GB2124065A - Bird scaring device - Google Patents

Abstract

A bird scaring device comprises a pair of spaced masts, a supporting line 2 strung tautly between the masts and a bird image resembling a bird of prey, which is slidably supported on the line. An auxiliary line 9, which is attached to the bird image and which forms an endless loop entrained about a pulley system, is advanced or reversed by a drive motor in order to cause slidable movement of the bird image on the overhead line. The motor is controlled by means for sensing the position of the bird image at respective positions adjacent the masts whereby the bird image is driven to and fro between the masts. Timing means are provided for operating the device at periodic intervals. The bird image is pivotally mounted on the supporting line and it is provided with a tail plane so that it can pivot due to the wind or air resistance. Movement of the bird image may be controlled by a microprocessor and the movement may be synchronised with a noise to scare birds, such as a noise like clapping. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bird scaring device This invention relates to a bird scaring dEvice.

Presently available equipment for scaring birds includes, for example, static scarecrows, winddriven machines which produce discordant sounds, hand-fired guns, and gas-driven guns which are fired automatically at given periods. Apart from guns, these devices are not very effective against certain birds, particularly crows and pigeons. Even with guns, some birds will only be temporarily scared away from a crop and subsequently return to cause further damage.

Besides the problems noted above, there is the problem of providing a bird scaring device which is natural, harmless to wild life, but continuously effective. This invention provides a solution to this problem. According to the invention, a bird scaring device comprises support means which can be anchored to the ground and which is capable of providing aerial support for a bird image, the bird image being adapted by size, appearance, or both, to represent a bird of prey, and means also being provided automatically to cause periodic motion of said bird image with respect to said support means.

The aerial support means may comprise a balloon filled with gas lighter than air, at least one line for attachment to the balloon and a ground anchor to which said line is coupled. In this case, the means for causing periodic movement of the bird image is attached to the line and automatically moves the line at predetermined intervals. According to another arrangement, an auxiliary line may be attached to a tether line of the balloon whereby the bird image is periodically moved up and down, orto-and-fro by the auxiliary line, at predetermined intervals.Preferably, and as an alternative to employing a balloon, the support means includes at least one mast which is anchored to the ground and which supports a line which in turn supports the bird image for movement to-and-fro or up and down the line. in the case of using one mast, one end of the line may be fixed to the ground or to a tree, for example, whilst the other end of the line is attached to an upper portion of the mast. More suitably, an overhead line is strung tautly between at least two spaced masts, each mast being supported by wire guys which are normally secured to the ground. Preferably, the bird image is pivotally supported from the line so that it can rotate, for example, into the wind and thus provide a more lifelike appearance. In the latter case, the bird image is best provided with a tail fin which acts like a weather vane so that the image always faces into the wind.The means for periodically causing movement of the bird image may include a further line in the form of a continuous loop which is supported between the mast and which runs around a pulley system which is driven by an electric motor primarily under the control of a timer. Limit switches may also be used for automatically stopping the motion of the bird image at the end of its run irrespective of the distance between the masts. The timer preferably employs a microprocessor or other electronic circuitry in order to vary the flight speed of the bird image and also its rest periods. This provides more realism, since birds such as crows and pigeons can become accustomed to a regular bird scaring device.

The bird image preferably has an outline similar to a bird of prey, such as a hawk, and has a head portion on which means are provided to simulate open eyes. Many birds will associate such an image with a bird of prey, such as a sparrow hawk, in view of their extremely long-distance perception of another bird with open eyes. The bird image may be made from flat sheet material, or it may be a three dimensional model, which is painted or otherwise decorated to simulate the bird of prey. The simulation of a sparrow hawk is particularly suitable, but other simulations may represent an eagle, peregrine falcon, hen harrier, marsh harrier, montague harrier, merlin, kestrel, buzzard, honey buzzard, osprey, or goshawk. Different bird images may be provided, or selected, to suit the application having regard to the type of bird which it is inteded to scare away.

