Abstract: A conventional grounded steel tower, or other structure, supports multiple wires (e.g., 6) carrying multi-phase high voltage electricity (e.g., >100 kV). Each wire is supported by a ceramic insulator connected to a horizontal arm of the structure, where an angled strut helps support the arm. There are usually three tiers of wires. The closest distance between a wire and ground is typically between the wire and an angled strut below the wire, where the angled strut helps support a lower-tier wire. A guard formed of a dielectric is affixed to and covers the lower portion of the steel strut as well as any steel that outward extends beyond the strut. The guard prevents flashover between a wire and the underlying grounded strut if a large bird perches on the guard, since the bird will not be grounded by the strut.

Abstract: A nest exclusion device is releasably attachable to a tower such as a cell tower, such that when installed it deters Osprey and other raptors from nesting on the tower structure, but is easily disengaged to permit worker access to the tower antenna mount structure, and can be easily reassembled. The device includes a center pole that extends upwardly away from the tower. A cap is attached to a top of the center pole, and a plurality of brackets are spaced about a periphery of the antenna mount structure with a maximum spacing between adjacent brackets of 18 inches. A plurality of cable assemblies extend from the cap to the brackets to define a tapering structure, converting the snag-shaped tower to a more conical shape.

Abstract: A bird defense system for a dock system. The bird defense system consists of a series of support arms that are mounted to the stringers of the dock. The support arms are manually attached to the stringer and have an adjustable height support rod that allows the user to set the height of the bird defense system. At the end of the support rods are hollow tubes that accommodate a cord that is threaded through each support arm creating a perimeter around the dock preventing birds from landing or hoping on the top surface of the dock.

Abstract: A bird deterrent has a base and at least one branched spike extending from the base. The branching can occur anywhere along the spike, and a single branch point can give rise to multiple branches. Spikes can have multiple branches. The various branches can be of any suitable length(s), and can be oriented in any suitable direction(s).

Abstract: A self-guided apparatus for repelling birds through various means of deterrence. The device comprises a chassis, a floatation assembly, a propulsion system, and a guidance and control system. The device may operate in either of at least two modes: passive and active. In the passive mode, the device traverses a predefined area, scaring birds away. In the active mode, the device surveys a designated area and, upon detection of birds, propels itself towards the birds and drives them away.

Abstract: An antiperch device for deterring birds from perching on undesired perch locations. The device includes various embodiments which are constructed of wires forming arcs and/or wires that are parallel to and spaced above an object such as a light fixture to be protected. The wires are sufficiently flexible and have a small enough diameter to prevent the birds from getting a secure footing thereon but are sufficiently stiff to keep the birds from reaching the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repelling animals, such as rodents and birds, from electrical power distribution equipment using voltages induced from inductive coupling with electromagnetic fields generated by said equipment is disclosed. Animals are repelled by non-lethal electrical shocks administered when the animal comes in contact with the system. An electrical potential above ground potential is induced and maintained on the system without the requirement of a direct electrical connection to an electric power source. The induced electrical potential discharges upon contact with an animal thereby producing a non-lethal electric shock that effectively discourages the animal from remaining in the area.

Abstract: A containment/exclusion boom including a support system which can be positioned in a body of water, a curtain made of a flexible fabric that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain being connected to the support system, and a bird deterring device connected to either the support system or the curtain, the bird deterring device being effective to deter birds from perching on the containment/exclusion boom. Also disclosed is a method of using the containment/exclusion boom to isolate an area in a body of water.

Abstract: A method is provided for dispersing pigeons from a building structure in which the pigeons roost. The method utilizes a horizontally oriented light beam. The light beam is positioned two to six inches above the surface on which the pigeons roost. The beam, when it is normal to a pigeon's eye and strikes the eye, causes the pigeon discomfort and makes it fly away from the building structure. The beam is utilized for at least three consecutive days.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a line barrier system and method of installing such a system which includes, a plurality of modular supports having a base for mounting to the structure, with the supports having at least one projecting member extending in a fixed position from said base; a fastener for mounting said plurality of modular supports to the structure; and, at least one generally translucent line fixedly attached to said projecting member on more than one of said plurality of modular supports to provide a line barrier between the bird and the structure.

