Abstract:
A pest repellant device is provided for use in and around vehicles, such as cars, trucks, recreational vehicles and campers, boats, aircraft, and the like. The pest repellant device includes a fluid repellant dispenser and an electronic pest repellant unit, including at least an ultrasonic emitter and an electromagnetic emitter. The fluid repellant dispenser and the electronic pest repellant unit are operable together or in coordinated fashion in order to discourage common pests, such as insects and arachnids, small rodents, and the like, from entering a vehicle, and in particular from entering a field of view of a vehicle operator and creating a distraction or safety hazard. Optionally, the device may include an ion emitter that acts as an air purifier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to pest repellant devices and, more particularly, to electronic and scent-based repellant devices for insects, arachnids, small rodents, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorhomes, watercraft, and aircraft are susceptible to infestation, nesting, or the occasional presence of pests such as insects, arachnids, small rodents, and the like. Such susceptibility may be particularly likely in vehicles where food is consumed by human occupants, such as in cars, trucks, commercial aircraft, and motorhomes, where the presence of food particles and moisture may draw pests into the vehicle interior. The presence of pests may present a major distraction and potential safety risk, particularly when a pest enters the field of view of a person operating the vehicle, and even more particularly, when the person operating the vehicle is fearful or easily disturbed or distracted by the appearance of such pests. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a pest repellant device for vehicles, which includes provisions for selectively dispensing a fluid pest repellant, such as in a liquid spray or aerosol form, and which further includes an electronic pest repellant unit that includes both an ultrasonic emitter and an electromagnetic emitter. By dispersing pest-repelling fluid, pest-repelling sound radiation, and pest-repelling electromagnetic radiation, the device is operable to disperse many different types of pests, and to discourage their presence within range of the repellant device, which is typically sufficient to include substantially the entire interior volume of a passenger vehicle such as a car. However, the pest-repelling signals and scent may be concentrated in areas where the presence of pests would be particularly distracting or distressing to a human vehicle operator, such as in the area of a vehicle windshield and dashboard. 
         [0004]    According to one form of the present invention, a pest repellant device includes a fluid repellant dispenser and an electronic pest repellant unit, both of which are operable to discourage the presence of pests such as insects or small rodents. The fluid repellant dispenser includes a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid pest repellant, and a conduit that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, for dispensing the fluid pest repellant into a region of the vehicle through an opening formed in the fluid conduit. The electronic pest repellant unit includes an ultrasonic emitter that is operable to emit a pest-repelling high frequency sound, and an electromagnetic emitter that is operable to emit a pest-repelling electromagnetic radiation. The fluid repellant dispenser is operable to cause the fluid pest repellant to flow from the fluid reservoir and along the fluid conduit to the opening formed in the conduit. The ultrasonic emitter, electromagnetic emitter, and fluid repellant dispenser are operable together (simultaneously or in a coordinated manner) or independently from one another, to discourage the presence of insects or small rodents that can detect at least one of the pest-repelling sound, the pest-repelling electromagnetic radiation, and the pest-repelling fluid. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, the pest repellant device is substantially self-contained within a main housing that contains the fluid repellant dispenser, the fluid conduit, and the electronic pest repellant unit. An activation switch is mounted on the housing, and is operable to activate at least one of the fluid repellant dispenser and the electronic pest repellant unit. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, the pest repellant device further includes a spray nozzle at the opening of the fluid conduit, which is configured to direct the pest-repelling fluid outwardly from the main housing upon activation of the fluid repellant dispenser. 
         [0007]    In still another aspect, the fluid repellant dispenser includes an electrical pump that is selectively operable in response to the activation switch. Optionally, the activation switch is operable to selectively energize the electronic pest repellant unit, and the pest repellant device includes a second activation switch that is configured to selectively operate the fluid repellant dispenser. 
         [0008]    In a further aspect, the pest repellant device includes an electrical power cord that is configured to be electrically coupled to an electrical system of the vehicle, with the activation switch in electrical communication with the electrical power cord. 
         [0009]    In a still further aspect, the pest repellant device includes both an activation switch and a controller that is operable to activate the electronic pest repellant unit and the fluid repellant dispenser at predetermined intervals, in response to the activation switch. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, the fluid conduit is configured to extend along a portion of an interior of the vehicle. 
         [0011]    In a still further aspect, the electronic repellant unit further includes an ion emitter that is operable as an air purifier. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the fluid reservoir contains a fluid pest repellant in liquid form. Optionally, the liquid pest repellant is a citrus-based extract, and the fluid reservoir is a refillable container. 
