US2306080A - Birdproofing for starlings and sparrows - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1942 I J. s. PELES 2,306,080

BIRDPROOFING FOR STARLINGS AND SPARROWS Filed Jan. '7, 1942 W SIIZ/ZZIOVENTOR. 2 M A W Patented Dec. 22, 1942 BIRDPROOFING FOR STARLINGS AND SPABROWS Claims.

This invention relates to birdprooflng and has particular reference to such devices in relation to starlings and sparrows.

The birdproofing that has heretofore been known has been satisfactory principally for the larger birds such as pigeons, but has not been operative to suppress the nuisance of starlings and sparrows alighting on the ledges of buildings. In fact, these small birds frequently built their nests right in the pigeon proofing, which they often found facilitated the building of their nests. In certain localities, starlings and sparrows are a much worse nuisance than pigeons. Usually, at night, they revert again and again to the buildings they like to frequent. I have observed that they will obtain a grip on a thin wire, and succeed in standing thereon, a feat which pigeons cannot accomplish. Having once managed to alight on the birdproofing they proceed to find their way'to a comfortable position on the ledge between the projects of the birdproofing.

Accordingly, starlings and sparrows have presented a problem which has long battled the art, and the solution for which could not apparently be found by obvious expedients or by multiplying obstructions. Also it was necessary to bear in mind that the cost of the birdprooflng must not become prohibitive. It was only after considerable study of the habits of starlings and sparrows, and experimentation with different kinds of birdproofing that I developed the present invention.

One object, therefore, of the invention is to provide birdproofing for starlings and sparrows which shall overcome the difiiculties above mentioned.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such birdproofing which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and adapted for quantity production.

Another object of the invention is to provide birdprooiing for starlings and sparrows which shall not cause injury to pigeons attempting to alight.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective isometric view showing a birdproofing element em- I bodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank for forming the same.

Fig. 3 is an end View showing a modification.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation showing a fragment of another modification.

Figs. 6, 'Z, 8 and 9 are fragmentary isometric perspective views showing different modifications according to the invention.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalitles are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several diiierent constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, l0 denotes birdproofing embodying the invention. The same consists of a one piece strip member of sheet metal which may be made to any desired length to extend along a ledge of a building that is to be protected from starlings and sparrows. Preferably the structure i6 also possesses ample width that it may be capable of covering the average ledge. but if the ledge be quite wide, two or more structures H3 may be placed side by side thereon. The construction of the birdproofing it may be more readily understood by reference to Fig. 2. Here a blank in the form of a plane member I! is formed with spaced cut outs i2 forming opposed free ended tongues Iii, and intervening opposed members It which are integrally united at I5. Desirably the portions i3 and It are cut to taper toward the longitudinal center line of the member H, the portions It being quite as narrow as practical for a purpose later described. Now the member i I is bent along a central longitudinal line which passes through the connecting portions is but is somewhat spaced from the points it of the elements i3. Obviously this bending is very easily effected, and it results in the provisions of two like sections I? in the birdprooflng it, which sections may be formed with flanges as for seourement to a ledge of the building. Thus each section comprises a longitudinal base portion rigidly interconnecting its projections, the sections themselves being inseer AVILABLE Copy terconnectcd solely at the portions iii. In completing the birdprooiing Hi, the free ended elements are bent outwardly as shown at Ida, whereas the members [4, due to the spacing between the sections H, are downwardly divergent as shown at Ma. The portions llisbecomc generally like points as indicated at l5a.

It is thus seen that the birdproofing it! comprises a plurality of sections, each having upwardly projecting portions terminating substantially in points, certain of the projections l3a being free ended at it and other intermediate projections Ha being integrally united at their point portions l5a. Also the projections lilo diverge upwardly while those at 5:: converge upwardly. Thus a large number projections are provided by a. very simple, compact structure cov-' ering a large area.

starlings and sparrows will be unable to alight on such blrdproofing, because they will be hindered by the points i5a and i3, and because of the thin or relatively sharp longitudinal edges of said projections, and because the feet of the birds cannot obtain a satisfactory hold on the flat sheet metal of which the projections are formed. Thus the birds cannot encircle and grasp these projections, as they are relatively wide, except at their points. Hence these birds cannot alight on this birdprooilng as they can on wires, however thin. Accordingly these birds will be unable to nest in this blrdprooflng.

Pigeons are also prevented from alighting. but if they should attempt to do so because their legs are longer than those oi? starlings and sparrows. they will not be injured by the points. because the height oi the points above the bottom oi the birdprooilng is relatively small. Thus complaints irom pigeon ianoiers and others are avoided.

In Figs. 3 and i is shown a modification I! such as to assure that even the smallest of star'- lings and spmowc will be unable to client on ,the building. This structure is generally like that at ill, and may include sections 20 having tree ended elements at and members It intor connected at their upper ends at 2.3. Formed integral with one or the sections is a. flange 24 having an integral member 25 having a series oi upward extending Points 25' lyin bcrollcl to the sections 28 and preferably entrally thcrebetween. These points :6 supplement the points oi the projections .21, 22.

