WO2000078137A1

WO2000078137A1 - Barrier

Info

Publication number: WO2000078137A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/000827
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Leslie Bushell
Original assignee: Owen, David, John
Priority date: 1999-06-22
Filing date: 2000-06-21
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: AU5240400A

Abstract

The invention provides a barrier unit (50) which includes a plurality of elongate transversely spaced interconnected barrier elements (14) arranged in a grid. The barrier elements each have a longitudinal axis which extends generally perpendicular to the plane of the grid, the axes of the barrier elements (14) being parallel. Adjacent barrier elements (14) are connected together adjacent their lower ends by means of bridge elements. Connecting elements (56) are connected to the barrier elements (14) and are receivable over barrier elements of another barrier unit to connect the barrier units together. The barrier units are used to form a barrier for animals, particularly domestic animals such as cats and dogs, the upper ends of the barrier elements (14) forming an uneven surface over which the animal must walk in order to gain access to a particular area. The configuration of the barrier elements (14) is such that it makes it uncomfortable for an animal to walk thereon thereby serving as a deterrent.

Description

BARRIER

THIS INVENTION relates to barriers. More particularly it relates to a barrier unit and a barrier installation. It also relates to a method of discouraging the passage of animals over a predetermined area.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier unit which includes a plurality of elongate transversely spaced interconnected barrier elements arranged in a grid, each barrier element having a lower end and an upper end.

Each barrier element may have a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes being parallel and perpendicular to a plane of the grid.

The barrier unit may include connecting means connecting adjacent barrier elements together.

The connecting means may include bridge elements connected to and extending transversely between adjacent barrier elements at or adjacent their lower ends.

The barrier unit may include at least one connecting element whereby the barrier unit is connectable to another like barrier unit. The connecting element may be in the form of a collar which is connected to at least one of the barrier elements and which is receivable over a barrier element of another like barrier unit to connect the barrier units together.

The grid may be square or rectangular when viewed in plan and the barrier unit includes a plurality of connecting elements connected to barrier elements on each of two adjacent sides of the grid . This arrangement permits a plurality of the barrier units to be connected together in virtually any desired arrangement.

The barrier elements may be hollow and downwardly open.

Each barrier element may taper upwardly inwardly for at least part of its length to facilitate nesting of a plurality of the barrier units one on top of the other. This facilitates packaging and transportation of the barrier units.

The Inventor believes that the invention will be particularly suitable as a barrier in domestic applications, e.g. to discourage animals, such as cats and dogs, having pads on their paws from walking in or gaining access to particular zones or areas such as into flower beds, through doorways, onto furniture and the like.

To this end, adjacent barrier elements may be spaced apart a distance of between 1 5 mm and 1 00 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention adjacent barrier elements are spaced apart 25 mm. Each barrier element may have a length of between 20 mm and 1 00 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention each barrier element has a length of about 40 mm.

Each barrier element may be circular in cross-section and have a diameter of between 2 mm and 25 mm. In one embodiment of the invention, each barrier element has a diameter of 5 mm.

The upper end of each barrier element may be rounded.

The barrier unit may be formed as a unitary moulding of a synthetic plastics material.

As mentioned above, the Inventor believes that the barrier unit will find application particularly in gardens, for example, to inhibit or discourage dogs and cats from entering flower beds, in which case a lower part of the barrier unit is buried in or anchored to the ground, such that the barrier elements protrude upwardly and form an irregular support surface over which a dog or cat must walk which in turn serves to inhibit the passage of a dog or cat over the barrier unit. Naturally, the barrier unit can be used, together with one or more additional barrier units, to form a barrier of desired size. In addition, the material of the bridge elements is selected so as to permit it to be cut relatively easily, e.g. using garden clippers in order to provide the barrier unit with a desired shape. Other applications include positioning the barrier unit in or adjacent to a doorway to inhibit the passage of an animal therethrough, on or around an article of furniture to inhibit access thereto. Naturally, the barrier unit could be used in numerous other applications. The bridge elements typically have a depth of between 2 mm and 30 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bridge elements have a depth of 5 mm.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier installation which includes a plurality of elongate spaced apart barrier elements protruding upwardly from a surface over which it is desired to inhibit the passage of animals, the shape and configuration of the barrier elements and the spacing therebetween being arranged to define an irregular support surface on which said animals must walk to pass over said installation.

The barrier elements may protrude to a height of between 5 mm and 1 00 mm above the surface, typically a floor or the ground.

In a preferred embodiment the barrier elements protrude to a height of about 20 mm above the surface.

The barrier installation may include at least one barrier unit of the type described above.

