GB2049385A

GB2049385A - Improvements in or relating to bird-scaring apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2049385A
Application number: GB8010090A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Burbidge K E
Current assignee: Burbidge K E
Priority date: 1979-04-07
Filing date: 1980-03-26
Publication date: 1980-12-31
Also published as: GB2049385B

Abstract

Bird-scaring apparatus 1 comprises a pivotably mounted lever 3 supporting a receptacle 4, and means 30,32,36, for supplying a controlled flow of water to the receptacle 4. The arrangement is such that when sufficient water has been supplied to the receptacle, the added weight resulting therefrom causes the lever 3 to swing about its pivot, (as indicated by arrow 40), in a bird-scaring manner. The lever 3 can be employed to operate additional bird-scaring means, for example, a mechanical bell 7 or an electrically-operated alarm and may contain ball-bearings 8 and carry streamers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to bird-scaring apparatus This invention relates to bird-scaring apparatus.

According to the invention, bird-scaring apparatus comprises a pivotably mounted lever supporting a receptacle, and means for supplying a controlled flow of liquid to the receptacle, the arrangment being such that when sufficient liquid has been supplied to the receptacle, the added weight resulting therefrom causes the lever to swing about its pivot in a bird-scaring manner.

The means for supplying a controlled flow of liquid to the receptacle preferably comprise liquidsyphoning means.

The lever can be employed to operate additional bird-scaring means, for example, a mechanical bell.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure lisa side view of bird-scaring apparatus, Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the circle II of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view, to an enlarged scale, of the bird-scaring means, as seen looking in the direction of the arrow Ill of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a section, to an enlarged scale, taken on the lines IV - IV of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view which illustrates a modified lever, and Figure 6 is a similar view which illustrates modified additional bird-scaring means.

In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like components.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, bird-scaring apparatus 1 comprises a support structure 2 carrying a pivotably mounted lever 3 supporting a receptacle 4 at one end thereof. Means generally indicated at 5 are provided for supplying a controlled flow of water to the receptacle 4. As explained in more detail hereinafter, the arrangement is such that when sufficient water has been supplied to the receptacle 4, the added weight resulting therefrom causes the lever 3 to swing about its pivot in a bird-scaring manner. Additional bird-scaring means 6 comprising a mechanical bell 7 are provided, which means are operable by the swinging movement of the lever 3.

The lever 3 is of tubular form. The hollow lever contains one or more ball-bearings 8 which can roll along the lever interior when the lever tilts. The end of the lever 3 remote from the receptacle 4 is plugged to prevent the ball-bearings from rolling out of the lever.

The support structure 2 is of wood or other suitable material, and comprises a platform 10 mounted on three legs 11, arranged in a tripod-like manner. The structure 2 is of demountable form, which also means that it can be easily assembled.

The upper ends of the legs 11 are secured to the undersurface ofthe platform 10 by "key-hole" attachments. (Not shown). As best shown in Figure 4, the legs 11 are secured together intermediate their lengths by a connection 12 comprising three roundhead set screws 13 disposed in "Y"-like form, with the heads of the screws welded together. The screws 13 are located by holes drilled in the legs 11 and butterfly nuts, (not shown), are threaded on the screws so as to hold the legs together.

As best shown in Figure 3, the tubular lever 3 is pivotably attached to the platform 10 by a block 20 secured to the lever 3, an "L"-shaped support 21 secured to platform 10, and a pivot pin (not shown) disposed on axis 22 and extending through holes formed in the components 20, 21. The axis 22, about which the lever 3 can pivot, is substantially horizontal. The axis 22 is not disposed midway along the lever 3. Instead, it is disposed nearer the receptacle (4) end of the lever, so that when the receptacle is empty, the end of the lever opposite thereto will tilt slightly downwards. In this position the ballbearings 8 will be at the depressed end of the lever.

The bell 7 is secured to platform 10 by way of a bracket 23. A bell striker 24 of resilient material is secured to the platform 10 at its non-striking end 24a. A permanent megnet 25 is attached to the block 20 and co-operates with a soft iron plate 26 secured to the striker 24. When the non-receptacle end of lever 3 is depressed, as mentioned above, the striker 24 is held away from the bell 7 by attraction between the magnet 25 and plate 26.

The water supply means 5 comprise a bucket 30 which contains a body of water 31. Water-syphoning means are provided, comprising a flexible tube 32 with its inlet end supported by a float 33 by way of a short length of rigid tube 34. A bleed hole 35 is drilled in the wall of the tube 34. The outlet end of the flexible tube 32 is connected to a flow-control tap 36.

The bucket 30 is provided with a cover 37 supporting a downwardly extending rod 38, which is a close, (sliding), fit in the bore of the tube 34. When the bucket 30 is substantially full, the rod 38 extends below the bleed hole 35, so as to cover it, whereby only a very small amount of water can pass through.

