U.S. patent application number 11/695754 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for branched spike bird deterrent.
This patent application is currently assigned to BIRD-B-GONE, INC.. Invention is credited to Bruce Donoho.
Application Number | 20070180781 11/695754 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34793562 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070180781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donoho; Bruce |
August 9, 2007 |
Branched Spike Bird Deterrent
Abstract
A bird deterrent has a base and at least one branched spike
extending from the base. The branching can occur anywhere along the
spike, and a single branch point can give rise to multiple
branches. Spikes can have multiple branches. The various branches
can be of any suitable length(s), and can be oriented in any
suitable direction(s).
Inventors: |
Donoho; Bruce; (Mission
Viejo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & ASSOCIATES, PC;ROBERT D. FISH
2603 Main Street
Suite 1050
Irvine
CA
92614-6232
US
|
Assignee: |
BIRD-B-GONE, INC.
23918 Skyline
Mission Viejo
CA
92692-1872
|
Family ID: |
34793562 |
Appl. No.: |
11/695754 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10508804 |
Sep 23, 2004 |
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PCT/US02/10117 |
Apr 1, 2002 |
|
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11695754 |
Apr 3, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/101 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/72 20130101; B29L
2031/10 20130101; B29C 45/2626 20130101; B29K 2069/00 20130101;
Y10S 119/903 20130101; B29C 45/0081 20130101; B29C 45/0001
20130101; A01M 29/32 20130101; B29L 2031/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/72 20060101
E04B001/72; A01K 3/00 20060101 A01K003/00 |
Claims
1. A bird deterrent having a branched spike.
2. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the spike has two
branches joined at a branch point.
3. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the spike has at least
two branches joined at a branch point.
4. The bird deterrent of claim 2, wherein two of the at least two
branches form an acute angle of at least 10 degrees.
5. The bird deterrent of claim 2, wherein two of the at least two
branches form an acute angle of between 45.degree. and 75.degree.,
inclusive.
6. The bird deterrent of claim 2, wherein the branch is disposed at
least 3 cm along the spike from the base.
7. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the branched spike has a
substantially cylindrical portion.
8. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the branched spike
extends from a top of the base.
9. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the branched spike
extends from a side of the base.
10. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the bird deterrent
further comprises a second branched spike.
11. The bird deterrent of claim 9, wherein the branched spikes are
fanned out relative to the base.
12. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the base has a glue
channel.
13. The bird deterrent of claim 1, wherein the base has a plurality
of break points.
14. A method of fabricating a bird deterrent, comprising providing
a base, and fixing a branched spike to the base.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the branched spike has two
branches.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising fixing a non-branched
spike to the base.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of fixing comprises
injection molding the branched spike and the base as a single
piece.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of the invention is bird deterrents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Birds like to perch in various places including rooftops,
ledges, and other areas on commercial buildings and residences.
Unfortunately, when birds perch, they tend to be noisy and make an
unsightly mess.
[0003] Birds can be deterred from landing through the use of
mechanical bird deterrents. Especially useful such devices have a
plurality of spikes that extend in different directions from a base
support, as seen in FIG. 1. Numerous variations have been
introduced over the years, including variations in the type of
material (plastic, wire, etc) used for the spikes, the way the
spikes are attached to the base, and the way the spikes are fanned
out from the base. These and other variations are described in
pending US application entitled "Bird Deterrent With Parallel Spike
Channels", filed on or about Mar. 12, 2002 (serial number to be
determined), which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0004] There is a tradeoff, however, with respect to the spacing of
the spikes. If the spikes are too far apart, they allow smaller
birds to maneuver between the spikes, and land on the surface
supposedly being protected. If the spikes are too close together,
the device may be too expensive to manufacture. Thus, there is a
need for an improved bird deterrent that adequately circumvents
these problems, while remaining simple and low cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention involves bird deterrents having one or
more branched spikes. The concept is quite broad, and there are
innumerable variations on the theme. Among other things,
embodiments are contemplated that have singly and/or multiply
branched spikes, spikes having vertical, horizontal, or other
orientations, and spikes comprising plastic, metal, or any other
suitable material(s). Preferred embodiments have desirable
manufacturing features such as ribbed spikes, and parallel
orientation of the channels that receive the spikes. Preferred
embodiments also have desirable usage features such as break points
and glue channels in the base.
[0006] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective side views of a bird deterrent
according to the inventive subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a bird deterrent 10 generally has a base
200 and a plurality of branched spikes 300. Each branched spike 300
has two top ends 320, 330, and a bottom end 340. The base 200 has a
top 210, two sides 220A, 220B, and a bottom 230.
[0009] As used herein, the term "branched spike" refers to a spike
with at least three ends; in the figures two top ends 320, 330 and
a bottom end 340, and the term "branch" refers to the intersection
of at least two portions of the branched spike. Thus, bending a
normal double-ended spike does not transform it into a "branched
spike as the term is employed herein.
[0010] Within this broad definition, there is tremendous room for
variation. For example, although a typical branched spike 300
contains a single branch point leading to two top ends,
contemplated spikes (not shown) could contain branch points that
lead to three or even more four top ends. It is also contemplated
that a single spike can have multiple branching points, i.e., a
branch could itself be further branched. It is further contemplated
that several branches may occur on one branched spike 300. For
example, one branch may occur at least 3 cm from the bottom end of
the branched spike, measured along the spike, and another branch
may occur 8 cm from the bottom end of the same branched spike.
[0011] Each branch point of a spike represents a nexus among a
proximal portion (referred to herein from time to time as a trunk)
that extends to or towards the base, and at least two distal
portions, (referred to herein from time to time as branches), that
extend to or towards the ends of the spike. Viewed in this manner,
a single branch angle necessarily exists at each branch point
between the two branches of simple cases, and multiple branch
angles exist between the multiple pairs of branches in more complex
cases in which more than two branches extend from a single branch
point. Except in the special case of a 90.degree. branch angle
there is a definitional choice between an acute and an obtuse
angle, and to simplify the discussion the branch angle acute angle
is always defined herein to mean the acute angle.