The barrier installation may include a plurality of the barrier units positioned adjacent to one another with the lower ends of the barrier elements anchored to the surface, e.g. by being embedded in the ground, to form a more-or-less continuous barrier in the area from which it is desired to exclude an animal.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of discouraging the passage of animals over a predetermined area which includes the step of providing a plurality of elongate barrier elements in said area such that they protrude upwardly to form an irregular support surface on which the animals must walk to pass over said area.

The configuration of the barrier elements and the spacing therebetween may be selected to cause discomfort to an animal attempting to walk on the barrier elements.

The method may include positioning at least one barrier unit as described above in the area over which it is desired to discourage the animals from walking.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a plan view of part of a barrier unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of part of the barrier unit of Figure 1 forming part of a barrier installation in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of another barrier unit in accordance with the invention; and Figure 4 shows a transverse sectional elevation of parts of two of the barrier units of Figure 3 forming part of another barrier installation in accordance with the invention.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to part of a barrier unit in accordance with the invention. The barrier unit 1 0 includes a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart elongate barrier elements 1 4 each of which has a lower end 1 4. 1 and an upper end 1 4.2.

The barrier elements 1 4 are arranged in a generally planar grid which is generally rectangular when viewed from above. The unit

1 0 includes connecting means in the form of bridge elements 1 6 whereby adjacent barrier elements 1 4 are connected together adjacent their lower ends 14.1 .

Each barrier element 1 4 has a longitudinal axis 1 5 which extends generally perpendicular to a plane of the grid.

The barrier unit 1 0 is typically formed as a unitary moulding of a synthetic plastics material which is sufficiently rigid to withstand the weight of an animal standing on the barrier elements 1 4 without excessive deformation.

Naturally, depending on the intended application, the dimensions of the barrier unit 10 may be varied. However, the Inventor believes that the barrier unit 1 0 will be particularly suitable for use as a barrier to domestic animals, as is described in more detail herebelow. In this application, the Inventor believes that the barrier elements 14 will be arranged on a pitch of about 25 mm, that each barrier element 14 will have a length L of about 40 mm and a diameter D of about 5 mm.

The upper or free end 14.2 of each barrier element 14 is rounded. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the barrier unit 1 0 is rectangular when viewed in plan, having a length of about one meter and a width of about 0.5 meter. However, the barrier unit can take any desired form.

In use, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, in order to form a barrier installation, generally indicated by reference numeral 20, a barrier unit 1 0 is positioned at a desired location, e.g . a lower part of the barrier unit 10 is embedded in the ground 22 such that the barrier elements 1 4 protrude upwardly from the surface 24 of the ground 22. If desired, a plurality of the barrier units 1 0 may be used to form a more or less continuous barrier in and/or around the area from which it is desired to exclude an animal. Hence, for example, when the protected zone is a flower bed, barrier units 10 may be positioned in and/or if desired extend around the entire flower bed to discourage an animal from entering the flower bed.

The Inventor has found that the shape and dimensions of the barrier elements, as well as the spacing therebetween are such that a domestic animal such as a cat or a dog having pads on its paws will experience discomfort when attempting to walk on the protruding portions of the barrier elements 14 and will hence be discouraged from walking in an area or protected zone in which the barrier elements are installed.

The material of the barrier unit 10 is such that the bridge elements 1 6 can be cut, e.g. using gardening clippers, in order to permit the shape of the unit 1 0 to be fashioned so that it can fit in a desired location, e.g. around the base of a tree, in a flower bed or the like. Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, in which reference numeral 50 refers generally to another barrier unit in accordance with the invention and, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals used above are used to designate similar parts.

In the barrier unit 50 the barrier elements 1 4 are hollow and downwardly open. In addition, each of the barrier elements 1 4 tapers inwardly upwardly from its lower end 14.1 to its upper end 14.2. An upper portion may have an angle of taper a of about 1 9.6° . This arrangement facilitates nesting of the barrier elements 1 4 when a plurality of the barrier units 50 are arranged one upon the other. This in turn ensures a compact arrangement facilitating packaging and economical transportation of the barrier units 50.

Once again, the dimensions of the barrier elements of the barrier unit 50 can vary depending upon the intended application. However, for a domestic application in order to discourage cats and dogs from walking in an area in which the barrier is positioned, the upper ends 1 4.2 of the barrier elements 1 4 will typically have a radius of curvature of about 2.5 mm. The spacing P between adjacent barrier elements will typically be about 25 mm. The lower ends 1 4.1 of the barrier units 50 will typically have a diameter D of about 20 mm. Each barrier element

14 will typically have a height of about 40 mm.

