GB2282518A

GB2282518A - Animal scaring device

Info

Publication number: GB2282518A
Application number: GB9420194A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-09
Filing date: 1994-10-06
Publication date: 1995-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-06
Also published as: GB2282518B; GB9320832D0; GB9420194D0

Abstract

Animal deterrent apparatus in the form of an imitation bird of prey. One or more parts of the bird are periodically movable to imitate a live bird. Means are also provided within the bird to emit a noise such as an attack screech during movement of the bird.

Description

Animal Deterrent Apparatus This invention relates to animal deterrent apparatus and particularly but not exclusively apparatus for deterring birds.

Wild animals and particularly birds can cause problems in a number of locations. For example, at airports birds can be sucked into jet engines or impact against an aeroplane's windscreen which can sometimes cause the aeroplane to crash. Also in farming, birds are a part i cul ar problem with seeds and young plants and can greatly reduce the yield of crops. Furthermore, birds such as particularly pigeons, often cause a lot of mess around buildings in towns and cities. A number of proposals have been made to scare off birds in such situations but none of these have proved wholly successful.

According to the present invention there is provided animal deterrent apparatus, the apparatus comprising an imitation bird of prey and means for automatically moving a part of the imitation bird to simulate the movement of a live bird.

The apparatus preferably comprises means for providing periodic movement of the bird after predetermined intervals of time. The intervals of time may be constant; or may be variable, and may be randomly generated within a range of possibilities.

Preferably the apparatus is constructed such that a plurality of different movements may be made. The different movements may be performed in a particular sequence, or in a variable sequence which may be randomly variable.

The movements may comprise any of: lifting of a foot; turning the head; nodding the head; blinking or flickering the eyes; or expanding the wing span. Means are preferably also provided for periodically emitting a sound which imitates a sound made by a bird of prey.

The apparatus may be arranged such that sounds are emitted when a movement of the bird is being made, and desirably when a particular movement or movements is being made.

The apparatus may be powered by solar cells.

Alternatively, battery or mains power may be provided.

The apparatus may be microprocessor controlled, and the microprocessor may be located within the imitation bird.

Movement of the imitation bird may be controlled by pneumatic means.

The invention also provides animal deterrent apparatus, the apparatus comprising an imitation bird of prey and means for automatically periodically emitting a sound from the imitation bird which imitates the sounds made by a bird of prey.

Possible embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only.

The invention comprises an imitation bird of prey.

This may be made of any suitable material such as a highly durable plastics material. The imitation bird is carefully shaped and coloured to closely imitate a bird of prey. The bird of prey may be for example any of a buzzard, eagle, kestrel, falcon, hawk, kite, owl or even a vulture. The type of bird used will be chosen as particular circumstances dictate.

One or more parts of the imitation bird is periodically movable to imitate a live bird of prey.

Any suitable movement may be provided which may comprise lifting of a foot; turning of the head; nodding of the head; blinking or flickering the eyes; or expanding the wing span.

A microprocessor is provided within the bird to cause the bird to make one of the movements every now and then. The movements may be performed in a particular sequence or the microprocessor may choose a one of the movements randomly. The period of time between the movements may be constant or again may be varied randomly by the microprocessor.

Pneumatic means may be provided to cause the different types of movement. Alternatively, a mechanical system may be provided within the imitation bird.

Preferably the micrprocessor is powered by one or more solar cells. The solar cells are obviously located on the imitation bird so as not to detract from the appearance thereof. Alternatively, the apparatus may be powered by a battery which may be rechargeable, or in certain instances, particularly where for example the apparatus is used on a building, the apparatus may be mains powered.

Also provided within the imitation bird are means for emitting a noise of the type made by the respective type of bird. The noise may comprise a warning or attack screech. The microprocessor is preferably arranged such that the sounds are emitted whilst the imitation bird is moving and desirably whilst for example the imitation bird is expanding its wing span.

There is thus described an animal deterrent which provides the appearance both visually and audibly of a live bird of prey. Small birds and also small animals such as rabbits and other vermin are generally very scared of such birds who hunt them. The apparatus may be located where required and left for an appropriate amount of time. At airports and on buildings the apparatus may be periodically moved and also cleaned.

When protecting crops the apparatus may only be required at particular times of the year.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. As noted above the apparatus may imitate any of a wide range of birds, and obviously the most appropriate bird for each circumstances can be chosen. In certain circumstances it may be possible to omit the movement of the bird or the sounds emitted thereby, though in most instances for best effect a combination of these two features is required.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:-

1. Animal deterrent apparatus, the apparatus comprising an imitation bird of prey and means for automatically moving a part of the imitation bird to simulate the movement of a live bird.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the apparatus comprises means for providing periodic movement of the bird after predetermined intervals of time.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the intervals of time are constant.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the intervals of time are variable.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, in which the intervals of time are randomly generated within a range of possibilities.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is constructed such that a plurality of different movements may be made.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the different movements are performed in a particular sequence.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the different movements are performed in a variable sequence.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, in which the variable sequence is randomly variable.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the movement or movements comprise any of: lifting of a foot; turning the head; nodding the head; blinking or flickering the eyes: or expanding the wing span.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are also provided for periodically emitting a sound which imitates a sound made by a bird of prey.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, in which the apparatus is arranged such that sounds are emitted when a movement of the bird is being made.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, in which the apparatus is arranged such that sounds are emitted when a particular movement of movements is being made.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is powered by solar cells.

15. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 13, in which battery power is provided.

16. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 13, in which mains power is provided.

17. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is microprocessor controlled.

18. Apparatus according to Claim 17, in which the microprocessor is located within the imitation bird.

19. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which movement of the imitation bird is controlled by pneumatic means.

20. Animal deterrent apparatus, the apparatus comprising an imitation bird of prey and means for automatically periodically emitting a sound from the imitation bird which imitates the sounds made by a bird of prey.

21. Animal deterrent apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described.

22. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.