AU785205B2 - Improvements in bird control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DH Ref: 1120-1AU

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: PETER DESMOND KYLE of 215 Lumsden Place, Hastings, New Zealand.

PETER DESMOND KYLE Don Hopkins Associates Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33, St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia IMPROVEMENTS IN BIRD CONTROL APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- AUP3 IMPROVEMENTS IN BIRD CONTROL APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in bird control apparatus.

Fruit growing operations have long experienced problems from bird attacks. Consequently, bird control has become a major expense in the fruit growing industry, particularly berry fruit such as boysenberries, strawberries and grapes used in winemaking.

*9° i.: Growers commonly lose 10% of fruit yield (but in extreme 15 cases, much higher percentages) to damage caused by birds which fly in to feed on the fruit. This is a significant loss and so several methods have been used to discourage birds from landing and feeding on fruit in a crop.

20 The most long established apparatus for keeping birds out of :°oooo a crop is the scarecrow. A scarecrow imitates a human appearance (which birds are wary of and stay clear) but is generally only effective when it is blown by wind which animates the structure. The range within which a scarecrow is effective is not great, but it is a relatively cost effective apparatus.

Another long established method of scaring birds is the shotgun. The shot kills a small number of birds but it is the loud noise which has the most effect. This method of control is manually intensive, especially on a large crop and by law, only one shooter may be within a certain area for safety reasons (visibility is low when vines stand two metres tall). The cost of maintaining firearms (which require a license to operate) can be very high over an entire season and there are many associated problems with obtaining and storing shotgun shells which are classed as "dangerous goods".

A further disadvantage of using shotguns is the lead shot.

When lead is found in the fruit after harvest (particularly boysenberries) then a whole crop may be rejected by the factory which processes the fruit for the consumer. Also, as previously mentioned, shotguns can kill birds accidently, some of which may be endangered and protected species. This aspect is clearly not popular with conservationists.

In recognition of the fact that loud noises (particularly the 0.0.

percussion effect of an explosion) are the most effective 2 deterrent of birds, non-firearm apparatus has been developed as a means to create a sharp noise.

Gas-fueled cannons have been known for many years which create a huge noise 'and effectively scare away birds from the fruit crops. These devices are typically cumbersome arrangements which can be awkward to transport and set up.

The noise made can be so large that it is heard over great distances. Subsequently, residents adjacent to the crop can be startled or at least irritated by the constant noise.

Modern embodiments of a sound cannon are generally on a timer or other preset circuit so manual operation is not necessary but this has the effect that the cannon is sounding even when there are no birds around.

More advanced embodiments of the sound cannon have beer fitted with light sensing means so they operate automatically only in daylight hours (the time when a bird would be feeding). This is an improvement over previous apparatus but still the cannon operates indiscriminately all day.

Despite their relative success, restrictions on cannon use are currently being imposed under new legislation to protect the rights of neighbouring properties.

Cannons cannot be used when the noise exceeds a certain defined threshold on a neighbouring property. This has the potential to leave large areas uncontrolled by sound cannons 15 unless one of the older methods is employed (the disadvantages of which have been detailed above) oAs indicated above, current sound sources often use a timing mechanism to enable them to sound off at regular intervals and keep birds away. It will be appreciated that this is often not necessary as birds will not be present all the time. In such situations the net effect is just to cause *.Soo irritation to residents close by. It also unnecessarily wastes the fuel source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a small unit capable of mobility which produces a noise comparable to a shotgun blast and which can be used to patrol areas where birds may cause damage to crops and cannot be protected by a large noise source.

In one broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a bird control apparatus of the audible type including a cylindrical sounding tube, control means for controlling and igniting a fuel within said sounding tube, said control means being capable of being triggered selectively only when a bird is in the vicinity of the sounding tube, and wherein the audible sound is limited to within a range substantially comparable with a shotgun blast.

It is a further object to provide a bird control apparatus which operates automatically and only when it is needed.

so 0 4, 0, SS In a broad aspect of this invention, there is provided a bird 15 control apparatus including an external sensing means which in use monitors at least one direction and a sounding tube including control means for controlling and igniting a fuel within said sounding tube, said control means being triggered o*r only when a bird is in the vicinity of the external sensing means, and wherein the audible sound is limited to within a range substantially comparable with a shotgun blast.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a general view of an embodiment of the bird control apparatus mounted to an all-terrain vehicle, and Figure 2 is a general view of a further embodiment of the bird control apparatus incorporating motion sensing means.

