MXPA98006077A - Animal warning system, which uses ultrasound sounds and infrared or ultraviol light flashes - Google Patents

Abstract

A warning system in combination with a vehicle, where an ultrasonic sound and a beam of ultraviolet light are thrown before the vehicle moves on a public road, in such a way that the sound can be heard and the light can be seen by the animal that is in front of the vehicle in motion, to induce the animal to leave the road before being hit by the vehicle.

Description

ANIMAL WARNING SYSTEM, WHICH USES ULTRASONIC SOUNDS AND LIGHT FLASHES INFRARED OR ULTRAVIOLET Background of the Invention It is not uncommon for cars and trucks to hit animals when they appear along highways or other roads. Dogs, and sometimes raccoons and other similar animals, often chase moving vehicles, and often die when they hit the vehicle. In the more densely forested areas, larger animals such as deer and even moose are sometimes found on larger motorways. Of course, collisions with these animals are fatal to the animal and to humans, and very damaging to the vehicle. Accordingly, it is a serious problem for vehicle operators, and it is a principal object of this invention to provide a warning system employing ultrasonic sounds and flashes of infrared or ultraviolet light to clear the path of animals. In 1965, 48 states reported that the adjusted national total of dead deer was 121,750, with a tabulated number of human fatalities of 115 people killed and 1,500 injured, according to the National Security Council. In 1965, the State of Illinois reported 1,004 dead deer. In 1995, the State of Illinois reported a real accident rate between vehicles and deer of 17,573. In 1995, all States reported 251 people killed, 3,010 injured, and 325,000 dead deer. In my United States of America Patent Number 3,516,384, issued June 23, 1970, and incorporated herein by reference, disclosed a Warning system involving ultrasonic sounds that were inaudible to humans, but could be to be perceived by animals, and induced to leave the highway or highway. In an improvement over this invention, I have now incorporated ultrasonic light flashes that are also imperceptible to humans, but can be seen by animals on the road. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a system of Warning, to be used in conjunction with an automotive vehicle, such as a car or a truck, to remove animals from public roads, such as highways, roads or the like. The device uses a combination of infrared or ultraviolet light that flashes, along with gunshot ultrasound sounds, and the like. Both the ultrasonic noise and the flashing black light can be heard and seen by animals, but not by human beings. When placing the device in a vehicle during the day, the device is in an off position. The battery is in an off position, but recharging. As the darkness arrives, the device must be turned on by a switch that activates the system to start its function. The device will only start the system when the vehicle is in motion, and then emits the sounds of the firearm and the flashes of light together, simultaneously, at set intervals of 3 to 4 times, and then ceases, only to start all over again. together, simultaneously at intervals of 3 to 4 times and then cease, only to start all together again. This "Animal Warning System" will continue only as desired by the operator, at night and in darkness, while the vehicle is in motion, or while it is parked in a remote area, until it is daytime or the day light. Then the device will automatically stop and be deactivated. Then the operator must put the main switch in the deactivated position, in such a way that the device can allow the battery to recharge again. Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truck equipped with a Warning system of this invention, and showing an animal avoiding the vehicle.

