An anti-roosting device is disclosed. The device includes a track, an electrical conductor, and an electrical source. The conductor is embedded within the track, with a portion of the conductor left exposed. The electrical source provides low amperage at high voltage to the electrical conductor such that the device is harmless to both birds and humans, but will deliver a shock that is effective in keeping birds from roosting thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for preventing birds and other pests from inhabiting and fouling an area. In particular, the present invention relates to an anti-roosting device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In many locations, the presence of birds is undesired, and even detrimental. For example, birds can interfere with the proper functioning of heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems in commercial and residential buildings. The natural wastes associated with birds also frequently have adverse effects on people, equipment, and structures.

There are some known devices for preventing the roosting of birds in these areas. However, there is no known device that as effectively prevents the roosting of birds without detrimentally affecting the birds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to an anti-roosting device to prevent birds from roosting near an object. The device includes a track, an electrical conductor, and an electrical source. The track is preferably elongate, sturdy, and flexible. The track may include one or more channels, in which one or more electrical conductors are embedded. A portion of the electrical conductors is left exposed, such that birds landing on the device will contact the electrical conductor. The channels are sized to snugly retain the conductors therein while leaving, preferably, approximately 1% to approximately 25% of the conductor exposed. A more preferred range of exposure is from approximately 10% to approximately 20%.

The channels are preferably substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track. The track may have a flat side opposite the exposed electrical conductor(s) for facilitating attachment of the device to the object or area being protected. The track may be attached to the object by adhesive, such as glue or tape, between the object and the flat side. Mechanical fasteners, alone or in conjunction with the adhesive, may also be used. If mechanical fasteners are used, they are preferably connected through holes located in the track between the channels.

Each electrical conductor includes a plurality of wires around a rope. Preferably, the conductors include at least five wires around a rope. More preferably, the conductors include from five to ten wires around a rope, and most preferably the conductors include nine wires around a rope. The wires are electrically conductive, and the rope is not electrically conductive. The wires and rope may be braided, and are preferably circular in cross-section with substantially the same diameter. Preferred diameters are within the range of approximately 0.02 inch to approximately 0.03 inch, inclusive. The electrical conductors may be generally circular in cross-section and have a diameter of approximately 0.125 inch to approximately 0.175 inch.

The electrical source is operatively connected to the electrical conductor to provide electricity thereto. The electrical source is designed to provide low amperage at high voltage to the electrical conductor such that the device is harmless to both birds and humans, but will deliver a shock that is effective in keeping birds from roosting thereon. Preferred ranges include approximately 3 to approximately 6 amps at approximately 4000 to approximately 8000 volts. The electrical source may be either a direct current source or an alternate current source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows an anti-roosting device1according to the present invention. Device1includes an elongate track20and an electrical conductor40. Track20is preferably comprised of a sturdy, flexible material. Furthermore, track20is preferably made of a non-conductive material. A preferred material for track20is polyethylene. Track20includes at least one channel22sized to at least partially embed electrical conductor40therein, while leaving a portion of conductor40exposed.

FIG. 2shows a detailed, cross-sectional view of electrical conductor40. As illustrated, a preferred embodiment of conductor40includes a plurality of wires42around a rope44. Wires42and rope44may be braided. Electrical conductor40preferably includes at least five wires42around rope44, and more preferably from five to ten wires42. A most preferred embodiment includes nine wires42around rope44. Rope44is preferably made of a substantially nonconductive material, such as polyethylene, and wires42are made of a conductive material, such as tinned copper and stainless steel. Wires42and rope44are preferably circular in cross-section and may have substantially the same diameter. Preferred diameters are within the range of approximately 0.02 inch to approximately 0.03 inch, inclusive.

Electrical conductor40preferably is generally circular in cross-section and has a diameter of approximately 0.125 inch to approximately 0.175 inch. Channel22is sized to snugly retain conductor40therein while leaving a portion of conductor40exposed such that birds landing on device1will contact electrical conductor40and receive a shock. A preferred amount of exposure is from approximately 1% to approximately 25% of conductor40, and a more preferred amount of exposure is from approximately 10% to approximately 20% of conductor40. These percentages may be measured as a percentage of the outer surface area or outer diameter of conductor40.

Device1preferably includes a second channel23for embedding a second electrical conductor40. Channels22,23are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis LA of track20. A region24of track20intermediate channels22,23may define a plurality of holes25for facilitating attachment of device1to the object or area being protected. Track20also preferably includes a flat side26opposite exposed electrical conductor(s)40for facilitating attachment of device1to the object or area being protected.

Device1further includes an electrical source50operatively couple to electrical conductor40. Electrical source50is designed to provide low amperage at high voltage to said electrical conductor such that device1is harmless to both birds and humans, but will deliver a shock that is effective in keeping birds from roosting thereon. Preferably, electrical source50provides approximately 3 to approximately 6 amps at approximately 4000 to approximately 8000 volts to said electrical conductor. Electrical source50may be either a direct current source or an alternate current source. Electrical source50may additionally include a combination of both direct current and alternate current components, which may be beneficial in providing a backup power source in the event of a loss of power.

FIG. 3shows anti-roosting device1attached to an object60to prevent birds from roosting thereon. Object60may be anything or any area around which bird presence is undesired, such as ledge, duct, or parapet. Track20is coupled to object60around the area to be protected. Track20may be coupled by adhesive, such as glue or tape, between object60and flat side26. Mechanical fasteners, alone or in conjunction with the adhesive, may also be used to couple device1to object60. If mechanical fasteners are used, they are preferably connected through holes25. Electrical source50is operatively coupled to electrical conductor40, and a current is provided to prevent birds from roosting on object60.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the invention has been described above in terms of preventing birds from roosting, it may equally be used to prevent other unwanted animals from roosting or inhabiting around the object or area being protected. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.