DK2800838T3 - Safety mechanism for a pest deterrent device - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a safety mechanism for a pest deterrent device of the type having two separate closure members pivotally suspended. Furthermore, the invention is also directed at a pest deterrent device comprising such a safety mechanism.

[0002] In this application pests will typically be described with reference to rats or other rodents, and in particular rats that inhabit pipe systems such as for example sewers. It is, however, contemplated that the principles of the invention is also applicable in use for other pest deterrent devices where a combination of two separate closure members are used in order to stop the pests at a certain location.

Background of the Invention [0003] In the art, rats in sewer systems are a large and growing problem which in addition to being considered very unclean and unsafe in that rats may spread diseases etc., also in many circumstances deteriorates the proper working of the sewer system.

[0004] It is therefore a general desire to get rid of the pests, particularly rats from the sewer systems, or as a minimum try to hinder the rat's access to branch pipes in the sewer system where they may enter factories, houses, etc. For this purpose a number of devices have been suggested in the art. One such device is disclosed in EP 1828498 wherein two separate closure members are suspended in a pipeline. The closure members are interconnected by a mechanism such that the closure members when installed correctly in the pipeline may pivot with the flow of liquid in the pipe whereas if a rat travelling upstream against the flow tries to elevate the first closure member, a locking mechanism/safety mechanism will be engaged such that the two closure members mutually lock each other.

[0005] This construction is relatively complicated and due to its arrangement it must be anticipated that waste transported with the liquid in the pipe/conduit can become stuck and thereby hamper the proper working of the device.

[0006] In DE 699005 is disclosed a device which will allow water to flow in one direction where for example pests cannot travel in the opposite direction. The device is provided with two suspended and pivotable closure members arranged at a certain distance. Above the point of pivoting each closure member is provided with a projecting part which projects towards the opposite closure member. Furthermore the size and position of the projecting members is arranged such that liquid flow in one direction will allow the closure members to pivot freely whereas attempts to pivot the closure members in an opposite direction will cause the projecting members to engage and thereby block the pivoting movement.

[0007] WO 2006/053562 describes a similar device where two closure members are suspended at a distance X The closure members may pivot. The two closure members are interconnected by a closure mechanism which allows free pivotal movement in one direction whereas the locking mechanism hinders pivotal movement in the opposite direction. Consequently the device allows liquid to flow freely in one direction whereas pests such as rats travelling against the flow will be blocked from passing the device due to the locking mechanism.

[0008] A similar device is disclosed in EP 2385179 where two suspended and pivoting closure members are arranged at a certain distance such that the closure members may pivot freely in one direction whereas locking members are provided above the pivoting points on both closure members such that when attempts are made to pivot the closures members in the opposite direction these closure members will engage and hinder any pivoting movement in the opposite direction.

Object of the Invention [0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved device of the type mentioned above having a simpler safety mechanism but still providing the ability of the liquid to pivot the closure members in a downstream direction and hinder movement of the closure members when the closure members are being accessed in an upstream direction.

Description of the Invention [0010] The invention addresses this by providing a safety mechanism for pest deterrent devices and a pest trap according to the appended claims.

[0011] The mutual distance between the two closure members causes the portions of the closure members furthest away from the points where they are pivotally hinged to a construction to describe two separate, but overlapping circle sections. This aspect is important in understanding the working of the invention. The first closure member is provided with a lock member whereas the second closure member is provided with a bracket. The bracket projects through slits arranged in the first closing member such that when the closure members are suspended in their rest position, i.e. not influenced by water-flow or by attempts to pivot the closure members in an upstream direction, the bracket is arranged through the slits on the side of the closure member where the lock member is also arranged. Usually, the bracket will be arranged such that in the rest position the bracket will be spaced a few mm from the underside or edge of the lock member. If the first closure member is activated to pivot in a downstream direction, i.e. by action coming from for example a rat trying to pivot it where the rat comes from the upstream direction, the bracket will engage the lock member and thereby hinder any movement of the two closure members. This is due to the fact that the two circle sections will describe separate circle movements whereby the harder the pull is on the first closure member, the harder the bracket will engage the lock member and thereby hinder any movement. On the other hand, if a pushing action is applied to the first closure member, i.e. pushing the closure member towards the upstream direction the lock member's underside/edge will engage the bracket which then again will hinder movement of the first closure member.

