U.S. patent application number 10/709380 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-04 for bird deterrent apparatus and method for making same.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACTION ENTERPRISES, INC.. Invention is credited to Burd, Stephen L., Hall, Bill R..
Application Number | 20040216393 10/709380 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33313608 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040216393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall, Bill R. ; et
al. |
November 4, 2004 |
BIRD DETERRENT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME
Abstract
A bird deterrent apparatus and method for making same includes a
base member having slots and spike members which are shaped to form
oppositely disposed prongs with an inverted "U" shape or arc
positioned between the prongs. The arcs of the spike members are
inserted through the slots in the base member and as a result, the
prongs of the spike members extend from opposite sides of the base
member.
Inventors: |
Hall, Bill R.; (Anaheim,
CA) ; Burd, Stephen L.; (Anaheim, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SNELL & WILMER
ONE ARIZONA CENTER
400 EAST VAN BUREN
PHOENIX
AZ
850040001
|
Assignee: |
ACTION ENTERPRISES, INC.
1911 S. Betmor Lane
Anaheim
CA
|
Family ID: |
33313608 |
Appl. No.: |
10/709380 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60466908 |
Apr 30, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.1 ;
52/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 29/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/079.1 ;
052/027 |
International
Class: |
A63B 071/00 |
Claims
1. A bird repellant device comprising: a base member having a
plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed notches and a slot
positioned between each of said pairs of notches; and a plurality
of spike members each forming oppositely disposed prongs and an arc
between said prongs wherein each of said arcs is inserted through
one of said slots and said prongs are positioned in said pairs of
notches.
2. The bird repellant device of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of second spike members wherein each spike member is
perpendicularly attached to a top of said base member.
3. The bird repellant device of claim 1 wherein said pair of
oppositely disposed prongs extend from said arc at an angle.
4. The bird deterrent device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
spike members comprise stainless steel or other metals which may be
powder coated or painted.
5. The bird deterrent device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of
second spike members comprise a polycarbonate or other
polymers.
6. The bird repellant device of claim 1 wherein said pairs of
oppositely disposed prongs extend from their arcs at varying
angles.
7. The bird repellant apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base
further comprises a plurality of circular apertures
therethrough.
8. A bird deterrent apparatus comprising: a base having a plurality
of slots therein; at least one primary spike member bent to form
first and second prongs and an arc between said prongs for
inserting through one of said slots; and at least one second spike
member perpendicularly attached to a top surface of said base.
9. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of said
first and second prongs extend from said arc at an angle.
10. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first and
secondary prongs extend from opposite sides of said base or the
same side of said base.
11. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first
spike member comprises stainless steel or other metals which may be
powder coated or painted.
12. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second
spike member comprises a polycarbonate or other polymers.
13. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 10 comprising a plurality
of first spike members wherein the prongs of said first spike
members extend from their arcs at varying angles.
14. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 wherein said base
further comprises a plurality of apertures therethrough.
15. A method for making a bird deterrent device comprising the
steps of: providing a base member having a plurality of slots
therethrough; and forming at least one first spike member to have
oppositely disposed prongs and an arc between said prongs; and
inserting said arc in said slot such that said oppositely disposed
prongs extend around opposite sides of said base.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of providing
at least one second spike member positioned perpendicular to a top
of said base.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of providing a base
member further comprises the step of forming oppositely disposed
notches on opposite sides of said base member for receiving said
prongs.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to,
provisional application serial No. 60/466,908, filed Apr. 30, 2003,
which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a bird deterrent
apparatus, and more particularly, to a bird deterrent apparatus
having a base and at least one spike forming a pair of prongs and
an arc between the prongs where the arc is inserted through a slot
in the base, and a method for making the same.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Overcoming bird infestation poses unique challenges. Bird
control products that prevent birds from roosting, nesting, and
landing on buildings and structures have been in existence for some
time.
[0004] Typical bird deterrent devices known in the art include
multiple prongs or spikes extending from a base. Since the prongs
or spikes are extremely uncomfortable, birds avoid alighting on
them and one can therefore prevent birds from infesting specific
places such as, for example, roofs, cables, statues, signs, ledges,
beams, trusses, ledges, sill, air conditioners, etc., by placing
such devices near or on such structures.
[0005] Examples of typical bird deterrent devices having base
structures that support a number of spikes or prongs can be seen in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,444, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,029, U.S. Pat. No.
5,400,552, U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,830, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,032, and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,023, to name just a few. However, these devices
all require time consuming production and manipulation to seat the
spikes or prongs within the base thereby causing more costly and
less reliable devices.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, easily
constructed bird deterrent device which is not labor intensive to
manufacture. There is also a need for a durable and reliable bird
deterrent device having spikes or prongs where the spikes or prongs
are less susceptible to breaking.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide
an effective, durable, and reliable bird deterrent apparatus that
is cost effective and easy to manufacture.
