BIRD OR ANIMAL REPELLENT SYSTEM
A system and method for conveying a bird or animal repelling object along a path, comprising a line for conveying at least one bird or animal repelling object, the line configured to define a predetermined path. The bird or animal repelling object is coupled to the line, and at least two spaced apart supporting braces operatively engage the line and provide support thereto, wherein the line is suspended in the air. The system further includes a drive unit connected to the line and adapted to control the motion of the line with respect to the supporting towers. At least one cover is attached to at least one of the towers in alignment with the path of the line and is configured to shield the object from view when the object is disposed therein.
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The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/009,099, filed Jan. 16, 2008, which application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/880,346, filed Jan. 16, 2007, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to an animal repellent system. More particularly, the invention relates to a conveying system to move an animal repelling object around a predetermined area.
The growing of crops, including, for example, berries, in a field or other area is an activity of significant magnitude. Birds and other animals can damage crops by eating the crops and otherwise damaging the land on which the crops grow. Various types of devices and installations have been used in the past in attempts to scare birds away from crops.
It has been proposed, for example, to scare birds from a field through the use of stationary devices, such as scarecrows. The effectiveness of these devices, however, decreases after a short period of time because the birds or other animals become accustomed to the presence of the devices and lose their fear thereof.
It has also been proposed to scare birds from a field through the use of a loud noise. Such a loud noise may be produced by acoustic systems, such as recordings of distress and warning calls of the species sought to be repelled, or an air gun that ignites combustible gas at predetermined intervals. After a period of use of loud noises, however, birds become accustomed to the noise and the scaring effect is diminished.
It has also been proposed to protect crops and fields against birds through the use of nets or other protective webbing. Use of this method, however, is limited due to the prohibitive cost of building and maintaining such a system, especially over large plots of land.
Because of the problems associated with the use of stationary devices, loud noises, and netting systems to deter birds and other animals from crop fields, farmers have attempted to employ the use of repelling systems for protection. Such systems have included devices that carry scarecrows or other deterrent objects, and can move them in a predetermined motion. The disadvantage of these types of systems, however, is the same as that of stationary devices and loud noises. That is, after a time the birds or animals to be repelled become accustomed to the presence of the scaring device and the scaring effect is diminished.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system to repel birds and other animals that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention provides the ability to preserve the scaring effect on birds and other animals to protect crops and the like by suspending a bird or animal repelling object from a line or cable. The system preferably comprises a cable, having a bird or animal repelling object attached thereto and supported by a support tower, a drive unit to control the movement of the cable, and a cover. The cover provides a place wherein the bird or animal repelling object can be hidden from view. Accordingly, the presence of the bird or animal repelling object is not continuously observable by the birds and animals to be repelled. By emerging from within the cover on a predetermined schedule, preferably timed to mimic the behavior of a bird of prey or other scaring device, the bird or animal repelling object maintains its scaring effect and other animals and birds do not become accustomed to it.
Another aspect of the present invention provides the ability to preserve the scaring effect on birds and other animals to protect crops and the like by providing a cover with a bird or animal repelling object disposed therein. The object emerges from within the cover, and into the view of birds or other animals to be repelled, according to a predetermined or random schedule. The object then returns to the cover and is again hidden from view. Although these particular aspects of the invention are herein disclosed with respect to the protection of crops and fields, it is to be understood that the present invention provides the ability to preserve the scaring effect on birds and other animals in other circumstances as well, such as, for example, to protect fish in lakes or rivers. These and other aspects of the invention are exemplified by a series of preferred embodiments.
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for conveying a bird or animal repelling object along a path. The system may include a line for conveying at least one bird or animal repelling object, the line configured to define a predetermined path, and the bird or animal repelling object coupled to the line. There may be at least two spaced apart supporting braces operatively engaged with the line and providing support thereto, wherein the line is suspended in the air. There may also be a drive unit connected to the line and adapted for controlling the motion of the line with respect to the supporting braces along the path. Preferably, the system may further include at least one cover attached to at least one of the braces in alignment with the path and configured to shield the bird or animal repelling object from view when the bird or animal repelling object is disposed therein.
