AU2004201272A1 - Termite Sentinel - Google Patents

Description

1 Description of the Termite Sentinel (Number 2003901908 The Termite Sentinel was invented as a 'install and forget' device that has the potential to automatically alert home property owners of Termite White Ant activity within the walls of their property, an area that is not normally visible to the naked eye.

The Termite Sentinel may also be referred to as 'the capsule' or 'capsule' in this standard application document.

The term 'home' and or 'property' used in this document can be referred to as any premise, dwelling or vessel, public, commercial or private but not limited to any of the aforesaid applications.

The word 'termite and white ant' may be used to refer to all species and sub species both domestic and international. Due to globalisation Australia is under threat of exotic species of afore mentioned termites and other devouring insects pest infiltrating our existing multi billion dollar and future building and construction industries.

The term 'automatic' refers to the capsule being installed and used under the correct guidelines and correct maintenance as nominated by the manufacturer.

The capsule may be used for either domestic or commercial premises but is not limited to these applications, nor is the capsule use limited to the purpose of discovering Termites White ants e.g.

they could also be used to detect wet and dry rot in land and marine applications.

Under 'normal' operating conditions the capsule can remove the necessity for the home property owner to have to remember to carry out regular inspections of their property. The automatic design of the capsule provides for activation when installed in a accessible area of the property and it should be clearly visible once activated by early activity at the point of installation.

1 Object of Invention.

Termites White Ants are a ever increasing problem in Australia as depicted in the Hazard Map published by the C.S.I.R.O. on the Web. Drawing No. 19.

The Population Map Drawing No. 20. published on the web by the Bureau of Statistics clearly shows that the majority of the Australian population live in Termite Hazard areas.

MAP 1: POPULATION DISTRIBUTION Source ABS, Table 5.13 Distribution of Population Source: 2000 Year Book Australia, AB3 Cat No. 1301.0; Development of high density areas where land is cleared on mass is causing termites to relocate to forage for food to survive in areas where they may not normally be a problem, termites have the potential to travel extreme distances in their quest for favourable locations. With the food source gone they have to find new pastures hence their migration into houses and other buildings.

The termite problem is not confined to newer properties structures, the environmental degradation age, sunlight breakdown, climate, weather conditions) of commonly used pesticide treatments, the mixing of soft and hard timbers and composite products during renovations and extensions of established properties along with the Federal Government banning pre existing chemical treatments and methods and regularly imposing more stringent guidelines on the use and potency of current and future pesticides and their use in both public and private applications have all exacerbated the termite problem through the country.

It could be assumed that the population in general is concerned about termite activity but with the busy lifestyles in the 2 1 st Century another 'thing' to remember to do is unpalatable to many people.

In a good many cases regular professional inspections are carried out only if the property owner receives a reminder from their previously employed Pest Controller, and the credibility of the Pest Controller will normally affect the outcome of the inspection.

1 This invention is a purposely designed product which may be used in conjunction with all other forms of termite control and detection and in no way can it be claimed as a total alternative because of the fact that termites are live creatures and as such are unpredictable in their feeding and migration habits.

Termites are 'Quite Achievers' in that they can enter a home I property via several different methods if the conditions are favourable and carry out their 'Act of Destruction' totally undetected for months or even years. With to-days current housing density many properties have become closer than ever before and this now provides the termites with a virtual feeding path allowing them to skip from property to property undetected in many instances.

Just one of the paths of entry is via communal fencing and gardens planted too close to the home property giving the termites moisture with which to build their mud tunnel trail enabling them to travel in the cover of darkness and with a bridge path direct onto the property walls. Termites can find their way into brick and most other materials of which properties are constructed.

The access area only has to be very small to allow the termites to enter e.g. a small hole in the mortar or a weep hole in the brick work. Termites have also been known to gain entry into the middle of a home constructed on a concrete slab via an undetected crack in the concrete. Termites can also do a vast amount of damage to a steel framed structure, upon gaining entry the Termites can eat skirting boards, architraves, cupboards, and the paper backing from the gyprock wall sheeting. Unfortunately most people who live in or own a steel framed home or property become complacent believing that because they don't have a timber frame they will not have a termite problem.

Once inside the building termites can survive in most damp areas e.g. Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry or in fact any other area in the building where there is dampness e.g. an area where there may be only slight moisture from pipe work, condensation, airconditioners, naturally damp areas etc. within the walls or ceiling without having to return to the nest. However if there is not enough moisture within the house the termites will travel back and forth from the house to the nest. The termites will usually eat the 1 horizontal structures first e.g. bottom plates and then use the verticals e.g. studs and architraves to continue on their path of destruction. Architraves are a prime target where they can eat everything except the nails and paint because of the product usually used in these locations. The Termites can eat the timber leaving only the outer shell but usually eat along the sap grain of the timber leaving only a small amount of brittle powdery formation behind when they have finished and moved into a more succulent area. Undetected, the Termites can work their way up into the roofing trusses and timbers, this then can become a major structural and safety problem.

