ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 20 -- United States Patent no. 12,394,297, issued on Aug. 19, was assigned to AATA LLC (Harrisburg, N.C.).

"Tilt-tree vicinity alarm" was invented by Andrew Papathanassiou (Harrisburg, N.C.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A tilt-tree vicinity alarm has an operational unit and a mounting system. The operational unit has a tilt sensor adapted to serve as or control a switch in an electric circuit and at least one instantaneous vicinity alarm that is activated by the tilt sensor switch and is perceptible to individuals in the immediate vicinity of the operational unit. The mounting system supports the operational unit and is adapted for disposition on a tree."

The patent wa...