[0008] In general, the present invention is directed to a bird
deterrent apparatus which includes a base and a number of spikes
extending from the base where the spikes are bent to generally form
a "V" shape having two prongs and the point of the "V" where the
prongs meet is bent to generally form an inverted "U" shape or arc.
The base includes a number of slots and the arc or inverted "U"
shape of the spike is inserted through the slot so that the arc
appears on top of the base and the prongs come from underneath the
base and extend outward from opposite sides of the base.
[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the prongs of the
various spikes may be shaped to extend from the sides of the base
at different angles. For example, one spike may have prongs which
extend from the sides of the base at approximately a 45 degree
angle and the next spike positioned on the base by inserting the
arc of the spike through a slot in the base may have prongs which
extend from the sides of the base at approximately a 90 degree
angle.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a second series
of single spikes may extend from the top of the base in a
perpendicular fashion. These spikes are preferably comprised of the
same material as the base and are preferably injection molded as
part of the base. This second series of single spikes extending
from the top of the base are preferably shorter than the first
series of spikes having the prongs.
[0011] In yet another aspect of the device, there may be a number
of spaced apart holes through the base which may be used to secure
the base to a structure with screws or nails. Alternatively, the
base may be secured to a structure by various other means such as
wire ties, adhesive, clamps, VELCRO hook and eye attachments, and
the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] Additional aspects of the present invention should be come
evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in
the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying
figures, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and
[0013] FIG. 1 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of one
embodiment of the bird deterrent apparatus of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of one embodiment
of the base of the bird deterrent apparatus of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the bird
deterrent apparatus in FIG. 2 showing the flexibility of the device
for covering various types of surfaces and structures;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the base of the bird
deterrent apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the means for
connecting a spike having prongs to the base in order to produce
the bird deterrent apparatus of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front cross sectional view of the bird deterrent
apparatus of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the bird deterrent
apparatus of the present shown installed on a structure;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates various embodiments of a spike member of
the bird deterrent apparatus of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 9-11 show various alternative embodiments of the bird
deterrent apparatus of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates one means for installing the bird
deterrent device of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 13-14 show the bird deterrent device of the present
invention installed on various structures; and
[0024] FIG. 15 illustrates alternative configurations for
installing the bird deterrent apparatus of the present invention on
ledges.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of
the invention only, and are not intended to limit the scope,
applicability or configuration of the invention in anyway. Rather,
the following description is intended to provide a convenient
illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention.
As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the
function and arrangement of the elements described herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0026] In general, the present invention comprises a bird deterrent
apparatus 10 having a base member 12 and a plurality of spike
members 14 which form oppositely disposed prongs 16 and an inverted
"U" shape or arc 18 between prongs 16. Base member 12 has a
plurality of slots 20 for receiving arcs 18. Arcs 18 are fitted
through slots 20 and prongs 16 extend from underneath base member
12 and around the sides of base member 12 so that oppositely
disposed prongs 16 extend from opposite sides of base member
12.
[0027] Base member 12 may also comprise a plurality of pairs of
oppositely disposed notches 22 on the sides of base member 12 for
receiving oppositely disposed prongs 16. Base member 12 may further
comprise a plurality of secondary spike members 24 which extend
perpendicularly from the top 26 of base member 12.
[0028] Spike members 14 are preferably comprised of stainless steel
and prongs 16 of spike members 14 are preferably longer in length
than secondary spike members 24. Secondary spike members 24 are
preferably comprised of a polycarbonate, or other polymers, with
ultraviolet inhibitors in order to increase resistance to weather
and other harsh environments. Base member 12 is preferably formed
by injection molding and is also preferably comprised of a
polycarbonate, or other polymers, having ultraviolet inhibitors.
However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that base member
12 may be formed of a variety of other sturdy materials including
metal and that base member 12 comprising other materials may be
formed in other ways, such as, for example, stamping a metal
material to form base number 12. Further, secondary spike members
24 may be injection molded along with base member 12 as part of
base member 12. Alternatively, secondary spike members 24 may be
secured to top 26 of base member 12 by fitting secondary spike
members 24 into apertures contained within top 26 of base member 12
and securing secondary spike members 24 in the apertures with a
strong adhesive or the like.
[0029] Base member 12 may also include a plurality of apertures 28
which extend from top 26 of base member 12 through the bottom
surface 30 of base member 12 (See FIG. 4) so that bird deterrent
apparatus 10 may be affixed or secured to a structure by inserting
nails or screws through apertures 28 and into the structure.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of base member 12
of bird deterrent apparatus 10 is shown. As previously described,
secondary spike members 24 may be injection molded as part of base
member 12 or may be separately secured to top 26 of base member 12.
Base member 12 may comprise a series of oppositely disposed
protrusions 30 positioned along its sides with oppositely disposed
protrusions 30 containing oppositely disposed notches 22 for
receiving prongs 16 of spike members 14. Base member 12 shown in
FIG. 2 also includes apertures 28 for enabling easy attachment to
structures.