The emotional, physical and financial cost of potential termite damage to the home property owner can have a devastating effect. Apart from the financial cost (usually not covered by insurance companies), repairs are often extremely expensive as invariably the damage has been caused in high repair cost areas e.g. kitchens and bathrooms where the repairs involve a number of skilled tradespeople e.g. Carpenter, Cabinet Maker, Tiler, Plumber, Painter, Electrician, apart from the financial cost there is the total inconvenience to every day life while the repairs are being carried out.

The potential resale value of a previously infected property by termites can have a detrimental effect to the property value, thereby causing an ongoing cost for the home I property owner.

There have been cases where termites have only been discovered during the Building and Pest Inspection carried out at the request of the prospective purchaser prior to financial settlement of the property. In the majority of cases this may negate the conditions of the contract to purchase the property, and possibly cause a domino effect with other properties being sold I purchased. The potential for increased resale value of homes structures having the termite sentinels installed may on the other hand increase the property value.

1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

The sentinel has been constructed in such a way to contain no environmentally damaging chemicals and to provide the property home owner potentially with an 'Install and Forget' automatic early warning system.

The sentinel is so constructed and assembled so that it resembles a pencil like object which is inserted intact into a pre-drilled hole as a complete unit at a pre determined location so that the edible component of the capsule becomes an integrated part of the timber structure.

The sentinel usually contains a portion of the same similar material (but not limited to) used in the construction of the property and contents. This device does not contain any type of bait to kill termites. The capsule is designed to neither attract or detract Termites. It has been designed to be potentially a 'install and forget automatic early warning system that can be installed either by the home I property owner or any person who is capable of using a battery operated or electric drill with minimal skills and knowledge needed.

When using and installing the capsules into the property care must be taken to check out where the electric wiring is located prior to drilling any holes.

The following is an example of how the capsule would be installed and used in a property application, the desired method of use for the capsule is to pre-drill a hole the same diameter and depth as the capsule through the skirting board and wall sheeting directly through into the framing timber, and insert the capsule directly into the timber frame of the home I property. In the case of the capsule being installed in architraves, the hole would be drilled through the architrave, door jamb and wall sheeting and directly through into the timber frame, the capsule would then be inserted through the architrave, door jamb and wall sheeting and through into the timber stud. In the case of the capsule being installed into the ceiling, it would be necessary to locate the ceiling battens and or timber trusses so that the hole could be drilled through the ceiling sheet then directly into the timber, the capsule could then be inserted through the ceiling sheet with the edible portion of the capsule becoming a integrated part of the timber batten I truss.

1 It is of paramount importance that the capsule is actually inserted into the timber as it will be the timber that will be the target of the termites and after the hole is drilled into the timber frame it will then be 'plugged' with the edible component on the end of the sentinel to become part of the integral structure. When termites eat the framing timbers the capsule timber which has now become a part of the timber structure will also be eaten and at this stage potentially activating the automatic mechanism to alert the property I home owner of termite activity within the wall of their property.

Once the sentinel is inserted into the wall there is only a very small and unobtrusive 'cap button like' object within a flanged disk visible in the wall. When the sentinel is activated the small 'cap button' attached to a shank will protrude from the disk alerting the property owner occupier of a problem within the walls. The protruding 'cap button' will not be able to be reinserted once activated, it will be necessary to have further investigations carried out by a Professional Pest Controller at this stage.

When activation occurs the Professional Pest Controller will be able to investigate specific areas to 'track down' entry, exit and nest activity thereby assisting in removing the guesswork sometimes involved with locating termites. The predrilled hole may or may not be suitable for the Pest Controller to use as a treatment point.

When the capsule in the skirting board is activated it will be visible during the course of normal household duties e.g. sweeping, vacuuming, etc. In the case of ceiling capsule installations it would be advisable to install them in an area where they will be noticed during the normal course of everyday living. In the case of capsules being installed in the architraves the ideal location would be either bottom plate level or within normal field of vision but clear of potential safety hazards so that the activated capsule would be noticed easily.

The capsules may be used in either internal or external applications but are not restricted to either.

