Abstract:
Disclosed are devices for deterring wildlife, comprising at least one anchor pipe; a center plate connected on one side to a top rod, where in the center plate pivots along the axis of the rod; and at least one rod having a plurality of streamers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is in the field of wildlife deterrence devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    When wildlife enters an area that it is not supposed to, it causes conflict between the human and the animal. Solving wildlife conflicts involves either trapping the animal using animal traps, excluding the animal from accessing the area, for example by using a fence, or injuring the animal. Commonly used methods of preventing wildlife from entering an area involves harming or scaring the wildlife in some way. Thus, there exists a need for a humane way of deterring wildlife from entering an area. 
         [0003]    The present disclosure also relates to deterring wildlife from entering an area that might harm the wildlife. It could be positioned in a manner around a tailings pond, lake, fields, gardens, wineries, fruit fields, pastures and many like applications. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Disclosed are devices for deterring wildlife, comprising at least one anchor pipe; a center plate connected on one side to a top rod, where in the center plate pivots along the axis of the rod; and at least one rod having a plurality of streamers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the device disclosed herein. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of the center plate of the device disclosed herein. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates the movement of an embodiment of the center plate in the breeze. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of the embodiment of a streamer assembly disclosed herein. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4B  shows a side view of the embodiment of a streamer assembly disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    The present disclosure relates to devices that deter wildlife from entering an area that might harm, or be harmed by, the wildlife. The devices mimic the features of large birds of prey, or other animals, which frighten the wildlife. A feature of the presently disclosed devices is that they rotate, make noise, and flutter with wind, unlike the traditional scarecrow. 
         [0011]    The devices disclosed herein can be positioned around a tailings pond, lake, fields, gardens, wineries, fruit fields, pastures and the like. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the device are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the presently disclosed devices is illustrated. The device  100  of  FIG. 1  is in the shape of a bird of prey. In other embodiments, the device  100  has the shape of other animals, such as a lion, bear, tiger, and the like. Thus, the concept of the present devices is not to be limited by the type of animal that is represented. 
         [0014]    The device  100  is anchored to the ground  102  by a plurality of pipes  104  that are driven into the ground  102 . In some embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 1 , the distal ends of the pipes  104  is slanted to provide for easier penetration into the ground. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the pipe  104  comprises a flat surface  106  positioned at some distance from the distal tip of the pipe  104 . In certain embodiments, the flat surface  106  is a washer that is affixed to the pipe  104 . In other embodiments, the flat surface  106  is a metal or polymer surface. The flat surface  106  serves several functions. For example, the flat surface  106  provides for a foothold for the user to press down on the pipe  104  to drive it into the ground  102 . The flat surface  106  also provides an indicator for the user to know the how deep the pipe  104  has been driven to the ground  102 . In these embodiments, once the flat surface  106  reaches the ground  102 , the user stops pressing down more. 
         [0016]    The length and the diameter of pipe  104  can be of any measurement that provides stability to the device  100 . Thus, the size of the device  100  generally determines the size of the pipe  104 . In some embodiments, the pipe  104  has a diameter of 1 inch. In other embodiments, the diameter is 0.75″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″ or greater than 2″. Smaller diameter pipes can also be used. In some embodiments, the pipe  104  is 1 foot long, while in other embodiments, the length of the pipe  104  is 6″, 8″ 10″, 1.25′, 1.5′, 2′, or greater than 2′. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the device  100  comprises a base, not shown in the drawings. In some of these embodiments, the pipes  104  are welded, or otherwise attached to the base. In other embodiments, the base comprises a plurality of pipes, into which the pipes  104  are inserted. The base provides stability for the device  100  and renders the device more mobile and easier to use. In some embodiments, the base is rectangular or square. In other embodiments, the base is a circle. In still other embodiments, the base has other regular or irregular geometric shape. 
         [0018]    In the embodiments where a base is used, the base has a large enough surface area to prevent the device  100  from falling over in the wind. The surface area of the base is generally dictated by the size of the device  100 . In some embodiments, the base has a side that is between 1 foot and 10 feet long. In other embodiments, the base has a side that is between 3′ and 8′ long. For example, the base is 4′×6′ or 4′×8′. 
         [0019]    A pivoting center plate  108  is connected to the pipes  104  by connecting bars  110 . In some embodiments, the connecting bars  110  has a diameter of 0.75 inch. In other embodiments, the diameter is 0.25″, 0.5″, 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″ or greater than 2″. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, streamers  112  are attached to the connecting bars  110 , as described further below. The streamers  112  flutter in the breeze and provide the appearance of movement, which helps to further frighten and deter the wildlife. 
         [0021]    While the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows the center plate  108  to be a triangle, it is understood that the center plate  108  can be of any shape, for example, a circle, a square, a trapezoid, or an irregular shape. 
