Tragbare Vogeltränke

A device for feeding and observing flying animals comprising a hat, a support mounted on the hat and extending outward from the hat, and a feeder mounted on the support. When flying animals feed from the feeders, a person wearing the hat may observe them from a short distance. The device may comprise a helmet with three poles mounted on it and extending outward from the helmet, and a feeder hanging from each of the poles. A variety of flying animals, including butterflies, hummingbirds, and other small birds, may be observed with the device.

Wer das liest ist doof

Auch Patentanwälte haben also doch hin und wieder Humor (siehe Anspruch 9 der US-Patentanmeldung Display control apparatus for image forming apparatus):

9. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus which is really a bogus claim included amongst real claims, and which should be removed before filing; wherein the claim is included to determine if the inventor actually read the claims and the inventor should instruct the attorneys to remove the claim.

Schade eigentlich, dass der Anspruch im erteilten Patent rausgeflogen ist.

Fundstück der Woche: System and method for making live animals appear to talk

A system and method for making animals appear to talk is provided. The system includes a speaker mounted on an article (such as a collar) worn by the animal. A memory stores a plurality of pre-recorded messages. These pre-recorded messages may be generic phrases to be “spoken” by all types of animals or may be messages which are based on the characteristics of a particular animal. Using a selection circuit, a user is able to selectively output the pre-recorded messages from the memory to the speaker, thereby making the animal appear to talk.

Fundstück der Woche: Pat on the Back Apparatus

Nach stundenlanger akribischer Aktenarbeit käme oft ein wenig Anerkennung recht. Wer nach getaner Arbeit wieder einmal der Letzte im Büro ist, dem sei der Pat on the back apparatus empfohlen: “A self-congratulatory apparatus having a simulated human hand carried on a pivoting arm suspended form shoulder supported member. The hand is manually swingable into and out of contact with the user’s back to give an amusing or an important pat-on-the-back.”

Banana Protective Device

Die Rubrik Kurioses präsentiert jede Woche ein herausragendes Patent, das jedoch meist nicht ganz ernstzunehmen ist. Diese Woche:
United States Patent No. US 6,612,440 B1: Banana Protective Device