WO2014024177A1

WO2014024177A1 - An animal barrier

Info

Publication number: WO2014024177A1
Application number: PCT/IE2013/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neilus MURPHY
Original assignee: Murphy Neilus
Priority date: 2012-08-08
Filing date: 2013-08-07
Publication date: 2014-02-13
Also published as: GB2520202A; GB201501821D0

Abstract

Reference Fig 8 an animal barrier (5) is mechanically fixed to a pivot hub (9) which rotates in the vertical plane from a horizontal position, (closed position) to a vertical position, (open position) when the unit is activated via pre set timer or remotely by GSM mobile phone. The barrier is electrically connected to the nearby electric fence used to contain farm animals within an enclosed space making the barrier part of the fencing structure. For the purposes of operation, opening and closing and remote communication, the unit is powered by rechargeable battery. The unit is also portable and can be moved from post to post as required using the quick release and clamping ratchet (1).

Description

Title "An Animal Barrier"

Introduction The invention relates to barriers for animals, such as livestock on a farm.

Most farms have traditional steel gates which are manually opened for movement of livestock to and from fields. Prior Art Discussion

CNlOl 353883 describes an electronically operated three-dimensional rotatable electric fence gate. This,_. however, appears to be complex. The invention is directed towards providing increased automation, and/or simplicity, and/or versatility in animal barriers..

Summary of the Invention [These are based on the claims and will be inserted after the claims have been approved]

Detailed Description of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided an animal barrier comprising of:

an electrified conductive boom mounted on a pivot joint,

a drive mechanism for rotating the bo'om about the joint; and

means for mounting the unit on a fence post. A control system for activating the boom to open via a pre set timer or remotely via a communication network.

Brief description of drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Figs. 1 is a top view of the invention. Shown in the closed position with the barrier retracted to the home position.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a barrier mechanism, shown in the closed position with the barrier retracted.

Fig 3 is the rear view of the barrier mechanism, shown in the closed position with the barrier in the retracted position. Fig 4 is the right hand side view of the barrier mechanism, shown in the closed position with the barrier in the retracted position.

Fig 5 is a front isometric view of the invention shown in the closed position with the barrier in the retracted position with labels to identify individual parts.

Fig 6 is a front view of the control panel inside the control panel cover. Fig 7 is a rear isometric view of the invention shown in the closed position with the barrier in the retracted position with labels to identify individual parts.

Referring to Fig 5 the individual parts are identified as follows-

1. Ratchet clamp and strap assembly- This device is used to secure the invention to a fencing post. The strap is fitting around the fencing post to the other side of the bracket, item 3 in Fig 5. The ratchet is then use to tension the strap and thus clamp the unit to the fencing post. The tension is released by moving the ratchet lever to the extreme right thus releasing the strap tension.

2. Rear cover- This is the rear housing of the unit that houses the internal working of the invention.

3. Bracket- This bracket is designed to have many functions within the invention.

The bracket provides the cradle structure for the unit so that many different sizes of fencing posts can be accommodated ranging in size from 80mm in diameter to 380mm in diameter. It also provide protection for the unit while in service. And also is used as a stand for the unit while placed on a flat surface or on the ground.

4. Front cover- This is the rear housing of the unit that houses the internal working of the invention.

5. Boom or barrier- The boom moves in a vertical plane, rotating about a horizontal- axis pivot joint within the main body of the invention. The boom consists of a telescopic rod which is electrically conductive and is connected to the nearby electric fence which is used to contain the farm animals for the purpose of using an electric shock to deter animals that come in contact with the barrier. In normal operation this boom is extended out to cover the entrance to the area used to contain the farm animals. The overall length of the boom can vary to cover very short openings to very large openings which range from 1,200mm to 4,800mm.

6. Front panel cover- This is a clear cover which provides a weatherproof seal to the main control interface of the invention.

7. Battery box- This is an interchangeable battery box which contains the primary power source for the invention.

8. Control Panel- This is located under the front panel cover and is the main human interface for the invention. Fig 6 indicate the main interface items which includes a twenty four seven timer, (a) for pre programming the opening and closing times for the barrier, (weekday timer) an alarm output (b) for low battery warning and some control switches (c) for ON/OFF, Manual/ Automatic, Timer/ GSM Mode and Open/ Close.

Referring to Fig 7

9. Actuator Hub- The hub holds the main boom or barrier and it's about this hub the boom or barrier rotates at 90° in a vertical motion.

10. Buzzer or Sounder- This is an audible device used to alert farm animals that the barrier is opening or opened.

11. Communication antenna- This antenna is used for remote communication to the invention via and number of communication technologies.

