U.S. patent application number 11/020588 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for pet repelling mat.
Invention is credited to Boyd, Randal D..
Application Number | 20050120977 11/020588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33309884 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050120977 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyd, Randal D. |
June 9, 2005 |
Pet repelling mat
Abstract
Described is a pet-repellent device for correcting undesirable
pet behaviors that are associated with a particular location by
restraining a pet from approaching a predefined location of
restriction, which corresponds to the particular location of issue.
The location of restriction, for practical purposes, is defined by
a mat. A receiver that is carried by a pet administers a deterrent
to the pet when the pet approaches the mat. Because the predefined
location of restriction is defined by a portable mat, the
predefined location of restriction is easily relocated in
accordance with changing undesired pet behaviors that are
associated with a particular location.
Inventors: |
Boyd, Randal D.; (Knoxville,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PITTS AND BRITTIAN P C
P O BOX 51295
KNOXVILLE
TN
37950-1295
US
|
Family ID: |
33309884 |
Appl. No.: |
11/020588 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11020588 |
Dec 22, 2004 |
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10426503 |
Apr 30, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/719 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 15/021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/719 |
International
Class: |
A01K 015/02 |
Claims
Having thus described the aforementioned invention, we claim:
1. A pet-repellent device for restraining a pet from approaching a
predefined location of restriction, said pet-repellent device
comprising; a signal generating device; a mat adapted to serve as
an antenna for broadcasting the signal produced by said signal
generating device, said mat in electrical communication with said
signal generating device; and a receiver carried by a pet, said
receiver responsive to the signal broadcast by said mat such that
as said receiver becomes proximate to said mat, said receiver
administers a deterrent to the pet.
2. The pet-repellent device of claim 1 wherein said signal
generating device produces a radio signal.
3. The pet-repellent device of claim 2 wherein said receiver is
adapted to receive a radio signal.
4. A pet-repellent device for restraining a pet from approaching a
predefined location of restriction, said pet-repellent device
comprising: a signal generating device; a portable mat; a wire
carried by said portable mat, said wire in electrical communication
with said signal generating device such that said wire serves as a
broadcasting antenna for said signal generating device; and a
receiver carried by a pet, said receiver adapted to detect the
signal broadcast by said wire when said receiver becomes
substantially close to said wire, said receiver administering a
deterrent to the pet upon detection of the signal broadcast by said
wire.
5. The pet-repellent device of claim 4 wherein said wire is
embedded within said mat.
6. The pet-repellent device of claim 4 wherein said wire is
attached to a surface of said mat.
7. The pet-repellent device of claim 4 wherein said signal
generating device produces a radio signal.
8. The pet-repellent device of claim 7 wherein said receiver is
adapted to receive a radio signal.
9. The pet-repellent device of claim 1 or claim 4 wherein said
receiver emits a substantially loud noise as a deterrent.
10. The pet-repellent device of claim 1 or claim 4 wherein said
receiver administers an electric stimulus as a deterrent.
11. The pet-repellent device of claim 1 or claim 4 wherein said
receiver increases the intensity of the deterrent as the distance
between said receiver and said wire decreases.
12. A pet-repellent device for restraining a pet from approaching a
predefined location of restriction, said pet-repellent device
comprising; a means for generating a signal; a means for
broadcasting the signal generated by said means for generating a
signal; a means for carrying said means for broadcasting, said
means for carrying said means for broadcasting adapted to be highly
portable; a means for detecting the signal broadcast by said means
for broadcasting; a means for adapting said means for detecting to
be carried by a pet; and a means for administering a deterrent to
the pet by way of means for detecting when said means for detecting
detects the signal broadcast by said means for broadcasting.
13. A method for deterring a pet from approaching a portable
predefined location of restriction, said method comprising the
steps of: defining a location of restriction with a wire carried by
a portable mat; generating a signal that is broadcast by the wire
carried by the mat; attaching a receiver to a pet; and
administering a deterrent to the pet by way of the receiver when
the receiver becomes proximate to the defined location of
restriction such that the receiver detects the signal broadcast by
the wire.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a continuation application of
application Ser. No. 10/426,503, filed Apr. 30, 2003.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] This invention pertains to a device for correcting the
undesired behaviors of a pet that are relative to a specific
isolated location. More particularly, this invention pertains to a
device for restraining a pet from approaching a portable predefined
location of restriction by administering a deterrent to the pet as
it approaches the predefined location of restriction.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Many domestic pets present undesirable behaviors that are
related to and dependent on a particular isolated location. Some
examples of this type of behavior include a dog eating the food of
a cat or a pet toppling a trashcan. It is understood that
restraining the pet from approaching the particular isolated
location relating to the undesired behavior would eliminate the
behavior. It is also understood that pets without behavior problems
need not and, in some situations, cannot be restricted from the
particular location of interest. One traditional solution to this
issue is to restrain the pet with the undesired behavior from the
particular location by positioning a fence, gate, or other
physical-type boundary around the particular location. This
solution is limited in that it is space consuming, decoratively
unappealing, and potentially destroyable or surmountable by the pet
under consideration. Additionally, this approach restricts all
pets, not just the pet with an undesirable behavior, from accessing
the particular location.
