BACKGROUND TO THE PRESENT INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a deterrent arrangement for deterring, stopping inhibiting and/or controlling the presence or movement of, for example, animals, birds or people. The invention has particular application to preventing or deterring the presence of birds and animals, for example, small animals such as mice, reptiles, rodents, snails and insects. The invention can however have application to controlling the location and movement of larger animals such as for example cows, sheep, horses and the like; also people. These are however by way of example only.

It should be appreciated, that in many circumstances (especially in association with farms and the like), there is a need or requirement to prevent or discourage animals and birds from entering into, or resting or residing in or on, certain places. For example, it is often necessary to prevent or deter animals or birds from entering homes, buildings, barns and the like, or for example, from resting on rails, fences and the like. It is also necessary to prevent or deter animals from entering into certain areas or to restrain their movement within certain areas.

Further, it is often desirable to prevent or at least minimise and deter the presence of small animals such as possums, rodents and the like, from the roofs of buildings or from the inside of buildings and sheds. It is also desirable to prevent or deter birds or small animals from resting on fences, clothes lines, window ledges and the like, where they might be able to obtain entry into houses, and where they might also cause a nuisance by reason of their droppings, noise or general defacing of the structure or structures concerned.

Many different methods and arrangements have been disclosed for attempting to deter the presence of small animals and birds, from generally creating a nuisance of themselves in the manner set out above. For example, traps have been set and poisons deposited in houses or in barns, and in many cases pastes and other sticky substances have been spread along fences and gutters in order to prevent or deter the presence of small animals and/or birds.

It has also been known to provide general means involving the use of electrical wires to provide a shock to such small animals and birds, in an attempt to deter and prevent their presence.

By way of example only, while pastes and other sticky substances can be useful for temporarily deterring the presence of small animals and/or birds, such known pastes and other sticky substances can also provide a nuisance, especially to humans, and can detract from the aesthetic appearance of the structures, fences, railings and the like concerned. The use of poisons, traps and shooting, are often effective for eliminating and deterring the presence of small animals or birds, but can often be considered as more of a cure than a prevention. Furthermore, poisons and traps can often be harmful to small animals and/or birds, as well as creating a risk to humans. It should be appreciated that while it is desirable to be able to deter the presence of small animals and/or birds, it is not always desirable and necessary to eliminate and/or harm such small animals and/or birds. Further, it is undesirable to create a hazard to humans.

By way of example only, previous attempts to provide effective means for deterring the presence of animals and/or birds, are known from Australian patent specification No. 16890/70; German patent specification No. DE 3935340, German patent specification No. DE 3914894, European patent specification No. 0,328,866; United Kingdom patent specification No. 2,220,122 and United States patent specification No. 5,096,162. These arrangements have not however been completely and/or commercially successful.

One successful arrangement has been disclosed in my earlier international patent specification No PCT/AU93/00167. While the arrangement disclosed in this international patent specification is effective and successful, it has been found that the present invention provides improvements and modifications thereto, without detracting from the worth and effectiveness of the subject matter my international patent specification No. PCT/AU93/00167.

While the present invention sets out to provide an effective arrangement for deterring the presence of animals or birds, it should be appreciated that the present invention has equal application for use as a means for controlling the location of animals, in the form of larger animals

such as for example dogs, cats, cows, sheep, horses and the like. In addition, the invention can be used as a security arrangement to deter the unwanted entry or exit of one or more persons to and/or from, premises. The invention can also be used by way of example, to deter escape and unauthorised movement or entry of persons, in for example prisons, security buildings and the like.

It will be appreciated therefore that the present invention provides a deterrent arrangement for use in connection with animals such as small animals and birds, larger animals such as for example dogs, cats, cows, sheep, horses and the like, and for use in connection with people. Thus, in the specification and claims, the term "subject" or "subjects" will be used in the singular and/or plural to refer to such animals, birds and persons.

It is an object of this invention to provide a straightforward and efficient deterrent arrangement for deterring the presence of or controlling the location of subjects.