         [0013]    Optionally, the fluid repellant dispenser and the electronic repellant unit are operable independently of one another, such as in response to signals received from the controller. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, the pest repellant device of the present invention is operable to repel pests from a vehicle interior in at least three different manners, including by dispersing a pest-repelling fluid, emitting pest-repelling sound, and emitting pest-repelling electromagnetic radiation, each of which is likely to deter at least one common type of pest, such as insects, arachnids, or small rodents. The pest repellant device thus deters such pests from entering a vehicle interior, and may disperse any such pests that may already be present in the vehicle interior. The pest repellant device may also inhibit nesting or other pest activities along or near an exterior of the vehicle. Thus, the pest repellant device reduces the likelihood of distraction or distress to human occupants, particularly during operation of the vehicle when operator distraction may become a safety concern. 
         [0015]    These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a pest repellant device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an interior elevation view of a vehicle dashboard and windshield region including the pest repellant device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a vehicle incorporating the pest repellant device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is another interior elevation of the vehicle dashboard and windshield area, shown with a dashboard-mounted pest repellant device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a vehicle incorporating the pest repellant device of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged top perspective view of the pest repellant device of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a pest repellant device  10  includes an electronic pest repellant unit  12 , a fluid repellant dispenser  14 , a controller  16 , and a switching unit  18 , such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Electronic pest repellant unit  12  includes an ultrasonic emitter  20  with associated audio speaker  22 , and also includes an electromagnetic emitter  24 , each of which is selectively activatable by controller  16  via wiring  23 , and is operable to discourage the presence of different types of pests. Electronic pest repellant unit  12  optionally includes an ion emitter  26  that is operable as an air purifier. Fluid repellant dispenser  14  includes a fluid reservoir  28 , a fluid pump  30 , and a fluid conduit  32  through which fluid pump  30  directs a fluid pest repellant  34 . Pest repellant device  10  may be installed in a manner in which most of the components are hidden from the view of occupants of the vehicle, except for the switching unit  18  and, in the illustrated embodiment, a grille  22   a  that is associated with audio speaker  22  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The other components of pest repellant device  10  may be substantially hidden behind vehicle structure. 
         [0023]    As will be described in more detail below, electronic pest repellant unit  12  and fluid repellant dispenser  14  are operable independently, simultaneously, or in a coordinated manner, to emit pest-repelling scents, pest-repelling sounds, pest-repelling electromagnetic radiation, to thereby discourage the presence of pests in and around a vehicle, while generally being considered non-lethal to pests. Such pests may include, for example, insects (including bees, flies, and mosquitoes), arachnids (spiders, ticks, scorpions, etc.), and mice, rats, or other small rodents or vermin. For purposes of the description and the claims herein, it will be understood that the term “insects” is used in a broad manner that includes arachnids, while the term “pests” is used to refer to any animal that is sufficiently small to enter a vehicle through various openings that are common to such vehicles, including open windows, wiring or other conduit pass-throughs, and HVAC ducts. 
         [0024]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , electronic pest repellant unit  12  includes a main housing  36  that contains ultrasonic emitter  20 , electromagnetic emitter  24 , and ion emitter  26 . Audio speaker  22  is electrically coupled to ultrasonic emitter  30  via speaker wiring  37 . The speaker may be a separate component that is attached to an outer surface of main housing  36 , or may instead be incorporated into a main housing that defines a speaker grille to facilitate the transmission of high pressure ultrasonic sound waves, which are typically emitted at one or more frequencies at about 20 kHz or greater, which can startle and disorient insects. Electromagnetic emitter  24  is operable to emit electromagnet radiation that irritates the nervous systems of insects, arachnids, and small rodents, while confusing insects in a way that makes it difficult for them to gather food, breed, build nests, or communicate with each other, and disorienting rodents and causing them to avoid the electromagnetic radiation source, but substantially without affecting humans, common household pets, or electronics. Ion emitter  26  is operable to destroy airborne pollutants, such as bacteria, dust mites, and the like, and may be in communication with a separate outlet  38  on main housing  36 . Additional information on ultrasonic, electromagnetic, and ionic pest control devices that are known in the art may be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,473,836 and 5,990,783, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Ultrasonic emitter  20 , electromagnetic emitter  24 , and ion emitter  26  are activatable together or independently from one another by controller  16 , which in turn may be operated by a vehicle occupant via switching unit  18 , as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0025]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , fluid reservoir  28  of fluid repellant dispenser  14  is a refillable container having a removable cap  40 , and is configured to contain and dispense the fluid pest repellant  34  in liquid form. Fluid reservoir  28  contains fluid pump  30 , which is at least partially immersed in the fluid pest repellant  34  ( FIG. 1 ). Optionally, the fluid pump  30  may be mounted to the exterior of the fluid reservoir  28 , such as shown in  FIG. 2 . Fluid pump  30  is in electrical communication with controller  16  via pump wiring  42 . Fluid conduit  32  includes a proximal end portion  32   a  that attaches to a fluid outlet of pump  30 , with the conduit  32  passing through an opening formed in fluid reservoir  28  and extending outwardly to a distal end portion  32   b  that includes a plurality of apertures, such as slits or small openings  44 , for selectively dispensing the fluid pest repellant  34 . Optionally, each opening  44  may be fitted with a spray nozzle that generates a specific desired spray pattern, and may be adjustable between “off”, “wide spray”, and “narrow spray” settings, for example. 
