AU2019201550A1 - Animal deterrent - Google Patents

Abstract

- 10 There is disclosed an animal deterrent for preventing animals from climbing onto or perching on a structure or other equipment. The animal deterrent includes a support frame, that is attachable to the structure, and one or more rollers being rotatably 5 mounted on the support frame. Each roller is provided with an aerofoil configured to assist in rotation of the roller when wind blows across the roller. In some embodiments the rollers have a number of paddles extending outwardly from a body and wherein the aerofoil is provided at or near a terminal end of some of the paddles. Figure 1

Description

Animal deterrent

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an animal deterrent.

More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an animal deterrent for preventing animals from climbing onto or perching on a structure or other equipment.

BACKGROUND

When structures or equipment are erected outdoors, it is often found that wild animals will climb onto or perch thereon. For example, animals such as squirrels and rodents will often run along property boundary fences to gain access to a property where they are a nuisance and often cause damage to goods on the property, e.g. stores in a garden shed. Some rodents may also climb electrical or telecommunication pylons and damage cabling supported thereby. Similarly, birds often perch on such structures and defecate thereon, which is both a nuisance to clean and can cause damage, e.g. by creating short-circuits between electrical cables or by covering solar panels with faeces so that these are no longer able to effectively absorb sunlight. Such defecation is normally aesthetically unappealing, can damage paintwork or can constitute a health hazard. This leads to increased maintenance to be cleaned away and associated costs.

In some cases, it is preferable to avoid providing birds any of their preferred perching or resting places so that the birds avoid a certain area. For example, birds flying around an airport are a hazard because they can be sucked into an aircraft’s engine. At airports, the birds tend to perch on runway signposts as that allows them a clear view of their surroundings. When the birds are startled, such as when an aircraft approaches for take-off or landing, the birds fly up and sometimes enter the flight path of the airplane.

Various animal deterrents have been developed to resolve the above problems. One common bird deterrent includes a rotating mirror arranged to reflect sunlight. As the mirror rotates, the sunlight is intermittently reflected in different directions, which causes a flashing light intended to annoy the birds and chase them away. A problem

-2with such a deterrent is that it is dependent on sunlight and thus loses effectiveness at night and on overcast days. Another type of deterrent includes an elongated spike arrangement having spikes extending upwardly from a structure through an acute angle. The spikes are intended to make it uncomfortable for a bird to perch thereon because the spikes prod into their body when they perch on the structure. Although this tends to work for larger and heavier birds, the spikes are not that effective in deterring smaller birds because the smaller birds simply perch on the spikes themselves.

US 6,367,419 describes a bird anti-perching device having a rotatable cylinder mounted between two support members and being configured to rotate if a bird lands thereon, thereby providing an unstable footing and causing birds to fly away. However, in some cases small birds are also able to perch on this device if they are small enough to avoid rotating the cylinder - this can also happen if they perch near the top dead centre of the cylinder as then the cylinder will not rotate. Similarly, US 6,571,517 discloses an animal guard with multiple rotatable elements mounted on a horizontal structure to provide an unsteady footing for animals attempting to cross the structure. The rotatable elements are bounded by enlarged guard plates that hinder movement of the animal longitudinally along the horizontal structure by making it difficult for the animal to balance on the top dead centre of the rotatable elements.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an animal deterrent comprising a support frame being attachable to a structure;

one or more rollers being rotatably mounted on the support frame; and each roller being provided with an aerofoil configured to assist in rotation of the roller when wind blows across the roller.

The support frame may include at least one bracket for supporting an elongate rod, wherein the rod is supported in a position that an animal or bird cannot pass between

-3the rollers and the structure. Each roller may be provided with a central axial bore being configured to receive the rod. In some embodiments each roller may include a low-friction lining provided in the bore and being configured to form a sleeve surrounding the rod. The low-friction lining may extend outwardly beyond the bore on opposed ends of the roller.

Each roller may comprise a body and having a number of paddles extending outwardly from the body. The paddles may extend radially outwardly from the body and be aligned longitudinally along a rotational axis of the body. Alternatively, the paddles may be curved in a spiral shape around a rotational axis of the body. The aerofoil may be provided on a free end of the paddles remote from the body.