It would be the choice of the home property owner as to the number of capsules installed in their home property. Just about every property is different because of type, size and construction, demographic location, position of property on land, type of land, 1 earthworks carried out e.g. if land has been cut and filled or maybe just filled prior to or after building, surrounding vegetation, termite history in and around the surrounding areas. It would be advisable to install capsules in the internal walls of the structure and to have capsules at least in 'wet' areas e.g. bathrooms, laundry, kitchen at a distance of no more than 2 meters apart, the remaining areas of the structure would be at the owners discretion.

However it would be highly advisable that capsules are definitely placed in potential problem areas but not restricted or limited to the following examples; where there are gardens on the outside wall, or dampness from air conditioner outlets, dripping taps, sprinkler systems etc. or where the ground may have a 'damp' problem due to the cut or lay of the land. These capsules may also be placed in closer proximity along areas of concern.

Whilst it is preferably that there are no gardens etc against the home property this is not always practicable or acceptable so hence the need for a tool to assist the property home owner to easily and effectively monitor the 'out of sight' areas in the home i.e. within the walls.

The capsules can be installed by the individual property owner, building and construction industries or potentially used in conjunction with the Professional Pest Control companies as a 'value added' product to their normal pest control measures.

Hence it would be envisaged that the capsules would be available for sale in multi packs and also available by bulk purchase but not restricted or limited to set standard numbers as this could limit the amount of coverage to any property and potentially allow unprotected 'black' areas to exist.

1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION.

The following description is detailed in a way that it can be read in conjunction with the attached drawings.

Figure 1. Complete sentinel.

Figure 2. The cap or button like top.

Figure 3. The shank (Figure 3) that the cap or button like top (Figure 2 is attached to and also the termite attractive substance (Figure 9) of the capsule is attached to this same shank.

Figure 4. The spring (Figure 4 slides over the shank (Figure 3) and is encased in a spring housing (Figure 7 Figure 5. The blocking device tube (Figure 5 slides over the shank (Figure 3 and is located at the back of the spring housing (Figure 7 to house the control nut (Figure Figure 6. The casing (Figure 6 covers the capsule components Shank {Figure 3} encircled by the spring {Figure encased by the spring housing {Figure 7} and blocking tube I device {Figure and the attached control nut {Figure 10} and a small section of the termite attractive substance {Figure 9} of the capsule {Figure 1 Figure 7. The spring housing (Figure 7 encases the shank (Figure 3 which is encircled by the spring (Figure 4 the spring housing (Figure 7 The top of this spring housing (Figure 7 receives the un-activated cap or button like object (Figure 2 Figure 8. The small flange (Figure 8 at the top of the spring housing (Figure 7 is necessary to prevent the capsule (Figure 1) being pushed right into the wall and out of sight.

Figure 9. Termite attractive substance (Figure 9 is normally of the same timber used in the construction of the house frame but is not limited to that or any other substance Materials used could depend on the application e.g. land or marine use would require a different substance. This portion (Figure 9 of the capsule (Figure 1 is attached to the shank (Figure 3 with the spring housing 1 (Figure 7 the blocking tube I device (Figure 5 and the control nut (Figure 10 in place. When this portion (Figure 9) of the capsule (Figure 1 is in place it renders the capsule (Figure 1 inactive until such time as the termite attractive substance (Figure 9 )is disturbed.

Figure 10. The control nut (Figure 10 is attached onto the shank (Figure 3 at a predetermined location to control the length of the protrusion of the shank (Figure (Figure 14) with the cap button like object (Figure 2 attached from the top of the spring housing (Figure 7 This step is done purely from a safety perspective so that there is not a very long shank protruding from the wall that could cause injury to persons, animals or property.

The control nut (Figure 10 will allow for adjustment so when activated, the capsule shank (Figure 3 (Figure 14) with the cap button like object (Figure 2 will be clearly visible but potentially not a safety hazard when activation occurs.

The example Drawing No. 12 gives a detailed view of how the capsule is positioned into the timber frame of a building and how it would look once installed then the view of when it has been activated.

This example is shown on a house frame but the capsule is not limited to use in either domestic commercial or marine applications.

Claims (37)

1. The termite sentinel is a spring loaded, early warning automatic capsule type product (Figure la) incorporating a timber or other suitable substance section that is inserted directly into the framework of a structure or vessel and to possibly give an early warning of termite activity, wet or dry rot activity in the hard to monitor I check 'out of sight' areas.

2. The termite sentinel Claim 1 (Figure la) is not limited to the exclusive use for the discovery of termites and I or insect activity destruction.

3. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 is not limited to the use for discovering termites Claim 2 or other problems in internal applications, it may also be used in external applications.

