GB2438154A

GB2438154A - Animal deterrent

Info

Publication number: GB2438154A
Application number: GB0606868A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guy Alistair Thornton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2006-04-04
Publication date: 2007-11-21
Also published as: GB0606868D0

Abstract

An animal deterrent device comprising a wind powered rotating vane 5 which is mounted on bearings 7 allowing it to rotate about a vertical axis and having a protected frame 2. The frame has a means of attachment 1 at the top and bottom of the bearing. The vane is formed from a planar rectangular member with curved or angled edges on the two vertical sides. The vane may have mirrored or reflective surfaces with eyes or other predatory animal simulation designs applied to them. The faces of the vane may also have coloured patches applied so that as the vane rotates alternating light and dark flashing effects are produced. The deterrent may be used to scare birds away from moored boats.

Description

I

Animal Deterrent This device is intended primarily as a means of deterring birds from fouling the decks of boats, but it is not limited to this application and my be used wherever predated wildlife needs to be deterred.

Bird mess fouling is a common problem on moored boats. Boats moored free of the land are a relatively predator free area where birds can rest and roost undisturbed.

Bird droppings that result on the decks of boats are unpleasant at the least and if left can result in staining that is extremely hard to remove. Additionally the owner of the boat expends valuable time cleaning up the droppings before the boat can be used.

This device is a deterrent which is convenient to use in a marine application. It combines the deterrent features of motion, threatened predation and visual surprise in a package that can be easily mounted on boats and will provide long service in a marine environment. An additional key feature is that it stows flat, this is vital for the convenience of use on small watercraft.

The unit comprises of a rectangular wind powered vane on which are applied designs and reflective surfaces that provide an effect that is unsettling to predated wildlife when the vane rotates. The designs are to be refined during field trials but will include some or all of: I. Eyes or other predatory animal simulation that reveal on each rotation.

2. Mirrored surfaces that provide a sparkle and/or reflective effect when the vane rotates.

3. Coloured patches that have the effect of alternating light and dark as the vane rotates giving a flashing effect. The colours used could be any that provide this effect.

i'his is presented in an assembly that may be easily hoisted into position using a halyard, and that stows away flat when not deployed.

Out of necessity the details of the deterrent designs to be applied to the vane are described in flexible terms so as to allow best practice to be established during field trials, which can only be carried out in the public domain, thus disclosing the invention.

List of drawings: Figure A: Shows the unit detail with the parts numbered.

Figure B: Shows the unit mounted on a halyard with a lanyard attached to an adjacent fixed point preventing the frame rotating.

Figure C: Shows the unit mounted by means of the frame to an adjacent stanchion.

In figure A: Vane (5): This will comprise of a single sheet or composite air foil section of corrosion resistant material supported if necessary by strengthening ribs or cheek plates. The vane will be curved or angled at each side in an opposing manner so as to catch the wind when one side of the vane is travelling down wind and to offer a streamlined surface when the opposite side is travelling upwind, thus enabling the wind to generate rotation.

Bearings (7): These will be mounted at the top and bottom of the vane on the axis of rotation, which is the vertical centreline of the vane. These will allow easy rotation of the vane in the presence of wind. The static part of the bearing will be attached to the outer frame (2) of the device.

Frame (2): This will comprise of a rigid corrosion resistant member that will surround the vane in order to protect the vane and to give support to the assembly. Also the frame allows the user to attach the frame to a radial point of attachment so as to prevent rotation of the whole assembly when used in the halyard suspension mode, see Fig. B. Should the user desire, the frame can also be attached to a fixed point along one of its vertical sides so as to effect a permanent installation, see Fig. C. Means of suspension (1): These will comprise of ioops or eyes fabricated from corrosion resistant material which allow the unit to be suspended by means of a halyard or rope by attaching it to the top and bottom of the assembly, hoisting the unit to the desired height and then tightening the rope/halyard to hold the unit vertical. To avoid the frame (2) rotating also, and thereby twisting the halyard, the frame can be secured to a nearby point of attachment as described above and in Fig. B Coloured patches (3): These will comprise of painted or otherwise applied coloured areas on the vane (5) so as to have the effect of alternating light and dark to the observer when the vane rotates.

