Abstract: A roller assembly for smoothing an expanse of granular media such as golf bunker sand, snow, horse race track dirt, or other media. The assembly has one or more rollers having a longitudinal axis. Each roller includes wires spaced from the axis to define a roller surface. Each wire is resiliently flexible to distort inwardly in response to force of contact on, and to recover during release of force from, the granular media as the roller rotates about the axis on the granular media. A shaft extends along the axis of the roller assembly between the arms of a yoke with a handle extending therefrom. As the roller surface traverses the media, at least some of the media is flung outwardly of the roller, smoothing the expanse. The roller assembly may be manually operated or may be towed behind a towing apparatus.

Abstract: An agricultural motor vehicle able to connect to a variety of agricultural implements, and comprising a structural set having four parts: a lower chassis, an intermediate structure, a front complementary structure, and a rear complementary structure. The set is supported over a set of front traction wheels and a set of smaller rear wheels and also houses a vibrating sieve, above which is located a beating cylinder, the front edge of which connects to a concentrating guiding roller and a hinged inlet nozzle, as well as a cockpit and a grain dumper located over the set. Preceding the grain dumper is a clean grain collection gutter, a motor power set, a suction cleaning set, a clean grain elevator and lastly, a retractable side belt, whose lower edge is hinged at its midpoint and located on the upper edge of the intermediate structure.

Abstract: A towed agricultural working tool with a central frame element, a headstock and left and right hand side frame elements connected to the central frame element, each of the side elements supporting at least one processing unit, the central frame element being connected at, at least one connecting location for pivoting movement with respect to the headstock in which one or more friction elements are arranged between the central frame element and the headstock at one of the at least one connecting locations. This has as an advantage that the pivoting movement of the central frame with respect to the headstock, in particular due to induced yaw, is reduced.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a frame, an arm pivotally coupled to the frame at a first end of the arm, and a target element on the first end of the arm. The target element is configured to rotate with the arm, and includes an outer surface and a projection extending away from the outer surface. The agricultural machine also includes a first sensor fixed to the frame. The first sensor is configured to detect the outer surface. The agricultural machine also includes a second sensor fixed to the frame. The second sensor is configured to detect the projection.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for on-the-go monitoring and controlled feedback in a supplemental downforce application. Certain implementations provide real-time monitoring of furrow depth via contact and non-contact approaches, some of which are combined with gauge wheel feedback to calibrate and otherwise control the application of supplemental downforce to the row unit. A combination of sensor types are employed in collecting furrow depth measurements, which can be used to adjust the supplemental downforce through a control system module. A gauge wheel load sensor may be used to modify the application of supplemental downforce.

Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to fluid distribution systems. The fluid distribution systems being made up of a plurality of positive displacement pumps disposed on a fluid distribution manifold and proximate to the tank and the point of product discharge. The system optionally has a valve system for precision control of fluid discharge.

Abstract: Described herein is an agricultural row unit that has a knife disposed ahead of the gauge wheel for delivering material to soil adjacent to a trench. In one example, an agricultural toolbar includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame, and a knife disposed ahead of the wheel and comprising a material delivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a feedback assembly for a harvester useful for providing feedback regarding operation of one or more blade assemblies of the harvester. The feedback assembly comprises a chassis, one or more rods coupled to the chassis, and one or more tines rotatably coupled to the one or more rods. Each of the one or more tines defines an elongated body including a linear section extending from the one or more rods, and an angled section extending at an angle from the linear section. Each of the one or more tines is configured to hang substantially perpendicularly relative to a direction of travel of the harvester when in a non-actuated position. The one or more tines are configured to rotate away from the direction of travel of the harvester when in an actuated position.

Abstract: An articulating mower deck system. The system is adapted to disable power to a blade associated with the wing deck section before the wing deck section begins to lift—from an operating position toward a folded position—yet does not interfere with blade operation when the wing deck section floats relative to a center deck section during normal operation of the deck. Articulating decks of modular construction are also provided, allowing assembly of multiple deck widths with a minimum of modular deck sections.

Abstract: A lawn care device may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, a rotatable shaft, and a blade coupler operably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The blade coupler may define a blade channel configured to at least partially enclose four sides of a blade inserted therein. The blade coupler may include a support base and a sleeve that is movable relative to the support base based on a compression state of a biasing element. The blade may be insertable into the blade channel by orienting the blade to apply a force to sidewalls of the sleeve to shift the biasing element to a compressed state and rotating the blade proximate to the support base to enable the biasing element to shift to an extended state in which sidewalls of the sleeve define sidewalls of the blade channel.

