GB2317226A

GB2317226A - Cat-flap entry validation system

Info

Publication number: GB2317226A
Application number: GB9619343A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Harold Haslip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-09-17
Filing date: 1996-09-17
Publication date: 1998-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-17
Also published as: GB2317226B; GB9619343D0

Abstract

A cat-flap entry validation system fixed to the entrance of a cat-flap of the actuated flap-release mechanism variety, to inhibit the entry of a prey-carrying cat, is constructed from three pairs of energy beam transmitters 1 and associated receivers 2 mounted in a fixed plane and direction and angled to the horizontal and so positioned that the interruption of the central beam by the cat's pointed face prior to the interruption of either or both side beams allows the cat admission due to the resultant transmission of an actuating signal to the release mechanism; whilst interruption of either or both side beams by the cat's prey prior to the interruption of the central beam inhibits admission of the cat and prey due to the generation of signal that inhibits the transmission of the actuating signal to the release mechanism. The beams may be infrared or visible light, or ultrasonic or audible sound.

Description

Cat-flap Entry Validation System This invention relates to a cat-flap entry validation system to inhibit the entry of a cat whilst carrying by mouth rodents, birds, amphibians, or other prey.

Cat-flaps are well known devices by which a cat may at will enter a premise by pushing against a movable flap. Certain cat-flaps require the additional operation of a flap release mechanism, actuated by a device wom around the cat's neck. Such cat-flaps offer protection against intrusion by other cats that do not wear an actuation device, but offer no protection against the introduction of a rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey into the premise as a consequence of its being carried in the cat's mouth during entry through the cat-flap.

According to the present invention there is provided a cat-flap entry validation system comprising an assembly located at the entrance to the cat-flap, comprised from three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers mounted in a fixed plane and direction and angled to the horizontal and so positioned that the interruption of the central beam by the cat's pointed face prior to the interruption of either or both side beams allows admission to the cat as a consequence of the resultant transmission of an actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism; whilst interruption of either or both side beams by a rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey carried in the cat's mouth prior to the interruption of the central beam inhibits admission of the cat and associated rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey as a consequence of the resultant generation of an inhibition signal to inhibit the transmission of the actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the cat-flap entry validation system intended for connection to the entrance of a cat-flap of the actuated flap-release mechanism variety.

Figure 2 shows the cat-flap entry validation system intended for connection to the entrance of a cat-flap of the actuated flap-release mechanism variety with the central beam interrupted by the pointed face of the cat.

Figure 3 shows the cat-flap entry validation system intended for connection to the entrance of a cat-flap of the actuated flap-release mechanism variety with one of the two side beams interrupted by a rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey carried within the mouth of the cat.

Figure 4 shows the cat-flap entry validation system intended for connection to the entrance of a cat-flap of the actuated flap-release mechanism variety with both of the two side beams interrupted by a rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey carried within the mouth of the cat.

Referring to the figure 1 the cat-flap entry validation system is constructed from three pairs of energy beam transmitters 1 and associated receivers 2 mounted at the top and bottom of the holding supports 3 and 4. Their beams 5 are angled to the horizontal at an compensatory angle to facilitate the approach of a cat whose head is inclined downwards to the entrance to allow for the common occurrence of the cat applying pressure to the flap with its head rather than the sensitive features of its face. Processing 6 and logic 7 circuitry are provided to allow for: the transmission of an actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism upon interruption of the central beam prior to the interruption of either or both side beams the inhibition of transmission of the actuating signal mentioned above as a consequence of the interruption of one or both side beams in which the logic may be set to specify that actuation be inhibited under the circumstances of interruption of either side beam according to the logic of non-exclusive Boolean OR, or only upon the occurrence of simultaneous interruption of both side beams according to the logic of the Boolean AND operation.

Claims

1. A cat-flap entry validation system comprising an assembly located at the entrance to the cat-flap, comprised from three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers mounted in a fixed plane and direction and angled to the horizontal and so positioned that the interruption of the central beam by the cat's pointed face prior to the interruption of either or both side beams allows admission to the cat as a consequence of the resultant transmission of an actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism; whilst interruption of either or both side beams by a rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey carried in the cat's mouth prior to the interruption of the central beam inhibits admission of the cat and associated rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey as a consequence of the resultant generation of an inhibition signal to inhibit the transmission of the actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism.

2. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the inhibition of transmission of an actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism as a consequence of the interruption of one or both side beams in which the logic may be set to specify that actuation be inhibited under the circumstances of interruption of either side beam according to the logic of non-exclusive Boolean OR operation, or only upon the occurrence of the simultaneously interruption of both beams according to the logic of the Boolean AND operation.

3. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that operate at frequencies within the infra red light spectrum.

4. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that operate at frequencies within the visible light spectrum.

5. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that operate at frequencies within the ultra sonic spectrum.

6. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that operate at frequencies within the audible sound spectrum.

7. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that utilise a continuous beam of energy.

8. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that utilise a modulated beam of energy.

9. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism is generated by electronic analogue and digital circuitry.

10. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the generation of an inhibition signal to inhibit the transmission of the actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism is generated by electronic analogue and digital circuitry.

11. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein upon a short time after admission of the cat to the premise electronic analogue and digital circuitry generate a reverse signal to the cat-flap release mechanism to allow the flap to be locked closed again.

12. A cat-flap entry validation system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A cat-flap entry validation system comprising an assembly for location at the entrance to a cat-flap of the actuated flap-release mechanism variety, comprised from three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers mounted in a fixed plane and direction and angled to the horizontal and so positioned that the interruption of the central beam by the cat's pointed face prior to the interruption of either or both side beams allows admission to the cat as a consequence of the resultant transmission of an actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism; whilst interruption of either or both side beams by a rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey carried in the cat's mouth prior to the interruption of the central beam inhibits admission of the cat and associated rodent, bird, amphibian or other prey as a consequence of the resultant generation of an inhibition signal to inhibit the transmission of the actuating signal to the cat-flap release mechanism.

4. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that operate at frequencies within the visible light spectrum.

6. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the three pairs of energy beam transmitters and associated receivers are constructed from transmitting and receiving components that operate at frequencies within the audible sound spectrum.

II. A cat-flap entry validation system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein upon a short time after admission of the cat to the premise electronic analogue and digital circuitry generate a reverse signal to the cat-flap release mechanism to allow the flap to be locked closed again.