[0012] On the other hand, if a pushing action is applied in a downstream direction to the second closure member, the bracket will push on the underside of the lock member and at the same time slide relative to the lock member such that after a certain movement of the second closure member the bracket will become free of the lock member and thereby be able to swing freely as will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0013] Therefore, the principle of having two mutually spaced closure members which interact by means of a bracket and a lock member provides a simple and yet safe safety mechanism for pest deterrent devices such that they may operate in a manner for which they are designed.

[0014] The provision of a stop adjacent the second closure member on the opposite side to the first closure member, where said stop hinders the pivotal movement of the second member away from the first closure member foresees that the second closure member can only pivot very slightly in the upstream direction such that any pushing action on the first closure member in the upstream direction will not be able to open the safety mechanism due to the stop.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention two parallel slits are arranged and the lock member is arranged between said two slits, and that the bracket is generally U-shaped, where the distal ends of the U are fastened to the second closure member. The U-shape of the bracket guided in two slits provides for a more rigid construction in that lateral displacement of the two closure members will not cause the safety mechanism not be active or be able to activate its locking in that any lateral movement of one or the other of the closure members will due to the arrangement of the bracket in the slits keep the bracket in its correct position relative to the lock member.

[0016] In a still further embodiment of the invention the distance between the two closure members is between 10 and 50 mm, preferably between 15 and 25 mm. At these distances the circle sections provide adequate and sufficient spacing in order for the circle sections as mentioned above to provide the effective locking mechanism in order to provide the safety mechanism with sufficient reliability such that it is always ensured that the bracket will engage the lock member as desired.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the closure members have a size and shape substantially corresponding to 65% to 90% of the cross-sectional shape of the pipe into which the safety mechanism is intended to be installed. The size of the closure members will be selected such that they do block a substantial part of the cross-sectional opening of the pipe, but will still allow liquid and air to pass the safety mechanism without necessarily activating said safety mechanism. Therefore, a certain free-space is desirable around the edges of the closure members. On the other hand this free space should not be such that pests are able to pass the safety mechanism simply by crawling through the free space.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention a stop is provided adjacent the second closure member on the opposite side to the first closure member, where said stop hinders the pivotal movement of the second member away from the first closure member. In this configuration the second closure member can only pivot very slightly in the upstream direction such that any pushing action on the first closure member in the upstream direction will not be able to open the safety mechanism due to the stop.

[0019] In a still further advantageous embodiment the same safety is provided by a different feature, namely in that a projection is provided on the first closure member facing the second member, or on the second member facing the first member, such that as the first member pivots towards the second member, the projection will engage the opposite closure member and pivot said opposite closure member, until the bracket engages the lock member. As the projection engages the other closure member due to an upstream pivotal movement of the first member, the second member will pivot correspondingly thereby maintaining the bracket's position relative to the lock member whereby the bracket will engage the lock member's under-edge and thereby as already explained above mutually lock the two closure plates relative to each other and thereby hinder any access past the safety mechanism.

[0020] The invention is also directed to a pest deterrent device comprising means for installing the device inside or partly inside a pipe or conduit in which pests may be present, where the means comprises a plate member suitable to be arranged against an upper part of the pipe, where said plate member comprises means for pivotally suspending the safety mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 4 in the pipes' cross-section.

