Abstract:
A bird deterrent device generally has a base, a plurality of mutually parallel directing channels, and a plurality of spikes extending from the base. The channels are preferably disposed in rows so they are not only mutually parallel, but also coplanar. The spikes are inserted into the channels, and then at least some of them are bent out so that the top ends of at least some of the various spikes are oriented at least 5 degrees out of parallel with respect to each other. The resulting spikes are therefore “fanned out,” and tend to prevent birds from landing in the immediate vicinity of the device. The bottom of the spikes are fixed into the base in some manner, preferably using a second bend and then crushing portions of the base adjacent to the bent sections to maintain the spike in places.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is bird deterrent devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Birds like to perch in various places including rooftops, ledges, and other areas on buildings and homes. When birds perch, they tend to be noisy and make an unsightly mess. Generally, a device with some type of spikes extending out from it will prevent birds from perching. However, many types of devices suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages: (1) they are expensive to manufacture, (2) they are expensive to install, (3) they are dangerous to install, and (4) birds get hurt when they land on them. 
     For example, barbed wire can be used along the ledges and rooftops to try to circumvent these problems. Although barbed wire is effective in preventing birds from perching, birds often get hurt because they land on the barbed wire and their legs and wings get tangled in it. Also, barbed wire is difficult to install and secure because it does not effectively withstand wind and other harsh elements. Furthermore, some people do not like the appearance of barbed wire. 
     Another type of device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,298,194 to Caldwell (Nov. 17, 1938). In this device, wire shanks that form a rounded portion are welded at the lower ends to each of two longitudinal wires. The device cleats have spaced bayonet slots for receiving the shanks and apertures for fastening the cleats to a surface. However, this device tends to be difficult and expensive to assemble because the shanks must be individually placed into each bayonet slot. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,306,080 to Peles (Jan. 7, 1942) teaches a strip of sheet metal with spaced triangular cut outs, so that when the sheet metal is bent and the triangular portions are cut out, the triangular portions form spikes. Although this device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, it is tedious and dangerous to install because the sheet metal may have sharp edges. 
     Some bird deterrent devices contain a base that contains channels that extend in varying angles through the base support (Negre). The spikes are then inserted in the directing channels, so that each spike extends away from the base support in a different angle. Manufacturing this type of bird deterrent device is simple because it involves only two steps: (1) manufacturing a base support with directing channels extending in several directions; and (2) inserting the spikes into those directing channels. 
     Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,552 to Negre (Mar. 28, 1995) teaches a device that has spikes attached to a base support. The spikes are attached by flattening a portion of a cylindrically shaped spike, and pushing them through round canals in the base so that the flattened portion of the spikes becomes lodged in the base support. However, prolonged use or extreme weather conditions cause the flattened portion of the spikes to become loose and spin around inside the canals, making them much less effective. 
     Thus, there is still a need for an improved bird deterrent device that adequately circumvents these problems, while remaining simple and low cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a bird deterrent device generally having a base containing directing channels, and a plurality of spikes extending from the directing channels. 
     In preferred embodiments, each of the plurality of spikes is substantially cylindrical and has a top end and a bottom end. Also, each spike contains a portion that is disposed in the directing channels with a portion of each spike extending partially through the top of the base. Additionally, the top ends of the spikes are oriented at least 5 degrees out of parallel with respect to each other. Furthermore, at least one spike has a bend that forms an angle of at least 5 degrees off normal, at or above the top of the base. 
     The bend is typically located at or above the base. The bend forms an angle that is at least 5 degrees off normal. It is preferred that the bend forms an angle that is at least 10 degrees off normal, and even more preferred that the angle formed is at least 15 degrees normal. 
     The base typically has a top and a bottom, a plurality of directing channels that each receives a portion of a spike, and one or more tip-containing channels that each receives a bottom end of a spike. Upon insertion, the spikes are typically parallel with respect to each other, and then at least one spike is bent above the base to form a useful configuration. The bottom ends of the spikes may also be bent, and may be inserted into the directing channels. The spikes are also fixed to the base. To ease manufacturing, it is preferred that the directing channels are normal to the top or bottom of the base. It is further preferred that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the directing channel is no more than 10% larger than the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the spikes. 
