Abstract:
The animal deterrent device of the present disclosure utilizes and automatic system to detect the presence of an animal in a designated area. Upon detection, the animal deterrent device releases a deterring stimulus. The deterring stimulus is intended to remove the animal from the designated area, and through continuous use, eventually training the animal from entering the designate area. The designation area can include: furniture, such as a couch, chair, table, etc; a room or portions thereof; plants, indoor or outdoor gardens; and the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/806,443, entitled Animal Deterrent, filed on filed on Mar. 29, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device and a method for deterring animals from performing and unwanted behavior such as entering or approaching a designated area, climbing on indoor or outdoor furniture or the like. More specifically, the subject deterrent device utilizes a sudden jet spray of a compressed gas to startle the animal, deterring it from performing the unwanted behavior. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pet, such as dogs and cats, etc. have been known to cause harm to indoor furnishings, plants and the like by scratching, lying upon and in general having access to such objects. Similarly, pets and wild animals have been known cause harm to out furnishing, plants, and garden areas. To combat such unwanted behavior, devices are know to deter the animal by producing a deterring stimulus which startles or scares the animal. These deterring stimulus can include the spraying the animal with water, emitting a loud sound, or flashing lights, or combinations thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The animal deterrent device of the present disclosure utilizes and automatic system to detect the presence of an animal in a designated area. Upon detection, the animal deterrent device releases a deterring stimulus. The deterring stimulus is intended to remove the animal from the designated area, and through continuous use, eventually training the animal from entering the designate area. The designation area can include: furniture, such as a couch, chair, table, etc; a room or portions thereof; plants, indoor or outdoor gardens; and the like. 
     The animal deterrent device includes a housing having a canister containing a compressed gas connected to a valve system. The valve system can include a solenoid valve. The valve system includes an output nozzle, such that when the valve is open compressed gas exits the nozzle to create a deterring sound. 
     A motion sensor is provided on the housing to actuate the valve. In this manner, when an animal passes with range of the motion sensor, the motion sensor actives (opens) the valve to create the deterring sound. The nozzle can be movable with respect to the housing, such that the output direction of the nozzle can be adjusted. 
     Additionally, an orientation (tilt) sensor can be provided to verify that the animal deterrent device is in the proper (vertical) orientation for operation. If the animal deterrent device is tilted at a specified angle from vertical, the tilt sensor will prevent operation of the valve system. 
     To operate the animal deterrent device the following step are performed: 
     1. Turn on the unit by pressing the control button in the front. The Green LED will light up. The Green LED flashes every 5 seconds once it has been turned on. 
     2. If the battery level is low, the LED will be flashing in RED. The system will not work until the user has replaced the batteries. 
     3. There is an orientation switch inside the PC board. Shall the device be tilted for a certain angle (varies by components), the device will stop working even though the ON/OFF switch is at ON position. This will avoid spraying liquid if the canister is inverted. 
     4. Once the unit has been turned on around 10 seconds by pressing the ON/OFF button, the passive infrared sensor will start detecting motion if the unit is at the upright position. If a motion was detected, the solenoid valve will be energized and push the valve open for 0.6 second. The sound level can be around 90 to 95 dBA measured at 12 inches. The device will be suppressed for 4 seconds which means the unit will spray again after 4 seconds if motions are detected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front isometric view of an animal deterrent device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a front view of the animal deterrent device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side sectional view of the animal deterrent device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a rear sectional view of the animal deterrent device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a diagram of a controller for use n the animal deterrent device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a first isometric view of a fluid dispensing system  40  for use in an animal deterring device; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a second isometric view of a fluid dispensing system  40  for use in an animal deterring device; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a front isometric view of an alternative animal deterrent device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a front sectional view of the animal deterrent device of  7 ; and 
         FIG. 10  depicts a rear sectional view of the animal deterrent device of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  an animal deterrent device  10  of the present disclosure. The animal deterrent device  10  includes a housing  12  having a front portion  14  and a back portion  16 . The front and back portions  14  and  16  combine to form the housing  12 , defining a bottom surface  18  for supporting the housing in an upright position, where the back portion  16  can be removeably attached to the front portion  14 . The front portion  14  of the housing  12  can include a plurality of orifices  20 ,  22 ,  24  into which an ON/Off switch  26 , a sensor  28 , and a nozzle  30  are positioned. A light element  25  can be included to indicate the status of the animal deterrent device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a controller  32  is provided within the front portion  14  of the housing  12 , and connected to a power supply  34 . The power supply  34  can take the form of one of one or more batteries  34 ( a )-( d ). Alternatively, the power supply  34  can include a power cord connected to a household power source (not shown). 