Abstract: An attachment of a harvesting head of a combine is disclosed. The attachment includes a main body and a flange fixedly connected to the main body. The flange is connected to the main body at an angle and the flange has at least one mounting aperture. The flange is configured to be attached to the harvesting head of a combine by the at least one mounting aperture. When the flange is attached to the harvesting head of the combine and the combine is performing a harvesting operation, a furthest portion of the main body away from the flange is positioned above a lowest portion of the harvesting head from a ground surface.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a header connected to the chassis. The header includes a frame and a plurality of row units connected to the frame. Each row unit includes at least one gathering chain having a plurality of protuberances affixed thereto and a rotational path, and at least one hood connected to the frame. The header also includes a down crop gatherer mounted to the at least one hood and having a rotational path, and a drive unit mounted to the at least one hood, operably connected in between the at least one gathering chain and the down crop gatherer. The drive unit is configured for translating a respective movement of each protuberance as the plurality of protuberances rotate with the at least one gathering chain to drive the down crop gatherer.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a header connected to the chassis. The header includes a frame and at least one crop divider rotatably connected to the frame at an axis of rotation. The at least one crop divider is configured for dividing and lifting a crop material. The header also includes at least one drive unit mounted to the frame and operably connected to the at least one crop divider such that as the header is moved in a forward direction the at least one drive unit rotates the at least one crop divider about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a threshing system supported by the chassis. The threshing system includes a rotor, a housing surrounding at least a portion of the rotor and including at least one concave, and a concave adjustment and suspension device connected to the housing and configured for adjusting a position of the concave frame and relieving an impact force acting on the at least one concave. The concave adjustment and suspension device includes a torsion bar, a drive operably coupled to the main section of the torsion bar and configured for rotating the torsion bar to adjust the position of the concave frame, and at least one pneumatic spring mounted to the torsion bar and configured for compressing to relieve the impact force acting on the at least one concave.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including at least one threshing rotor and an auger bed located underneath the at least one threshing rotor. The auger bed has a working position and a cleaning position. The auger bed includes a frame, a plurality of augers rotatably coupled to and supported by the frame, and a trough portion moveably connected to the frame. In the working position the bottom surface of the trough portion is positioned underneath the plurality of augers and in the cleaning position the entire trough portion is moved relative to the frame so that the bottom surface of the trough portion is not positioned underneath at least a portion of the plurality of augers, creating an open space underneath the portion of the plurality of augers for allowing an unwanted material to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting cotton including a cotton accumulator configured to accumulate cotton removed from cotton plants. A feeder system of a cotton harvester is configured to move independently of the cotton accumulator and along a longitudinal direction. A round module builder system is configured to move along the longitudinal direction toward the feeder system, wherein the round module builder includes a contact member adapted to contact the feeder system to establish a working gap between the feeder system and the round module builder. A wrap floor is moved toward and into contact with the feeder system, which is spring biased to maintain a substantially consistent gap between the between the feeder system and round module builder. Cotton is directed toward the round module builder and a directing mechanism directs a wrap for wrapping the directed cotton into a round module.

Abstract: A method wherein secateurs provide shaped blades suitable for cutting the buds on the shoots of fruiting plants. In particular, the method is relative to secateurs with blades shaped for cutting the mother bud and the secondary buds of the shoots of grapevines in a simple and effective manner. The blades of the secateurs have in fact been designed so as to adapt them to the curvature of the cross section of the shoots.

Abstract: A pruner cleaning machine scrubs gummy sap and foreign matter from pruner blades inserted into its cleaning chamber. The machine includes a motor turning a drive shaft having scrubbers coupled thereon. The scrubbers have scrubbing surfaces facing each other and a scrubber barrel resides between the scrubbers. The motor is electronically controlled to provide adjustable regimens of duty cycles of scrubbing in forward and reverse directions and various speeds, and status lights may indicate power available, selected options, and in-process phases and completion of a cleaning regimen.