[0012] In theory any branch angle between zero and 90.degree. is
possible. Nevertheless, in practice branch angles are typically at
least 10 degrees, with more preferred angles falling between 10
degrees and 90 degrees, inclusive, and still more preferred branch
angles falling between 45 degrees and 75 degrees, inclusive. This
is because angles of less than 10.degree. are likely to provide
only minimal benefit relative to unbranched spikes, unless one or
more of the branches are substantially bent distal to the branch
point. By way of clarification, all ranges discussed herein are
interpreted as inclusive.
[0013] It is also theoretically possible for the branches to have
any orientation with respect to the base. Thus, branches could
extend vertically up or down from a trunk, horizontally, or in any
other orientation. At a single branch point, for example, one
branch could extend upwards and another sideways, or one branch
could extend sideways in one direction and other branch could
extend sideways in the opposite, collinear, direction. In general,
the trunk and branches should be substantially coplanar, with the
branches preferably oriented vertically. Of course, where the
spikes are formed from wire or some other materials, all sorts of
different orientations can be implemented.
[0014] Suitable branched spikes can be fabricated from any suitable
material, including for example, metal, plastic, wood, or any
mixture thereof. To some extent molded plastic (and most preferably
pressure injected polycarbonate) is the most preferred material for
bird deterrents having branches spikes, because the branching
introduces added complexity that would substantially increase the
cost of deterrents using other materials. At least portions of both
the trunks and branches of molded spikes can be fluted or ribbed to
provide added strength. Cylindrical spikes are preferred, and
ribbed spikes are considered to have a substantially cylindrical
portion as long as the portion has at least three ribs. The ribs
radiate from a core at that point in a substantially evenly spaced
manner, and the ribs each extend away from the core by
substantially the same extent.
[0015] The term "branches" is used herein to refer only to those
distal portions that are more than de mini us. Thus, for example,
the longitudinal ridges of a ridged spike are not considered to be
branches because they are likely to extend only a few millimeters
from the core section of the spike. From a rigid, mathematical
perspective, the term "branches" is used herein to refer only to
those distal portions that extend at least 1 cm from the vertex of
a branch point. In practice, branches are considered to begin
having substantial utility as bird deterrents where they extend at
least 5 cm from their respective vertices. Longer branches are
considered to be more advantageous, with preferred branches
extending at 10 cm from their respective vertices.
[0016] It should be appreciated that the positioning of a branch
point along a spike can significantly affect the usefulness of the
branches. While not being limited to any particular theory or
suggested mode of action, here or anywhere else in this disclosure,
it is contemplated that branches very close to the top or bottom
ends of a spike are thought to offer only minimal added deterrence
against birds. Preferred branch points of a spike are therefore
advantageously situated at least 5 cm from where the spike connects
to the base. Those skilled in the art will also realize that useful
positioning of a branch point should also be determined in
conjunction with the branch angle and the lengths of the
corresponding branches, with the goal of effectively deterring
birds from perching on or near the base.
[0017] It should also be appreciated that the spikes can form
numerous different configurations with respect to base. Fanned out
configurations are considered to be especially useful because they
tend to provide a large area of deterrence relative to the amount
of spike material being used. Even more preferred are fan
configurations in which the spikes are alternatingly long and short
top. By way of example, the deterrent of FIGS. 1 and 2 include a
fan shaped configuration having five branched spikes 300 of one
length, into which are alternatingly disposed 350 non branched
spikes of another length. Branched spikes can extend from the top,
any of the sides of the base, or from an edge joining the top and a
side of the base.
[0018] Referring now to the base 200 of the deterrent of FIGS. 1
and 2, the bottom 230 is preferably substantially flat as shown, to
facilitate affixing of the device to a roof or other foundation.
The deterrent is intended to be secured using screws or nails
inserted trough holes 240, and alternatively or additionally with
glue that can be applied to glue channel 250. The glue channel 250
may be any size and shape so long as it contains a reservoir for
glue, while still allowing the base 200 to be mounted substantially
flush with the surface to which the bird deterrent is to be
attached. It is also contemplated that the base 200 may be coupled
to a roof or other foundation using loops, holes, fasteners,
latches, or any other couplers.
[0019] Experience has shown that installation of bird deterrents
having molded plastic bases is facilitated by the inclusion of
intentionally weakened areas, such as break points 260. This allows
a user to conveniently snap the base at a desired point to readily
size the base 200 to the needs of the specific job. Break points
260 are advantageously disposed at intervals of at least 4 inches,
and more preferably intervals of 6 inches of more.
[0020] The base 200 may comprise plastic, wood, metal, or any
combination thereof, and need not be fabricated from the same
materials as the branched or unbranched spikes. To the extent that
the spikes are being molded, it is generally cost effective to
confluently mold the base.
[0021] From a method perspective, a novel bird deterrents can be
fabricated by providing a base and fixing a branched spike to the
base. As shown in the figures, the branched spike can have two
branches, and can be utilized in conjunction with non-branched
spikes. The step of fixing preferably comprises injection molding
the branched spike and the base as a single piece, although it is
contemplated that the base and spikes could be separately molded,
or one of them could be molded and the other could be fabricated
using a method other than molding.
[0022] Thus, specific embodiments and applications have been
disclosed of bird deterrents having branched spikes. It should be
apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more
modifications besides those already described are possible without
departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject
matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of
the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the
specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in
the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In
particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be
interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a
non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,
components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with
other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly
referenced.
* * * * *