Abstract: A tie-out post that provides a point of connection that is fixed at a location and is capable of rotating 360 degrees around that location in either direction. When used as a pet tie-down it provides the pet with freedom to move in any direction, is not apt to entanglement, does not provide a scenario where the pet may damage the device by pulling in opposite direction of point of connection, and is not apt to wear and tear. The tie-out post includes a ground spike to be inserted in the ground and a detachable and rotatable connection head to be located on the surface of the ground. The connection head includes a connector (fully enclosed) that is centered thereon and is capable of rotating therearound. The placement of the connector at the top of the connection head minimizes the size and diameter of the tie-out post.

Abstract: A quick and easy way of combining items needed for connecting and securing tents and tarps to a stake in the ground is provided. The stake has an elongated metal shaft with the bottom of the shaft tapered into a triangular shape for easily entering the ground. First and second sets of slots may be located on front and back surfaces of the shaft, respectively. Flexible pins may be inserted into a slot on the front surface of the shaft and extend out a corresponding slot on the back surface of the shaft. A user then bends the portion of the flexible pin extending out the back surface for added gripping strength of the stake when inserted into the ground. The stakes may include a wire or cable connected to a fastener which is used to secure the tent, tarp or tarp like item to the stake.

Abstract: An anchor for securing an object to a ground surface includes a lower portion having a screw thread extending from a bottom end to a top end thereof. A neck portion extends above the lower portion, is devoid of the screw thread, and terminates at a top end thereof at a first collar. A first loop of a flexible tether is fixed about the neck portion and confined thereto by the first collar and the screw thread. A second opposing loop of the tether is sized to accept the lower portion therethrough, including the thread, but not the first collar. With the tether fixed about the object and the bottom end of the lower portion traversing the second loop as the anchor is screwed into the ground surface, the loops are fixed about the neck portion with the tether secures the object to the ground surface.

Abstract: There is provided an adjustable fastening device configured to engage a support to provide a tether for the attachment of a tensioned line. The adjustable fastening device includes a plate, and an adjustable collar configured to extend around the support and securely engage with the plate in operation. There is also provided a tensioning mechanism configured to seat against the support and extend in length to drive the support and the plate apart in operation when the plate is securely engaged with the collar. In this way the plate is moved away from the support to thereby securely engage the collar against the support on an opposed side of the support from the tensioning mechanism. The tensioning mechanism includes a rigidly connected foot.

Abstract: The device may be coupled to a tractor and comprises a housing comprising vertical walls and a sliding arrangement, and a shaft, base plate, stabilizing portion, motor, and bit assembly. A coupling plate may be coupled to a cooperative coupling plate of the tractor. The shaft extends vertically from the motor to the base plate. The bit assembly is coupled to the lower end of the shaft. The stabilizing portion comprises a tubular member extending from the baseplate. The method of removing a tree comprising a trunk and roots, the roots being below ground, comprises the steps of engaging the trunk with a stabilizer; bending said trunk with the stabilizer; securing the trunk with said stabilizer; inserting a rotating bit into the ground; driving the rotating bit into an area occupied by said roots; and engaging said roots with the rotating bit assembly.

Abstract: The retractable leash support includes a bracket mounted on a rotatable platform the rotatable platform being mountable to any fixed structure. The bracket has two extension tubes spaced for receiving the grip portion of a typical retractable pet leash, the extension tubes also being adapted to accommodate a plate having complementary tubes that fit over the extension tubes to secure the pet leash between the bracket and plate. The extension tubes and complementary tubes of the plate have holes that can be aligned. Pins are inserted into the aligned holes to lock the pet leash grip securely in the leash support.