Abstract: A tree pruner has a connecting pole. The connecting pole is connected with a main body. The main body includes a blade seat and a blade pivotally connected to the blade seat. The main body is pivotally connected with a rotating wheel. The rotating wheel is connected with a pull member. The rotating wheel is rotatable relative to the main body by pulling the pull member. An end surface of the rotating wheel has a traction portion located away from a pivot axis of the rotating wheel. The blade has a drive arm extending outwardly. One end of a pull rod is pivotally connected to the traction portion. Another end of the pull rod is pivotally connected to the drive arm. By pulling the pull member, the rotating wheel is driven to rotate, and the pull rod is pulled to drive the blade to swing for performing cutting.

Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided a planter box having four generally rectangular side walls having opposite longitudinal ends of like vertical height and an upper end forming a top edge, a joint structure for joining the opposite ends of respective pairs of sidewalls together into a right angled wall structure and the wall structures into an upwardly open frame. The joint structure has a plurality of L-shaped corner flange plates at right angles to one another. When abutted against and releasably connected to the outwardly facing end portions of a pair of side walls the plates form one right angled wall structure. The plate includes fastening members for joining the structure together.

Abstract: There is provided a hydroponic growth system. The system comprises a reservoir including a lower chamber, an upper chamber, and a divider therebetween. The divider has a first aperture and a second aperture. The system includes an air blower in fluid communication with the lower chamber. Actuation of the air blower causes fluid from the lower chamber to pass through the first aperture and selectively flood the upper chamber. The valve inhibits communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber via the second aperture in a resting state. Upon actuation of the air blower, the valve moves to a flooding state in which communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber via the second aperture is promoted.

Abstract: An integrated fence irrigation and grow system is provided. The system includes one or more post members, one or more bed members disposed on the post members and an irrigation system coupled to a water supply and connected to each of the bed members to introduce water to each of the bed members. The bed members each include a tubular body having a top surface and a bottom surface. The tubular body is formed by a wall, and the wall defines an interior cavity in the bed member. The wall includes a plurality of openings disposed along a top surface of the bed members. When growing medium is disposed within the interior cavity of the bed members, plants planted in the growth medium in proximity to the openings grow therein, and foliage thereof is at least one of viewable and harvestable above the plurality of openings.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an irrigation system for an agricultural production area. The system receives wide-area meteorological prediction data and sensors deployed within the agricultural production area collect local-area sensor data. A processor stores received data as historical wide-area meteorological prediction data and data from the sensors as historical local-area sensor data. The processor determines a correlation between the historical wide-area meteorological prediction data and the historical local-area sensor data based on the historical wide-area meteorological prediction data and the historical local-area sensor data, and calculates a prediction on water supply relative to water demand within the agricultural production area based on current wide-area meteorological prediction data, and the calculated correlation.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating water for growing or vitally supporting plants, fungi, and/or aquatic animals are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes process fluid produced by plant transpiration or fungus respiration to generate water. Nutrients may be added to the water through hydroponic and aquaponic systems, then provided back to the plants in a closed loop. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.

Abstract: Methods and systems for commercial, sustainable and scalable indoor & outdoor farming can use aquaponics integrated with apiculture and breeding of Lepidoptera for pollination, renewable energy and heating sources, hybrid aquaculture and growing beds, vertical growing towers, specialized shipping container modules, and an optimal farm planning tool that can be placed in any environment and climate, in rural or urban areas and begin producing food and other crops within a few weeks.

Abstract: A system and method for generating high-yield plant production is disclosed. The system includes a container, a growing station, and a monitoring system. The growing station includes vertical racks, a lighting system, an irrigation system, a climate control system, and a ventilation system. The monitoring system monitors all of the systems in the growing station, as well as the environment within the container, to provide real-time data and alerts to a user.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of Spinach, NUN 06303 SPS as well as seeds and plants and leaves thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for breeding Brassica napus varieties and materials with a double haploid induction line of rapeseed, including: 1) determining target traits of breeding restorer lines, maintainer lines and conventional varieties of Brassica napus; 2) crossing or convergently crossing two or more Brassica napus with the target traits; 3) pollinating the cross or back-cross progenies with the double haploid induction line of rapeseed; 4) identifying the stability of the induced progenies; 5) performing test-cross identification or yield and resistance identification on the stable progenies; and 6) forming stable restorer lines and maintainer lines for cross breeding combination or for forming conventional varieties.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CE1660089, CE1660391, CL1560741, CL1560800, CL1561825, CL1562898, and CL1563663 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to soybean varieties CE1660089, CE1660391, CL1560741, CL1560800, CL1561825, CL1562898, and CL1563663 and to the seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny of each or any of these cultivars, and methods of using CE1660089, CE1660391, CL1560741, CL1560800, CL1561825, CL1562898, or CL1563663 in a breeding program.