It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to overcome or at least minimise problems associated with known deterrent arrangements.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention there is provide a deterrent arrangement for deterring/controlling the presence and movement of subjects, including an elongate body portion formed of an insulating material, with at least one length of wire being mounted therein so as to be at least partially exposed along the length of said body portion; said at least one length of wire being connectable to a source of power.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a deterrent arrangement including an elongate body portion formed of an insulating material, mounting at least two laterally spaced apart lengths of wire, being a first length of live wire connectable to a source of power, and a

second length of earth wire; said body portion being formed with two opposing sides sloping away one from the other, and wherein said first and second lengths of wire are mounted in respective sloping sides, so as to be laterally spaced apart one from the other.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a deterrent arrangement including an elongate body portion formed of an insulating material, mounting at least two laterally spaced apart lengths of wire, being a first length of live wire connectable to a source of power and a second length of earth wire; said body portion being formed with two opposing sides, sloping downwardly and outwardly one from the other, and wherein said first and second lengths of wire are mounted in respective sloping sides, so as to laterally spaced apart one from the other; said body portion including, when viewed in cross-section, a base and a substantially curvilinear upper body portion, with opposing downwardly curved sides.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a deterrent arrangement including an elongate body portion formed of an insulating material, mounting at least two laterally spaced apart lengths of wire, being a first length of live wire connectable to a source of power, and a second length of earth wire; said body portion being formed with two opposingly sloping sides, and said first and second lengths of wire being mounted in respective sloping sides so as to be laterally spaced apart one from the other; said body portion including a substantially planer base, formed or provided with one or more indentations therein, for the location of bonding agent, adhesive or grout, for securing said body portion to a desired or predetermined surface or location.

According to yet a further aspect of this invention, there is provided a deterrent arrangement, including an elongate body portion formed of an insulating material, and having a single length of wire mounted to and in said insulating material, so as to be at least partially exposed along the length of said body portion; said single length of wire being connectable to a power supply; said deterrent means being placed on or adjacent a metal conductive surface or article, electrically unconnected to said deterrent means; the arrangement being such, that on actuation of said power supply to said single length of wire, a subject bridging said single length of wire and said metal conducting surface or article, will receive an electrical shock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANY DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 : is a cross-sectional view of a deterrent arrangement according to one form of the present invention;

FIGURE 2: is a perspective view of one form of the present invention, as shown in cross- section in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings;

FIGURE 3: is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a deterrent arrangement according to one form of the present invention;

FIGURE 4: is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of an arrangement according to a further form of the present invention;

FIGURE 5: is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of a further form of the present invention;

FIGURE 6: is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of a deterrent arrangement according to a further form of the present invention;

FIGURE 7: is a sectional view of a wire arrangement according to one form of the present invention;

FIGURE 8: is a sectional view of a wire arrangement according to a further form of the present invention;

FIGURE 9: is a general arrangement view of a wire arrangement according to a further form of the present invention;

FIGURE 10: is a general arrangement view of a wire arrangement according to a further form of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that the lengths of body portion 2, shown in the accompanying drawings, can be of any claimed length.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The deterrent arrangement as shown in the accompanying drawings is preferably formed or moulded of an appropriate insulating material. In a preferred form of the invention, the material is a mouldable insulating plastics material. However, other insulating and mouldable/formable materials can be used.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the deterrent arrangement of the present invention includes an elongate body portion 2 formed of an insulating plastics material, which is as shown in the accompanying drawings, preferably of a substantially curved or curvilinear cross-section, having a curved upper surface and a substantially flat or planar base 3 The curvilinear nature of the body portion 2 provides opposing curved and downwardly sloping sides 4 and 5, mounting laterally spaced apart lengths of wire 6, 7 , being a length of positive power wire 6, connectable to a known source of power (not shown) and an elongate length of earth wire 7. The lengths of wire 6, 7 are formed or mounted into respective opposing sides 4, 5 of the body portion 2, so as to be laterally spaced apart one from the other, and so as to be located on the sloping sides 4, 5 of the body portion 2, preferably spaced apart above the lower sides 4a, 5a. thereof, and in one form of the invention substantially intermediate the height of the sides, 5. The lengths of wire 6, 7, can be moulded into the body portion 2, or can be bonded, adhered, or otherwise fixed, or attached to the sides 4, 5, of the body portion 2.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the underside of the base 3 of the body portion is provided with at least one and preferably a plurality of indentations or slots 8, which are preferably longitudinally extending along the length of the elongate body portion 2. The indentations or slots 8 are preferably provided with a restricted mouth or entry portion 9, which leads into an enlarged main portion 10 of the indentations 8.

