BIRD DETERRENT DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bird deterrent device and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for deterring birds in an effort to induce them to refrain from inhabiting or frequenting particular places.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Bird deterrent devices such as scarecrows are often used to frighten animals, such as birds, away from crops, plants and buildings.

Bird deterrent devices that include reflective surfaces to reflect sunlight and thereby deter birds also exist. Applicant, however, believes that the known reflective bird deterrent devices are inadequate in use, apparently as a result of the fact that they do not reflect light in a sufficient number of directions to effectively scare away birds.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a bird deterrent device that will, at least partially, alleviate the abovementioned problem.

In this specification, reference to the term "the horizontal plane" shall bear the meaning of "a plane parallel to a tangent to a the earth's horizon", and shall be understood to refer to the bird deterrent device when mounted in its operative position as shown in the drawings.

COWRRiVlATION COPY

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a bird deterrent device comprising a body having a plurality of planar light reflecting surfaces arranged to conform generally to the outer surface of a pyramidal shaped body whereof the pyramid shape has a base with three or more sides resulting in a side surface of the pyramidal shaped body being associated with each side of the base thereof, the device being characterised in that at least one side surface comprises at least two adjacent light reflective sub- surfaces that are inclined at different angles relative to the horizontal plane.

Further features of the invention provide for the body to include a generally three, four, five or six, preferably four, sided pyramid-shaped member with a corresponding number of light reflecting sides; for at least two opposite light reflecting sides, and preferably all of the light reflecting sides, to be composed of at least two adjacent light reflective sub-surfaces inclined at different angles to the horizontal plane; and for each light reflective surface to be of a reflective metallic nature, preferably with a portion thereof, particularly an upwardly extending stripe, being constituted by a differently coloured surface, typically a suitable red colour.

Still further features of the invention provide for the body to be a reflective metal-plated hollow plastics injection moulding assembly comprising a generally hollow pyramidal shaped moulding. A base is preferably secured to the lower periphery of such a moulding.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the body to be rotatably mounted relative to a shaft; and for the shaft to be coaxial with an aperture in the base of the body and to be coupled to rotation means, typically an electric motor, provided for rotating the body about the shaft axis.

Still further features of the invention provide for the electric motor to be actuated by a timer switch or, if appropriate, a light-sensitive switch of a type that switches the electric motor off when ambient light falls below a predetermined level such as at sunset and switches the electric motor on when the ambient light rises above the predetermined level, such as at sunrise.

In order that the above and other features of the invention may be more fully understood one embodiment thereof, as well as a variety of different assemblies including same, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of bird deterrent device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is an elevation of one side thereof;

Figure 4 is an elevation of an adjacent side thereof taken at right angles to the view of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken through the pyramidal shaped injection moulded body;

Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of a typical wall mounting of this embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective schematic view of an assembly for use in poorly lit conditions; and,

Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the type illustrated in Figure 6 fitted with a shield for obscuring the reflective surface of the device from view in a particular direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, more particularly in Figures 1 to 5, a bird deterrent device (1) comprises a body (2) having a plurality of planar light reflecting surfaces arranged to conform generally to the outer surface of a pyramidal shaped body having a square base with the usual four sides and, in consequence, four light reflecting side surfaces (4).

As provided by this invention, each of the light reflecting side surfaces is divided into two adjacent sub-surfaces (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) that are inclined at different angles relative to the horizontal plane. In the case of two opposite side surfaces the lower sub-surfaces (4a) are substantially larger than the upper sub-surfaces (4b) and the in the case of the other two opposite side surfaces the lower side surfaces (4c) are substantially smaller, thereby providing a substantially larger upper sub-surface (4d). The inclination of all of the lower sub-surfaces to the horizontal is conveniently the same, as is the inclination of all the upper sub-surfaces, although this is not necessarily so and the sub-surfaces of adjacent side surfaces of the body could be inclined at different angles to the horizontal.

The body is made as a hollow plastics injection moulded assembly comprising a generally hollow pyramidal shaped moulding (5) (see Figure 5) and a base (6} (see Figure 1) that is secured to the lower periphery thereof.

The outer surface of the pyramidal shaped moulding is coated or plated with a highly reflective metal layer, typically chrome plating, in order to provide a mirror-like surface.

On each side surface of the body is a central stripe (7) of a differently coloured surface, typically a suitable reflective red colour positioned centrally on the side surface and extending upwards from the lower edge of the lower sub-surface, over the upper sub-surface to terminate near the apex of the pyramidal shape. Conveniently this is achieved by adhering a self-adhesive die-cut vinyl sheet or film to the outer surface of the body. Of course, the strap can be omitted, if required. One

The base has a central aperture (8) that receives the upper end of an electric motor unit (9) so as to render the body rotatable about the end of a mounting shaft (10) (see Figure 6). The arrangement is such that the speed of rotation of the body, in use, will typically be between about 20 and 40 revolutions per minute and preferably about 30. The electric motor may be powered by means a mains power supply or by means of a battery that is optionally provided with a charger that could be wind or solar operated.

The electric motor may be connected to its power source by way of a timer switch or, if appropriate, light-sensitive switch that switches the electric motor off when ambient light falls below a predetermined level and switches the electric motor on when the ambient light rises above the predetermined level.

In use, several bird deterrent devices may be mounted on their shafts in vineyards, fields, on buildings or the like at regular or irregular spaced distances. It has been found that two spaced devices operate highly effectively in respect of a single building, yard or the like. The bird deterrent device may also be mounted high up on top of poles (not shown) on the roofs of houses, barns or the like.

During daylight hours, sunlight is reflected off the reflective surfaces of the bird deterrent device. Because the reflective planar sub-surfaces are inclined at different angles relative to the horizontal plane, the reflective patterns produced extend across a wide vertical angle, frightening both low-flying and higher-flying birds. In addition, the rotation of the body about the shaft produces a changing reflective pattern that further serves to scare away birds. It has been found that the additional colour of the stripes described above enhances the effect of the device.

In the event that sufficient sunlight is unavailable in any particular place from which it is desired to frighten birds away, a spotlight (11) could be associated with the device, generally by shining it downwards in an axial direction towards the apex of the pyramidal shaped body, as illustrated in Figure 7.

Of course, it may happen, that light reflected from the device offends one or other persons working within the line of sight of the device and in order to obscure the device from such persons, typically persons sitting in an office, a shield (12) mounted on an angularly adjustable arm (13) may be attached to the vertical mounting shaft (14), as illustrated in Figure 8.

The invention therefore provides an bird deterrent device that reflects light in a large number of directions, and different reflective characteristics, to more reliably scare away birds.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of bird deterrent device may be devised that fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the pyramid but could have a shape corresponding to a base of triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or other polygonal shape.