WO2001074156A1 - Animal scarer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a mechanical device intended to scare animals. When the device is touched, an impact movement (6) is triggered which causes the device to leap up towards the animal with a banging sound. The scarer device consists of two parts which may be folded together, the upper part (1) forming a lid over the lower part (2). A pivotal stirrup (3) is journalled in the lower part so that, with the aid of a helical spring (5), it may be displaced from a set horizontal position to a free upright position. The displacement of the pivotal stirrup (3) causes the upper part (1) to execute an impact movement (6). The pivotal stirrup (3) and the helical spring (5) are mounted so that the spring force in the set position urges the pivotal stirrup (3) against lower portion (2). The free end of the pivotal stirrup (3) has a downwardly folded tongue (8) which, in a set position, abuts against the substrate (9) and supports the weight of the scarer device. When the scarer device is pressed downwards, the tongue (9) will press the pivotal stirrup (3) upwards and over the pivot point (4) of the pivot stirrup, the impact movement (6) being triggered.

Description

ANIMAL SCARER

The invention is a mechanical device intended to scare animals. It may be set and placed at a position where the intention is to scare an animal from visiting. If the device is touched by the animal or if the device is moved, it is triggered. It then leaps into the air towards or close to the animal with a banging sound. The combination of the quick and unexpected movement towards the animal and the simultaneous noise gives a powerful scaring effect. This occurs regardless of whether the animal is struck by the leaping device or not.

In various contexts, there is a need to prevent or scare animals from certain types of behaviour. Domestic pets such as, for example, dogs and cats must be prevented from chewing on electric cables or cables in computers or television sets. Many owners do not like their dogs jumping up on to sofas or beds or, at an unguarded moment, stealing food from the kitchen table. Cats readily get into the bad habit of sharpen- ing their claws on chairs and sofas or climbing on to the cooker or kitchen top, open cabinet doors etc. Consistent punishment must be employed in order to be able to restrain such behaviour. Most animal owners can teach the animal to obey when the owner is immediately present in the room. The problem occurs when the animal is left alone without supervision. The animal discovers that punishment is not meted out in such situations. In many cases, this results in the animal reverting to its undesirable behaviour. Wild animals occassionally cause damage. For example, roedeer and hares may be troublesome in house gardens and flowerbeds. There is also a need here to be able to scare the animals without a person being present himself. Efficient aids which are suitable for scaring animals indoors are lacking. For wild animals, use is made of static scaring elements such as scarecrows or various scents and flavourings. These can create an evasive behaviour on the part of animals for a short time. However, no permanent scaring effect linked to a specific place or a specific situation will be achieved. In this case, the problem has been solved in that a mechanical scarer device is placed at the position where the intention is to scare the animal from visiting. The device consists of two parts which, in one end, are movably secured to one another so that they may be raised up and folded together. The upper part is designed as a lid which covers the lower part. The lower part has a spring mechanism which can be set. When the device is touched or displaced out of its position, the spring mechanism is discharged and the device executes a rapid, upwardly directed and leaping movement. Regardless of whether the animal is hit by the device or not, a powerful scaring effect occurs if the animal mentally links the place of the event to the forbidden behaviour.

The drawings show one example of a construction and embodiment of a scarer device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a set scarer device in side elevation.

Fig. 2 shows the construction in the same view as of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a construction in the inactive position.

Fig. 4 shows a top plan view of the lower part.

Fig. 5 shows an activated scarer device in cross-section.

Fig. 6 shows the scarer device set with a support stirrup.

Fig. 7 shows a construction adapted for extended impact movement.

Fig. 8 shows a construction with extended range by a strap.

The scarer device consists of two parts lying on one another. In one end, they are movably secured to one another and designed so that the upper part 1 forms an upwardly and downwardly foldable lid over the lower part 2 which has substantially U-shaped cross-section. In the side walls of the lower part 2, there are two registering holes where a pivotal stirrup 3 is journalled. The holes constitute the pivot point 4 of the pivotal stirrup. With the aid of a helical spring 5, the pivotal stirrup 3 may be displaced from a set horizontal position to a triggered upright position. The displacement of the pivotal stirrup 3 causes the upper part 1 to execute a rapid, upwardly directed impact movement 6. By changing the length of the pivotal stirrup 3 and the anchorage of the helical spring 5 in the pivotal stirrup 3, it is possible to vary, and also extend, the movement of the upper part 1 as far to 1802. As a result, the scarer device will be usable for different purposes. It may be set and employed so that it simulates an attack on the animal from beneath in a short impact movement 6 and an attack from above by an extended falling movement 7. In the event of an extended, falling impact movement 7, the range of the scarer device may be in- creased in that a strap or rope 11 is secured in the upper end 1 so that it is caused, by the extended impact movement 7, to move forwards with a whiplash-like effect. The pivot point 4 of the pivotal stirrup 3 is adapted in relation to the anchorage points of the helical spring 5 so that the tractive force of the helical spring 5 in the set position locks the pivotal stirrup 3 in the tensioned position. The front part of the pivotal stirrup 3 is designed so that, in the set position, it forms a downwardly directed tongue 8 which supports against the substrate 9 and carries the weight of the scarer device. When the scarer device is touched and pressed downwards, the tongue 8 will press the pivotal stirrup 3 upwards over the pivot point 4 so that the impact movement 6 is triggered.

Alternatively, the scarer device may be triggered in two stages. The weight of the scarer device is then carried by a support stirrup 10 movably journalled in the lower part and supporting against the substrate 9 in the equilibrium position. When the device is touched or the substrate 9 (e.g. a tablecloth, sofa or bed) is moved, the support stirrup 10 gives way and the scarer device falls down, the tongue 8 triggering the impact movement 6 in the same manner as described above.

Claims

1. A scarer device for animals consisting of two mutually subjacent parts which, in one end, are movably anchored to one another and designed so that the upper part (1) forms an upwardly and downwardly foldable lid over the lower part (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the lower part (2) has substantially U-shaped cross-section, with registering holes in the side walls where a pivotal stirrup (3) is journalled so that, with the aid of a helical spring (5), it may be displaced from a set horizontal position to a triggered upright vertical or diagonal position, the displacement of the pivotal stirrup (3) causing the upper part (1) to execute an impact movement (6) whose length may be varied and extended up to 180Q by modification of the length of the pivotal stirrup (3) and the anchorage point of the helical spring (5) in the pivotal stirrup (3).

2. The scarer device as claimed in Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r - i z e d in that the pivotal stirrup (3) is journalled in relation to the anchorage points of the helical spring (5) such that the spring force presses the pivotal stirrup (3) downwards against the lower part (2) and locks the pivotal stirrup (3) in the set position.

3. The scarer device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the free end of the pivotal stirrup (3) is designed so that, in the set position, it forms a downwardly directed tongue (8) which supports against the substrate (9) and carries the weight of the scarer device.

4. The scarer device as claimed in Claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a movably journalled support stirrup (10) is secured in the lower part (2) so that, in the lower position, it sup- ports against the substrate and, in an equilibrium position, can carry the weight of the scarer device. The scarer device as claimed in Claims 1-4, c h a ra c t e r i z e d in that a foldable strap or rope (11) is secured in the upper part (1) so that, in extended impact movement (7), it moves forward with a whiplash-like movement and extends the range of the scarer device.