4. The termite sentinel of Claim 2 may be used for other applications e.g. possible discovery of 'wet' and 'dry' rot in public, private, commercial and marine applications but not so limited or restricted to any or all of the aforementioned applications. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 is adaptable to have a change of termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) depending on the application for which the sentinel is used as of Claim 3 and Claim 4.

6. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 contains a spring that may be manufactured from stainless steel (Figure 4a) but not limited exclusively to stainless steel or any other suitable type product used to manufacture a similar type of release mechanism but not necessarily restricted to a spring.

7. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 contains a shank type object (Figure 3a) which may or may not be fully coloured or part thereof and may be manufactured from stainless steel but not limited exclusively to stainless steel or any other suitable type product used to manufacture a similar styled shank.

8. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 contains a cap button like object (Figure2a) that may be manufactured from stainless steel but not limited to stainless steel or any other type product used to manufacture a similar styled product.

9. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 contains a cap button like object (Figure 2a) that may be attached to the shank (Figure 3 a) as a separate component but may also be manufactured as a integral part of the shank thereby rendering the shank and cap one component. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 may contain a shank (Figure 3a) and cap button like object (Figure2a) either as two separate parts or one as of Claim 7 that may be manufactured from stainless steel but not limited to stainless steel or any other type product used to manufacture a similar style of cap button like object (Figure 2a) Claim 8 or shank (Figure 3a) Claim 7 or integrated cap and shank of Claim 9.

11. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 contains a spring housing (Figure 7 a) that may be manufactured from stainless steel but not limited to stainless steel or any other suitable type product used to manufacture a similar style of spring housing (Figure 7a)

12. The termite sentinels of Claim 1 spring housing (Figure 7a) may be manufactured with either open or solid design depending on the application for which the termite sentinel may be used.

13. The termite sentinel of Claim 1 contains a flange (Figure 8a) attached to the spring housing Claim 9 (Figure 8a) that may be manufactured as part of the spring housing Claim 9 (Figure 7a) or as a separate component.

14. The termite sentinel flange (Figure 8a) and the spring housing (Figure 7a) may be manufactured as a complete unit or separate units in stainless steel but not limited to stainless steel or other suitable type of product used in the manufacture of a similar styled flange (Figure 8a) and or spring housing (Figure 7a) Claim 8. 1 15. The termite sentinel flange (Figure 8a) and spring housing (Figure 7a) may both be manufactured from the same or different materials either independently or dependant of each other as per Claim 13.

16. The termite sentinel Claim 1 contains a blocking tube device (Figure 5a) that may be manufactured from stainless steel but not limited to stainless steel or any other suitable type product used to manufacture a similar style of blocking tube I device.

17. The termite sentinel blocking tube Claim 16 (Figure 5a) is an integral component to hold the termite sentinel in an un-activated state prior to the termite sentinel Claim 1 (Figure 1 a) becoming active.

18. The termite sentinel control nut (Figure 10 a) is located on the shank (Figure 3a) Claim 6 and may be manufactured from stainless steel but not limited to stainless steel or other suitable type product used to manufacture a similar styled control nut.

19. The termite sentinel control nut (Figure 10 a) may be attached to the shank (Figure 3a) as a separate component or manufactured as integral part of the shank (Figure 3a). The termite sentinel Claim 1 control nut (Figure 10a) Claim 18 is of significant importance from a safety perspective to ensure that the shank (Figure 3a) protrusion is controlled to a predetermined length.

21. The termite sentinel control nut (Figure 10a) Claim 18 is used to pre determine the length of the shank (Figure 3a) visible once the termite sentinel becomes activated as per Claim

22. The termite sentinel Claim 1 contains a termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) that may be of timber, other composite, man made or natural product but not limited to any one, combination or all of these substances. 1 23. The termite sentinels (Figurela) termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) type may be pre-determined by the application that the termite sentinel (Figure l a) was required but not restricted to be used for and the conditions to which it may be subjected.

24. The termite sentinels (Figurela) termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) Claim 22 may not be limited or restricted to the use of detection of termites, insect activity destruction exclusively Claim 2. The termite sentinels (Figure l termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) is not a bait but it will become an integrated part of the structure when installed as per instructions I directions (Figure 11).

26. The termite sentinel (Figure la) termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) is attached internally and may encase the shank (Figure 3a)

27. The termite sentinels (Figure l a) casing (Figures 6a) may be manufactured from aluminium, stainless steel, plastic, rubber but not so limited to these products or any other suitable product used to manufacture a suitable style of casing.

