Abstract:
An animal control device directs a pressure pulse wave to an animal as a negative stimulus to deter undesired behavior. The animal control device includes a collar worn by an animal with a pressure pulse generator probe in contact with the animal&#39;s skin. The pressure pulse wave applied may be adjustable commensurate with the severity of undesired behavior. In one embodiment, the animal control device contains a remote transmitter for a trainer to administer a pressure pulse manually and at a desired intensity. In an alternate embodiment, the animal control device may contain a bark sensor to administer a pressure pulse when the animal produces undesirable barking. Alternatively, the animal control device may contain a sensor for directing a pressure pulse if an animal strays from a desired confined location.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an animal control system and in particular, an animal control system which directs a pressure pulse wave to the skin of an animal for curbing undesirable animal behavior.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the related art.  
           [0004]    Animal trainers as well as animal owners often have to administer a negative stimulus (i.e., correction) to an animal being trained to reinforce the correction of undesirable behavior. In order for the negative reinforcement to be effective, the negative stimulus must invoke a sensation of discomfort sufficient to discourage the animal from repeating the undesired behavior. It is advantageous to have the negative stimulus be administered in a humane and safe fashion. In addition, it is desirable that the negative stimulus not irritate nor jeopardize the welfare of the trainer.  
           [0005]    Current systems of negative stimulus include spanking the animal with a rolled up newspaper, generating offensive smells or sounds, and applying electric shock. Use of electric shock has attained a great degree of success towards meeting the coals of an ideal negative stimulus system. Electric correction systems provide a convenient use and allow a trainer to select a level of correction stimulus. However, certain individuals may not wish to apply an electrical stimulus to their pet.  
           [0006]    What is needed in the art is an animal correction system that does not irritate the trainer, that is humane, and provides a level of discomfort that is adjustable commensurate with the severity of undesirable behavior.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides an animal control device which directs a pressure pulse wave to the skin of an animal as a technique for correcting undesirable animal behavior.  
           [0008]    The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an animal control device adapted to be in contact with the skin of an animal which produces a pressure pulse. The animal control device comprises a collar and a pressure pulse generator for producing a pressure pulse. A controller is operatively associated with the pressure pulse generator for selectively generating the pressure pulse. In one particular further embodiment, the animal control device comprises a receiver operatively associated with a controller. In yet a further embodiment, a transmitter is operatively associated with the controller.  
           [0009]    The invention in another embodiment thereof is a method of providing animal control. The method comprises applying a pressure pulse wave generating collar to an animal. The animal is monitored and undesirable behavior is identified A pressure pulse wave is directed to the animal when undesirable behavior is detected.  
           [0010]    An advantage of the present invention is that a humane negative stimulus may be administered to an animal to deter undesirable behavior. Through the use of a pressure pulse wave, a negative stimulus is applied to the skin of an animal for the correction of undesirable behavior.  
           [0011]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the intensity of negative stimulus may be controlled.  
           [0012]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the ease of use of the animal control device.  
           [0013]    An additional advantage of the present invention is an animal control device which can operate automatically, i.e., without human intervention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pressure pulse generator;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the pressure pulse generator of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a view orthogonal to that of FIG. 2, shown in partial cross-section of the pressure pulse generator of FIG. 1 prior to the movement of the impactor;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is the pressure pulse generator of FIG. 3 shown with the impactor in its superior position adjacent in the tip;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting the interrelationship of the components of an animal control device according to the present invention, and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an animal control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0022]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of an animal control device  10  of the present invention. Animal control device includes collar  12  and pressure pulse generator  14 . Pressure pulse generator  14  includes enclosure  16  which houses the mechanism by which the pressure pulse generator  14  produces a pressure pulse wave. Extending radially inward from enclosure  16  is probe  18  having tip  20 . Collar  12  is adapted to fit around an animal&#39;s neck. Collar  12  includes an adjustable strap  22  with buckle  24  permitting collar  12  to accommodate the varying sizes of necks of different animals. Collar  12  is adjustable to permit tip  20  to be in contact with the skin of an animal&#39;s throat when collar  1 I is securely fastened around the animal&#39;s neck. During operation of animal control device  10 , a compression wave is generated within probe  15  and proceeds along tip  20 . The compression wave leaves tip  20 , as a pressure pulse wave is applied to the skin of the animal.  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIG. 2, pressure pulse generator  14  is an electronically controlled, pneumatically powered device Pressure pulse generator  14  comprises probe  18 , tip  20  and valve  22 . In addition, pressure pulse generator  14  contains a battery, gas cylinder, and a pressure reuulator (not shown) The battery, gas cylinder and pressure regulator may be any standard commercial design. The gas cylinder and pressure regulator provide a gas flow at a constant pressure.  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 3, gas flow at a constant regulated pressure enters the inlet side of valve  22  through inlet tube  24 . Solenoid  26  includes input leads  28  attached to windings  30 . Windings  30  encircle bobbin  32  which surrounds sleeve  34  and adjustment slug  36 . Bobbin  32  and sleeve  34  are constructed of a non-ferrous material. Sleeve  34  is retained by cover plate  38 . The outer diameter of slug  36  may be threaded to mate with sleeve end  40  so that rotation of adjustment slug  36  causes a proportional translation of slug  36  within sleeve  34 . Alternatively, adjustment slug  36  may be adhesively bound or press fit onto sleeve  34 .  