     The ON/OFF switch  26  can be connected between the controller  32  and the power supply  34 , where the ON/OFF switch  26  can be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the ON/OFF switch  26  is closed providing power to the controller  32 , and in the second position the ON/OFF switch  26  is open removing power from the controller  32 . The ON/OFF switch  26  can be depression switch, slide switch, toggle switch, or other switches which perform the same function of turning ON and OFF the power to the controller  32 . 
     The sensor  28  is also connected to the controller  32 . The sensor  28  is utilized to detect the presence of an animal in a designated area. When an animal is detected in the designated area the sensor provides a signal to the controller  32  to emit a deterring stimulus. For example, and describe in more detail below, upon detection of a animal in the designated area the sensor  26  send a signal to the controller  32  to emit the deterring stimulus of jet of compressed gas through the nozzle  30 . The sensor  28  can be a motion sensor, infrared sensor, and other known sensors for detecting the presence of the animal. 
     An orientation (tilt) sensor  36  is connected to the controller  32 . The orientation sensor  36  operates to verify that the housing  12  is position in an operational, vertical or substantially vertical, position. If the housing  12  has been knocked over, and is in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, the orientation sensor  36  sends a signal to the controller  32  to prevent operation and an emission of the deterring stimulus. 
     Additionally, upon receipt of such a signal from the orientation sensor  36 , the controller  32  can active an alarm to indicate to a user that the housing  12  has be knocked over. The alarm can take the form of a visible alarm, such as a flashing light or led  25 , or an audible alarm. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 4 , a fluid dispensing system  40  can connected to the controller  32 . The fluid dispensing system  40  can include the nozzle  30  in fluid connection to an actuateable valve  42 , solenoid valve. A fluid source connector  44  is connected to the actuateable valve  42 , opposite the nozzle  20 . A fluid source  46 , such as a canister of compressed gas or liquid, is removeably connectable to the fluid source connector  44 . For example, the fluid source connector  44  can include a threaded interface  48 , such that the fluid source  46  can be threadably connected to the fluid source connector  44 . Additionally, a plurality of battery supports  50  ( a )-( d ) can be provide in the housing  12 , where each of plurality of batteries  34 ( a )-( d ) is positionable therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary diagram of a controller  32  for use in the animal deterrent device  10  is provided. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 6-7 , the nozzle  30  can be a adjustable nozzle were the direction of the nozzle output can be adjusted in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and combinations thereof. The nozzle  30  can be connected to the actuateable valve  42  with a flexible tube  52 , where a tensioning spring  54  can be positioned about the flexible tube  52  between the nozzle  30  and the actuateable valve  42 . The flexible tube  52  and spring  54  combination allows for relative movement of the nozzle  30  with respect to the actuateable valve  42 , while maintaining a open fluid path therebetween. 
     A torsional member  56  is position about, and engagement with, the nozzle  30 . A second portion of the torsional member  56  is connected to the housing  12 . The torsional member allows for relative movement of the nozzle  30  with respect to the front portion  14  of the housing, where the torsional member  56  acts to retain the relative position of the nozzle  30 . In the manner, a user can position the nozzle  30  with respect to the housing  12 , such that the output of the nozzle  30  can be directed in a desired direction. 
     In an exemplary method of use, a user positions the animal deterrent device  10  is a desired location, for example near a couch. The front portion  14  of the housing is directed towards the couch, such that the sensor  28  can detect the presence of an animal on the couch. The nozzle  30  is positioned by the user in the desired direction. To activate the animal deterrent device  10  the user depresses the ON/OFF switch  26 . 