In order to positively locate the elongate body portion 2 of the deterrent arrangement in position, such as on a desired surface, it is often required that a bonding agent, adhesive or grout be used, such as, for example, a silicon bonding agent or grout. In some cases there are difficulties with such bonding agents positively engaging with insulating plastics material, so the use of such indentations 8, allows for the bonding agent or grout to be applied to the surface to which the deterrent arrangement is to be applied, the grout then passing into the indentations 8 through the restricted mouth 9 and into the main portion thereof 10, to thereafter set or cure, and so as to positively hold the deterrent arrangement in position.

It should be appreciated that in preferred forms of the invention the body portions 2 are provided in substantially elongate strip form, which can be cut to, or formed of, any desired length.

While in the preferred form of the invention, the body portion 2 of the deterrent arrangements is provided with indentations 8 in the lower base thereof, a completely flat or planar base can be provided if desired, which can be adhered to a desired surface or article. Alternatively, other means of connection can be used. For example, clips, nails, double sided tape, velcro and the like. Any appropriate means of attachment can be used. It should also be appreciated, that in some forms of the invention, the strip(s) of body portion of the invention can be merely placed or seated in position.

The laterally spaced apart elongate lengths of live wire 6, and earth wire 7, are preferably moulded into or attached to, the opposing sloping sides 4 and 5 of the body portion 2, so that they extend substantially the lengths of the body portion 2, with portions of the live and earth wires 6, 7 at least partially exposed along the lengths thereof. If desired, more than one length of

live and earth wire can be provided on each side (refer by way of example only, to Figure 4 of the drawings).

It has, in certain forms, been found to be advantageous to provide the live and earth wires 6, 7 on the sloping sides 4, 5, of the body portion 2, so that in the case of rain or liquid being present, the rain or liquid will run down the sloping sides (in the case of figures 1 and 2 of the drawings - the curved sides) of the body portion 2, so as to run away from and not collect adjacent to, or about, the wires 6, 7. This will prevent shorting, and other inefficiencies that would result from water being present adjacent the wires. Further forms of this aspect of the invention will be described hereinafter, with reference to other figures of the accompanying drawings.

The present invention provided various means that can be used to positively locate and mould the lengths of wire with and into the insulating material of the body portion 2. In this regard reference is made, by way of example, to figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably, lengths of wire 6, 7, are moulded or otherwise formed into or attached to, the sloping sides 4, 5 of the body portion 2, so as to be at least partially exposed along the length thereof. However, there are a number of preferred forms of achieving this.

Referring firstly to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings, it is considered appropriate, in one form of the invention to form the lengths of wire 6, 7, into substantially "wave" formations, having longitudinally spaced apart peaks 14 and valleys 15, which allow for the plastic material 18 to engage about the wire and in particular through the valleys 15 and about the sides leading to the peaks 14, so as to positively locate the lengths of wire 6, 7, in position within the sides of the body portion, while leaving peaks 14 of the "wave" form exposed along the lengths of the body portion 2 of the deterrent means. If, during moulding, insulating material covers or partially covers the peaks 14, this can be rectified by brief and straightforward shaving of the material from above the peaks 14, prior to use. Essentially however, it is usually found that the peaks 14 are left at least partially exposed, along the lengths of the sides 4, 5 of the body portion. Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings shows one form of the invention where the "wave" formation is in a

substantially curved form, whereas Figure 8 of the drawings shows a form of the invention wherein the "wave" formation is substantially square.

Turning now to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings, it is considered that in some forms of the invention it is advantageous (especially from the point of view of bonding or holding the wires 6, 7, into a plastic material of the body portion), to first cover, coat or sheath the lengths of wire 6, 7, in a conductive plastic material 20. This allows for a very positive location between the so covered wires 6, 7 and a plastic of the body portion 2. For example, such conductive plastic is known, being plastic material, for example, which is formed and impregnated with a metal conductive material or powder, such as, for example, carbon powder.