Abstract: A Health Management System for automatic monitoring of dairy animal's health. The system including a method for mastitis detection through, at least, electrical conductivity measurement of milk powered by artificial intelligence analysis. In addition, an apparatus for automatically measuring electrical conductivity and temperature of milk, and milking time length, all from each teat of the animal separately. All information is transmitted for registering and statistics development remotely.

Abstract: A method and system for flushing an area of a robotic harvest dairy barn is presented. The method is based upon defining areas within the dairy barn that, by virtue of use of robots for “cow-initiated” milking will be maintained in a hygienically clean and dry condition with frequent flushings of short duration. The four areas of the barn felt to benefit from this frequent flushing including any of: an area immediately surrounding a robot; a holding area for staging cows for milking at the robot; a robot control room; and a milk collection room. In the relevant areas the flooring deck is configured to slope at its upper surface to define a drain area, the drain area including at least one grated drain positioned to collect any liquid deposited on the upper surface of the provided flooring deck. A collecting pipe network conducts liquid collected to a baffled tank.

Abstract: A method for suppressing the formation of ammonia comprising providing a carrier material to a container having a headspace; providing a bacteria, an acidifier and an odor inhibitor to the carrier material, the bacteria comprising Staphylococcus-xylosus or Staphylococcus-cohnii bacteria, and the odor inhibitor comprising a salt of an aminopolycarboxylic acid compound; and applying animal waste to the carrier material; wherein there is a 5 to 98 percent improvement of ammonia content in the headspace as compared to an untreated control comprising a container containing the carrier material and the bacteria and not contain the odor inhibitor.

Abstract: A detachable saddle bag pet carrier is disclosed. The carrier comprises a box-like container provided with an upper portion that forms part of the container top. The container includes a plurality of vent openings for circulating air flow inside the carrier. The carrier further comprises a lid hinged to the upper portion of the container. The lid includes one or more air vents that could be adjusted from wide open position to fully closed position. The upper portion comprises a skylight mounted on the lid through which a pet could see the outside environment. The carrier is further provided with a removable foam backed carpet placed underneath the container for the pet. The carrier is mounted on the vehicle using a frame assembly to hold the carrier to the vehicle, thereby a user carries the pet within the carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to a pet habitat. The present disclosure describes a universal sill mountable device for mounting to a sill and a window, where the structure of windows and window systems vary. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a sill mountable device that includes selectably positionable leg for universal mounting, where the leg is affixed based at least in part on the width of the sill, so that the platform maintains a substantially horizontal posture when the device is mounted to a window.

Abstract: A pet securing device (1) comprises a holder (10) for releasably retaining a pet lead and a post (12) for insertion into the ground. The holder (10) is rotatable relative to the post (12). A kit of parts comprises a holder (10) for releasably retaining a pet lead and at least one post (12) for inserting into the ground, wherein the holder (10) is releasably attachable to the post (12) and the holder (10) is rotatable relative to the post (12) when attached to the post (12).

Abstract: A heating and/or cooling device such as a strap or blanket that can actively heat or cool the body of a domestic animal that is used to keep the domestic animal warm or cool, such as for increasing the production of milk in cold or hot weather, respectively

Abstract: An equine motion tracking assembly for remotely monitoring horse training includes a plurality of sleeves that is each worn around an associated one of a horse's legs. A plurality of tracking units is provided and each of the tracking units is coupled to an associated one of the sleeves. Each of the tracking units tracks motion of the horse during training exercises. Additionally, each of the tracking units is in wireless communication with an extrinsic electronic device thereby facilitating the training exercises to be remotely monitored.

Abstract: A device by which electronic components such as a sound maker, motion sensor, battery, or time delay can be incorporated safely into a chewable dog toy by encasing them in a sound-permeable, indestructible housing which is safe for creatures and resistant to wear.

Abstract: A pet location monitoring and deterrent system is provided. The system includes a first pet collar assembly that transmits a first RF signal. The system includes a first pillar assembly having a first control module, a first RF receiver module, an infrared photodetector array, a first wireless transceiver circuit, and a first warning light. The system includes a second pillar assembly having a second control module, a second RF receiver module, an infrared phototransmitter array, and a second wireless transceiver circuit. The first and second pillar assemblies are disposed a predetermined distance apart from one another such that a warning area is defined in front of and proximate to the first and second pillar assemblies and a keep-out area is defined behind and proximate to the first and second pillar assemblies.