In a preferred embodiment, the bird or animal repelling object is further coupled to the line by a wire suspended from the line. Preferably, the bird or animal repelling object to be conveyed by the line is an animated bird-like object having wings that flap. Further preferably, the system includes a timing device for activating and deactivating the drive unit at set intervals, thereby allowing the bird-like object to remain hidden by the cover or to be conveyed along the path according to a predetermined or random schedule. The timing device may be a light sensor or a motion sensor. The drive unit may move the line at variable speeds and the direction of the movement of the line may be reversible.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for repelling birds or animals from an area. The system may preferably comprise at least two braces positioned at a distance from each other about an area to be protected and a cable supported by the braces. Preferably, a bird or animal repelling object is slideably engaged with the cable and configured to move with respect thereto. Further preferably, at least one shelter supported by at least one of the braces, is positioned in the path of the bird or animal repelling object such that the bird or animal repelling object is hidden from view when disposed therein.
In one preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a propulsion device for propelling animal repelling object along the path. Preferably, the propulsion device may be powered by an electric current. The cable may then carry an electric current and transmit the current to the propulsion device, thereby providing power thereto.
A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of repelling birds and other animals. The method comprises attaching a bird or animal repelling object to a conveyor line and conveying the bird or animal repelling object around a predetermined area. Preferably, the method may further include providing a cover in operative relationship with said conveyor line, wherein the bird or animal repelling object can be hidden at predetermined or random intervals when conveyed into said cover.
In an alternative embodiment, the method may include providing a timing device configured to control the timing of the conveying and hiding of the bird or animal repelling object. Preferably, the method may also include reversing the direction of conveyance of the bird or animal repelling object at various intervals or varying the speed of conveyance of the bird or animal repelling object. Further preferably, the method may include providing a propulsion device, attached to the bird or animal repelling object to propel the bird or animal repelling object along the path of the conveyor line. Furthermore, the method may include repeatedly disposing the bird or animal repelling object within the cover so as to hide the object from the view of the bird or animal to be repelled, repeatedly repelling the object out of the cover and into open view of the birds or animals to be repelled, and returning the object to the cover according to a predetermined or random schedule. This schedule may be set or it may be variable. In preferred embodiments, the repelling motion of the bird or animal repelling object out of the cover may be effected by a telescoping rod, scissor-lift cable, line, rope, or track.
The present invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in
As further shown in
Line 10 is powered by a drive unit 16 connected to at least one of the supporting towers 12, 14. Drive unit 16 may be a motor that drives a shaft in a rotational direction, such as, for example, a 0.5 horsepower 90 volt DC motor. There may preferably be a driving pulley 17 attached to the shaft, around which line 10 passes. Line 10 creates a continuous loop that passes around driving pulley 17 connected to drive unit 16 and around each of supporting braces 12, 14. As line 10 passes over driving pulley 17, the rotational motion of driving pulley 17 drives line 10 linearly. Accordingly, line 10 moves in a linear direction along the path defined by the position of support braces 12, 14. If line 10 is driven at too high a rate of speed, then stress may be added to other components of the system, such as, for example, guiding pulleys 11 and drive unit 16. Conversely, if line 10 is driven at too low a rate of speed, then the movement of the bird or animal repelling object may lose some scaring effect on birds or animals to be repelled. Preferably, driving pulley 17 drives line 10 at the rate of about 400 feet per minute. Further preferably, driving pulley 17 may also be self-tensioning to assure that line 10 is maintained at the proper tension.
Drive unit 16 may control the speed at which line 10 moves as well as its direction of movement, thereby allowing variety in the movement of the attached bird or animal repelling object and increasing the scaring effect thereof. Further preferably, the movement of line 10 may be controlled by a variable cycle timer, a light sensor, or a motion sensor.
Also shown in
It is to be understood that there may be more than one cover 18 located along the path of line 10. The hiding of the bird or animal repelling object by cover 18 allows the bird or animal repelling object to appear and disappear from the view of birds and animals to be repelled according to a schedule dictated by a user of system 1a, such as during predetermined, random, or pseudo-random times. In this way, where the bird or animal repelling object is made to look like a real bird, the appearance thereof mimics more closely the activity of a real bird, thus increasing the scaring effect of the bird or animal repelling object. The bird or animal repelling object may be made to appear like a real bird by exhibiting animated features, such as flapping wings. Furthermore, because the bird or animal repelling object is not continuously present, the birds to be repelled do not become accustomed to it and the scaring effect is maintained.