     At least one spike has a second bend that forms an angle of less than 180 degrees within 2 cm of the bottom end of the spike. More preferably, the second bend forms an angle of less than 90 degrees within 1 cm of the bottom end of the spike. 
     In a preferred aspect of the invention, the bird deterrent device has a base having a top and a bottom, and a plurality of spikes having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top ends of the spikes extend from the top of the base, a portion of each spike passes through the top of the base, the top ends of the spikes are oriented at least 5 degrees out of parallel with respect to each other, at least one spike has a bend that forms an angle of 5 degrees off normal at the top of the base, and at least one spike contains a second bend that forms an angle of less than 90 degrees within 1 cm of the bottom end of the spike. 
     The present invention further comprises a method of fabricating a bird deterrent device by providing a base with a top and a bottom, inserting a portion of a spike into the base, extending a portion of the spike out of the top of the base, bending the spike to form an angle of at least 5 degrees within 20 cm of the top of the base, and fixing the spike to the base. 
     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a bird deterrent device according to the inventive subject matter. 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the bird deterrent device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the spike of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts a bird deterrent device  10 , having a base  20 , and a plurality of spikes  30 . Each of the spikes  30  has a top end  32  and a bottom end  34 . At least one of the spikes  30  has a bend  40 , and a second bend  42 . The base  20  has a top  22  and a bottom  24 , and a grouping of directing channels  50 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts the bird deterrent device  10  of FIG. 1, having a base  20  and a plurality of spikes  30 . Each of the plurality of spikes  30  has a bottom end  34 . At least one of the spikes  30  has a second bend  42 . The base  20  has one or more directing channels  50  and one or more tip-containing channels  60 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts bird deterrent device  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2, having a base  20 , a directing channel  50 , a tip-containing channel  60 , and a plurality of spikes  30  having top end  32  and a bottom end  34 . At least one of the spikes  30  has a bend  40 , and second bend  42 . 
     The base  20  typically contains a top  22  and a bottom  24 . The top  22  and bottom  24  of the base  20  may advantageously comprise any texture, including substantially flat, substantially ribbed, and substantially ridged. It is preferred that the top  22  is substantially ridged and the bottom  24  is substantially flat. It is further preferred that the ridges are positioned in any configuration, including rows, loops, adjacent strips, and diagonal strips. In more preferred embodiments, the ridges are positioned in rows less than 5 cm apart and contain one or more directing channels  50 . In the most preferred embodiments, the ridges are positioned in rows less than 4.5 cm apart, and contain several directing channels  50 . 
     Spikes  30  typically comprise a top end  32 , a bottom end  34 , may comprise a bend  40 , and may comprise a second bend  42 . Spikes  30  may be cut to form the top end  32  and the bottom end  34 . A spike  30  is shown in detail in FIG.  3 . 
     It is preferred that the top end  32  extends at least 20 cm out of the top  22  of the base  20 . It is further preferred that the top end  32  extends at least 10 cm out of the top  22  of the base  20 . It is contemplated that the bottom end  34  is positioned in or near the base  20 . When the bottom end  34  is positioned in the base  20 , it is preferred that the bottom end  34  is housed in the tip-containing channel  60 . 
     The spikes  30  typically extend through the directing channel  50 . It is preferred that the spikes  30  extend through the directing channel  50  so that the top end  32  and the bottom end  34  of the spikes  30  extend outward from the directing channel  50 . In the most preferred embodiments, the directing channel  50  surrounds a portion of the sides of the spikes  30  so that the upper portion of the spikes  30  extend outward from the top edge of the directing channel  50 , and the lower portion of the spikes  30  extend outward from the bottom edge of the directing channel  50 . 
     The portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50  may comprise any length between 0.25 cm and 1 cm. Also, it is contemplated that the shape of the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50  is substantially uniform. It is further contemplated that the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50  may contain a portion of the bend  40  at the upper end. Thus, the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50  may not be substantially straight. In preferred embodiments, the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels is substantially cylindrical. 