[0021] Naturally, such a pest deterrent device will enjoy all the benefits and advantages of the safety mechanism as already explained above.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the device is made from a polymer material comprising a resin and optionally fibres and/or glass-fillers. By using a polymer material comprising a resin and optionally fibres or glass-fillers it is possible to use relatively cheap moulding processes which will bring the overall price of the device down in comparison to traditional materials. On the other hand, the polymer materials comprising a resin and especially glass-fillers have shown to be tough and resistant enough such that especially rats will not be able to chew their way through the material.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment the device is made from a non-corroding metal, such as stainless steel, aluminium or the like. Traditionally, these devices are made from stainless steel which exhibits exceptionally good resistance against corrosion which is very important in the severe, hard and aggressive environments into which devices of this type are arranged.

[0024] The invention is also directed at a pest trap incorporating the inventive safety mechanism wherein said closure members of the safety mechanism are suspended from a lower portion of a trap where said trap comprises means for exterminating said pest in a tunnel provided in said trap.

[0025] As the safety mechanism blocks the pest's progress along the bottom of the pipe or conduit, for example a sewer, the pest, especially a rat, will try to circumvent the safety mechanism and its closure members. By arranging a trap above, the safety mechanism where said trap incorporates a tunnel the rat will climb up into the tunnel and thereby enter a pest trap. The pest trap may for example be a trap of the type disclosed in the same applicant's prior patent application WO 2010130262 or Danish patent application (yet to be published) PA 2011 70336.

[0026] This combination of the safety mechanism according to the present invention and the trap, for example as disclosed in any of the applications mentioned above, provides a complete system such that not only will the system deter rats from progressing in the pipe/conduit, but any rat attempting to pass the safety mechanism will have to enter the trap and thereby be killed.

Description of the Drawing [0027] The invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 illustrates a view of the safety mechanism Figure 2 illustrates the first and second closure members pivoted into a substantially horizontal position Figure 3 illustrates means for installing the device in a sewer Figure 4 illustrates a detail of the lock member;

Figure 4a corresponds to fig. 4 but with added definition of planes Figure 5 illustrates a stop arranged adjacent the second closure member Figure 6 illustrates the safety mechanism in connection with a trap.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0028] In figure 1 is illustrated a view of the safety mechanism 1 where the first closure member 10 and the second closure member 20 is in a position where they are suspended substantially vertically. On the second closure member 20 is arranged a bracket 21 which bracket in this embodiment has a general U-shape such that both distal ends/free ends of the U are fastened to the second closure member. The U-shaped bracket 21 is arranged in two slits 11,12 arranged in use substantially vertically in the first closure member 10. Perpendicular to the plane of the first closure member 10 is arranged a lock member 13. The lock member will be described in more detail with reference to figure 4, see below.

[0029] The two closure members 10, 20 are pivotally suspended from members 31, 32 which members 31, 32 are a part of a mounting arrangement 30, see figure 3, for arranging the safety mechanism for example in a sewer system or other conduit system where it is desirable to block the passage of pests and in particular rats from entering the pipe or conduit system.

[0030] Both closure members 10, 20 are freely pivotal such that they may pivot independently of each other and furthermore the lowermost sections 22, 14 of the closure members 10, 20 will, as they are arranged with a horizontal distance X describe two intersecting sections of a circle. This movement, and thereby also the distance X is very important in that it determines the bracket's 21 movement with respect to the lock member 13. In figure 2 the first and second closure members have been pivoted into a substantially horizontal position whereby the bracket 21 due to the difference in circular sections of the first closure member 10 and the second closure member 20 the bracket 21 has passed the lock member 13 and moved into the position as illustrated with reference to figure 2.

[0031] In this position the second closure member 20 may fall back until the bracket 21 engages the surface of the closure member 10, or if both closure members 10, 20 are pivoting back into the position as illustrated with reference to figure 1 the bracket 21 will at some point engage the lock member 13 and due to the oblique angle of the upper part of the lock member, see figure 4, the bracket and thereby the second closure member will slide along the lock plate until it comes into the position as illustrated with reference to figure 1.