6 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of the invention where the bird control apparatus 10 is in the form of a sounding tube or "gun" 11 coupled to an LPG tank 12 and electronic control gear 13. The apparatus 10 is mounted to a steel frame 14 which in turn is coupled or mounted to a vehicle (such as an all terrain vehicle V) and enables the mobile aspect of the bird control apparatus.

The sounding tube or "gun" 11 produces a sharp percussive explosion fueled by the LPG tank 12 via gas conduit 12a and is ignited by the electronic control gear 13 via wire 13a to a spark plug (not illustrated). The ignition control is a 15 known method and can produce (using current equipment) a sound every second. The apparatus is operated by the driver of the vehicle V and so can be aimed in a desired direction *e and "shot" when desired (and selectively at birds as they are seen) Should higher 'fire" rates be needed (to simulate a 'semi- ~automatic" type sound) then further sounding tubes 11 can be added and controlled by a modification to the control gear 13.

The arrangement as illustrated includes a swivel mount 15 by which the operator can set the position of the sounding gun 11 by handle 16. This allows hands-free operation while driving the vehicle V (patrolling an area of the fruit crop) An optional "fire" button may be located on the handle bars or dash of the vehicle as is appropriate and convenient for operation.

The preferred sound produced by the apparatus 10 in thist embodiment is comparable in loudness to a shotgun blast. The volume of the noise is easily sufficient to cause flight for birds within a local proximity and is held at least at arm's length from the operator so (with ear muffs) the operation is safer than with a shotgun (for obvious reasons relating to noise and firearms). The sound produced by a sounding tube 11 (substantially 50mm in diameter to produce the comparable shotgun noise) of this size is not nearly as loud nor carries as far as that of the cannons presently. This means that the apparatus can be used at the boundaries of a crop and since the apparatus is triggered by the operator, is only activated *..when needed.

The all terrain vehicle makes the operator mobile (analogous to the mobile shotgun shooters employed to patrol a crop) and several operators can be on patrol dependent on the size of the crop (restrictions are enforced upon shotgun operations 20 in the interest of safety). It is also possible for other workers to be tending the fruit when the apparatus 10 is in use.

Figure 2 illustrates a further embodiment wherein the bird control apparatus is mounted within a stationery frame l1 (however, further options will be described hereinafter).

The essential sound producing arrangement is substantially the same as in Figure 1 with the addition of a motion sensor 17 which communicates with the control gear 13.

Motion sensor 17 is positioned in clear air above the tops of the fruit crop, foliage and trellis arrangements T (typically 8 2 metres tall). The height may, however, be adjusted by a telescopic arrangement locked by a bolt or other lockinq mechanism 18. When an airborne object (such as a bird B) penetrates the sensing area of motion sensor 17 this triggers the sounding tube 11 through control gear 13 and produces a percussive explosion which startles the bird B and scares it away.

The control gear 13 may be set to fire a single "shot" or a succession of shots as is found effective. When the sensor 17 detects no more movement, the apparatus will remain silent once again until there is a further intrusion.

The particular type of sensor 17 used in this embodiment is a daylight sensor with a range of 100m which uses a photosensitive method of detection. As new motion sensing technology becomes available, it will be possible to extend the range and operating radius of the apparatus.

20 The present embodiment utilises two such sensors 17 back to back to double its effective coverage area. A daylight sensor will only be effective during daylight hours (when birds are active) and so a remote site which is left on "automatic" will not sound the gun at night when it is likely to cause the most irritation to surrounding people.

The sounding tube 11 is preferably held at the most effective level for scaring birds which is at the top of the trellis arrangement T. The frame 15 may be staked to the ground for security against wind.

Advanced embodiments of the bird control apparatus may incorporate automated movement means to enable the unit to patrol or move along a predetermined path thereby enablingi one unit to protect a larger area of crop. The sensor 17 will still ensure that a noise is only produced when there is aerial movement as detected by sensor 17.

Further embodiments may also include a remote-control means for activating the sound source from- a remote vantage point location. Remote controls may also be employed to turn the unit on or off or in conjunction with more traditional timing circuits.

Selective use of the sound saves fuel and hence the cost and frequency of maintenance. A 9kg LPG bottle (12) will be 15 sufficient for 3000 .shots and have a relatively low cost.

3000 shotgun shells has a comparatively huge cost for operation and also has many other disadvantages of firearms as well.