Reflective surfaces (6): These will comprise of a pattern of, or single mirror finish areas on the vane (5) so as to reflect light and provide sparkle, and thereby provide surprise to the observer. The mirrored surfaces may be applied to one or both sides of the vane such as found to be most effective during field trials.

Predator simulation (4): This will comprise at least a simulation of a predator's eyes, but may be enhanced with other features of a predator. The design will be painted or otherwise applied to the vane (5) such as to reveal the simulation of the predator to the observer as the vane rotates. The simulation may be applied to one or both sides of the vane such as found to be most effective during field trials.

Claims

Claims 1. Animal deterrent employing a wind powered rotating vane.

2. A device according to claim 1 where the rotating vane consists of a planar rectangular member with curved or angled edges on the two vertical sides.

3. A device according to claim 2 where the angled edges curve in opposite directions such as the vane will rotate about its vertical central axis when placed in a horizontal air stream.

4. A device according to claim 3 where the vane is supported at the top and bottom of the central vertical axis by bearings allowing free rotation of the vane about said vertical axis.

5. A device according to claim 4 where said vane and bearing assembly is mounted in a planar frame such that the vane can lie within the frame perimeter when both are in the same plane.

6. A device according to claim 5 where said device has points of attachment at the top and bottom allowing said device to be suspended by means of ropes.

7. A device according to claim 6 where said device can be alternatively be mounted by attaching one of the vertical sides if the frame of said device to an adjacent stanchion.

8. A device according to claim 7 where said device is constructed of corrosion resistant materials.

9. A device according to claim 8 where said device will store in a planar fashion with the frame providing protection to the vane and the vane lies within the perimeter of the frame.

10. A device according to any of claims 3 to 9 where the vane has a design applied to one or both sides to simulate a predator observing prey.

11. A device according to claim 10 where the vane has mirrored surfaces applied to one or both sides in any pattern.

12. A device according to claim 11 where the vane has coloured patches applied such that said patches alternate light and dark to the observer when the vane rotates.

13. A device according to aiiy of claims 3 to 9 where the vane has mirrored surfaces applied to one or both sides in any pattern.

14. A device according to claim 13 where the vane has a design applied to one or both sides to simulate a predator observing prey.

15. A device according to claim 14 where the vane has coloured patches applied such that said patches alternate light and dark to the observer when the vane rotates.

16. A device according to any of claims 3 to 9 where the vane has coloured patches applied such that said patches alternate light and dark to the observer when the vane rotates.

17. A device according to claim 16 where the vane has a design applied to one or both sides to simulate a predator observing prey.

1 8. A device according to claim 17 where the vane has mirrored surfaces applied to one or both sides in any pattern.

19. A device according to any of claims 3 to 9 where the vane has a design applied to one or both sides to simulate a predator observing prey.

20. A device according to claim 19 where the vane has coloured patches applied such that said patches alternate light and dark to the observer when the vane rotates.

21. A device according to claim 20 where the vane has mirrored surfaces applied to one or both sides in any pattern.

22. A device according to any of claims 3 to 9 where the vane has mirrored surfaces applied to one or both sides in any pattern.

23. A device according to claim 22 where the vane has coloured patches applied such that said patches alternate light and dark to the observer when the vane rotates.

24. A device according to claim 23 where the vane has a design applied to one or both sides to simulate a predator observing prey.

25. A device according to any of claims 3 to 9 where the vane has coloured patches applied such that said patches alternate light and dark to the observer when the vane rotates.

26. A device according to claim 25 where the vane has mirrored surfaces applied to one or both sides in any pattern.

27. A device according to claim 26 where the vane has a design applied to one or both sides to simulate a predator observing prey.