[0032] Turning back to figure 1 movement of the first closure member 10 towards the right hand side of the illustration will cause the bracket 21 to engage the lock member 13 along the part of the lock member being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first closure member 10. In this position it will not be possible to move the first closure member due to its engagement with the bracket, and an effective mechanical lock is thereby established between the two closure members 10, 20 which effective hinders the movement of the plates in a direction towards the right. If the second closure member 20 is moved first, the bracket will slide along the lock member's 13 lower surface which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the closure member 10, and when the second closure member 20 engages the first closure member the bracket will be free of the lock member 13 such that it may pivot into a position as illustrated with reference to figure 2.

[0033] This movement is partly illustrated in figure 3 where the second closure member 20 has engaged the first closure member 10 due to a force coming from the left towards the right in the figure, whereby the bracket 21 has been moved free of the lock member 13.

[0034] In figure 3 is furthermore illustrated means 30 for installing the device 1 in a sewer or conduit. The means for installing the safety device 1 according to the invention will typically include a mounting tool 60 which may be detached from the bracket 31 in such a manner that by choosing a mounting tool 60 having a correct length it is possible to insert the device 1 into a manhole and by manipulating the mounting tool 60 the bracket may be inserted at least partly into a pipe opening.

[0035] In figure 4 is illustrated a detail of the lock member 13 in engagement with a portion 23 of the bracket. The lock member 13 comprises a plate section 40 arranged substantially orthogonal to the plane of the first closure member 10 where the plate member 40 in this embodiment has a triangular shape such that the lowermost edge 41 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first closure member 10. In this manner the portion of the bracket 23 will have to slide along the lower edge 41 before the bracket is free of the lock member 13 and thereby the second closure member may pivot independently of the first closure member.

[0036] In the reverse movement the plate member 40 is provided with an oblique edge 42 such that as the bracket portion 23 comes into contact with the lock member 13, the bracket portion 23 vull slide along the oblique edge 42 until it may move free of the plate member 40 and come to rest in the position as illustrated with reference to figure 4.

[0037] In this context it should be noted that it is of course possible to design the lock member 13 with different edges. For example could the top edge 42 be a curve either convex or concave as could the lower edge 41 as long as they together provide guidance for the portion of the bracket 23 such that they will achieve either the self-locking position illustrated in figure 1 when the first closure member is urged to the right in the picture and allow the portion of the bracket to slide along the upper edge 42 in order for the second closure member 20 to achieve the position illustrated in figures 1 and 4.

[0038] In fig. 4a is the illustration of fig. 4 provided with a coordinate-system, defining x, y and z-axis, such that the closure members 10,20 substantially are arranged in respective parallel x-y planes, and the lock member 13 arranged in a y-z plane orthogonal to the x-y plane. In this manner the relative position, especially of the lock member 13 relative to the bracket 21, and in particular the portion of the bracket 23 overlapping the plane (z-y) of the lock member, is clearly defined.

[0039] In order to avoid the safety mechanism opening by pushing the first member 10 in an upstream direction, i.e. towards the second closure member 20, a stop 50 is provided, see figure 5. The stop 50 is arranged adjacent the second closure member 20 such that the second closure member 20 may pivot in the downstream direction, i.e. towards the left in figure 5, whereas the stop hinders pivotable movement towards the right in figure 5, i.e. in the upstream direction. Therefore, any pushing action on the first closure member 10 will force the first closure member 10 into contact with the second closure member 20, but due to the provision of the stop 50 the pivotable movement of the closure members will be stopped.

[0040] Turning to figure 6 the safety mechanism 1 is illustrated in connection with a trap 70 where said trap 70 is mounted above the closure members 10, 20 such that a rat trying to move from the left towards the right in figure 6 will be forced up and into the trap 70 as the closure members 10, 20 blocks the passage in the pipe/conduit (not illustrated for clarity reasons). The trap 70 is in this example identical to applicant's prior patent application PA 2011 70336 where a tunnel is provided inside the trap 70. Means 71 for electrically detecting and controlling the trap are provided on top of the trap. In this particular embodiment the trap 70 is designed to be mounted in a manhole whereas the safety mechanism provided with a plate member 32 is designed to be inserted into a pipe opening whereby the closure members 10, 20 suspended from the plate member 32 will substantially block the cross section of the sewer pipe.

