Abstract:
An automatic spray mechanism provides a deterrent to keep animals away from flower beds and other restricted areas in a yard. The mechanism comprises a bottle which is filled with a liquid and inserted into a holder having a plurality of anchors which enables it to be secured into the ground. The top of the bottle comprises a powered spraying assembly comprising a pump, a suction tube, and a directionally adjustable spray nozzle. The mechanism is activated by an electronic motion sensor so when an animal such as a cat, dog, or wild animal approaches, it sprays the liquid.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current co-pending applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to an automatic mechanism that dispenses a chemical deterrent to repel any unwanted animals from entering an area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described herein pertains to an automatic spray mechanism for deterring animals. Domestic animals often run through gardens resulting in trampled, displaced plants. Additionally, gardens can attract unwanted wild animals that eat the plants and further disrupt the garden bed. Although fences can effectively deter some larger animals from entering a garden area, they often detract from the aesthetic appearance of a garden while not being as effective for smaller more persistent animals. Electric fences are an effective alternative for domestic animals, but provide no protection from wild animals. Multiple attempts have been made at deterring animals from entering a garden or restricted area, however, there is a persistent need for an inconspicuous and effective animal deterring device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,146 to Chiou-Muh Jong discloses a device for deterring larger animals from a garden without the use of a fence. The &#39;146 patent describes a dummy, similar to a scarecrow, having a sound-emitting device as well as a water spraying means coupled to a motion detector. When motion is detected signaling the presence of an animal, a sound similar to a shotgun being fired is emitted in conjunction with a short burst of water being sprayed. As disclosed, the spraying means is not easily adjustable, and the dummy is impractical for small gardens due to its size. 
     Another attempt at deterring animals is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,093 to Danny C MacMillan. This patent describes a motion sensor affixed to a sprinkler for deterring animals. The motion sensor has a traditional power cord which needs a power outlet for operation, while the sprinkler requires a hose for the water supply. The need for both a power outlet and a hose precludes the use of multiple devices at one (1) time. Additionally, the device utilizes a large, noticeable motion detector along with a fixed position sprinkler head. Furthermore, repeated triggering of the device will result in over-watering of a garden due to the volume of water involved in each spray. 
     Although the various devices observed may fulfill their individual, particular objectives, each device suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or function. Whether taken singly, or in combination, none of the observed devices disclose the specific arrangement and construction of the instant invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the deficiencies in the art pertaining to automatic spray mechanisms for deterring animals from entering a specific area. Furthermore, the inventor has observed that there is a need for inconspicuous, adjustable, self-powered automatic spray devices which do not overwater a garden in response to multiple sprays. 
     The inventor has addressed at least one (1) of the problems observed in the art by developing a novel apparatus for detecting motion and spraying a liquid solution. It is a feature and aspect of the present invention to provide a battery-powered automatic spraying assembly. According to a preferred embodiment, an electronic motion sensor is coupled to the automatic spray assembly which propels a mist pattern or stream of fluid when motion is detected. The motion sensor is preferably an infrared-type sensor, thermally-activated unit, or other equivalent switching sensor type. 
     It is another aspect of the invention to provide an anchoring assembly for receiving a translucent plastic vessel. The plastic vessel has a threaded attachment means for securing a spraying assembly body thereto. Within the spraying assembly body is a pump/motor in fluid communication with the plastic vessel. The pump/motor propels fluid from within the plastic vessel up and out through the spray head. Additionally contained within the spraying assembly body and accessibly via a battery compartment cover is a DC battery. Disposed on the spraying assembly body and coupled with the battery, motion sensor and pump/motor is a sliding power switch. 