Abstract: A poultry transport system and method involving at least one frame structure configurable for baseless suspension in which said system and method may include a frame structure top of a first frame structure engageable to a frame structure bottom of a second frame structure to form paired frame structures.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a chicken coop system having a housing defining an opening and a door movably engaged with the housing to suitably close and open the opening. A linear actuator is arranged to open and close the door after receiving manual or automated input from a controller.

Abstract: A draw-ramp egg-teeter-totter wild-animal-shield chicken coop, comprising: a first and a second and a third and a fourth roosting walls attached to one another, a roosting roof attached to the first and the second and the third and the fourth roosting wall, a passage opening formed in the fourth roosting wall, a first nesting wall attached to the third roosting wall along the opposite passage-opening edges, a second nesting wall attached to the first nesting wall, a third nesting wall attached to the second nesting wall, a slanted nesting floor attached to the first nesting wall and the third nesting wall, a teeter-totter axle attached to the slanted nesting floor, an automatic egg-collecting teeter-totter seesawingly attached to the teeter-totter axle, an automatic egg-laying indicator attached to one of the two opposite teeter-totter ends, a teeter-totter-angle-adjusting screw threadedly attached to another one of the two opposite teeter-totter ends, a draw-ramp opening formed in the first roosting wall, tw

Abstract: Method, System and Apparatus of a Corner Seam Reinforcing Brace.

Abstract: As with conventional units, it can be produced at any range of sizes and shapes in both glass and acrylic versions. The whole concept idea is to eliminate any apparatus attachment from the inside space of an aquarium obstructing the habitat or aqua-scape and to give best performance to all new aquariums. For its simplicity and safe operation, it does not require any combination of chambers or attachments that require assembling or connections between them via bulkheads, fittings or any other sort of plumbing in order to enable water into the external box and drain down into a filtration system to create its cycle and be pumped back up again to the aquarium. It will differ through its incorporations of a series of short, vertically oriented, narrow slots arranged in a horizontal row at a point near the upper end of its rear panel.

Abstract: This application provides: a non-human animal that comprises a mouse artificial chromosome comprising a human antibody heavy chain gene or gene locus, a human antibody light chain ? gene or gene locus, and/or a human antibody light chain ? gene or gene locus, and in which endogenous antibody genes or gene loci corresponding to at least 2 human antibody genes or gene loci have been knocked out, wherein the animal can be stably retained through generations and can produce human antibodies; a method for producing the non-human animal; and a method for producing human antibodies using the non-human animal.

Abstract: Genetically modified cells, tissues, and organs for treating or preventing diseases are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the genetically modified cells and non-human animals.

Abstract: Human or humanized tissues and organs suitable for transplant are disclosed herein. Gene editing of a host animal provides a niche for complementation of the missing genetic information by donor stem cells. Editing of a host genome to knock out or debilitate genes responsible for the growth and/or differentiation of a target organ and injecting that animal at an embryo stage with donor stem cells to complement the missing genetic information for the growth and development of the organ. The result is a chimeric animal in which the complemented tissue (human/humanized organ) matches the genotype and phenotype of the donor. Such organs may be made in a single generation and the stem cell may be taken or generated from the patient's own body. As disclosed herein, it is possible to do so by simultaneously editing multiple genes in a cell or embryo creating a “niche” for the complemented tissue.

Abstract: It is well known that light attracts fish at night, and that any artificial fishing light attractor is preferably submersible to avoid significant amounts of light being reflected off the surface of the water. Single-use glow sticks are known to be used as submersible fishing light attractors; however, these cannot be turned off, can be used only once, and are often of relatively low intensity. The present invention provides a powered light source with an intensity higher than conventional glow sticks that may be attached to fishing lines. To achieve this, the light source is configured such that, when the light source is placed at depth, external water pressure acts to increase sealing against ingress of water.

Abstract: A quick release fishing trolling flasher lure having a front end and back end, with a receiver affixed to the back end and secured head affixed to the front end and one or more hooks connected to the secured head. In operation, the added tension of a fish on a hook causes the receiver and the secured head to separate releasing the tension along the line of the flasher, reducing the movement of the flasher and related interference with keeping a fish on the line.