Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Doskocil Mfg. Co., Inc.

Doskcoil Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Douglas J Sharp

E W Smith

Benjamin L Doskocil

Melaney Northrop

Melaney L Northrop

John F Nelson

Edward Gayowski

The apparatus is a carrier tape reel assembly formed of two reel halves. The reel halves include hub portions which further include male detent elements which are rotationally symmetric with each other and likewise include female detent elements which are rotationally symmetric with each other. The male and female detent elements, however, include rotationally asymmetric elements to assure that the two halves are properly aligned so that the open tape slots of the two reel halves are properly aligned. The male and female detent elements are further engaged by a longitudinal motion, without the need for rotational movement during engagement. Stacking apertures are formed rotationally midway between adjacent detent elements to permit the stacking of reel halves, whereby the reel halves are facing in the same direction, but are rotated so that the male detent elements pass through the stacking apertures free of detent engagement.

Carrier tape reel assembly

The present invention provides an edging strip with integrally molded stakes. The strip of the invention is a single, integrally molded piece, greatly simplifying construction, packaging, shipping, and assembly by the end user. Each strip will present an independent and usable item containing within the one piece the components necessary to position and attach the strip within the ground and to link it with other strips as desired. The integral stakes each also have broad top surfaces which provide a hammering surface for inserting the strip within the ground. The strip uses interlocking semi-stakes at its end points to connect with other strips, providing a full hammering surface when interlocked and providing anchoring points at the points of connection. The disclosed invention may also include support ribs with catches or ledges which act to resist the effects of frost heave and reduce unintentional removal of the strip from the ground. The support ribs do not extend to the top of the strip, leaving a blank panel section which may be used during the molding process to form various possible decorative sections to improve the visual appeal of the strip. The strip provides a barrier from relatively deep within the ground all the way up to the top surface for restricting the incursion of grass or weeds into the protected area.

Lawn edging with integral stakes

An animal shelter (10) includes a top (20) formed as a unitary shell and shaped to resemble a natural object having an irregular surface, such as a tree stump. An entrance (26) is formed in the top (20) and allows an animal to enter and exit animal shelter (10). Because the top (20) is shaped to resemble a natural object, the animal shelter (10) blends into a natural setting. An extended floor (41) may be attached to the base (40), and an extended covering (28) may be attached to the top (20) adjacent the entrance (26). The extended covering (28) covers the extended floor (41). The extended covering (28) resembles an extension of the natural object, thus further enhancing the appearance of the animal shelter (10). A planter (60), removably seated upon the top (20), may be used to cultivate plants.

Animal shelter formed in the shape of a natural object

A latch system is provided having utility in securing a planar member in a closed position within a housing having a portal. A base plate is secured to the planar member and a rotatable member having a generally circular periphery is coupled to the base plate. A cover is secured to the base plate and rotatably retains the rotatable member thereon. The cover includes a generally circular aperture having a diameter less than that of the periphery of the rotatable member, wherein upon assembly the generally circular periphery of the rotatable member opposes the generally circular aperture of the cover. At least one detent protrusion is formed on either the generally circular periphery of the rotatable member or the diameter of the generally circular aperture in the cover. At least one detent recess is formed in the other of the generally circular periphery of the rotatable member or the diameter of the generally circular aperture and opposes the detent protrusion. The detent recess is formed such that, upon engagement with the detent protrusion, purely rotational movement of the rotatable member causes axial movement of the rotatable member relative to the cover and disengagement of the detent protrusion with the detent recess. A pair of elongate members are coupled to the rotatable member such that rotation of the rotatable member causes the elongate members to reciprocate in and out of engagement with the apertures in the periphery of the portal.