     Once activated, if the sensor  28  detects an animal in the designated areas, a signal is sent to the controller  32 . In turn, the controller sends a signal to the actuated valve  42 , opening the valve  42  to send a jet of compressed gas out through the nozzle  30 . The release of the compressed gas generates a sound of sufficient loudness to startle the animal, removing it from the designated area. Once the system has been activated, the system will be suppressed for a period of time, for example 4 seconds, before it can be active again. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the animal deterrent device further includes a sound emitting device, such as a speaker or ultra sonic emitter. Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the alternative embodiment of the animal deterrent device  70  is shown. The animal deterrent device  70  includes a housing  72  having a front portion  74  and a back portion  76 . The front and back portions  74  and  76  join to form the housing  72 , defining a bottom surface  78  for supporting the housing in an upright position, where the back portion  76  can be removeably attached to the front portion  74 . The front portion  74  of the housing  72  includes a plurality of orifices  80 ,  82 ,  84  into which a sound emitter  86 , a sensor  28 , and a nozzle  30  are positioned. 
     A controller  92  is provided within the housing  72 , and connected to a power supply  94 . The sound emitter  86  is connected to the controller  92 . When activated, the sound emitter  86  emits a sound to startle the animal. The emitted sound can be an audible sound or an ultra sonic signal. 
     Similar to the embodiment described above, the alternative animal deterrent device  70  includes the power supply  34 , motion sensor  28 , nozzle  30 , fluid deposing system  40 , and orientation (tilt) sensor  36 , all of which a operated in accordance as previously described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an ON/OFF switch  96  can be connected between the controller  92  and the power supply  94 , where the ON/OFF switch  66  can be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the ON/OFF switch  96  is closed providing power to the controller  92 , and in the second position the ON/OFF switch  96  is open removing power from the controller  92 . 
     Alternatively, the ON/OFF switch  96  can be a multi-position switch, allowing a user to selection the mode of operation of the deterring stimulus of the animal deterrent device  70 . For example, the multi-position switch  96  can be a four position switch, which in a first position the animal deterrent device  70  is OFF, in a second position only the fluid dispensing system  40  is activated, in a third position only the sound emitter  86  is activated, and is a fourth position both the fluid dispensing system  40  and sound emitter are activated. 
     In an exemplary method of use, a user positions the animal deterrent device  70  is a desired location, example near a couch. The front portion  74  of the housing  72  is directed towards the couch, such that the sensor  28  can detect the presence of an animal on the couch. The nozzle  30  is positioned by the user in the desired direction. 
     To activate the animal deterrent device  70  the user selects the mode of operation ON/OFF switch  96 , moving the switch  96  from the first position to either the second, third or fourth positions. Once activated, if the sensor  28  detects an animal in the designated areas, a signal is sent to the controller  92  to activate a deterring stimulus. 
     If the switch  96  is positioned in the second position, the controller  92  sends a signal to the actuated valve  42 , opening the valve  42  to send a jet of compressed gas out through the nozzle  30 . The release of the compressed gas generates a sound of sufficient loudness to startle the animal, removing it from the designated area. Once the system has been activated, the system will be suppressed for a period of time, for example four (4) seconds, before it can be active again. 
     If the switch  96  is positioned in the third position, the controller  92  sends a signal to the sound emitter  86 . The sound emitter  86  can generate a sound of sufficient loudness to startle the animal, removing it from the designated area. Alternatively, the sound emitter  86  is an ultra-sonic emitter, and generates an ultra-signal to startle the animal, removing it from the designated area. Once the system has been activated, the system will be suppressed for a period of time, for example four (4) seconds, before it can be active again. 
     If the switch  96  is positioned in the forth position, both the fluid dispensing system  40  and sound emitter  86  are activated. In such case, the controller  92  simultaneously sends a signal to the actuated valve  42  and the sound emitter  86 . The actuated valve  42  is opened to send a jet of compressed gas out through the nozzle  30 . The release of the compressed gas generates a sound of sufficient loudness to startle the animal The sound emitter  86  can generate a sound of sufficient loudness to startle the animal. The activation of the both the fluid dispensing system  40  and sound emitter  86  provide a deterring stimulus for removing the animal form the designated area. Once the system has been activated, the system will be suppressed for a period of time, for example four (4) seconds, before it can be active again. 
     All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.