GB2338000A

GB2338000A - Anti bird roosting device

Info

Publication number: GB2338000A
Application number: GB9811452A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fraser Hudson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-29
Filing date: 1998-05-29
Publication date: 1999-12-08
Also published as: GB9811452D0

Abstract

An anti bird roosting device comprises at least one length of elongate material (12) (eg. wire) in series with at least one spring (18). The elongate material and spring combination is supported at each end by a post (14, 16). The posts are attached to blocks (20,22), which are configured to allow the posts to extend at any angle between vertical and horizontal. The blocks may be attached directly to a surface or to an elongate member (24). The elongate member may be shaped to fit the required mounting position, (eg. A windowsill, roof ridge or sloping roof).

Description

2338000 PEST CONTROL DEVICE This invention relates to a pest control

device, particularly, though not exclusively, for use in preventing birds from roosting and fouling on buildings and structures.

One known form of a pest control device comprises a plurality of stainless steel rods which are fitted to a building ledge or window sill. This is achieved by drilling holes into the ledge, inserting grommets into the holes and then screwing the stainless steel rods into the grommet filled holes. Wires are then strung in between each of the stainless steel rods. The wires are connected to the rods via a spring in order that the wires can be more easily tensioned.

The wires of the pest control device then act to limit access to the window ledge or sill, so as to prevent birds from landing thereon.

A pest control device of this design suffers from the drawback that the building to which the device is fitted is damaged due to the series of holes that need to be drilled to accommodate the stainless steel rods.

A further drawback of this design is that it requires a time consuming, labour intensive process to fit the device. A potential installer of the pest control device has to gain access to the ledge where the device is to be fitted. The installer must then drill a hole into the ledge, fill the hole with a grommet and screw in a stainless steel rod.

-2The same procedure must then be followed further along the ledge until rods are located at intervals along the length of the ledge. Wire must then be run in between the rods.

A further drawback of a wire system pest control device of this type is that it is difficult to fix the device such that the wires overhang the ledge to which it is attached. This is required so as to provide enhanced protection for the ledge. In order to achieve the overhang using the prior design., one was required to angle the drill to produce an angled hole on the ledge. This is a very dangerous way to use a drill. It is also very difficult to achieve the same angle in the series of holes, thus resulting in an untidy looking structure.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pest control device for fitting to a selected area, said device comprising at least one length of material extending between fixings, said fixings being spaced apart and fixed to an elongate body operable to be fitted to the said selected area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing a pest control device to a selected area, said method comprising the steps of securing fixings to an elongate body such that the fixings are spaced apart, wherein a length of material extends between the fixings, the arrangement of fixings, length of material and elongate body being secured to the said selected area.

A pest control device of this type has the advantage that it is more easily installed than its prior art counterpart described herein as all of the construction is performed on the ground. This is also advantageous as securing the pest control device of the present invention to a selected area takes far less time than securing the prior art design described herein.

Preferably the length of material comprises a wire, rope or cable.

Preferably the fixings comprise at least one post. It is preferred that each fixing comprises the same number of posts. Preferably one post on each fixing is connected to a wire, rope or cable.

It is preferred that the wires are connected to the posts via a spring. This allows the wires to be more easily tensioned. It is preferred that one spring per wire is used, as this saves on material cost, though in an alternative embodiment, either end of each wire may be connected to a spring, and said springs connected to the posts.

Preferably the elongate member comprises a flat track. Alternatively the elongate member may comprise an angular or a curved track. Preferably this is either in the form of a ridge tile or a subsy semi circular base. It is preferred that the ridge tile and serni circular base are constructed from a malleable material. This allows the angle created by the ridge file and radius of curvature of the serni circular base to be adjusted. Preferably the base is constructed from plastic, though in a second preferred embodiment the base may be constructed from aluminium. It is noted -4however that other materials such as wood or metals other than aluminium could be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a series of bases may be used. Thus if a large area is to be protected a number of bases arranged along the selected area may be used. This results in less material being used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a pest control device for fitting to a selected area, said device comprising of at least one block for fitting to a selected area, each block being operative to receive the base of at least one post, at least one post being located in each block and a length of material extending between at least two of the said posts.

Preferably the blocks each possess at least one hole which may receive a post. Ideally each block possess a plurality of holes.

Preferably the block is configured to allow the posts to extend vertically, horizontally and/or at any angle therebetween. It is preferred that this configuration includes at least one angled face, although ideally a plurality of angled faces is desired.

Preferably each angled face may receive a post. If the area to be protected is a ledge or pipe, this arrangement allows the area to be overhung. This arrangement also allows the wire to be strung around corners by locating a number of posts at the corner.

Preferably the blocks are attached to an elongate member. Alternatively the blocks may be attached directly to the selected area. In a second preferred embodiment the block comprises a long block which is substantially the same length as the pest control device. Preferably a block of this type still possesses at least one angled face, which may allow posts to extend at said angle.

Angled faced blocks allow for the overhang of ledges and the like without requiring any holes to be drilled at an angle.

Preferably a pest control device in accordance with all the aspects of the present invention may be interconnected in an assembly. This allows a larger area to be covered- In a preferred embodiment of all aspects of the present invention the pest control device is adhered to the selected area. This alleviates the need for the drilling of holes and this prevents damage to the selected area. Alternatively the pest control device may be pinned, nailed or screwed to the selected area.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood specific embodiments thereof will now be dewnlied with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pest control device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second pest control device in accordance with the present invention in use., Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a further pest control device in accordance with the present invention in use; Fig.4 is a perspective view of an assembly of pest control devices in accordance with the present invention; and Figs. 5 & 6 are end views of alternative bases used in pest control devices in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, especially fig. 1, a pest control device 10 comprises a wire 12 suspended between two identical vertical rods 14, 16. Each end of the wire is connected to the top of the respective rods via a spring 18. The rods 14, 16 are each received in an aperture in the top of a block 20, 22. The bottom face of the blocks are fixed to a flat plastic track 24 by way of adhesive.