28. The termite sentinels (Figure la) casing, (Figure 6a) Claim 27 is used as a cover or outer skin for the capsule like sentinel, covering the spring housing (Figure 7a) Claim 11 containing the shank (Figure 3a) Claim 7 and spring (Figure 4a) Claim 6, blocking tube I device (Figure Claim 16 the control nut (Figure 10 a) Claim 18 and may cover a small section of the termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) Claim 22.

29. The termite sentinels (Figure l a) recommended method of use would be to insert the termite sentinel (Figure la) into the actual structure required to be monitored for termite, insect activity and possible wet I dry rot or other activity. The termite sentinel (Figurela) Claim 1 when installed to manufactures recommendations has the potential to activate automatically alerting the property occupier I 1 owner of a potential problem within the structure of their property.

31. The termite sentinel (Figure la) ideally would be inserted into a predetermined position (Claim 29) and into a pre drilled hole the size of the termite sentinel (Figure la) directly through into the timber framing structure in the case of a house installation.

32. The termite sentinel (Figure la) ideally would be inserted direct into the timber frame Claim 31 by locating the bottom plate, drilling a pre determined size hole (Figure 13) through the skirting board, wall sheet Claim 29 and into the timber of the bottom plate of the timber frame for low I floor level installation in a house following all safety requirements necessary.

33. The termite sentinel (Figure la) installation into the architrave jamb Claim 31 would require the insertion of the sentinel into a predetermined size hole that would be drilled directly through the timber architrave jamb, wall sheet and into the timber stud Claim 31 in the case of a house installation following all safety requirements necessary.

34. The termite sentinel (Figurela) installation into a ceiling would require the timber ceiling battens and or timber trusses to be located and a pre determined size hole drilled after carrying out a thorough safety check to locate all electric wiring or any other potential hazards. The termite sentinel (Figure la) ceiling installation Claim 34 may be completed when the sentinel (Figure la) is inserted into the timber structure of the ceiling Claim 31, Claim 34.

36. The termite sentinel (Figure l a) once installed should 'plug' the predrilled hole (Figure 13) in the timber frame structure Claim 31 with the termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) rendering the timber structure (Claim 31) and the termite attractive substance portion (Figure 9a) of the sentinel (Figure la) as an integrated part of the structure (Figure 14). 1 37. The termite sentinel (Figure la) Claims 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 all refer to the termite sentinel being used for domestic structural installations, therefore all safety precautions for relevant use of installation requirements must be adhered to.

38. The termite sentinel (Figure la) installations are not limited or restricted to domestic structural installations, Claim 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 therefore all safety precautions for relevant use of installation requirements must be adhered to.

39. The termite sentinel (Figurela) installations and or applications are not limited to or for exclusive use by private, public, domestic, land or marine applications. The termite sentinel (Figure la) termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) Claim 22 product component may be interchangeable depending on the required application Claim23.

41. The termite sentinel (Figure la) has the potential to automatically activate Claim 30 when there is termite activity within the timber structure as the termite sentinel (Figure la) has now become a integrated part of this structure Claim 31.

42. The termite sentinel (Figure la) is not designed to be or become a bait system, it has only been designed to be an automatic early warning sentinel to assist in the detection of termites or other unwanted activity in otherwise 'out of sight' and inaccessible areas.

43. The termite sentinel (Figure l a) containing components (Figure 2a to 10a {excluding termite attractive substance 9a} )do not contain toxic chemicals or products but is it envisaged that it may be used for this purpose as a part or whole of the termite attractive substance (Figure 9a) but not limited to Claim 22, 23, 24, and Claim 25 with the patent holders written legal consent. 1 44. The termite sentinel (Figure l a) has been designed with the safety of people, animals and property Claim 20 at the forefront of this invention, misuse or use outside of the manufacturers guidelines and design may potentially render this product unstable and or inoperable. The termite sentinel (Figure la) resembles a capsule pencil like product but once it is inserted into the wall structure there is only the small cap button like object (Figure2a) and the flange (Figure 8a) that may be visible until such time that the sentinel is activated Claim 20, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38,44.

46. The termite sentinel (Figure la) components (Figures la to O10a) inclusive may be of a cylindrical nature but not limited to cylindrical or any other shape.

47. The termite sentinel (Figure l a) components and design (Figures la to 10a) inclusive form the mechanical operation of the termite sentinel (Figure l a) to effect activation.

48. The termite sentinel (Figure la) casing (Figure 6a) may be encased with promotional, advertising and or instructional material but is not integral to the operation of the termite sentinel (Figure la)

49. The termite sentinel (Figure la) does not claim to be an all encompassing pest management device because of the nature of the targeted termite insects or other related and unrelated applications but simply provides a further product for the ease of detection and eradication of structural damaging pests and as a possible means of detecting selected environmental structural damage.