         [0026]    Stem  42  is disposed within sleeve  34  and reciprocates within sleeve  34 . Gap  44  is maintained between bottom face  46  of adjustment slug  36  and top face  48  of stem  42 . Adjustment slug  36  and stem  42  are constructed of a magnetizable material.  
         [0027]    Longitudinally opposite slug  36 , stem  42  is enlarged from a boss  50  with recess  52  which retains an elastomeric disk  54 . Compression spring  56  applies a biasing force against stem  42  to press elastomeric disk  54  tightly against tubular boss face  57  of orifice plate  58 . Orifice plate  58  includes orifice plate bore  60  which runs through orifice plate  58  and is aligned with manifold bore  62  and manifold plate  64 . Gas flow from a pressure regulator (not shown) enters valve  22  through tube  24  which is captured in housing bore  66  of housing  68 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, gas flow enters pressure wave generator  70  from manifold bore  62  through coupling bore  72  of coupling  74 . Pressure wave generator  70  includes impactor  76  which translates freely within guide tube  78 . FIG. 4 depicts pressure pulse generator  70  prior to activation with impactor  76  disposed in guide tube  78  adjacent coupling bore  72 . FIG. 5 depicts the pressure pulse generator  70  when a pressure pulse wave is generated. During pressure pulse wave generation, impactor  76  traverse guide tube  78  from its initial position adjacent coupling bore  72  (FIG. 4) to its final position against tip  20  (FIG. 5).  
         [0029]    The pressure of gas within guide tube  78  acts against bottom impactor surface  80 . As a result of the gas pressure, a force is applied upon impactor bottom surface  80  which accelerates impactor  76  upward within guide tube  78 . The outer diameter of impactor  76  is chosen to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of guide tube  78  so that the impactor  76  translates freely within guide tube  78  while providing a minimal gas leakage between impactor  76  and guide tube  78 . Impactor  76  attains kinetic energy as it transverse the guide tube  76  from coupling end  82  towards distal end  84  where the impactor strikes tip bottom surface  86  of tip  20 .  
         [0030]    Tip end face  88  is in contact with the skin of the animal when the animal control device is properly secured to an animal&#39;s neck. The surface area of tip end face  88  is a relevant parameter effecting the performance of probe  18 . Surface diameters ranging from {fraction (1/64)} to {fraction (3/16)}, preferably between {fraction (3/64)} to {fraction (3/32)} of an inch were found to provide optimal results. As the surface area was reduced below {fraction (3/64)}, possible skin irritation could occur. As the tip surface diameter was increased beyond {fraction (3/32)}, it became difficult to impart sufficient kinetic energy to the impactor to result in an applied pressure pulse of sufficient amplitude to provide adequate discomfort to the animal to discourage difficult to correct behavior such as chasing prey or attacking other animals.  
         [0031]    Tip  20  is free to translate within probe  18 . Probe compression spring  90  applies a biasing force against tip  20  to hold tip  20  against ledge  92  of tip bore  94 . When gas pressure is not applied to impactor  76 , tip  18  is retracted within tip bore  94  Outlet  96  allows gas flow from guide tube  78  to exit the pressure wave generator  70  through outlet cavity  98  located between guide tube  78  and pressure wave generator wall  100 .  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 6, during the operation of animal control device  10 , constant gas pressure is supplied by compressed gas cylinder  110  through pressure regulator  120  to valve  22 . An operator uses the correction level selector  140  to adjust the level of correction in terms of the amplitude (i.e., the intensity) of pressure pulse to be generated. A consistent or constant gas pressure is supplied to valve  22  prior to valve  22  opening.  
         [0033]    Pressure pulse width modulation circuit  150  directs current flow via line  155  to solenoid valve  22 . Mechanical pressure pulse generator  70  produces a pressure pulse wave correction stimulus (block  170 ) having a pulse width corresponding to the correction level selected. The correction stimulus is directed to an animal in the form of a negative stimulus to curb undesired behavior.  
         [0034]    Specifically, during operation of the animal control device, a pressure pulse wave of desired width is produced when direct current flows in windings  30  of solenoid  26  (FIG. 3). The current flow creates a magnetic field which magnetizes adjustment slug  36  and stem  42 . Slug  36  and stem  42  attract one another and stem  42  is pulled towards the stationary adjustment slug  36 , thereby closing gap  44  between slug  36  and stem  42 . As stem  42  translates towards slug  36 , disk  54  is pulled away from orifice plate  58  thereby allowing pressurized gas to flow from the compressed gas cylinder (not shown) and pressure regulator (not shown) through tube  24  and housing bore  66  through orifice bore  60  and on to manifold bore  62 .  