Kennel door latch

A latching mechanism having utility in securing a pivotable member in at least one position with respect to a stationary structure. The housing includes a base that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the pivotable member (e.g., a cage door), with the base lying in a plane which is generally parallel to the plane established by the cage door. A pair of spaced flanges is affixed to the base, with each of the flanges extending away from the door and lying in planes which are generally perpendicular to the base. Each of the flanges has two openings which are adapted to slidably receive first and second elongated appendages, with both appendages being slidably held with respect to the housing, and with each appendage having an outer region extending outwardly away from the housing. The two latching appendages are adapted to move in different directions, with the appendage outer regions being configured to engage a portion of the stationary structure (i.e., the cage enclosure) so as to hold the cage door in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a control device for manipulating the appendages so as to slidably move the latching appendages inwardly (with respect to the housing). The control device includes a pair of protuberances, each having a length which is sufficient as to be easily engaged by a single digit of a user's hand. A pair of coil springs is provided for continuously urging the appendages in different directions away from the housing. A pair of cap-like members are ideally affixed to the exterior surface of each of the protuberances so as to facilitate gripping the protuberances with at least one digit of a person's hand.

Latching mechanism

Hand-held trotline holder

A latching mechanism having utility in securing a pivotable member with respect to a stationary structure. The housing includes a base that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the pivotable member (e.g., a cage door). A pair of spaced flanges is affixed to the base, with each of the flanges extending away from the door and lying in planes which are generally perpendicular to the base. Each of the flanges has two openings which are adapted to slidably receive first and second elongated appendages, with both appendages being slidably held with respect to the housing, and with each appendage having an outer region extending outwardly away from the housing. The two latching appendages are adapted to move in different directions to engage a portion of the stationary structure (i.e., the cage enclosure) so as to hold the cage door in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a control device for manipulating the appendages so as to slidably move the latching appendages inwardly (with respect to the housing). The control device includes a pair of protuberances, each having a length which is sufficient as to be easily engaged by a single digit of a user's hand. A pair of coil springs is provided for continuously urging the appendages in different directions away from the housing. A cover is preferably provided to enclose the biasing springs; the cover may be removed, so that the latching mechanism may be disassembled for inspection and maintenance, or it may be permanently captured.

A hand-held trotline holder adapted for safety accumulating, storing, and dispensing a trotline having a main line with spaced drop lines carrying hooks. The trotline holder includes an arcuate handgrip and spool-like member that rotates with respect to the handgrip. The spool-like member comprises a hollow cylindrical hub with two circular flanges; one of those flanges is attached at each of the two ends of the hub. The trotline is accumulated around the hub and contained between the two flanges. The hub is adapted to rotate about its central (longitudinal) axis, and the two flanges (which are preferably formed integrally with the hub) therefore rotate in planes perpendicular to the hub's central axis. Rigidly affixed to the outer face of the first flange is a series of peripherally and outwardly opening compartments; each compartment has at least one radially extending slot for storing one or more hooks attached to the drop lines. The second flange has affixed thereto an external knob which is adapted to be grasped for turning the spool about its central axis. Permanently mounted within the cylindrical spool hub is a handgrip which is adapted for rotatably supporting the spool. A portion of the handgrip acts as a guard or shield between the user's hand (which hand is supporting the spool) and the points and barbs of hooks that are captured within the compartments. The handgrip also preferably includes a structure which permits control of the rotation of the spool with respect to the handgrip. In one embodiment of the invention, a handgrip is configured so that the user's thumb may extend over the top of the handgrip for a short distance in order to bear against a portion of the spool in such a way as to inhibit rotation thereof. This is done by sizing the shield so that the end of the thumb may engage a side wall of one of the adjacent compartments (thereby preventing the compartment from rotating with respect to the user's hand). In another embodiment, a protuberance carried by a flexible portion of the handgrip may be moved to a position where it interferes with free rotation of the spool. By flexing the handgrip portion so as to force interference between the protuberance and one or more side walls of the compartments, rotation of the compartments about the central axis can be selectively retarded and/or prevented. A typical embodiment of the invention will have first and second flanges about 10 inches in diameter, and will have some 23 compartments with associated slots, each of which may conveniently hold up to 5 or 6 substantial hooks. Such a holder can accommodate over 250 feet of main line and about 50 drop lines with their associated hooks. All of this can be accomplished with a holder that is relatively compact (i.e., capable of being placed in an envelope of about 165 cubic inches) and which will weigh only about 41/2 pounds.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

Douglas J Sharp