         [0022]    The center plate  108  is connected to a top bar  114  and is surround by the side bars  116 . In some embodiments, the center plate  108  is not connected to the side bars  116 . Instead, the side bars  116  provide the connectivity means for the top bar  114  to be connected to the rest of the device. As described more fully below, the center plate  108  pivots along the axis of the top bar  114 , such that the bottom point of the center plate  108  can move above and below the plane defined by the top bar  114  and the side bars  116 . In some embodiments, the face of a vicious animal, such as a bird of prey, a lion, or a bear, is drawn on the center plate  108 . The center plate  108  rotates along the axis of the top bar  114  in the breeze, which provides the appearance of movement, and helps to further frighten and deter the wildlife. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the top bar  114  has a diameter of 0.75 inch. In other embodiments, the diameter is 0.25″, ⅜″, 0.5″, 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″ or greater than 2″. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, to the top bar  114  are connected a plurality of additional wing bars  118 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , two wing bars  118  are attached to either side of the top bar  114 , and another wing bar  118  is attached to the distal end of each of the wing bars  118  that is connected to the top bar  114 . Thus, the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows four additional wing bars. Other arrangements are contemplated herein. For example, additional wing bars  114  can be attached to the distal ends of the illustrated wing bars  114 , or only two wing bars  114  can be used. In other embodiments, the wing bars  114  come out at an angle, instead of being in the same plane as the center plate  108 . 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the wing bar  118  has a diameter of 0.75 inch. In other embodiments, the diameter is 0.25″, 0.5″, 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″ or greater than 2″. 
         [0026]    The various pipes and the bars disclosed herein can be connected to each other using a variety of means known in the art. For example, they can be welded together to create the desired shape. In other embodiments, a connector is used and the end of each bar is inserted into the connector to create a friction lock mechanism. In other embodiments, the end of one bar comprises a spring pin while the end of another bar has a hole that fits the head of the pin. Any connecting mechanism that allows for an easy and quick assembly of the device is contemplated. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the pipes  104 , the connecting bars  110 , the top bar  114 , the side bars  116 , and the wing bars  118  is each independently a stainless steel pipe. In other embodiments, the pipes  104 , the connecting bars  110 , the top bar  114 , the side bars  116 , and the wing bars  118  is each independently made up of wood, anodized aluminum, anodized titanium, anodized magnesium, anodized zinc, brass, or a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is preferable that these pipes and bars be made up of a material that is resistant to oxidation or is not easily degradable in the environment. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the pipes  104 , the connecting bars  110 , the top bar  114 , the side bars  116 , and the wing bars  118  is each independently a hollow pipe, while in other embodiments, it is a filled rod. 
         [0029]    The size of the device  100  can vary according to the desired use. In some embodiments, each of the pipes  104 , the connecting bars  110 , the top bar  114 , the side bars  116 , and the wing bars  118  is independently between 6 inches and 10 feet long. In other embodiments, each of the pipes  104 , the connecting bars  110 , the top bar  114 , the side bars  116 , and the wing bars  118  is independently between 1′ and 8′ long. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a close up view of the center plate  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plate  108  is connected to the top bar  114  by bolts  202 . In other embodiments, the center plate  108  comprises a sleeve at the top, through which the top bar  114  is threaded. Thus, in some embodiments, the top bar  114  can rotate along its long axis when pressure, for example wind pressure, is exerted on the plate  108 . In other embodiments, the top bar  114  does not rotate and only the center plate  108  rotates with pressure. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the plate  108 , showing the range of motion of the illustrated embodiment. When wind blows, the plate  108  swings to the left, to the position shown as “ 108 ” in  FIG. 3 , and then through the plane defined by the side bars  116 , and back to the right, to position  302 , along the arc  304 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the streamer assembly  400  used with the devices disclosed herein.  FIG. 4A  shows a front view of the assembly  400 . The streamer assembly  400  comprises a rod  402  and a plurality of streamers or ribbons  404  attached thereto. In some embodiments, the only point of connectivity of an individual streamer  404  to another body is the connectivity of the streamer  404  to the rod  402 . Thus, the streamers  404  can flutter and move in the breeze.  FIG. 4B  shows the cut out view of the assembly  400  along the A-A line. 
         [0033]    The streamer assembly  400  is used throughout the device as described above. For example, in some embodiments, the combination of rod  110 /streamer  112  or the combination of rod  118 /streamer  112 , described above, are the streamer assembly  400 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the streamers are brightly colored to attract the attention of the wildlife. In certain embodiments, the colors are chosen to represent dangerous threats to the wildlife and thereby frighten and deter them. In other embodiments, the colors are chosen for their aesthetic quality. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the streamers are made up of plastic. In other embodiments, the streamers are made up of metal, for example, a non-oxidizable metal such as stainless steel. In these embodiments, when the streamers flutter there is an accompanying noise that further frightens and deters wildlife. 
         [0036]    While the present disclosure has been described and illustrated herein, it is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.