US20050166537A1

US20050166537A1 - Bird repellant device for use on transparent surface

Info

Publication number: US20050166537A1
Application number: US10/770,843
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerard Geiger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-03
Filing date: 2004-02-03
Publication date: 2005-08-04

Abstract

A device for preventing birds from flying into transparent objects is disclosed. The device comprises a thin, narrow streamer that is flexible in the wind. The streamer may have reflective properties and have an adhesive portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices used to deter birds from flying into windows, doors or buildings, specifically surfaces that are designed from transparent materials, such as glass.
Many buildings are designed today with a focus on open air and natural light within the buildings. To achieve such results, buildings are built using more and larger windows. Such buildings, though aesthetically pleasing, present a hazard for birds. In many instances, the birds' instincts do not allow the bird to recognize large, transparent barriers. Consequently, birds are prone to fly into such windows and doors, causing injury to themselves, and possibly killing themselves.
Designs have been contemplated to deter the birds from flying into windows or doors. For instance, Countryman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,485, and Young, U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,251, teach of spider web designs applied to transparent windows as a deterrent to flying birds. However, it is not necessarily pleasing to the eye to have a spider web located on every window of a house or building. Furthermore, the stationary placement of such deterrents can limit the size of a window that will effectively be protected from a bird flying into the window. Thus, an appealing, minimally invasive, efficient window deterrent is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an efficient, eye-pleasing window deterrent for birds that is economically feasible. The invention consists of a thin streamer that is attached to a window pain or other transparent surface. The lightweight streamer is relatively narrow and may be of any desired length.
When the streamer is attached to a transparent surface, it notifies the birds that a barrier exists at the streamer's attachment location. The streamer is designed so that it can twist and turn in varying wind conditions, providing an added visual deterrent for the birds. The streamer may also make noise when it comes into contact with the base surface, thereby providing an audible deterrent as well. Additionally, the streamer's preferred design uses a shiny material that reflects sunlight and images to alert birds. The streamer may be further pleated or creased to multiply the reflective properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention being applied to a building.
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a fragmented top view of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a fragmented side view of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a close-up sectional view of the anchoring means of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a building having a side 10. The building side 10 has a transparent window 12. An elongated filament or streamer 14 is located on the window 12 to notify a bird that a barrier exists and act as a deterrent so that the bird will not fly into the window 12. A portion of the streamer 14 is attached to the window 12, with the remaining area of the streamer 14 allowed to move freely. If it is windy, the streamer 14 will twist, curl and flutter in the wind, which will provide a moving visual deterrent for a bird not to fly into the window 12. The thin lightweight material of the streamer 14 allows it to move in the slightest breeze. Also, the streamer 14 will make contact with the window 12, which may provide noise to act as an audible alarm for the bird as well. If the window 12 is a large window or windowpane, a longer streamer may be used, or more than one streamer 14 may be adhered to the window 12 as deemed appropriate.
FIG. 1 also shows the streamer 14 being attached directly to the side 10 of the building. When affixed to the side 10 of the building and not the window 12, the streamer 14 acts as a deterrent for birds, such as woodpeckers. It may also act as a deterrent for birds that may wish to form nests under the eave of a house. The streamer 14 is designed to reflect light sufficiently enough to be noticeable by a bird, thereby working effectively even if the surface the streamer 14 is attached to is opaque or has few reflective qualities.
FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the streamer 14. The streamer 14 has anchoring means 16 located on a portion of the streamer 14, preferably one of the ends of the streamer 14. The anchoring means 16 may consist of any means, such as an adhesive or a suction device, that would secure the streamer 14 to a surface. The anchoring means 16 allows the streamer 14 to be attached to the window 12 or the building side 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The preferred dimensions of the streamer 14 allow a major lengthwise portion 19 of the streamer 14 to bend, curl, shimmer and twist, as shown in FIG. 2. The streamer 14 is preferably approximately 1/8″ wide and very thin, approximately 0.001″. The length of the streamer 14 can be determined by the needs and tastes of the user. Preferably, the major lengthwise portion 19 of the streamer 14 is longer than the section containing the anchoring means 16, and also longer than it is wide. Likewise, the major lengthwise portion 19 is separate or disengaged from the anchoring means 16, so that the anchoring means 16 will not interfere with the movement of the major lengthwise portion 19. Such dimensions will allow adequate movement of the streamer. It should be noted that the streamer 14 would still exhibit reflective qualities if the anchoring means 16 comprises a greater portion of the streamer 14 than the major lengthwise portion 19. These dimensions are suggestive of the invention and are not determinative of the scope of the invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show fragmented view of the streamer 14. An end of the streamer 14 containing the anchoring means 16 is shown. The anchoring means 16, as shown in FIG. 4, may be thicker than the streamer 14, but such an arrangement is not necessary. The thickness of the anchoring means 16 is to show that the anchoring means 16 may be an integral part of the streamer 14, such as if the streamer 14 was coated with an adhesive material, or the anchoring means 16 may be a separate section, such as a two-sided tape or similar material. If the anchoring means 16 are integral with the streamer, the anchoring means 16 is still referred to as a separate section from the major lengthwise portion 19 of the streamer. A backing material 17 may be applied over the anchoring means 16 to insure the anchoring means 16 retains its adhesive properties until it is to be used. Also, the anchoring means 16 may be applied at a point or a number of points along the lengthwise portion 19 of the streamer 14.
FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a section of an alternate embodiment of the streamer 14. The alternate embodiment streamer 14 may be covered with a plurality of facets, pleats, or folds 18. The facets 18 contribute to the deterring effect of the streamer 14. For instance, the streamer 14 is preferably manufactured from a reflective material. When the streamer 14 is blowing in the wind, the reflective nature of the streamer 14 will further deter birds from flying into the surface, since the birds will be easily alerted by the shiny material. However, the facets 18 will allow the streamer 14 to more efficiently reflect and refract light, even if it is a calm day. The facets 18 provide more angles for the streamer 14 to catch light, thereby improving the possibilities that light will be refracted off of the streamer 14 in more directions. The facets 18 provide a scattering effect of light in all directions to alert birds to the solid surface. The facets or pleats 18 also assist when the streamer 14 is attached to a non-reflective or opaque surface, such as the side 10 of a building, which was shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the streamer 14 attached to the windowpane 12. As shown, the anchoring means 16 provides a distance D between the streamer 14 and the windowpane 12. While the distance D does not have to be extensive, it does provide for added utility for the streamer 14. For instance, the distance D allows for the elongated major portion 19 to lie away from the windowpane 12. The distance D allows for the elongated major portion 19 to make discontinuous contact with windowpane 12 to further provide an audio alarm to deter a bird. Likewise, since the streamer 14 is preferably thin, the distance D will minimize the amount of static friction that may be present between the streamer 14 and the windowpane, which would allow for a more efficient bird deterrent. Distance D can be further increased from the windowpane 12 by attaching adhesive material 16 to the window frame above windowpane 12 which protrudes beyond the exterior glass surface.
The streamer 14 may be manufactured in any color and/or metallic shade that a consumer may prefer to match a person's house or decor. Alternatively, the streamer 14 may be fabricated from a clear or transparent material which would be less noticeable to consumers and may be considered more aesthetically pleasing. Likewise, as previously stated, the streamer's may be of any length preferred by the user, and may be manufactured so that the user may adjust the length by simply cutting the streamer with a scissors. A flexible material, such as Mylar or foil, may be used for the streamer, provided that the material remains flexible outdoors in all weather conditions. The streamer 14 should be designed without perforations along the length of the streamer 14. While perforations would not affect the movement of the streamer 14, they would invariably reduce the lifetime of the streamer. Because the streamer 14 is preferably formed from a thin, flexible, lightweight material, any unnecessary cuts or slits in the streamer 14 will increase the chance of the streamer 14 to tear or shred and, thus, be ineffective.
The present invention has an advantage over previous designs in that it may deter birds over a larger scope of surfaces than previous designs. For instance as previously noted, the streamer 14 may be applied to the side of a house, as shown in FIG. 1, which would provide a deterrent for a woodpecker to peck at the house siding. The streamer 14 could also be applied to a skylight or other angled window to deter birds and not just to surfaces that are perpendicular to a floor or the ground. Also, the streamer 14 may be applied to the interior side of the windowpane 12, if the consumer prefers or is unable to access the exterior side. Likewise, the streamer may be arranged so that it may twist and turn in front of an open window. Provided that there is a surface for the streamer to be attached to, the streamer may be used in a wide range of areas and places.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A device for repelling birds from physical contact with a structural surface, said device comprising:

an elongated filament;

means for anchoring said filament to said structural surface; and

said filament further including a major lengthwise portion thereof being disengaged from said anchoring means.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said major lengthwise portion is non-perforated throughout its length.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said lengthwise portion is separated a predetermined distance from said structural surface by said anchoring means.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said elongated filament is comprised of a reflective material.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said elongated filament comprises pleats.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said elongated filament has a length and a width, said length being greater than said width.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said elongated filament comprises a flexible material.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein said elongated filament being capable of producing an audio alarm when said elongated filament contacts said structural surface.