S. 20 This comparison shows the savings in the continued operation costs of the present invention, while the expense of control gear and sensing means have a similar initial cost to an average to highly priced shotgun.

The present invention, though adapted to be conservative when, it produces sound, can be used with regular timing systems because the noise produced does not carry the same distance as known sound cannons.

The bird control apparatus described may be used independently or in addition to other methods of bird scaring. For example, a cannon arrangement (which could also incorporate a motion sensor) may be used in the centre of a property (out of range to irritate neighbours) and use mobilet or stationary apparatus as described for the unprotected regions.

The frame of the apparatus itself may be roughly disguised as a scarecrow to add a measure of novelty value as well as practical use.

In addition to or in place of the sounding tube, air horns or various sirens may be added in modular units to add to the effect of the device.

The general construction and arrangement of the apparatus is 5 designed for ease of access and interaction. The control gear 13 and gas bottle 12 are both readily accessible to allow adjustment when desired.

Construction materials are weather resistant to ensure the 20 apparatus can remain unattended for long periods of time.

Advanced use of 'the apparatus in security or other applications (such as airports) may utilise a network of evenly spaced units which work to systematically clear birds from a restricted area.

The bird control apparatus as described can provide an alternative method of bird scaring which does not use lead (and firearms dangers) and which is selective in its use of loud noises to scare birds (ie it will only operate when birds are present).

Claims (17)

1. A bird control apparatus of the audible type including a cylindrical sounding tube, control means for controlling and igniting a fuel within said sounding tube, said control means being capable of being triggered selectively only when a bird is in the vicinity of the sounding tube, and wherein the audible sound is limited to within a range substantially 10 comparable with a shotgun blast.

2. The bird control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sounding tube is gas fuelled and includes a spark plug and control gear for regulating the firing of the tube and a fuel source.

3. A bird control apparatus of claim 2 including a plurality of gas fuelled sounding tubes. e* 20 4. The bird control apparatus of claims 2 or 3 wherein the sounding tube(s) is/are mounted on a frame means. 9**

5. The bird control apparatus of claim 4 wherein the frame means supports within the confines thereof the control V*. 25 means.

6. The bird control apparatus of claim 5 wherein the fuel source is located within the frame means.

7. The bird control apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the frame means includes a swivel means for at least bi-directional movement of the sounding tube(s). The bird control apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 7 .4 wherein the frame means is adapted to be coupled to a mobility means.

9. The bird control apparatus of claim 8 wherein the *ooo mobility means is an all terrain vehicle. *10. The bird control apparatus of claim 9 further including 10 an activating control adapted for location on a frame or handle-bar of the all terrain vehicle.

11. A bird control apparatus including an external sensing a sounding tube including control means for controlling i and igniting a fuel within said sounding tube, said S S^ control means being triggered only when a bird is in the vicinity of the external sensing means, and wherein %*4 the audible sound is limited to within a range 20 substantially comparable with a shotgun blast.

12. The bird control apparatus of claim 11 wherein the 0 -D sensing means is a motion detecting means which causes i: the control means to trigger when an object invades the 0* 25 coverage of said motion detecting means. 44

13. The bird control apparatus of claim 11 wherein the sensing means is a remote-control receiving means for receiving commands from a remote location.

14. The bird control apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the sounding tube and control means are 13 mounted on a frame mounting means and associated with a fuel source.

15. The bird control apparatus of claim 14 wherein a retractable height adjustment is provided between the S" frame mounting means and the sensing means.

16. The bird control apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the sensing means includes means to render :10 the sensing means operable only during daylight hours.

17. The bird control apparatus of claim 14 wherein the frame mounting means is adapted to be coupled to a permanent fixture. t t 18. The bird control apparatus of any one of the preceding SS 5 claims wherein a battery is provided as a power source for the control means. .S* go 20 19. The bird control apparatus of claim 18 wherein the battery and/or the fuel source are accessible for removal. **ee strike.

20. Use of the bird control apparatus as claimed in any one .sA' 25 of the preceding claims to protect a fruit crop from 30 from bird strike with aeroplanes bird strike.

21. Use of the bird control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 19 to protect an airport from bird strike with aeroplanes.

22. The bird control apparatus substantially as herei r described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 1 1 th day of July 2000 DON HOPKINS ASSOCIATES SPRUSON FERGUSON GPO Box 3898 Sydney New South Wales 2001 AUSTRALIA *oe