GB2564870A

GB2564870A - Animal scaring apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2564870A
Application number: GB1711918.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stokes John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-25
Filing date: 2017-07-25
Publication date: 2019-01-30
Also published as: GB201711918D0

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a plurality of launching devices 2, with a single housing 1, and a control unit 3, wherein the apparatus comprises a stand to elevate the housing from the ground and the control unit comprises a displaceable battery 7. There may be a plurality of channels for a plurality of rockets. There may be a single or multiple launch mechanisms, which may be a glow plug. The displaceable battery may be a 12 volt vehicle battery. There may be a tilt switch to turn the apparatus off if it falls over. There may be an audible alert to warn of use of a launch device. The apparatus may scare animals or birds to protect crops.

Description

The present invention relates to animal scaring apparatus, in particular bird scaring apparatus; more particularly but not exclusively to an apparatus that can be deployed automatically, without supervision so as to scare away and discourage safely birds.

Background

Increasing importance of crops across many societies is a factor that combines often with increasing yields, and in some instances organic production. Improving yields can be problematic, particularly in relation to pests.

Birds in particular can be difficult to discourage from stealing seeds and otherwise decreasing yields or in other applications for example to prevent birds from spreading disease from landfill sites. Many bird scaring devices have been tried in the known art. Some bird scaring devices include rockets to make a loud overhead bang and scare away birds. These can be difficult to automate.

Prior Art

CN 202 102 515 (BIN et al) discloses a synchronous timing device for the launching of model rockets, comprising a single chip, a startup circuit and a display circuit. The influence on timing precision due to artificial factors is eliminated.

JP 2011 234 705 (KUBO) discloses a method for repelling animals and birds by sound, light, and smell only when animals and birds enter a paddy field or field preservation area.

DE 19 960 392 (ELLENBERGER) discloses a fire plant with at least one multi barrel launching unit and an associated electronic ignition system.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an animal scaring apparatus comprising: a plurality of launching devices, a single housing for the devices, a control unit enclosure and a battery enclosure, wherein the apparatus comprises a stand to elevate the housing from the ground and the battery enclosure is arranged for a displaceable vehicle battery.

The devices may be arranged to each provide a single or plurality of channels or tubes for simultaneous receipt of plural rockets in the housing.

In some embodiments the devices comprise a launch mechanism. The launch mechanism may comprise a heating mechanism, which heating mechanism may comprise at least one glow plug.

Such glow plug or plugs is/are thereby arranged to be heated so as to ignite ignition systems for rockets in the devices, being arranged to provide focussed heat for ignition of a fuse on the rocket.

It may be envisaged that said launch mechanisms are arranged to be active at the lowermost end of the launch devices, where it may be envisaged that the fuses or ignition systems of the rockets are located in use. In this way the launch mechanism is located proximate the battery. The launch mechanisms may be arranged to heat a large area of the bottom end of the devices so as to enable easy loading of the rockets. In other embodiments the rockets and devices are arranged to interfit in a particular way so as to locate the launch mechanisms and fuses correctly.

In some embodiments the battery is arranged to connect to the control unit enclosure and consequently the launch devices and launch mechanism at a connector. Such connector may comprise a quick release connector for example comprising a connecting plug and socket.

In some embodiments the battery may thereby comprise a bespoke battery, arranged with the connector integral. In other embodiments the battery may comprise a known or standard battery such as a vehicle battery, and the connector is arranged to make connection with the apparatus, and may comprise a harness, an adaptor and connecting cabling to the launch mechanisms. In this way the harness may be connected to the control unit enclosure, wherein the battery is placed physically into the harness and the adaptor to the battery in use. The adaptor may comprise an electrical connection for the battery terminals, which is permanently connected into the harness and ongoing connecting cabling.

In some embodiments the control unit, and/or battery, may comprise a cover, or covers. The cover or covers may comprise a closeable part arranged to prevent ingress of moisture into the control unit or battery.

In some embodiments the housing may comprise a rain shield, arranged to limit ingress of rainwater to the rocket devices. Such shield may be permanently, semipermanently or temporarily located on the housing.

In some embodiments the housing may be located on or attached to a stand in use, which stand is arranged to elevate the housing to an appropriate height. Such stand may be arranged for permanent, semi-permanent or temporary location on a plurality of terrains. For example in some embodiments the stand may comprise a one or more adjustable feet, which feet may be splayed to accommodate terrain, and/or adjusted individually, and/or may be anchored.