Movement of the bird image may be synchronized with a sound for additional bird scaring effect. For example, in the case of wood pigeons, the sound may be similar to 'clapping' which is the noise made when a flock of pigeons takes off, at speed or alarm and which is caused by wing contact. Different sounds may be used to suit the situation, i.e. for scaring birds of a different type.Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bird scaring device incorporating a line strung between two masts, Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a pivoted bird image used in the device shown in Figure 1, and Figures 3-6 are different views of a time-operated motor system for feeding a line through a pulley system to cause motion of the aerially supported bird image shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 1, a bird image 1 simulating a hawk is aerially supported on a taut line 2 which is strung between the tops of two ground anchored masts 3,4. The line 2 may be made of wire, such as bowden wire which also forms respective guys 2a,2b extending from the top of each mast to a respective ground anchor 5. Alternatively, the line 2 may be transparent, for example, high breaking strain plastics fishing line, such as nylon. The masts 3,4 are preferably multi-sectioned, for example made up of three posts joined end to end by suitable means such as bolted eyes or telescopic butt joints. The masts may be made either wholly or partly of angle iron to resist flexing in the wind and they are preferably provided with brackets 6a,6b for supporting part of a pulley system which will be explained in more detail below.The ends of the masts 3,4 may either be pointed to penetrate the ground or supported on flat base plates (not shown).

Figure 2 shows the bird image 1 in more detail.

The bird image is shaped and decorated to represent a hawk. It is suspended from the line 2 by means of a pivotal mounting so that the image can rotate freely due to either the wind or air resistance. The bird image 1 has an aperture 1a therethrough which receives member 7 about which it is freely rotatable.

A ring 8 having an annular Nylon bearing 8a is attached to the upper end of member 7. The ring 8 and bearing 8a receive the line 2 whereby the bird image is freely slidable on the line 2. Clamping means 7a are secured to the lower end of member 7.

The clamping means 7a grips an auxiliary line 9 (by means of which the image 1 is moved, see below). In orderto cause the image to face into the wind, the image has a transparent tail fin 1 b which causes the image to act like a weather vane.

The auxiliary line 9, which is in the form of a continuous or endless loop, passes around pulleys 1-l4which are supported by the respective brackets 6a,6b shown in Figure 1. The line 9 also passes around a pulley system (not shown in Figure 1) within a housing 15 which contains an electrically driven motor for driving the line 9. The motor drive is described in more detail below. When the motor is driven in one direction, the bird image 1 advances from mast 3 towards mast 4 and is caused to stop when it reaches a point just before the bracket 6a.

The motor is then driven in the opposite direction to return the image 1 to its starting position just before bracket 6b. The pivotal mounting of image 1 and its tail fin enable the image to swing round at the end of its flight path so that it returns with its head facing in the direction of advance.

Referring to Figures 3-6, there will now be described one example of a suitable motor drive which is contained in housing 15.

Figures 3-6 are respectively a plan view; a part side elevational view of the system shown in Figure 3; a section on line AA of Figure 3; and a front elevation of the system shown in Figure 3.

The endless auxiliary line 9 is entrained about a pulley 4 which is fast with the shaft of an electrical drive motor 17. Motor 17 is reversible and is connected through a switch or switches 18 to a power source, preferably in the form of a battery 19.

Atimer motor 20 is coupled through a friction drive 20a to a rotatable lever 21 and is also connected to the battery 19. Lever 21 is rotated through a predetermined angle in a predetermined time and is arranged to operate a switch or switches 22 connected between battery 19 and motor 17.

A bead 24 (and another bead not shown in the drawings) are attached to respective runs of the line 9 between the pulley systems 10-14 and drive motor 17. These beads can pass through respective ports 25,26 (Figure 6) which are located above respective ends of a lever 27 which is pivotally mounted at 28.

The line 9 passes through apertures 29,30 which are too small for the passage of the respective beads, e.g. 24. Thus, when the pulley 16 is rotated by motor 17, one of the beads (24), depending on the direction of rotation of the pulley 16, will be drawn towards the respective apertures 29, 30 in lever 27 and thereby tilt the lever for the purpose explained below. End 31 of lever 27 is attached to a toggle spring 32 and to a pin 33 passing through an arcuate slot 34. Pin 33 is arranged to abut lever 21, when rotated, for the purpose of resetting lever 21 as explained below.

The line 9 is rotated in contact with pulley 16 by means of a grip wheei 35 which is rotatably mounted on a pivoted lever 36 attached to a biasing spring 37.