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description • EP1828498A :00041 • DE699005 fOOOfi] • W02006053562A Γ0007Ί • EP2385179A [0008] • WQ2010130262A (0025) • DK201170336 rø0251 • VV02Q1170336A [0040]

Claims (10)

A pest deterrent safety mechanism, the mechanism comprising two separate closure members (10, 20) pivotally suspended in the pest deterrent device and spaced apart at a horizontal distance (X), the purpose of the two closure members (10, 20) being: preventing the passage of pests in one direction, the upstream direction, and enabling the closing elements (10, 20) to rotate in the opposite direction, the downstream direction, to allow fluid to flow downstream past the safety mechanism, the mechanism further comprising a stop (50 ) provided next to the second closure element (20) on the opposite side of the first closure element (10), characterized in that the first closure element (10) on the downstream side is provided with one or more slots (11, 12). wherein next to the at least one slot (11, 12) a locking element (13) is provided, which locking element (13) projects into a plane (yz) substantially ortho gonally with respect to the plane (xy) of the first closure element (10) in a direction away from the second closure element (20) provided upstream of the first closure element (10), the second closure element (20) being provided with a hanger (21), wherein the hanger (21) projects through the at least one slot (11, 12) of the first closure member (10), the hanger (21) having a portion (23) that overlaps the plane (yz) of the locking member (13), wherein the locking member (13) has a lower edge (41) substantially parallel to the z axis such that when the second closure member (20) in use rotates against the first closure member (10), it will portion (23) of the bracket (21) overlapping the plane (yz) of the locking member (13) slides along the lower edge (41) until the bracket (21) of the second locking member (20) is free of the locking member (13). and further, when the first closure element (10) is rotated relative to the second closure element (20) to the downstream side, the portion (23) of the hoop that overlaps per plane (yz) of the locking member, engage the lower edge (41) of the locking member (13) and blocking the pivotal movement of both closing members (10, 20) and as the first closing member (10) is pushed toward the second closing member (20). ), the stop impedes the rotational movement of both closure members (10, 20) toward the upstream side. Security mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that two parallel slots (11, 12) are arranged in the first closing element (10) and the locking element (40) is arranged between the two slots (11, 12) and that the bracket ( 21) is generally U-shaped where the distal ends of the U are secured to the second closure member (20). Safety mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (X) between the two closing elements (10, 20) is between 10 and 50 mm, preferably between 15 and 25 mm. Security mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing elements (10, 20) in use have a size and shape substantially corresponding to 65% to 90% of the cross-sectional shape of a pipe in which the safety mechanism is intended to be installed. Safety mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that a projection is provided on the first closure element (10) opposite the second closure element (20) or on the second closure element (20) opposite the first closure element (10), thus when the first closure member (10) rotates against the second closure member (20), the projection will engage the opposite closure member and rotate the opposite closure member until the bracket (21) engages the locking member (13). A safety mechanism for pest control devices according to any preceding claim, comprising means for installing the safety mechanism inside or partially inside a pipe or conduit wherein pests may be present, wherein the agent comprises a plate element (32) suitable for being mounted against an upper portion of the tube, the plate member (32) comprising means for pivotally suspending the safety mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 4 in the cross section of the tube. The safety mechanism for pest control devices according to claim 5, wherein the safety mechanism is made of a polymeric material comprising a resin and optional fibers and / or glass inserts. The safety mechanism for pest control devices according to claim 5, wherein the safety mechanism is made of non-rusting metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum or the like. 9th A pest trap comprising a safety mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the closing elements (10, 20) of the safety mechanism are suspended in a lower portion of the trap, the trap comprising means for exterminating the pest in a tunnel (70), provided in the trap.