The stand may comprise an elongate member, which member may define the height of the housing. Such member may be coaxially telescopic for example, and/or may comprise folding or collapsible parts.

In some embodiments the housing may comprise angle adjustment for adjustment of the angle that the devices are directed in. Adjustment may comprise electronic or physical means to regulate, for example wherein the apparatus may comprise a liquid level. Typically said adjustment may be envisaged to be located at the top of the stand.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a passers-by warning alert means. In some such embodiments the alert means comprises an audible alert means.

In further embodiments the apparatus comprises a tilt switch to turn the apparatus or devices off if the apparatus falls over.

In further embodiments the apparatus comprises an audible and/or visual alarm to warn user of impending launch from a device.

In further embodiments the apparatus comprises a real time clock module so that when battery is swapped it doesn’t lose the settings.

In further embodiments the apparatus comprises relays so that a 5v signal from the printed circuit board (PCB) such as Arduino (RTM) in the control unit can switch the 12V high current line from the battery to the glow plugs.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5 show isometric views of the control unit enclosure in a closed position with cover over for use with the embodiment shown in figure 1;

Figure 6a shows a front view of the control unit and battery enclosures for the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6b shows a front view of the control unit and battery enclosure for the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with battery removed;

Figure 7 shows a front view of the control unit and battery enclosures for the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with covers over;

Figure 8 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the control unit and battery enclosures; and

Figure 9 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the control unit and battery enclosures.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus 1000 comprising five launching devices 2 in a single housing 1, and a control unit 200, wherein the apparatus comprises a stand 300 to elevate the housing 1 from the ground and the control unit 200 is located above a battery enclosure 7.

The pictured embodiment of the apparatus has a housing 1 that is arranged for provision of five devices 2, such that the apparatus may carry five rockets at a time.

The embodiment is envisaged to be portable, being light enough to transport and strong enough to survive the elements.

The housing 1 comprises an electronic ignition launch mechanism system that is compact and simple to use and is formed by five glow plugs.

The launch mechanism comprise heating mechanisms, wherein the rockets are lit using individually controllable Bosch (RTM) glow plugs.

The embodiment is powered by a lead acid battery which can be charged in car or back at base.

The stand 300 comprises a tripod with three hinged legs 11 that are quick to deploy and provide a strong, easily adjusted base for the apparatus, advantageously suitable for multiple types of terrain without too much accommodation. The stand tripod legs further comprise bolt lacunae in feet 12, for use of pegs or similar (not shown) to anchor the stand 300 and apparatus to the ground in use and limit dangerous misfires.

The embodiment comprises an integral rain shield to keep the devices, launch mechanisms and rockets dry in bad weather conditions.

The housing’s outer and inner shell are fabricated from 2mm sheet mild steel which is then powered-coated green and pad printed with white detail.

The control unit enclosure 6 and battery enclosure 7 also comprise rain covers, which are displaceable o access the controls and the battery.

The apparatus is powder-coated in shades of green to help it blend into natural surroundings, and avoid detection by thieves.

The angle of the devices or housing can be adjusted to suit the terrain, being adjustable with reference to the stand anywhere from 60 degrees down to 45 degrees to horizontal. The tripod stand collapses flat and the housing folds down making it easily transportable inside a car.

The stand has wide legs with bracing 13 reaching from a central elongate member 9 and the holes in the feet allow the pegging to give the apparatus a reliable base in rough weather conditions. The central member is coaxially extendable having an adjustment collar 8 intermediate a basal leg collar 10, which is arranged to slide on the member 9 to collapse the legs 11 arranged to splay out. Pivotted bracing members 13 join the legs 11 to the central member 9 at a cap 14 on the member end.

The tripod stand can be extended to up to 2m meters in height. Adjusting the height is easily achieved using a quick lock system.

The control unit enclosure 6 has a cover 72 which combines with an open tray 71 to provide an internal electronics enclosure for the control unit electronics. The control unit enclosure 6 is arranged above a battery enclosure also with an open tray 71 and a cover 72, for receipt and protection of the battery. Both enclosures are made from injection moulded thermoplastics and have had custom holes drilled to allow cabling in and out. The electronics enclosure has a clear front cover so that a display screen can be seen and the battery enclosure has a solid grey front cover. The covers are fixed into place by large plastic three-quarter turn screws 73, inserting into threaded holes 21.