     Upon insertion into the directing channels  50 , the spikes  30  may be substantially parallel to each other. It is contemplated that the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50  may extend normally (i.e. straight out) from the directing channels  50 . The angle is measured to be some degrees off normal. The term “substantially parallel to each other” is taken in the usual meaning and does not require the parallel spikes to be coplanar. It is further contemplated that the spikes  30  are positioned so that the top ends  32  are oriented at least 5 degrees out of parallel with respect to each other. For example, if one spike  30  is substantially straight, the top end  32  of another spike  30  will be at least 5 degrees from the top end  32  of the substantially straight spike  30 . Thus the term “out of parallel” in this context refers to the top ends  32  of the spikes  30  being not parallel to one another. 
     The spikes  30  may be bent at one or more locations. It is contemplated that one spike  30  will have a bend  40 . Bend  40  is typically located at or above the top  22  of the base  20 . It is further contemplated that the bend  40  may also occur within 20 cm of the top  22  of the base  20 . Bend  40  is contemplated to occur near the top  22  of the base  20 , but it is also contemplated that the bend  40  occurs near the top end  32  of the spike  30 . 
     It is also contemplated that the bend  40  is either a gradual bend or a sharp bend. In preferred embodiments, the bend  40  is a gradual bend, where the bend  40  occurs on a portion of the spike  30  that is at least 0.5 cm long. It is further preferred that the bend  40  be a gradual bend, where the bend  40  occurs on a portion of the spike  30  that is at least 1 cm long. In the most preferred embodiments, the bend  40  is a gradual bend that extends more than 1.2 cm. 
     It is even further contemplated that several bends  40  may occur on a spike  30 . For example, one bend may occur 2 cm from the top end  32  of spike  30  and another bend  40  may occur 8 cm from the top end  32  of spike  30 . 
     It is contemplated that bend  40  is at least 5 degrees off normal. The term “off normal” refers to a spike  30  that is not sticking straight out of a directing channel  50 . For example, if a directing channel  50  is normal to the top  22  or bottom  24  of the base  20 , then the only way for the spike  30  to be off-normal is for the spike  30  to have a bend  40 . In another example, if a directing channel  50  is not normal to the top  22  or the bottom  24  of the base  20 , then the only way for the spike  30  to be off-normal, is for the spike  30  to have a bend  40 . It is preferred that bend  40  forms an angle at least 10 degrees off normal. It is further preferred that bend  40  forms an angle at least 15 degrees off normal. 
     It is further contemplated that the plurality of spikes  30  are each positioned in a corresponding directing channel  50 . The angles formed by the bend  40  on the spikes  30  form various useful configurations. Typical useful configurations may comprise a fan shape, alternating rows, gradually increasing rows, gradually decreasing rows, or any other useful configuration. 
     For example, a fan shaped configuration may comprise a base  20  that contains five spikes  30 , wherein the center spike  30  does not contain a bend  40 , so that the center spike  30  forms an angle of 90 degrees with the base  20 ; the two outermost spikes  30  contain a bend  40  that forms an angle of 30 degrees with the base  20 ; and the remaining two spikes  30  contain a bend  40  that forms an angle between 30 degrees and 90 degrees with the base  20 . 
     It is contemplated that spikes  30  may or may not contain a second bend  42 . In preferred embodiments, each spike  30  contains a second bend  42 . Second bend  42 , more clearly shown in FIG. 2, is typically located within 2 cm of the bottom end  34  of each spike  30 . It is contemplated that the second bend  42  is either a gradual bend or a sharp bend. It is preferred that the second bend  42  is a gradual bend, where the second bend  42  occurs on a portion of the spike  30  that is at least 0.5 cm long. It is further preferred that the second bend  42  be a gradual bend, where the second bend  42  occurs on a portion of the spike  30  that is at least 1 cm long. In the most preferred embodiments, the second bend  42  is a gradual bend that extends more than 2 cm. 
     Second bend  42  may form an angle between the bottom end  34  and the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50 , wherein the angle is less than 180 degrees. As the second bend  42  forms an angle that approaches 180 degrees, the spike  30  becomes substantially straight. As the second bend  42  forms an angle that approaches 0 degrees, the spike  30  will begin to resemble a very tight “U” shape. It is preferred that the second bend  42  forms an angle between 70 degrees and 150 degrees. In more preferred embodiments, the second bend  42  may form an angle between 80 degrees and 120 degrees. In the most preferred embodiments, the second bend  42  may form an angle between 85 degrees and 95 degrees. 