Figure 2 is a front view of a license plate fastener that includes the Warning system of this invention. Figure 3 is a part-separated view of the license plate fastener of Figure 2, showing the different components of the Warning system of this invention. Figure 4 is a front view of an alternative construction of the Warning system of this invention, which uses a clamp to the front light. Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes The invention employs both sound and sight, in order to provide Warning for animals on highways, streets and the like. The sound is an ultrasonic sound that is preferably a gunshot sound at a frequency between 21 and 23 kHz. The light portion of the Warning system is infrared (or black light) of 6 to 8 watts, which is driven to create 4 or 5 flashes at certain intervals. The frequency of the flashes can be adjusted by the operator or by the installer to suit the conditions. The ultrasonic sound generated by vehicle-mounted sources to scare animals and other life on and along the highways where the vehicle is traveling has been used for some years. Devices that generate ultrasonic sound, which have sufficient power to be effective, have been costly, and operate in a necessarily continuous manner while the vehicle is in motion. For a number of reasons, this continuity of operation is undesirable. The present invention comprises a warning system that includes the use of ultrasonic sound, but also includes an infrared or ultraviolet light that together simultaneously detect an animal in front of the vehicle along the highway. The dangers of collisions with animals exist for the most part when driving at night. In accordance with the above, the device uses flashes of ultraviolet or infrared light that are projected to the necessary distance in front of the vehicle for its operation. The device known as ultrasonic sound and ultraviolet or infrared light, which then both begin to function instantaneously, simultaneously emitting ultrasonic sounds together, such as gunfire and bursts of ultraviolet or infrared light, will induce the stopped animal to react to the approaching danger and then getting out of the way. The device is also useful in relation to bird species, as well as animals, both of which will have the opportunity to be alerted of the imminent danger and leave the area. The part of the warning system known as ultrasonic sounds and ultraviolet or infrared light will be on only for seconds, or long enough for the vehicle to have passed through the point of shock. It is then that this section of sound and light of the device is deactivated, and then the ultraviolet or infrared range is activated again, and begins to issue the warning to any life form. The Total Ultrasonic Infrared Warning system can be completely deactivated, either automatically, or by the operator in daylight hours. The research conducted in relation to this device shows that it will warn animals, birds, and even insects that a danger is approaching on public roads. The use of only sound is not completely satisfactory in relation to animals such as deer. However, when the flashing light is added, the effectiveness is substantially improved to almost 100 percent. Dogs, foxes, coyotes, sheep and geese are also affected in a similar way. The sound must be presented to an animal during the time it is sufficient for it to develop a sense of anxiety, although a brief sound, such as a firearm, may be effective. Birds can adapt to a stationary area once the warning reaction is gone. The mobile sounds are different and are more difficult to adapt.