The enclosures have cable glands 74 for egress of cabling 4 and to prevent ingress of moisture. Such cabling is arranged to connect the battery to the control unit by passing from one enclosure to another through lowermost cable glands. The cabling comprises an adaptor end 25 which is screwed into a nut 52 formed together either side of the enclosure side.

The electronics and battery are encased inside IP67 rated thermoplastic enclosures and the connections and cable glands are all also IP67 rated to reduce risk for water and particulate ingression

The battery enclosure comprises two upstanding tabs 22 and is mounted inside its own plastic enclosure which connects to the main electrical enclosure via a bayonet connector. This connector makes it quick and easy to swap batteries, allowing them to be replaced on site and taken back to base to be charged. The enclosures of the control unit and battery are mounted on a plate, which plate is secured permanently to the stand member. This plate is fixed to the tripod via two anti-rotational sign clips used for mounting signs to poles. The electronics enclosure is screwed to the mounting plate while the battery enclosure is fixed into brackets so that it can be removed without tools when being replaced. The plate is fixed to the stand via two anti-rotational sign clips. These are standard clips used for mounting signs to poles and can be bought off the shelf.

Cabling 4 from the bottom of the control unit enclosure 6 is arranged to link to the launch mechanisms in the housing 1.

The display screen 27 comprises a 16 x 2 character LCD (liquid crystal display) backlit screen. The screen is mounted directly onto a PCB.

Characters are displayed solid and flash when selected and up, down, left, right and centre buttons 22 are located to the right of the LCD Screen. These directional buttons are used to navigate around the screen and change parameters and a centre button is used to select items and can be held for 1 second to act as a back function.

The apparatus is arranged to run on a 12V lead acid direct current battery, wherein the launch mechanism igniters are fed directly off the battery while the control unit is fed via a converted 5V power supply. The 12V supply from the battery is turned into a 5V supply suitable to power the control board.

The apparatus is controlled via a development kit control board. This PCB handles the timing, user interface and controls the power to the igniters.

With reference to the electronics in a main menu the user can see the status of individual rockets and associated devices. From here the user can enter individual rocket screens as well as ‘Manual Fire’ and ‘Settings’ screens.

In the individual rocket screen the user can see whether the rocket has fired and what time it is due to fire next. From the ‘Manual Fire’ screen the user can select individual rockets and launch them at the touch of a button.

On the ‘Settings’ menu the user can customise the launcher with settings including alarm level, screen brightness and more.

Advantageously, in the event that the angle adjustment joint is not tightened properly the apparatus centre of gravity is located behind the tripod stand such that the head will tilt up to the sky rather than down to the floor. In some embodiments the housing may comprise an accelerometer, which may prevent firing in such conditions. Otherwise the apparatus can only be turned on and off by a keyed switch.

The apparatus is arranged with the devices arranged to launch rockets above standard head height so as to minimise risk of injury to any curious passers-by.

On both sides of the housing it may be envisaged that there is a warning sign advising anyone who stumbles across the apparatus to retreat 20m immediately. In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a distance sensor arranged to recognise presence of a person or structure with a set or settable radius of the apparatus. Said sensor or sensors may be operable with the devices, or control unit so as to prevent launch of rockets where presences are recognised.

The apparatus further comprises a passers-by warning alert means wherein before a 5 device fires an audible alarm sounds for 1 minute.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 10 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. An animal scaring apparatus comprising: a plurality of launching devices, a single housing for the devices, a control unit enclosure and a battery enclosure, wherein the apparatus comprises a stand to elevate the housing from the ground and the battery enclosure is arranged for a displaceable vehicle battery.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of channels or tubes for simultaneous receipt of plural rockets in the housing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the devices comprise a single launch mechanism.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the devices comprise multiple launch mechanisms.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the launch mechanism comprises a glow plug.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a displaceable 12 volt battery.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the displaceable battery is fitted into an adaptor permanently mechanically and electrically connected to the control unit.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a tilt switch to turn the apparatus or devices off if the apparatus falls over.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising an audible alert mechanism to warn of use of a launch device.