Patent Publication Number: US-2016242406-A1

Title: Pest Deterrent Device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to electric shock deterrent devices and, more particularly, to a pest deterrent device that utilizes the pest itself to close an electric circuit and actuate delivery of electric current and that shields conductive elements from precipitation. 
     Plants are often damaged by insects or other pests that climb on or feed on the plants. Specifically, insects such as snails, caterpillars, cutworms, beetles, and the like typically climb a plant stem until a desired portion of the plant is reached and on which to feed. Various methods have been used to control or eliminate pests from damaging plants, such as using chemical pest repellants, applying essential oils, growing pest resistant plants, and the like. Further, electrical shock devices have been used to apply a shock to undesirable pests in the vicinity of plants. 
     Although presumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing means for resisting pests from climbing onto or eating plants have the disadvantage of introducing chemicals that may be unsafe or otherwise undesirable for a garden environment. Further, the use of electrical shock devices for pest control presents undesirable conditions of constant electricity use and risk of shocking unintended persons or pets. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a pest deterrent device that energizes spaced apart electrical conductive elements when a pest contacts both of them simultaneously. Further, it would be desirable to have a pest deterrent device having a precipitation shield that inhibits precipitation from contacting the electrical conductive elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A pest deterrent device for surrounding a plant according to the present invention includes a base member having a generally circular configuration and constructed of a non-conductive material. A battery is situated adjacent the base member. First and second conductive elements are coupled to an interior surface of the base member and electrically connected to the battery. The conductive elements and battery are configured such that electrical current is actuated when a conductive bridge, such as an insect or other pest, electrically connects the conductive elements. The base member includes a bottom wall, a lower portion extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and an upper portion connected to the lower portion and extending upwardly and inwardly so as to form a precipitation shield over the first conductive element and the second conductive element. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a pest deterrent device that energizes a pair of spaced apart electrical conductive elements when a pest closes an electrical circuit with its body. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a pest deterrent device, as aforesaid, that includes a precipitation shield that blocks the electrical conductive elements from precipitation. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a pest deterrent device, as aforesaid, that includes a battery electrically connected to the electrical conductive elements. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pest deterrent device, as aforesaid, having a plurality of ground stakes with which to anchor the device to a ground surface. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a pest deterrent device, as aforesaid, having a base member that defines a central void configured to surround a plant to be protected from pests. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a pest deterrent device, as aforesaid, that is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pest deterrent device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the pest deterrent device as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a top view of the pest deterrent device as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a sectional view taken along line  3   b - 3   b  of  FIG. 3 a   ; and 
         FIG. 3 c    is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 3   b.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A pest deterrent device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3   c  of the accompanying drawings. The pest deterrent device  10  generally includes a base member  20 , first  30  and second  32  conductive elements, and a battery  12 . 
     The base member  20  has a generally circular configuration, such as the shape of an inner tube or doughnut, although an ovular or rectangular shape would also work. The base member  20  defines an inner void having a diameter sufficient to enable the base member  20  to be positioned to surround a plant such as a flower, vegetable plant, or the like. In an embodiment, one or more ground stakes  29  may be coupled to a bottom of the base member  20  and extend downwardly therefrom. Preferably, the stakes  29  are spaced apart about the circular base member  20  and configured to pierce the soil of a ground surface so as to anchor the base member  20  to the ground. A free end of each stake  29  may form a tip or otherwise be configured to be pushed into the soil. 
     The first conductive element  30  is coupled to an interior surface of the base member  20  and extends all the way around the circular configuration. Similarly, a second conductive element  32  is coupled to the interior surface  21  of the base member  20  and extends all the way around the circular configuration. The conductive elements are spaced apart from one another in a parallel configuration. The first  30  and second  32  conductive elements may be referred to as an upper circuit ring and a lower circuit ring, respectively. Each conductive element may be constructed of copper wire or other material that efficiently carries electrical current when energized. For instance, copper wires may be plated with silver to increase conductivity. 
     The first  30  and second  32  conductive elements are electrically connected to the battery  12 . In an embodiment, the first conductive element  30  may be coupled to the positive terminal of the battery  12  and the second conductive element  32  may be coupled to the negative terminal of the battery  12 . More particularly, each respective conductive element may be electrically connected to a respective circuit connector that is then electrically connected to a respective terminal of the battery  12 . 
     The conductive elements  30 ,  32  and their connections to the battery  12  are configured such that current from the battery  12  flows to the conductive elements only when a circuit is closed between them. In other words, current does not flow independently and no electrical “shock” is experienced when there is no conductive bridge or conductive connection between the first  30  and second  32  conductive elements. Conversely, the first  30  and second  32  conductive elements are actuated or energized with current from the battery  12  when the circuit is closed or “bridged” by another conductive element. 
     Conductive elements that can close or bridge an electrical connection between the first  30  and second  32  conductive elements include metal objects, a stream of liquid, or an actual living organism. For example, insects such as snails, caterpillars, cutworms, beetles, and the like typically climb a plant stem until a desired portion of the plant is reached and on which to feed. With the base member  20  surrounding a plant stem, a pest is likely to climb up the interior surface of base member  20  and step or slide atop the first conductive element  30  and then atop the second conductive element  32 . As these insects are composed largely of water, their body provides an electrically conductive element sufficient to bridge or close the circuit and cause the first  30  and second  32  conductive elements to be energized by electric current from the battery  12 . Needless to say, the pest is killed or at least knocked off of the base member  20 . 
     A battery housing  14  may be coupled to an exterior surface  23  of the base member  20  and includes an interior area configured to hold the battery  12 . The battery housing  14  may include a cubical or other box shaped configuration that defines an open interior space configured to receive the battery therein. The battery housing  14  may also include a channel portion  16  through which portions of respective conductive elements may be situated. The battery housing  14  may include a removable door  18 . 
     The base member  20  includes a bottom wall  22 . A lower portion  24  of the base member  20  extends upwardly from the bottom wall  22 . In one embodiment, the lower portion  24  may extend slightly rearwardly ( FIG. 3 c   ). An upper portion  26  of the base member  20  is connected to the lower portion  24  and extends upwardly and inwardly therefrom. The upper portion  26  includes a terminal end  28  that forms an open top of the base member  20  and that defines a diameter thereof. 
     The upper portion  26  of the base member  20  extends upwardly and inwardly at about a 45 degree angle although other angles would also work ( FIG. 3 c   ). The upper portion  26  forms an overhang that protects the interior surface from weather elements. In other words, the upper portion  26  is a precipitation shield that inhibits rain from landing on the conductive elements under most conditions. Rather, precipitation lands on the exterior surface of the upper portion  26  runs downwardly off of the base member  20  altogether. It is understood that receiving rain on the interior surface  21  of the base member  20  is undesirable as it may cause an undesired bridge or closure of the circuit between the first  30  and second  32  conductive elements, i.e. a “false alarm” by erroneously indicating a pest is touching respective conductive elements. 
     In use, the pest deterrent device  10  may be used to control pests such as insects that may otherwise damage plants such as vegetables, flowers, and the like. The base member  20  may be positioned to surround a plant. In other words, a plant may extend upwardly through the open area defined by the terminal end of the upper portion  26  of the base member  20 . Then, as a pest crawls upwardly on the interior surface  21  of the base member  20 , a circuit is closed between the first  30  and second  32  conductive elements and electric current energizes the conductive elements and neutralizes pest. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.