         [0026]    Although fluid repellant dispenser  14  is shown and described as including a refillable fluid reservoir  28 , it is envisioned that different types of fluid dispensers and/or containers may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, compressed air or an aerosol propellant container may be used in a manner that obviates the need for a pump to dispense the fluid pest repellant, which may be stored and/or discharged in either a liquid or gaseous form. Filled and pressurized canisters may be replaced as needed, with the spent canisters being recycled or refilled as desired. An electrically or mechanically operated valve may be used to selectively discharge the pressurized fluid pest repellant at desired intervals, and without need for a separate pump. 
         [0027]    Fluid pest repellant  34  may be substantially any substance that discourages the presence of pests, but is not harmful to humans, pets, or the environment, and preferably emits only odors that are generally not considered offensive to humans. For example, all-natural citrus-based compounds may be used, such as extracts of lime, orange, lemon, or grapefruit. Coconut oils or extracts, pineapple extracts, etc. may also be suitable. Preferably, fluid pest repellant  34  does not leave a visible residue as it dries, and is readily cleanable from common vehicle surfaces as desired. 
         [0028]    Controller  16  may be operated in various different modes ranging from simple on/off operation that simultaneously activates ultrasonic emitter  20 , electromagnetic emitter  24 , ion emitter  26 , and fluid pump  30  in response to an activation signal received from switching unit  18 , to various different automatic or semi-automatic modes in which fluid pump  30 , ultrasonic emitter  20 , electromagnetic emitter  24 , and ion emitter  26  may be operated at predetermined intervals, or operated continuously. Ultrasonic emitter  20  and electromagnetic emitter  24  may be operated substantially continuously as long as controller  16  receives an activation signal from switching unit  18 , while fluid pump  30  may be operated at timed intervals to avoid the over-application of fluid pest repellant  34 . Optionally, switching unit  18  may be integrated with controller  16 , such as shown in  FIG. 2 . Ion emitter  26  may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic emitter  20  and electromagnetic emitter  24 , or may be operated continuously (e.g., any time that the vehicle ignition is on) to provide a continuous air-purifying function. 
         [0029]    Fluid pump  30  may be operated intermittently, such as at 10-minute, 20-minute, or 30-minute intervals (or more or less frequently as desired/needed), to briefly spray fluid pest repellant  34  in the vehicle interior. The time interval and spray duration or volume may be determined by the user, or may be determined by controller  16  based on factors that affect the duration of the fluid pest repellant&#39;s effectiveness, such as environmental factors including temperature and humidity. For example, higher frequency dispensing may be needed during periods of higher temperatures and humidity in which insects are more likely to be present and active, while less frequent dispensing (or none at all) may be needed in colder and/or dryer climates where the presence of such pests is less common. 
         [0030]    Optionally, fluid repellant dispenser  14  and one or more of the emitters of electronic pest repellant unit  12  may be operated intermittently, or on a predetermined schedule, even when the vehicle ignition is off, to reduce the likelihood that pests will enter the vehicle cabin during times when the vehicle cabin is not occupied or the vehicle is not underway. It is further envisioned that fluid pest repellant  34  may be dispensed at or around a vehicle&#39;s exterior surfaces, or in areas around the vehicle, and that ultrasonic sound waves and/or electromagnetic radiation may be directed outside of a vehicle, to further reduce the likelihood that pests will approach or enter a vehicle from the exterior. Thus, pests may be discouraged from nesting along an exterior of the vehicle, such as the undercarriage of a car, truck, or trailer, or in spaces between various components or surfaces of a motorcycle or aircraft, for example. 