Referring to
Preferably, bird or animal repelling object 20 is a battery-powered robotic bird device with the likeness of a hawk or other bird of prey. The robotic bird device may have a fiberglass body, wing modulation, and exhibit audible attack sounds. The wing modulation may be variable to provide realistic operation of the robotic bird device. Further preferably, the movement of the robotic bird device along the path of line 10 may be designed to imitate flight or attack. In one preferred embodiment, there may be an orientation device attached to the bird or animal repelling object that turns the object to ensure that the object is always facing in the direction of travel. Preferably, the orientation device may be a fin configured to orient the object based on the aerodynamic forces that act thereon while the object is in movement.
A preferred manner of operation will now be described. A user will begin by attaching bird or animal repelling object 20 to conveyor line 10 by means of cable or wire 22. Thereafter, bird or animal repelling object 20 may be conveyed by line 10 along the path of line 10 as defined by supporting braces 12, 14. Bird or animal repelling object 20 will be conveyed within cover 18 when line 10 passes through cover 18. Thereafter the direction of motion of line 10 may be reversed, allowing bird or animal repelling object 20 to emerge from within cover 18. This reversal of direction may preferably be initiated by a switch, positioned to contact bird or animal repelling object 20, inside cover 18. A timer will coordinate the movement of line 10, and consequently of bird or animal repelling object 20, to provide periods of time when bird or animal repelling object 20 is hidden within cover 18 and periods of time when bird or animal repelling object 20 emerges from cover 18 into open view. Preferably, the speed and direction of motion of line 10 vary as dictated by drive unit 16.
Referring to
Motion compelling device 32 may move bird or animal repelling object 20 out of cover 34 in a vertical direction, as shown in
Referring to
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A system for conveying an animal repelling object, comprising:
- a line defining a predetermined path;
- at least two supporting members supporting the line;
- an animal repelling object configured to move along the predetermined path; and
- at least one cover fixed relative to at least one of said supporting members, said cover positioned in the path of said animal repelling object such that said animal repelling object is substantially hidden from view when disposed therein.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drive unit for controlling the motion of said line with respect to said at least two supporting members along said path.
3. The system of claim 2, further including a timer for activating and deactivating said drive unit at set intervals, thereby allowing the animal repelling object to remain hidden by the cover or to be conveyed along the path according to a predetermined or random schedule.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said timer includes at least one of a light sensor or a motion sensor.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein said drive unit moves the line at variable speeds.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the direction of motion of the line is reversible.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the animal repelling object is slideably engaged with said line.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the animal repelling object includes an animated bird-like object having wings that flap.
9. A system for repelling animals, comprising:
- at least two braces spaced apart from each other;
- a line supported by said braces and defining a path;
- an animal repelling object configured to move along or with said line; and
- at least one shelter placed along the path of the line such that said animal repelling object is substantially hidden from view when disposed therein.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the shelter is located at a fixed location.
11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a propulsion unit movable along the line for propelling the animal repelling object along the path.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said propulsion unit is powered by an electric current.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the electric current is transmitted to the propulsion unit by the line.
14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a motion compelling device for moving the animal repelling object between a retracted position, where the animal repelling objected is located inside the shelter, and an extended position, where the animal repelling object is located outside the shelter.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the motion compelling device is configured to move the animal repelling object toward and away from the shelter while the line remains stationary.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the motion compelling device comprises at least one of a scissors lift, lifting rod, telescoping rods, cable, rope, line or track.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the motion compelling device comprises a threaded shaft operatively connected to a scissors lift, the scissors lift being adapted to move toward and away from the shelter upon rotation of the threaded shaft.
18. The system of claim 9, further comprising a limit switch for stopping movement of the animal repelling object when the animal repelling object is disposed inside the shelter.
19. A method for repelling animals, comprising:
- moving an animal repelling object along a path defined by a conveyor line suspended in the air;
- stopping the animal repelling object; and
- covering the animal repelling object such that the animal repelling object is substantially hidden from view at predetermined or random intervals while the animal repelling object is stopped.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the covering the animal repelling object includes disposing the animal repelling object inside a shelter.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 4, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 11, 2010
Applicant: SULLIVAN MEWS LLC (Otis Orchards, WA)
Inventor: Brian E. Sullivan (Otis Orchards, WA)
Application Number: 12/612,103
International Classification: A01M 29/00 (20060101);