In use the pest control device 10 is secured to the desired location, for example, a ledge or pipe, by using an adhesive applied to the bottom face of the track 24. The wire 12 will thus run parallel to the ledge, pipe or other object to which the device is fixed. The wire will act as a physical barrier to any bird attempting to land on the ledge or pipe being protected. The wire is kept taut in between the two rods due to the springs, which pull the ends of the wire away from each other.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the blocks 20, 22 each possess two apertures for receiving rods 25, 26. Each block and rod assembly have an identical configuration. One of the rods connected to the block is positioned so as to be vertical when the device is in use. The second rod is connected to the block so that the said second rod extends at about 45' from the vertical when the device is in use. Two wires 28,30 are then strung between the two sets of rods so as the wires run parallel to each other. The end of each wire is connected to the top of the respective rod via a spring, in order that the wire may be more easily tensioned.

The blocks 20,22 are fixed, one at each end, to a track 24 by adhesive or by a mechanical fixing. In use an adhesive is used to secure the pest control device to the selected area.

The wires acts as a barrier to any bird attempting to land on the ledge or pipe being protected. As one of the rods on each block possesses a component of direction in the horizontal plane, one of the wires may be orientated to overhang the ledge or pipe.

Fig.3 shows an alternative embodiment of a pest control device in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment the blocks 20, 22 each possess three rods 32,34,36. Each block and rod assembly have an identical configuration. The three rods on each block are positioned so as to be in a line. The centre rod is positioned so as to be vertical when the device is in use.

The outer two rods on each block are connected to the block so that each outer rod possesses a component of direction in the horizontal plane. The angle that each outer rod forms with the horizontal is the same, but the rods extend in opposing directions.

Three wires 38,40,42 are suspended between the two sets of three rods so that the wires run parallel to each other. Each end of each wire is connected to the top of its respective rod via a spring 18 in order that the wire be more easily tensioned.

The two blocks are secured, one at each end, to a flat plastic track 24. In use the pest control device is secured to the desired location by using adhesive on the underside of the track thus adhering the track to the selected area.

Due to the splayed outer rods this embodiment of pest control device 10 is particularly useful for stopping birds landing on ridge tiles, or more open ledges or exposed pipes.

In use a system of pest control devices may be placed in location so as to protect a larger area. With reference to fig.4 a pest control system 44 comprises a line of three posted blocks 46, each connected to a track 48. The vertical posts mounted on the blocks are connected by wires which are strong in between adjacent posts and tensioned via a spring at the joining of each wire and post.

Two tracks 50,52, one on each side of the line of three posted blocks 46, are connected to the respective outer posts by a system of wires 54. The three tracks 48,50,52 run parallel with each other.

In use the system is fixed to the selected area by adhesive, although fixing pins may also be incorporated at intervals along the tracks.

Figs. 5 & 6 show alternate embodiments of a track to which the pest control device is fastened. The track may take the form of a ridge tile 60, as illustrated in fig. 5, the pest control device being secured to the apex of the ridge tile 62. The ridge tile of the present invention is constructed from plastic and is malleable to allow the angle between the ends of the ridge tile to be adjusted through a range of angles between 75' and 100'.

Fig. 6 shows a rounded base 64, which may be used instead of the flat track, if applicable. The base is constructed from plastic and is malleable enough to allow the radius of curvature to be adjusted. In use the pest control device is fixed to the crest of the convex side of the base.

It is understood that the above described specific embodiments are by way of illustration only and many modifications and variations possible.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the pest control device with one, two and three wires are all compatible with the two alternative bases shown figs.5 and 6.

2.

8.

3.

Claims

-11CLAIMS

1 A pest control device comprising at least one length of material extending between fixings, said fixings being spaced apart and fixed to an elongate body operable to be fitted to a selected area. A method of securing a pest control device comprising the steps of securing fixings to an elongate body such that the fixings are spaced apart, wherein a length of material' extends between the fixings; the fixings, length of material and elongate body being secured to a selected area. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the length of material comprises a wire, a rope or a cable.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixings comprise at least one post.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each fixing comprises the same number of posts.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein at least one post on each fixing is connected to a length of material.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the length of material is connected to a post by at least one spring. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member comprises a flat track.

-12A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elongate member comprises an angular or a curved track.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elongate member is provided in the form of a ridge tile or with a substantially semi circular 12.

13.

15.

base.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is constructed from malleable material. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is constructed from a plastics material or aluminium. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a series of elongate members. A pest control device comprising at least one block for fitting to a selected area, each block being capable of receiving at least one post, wherein at least one post is located in each block and wherein a length of material is provided extending between at least two of said posts. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein each block possess at least one hole capable of receiving a post.

16. A device as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the block is configured to allow the posts to extend vertically, horizontally and/or at any angle therebetween in relation to said block.

17. A device as claimed in claim 14 to claim 16, wherein the block is configured with at least one angled face.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein each angled face is capable of receiving a post. A device as claimed in claim 14 to claim 18, wherein at least one block is attached to an elongate member. A device as claimed in claim 14 to claim 18, wherein at least one block is attached directly to the selected area. A device as claimed in claims 14 to 20, wherein the block is substantially the same length as the device. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is interconnected in an assembly. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is adhered to the selected area. A device as claimed in claims 1 to 22, wherein the device is pinned, nailed or screwed to the selected area. A pest control device substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.