         [0031]    Switching unit  18  serves as the main interface for an operator of the pest repellant device  10 , and is typically mounted in a location that is readily accessible to the vehicle operator. Various switches and indicator lights are provided along switching unit  18  such as shown in  FIG. 1 , including an on/automatic-mode switch  46  that signals controller  16 , via a controller wire  48 , to operate electronic pest repellant unit  12  and fluid repellant dispenser  14  in a fully automatic mode. An indicator light  50  provides the user with visual indication that the system is operating in automatic mode. A fluid repellant control knob  52  allows the operator to control the frequency that fluid pest repellant  34  is dispensed through openings  44  and conduit  32 . Optionally, the on/automatic-mode switch  46  may activate only the electronic pest repellant unit  12 , with a separate fluid control switch  54  enabling the user to directly control the frequency and duration that fluid pest repellant  34  is dispensed. 
         [0032]    The activation of fluid pump  30  may be indicated by a pump activation indicator light  56  that illuminates only when pump  30  is actively pumping the fluid pest repellant  34 , or that illuminates when pump  30  is operating intermittently on a predetermined schedule. Optionally, a pump-mode switch  58  ( FIG. 1 ) is provided adjacent pump activation switch  54  and enables the user to toggle between a continuous mode in which fluid pump  30  will run and dispense fluid pest repellant  34  through openings  44  as long as pump activation switch  54  is in an “on” position, and an intermittent mode in which pump  30  only operates at predetermined intervals for as long as pump activation switch  54  is in the “on” position. Optionally, a multi-position pump interval switch  60  allows the user to select a predetermined amount of time that will elapse between pump operation intervals. Optionally, indicia may be printed on an outer surface of switching unit  18 , at or near the various controls and indicator lights, to indicate the various functions that are controllable via the switching unit  18 . Because the scent of fluid pest repellant  34  may be detectable by human occupants of the vehicle, it may be desirable to permit the operator/user to control the frequency and duration that the fluid pest repellant  34  is dispensed, independent of the operation of electronic pest repellant unit  12 , which generates ultrasonic sound waves and electromagnetic radiation that are generally undetectable to humans. 
         [0033]    In order to ensure sufficient pest-deterrent coverage of a vehicle&#39;s interior, it is envisioned that multiple fluid conduits  32 ,  33  may dispense the fluid pest repellant  34  at different locations within the vehicle, such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Fluid conduit  32  may have sufficient length to reach the area where a lower region  62   a  of a vehicle windshield  62  meets an upper-forward region  64   a  of the vehicle dashboard  64  ( FIG. 2 ). Although the fluid conduit  32  is shown in a visible location in  FIG. 2 , it will be appreciated that distal end portion  32   b  of conduit  32  may be hidden behind interior trim pieces of vehicle dashboard  64 , or may be substantially obscured or placed unobtrusively in a corner region defined between the vehicle windshield  62  and the vehicle dashboard  64 . During installation, openings  44  (and optional nozzles) are aimed in a manner that does not direct fluid pest repellant  34  in a direction that would impair the vehicle operator&#39;s view through the windshield  62 , and in a manner that will not cause the fluid pest repellant to be sprayed or dispensed directly at the vehicle operator, in a manner that would generally not be distracting to the vehicle operator. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , an optional rear fluid conduit  33  may branch off of the main conduit  32  (or may be attached to a respective fluid outlet of fluid pump  30 ), so that the fluid pest repellant  34  may be directed along a rear hat shelf  66  ( FIG. 3 ), or to other regions of the vehicle such as under passenger seats, in the vehicle trunk  68  or engine compartment  70 , or along the vehicle undercarriage. The size of fluid reservoir  28 , and the flow rate and fluid pressure of fluid pump  30 , may be selected according to the number of conduits  32  and the number and sizes of openings  44  in the fluid repellant system  14 . 
         [0035]    It will be also be appreciated that multiple electronic pest repellant units  12  may be placed in various locations throughout the vehicle interior, or even in the vehicle engine compartment  70  or other exterior locations, to ensure that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by electromagnetic emitter  24 , and the high pressure ultrasonic sound waves emitted by ultrasonic emitter  20  are effective against common pests in substantially all desired locations in or on the vehicle. For example, conduits  32 , audio speakers  22 , and electromagnetic emitters  24  may be mounted along a vehicle exterior to discourage pests, including spiders, bees, wasps, mice, and rats from building nests along vehicle surfaces that are accessible from the (or exposed to) the vehicle exterior. Optionally, a single electronic pest repellant unit  12  may include (or may be in electrical communication with) multiple audio speakers, electromagnetic emitters, and ion emitters located throughout the vehicle, to substantially ensure that all areas are within range of the various emitters. Thus, the pest repellant device  10  may be useful even for vehicles that lack an interior, per se, such as motorcycles and all terrain vehicles (ATV&#39;s). 