In operation, and assuming the level of water 31 to be as shown in Figure 1, the tap 36 is adjusted so that it allows a steady drip of water to take place.

Initially the receptacle 4 is empty. Thus the end of the lever 3 opposite to the receptacle is tilted downwards, with the ball-bearings 8 at the depressed end of the lever.

When sufficient water has dripped into the receptacle 4, the added weight resulting therefrom causes the lever 3 to pivot upwardly, as indicated by the arrow 40. This pivotal movement is accelerated by displacement of the ball-bearings 8, which now roll noisily down the interior of the hollow lever 3, under the influence of gravity. As the lever 3 swings, water falls away from the receptacle 4. This water can be retained if required, for re-use, using a suitable container placed on the ground.

Pivotal bird-scaring movement of the lever 3, which movement is quite rapid, has the following additional effects: (a) The striker 24 breaks free of magnet 25, so that it rings the bell 7 in a bord-scaring manner.

(b) As the lever 3 swings rapidly about the axis 22, the ball-bearings 8 roll down inside the lever, so as to provide additional noise.

The visual bird-scaring effect resulting from rapid pivotal movement of the lever 3 can be enhanced by attaching bright-coloured ribbons to it. (See Figure 5).

Once free of the weight of water in the receptacle 4, the lever 3 returns to its original position, whereby the magnetic connection between magnet 25 and plate 26 of striker 24 is re-established. The operation is repeated again and again until the bucket 30 is empty.

Tests indicate that a 5 gallon supply of water should last a working day, filling the receptacle 4 at 40-second intervals.

The tube 34 and rod 38 comprise means for delaying the supply of water to the receptacle 4 and thus avoids the need to fill bucket 30 during the night.

The delay system operates as follows: The bucket 30 is filled to, or near to the brim, and the cover 37 positioned so that the rod 38 enters the tube 34. As the bleed hole 35 is covered, only a very small amount of water can pass therethrough, due to the restriction provided by the close-fitting rod 38 disposed in the bore of the tube 34. Thus the time taken to fill the receptacle 4 is extended substantially.

Gradually the water level in bucket 30 falls until the hole 35 is clear of rod 38, whereupon the apparatus 1 is free to operate at frequent intervals, as described above. Preferably, the system ensures that normal operation is re-assumed around sunrise.

To stop the bell 7 ringing during the night, even though long periods of time may pass between rings, a small hole can be formed in the bottom of the receptacle 4, so that the very small amount of water dripping into the receptacle is now allowed to build up therein.

With further reference to Figure 4, the invention further comprises means for securing three support legs together intermediate their lengths comprising a "Y"-like component, (as viewed in plan), with equi-spaced and radially extending limbs.

The limbs are preferably screw-threaded, and the component preferably comprises three set-screws with the heads thereof secured together.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus, which is provided with a modified lever 3a. The lever3a is cranked slightly. This results in slowing the downward swing of the lever before it reaches the vertical, ensuring that the receptacle 4 empties completely, or substantially so.

The lever 3a carries bright-coloured ribbons 50 which enhance the visual bird-scaring effect resulting from rapid pivotal movement of the lever 3a. (Or lever 3).

Pivotable movements of the lever 3 (or 3a) can be made to initiate bird-scaring means other than, or in addition to, the bell 7.

With reference to Figure 6, such means may comprise electrically-operated audible alarm means 45.

Th alarm means 45 comprise a pair of spacedapart spring contacts 41 carried by a block 43 secured to the platform 10. As the lever 3, (or 3a), pivots upwardly, it brushes against the contacts 41 to complete an electrical circuit whereby an audible alarm 42 is caused to be initiated. As soon as the lever ceases to touch the contacts, the circuit is broken. The circuit is remade and broken when the lever returns.

Claims

1.- Bird-scaring apparatus comprising a pivotably mounted lever supporting a receptacle, and means for supplying a controlled flow of liquid to the receptacle, the arrangement being such that when sufficient liquid has been supplied to the receptacle, the added weight resulting therefrom causes the lever to swing about its pivot in a bird-scaring manner.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means for supplying a controlled flow of liquid to the receptacle comprise liquid-syphoning means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever is employed to operate additional birdscaring means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the additional bird-scaring means comprise a mechanical bell.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the additional bird-scaring means comprise electricallyoperated alarm means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the lever is of tubular form and locates a body which moves noisily along the bore of the lever when the lever swings.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, provided with means for delaying the supply of liquid to the receptacle.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the lever is of cranked form.

9. Apparatus substantially as herein before de scribedwith reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

10. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore de scribedwith reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, modified substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 5 of said drawings.

11. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore de scribedwith reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, modified substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 6 of said drawings.