Description of the embodiments-

The invention is designed to be a portable barrier used in conjunction with an electrified fence to contain farm animals within a field or pasture. The unit is secured to a fencing post and the boom or barrier is connected to the electric fence so that the boom becomes part of the fence structure used to contain the farm animals. The unit is battery powered and can be remotely opened or closed using a number of methods. In the basic model, the invention will have a timer which can be pre programmed to open and close at predetermined times as set by the end-user. Also the invention can be activated remotely by GSM mobile phone. The invention will have a GSM communication device which contains a standard mobile phone SIM card with a dedicated mobile telephone number. The mobile phone can be used to active the invention is two ways. Firstly by calling the telephone number of the SIM Card inside the unit, this opens the barrier for a pre set time interval which can be set by the end-user. After the time interval has elapsed then the barrier returns to the closed position. Secondly the invention can be activated by SMS text message to the invention. For example text "Open" to open the barrier or text " Closed" to close the barrier. When SMS text is used then the pre set interval timer is not engaged and the operation is by SMS instruction only. Note when the invention is set to GSM mode then either calling the unit telephone number or SMS can be selected on the fly or at will by the end-user. In other embodiments of the invention the remote communication to the unit is achieved via "Wifi Network" communication network, blue tooth communication network, communication via LAN (Local area network) connection and via a RFID radio network.

In another embodiment of the invention the boom moves in a horizontal plane and can rotate in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction as required by the end-user. In this embodiment the axis or pivot point is in the vertical position and the boom can rotate 90° clockwise and 90° anticlockwise resulting in an overall rotation of 180° in total.

In another embodiment of the invention the boom or barrier is made up of tapered sections of material all of which are conductive in raw material structure or have been made conductive by other means either by conductive wire fitted to the outside of the boom or by the boom used as a superstructure to carry a conductive material for the purpose of using an electric shock to deter animals that come in contact with the barrier.

The unit is powered by rechargeable battery which can be changed very easily by the end-user not requiring tools or wiring connectors. The battery snaps in and out from one side of the unit. In another embodiment of the invention the battery is changed via a solar panel mounted on top of the unit. Also in other embodiments the unit is powered by mains AC power source. In another embodiments the invention will not be connected to an external electric fence but this will be included within the machine. In this case the invention will include a high voltage power source within the unit used to hold back farm animals similar to an electric fence.

In another embodiment the invention will include a GPS (Global positioning system) inside the unit for tracking purposes.

In another embodiment the invention will include a camera which will be used to remotely monitor farm animals within a 360° view of the invention. In a further embodiment, the barrier further comprises a bridging section with an extendable electrical conductor arranged to couple to a fence post in order to bridge a gap between the barrier and a permanent fence. Used where the barrier when full extended is not long enough to close the opening in the fence. In one embodiment, the bridging section includes a conductive tape extendable from a reel and having an insulated handle and a conductive coupler at a free end which is secured to the permanent fence.

Claims

1. An animal barrier comprising of: an electrified conductive boom mounted on a pivot joint,

a drive mechanism for rotating the boom about the joint; and

2. An animal barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link is a flexible coupler which connects an electric fence wire to the conductor of the boom for the purpose of using an electric shock to deter animals that come in contact with the barrier.

3. An animal barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot joint and the drive mechanism are adapted to rotate the boom in a vertical plane.

4. An animal barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot joint and the drive mechanism are adapted to rotate the boom in a horizontal plane.

5. An animal barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the drive mechanism is solar-powered.

6. An animal barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrier further comprises a bridging section with an extendable electrical conductor arranged to couple to a fence post in order to bridge a gap between the barrier and a permanent fence.

7. An animal barrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bridging section includes a conductive tape extendable from a reel and having an insulated handle and a conductive coupler at a free end.

8. An animal barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller is arranged to be electrically charged.

9. An animal barrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the boom is of conductive material.

10. An animal barrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the boom has a body of insulating material and the body supports a conductor.

11. An animal barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller includes a camera and means to record images and/or feed images to a remote site.

12. An animal barrier as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the camera is arranged to . . capture images of the barrier, to provide information about barrier status.

13. An animal barrier as claimed in either of claims 11 or 12, wherein the camera is arranged to capture images of animals in the vicinity of the barrier.

14. An animal barrier controlled via SMS text message for the purpose of opening and closing a fenced area.

15. An animal barrier used in conjunction with a sound emitter for the purpose of controlling the movement of animals.