DE102009054775A1 - Device for use as small animal protection mat for motor vehicle for protecting against animals, particularly martens, has flat base element and multiple pins which are projected upwardly from base element - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a flat base element (1) and multiple pins (2) which are projected upwardly from the base element. The base element or the pins are made from an elastomeric material. The pins have a curve (4) at upper ends. The base element has a circumferential edge.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the defense of animals, in particular of martens, which allows for a long period of defense of small animals, without causing injury or damage to these animals.

A parked after a long drive motor vehicle gives its engine heat to the immediate area. Due to this release of engine heat, the engine compartment of the motor vehicle heats up, and there is also a corresponding emission of engine heat on the floor directly under the engine. Small animals and especially martens can feel attracted by this release of heat. If, for example, a stone marten has penetrated into the engine compartment, this often leads to the soft materials built into the engine compartment being gnawed by the marten. These materials include, for example, plastics and rubber, which are used as hoses, pipes and insulation mats for acoustic insulation. Every year, such marten bans cause considerable damage to vehicles. This bite damage can be found in particular in rubber components in the engine compartment such as wiring harnesses, radiator hoses and ignition cables, but also on brake lines and bellows. This can lead to breakdowns and subsequently to costly breakdown aids and repairs, in the worst case even to accidents when brake pipes are gnawed and have a consequence in a leak.

In the prior art, for example in the DE 10 2006 043 995 A1 , an example of a marten repelling device is given. This attempts to deter the animals via a delivery of acoustic signals in the ultrasonic range. However, it has been found that a defense against noise, such as ultrasound, the martens or small animals only temporarily deters and the animals get used to these signals after a certain time.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for the defense of animals, in particular of martens, which allows a permanent defense against small animals.

Furthermore, this device should work without injury or damage to the animals.

For this purpose, a planar base element and a plurality of pins are provided, which project from the base element upwards.

The pins may project upwardly from the base member at an angle of 90 ° ± 15 °, preferably 90 ° ± 5 °. The orientation or the angles can be the same over the base element or alternate or change. So it is conceivable to change the angle of successive pins.

Arranged under a vehicle can be permanently prevented by the inventive device that, for example, a marten penetrates into the engine compartment, as martens prefer a solid, stable surface for locomotion and not voluntarily go on resilient ground. In particular, it should be emphasized that a permanent defense against small animals, especially of martens, can be achieved because the animals do not get used to this soft ground.

A particular advantage is that this is achieved without the use of odors, electrical and / or acoustic systems or pads with embedded sharp-edged objects, such as nail tips, etc. Another advantage is that the protective mat is not damaged even when driving over a vehicle tire. Consequently, the marten protection mat can, if necessary, quite in a garage entrance or in the garage itself come to rest, the vehicle can then run over this protective mat. As a result, no recurrent installation of the protection device is necessary. The protective mat can also be easily stowed away by its flexible material. Furthermore, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of different protective mat sizes, which can then be arranged as needed.

It would be conceivable, for example, laterally to arrange a protective mat for the space below the engine block and two slightly smaller protective mats to ensure positioning under the respective wheel axles.

The material of the base member and the pins may be an elastomeric material, wherein the hardness of the material may be 30 to 60 Shore A, preferably 40 to 60 Shore A. Furthermore, the pins may be cylindrical and have a diameter of 6 to 10 mm.

The hardness of the pins, the diameter of the pins, the arrangement density of the pins and the outer shape of the pins are coordinated so that they deform elastically at a load, for example, with a weight of 0.25 kg to 2.5 kg, or bend, wherein the outer sides are formed such that the pins can move past each other, or can slide past each other after a respective contact. This ensures that the pins, for example, at a Straining one or more pens through the paw of a marten, bending it and, for example, sliding past each other, may give the small animal or marten a feeling of snapping into the mat and being thereby warded off. The aforementioned tuned length of the pins may be 30 to 60, preferably 40 to 60 mm.

The area density of the pins may be 30 to 60%, preferably 40%.

By the appropriate Auszustattung can be ensured that a permanent marten defense without injury, or damage to the small animal is possible.

It should be emphasized that the device according to the invention exclusively leads to the desired defense through passive properties, whereby it will continue to be completely preserved even after years of use, since no learning effect of the marten is to be expected in order to circumvent the defense measure. In addition, no changes to the vehicle and the laying of electrical cables, mounting brackets, contacts, etc. are required.