[0007] Another conventional solution to the issue of correcting the
undesired behaviors of a pet that are relative to a specific
isolated location is the implementation of an invisible restraint,
which is typically referred to as an invisible fence. Conventional
invisible restraints include an insulated conductive wire, a
transmitter, and a receiver. The wire is disposed such that it
defines the perimeter of the desired area of restriction and serves
as an antenna for the transmitter, which emits a radio signal that
produces and electromagnetic field that radiates from the wire. The
receiver is worn by a pet and is responsive to the electromagnetic
field such that as the equipped pet approaches the wire, the
receiver detects the field and administers a deterrent to the pet,
thus restraining the pet from continuing toward the restricted
area.
[0008] Conventional invisible restraints are limited in that they
require time-consuming installation and become locationally fixed
upon installation. The outdoor installation of a conventional
invisible restraint typically includes positioning the wire to
define the perimeter of the desired area of restriction, digging a
trench for the wire, placing the wire in the trench, filling the
trench with soil, connecting the wire to the transmitter, inserting
batteries into the appropriate components, and attaching the
receiver to a pet. Additionally, once the wire is buried, it cannot
be repositioned without unearthing the wire. The indoor
installation includes manually positioning the wire to define the
perimeter of the desired area of restriction, connecting the wire
to the transmitter, inserting batteries into the appropriate
components, and attaching the receiver to a pet. However, upon
installation, an exposed wire surrounds the restricted area. This
wire is susceptible to being inadvertently moved from its desired
position or tripped over by a passerby.
[0009] Conventional pet correction mats also propose a solution to
the issue of correcting the undesired behaviors of a pet that are
relative to a specific isolated location. A pet correction mat
discourages a pet from touching the mat by administering a static
stimulation to the pet when the pet contacts the mat. Therefore,
when a pet correction mat is positioned at the desired area of
restriction, a pet cannot access the restricted area without
receiving a static stimulus, thus restraining the pet. Because a
pet correction mat administers a static stimulus to anything that
contacts the mat, a pet correction mat cannot distinguish between
the pet with an undesired behavior and a pet that needs no
discipline. Therefore, a conventional pet correction mat prevents
pets without behavior problems and even humans from accessing the
desired area of restriction. This condition limits the pet
correction mat from being of value for situations such as the
previously discussed examples of a dog eating a cat's food or a dog
toppling a trashcan.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the various features of the present
invention there is provided a pet-repellent device for correcting
undesirable pet behaviors that are associated with a particular
location by restraining a pet from approaching a predefined
location of restriction, which corresponds to the particular
location of issue. The perimeter of the location of restriction is
defined by a wire that serves as an antenna for broadcasting a
signal that is produced by a signal generating device. The wire is
carried by a portable mat such that the mat, for practical
purposes, substantially defines the location of restriction. A
receiver that is carried by a pet is responsive to the signal
produced by the signal generating device such that as the equipped
pet approaches the predefined location of restriction, the receiver
detects the signal that is broadcast by the wire and administers a
deterrent to the pet, thus restraining the pet from continuing
toward the location of restriction. Because the wire is carried by
a portable mat, the predefined location of restriction is easily
relocated in accordance with changing undesired pet behaviors that
are associated with a particular location. Additionally, the
pet-repellent device requires substantially no installation other
than attaching the receiver to a pet and placing the mat at the
desired restricted area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above-mentioned features of the invention will become
more clearly understood from the following detailed description of
the invention read together with the drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a pet-repellent mat constructed
in accordance with various features of the present invention and a
dog wearing a receiver collar.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates the pet-repellent device of FIG. 1
restraining a dog from approaching a cat food bowl.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the pet-repellent device of FIG. 1
restraining a dog from approaching a trashcan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] One embodiment of a pet-repellent mat for correcting
undesirable pet behaviors that are associated with a particular
restricted area and constructed in accordance with various features
of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. 1.