In a further form of the invention, and referring to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings, lengths of wire 6, 7 are in fact formed from a plurality of entwined or wound strands of wire 21, so that when these are moulded into an insulating material (such as plastic), of the body portion 2, the insulating material will form into and through the entwined strands 21, leaving at least some partially exposed along the length of the body portion 2.

The above are by way of example only. It should be appreciated, that the wires 6, 7, can also be attached to, or formed with the body portion 2 in other known ways, and with the use of adhesives, bonding agents and the like.

Turning now to Figure 3 of the accompany drawings, this shows a further form of the invention wherein the body portion 2 is provided with angled sloping sides 4, 5, with the lengths of live wire 6 and earth wire 7 being provided on the sides thereof, adjacent to but spaced apart from lower ends 4a, 5a thereof, so that again in the case of rain or water, such will run away down the sloping sides, and will not collect on or about the wires. As with other forms of the invention, the base 3 of the body portion 2 is substantially flat or planar, and may be provided with indentations 8, to allow for a positive bonding location to a desired surface or article, as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. Further, given the angled sides 4, 5 of the arrangement shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, the base 3 can also be provided with an angled and substantially medial recess, or indentation 25, running the length thereof, and

having a apex 26 corresponding substantially to and below, the apex 27 of the main body portion 2. This will allow, to an extent, the folding of the body portion 2, so that when it is provided in strip form, it can be folded or bent over for packaging, storage and the like.

Turning now to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, this shows yet a further form of the invention wherein angled sloping sides 4, 5, are provided, with a base 3 similar to that described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings. As with Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, an angled, substantially medial indent or recess 25 can be provided in the lower base 3 to allow for folding, storage, and the like. In Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a plurality of live and earth wires 6, 7, are shown as being provided.

We refer now to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a form of the invention which utilises a single length of wire 30, being a single length of live wire, connectable to or connected to a source of power (not shown). The forms of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings include a body portion 2, and angled sides, 4, 5, but it should be appreciated that a length of single live wire 30 can be utilised in connection with a body portion 2 of a substantially curved or curvilinear form, such as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing. In such forms of the invention, as shown with reference to figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, it would be preferable that the single live wire 30 be provided substantially intermediate the upper surface of the body portion 2, so that any water of rain or the like, will drain away therefrom.

In such a form of the invention, the single length of live wire 30 is formed or moulded into the elongate body portion 2 (preferably of strip form), formed of an insulating material (such as plastics), in any appropriate manner, but preferably in a manner such as described with reference to Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings. Likewise, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, a lower substantially flat or planar base 3, may be provided, if desired with indentations 8 to allow for the body portion 2 to be bonded to an appropriate surface or article. If desired, and as stated above, other means of attachment can be used. In such a form of the invention, the single length of live wire 30 will be at least partially exposed along the length of the body portion 2, and will be connected to a power supply (not shown). This deterrent means

can then be placed on or adjacent an appropriate conductive surface, such as for example, a metal conductive surface or article. Preferably, that conductive surface or article will be electrically unconnected to the deterrent arrangement in the form of elongate body portion 2 shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings This will then mean that on a subject coming into contact with both the single wire 30 of the body portion 2 of the arrangements of Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, and the conductive surface or article to which it is attached or on which it is mounted, the subject will receive an electrical shock. For example, in such arrangements, the body portion 2 of the arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings can be attached, placed or mounted onto a roof or rafter or the like, to prevent, or at least minimise, for example, the presence of rodents, birds, small animals and the like. This is, however, by way of example only.

It will be appreciated that in all forms of the invention, the elongate body portion 2 is preferably provided in strip form of desired lengths. While the invention is described by way of example only, to being preferably mounted on articles or to surfaces, with the use of adhesive or grout, engaging within one or more indentations 8 in the base 3 of the body portion 2, this is by way of example only, and other means of attachment, as discussed above, can be used to advantage.

In use, and referring to Figures 1 through 4 of the accompanying drawings, it should be appreciated that when the deterrent arrangement of the present invention is attached to, mounted to or placed on, an article or surface, and the live wire 6 is attached to a source of power (not shown), which is activated, then on a subject bridging both wires 6, 7, thereof, the subject will receive an electrical shock. As described, the live wires 6, 7, will always be connected to an appropriate power source of any type, such as battery, transformer, power supply and the like These are by way of example only.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof, as defined by the appended claims.