         [0036]    Pest repellant device  10  may be hard-wired directly into the vehicles electrical system in a manner that allows it to be powered and operated even when the vehicle ignition is switched off ( FIG. 1 ), or it may be wired so that the pest repellant device may only be operated when the vehicle ignition is switched on. Optionally, the pest repellant device may be powered via a standard 12-volt DC power outlet located in the vehicle, and/or the pest repellant device may be equipped with its own battery  72  ( FIG. 1 ) that allows it to be operated independently from the vehicle electrical system. Optionally, an on-board battery may serve as the sole source of electrical power to the pest repellant device, or such a battery may be used to operate the pest repellant device for a limited period of time after the vehicle ignition has been switched off. Furthermore, battery  72  may be recharged by the vehicle&#39;s battery, alternator, or generator during operation of the vehicle. 
         [0037]    Pest repellant device  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  may be installed as an after-market accessory system, such as by first removing various interior surface panels so that the various components of the device may be placed or routed in relatively unobtrusive locations. However, it will be appreciated that, due to limited space availability behind various panels of a given vehicle, it may not be possible or feasible to install various components of the device, such as the electronic pest repellant unit  12  and the fluid repellant dispenser  14 , as aftermarket components within the vehicle dashboard  64  and fully out of view. By altering the lengths of the various wiring and fluid conduits, however, it will be appreciated that electronic pest repellant unit  12  and fluid repellant dispenser  14  may be placed substantially anywhere within the vehicle cabin, and that the fluid repellant dispenser  14  may even be placed in the engine compartment  70  or trunk  68  of the vehicle, without adversely affecting the function of the pest repellant device  10 . It is further envisioned that the pest repellant device may be factory-installed during manufacturing of a vehicle, so that the device&#39;s various components may be more readily incorporated into the vehicle. 
         [0038]    Optionally, and with reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , a substantially self-contained pest repellant device  80  is designed to be supported directly on the vehicle dashboard  64 , and may be battery-powered or powered via a conventional 12-volt accessory plug  82  and associated wire  84  ( FIG. 4 ). Optionally, self-contained pest repellant device  80  includes a rechargeable battery that is charged via accessory plug  82  and wire  84  (which may be detachable from device  80 ), so that pest repellant device  80  may be operated for extended periods without any external wiring or power connections. Self-contained pest repellant device  80  may provide substantially the same functionality as pest repellant device  10 , but can be readily removed from one vehicle and placed in another vehicle, or moved to various different locations within a single vehicle, and does not require any tools or significant labor to install. 
         [0039]    The components of pest repellant device  80  are substantially contained within a housing  86 , including a fluid repellant dispenser  88 , an ultrasonic emitter  90  with associated audio speaker  92 , an electromagnetic emitter  94 , and an ion emitter  96  ( FIG. 6 ). Fluid repellant dispenser  88  includes at least one spray nozzle  98  coupled to a fluid reservoir  100  via a conduit  102 , and aimed so that a spray of fluid pest repellant  104  is directed rearwardly from housing  86  (such as in a direction toward the front of the vehicle, as shown in  FIG. 5 ). Optionally, an external fluid conduit, such as a flexible rubber or rubber-like hose, may be attached to fluid repellant dispenser  88  (such as via one of the spray nozzles  98 ) and routed to a desired location of the vehicle, similar to the conduits  32 ,  33  that are described above. 
         [0040]    A controller  106  may provide substantially the same functions as controller  16 , described above, and is operated by a user via one or more switches  108  with accompanying indicator lights  110 . Housing  86  includes a front panel  112 , where switches  108  and indicator lights  110  are mounted, as well as audio speaker  92  and a grille or opening  114  formed in front panel  112  and associated with ion emitter  96 . A lower surface of housing  86  may incorporate a high friction anti-skid pad, a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnetic fastener, or the like, for use in securing the pest repellant device  80  along the vehicle dashboard  64 . Optionally, fluid repellant dispenser  88  may include a manual pump, such as a diaphragm-type pump having a pushbutton that is accessible at front panel  112  or along a top surface or other surface of housing  86 . 
         [0041]    Thus, the pest repellant device of the present invention can be implemented within a vehicle, either in a permanent or a semi-permanent installation, or in a portable/removable installation, and used to deter or disperse pests that can cause distress, distraction, or increased safety risks to occupants of the vehicle. By providing at least three modes of pest deterrents, including electromagnetic radiation, ultrasonic sound, and pest-repelling scent, with optional ion emissions to purify the air, the pest repellant device is effective at deterring most types of common pests, from insects and arachnids to small rodents and the like. The pest repellant device may be operated in a fully automatic mode, with or without user-selectable operation parameters, or may be operated in a manual mode, as desired. 
         [0042]    Changes and modifications in the specifically-described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.