In Fig. is shown a anodised birdprooiing 21, comprising h plane strip member oicheet metal having I; all! mitlfil'l Zl iilimt d with it fiddlillll flange it and having upward projecting portions II terminating in points it. the projections it are flat and mom thin or share crises and are relatively wide except at their ,lelut portions to time prevent sparrows and starl h I leg as described {or the suppresses in. It is or course understood that a plurality or these lags ireiri gllslit= Gil hers ll may be diseases in relatively close erei lei relation to each other along etuiidlne eeee.

in Fig. 9 is shown a modeled undertones as consisting of a compress strip member forming a case part it rer se eureinerlt to a lease an hav lag upward sir-teasing projections at on opscs te edges thereon and some use tiiebreleeuqss is. re conserve nietei= sl. tliesesroieeuens as are streets outiengitudinslly or the en osette-r, so that part or the Base at narrowed ates. 'Tro assure ample encourages co'gerese; the sections it are staggered er onset fl ers ease other lesstnwise oi the iitiiii; one no in. planes that may be parallel to each other and are transverse to the strip. The advantages and mode of operation stated for tho birdproofing ill will apply to that at 32.

In Fig. '7 is shown a modified birdprooflng 36 consisting of a one-piece strip member forming a base plate 31 and having a multiplicity of spaced staggered integral points 38 and openings 39 formed incidentally to the cutting out of said tongues. A very large coverage is obtained by this birdproofing against starlings and sparrows, and thin or sharp edges 60 are formed on three sides of each projection, but the points are eliminated to avoid any injury to the birds. However, the projections 38 may be pointed if desired. In other respects, the advantages of the birdproofing 36 are like those hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modified birdproofing M having a base securing strip or plate 42 and a multiplicity of upward extending projections 43 thereto secured in any suitable manner, and being like those at 3B and 3d, except that they lie in a variety of different vertical planes, and relatively close together.

In Fig. 9 is shown a modified birdproofing 44 comprising a plurality of upwardly projecting pointed elements 45 secured together in any suitable manner at t? and at least one of them having a lateral anch -r flange 41. The projections 45 are upwardly flared relatively to each other and when such devices 44 are used closely together they are highly effective against starlings and sparrows, because the elements 45 form relatively thin double edged wide tongues or blades. effectively pointed at their ends 48, these ends lying in an arc. The device 44 may also be used at corners and as a supplement to other birdprooflng herein disclosed.

All the different forms of birdproofing have certain essential advantages of that in Fig. l and will keep off starlings and sparrows without inluring pigeons.

It is thus seen that I have provided birdprooting for starlings and sparrows which fulfills the -objects of the invention and is well adapted for practical use, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

I claim:

1. A device including birdproofing to prevent starlings and sparrows from alighting on the ledge of a building, including a one piece elongated member comprising upward projecting elements consisting of sheet metal and terminating in upwardly extending relatively pointed ends, said projections being relatively wide and having relatively thin edges longitudinally below said pointed ends, said projecting elements being disposed in a plurality of rows and being so closely spaced as to prevent said birds from nlighting thorebetween, each of said elements lying in 0. plane generally parallel to said rows. said birdprcofing being of such height above the ledge that said pointed ends will not cause injury to pigeonsettempting to alight on the ledge. and means for securing said projections to the ledge, eeidoroleotions including free ended elements and members integrally united at their upper ends. and spaced base portions being provided uniting certain or said elements and members in a plurality or rows.

the device including birdproofing to prevent starlings and sparrows from slishting on the ledge of a building including a one piece clon gated inernber comprising upward projecting olenients consisting of sheet metal and terminating in upwardly extending relatively pointed ends, said projections being relatively wide and having relatively thin edges longitudinally below said pointed ends, said projecting elements being disposed in a plurality of rows and being so closely spaced as to prevent said birds from alighting 'therebetween, each of said elements lying in a plane generally parallel to said rows, said birdproofing being of such height above the ledge that said pointed ends will not cause injury to pigeons attempting to alight on the ledge, and means for securing said projections to the ledge, said birdproofing being provided with parallel, separated base portions carrying said projecting elements, certain of the latter being united at their upper ends, one base portion having a flange carrying upward extending projections.

3. A device including birdproofing to prevent starlings and sparrows from alighting on the ledge of a building, including a sheet metal strip longitudinally folded to provide a plurality of spaced sections each having free ended upward projecting elements and upward projecting menibers therebetween, adjacent members on said sections being united along the fold line of said strip, with the said strip thus having a plurality of spaced point like portions that constitute the junctions between said sections.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein joined members are downwardly divergent and the members and elements of each section are upwardly divergent.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein a flange is integrally connected to one of said sec tions to lie between the sections and is provided with upward extending projections lying between the sections.

JULIUS STANLEY PELES.

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