         [0035]    The gas flow enters pressure wave generator  70  where the expanding gas imparts kinetic energy to the impactor  76  as the impactor is propelled in guide tube  7 S toward tip bottom surface  86  (FIGS. 4 and 5). Gas in guide tube  78  is expelled out through outlet  96 , down through outlet cavity  98 , and out vent  102  (FIG. 2).  
         [0036]    Impactor  76  continues transversing guide tube  78  until impactor  76  strikes tip bottom surface  86  (FIG. 5). A mechanical compression wave is generated as a result of impactor  76  striking tip bottom surface  86 . The mechanical compression wave travels along tip  20  from tip bottom surface  86  to tip end  88 . The action of the compression wave traveling through tip  20  causes a slight upward (i.e., radially inward relative to collar  12 ) displacement of tip  20  thereby compressing probe compression spring  90 .  
         [0037]    When the tip end  88  contacts with an animal&#39;s skin, the compression wave leaves the tip  20  as a pressure wave pulse that enters the animal&#39;s skin. The pressure wave pulse excites local neurons within the animal&#39;s neck. The excitation of local neurons provides a mode of stimulus to an animal to effect correction of an animal&#39;s undesired behavior.  
         [0038]    When all of the kinetic energy produced in impactor  76  as impactor  76  traverses guide tube  70  has been transferred to tip  20 , probe compression spring  90  returns tip  20  to its pre-impact position. Impactor  76  is pushed by the action of tip  20  returning to its initial position and impactor  76  continues to travel away from tip  20  under the influence of the push from tip  20  moving to its initial position.  
         [0039]    The intensity of the pressure wave pulse is related to the volume of gas supplied behind impactor  76 . Therefore, it is possible to adjust the intensity of the pressure wave pulse applied to an animal by varying the volume of gas supplied behind impactor  76 . The volume of gas supplied behind impactor  76  is determined by the length of time solenoid valve  22  is open. The length of time solenoid valve  22  is open is controlled by the length of time a current flow is supplied to solenoid windings  30 . The length of time current flow is supplied to windings  30  is operator selectable via correction level selector  140  operatively associated with pulse width modulation circuit  150  (FIG. 6).  
         [0040]    The animal control device may be selected to apply a pressure pulse from a maximum pressure wave pulse to a minimum pressure wave pulse. A maximum pressure wave pulse is produced when current flow is supplied to solenoid  22  at a maximum duration. The maximum duration is the length of time sufficient to allow a volume of gas to be introduced behind impactor  76  such that the pressure of the gas remains constant as impactor  76  completely transverses guide tube  78  and strikes tip  20 . As the current flow duration decreases from its maximum, the volume of gas introduced behind the impactor becomes insufficient to maintain a constant pressure as impactor  76  moves along guide tube towards tip  18  and the volume behind the impactor increases. The increase in volume behind impactor  76  results in a proportional decrease in gas pressure as impactor  76  transverses in guide tube  78 . The resulting force applied by the expanding gas behind impactor  76  similarly decreases with an associated reduction in impactor  76  velocity and kinetic energy at the instant of impact of impactor  76  with tip  20 . A lower amplitude compression wave is propagated through the tip  20  with an associated reduction in amplitude of pressure wave pulse applied to an animal&#39;s skin. Successive reductions in current flow duration result in proportional reduction in the correction stimulus level.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 depicts a diagrammatic view of one particular embodiment of animal control device  10 . Hand held remote  180  is used to set the intensity and to direct a command to apply a pressure wave pulse to an animal to control undesired behavior Hand held remote ISO transmits an RF signal  182  to receiver  184  Receiver  184  sends a receiver signal via line  1 S 6  to controller  188 . Controller  18 S receives the signal over line  186  and outputs a signal via line  190  representing the current flow duration corresponding to the intensity selected via the handheld remote  180 . Current flow via line  190  is directed to pressure pulse generator  14  which in turn produces a corresponding pressure wave pulse  194  corresponding to the intensity selected.  
         [0042]    In addition, a plurality of sensors may be operatively associated with controller  188 . For example, a barking sensor  196  detects an animal&#39;s barking as an audio signal and directs a barking signal over line  202  to controller  188  which in turn administers a pressure pulse wave to the animal as a negative stimulus in response to the barking animal.  
         [0043]    In addition, animal control device  10  may be sensitive to a wire  206  or a boundary transmitter (not shown) present within an area which is used to confine an animal. For example, if the animal were to stray outside a selected area, or approach a buried wire  206 , receiver  184  directs a signal over line  186  to controller  188  which in turn initiates a pressure pulse wave by pressure wave generator  70 .  
         [0044]    Alternatively, a boundary transmitter (not shown) could be disposed inside an area in which the animal is prohibited. When the animal enters the prohibited area, receiver  184  receives the transmitted signal and a pressure pulse wave is generated as a negative stimulus to the animal. Consequently, the animal&#39;s improper behavior of entering a restricted area is deterred. Thus, an animal&#39;s behavior may be monitored and controlled without human monitoring.  
         [0045]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.