[0031] The flexibility of base member 12 is illustrated in FIG. 3
which shows base member 12 bent along line X in the form of a
circle. Base member 12 along with spike members 14 and secondary
spike members 24 are formed and configured to easily follow the
bends and curves of any structure so that bird deterrent apparatus
10 can be effective in almost any location. A bottom plan view of
base member 12 is shown in FIG. 4. Slots 20 which are positioned
between each pair of oppositely disposed notches 22 and which
extend through base member 12 from top 26 through bottom 30 are
also shown. Apertures 28 which pass through top 26 and bottom 30 of
base member 12 are also shown and the position of where secondary
spike members 24 extend from top 26 of base member 12 are shown in
phantom.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows the insertion means for connecting a spike
having prongs to the base having slots in order to produce the bird
deterrent apparatus 10 of the present invention. As previously
described, base member 12 includes slots 20 which pass from top 26
of base member 12 through bottom 30 of base member 12. The arc 18
of spike member 14 is inserted through slot 20 from the bottom 30
of base member 12. As arc 18 passes through slot 20, prongs 16 of
spike member 14 pass along opposite outer sides of base member 12.
Upon completion of the insertion through slot 20, arc 18 resides
above top 26 of base member 12 and the bends 34 in spike member 14
which are located between arc 18 and prongs 16 are hooked
underneath base member 12 as shown in FIG. 6. As a result, notches
22 in the sides of base member 12 receive prongs 16 which extend
upward and beyond top 26 from opposite sides of base member 12.
Securing spike members 14 to base member 12 in this way results in
an easier and more cost effective way to produce a bird deterrent
device. In contrast, other devices require spikes or prongs to be
inserted through very small holes in order to secure the spikes to
a base.
[0033] Prongs 16 may extend from base member 12 at various angles
in relation to base member 12. For example, prongs 16 may extend
from the sides of base member 12 in approximately a ninety degree
angle in relation to base member 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 by
arrow 40 or in approximately a forty-five degree angle in relation
to base member 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 by arrow 42. It should
be understood by those skilled in the art that prongs 16 may extend
from sides of base member 12 at any angle. FIG. 8 shows examples of
various positions of which prongs 16 may extend from base member
12. Further, prongs 16 in the present invention may be bent to the
various angled positions by a user.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows bird deterrent apparatus 10 of the present
invention secured to the top 50 of a structure 52. The embodiment
of bird deterrent apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 7 includes pairs of
prongs 16 that extend form base member 12 in angles that alternate
between approximately forty-five degrees and ninety degrees. FIGS.
9-11 show various alternative embodiments of the bird deterrent
apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment
similar to that shown in FIG. 7 while FIG. 9 shows an embodiment
having pairs of prongs all extending from approximately a ninety
degree angle from base member 12. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment
having pairs of oppositely disposed prongs that alternate in
extending from various angles that are even more pronounced than
those shown in FIG. 10.
[0035] FIG. 12 illustrates one means for installing the bird
deterrent device of the present invention to a structure. An
adhesive 60 used to bond dry, clean surfaces when the temperature
is between 32 degrees F. and 120 degrees F. may be used by applying
a bead of the adhesive to bottom 30 of base member 12 and pressing
base member 12 against a structure. Apertures 28 in base member 12
may also be used to secure bird deterrent apparatus 10 to a
structure by inserting screws or nails through them. Wire ties,
clamps, and VELCRO hook and eye type fasteners may also be used to
secure apparatus 10 to a structure. One or many of these
installation means may be used to secure apparatus 10 to a
structure.
[0036] The bird deterrent device of the present invention is shown
installed on various structures in FIGS. 13-14. Single strips or
rows of the apparatus 10 may be installed in a number of
configurations and patterns. Further, as previously described
above, bird deterrent apparatus 10 is flexible and able to follow
bends and curves in structures as shown in FIG. 13. Finally, FIG.
14 shows examples of various configurations for installing bird
deterrent apparatus 10 on a ledge or the like. One or more bird
deterrent apparatus strips 10 may be used, or even a half of the
strip may be used and angles of prongs 16 may vary in each
configuration.
[0037] Finally, in another embodiment of bird deterrent apparatus
10, both base member 12, spike members 14, and secondary spike
members 24 may be coated with a polyethylene material or the like
to provide a durable, rust-resistant device.
[0038] Thus, it should be apparent that many alterations of the
bird deterrent apparatus embodiments described herein may be made.
For example, as mentioned above, the prongs may extend from the
base at varying angles. Further, the lengths and widths of the
prongs as well as the second spike members may vary. In addition,
drawbacks of the prior art are solved. For example, prongs or
spikes are easily attached to the base in the present invention by
snapping an arc of a spike member through a slot in the base. This
reduces production time and decreases costs.
[0039] Lastly, various aspects of the invention have been described
in illustrative embodiments. Of course, many combinations and
modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements,
proportions, elements, materials and components, used in the
practice of the invention, in addition to those not specifically
described, may be varied and particularly adapted to specific
environments and operating requirements without departing from
those principles.
* * * * *