Abstract: A device that prevents birds from landing atop a masthead of a boat or wind indicating devices mounted on the masthead includes an upstanding post having an upper end positioned above the top of the mast and any wind indicating devices. A plurality of rods radiate outwardly from the upper end in interfering relation to the landing area atop the masthead or wind indicating devices to foil landing attempts. The post is attached to a halyard and the device is raised in an inverted configuration when the halyard is raised. The device is also attached to a downhaul line so that when the device reaches the top of the mast, pulling on the downhaul line inverts the device and deploys it into its operative configuration. The radially disposed rods positioned in the landing area deprive birds of the clearance space they need when landing.

Abstract: A system for repelling pests provided by an elongate A-shaped plastic support having three spaced apart conductors running along the length of the support, with the middle conductor elevated relative to the other conductors and connected to a different potential of a power supply than the other conductors such that when a pigeon or other pest steps on adjacent conductors a circuit is completed to electrically shock the pest.

Abstract: A bird deterring device for protection of a reservoir or other body of water is disclosed. The deterring device provides an array of wires stretched across the reservoir, wherein adjacent wires are oriented in a parallel manner and are spaced apart by approximately 12 feet. Each wire is supported at a first end by an anchor rod driven into the ground of the shoreline defining the reservoir or body of water. Each wire is supported at a second end by an adjustment rod carrying a wire tightening mechanism which allows the wire to be tightened until taut. The wires reduce or eliminate use of the body of water by water birds by providing both visual and auditory deterrents. Wind, moving about the wires, creates a high-pitched whine that tends to annoy and repel birds. Additionally, birds tend to reject making a water landing due to the location of the wires, preferring instead to divert to other bodies of water.

Abstract: A retractable device for deterring birds from landing, roosting or nesting on a surface of a building structure, the device including at least two holding mechanisms each having a mounting member to be attached to the building structure and an arm for securing wire between the wire holding mechanisms, the arms being pivotally connected at respective pivots to the mounting members and being selectively pivotable to an operational protracted position in which the arms and wire lie above the surface of the building structure and to a non-operational retracted position in which the arms and wire lie below the surface of the building structure.

Abstract: A device prevents birds from flying near and landing on a boat having a periphery. The device includes a post centrally mounted on the boat with a top end position above the highest point of the boat. A series of cables extends between the top end of the post and peripheral points on the boat. The cables can be detached and the post can be retracted during use of the boat. The cables interrupt the flight paths of the birds and prevent them from landing or flying near the boat.

Abstract: An animal pan feeder system, particularly for raising domestic birds and animals, and particularly for controlling the level of the feed in the pan, includes a pan assembly which has an adjustable skirt that determines the level of the feed, such skirt being adjustable by two structures. The first structure is an intermediate member between the drop tube and the skirt which is adjustable on the drop tube for adjusting the vertical position of the skirt. The second structure is the adjustment of a skirt by an anti-roost wire tied to the skirt by ties. The anti-roost wire is movable along the elongated feed conveyor, such movement asserts a pull on the ties which raises the skirt to adjust the level of the feed in the pan.

Abstract: In a pre-weaned piglet protector, sharp bursts of compressed air from dome shaped nylon air nozzles located one foot away from each other longitudinally in a farrowing area are used to irritate baby piglets. The farrowing area has a safety zone where the sow cannot sit. The area beneath the sow is covered by these sharp bursts of air. The nozzles keep bursts of air away from the baby pigs in the safety zone so they have a tendency to move to the safety zone to avoid the irritation of the air bursts. The air bursts are of a pressure and duration which is uncomfortable for the baby piglets but not sharp enough to cause any harm. The bursts of air are under the control of a controller which opens and closes the air solenoid with precisely metered intervals. The controller is activated by a diffuse reflection photoelectric sensor switch that hangs directly above the sow and detects her inclinations.

Abstract: Improvements to a bird deterrent apparatus comprising a coiled wire in which the wire is attached to an elongate strip having flaps punched therein which are bent and crimped over the wire to hold it in position, and a spring having bent end loops used to connect adjacent ends of the wire together.