A switch 38 isolates or completes the circuit between the battery 19 and the motors.

Having regard to the arrangement shown in Figure 1 the operation of the bird scaring device will now be explained. Switch 38 is closed whereby timer motor 20 is energised. This causes lever 21 to rotate through a predetermined angle in a given time (for example, 20 minutes), at the end of which time switch 22 is actuated. Switch 22 energises motor 17 causing pulley 16 to rotate so as to move the line 9.

The direction of rotation of motor 17 is such as to lower one of the beads and to raise the other bead (24). For example, when bead 24 reaches the aperture 29 in lever 27, it abuts the end of the lever causing it to tilt and snap over, due to toggle spring 32, so that pin 33 reaches the opposite end of slot 34.

This causes pin 33 to move lever 21 away from the position shown by broken line 41 into the position shown so as to reset lever 21 thereby releasing switch 22. This action also causes pin 33 to operate switch 18 thereby reversing the direction of rotation of motor 17. The bead 24 then ascends and the other bead descends until it reaches aperture 30 in lever 27. Further movement of line 9 again tilts lever 27 returning it to its starting position thereby reieasing switch 18. Motor 17 is then de-energised and the sequence is repeated by further rotation of lever 21 due to motor 20. The toggle action of lever 27 assists resetting of lever 21 which is friction driven by motor 20. This allows lever 21 to be reset whilst motor 20 is running.The sequence of operation causes the bird image 1 to be sent first in one direction along line 2, and then in the opposite direction along line 2 to simulate the flight of a bird of prey on the site of the bird scaring device.

According to one arrangement, the motor 17 was rated at 100 watts (10 volts at 10 amps) with a shaft speed of 1000 rpm. A diameter of pulley 16 was 10 cms. The battery 19 had a 40 amp hour capacity to provide four hours of continuous running equivalent to 400 hours running at 36 seconds/hours, which is equivalent to 16 days running at 24 hours/day. The running time, ie time for a complete cycle wherein the bird image 1 left and returned to its starting position would be about 12 seconds/cycle, which is equivalent to 36 seconds/hour if operating every 20 minutes. A photocell (not shown) can be incorporated to operate switch 38 so that the life of the battery 19 is conserved during non-daylight hours.

An audible warning device can also be incorporated and this is operated if a cover (not shown) fitted to the system (illustrated by figures 2-6) is removed, or if the system is picked up from the ground, as a precaution against theft.

Instead of using the timing arrangement described above, a microprocessor can be used to control the movement of the bird image 1 and vary its flight speed and its rest periods. In this case, by accurately timing the run of the image along a predetermined length of line 2, the bead operated lever and toggle arrangement could be dispensed with. The microprocessor control may provide three time slots, for example, for the rest periods, the first slot being not less than five minutes and not more than 10 minutes; the second slot being not less than 10 minutes and not more than 15 minutes; and a further slot providing some other adjustable period. The time slot can be made adjustable, within limits, to enable the user to select a suitable program for maximum effect.

Respective limit switches may be employed at each end of the run of the bird image 1 on the auxiliary line 9, eg on the brackets 6a, 6b adjacent the pulley systems 10, 11 and 12, 14 for operation by the bird image 1, or on the upper portions of masts 3, 4 for operation by the ring 8, to ensure that the flight of the bird image is automatically stopped at the end of its run, irrespective of the distance between the masts 3, 4. The limit switches also dispense with need for the bead and toggle arrangement described above with reference to Figures 306. The limit switches may be connected to the microprocessor and/orto relays for controlling the drive motor.

In order to supplement the scaring effect of the bird image, the housing 15 may contain a device for producing a noise which tends to scare birds. For example, the device may produce a noise like 'clapping' which is similar to the noise made by a flock of birds flying off suddently as a result of being alarmed. The generation of this noise is synchronised with the flight of the bird image 1 to produce maximum effect.

Afurther modification is possible for changing the direction of flight of the bird image 1. According to this modification, further masts are provided which are spaced from mast 3 on the radius of a circle corresponding to the distance between masts 3 and 4. The end of the line 2 attached to mast 4 and the bracket 6a are removable so that they can be fixed to any one of these other radially spaced masts. The base of mast 3 is located on a turntable so that it can be rotated, when the end of line 2 and the bracket 6a have been removed from mast 4 so that they can be connected to one of the other masts. The turntable allows the mast 3 to rotate to the required position.