In another embodiment, each roller may include a plurality of aerofoil blades extending in a cylindrical formation between two end plates and wherein each of the blades is straight and extend parallel to the rotational axis of the roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other features will become more apparent from the following description and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. In the drawings, which are given for purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, there is shown in:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an animal deterrent;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a roller used on the animal deterrent shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view seen along arrow II in Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an end view seen along arrow III in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a roller for use on the animal deterrent of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a roller for use on the animal deterrent of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a sectional end view of the roller shown in Figure 6.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown an animal deterrent 10 which is configured to be mounted onto a structure (not shown) to prevent animals or birds from climbing into, resting or perching on the structure.

The animal deterrent 10 comprises a support frame in the form of an elongate rod 12 being mounted between two brackets 14 at either end of the rod 12. A number of rollers 16 are rotatably mounted on the rod 12 between the brackets 14. The brackets 14 are configured to be fixed to the structure to support the rod 12 in a position that an animal or bird cannot pass between the rollers 16 and the structure.

io It will be appreciated that the exemplary configuration of the animal deterrent 10 is illustrative of only one variation thereof and that numerous other configurations are possible depending on the actual application of the animal deterrent 10. For example, the animal deterrent 10 can include any number of rollers 16 mounted on the rod 12 required to traverse the desired longitudinal distance of the structure to be covered and is this could be as little as one roller 16 or as many as fifty or more roller 16. Also, if there is a great longitudinal distance to be covered, it is envisaged that intermediate brackets 14 can be spaced along the length of the rod 12 to support a central portion or length of the rod 12 at discrete locations. In the given example, it is shown that four rollers 16 are mounted between neighbouring brackets 14. With longer rods 12,

0 additional brackets 14 can be placed at similar intervals after every fourth roller 16.

Alternatively, the brackets 14 can be provided after any selected number of rollers 16, such as after every second roller 16 or after every third, fourth or fifth roller 16.

The rollers 16 are relatively light weight and are arranged to be able to easily rotate on the rod 12.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate one of the rollers 16 in greater clarity, with each of the other rollers 16 being of the same configuration. The roller 16 includes a central tubular body 18 having a bore 20 extending therethrough. In one example the body 18 is a hollow body filled with air and being made from plastics material by blow moulding, e.g. from UV stabilised polypropylene. In another example the body 18 is filled with a light30 weight rigid foam or expanded plastics (such as polystyrene) to provide improved rigidity.

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A low friction lining 22 is provided within the bore 20 and is configured to form a sleeve surrounding the rod 12 so that the body 18 is able to easily rotate around the rod 12. The rod 12 thus forms a rotational axis for the roller 16. The lining 22 extends outwardly beyond the bore 20 on the opposed ends of the body 18 to form buttresses 24. In use the buttresses 24 act to prevent the body 18 of the roller 16 from coming into contact with either the brackets 14 or with another body 18 of a neighbouring roller 16. It is envisaged that the lining 22 will be made of a plastics material, for example polyethylene or commercially available products such as “Tivar”.

The roller 16 further includes a number of paddles 26 extending radially outwardly from io the body 18. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the paddles 26 are substantially rectangular in shape and are aligned longitudinally along a rotational axis of the body 18. The roller 16 includes at least three but up to twelve paddles 26, which are arranged equidistantly from each other around the body 18. When the paddles 26 are provided in even numbers, they will be arranged in pairs being diametrically is opposite to each other around the body 18. The exemplary embodiment shown in

Figures 2 to 4 shows a roller 16 having six paddles 26.

Each paddle 26 has an aerofoil 28 provided along or near its free edge 30 that is remote from the body 18. The aerofoil 28 is configured to assist the roller 16 in rotating about the rod 12 when air moves across the paddle 26, e.g. when wind blows over the

0 paddle 26. The aerofoil 28 is configured to cause regions of low air pressure on one side of its paddle 26 and regions of high air pressure on an opposed side of its paddle so that, in use, the paddle 26 is pushed from the region of high air pressure towards the region of low air pressure.

Although the given example shows that each of the paddles 26 is provided with an 25 aerofoil 28, in some alternative examples, only some of the paddles 26 will be provide with aerofoils 28 whereas other paddles will have no aerofoils 28.

The animal deterrent 10 is configured to be mounted along an upper side of a structure, such as along a top edge of a solar panel or signage board (not shown). However, it should be appreciated that the animal deterrent 10 can also be mounted

0 along any other part of the structure onto which animals would tend to climb or perch.