     Spikes  30  may comprise metal, plastic, wood, or any mixture thereof. In preferred embodiments, spikes  30  comprise a metal such as aluminum, steel or metal alloy. In the most preferred embodiments, spikes  30  comprise marine grade stainless steel. 
     A plurality of directing channels  50  may be positioned in any configuration including rows, loops, or staggered. The directing channels  50  may be adjacent to one another, with at least 0.20 cm between them. In preferred embodiments, the directing channels  50  are positioned in rows, where the rows are spaced at least 3.5 cm apart, and the directing channels are spaced at least 0.25 cm apart. In the most preferred embodiments, the directing channels  50  are positioned in rows, where the rows are spaced at least 3 cm apart, and the directing channels are spaced at least 0.4 cm apart. 
     The directing channels  50  are substantially parallel to each other. The term “substantially parallel” is taken in the usual meaning and does not require the parallel directing channels  50  to be coplanar. However, it is preferred that the plurality of directing channels  50  form groupings of directing channels  50 . It is contemplated that each grouping of directing channels  50  may form a row. When substantially parallel directing channels  50  form rows, the substantially parallel directing channels  50  must be coplanar. In most preferred embodiments, each grouping of directing channels  50  comprises substantially parallel directing channels  50  that form a row and are coplanar with respect to each other. 
     Directing channels  50  may be sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of the spikes  30 . It is contemplated that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the directing channel  50  is less than 25% larger than a corresponding cross-sectional area of the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50 . It is preferred that the directing channel  50  has a horizontal cross-sectional area that is less than 20% larger than a corresponding cross-section of the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50 . It is most preferred that the directing channel  50  has a horizontal cross-section that is less than 10% larger than a corresponding cross-section of the portion of the spikes  30  disposed in the directing channels  50 . 
     Each directing channel  50  may or may not house a spike  30 . For example, the spikes  30  may be positioned in every other directing channel  50  or in every third directing channel  50 . It is preferred that every other directing channel  50  receive a spike  30  when the directing channels  50  are placed less than 0.75 cm apart. 
     Typically, the directing channel  50  extends from the top  22  of the base  20  to the bottom  24  of the base  20 . However, the directing channel  50  may not extend to the bottom  24  of the base  20 . Contemplated shapes of the directing channel  50  include substantially cylindrical, substantially rectangular, substantially triangular, and jagged. In preferred embodiments, the directing channel extends from the top  22  to the bottom  24  of the base  20 , and is substantially cylindrical. In more preferred embodiments, the directing channel extends from the top  22  to 0.2-0.4 cm from the bottom  24  of the base  20 , and is substantially cylindrical. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, tip-containing channel  60  is typically proximally located near the directing channel  50  and may be adjacent to the directing channel  50 . The tip-containing channel  60  may be sized and dimensioned to receive the bottom end  34  of a spike  30  and a portion of the spike  30  that is adjacent to the bottom end  34 . It is preferred that the tip-containing channel  60  be adjacent to the directing channel  50  so that the tip-containing channel  60  receives the bottom end  34  of a spike  30  and a portion of the spike  30  adjacent to the bottom end  34 . It is also preferred that the second bend  42  is positioned between the directing channel  50  and the tip-containing channel  60 . In the most preferred embodiments, the directing channel  50  will feed into the tip-containing channel  60  so that the middle of the second bend  42  is located at the intersection of the directing channel  50  and the tip-containing channel  60 . 
     Fixing the spikes  30  to the base  20  may comprise crushing a portion of the base  20  adjacent the spike  30  or coupling the spike  30  to the base  20  with a coupler. It is preferred that the spike  30  is fixed to the base  20  by crushing a portion of the base  20  that is adjacent to the spike  30 . 
     Base  20  may comprise plastic, wood, metal, or any combination thereof. It is preferred that the base  20  comprise hard plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. It is most preferred that the base  20  comprise hard plastic. 
     Base  20  may be sized and dimensioned to be effectively coupled to a surface. It is preferred that the base  20  contains couplers including loops, holes, fasteners, and latches. It is further preferred that the base  20  contains loops or holes that are sized and dimensioned to receive a nail or screw. It is most preferred that the base  20  contains round holes to receive nails or screws.