Means would also be provided to lock the turntable in any one of its selected radial positions. Instead of suspending the bird image 1 from an overhead line 2, as shown in Figure 1, at least one line may be attached to a balloon filled with gas lighter than air.

For example, a single line may be anchored to the ground and attached to the balloon and the bird image 1 suspended from the line. The line is then periodically moved or jerked, at predetermined periods of time. Alternatively, the balloon may support a line (like line 2) on which the bird image 1 is slidably supported and an auxiliary line (like line 9), which is in the form of an endless loop, may be used to raise and lower the bird image 1, on its supporting line, in a similar fashion to the to-and-fro movement described above with reference to figures 1-6.

Claims (17)

1. A bird scaring device comprising support means which can be anchored to the ground and which is capable of providing aerial support for a bird image, the bird image being adapted by size, appearance, or both to represent a bird of prey, and means also being provided automatically to cause periodic motion of said bird image with respect to said support means.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the support means includes at least one mast and a supporting line for attachment to the mast and to support the bird image for movement relative to the mast.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the support means includes at least two masts, a supporting line adapted to be strung tautly between the masts, a member including a bearing for slidable attachment to said line, said bird image being mounted on said member, pulley means for attachment to the respective masts, and an auxiliary line attached to said member, said auxiliary line being entrained about said pulley means and being arranged to be driven by said means for automatically causing periodic motion of said bird image whereby the bird image is slidably supported by said supporting line and can be moved to and fro by the auxiliary line with respect to said masts.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said means for automatically causing periodic motion of said bird image includes means for sensing respective positions of the bird image adjacent to said masts and means for causing forward or reverse motion of said auxiliary line in response to said sensing means, whereby the bird image is caused to travel, to and fro, along said supporting line.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said means for causing forward and reverse motion of said auxiliary line comprises a drive motor and a reversing switch connected to said drive motor, said sensing means including an arrangement for acutating said reversing switch when the bird image is at a respective one of said positions adjacent one of said masts.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said means for automatically causing periodic motion of said bird image includes timing means which cooperates with said sensing means in order to cause the drive motor to advance and reverse said auxiliary line whereby the bird image makes at least one to and fro cycle, between said masts, at periodic intervals.

7. A device according to claim 3, wherein said means for causing periodic motion of said bird image includes a drive motor, a reversing switch connected to said drive motor and timing means for controlling said reversing switch, the arrangement being such that the drive motor advances and reverses said auxiliary line for a predetermined time so that the bird image makes at least one to and fro cycle over a predetermined distance between said masts at periodic intervals of time.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said timing means is a part of, or co-operates with a microprocessor which is used to control the move mentofthe bird image in order to control its flight path between said masts.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the microprocessor is also used to vary the flight speed of the bird image and its rest periods.

10. A device according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein switching means are provided which respond to positions of the bird image adjacent said masts in order to ensure that the flight of the bird image is automatically stopped at the end of its run, irrespective of the distance between said masts.

11. A device according to any one of claims 3-8, in which a plurality of masts are provided, one of the masts being positioned at a central location and the other masts being arranged equidistantly therefrom in different radial directions, the central mast being pivotally supported on a turntable whereby the supporting line can be strung between the central mast and a selected one of the other masts in order to change the direction of the flight path of the bird image.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bird image is supported from said line by means of a pivotal mounting, said bird means being provided with a tail plane whereby the bird image can pivot, due to wind or air resistance, on said mounting during its flight.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which means are provided for causing a noise which tends to scare birds, the latter means being synchronised with said means for automatically causing periodic motion of said bird image.

14. A device according to claim 13 in which the noise producing means produces a noise like clapping.

15. A device according to any one of the preceding claims including photoelectric means for isolating said means for automatically causing said periodic motion of the bird image whereby said motion is discontinued during the hours of darkness.

16. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said means for automatically causing said periodic motion are contained in a housing fitted with a cover, a switch being provided which is operated when the cover is removed in order to operate an alarm.

17. A bird scaring device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.