Abstract: A pet tether apparatus is described, comprising a stake assembly configured to receive a tether. The stake assembly has a tether attachment piece configured to rotate around a vertical axis of the stake assembly. A flexible rod having a first end and a second end, is attached to the tether attachment piece at its first end. A tether feeding top assembly is attached to the flexible rod at the second end of the rod and is configured for connection to a pulley for feeding of a tether. The pet tether apparatus is configured for attachment of a tether to the stake assembly and conduction of the tether through the tether feeding top assembly so that a user may attach the tether to the collar of a pet so as to confine the pet to a predetermined area while minimizing the risk of entanglement of the tether. Other variants are described.

Abstract: A tethering stake includes a rod having a point at one end thereof and a driving cap at an opposite end. A collar is fixed to the rod adjacent to and spaced from the driving cap, thus providing a neck to receive a tether line or chain. A cap cover is slidingly received upon the rod and is adapted to be selectively engaged with the collar. The cap cover includes a central circular aperture with a radial slot extending therefrom. The centrally positioned aperture and slot allow the cover to assume a position substantially parallel to the rod during shipment and storage, while allowing it to take a position substantially orthogonal to the rod when the rod is driven into the ground.

Abstract: The retractable leash support includes a bracket mounted on a rotatable platform the rotatable platform being mountable to any fixed structure. The bracket has two extension tubes spaced for receiving the grip portion of a typical retractable pet leash, the extension tubes also being adapted to accommodate a plate having complementary tubes that fit over the extension tubes to secure the pet leash between the bracket and plate. The extension tubes and complementary tubes of the plate have holes that can be aligned. Pins are inserted into the aligned holes to lock the pet leash grip securely in the leash support.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for restraining an animal involves urging a spool containing a flexible tension link connectable to the animal, to retract the flexible tension link into a housing to which the spool is mounted. Movement of the spool in a direction associated with retraction of the flexible tension link disengages a brake urged into braking engagement with the spool, and causes the brake to engage with a lock operably configured to lock the brake in an unengaged position. The flexible tension link is permitted to be dispensed from the spool when the brake is in the unengaged position, and a hand operated actuator on the housing can release the lock to permit the brake to engage the spool to stop dispensing the flexible tension link in response to actuation of the hand operated actuator. The process further involves enabling a spool-operated actuator to release the lock to permit the brake to engage the spool to stop dispensing the flexible tension link.

Abstract: An adjustable tethering device for various objects, including horses and other animals, includes a tie arm attachment structure, an elongated tie arm, a brace and a support structure which includes a bearing surface. The tie arm has one end pivotally attached to the tie arm attachment structure. The other end of the tie arm has an attachment point to which a lead of the object being restrained, such as a horse, may be attached. One end of the brace is pivotally attached to the tie arm between the tie arm attachment structure and the attachment point. The opposite end of the brace is supported by the bearing surface of the support structure when the tie arm is in an elevated position. In one embodiment, the tie arm attachment structure and the support structure comprise a single C channel. When used on a structure such as a trailer the adjustable tethering device may be adjusted between a travel position and one or more elevated positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for amusement of pet animals, which includes a base member, a stand mounted on the base member, a first arm mounted on the stand, a drive member mounted on the first arm, a second arm mounted on the first arm and engageable with the drive member so as to be movable by the drive member, a rotatable member connected to an end portion of the second arm and an object which is suspended from the rotatable member and which is swingable by the rotatable member upon movement of the second arm by the drive member.

Abstract: A system for leashing dogs at any one of a plurality of locations comprises a first exterior hollow post having a circular cross-section positioned in the ground with a lower end beneath the ground and an upper end adjacent to ground level; a second interior hollow post slidably received within the exterior post, the interior post being of a length no greater than the length of the exterior post, a carriage bolt slidably received within the interior post having a head of a diameter greater than the external diameter of the interior post; and a coupling component having a large aperture received by the carriage bolt and retained in position between the upper edge of the interior post and the head of the carriage bolt. The coupling component also includes a small aperture and an associated chain link. The chain link has screw threads at its opposed ends with a threaded exterior member adapted to be rotated to expose and close an opening between the link ends thereadjacent.