In this embodiment of the invention the grid formed by the barrier elements 14 is generally square when viewed in plan, the lengths of the sides of the grid being about 320 mm. This makes the unit 50 relatively compact which once again facilitates the packaging thereof. In addition, the barrier unit 50 includes a plurality of connecting elements 52 connected to the barrier elements 1 4 at longitudinally spaced apart positions on each of two adjacent sides of the grid formed by the barrier elements 1 4. Each connecting element 52 is connected to the barrier elements by a plurality, typically three, bridging elements 54. Further, each connecting element is in the form of an annular collar which, as can best be seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, is snugly receivable over a barrier element 1 4 of an adjacent barrier unit thereby to connect the adjacent barrier units 50 together. A plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 56 extend upwardly from a lower edge of the connecting element 52 to accommodate the bridge elements 1 6 by means of which the barrier element 1 4 of the adjacent barrier unit 50 is connected to adjacent barrier elements of said adjacent barrier units.

As with the barrier unit 1 0, the barrier unit 50 is formed as a unitary moulding. The units 1 0, 50 can be of any desired colour.

The barrier unit 50 will be used in substantially the identical fashion to the barrier unit 1 0 described above except that adjacent barrier units 50 can be physically connected together by means of the connecting elements 52.

The Inventor believes that an advantage of the invention is that it will provide an effective barrier to animals without harming them. In this regard the Inventor believes that in addition to providing a physical barrier the invention will provide a visible and/or psychological deterrent. In addition, it is relatively quick and easy to install and the results are immediate and permanent. The barrier units 1 0, 50 are however reusable.

Further, the barrier unit, once installed, is aesthetically less intrusive than fencing or the like.

Finally, the barrier units are environmentally friendly since water drainage and plant growth is unaffected by the presence of the barrier units.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A barrier unit which includes a plurality of elongate transversely spaced interconnected barrier elements arranged in a grid, each barrier element having a lower end and an upper end .

2. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 1 , in which each barrier element has a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes being parallel and perpendicular to a plane of the grid.

3. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes connecting means connecting adjacent barrier elements together.

4. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 3, in which the connecting means includes bridge elements connected to and extending transversely between adjacent barrier elements at or adjacent their lower ends.

5. A barrier unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least one connecting element whereby the barrier unit is connectable to another like barrier unit.

6. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 5, in which the connecting element is in the form of a collar which is connected to at least one of the barrier elements and which is receivable over a barrier element of another like barrier unit to connect the barrier units together.

7. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the grid is square or rectangular when viewed in plan and the barrier unit includes a plurality of connecting elements connected to barrier elements on each of two adjacent sides of the grid .

8. A barrier unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the barrier elements are hollow and downwardly open.

9. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 8, in which each barrier element tapers upwardly inwardly for at least part of its length to facilitate nesting of a plurality of the barrier units one on top of the other.

1 0. A barrier unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which adjacent barrier elements are spaced apart a distance of between 1 5 mm and 1 00 mm.

1 1 . A barrier unit as claimed in claim 1 0, in which adjacent barrier elements are spaced apart 25 mm.

1 2. A barrier unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each barrier element has a length of between 20 mm and 100 mm.

1 3. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 1 2, in which each barrier element has a length of 40 mm.

14. A barrier unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper end of each barrier element is rounded .

1 5. A barrier unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is formed as a unitary moulding of a synthetic plastics material.

1 6. A barrier installation which includes a plurality of elongate spaced apart barrier elements protruding upwardly from a surface over which it is desired to inhibit the passage of animals, the shape and configuration of the barrier elements and the spacing therebetween being arranged to define an irregular support surface on which said animals must walk to pass over said installation.

1 7. A barrier installation as claimed in claim 1 6, in which the barrier elements protrude to a height of between 5 mm and 100 mm above the surface.

1 8. A barrier installation as claimed in claim 1 7, in which the barrier elements protrude to a height of 20 mm above the surface.

1 9. A barrier installation as claimed in any one of claims 1 6 to

1 8. inclusive, which includes at least one barrier unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 5, inclusive.

20. A barrier installation as claimed in claim 1 9, which includes a plurality of the barrier units positioned adjacent to one another to form a more-or-less continuous barrier in the area from which it is desired to exclude an animal.

21 . A method of discouraging the passage of animals over a predetermined area which includes the step of providing a plurality of elongate barrier elements in said area such that they protrude upwardly to form an irregular support surface on which the animals must walk to pass over said area.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 , in which the configuration of the barrier elements and the spacing therebetween is selected to cause discomfort to an animal attempting to walk on the barrier elements.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, which includes positioning at least one barrier unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 5, inclusive, in the area over which it is desired to discourage the animals from walking .

24. A barrier unit as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as described and illustrated herein.

25. A barrier installation as claimed in claim 1 6, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

26. A method as claimed in claim 21 , substantially as described and illustrated herein.

27. A new unit, installation or method, substantially as herein described.