The design of the pins can be cylindrical. However, other forms are conceivable, for example, three-, four- and polygonal shapes are conceivable.

The pins may have a rounded at their top. Furthermore, the pins may have a flat top, taper, or tip, but the tip design by the relatively soft material may not result in damage to or injury to the animal.

The provision of the addressed surface density of the pins can be achieved by a uniform or regular matrix. Of course, other embodiments are conceivable. For example, the regularity might only prevail in some areas. Furthermore, the pins can run in straight lines or sinusoidal, for example, with the respective shapes on the base element can alternate. In addition, several embodiments of the pins, such as round, three, four, ..., square can alternate. This also applies to the upper end of the pins.

The base member may have an edge circumferentially to provide a catching action for dripping fluids from the engine compartment of the parked vehicle.

Furthermore, the device can also be used, for example, for sandboxes as a border for cat defense. In this case, the flat base elements may be elongated or arcuate segment-shaped.

In the following, schematic examples of the object according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. Show it:

1 a schematic view of the device according to the invention and

2 a further schematic view of the device according to the invention with a circumferential edge.

In the 1 is a base element and a plurality of pins shown. The pencils 2 are in this representation in a respective row 3a . 3b , ... arranged equidistantly to each other. The respective rows 3a . 3b etc. may also be arranged equidistant to each other.

It is expressly noted at this point that this equidistance is not absolutely necessary. It is also conceivable the distances of the pins 2 over the entire base element 1 to vary. Furthermore, the individual rows 3a . 3b , etc. also have, for example, a sinusoidal shape. It is also conceivable that parallel rows and sinusoidal or otherwise curved shapes alternate in any desired manner.

The pencils 2 can be rounded at the top 4 exhibit. It should be expressly noted that other shapes are conceivable, for example, conical shapes or pointed shapes are conceivable. Of course, even a straight-cut shape with an area parallel to the base element 1 runs, be used, or partially used.

The illustrated areal density can therefore be over the base element 1 change in some areas. This change can be gradual or gradual.

In the 2 is different from 1 a circumferential edge 5 shown. This circumferential edge 5 It is used to collect any fluids from a parked vehicle that may drip from the engine compartment, so that the underlying floor is not polluted or otherwise affected.

This circumferential edge 5 may be provided on the outer periphery of the device designed as a protective mat. It is, however possible for that edge 5 something is set inside. Furthermore, it is conceivable that further within the protective mat one or more of these edges 5 are provided.

By the invention explained above, it is possible to realize a protective mat which is able to protect an area under the vehicle in such a way that an area, for example a marten, is created, so that access to the overlying components / zones of the Vehicle is not possible.

The features described above, or individual features, can be combined in any desired manner.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006043995 A1 [0003]

Claims (12)

Device for repelling animals, in particular martens, with a flat base element ( 1 ) and a variety of pens ( 2 ) starting from the base element ( 1 ) protrude upwards. Device according to claim 1, wherein the pins ( 2 ) at an angle of 90 ° ± 15 °, preferably 90 ° ± 5 °, starting from the base element ( 1 ) protrude upwards. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base element ( 1 ) and / or the pens ( 2 ) consist of an elastomeric Matrerial. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base element ( 1 ) and / or the pins consist of an elastomeric material having a hardness of 30 to 60 Shore A, preferably 40 to 60 Shore A. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base element ( 1 ) and the pens ( 2 ) are formed of a uniform elastomeric material. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pins are cylindrical and have a diameter of 6 to 10 mm. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pins ( 2 ) at the upper end a rounding ( 4 ) exhibit. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pins ( 2 ) have a length of 30 to 60 mm, preferably a length of 40 to 60 mm. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pins ( 2 ) have a surface density of 30% to 60%, preferably 40%. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base element ( 1 ) a circumferential edge ( 5 ) having. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pins ( 2 ) are shaped and have a hardness such that they elastically deform or bend at a load of 0.25 kg to 2.5 kg, the outer sides thereof ( 6 ) are formed or formed from such a material that the pins ( 2 ) can move past each other or can slide past each other after a respective touch. Use of the device according to at least one of claims 1 to 11 as a small animal protection mat, in particular as marten protection mat, for motor vehicles, which is placed under the motor vehicle.

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