The duration of the sound must be long enough to cover the approximation of some hypothetical animals or birds, and may be sufficient for 6 to 10 seconds. This should be repeated as frequently, but not more than once every 20 or 30 seconds if the sound is stationary. There is positive evidence that the important measure of power in a sound that is presented in bursts, is the peak power, instead of the average power, with the understanding that the bursts are not too short, that is, not less than 0.05 seconds If a sound is activated and deactivated several times per second, say 60 percent of the time, the peak power of 3 watts per acre becomes only an average power of 1.8 watts. The most efficient stationary sound seems to be that of burst activation and deactivation at a rate of several times per second, this burst sequence lasts from 6 to 10 seconds. By listening to the sound, together with the simultaneous viewing of ultraviolet or infrared light, a definite stimulus is provided that provokes immediate responses of danger in the animals. The use of firearm sound of around 23 kHz, together with a sound level of 102 to 110 decibels, from 0.914 meters to 3.08 meters, seems to be enough. The sound is obtained by recording a burst of firearm at the lowest possible speed of approximately 9,525 centimeters per second. To raise the frequency, it can be played at twice the speed. Of course, there are other ways to provide firearm burst sounds. Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a perspective view showing a truck including the Warning device 10 of this invention. As can be seen, the device is located on the front grill 12 of the truck, and radiates its sound and light in the direction shown by the lines 14, in such a way that the animal shown in the figure, that is, a deer, It would move away from the path of the approaching truck. The Warning device 10 is shown more particularly in Figure 2, located on a license plate holder 16. The ultraviolet bulbs 18 and the transducers 20 are located and designed in such a way as to project their forces and sounds forward. There may be many other places where these concepts can be used. Figure 4 shows a front light bracket that would include transducers and bulbs 22. These units can also be installed in radiators, hood trim, and in aircraft, in the lower part of a jet engine. However, the Warning system is very conveniently fitted inside, and incorporated into, a license plate fastener, as shown. Referring now to the separate view in parts of Figure 3, it can be seen that the unit includes a rechargeable battery 24, an electronic digital board 26 that provides sounds, preferably gun sounds, as is well known in this countryside. The license plate 28 itself, the license plate holder 30, which includes the bulbs 18 and the transducer 20, and finally the plastic cover 32 to cover the entire unit. The battery pack 24 is rechargeable, and would recharge when the unit is deactivated, usually during the day. The electronic digital board 26 provides the firearm sounds of 19 to 23 kHz, from 110 to 80 decibels, to from about 0.914 meters to 3048 meters. It is connected with an on / off switch (not shown), so that it can be deactivated during the day, and used only at night and in an intermittent manner. As already mentioned, it has been proven that ultrasound repels many animals, birds, insects and the like. The transducers 20 pass the firing sounds of the firearm from the electronic digital board 26. The ultraviolet bulbs 18 are bulbs of approximately 6 to 8 watts, which intermittently provide flashes with the sounds from the transducers 20. This construction has proven to attract many insects and the like, such that intermittent sounds can be effective. Referring again to the drawings, Figure 3 shows the battery which is a 12 volt rechargeable high current battery pack. A firearm firing sound that is recorded from 19 to 23 kHz, from 110 to 180 decibels, from 0.914 to 3.048 meters, which is a signal on / off, at night is only transmitted in an intermittent manner. As already mentioned, it has been proven that ultrasound repels many animals, birds and insects. This concept is inserted along with a license plate in a license plate holder that includes 18 to 6 watt ultraviolet bulbs, which flash intermittently on and off along with the sounds. It has been proven that this light eliminates many animals. The combination of sound and light is almost 100 percent effective to eliminate animals and birds and the like from the highway, as can be seen in Figure 1. Ultraviolet bulbs and horn transducers are incorporated into the bra of the license plate, but as already mentioned, and as shown in Figure 4, there may be many other places where these concepts can be used. In a more specific description, ultrasonic firearm firing bursts are recorded and measured on an oscilloscope, and then transferred to the high frequency tape without changing the characteristics or distorting the sound pattern. Then the sound is transmitted through the horns 20 of the high frequency transducer, at 19-23 kHz, from 0.914 meters to 3,048 meters away, with a sound level of 110 decibels, down to a sound level of 80 decibels . Other high-frequency sounds have been effectively used in field and laboratory tests on moths, insects, animals and birds. However, it seems that the gunfire blast sound is the most effective. The use of sophisticated transducers is desirable in order to achieve effective results ultrasonically with high frequencies. The flashes of ultraviolet or infrared light synchronized together with the ultrasonic firearm firing bursts, simultaneously at 4 or more or less intervals, only to start again, are the most effective. The ultraviolet light gives off a purple glow. Ultraviolet light has many combinations of rainbow colors, which have been used successfully to attract insects and animals. An external switch (not shown) controls the operation of the device, which is controlled by light sensors (not shown), by which the device will be used only in the dark. It will be activated when darkness arrives, and will be deactivated when the daylight appears. The primary purpose of this ultraviolet or infrared light is to attract the animals or birds to the direction from which it comes, while they instantly hear the sound of Warning of danger, when the firing bursts of a firearm are transmitted, and as the vehicle approaches on a public road, thus providing a reaction response between the vehicle and the animal, bird or similar, to avoid danger. The ultraviolet and infrared spectrum provides an image formed by light rays, where parts of the spectrum are formed - red, white, orange, yellow, green, blue and nuances of violet colors - according to their refraction or wavelength, forming in this way a band. The seven colors of the rainbow. These colors form the radiant energy that acts on the retina of the eye, and makes visible the objects from where it comes. Particularly different characteristics of the invention have been shown and described in relation to the illustrated embodiments of the invention; however, it should be understood that these particular configurations merely illustrate, and that the invention should receive its fullest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. In combination with a vehicle having an energy source, a system of warning to induce the animals to leave the public road on which the vehicle is traveling, which comprises: a sound generating element to produce sound of a frequency greater than the audible range for people, and within the audible ultrasonic range for the animals, this element being mounted on the vehicle in a position to project the sound in front of said vehicle; a light generating element for producing infrared or ultraviolet light visible to animals, but not for humans, this element also being mounted on the vehicle in a position to project light in front of the vehicle; and an element connecting said device with said source to selectively activate said device.
2. 2. A Warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sound generating element includes a transducer.
3. 3. A Warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the light generating element includes an ultraviolet bulb.
4. 4. A Warning system in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the generator element includes an ultrasonic frequency electric signal generator connected to the transducer, to apply ultrasonic electrical impulses to the transducer, which is adapted to emit the ultrasonic sounds, and the connector element includes a control switch element to connect the generator to the power source in order to operate it.
5. 5. A warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sound generating element includes a transducer, and the light generating element includes a bulb of ultraviolet light.
6. 6. A Warning system according to claim 5, characterized in that the sound generating transducer emits firearm firing sounds of around 23 kHz, with a sound level of 102 to 110 decibels, of 0.914 at 3,048 meters, and the ultraviolet light bulb is a bulb of approximately 6 to 8 watts that provides flashes in an intermittent manner.
7. 7. The method to protect an automotive vehicle against the collision with animals on public roads, along which the vehicle is traveling, including this method the steps of generating and projecting an ultrasonic sound beam, substantially free of sound sonic and ultraviolet light.
8. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that said beam is substantially confined to the width of the public road.
9. 9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the mentioned beam is projected in an intermittent manner, as the vehicle proceeds along the public road.