The animal deterrent 10 is secured to the structure by joining the brackets 14 thereto, normally by screws or bolts but this can also be done by welding.

-6Due to the low friction lining 22 the rollers 16 are easily rotatable about the rod 12. When a strong wind blows transversely across the rollers 16, the wind will press on the paddles 16 and cause them to rotate in the manner of a windmill or waterwheel. In some examples, the paddles can be curved in the shape of vanes so as to assist in catching the wind for improving rotation. The aerofoils 28 along the free edges of the paddles 26 assist in causing rotation of the rollers 16 even at very low wind velocities.

As there are normally relatively few days that are absolutely wind-still, the rollers 16 will tend to rotate at most times, if not almost constantly. Thus the rotation of the rollers 16 is not dependent on actual contact by a bird perching or an animal climbing on to the animal deterrent 10. Rather the rotation is automatically caused by the wind and this rotation of the rollers will provide an irritation for any bird or animal approaching the structure. Even should a bird attempt to perch on the rollers 16, the rotational movement of the paddles 26 will hit against the feet of the bird as it approaches to perch and thereby frighten the bird away.

In the rare event of an absolute wind-still day, the animal deterrent 10 will still be able to function as the paddles 26 provide an angled surface offset from the rotation axis of the roller 16. Thus as a bird approaches and perches, it will contact against the paddles 26 causing the rollers 16 to start rotating around the rod 12 and causing an unstable footing for the bird.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the cable tie as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

For example, Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a roller 32 for use with the animal deterrent 10. This roller 32 is largely similar to the roller 16 and like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals. The main difference in roller 32 is that its paddles 26 are curved in a spiral shape around the body 18. This curvature assists the paddles in catching the wind. In this regard it will be appreciated that if the wind blows in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller 16, then the paddles 26 of the first embodiment will not easily catch the wind and the roller 16 may remain motionless. In comparison, the curvature of the paddles 26 of the roller 32 will present abutment

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-7faces defined on the opposed sides of the paddles 26 that will catch the wind irrespective of the direction that the wind is blowing. The roller 32 will therefore be rotated by the wind even if the wind blows in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller 32.

Further, Figures 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of a roller 34 for use with the animal deterrent 10. The roller 34 includes a plurality of aerofoil blades 36 extending in a cylindrical formation between two end plates 38 that are rotationally mounted on the rod 12. The blades 36 are straight and extend parallel to the rotational axis of the roller 34. However, it will be appreciated that also these blades 36 can be curved in a spiral shape similar to the paddles 26 of the rotor 32. The blades 36 are cambered and this assist in causing rotation of the roller 34 as the wind is able to pass through between the blades 36 thereby resulting in lesser obstruction to the wind. Even in a wind-still day, the offset nature and spacing between the blades 36 will cause a bird to land on the blades 36 away from a top dead centre blade and this will cause rotation of the roller 34.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in a non-limiting and an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in the various embodiments of the animal deterrent. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

Claims (11)

1. An animal deterrent comprising a support frame being attachable to a structure;

one or more rollers being rotatably mounted on the support frame; and each roller being provided with an aerofoil configured to assist in rotation of the roller when wind blows across the roller.

2. An animal deterrent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises at least one bracket for supporting an elongate rod, wherein the rod is supported in a position that an animal or bird cannot pass between the rollers and the structure.

3. An animal deterrent as claimed in claim 2, wherein each roller is provided with a central axial bore being configured to receive the rod.

4. An animal deterrent as claimed in claim 3, wherein each roller comprises a lowfriction lining provided in the bore and being configured to form a sleeve surrounding the rod.

5. An animal deterrent as claimed in claim 4, wherein the low-friction lining extends outwardly beyond the bore on opposed ends of the roller.

6. An animal deterrent as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each roller comprises a body and having a number of paddles extending outwardly from the body.

7. An animal deterrent as claimed in claim 6, wherein the paddles extend radially outwardly from the body and are aligned longitudinally along a rotational axis of the body.

8. An animal deterrent as claimed in claim 6, wherein the paddles are curved in a spiral shape around a rotational axis of the body.

9. An animal deterrent as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the aerofoil is provided on a free end of the paddles remote from the body.

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10. An animal deterrent as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each roller comprises a plurality of aerofoil blades extending in a cylindrical formation between two end plates.

11. An animal deterrent as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the blades is straight 5 and extend parallel to the rotational axis of the roller.