis and for rotating the rake about the rake axis. The rake sweeps through the litter material while clumped litter waste material is directed toward the rake by rotation of the chamber to thereby separate clumped litter waste material from the litter material in the chamber, collect the separated clumped litter material in the rake and extract the separated clumped litter material from the chamber.

Abstract: A downrigger apparatus to hold a fishing line at a selected fishing depth in game fish inhabited water, and a sound emitting device attached to the downrigger cable of the downrigger apparatus. The downrigger apparatus includes a reel and a downrigger cable spooled on the reel. The free end of the downrigger cable extends to a depth beyond the selected fishing depth. A downrigger weight is attached at the free end of the cable. A sound emitting device is attached to the downrigger cable and emits sounds attractive to the fish. Sound waves travel through the water a range extending beyond the visual range of the fish. Fish, although out of visual range of the lure, detect the sound and travel toward the source. The fish eventually comes in to visual range of the lure being trolled behind the fishing boat. The fish is attracted to and takes the lure. The sound emitting device can generate intermittent sounds.

Abstract: A spinning decoy device for use by hunters to attract birds, such as ducks and geese, has at least one decoy deployed in an elevated position, and a motorized system for spinning the decoy(s) so as to attract the birds. The motorized system, in a preferred embodiment, spins the decoy(s) in a circular motion. To further add realism to the device, the wings of each decoy are rotatable.

Abstract: A claw cutter incorporates a sensor device and scan system technology into a hand-held trimming device that locates the location for a proper cut, avoiding cutting the quick and avoiding pain to the animal. The scan system technology may include a light sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an intensity transducer. A control circuit determines the position status of the cutting device and via audible and or visual alert advises the clipper operator that the clippers are positioned in either an unsafe zone or a safe zone for cutting the claw.

Abstract: A portable animal exercising device that includes a plurality of individual panel members engageable in a manner sufficient for assembling inner and outer boundaries that define a width therebetween to create a circular exercise path for the animal. At least one animal-prodding curtain is configured and dimensioned for sufficiently spanning the width of the path so that the animal cannot pass between the curtain and the inner and outer boundaries. A central, rotatable drive member is provided for advancing the curtain along the path at a selectable, predetermined speed corresponding to the desired movement of the animal along the path, with the drive member being mounted upon a support that is portable for removably positioning the drive member at a desired location. Also, a radially extending arm is releasably connected between the drive member and curtain.

Abstract: The invention provides controlled release compositions for treatment of parasitic mites in honeybees, the compositions composed of a covalently crosslinked polymer gel and an active agent that includes a salt of formic acid. The invention also provides methods for controlling parasitic mites in honeybees, the methods involving treating the honeybees with a controlled release composition composed a covalently crosslinked polymer gel and an active agent that includes a salt of formic acid. The invention further provides a kit for treatment of parasitic mites in honeybees, the kit including an envelope that contains a controlled release composition of the invention. Optionally, the active agent can include formic acid.

Abstract: A novel animal shelter or habitat is constructed from substantially rigid foam insulation for protecting a small pet from extreme temperatures outdoor or in semi-protected locations. The habitat preferably comprises side walls, a roof and floor constructed from rigid foam board, and has an appropriately sized portal on one side to minimize heat loss, thus providing for rapid warming and comfort via the retention of the animals own body heat.

Abstract: Provided is an aerodynamic body having rhomboid wings and internal torsion bars which can be twisted to affect a change in the shape of a wing. Individual or multiple swings can slide relative to the fuselage body to affect a change in sweep angle and aspect ratio. Provided is a method of controlling the aerodynamic properties, in order to affect stability and maneuvering, of an aerodynamic body by warping the wings by twisting one or more torsion bars located internal to one or more wings. Additional control can be exercized by sliding one of more wings relative to the fuselage to change the sweep angle and aspect ratio.

Abstract: The animal wrap for touch training is a combination of a front body portion harnessing the lower neck, forelegs, and the chest, and a rear body portion that has rear leg loops. The two wrap segments can be joined to each other by hook and loop fastening, and the leg loops are wrapped around the forelegs and hind legs and secured by hook and loop fastening material. No leash is used, as touch training is designed to apply gentle pressure to the animal's body. The front and rear portions are made from elastic fabric. The animal wrap kit includes a tail wrap and a face wrap in addition to the body portions. The face wrap is wrapped around on the head or face to bring awareness to the head region. The tail wrap is worn to either raise or lower a tail and bring awareness to the rear region of the animal.

Abstract: A retracting and locking leash housing includes a casing (30) and a handle (28). A pair of connectors (32) space the casing (30) from the handle (28) and define a finger (34) opening. A trigger (38) includes a gripping portion (48) and a locking portion (46) and is slidably supported for rectilinear movement. The gripping portion (48) and the locking portion (46) are connected by arms (50), which are coextensive with the connectors (32) about the finger (34) opening. A spool (36) is rotatably disposed in the casing (30) and includes a circle of teeth (58) and a finger (34) extends from the locking portion (46) to engage the circle of teeth (58) when the trigger (38) is moved rectilinearly to a locking position to prevent rotation of the spool (36).

Abstract: Game bird decoy having movable wings that exhibit a lifelike simulation of a game bird in flight. The invention also comprises a kit that can be assembled to form a game bird decoy and a method for using the kit and decoy.

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.