The perimeter of the location of restriction is defined by a wire
that serves as an antenna for broadcasting a signal that is
produced by a signal generating device. The wire is carried by a
portable mat such that the mat, for practical purposes,
substantially defines the location of restriction. A receiver that
is carried by a pet is responsive to the signal produced by the
signal generating device such that as the equipped pet approaches
the predefined location of restriction, the receiver detects the
signal that is broadcast by the wire and administers a deterrent to
the pet, thus restraining the pet from continuing toward the
restricted area. Because the wire is carried by a portable mat, the
predefined location of restriction is easily relocated in
accordance with changing undesired pet behaviors that are
associated with a particular location. Additionally, the
pet-repellent device 10 requires substantially no installation
other than attaching the receiver to a pet and placing the mat at
the desired location of restriction.
[0016] More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of
the pet-repellent device or mat 10 in accordance with the various
features of the present invention. The pet-repellent device 10
includes a signal generating device 12 that is in electrical
communication with a wire 16 such that the wire 16 serves as an
antenna for broadcasting the signal that is produced by the
conventional signal generating device 12. In this particular
embodiment, the signal produced by the signal generating device 12
is a radio signal that generates an electromagnetic field that
radiates from the wire 16. The wire 16 defines the perimeter of the
location of restriction and, in the illustrated embodiment, is
disposed along the outer edge of a mat 14 such that the mat 14
substantially defines the location of restriction. In the
illustrated embodiment, the wire 16 is embedded within the mat 14,
however, those skilled in the art will recognize that other ways of
adapting the wire 16 to be carried by the mat 14 can be used
without interfering with the scope or spirit of the present
invention. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize
that variations in the geometry of the wire 16 with regard to the
mat 14 can be used as desire.
[0017] The pet-repellent mat 10 also includes a conventional
receiver 18 that is carried by a pet. In the illustrated
embodiment, the receiver 18 is attached to a pet by way of a
collar, however, those skilled in the art will recognize that other
ways of attaching the receiver 18 to a pet can be used. The
receiver 18 is responsive to the electromagnetic field that
radiates from the wire 16 such that as the receiver 18 approaches
the wire 16, the receiver 18 detects the electromagnetic field and
administers a deterrent to the equipped pet. The distance between
the receiver and the antenna wire required for triggering the pet
deterrent signal can be selected by varying the strength of the
transmittal signal and/or the sensitivity of the receiver. The type
of deterrent signal can be selected and may include the emission of
a substantially loud noise, an electric stimulus, or a verbal
command that is prerecorded by the pet owner. Therefore, when an
equipped pet moves to close to the predefined location of
restriction, a deterrent restrains the pet from continuing toward
the restricted location. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that the type of deterrent, as long as effective and safe for the
pet, can be chosen by the user.
[0018] As an example illustrated in FIG. 2, the particular
undesired behavior of the illustrated dog is that the dog
repeatedly eats the food of the illustrated cat. When the receiver
18 is attached to the dog and the illustrated cat food bowl is
placed on the mat 14, the dog cannot approach the mat 14 without
receiving a deterrent, thus restraining the dog from approaching
the mat 14 and preventing the dog from eating the food of the cat.
Because the cat does not carry a receiver 18, the cat is able to
approach and penetrate the location of restriction defined by the
mat 14 without being subject to a deterrent. Similarly, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, the particular undesired behavior is that
the illustrated dog is repeatedly toppling a trashcan. When the
receiver 18 is attached to the dog and the illustrated trashcan is
placed on the mat 14, the dog cannot approach the mat 14 without
receiving a deterrent, thus restraining the dog from approaching
the mat 14 and preventing the dog from toppling the trashcan.
Moreover, the illustrated person is able to access the predefined
location of restriction without being subject a deterrent.
[0019] The installation of the pet-repellent device 10 is
accomplished by inserting batteries into the appropriate
components, attaching the receiver 18 to a pet, and placing the mat
14 at the desired location of restriction. The simplicity of the
installation of the pet-repellent device 10 is indicative of the
portability of the pet-repellent device 10. This portability allows
a pet owner to easily adjust the location of the pet-repellent
device 10 in accordance with the changing needs of the pet
owner.
[0020] From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art
will recognize that a device for restraining a pet from a
predefined location of restriction offering advantages over the
prior art has been provided. The device provides a mat that
substantially defines a location of restriction and a receiver that
is carried by a pet that administers a deterrent to the pet when
the pet approaches the predefined location of restriction. Further,
the device provides access to the location of restriction for pets
that do not present an undesirable behavior. Finally, the device
provides a pet-repellent device that requires substantially no
installation, thus providing a highly portable location of
restriction.
[0021] While the present invention has been illustrated by
description of several embodiments and while the illustrative
embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not
the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the
scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages
and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to
the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or
scope of applicant's invention.
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