     It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide a top mounted spray head and an orbitally-adjustable swivel nozzle disposed on the spraying assembly body. The orbitally-adjustable swivel nozzle has a ball-and-socket type design and is disposed within the top mounted spray head. The spray head is horizontally adjustable while the swivel nozzle is vertically and horizontally adjustable. The combination of the spray head and swivel nozzle allow for accurate and easy adjustment of spray direction. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automatic spray mechanism  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the automatic spray mechanism  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the automatic spray mechanism  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram of the automatic spray mechanism  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  automatic spray mechanism 
               20  vessel 
               22  threaded spout 
               30  spraying assembly 
               32  body 
               34  spray head 
               35  rotary fitting 
               36  swivel nozzle 
               37  flexible hose 
               38  motion sensor 
               40  power switch 
               42  tubing 
               44  threaded spout receiver 
               46  pump/motor 
               48  battery 
               49  wiring 
               50  battery compartment cover 
               52  latch 
               60  anchoring assembly 
               62  frame 
               64  spike leg 
               71  y-axis 
               72  x-axis 
               73  horizontal and vertical trajectories 
               100  fluid 
               105  ground surface 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an automatic spray mechanism (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides an automatic spray deterrent to keep animals away from restricted areas such as flower beds, and other portions of a yard. The apparatus  10  comprises a plastic vessel  20 , a battery-powered automatic spraying assembly  30  in fluid communication with vessel  20 , and an anchoring assembly  60  coupled to vessel  20 . The apparatus  10  is activated by an electronic motion sensor  38 ; thus, when a cat, dog, or wild animal approaches the apparatus  10 , a mist pattern or stream of fluid  100  is propelled to deter the animal. Advantageously, when an animal approaches vessel  20 , automatic spraying assembly  30  causes automatic propulsion of fluid  100  outwardly and away from vessel  20  towards the animal such that the animal is automatically deterred from approaching the restricted area. 
     The apparatus  10  provides a timely and convenient means to refill the fluid  100 , replace the battery  48 , or even to remove the vessel  20  for storage indoors in the event of freezing weather. The use of the apparatus  10  provides a means to keep pets and wild animals out of flowerbeds, gardens, and other restricted yard areas in a non-toxic and humane manner. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective and exploded views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a transparent or translucent vessel  20  having a volumetric capacity of approximately sixteen ounces (16 oz.) which is to be filled with a fluid such as, but not limited to: water, ammonia, or other animal deterring solution. The vessel  20  further comprises an integrally-molded threaded spout  22  centered upon a top surface which provides threaded attachment to the spraying assembly  30 . 
     The threaded spout  22  provides a threaded attachment means to a correspondingly sized and threaded spout receiver portion  44  located along a bottom surface of the spraying assembly  30  (see  FIG. 3 ). The spraying assembly  30  provides a battery-powered means to automatically emit a spray or stream of fluid  100  upon electronic detection of an animal. The spraying assembly  30  comprises a body  32  having a top-mounted spray head  34  capable of rotating along a horizontal plane via an interconnecting rotary fitting  35 , thereby allowing a user to aim the apparatus  10  as desired. Said spray head  34  comprises additional fluid  100  directing means via an orbitally-adjustable swivel nozzle  36  envisioned to comprise a ball-and-socket-type design to enable a user to manually aim and direct the fluid  100  as desired. 
     It is understood that a plurality of units of the apparatus  10  may be purchased and utilized coincidentally, based upon a size of an area requiring protection from animals. 
     The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be secured to a ground surface  105  by inserting the vessel  20  into a cylindrical anchoring assembly  60 . The anchoring assembly  60  comprises a metal or plastic open-topped frame  62  being sized so as to slidingly receive the vessel  20  within. The frame  62  further provides a plurality of downwardly-pointing integral spike leg portions  64  being approximately three inches (3 in) in length which provide sufficient penetration of said ground surface  105  so as to result in a stable installation of the apparatus  10 . It is envisioned that the vessel  20 , spraying assembly body  32 , and anchoring assembly frame  62  comprise matching geometry. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view of the apparatus  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The body portion  32  of the spraying assembly  30  provides a housing means to internal components necessary to automatically initiate and propel the fluid  100 , including an electronic motion sensor  38 , a power switch  40 , fluid tubing  42 , a pump/motor  46 , and, at least one (1) DC battery  48 . 
     In use, the pump/motor  46  is in fluid communication with the aforementioned vessel  20  via the tubing  42 , which in turn draws the fluid  100  up out of the vessel  20  and propels said fluid  100  through the rotary fitting  35  and into the spray head  34 . In addition to acting to convey the fluid  100 , the rotary fitting  35  provides integral spool-shaped features which attach the body  32  to the spray head  34  while allowing relative rotary motion. The fluid  100  is then subsequently propelled through a short length of flexible hose  37  within the spray head  34 , which establishes flexible fluid communication between the rotary fitting  35  and the swivel nozzle  36 . 
     The rotary fitting  35  and swivel nozzle  36  allow a user to adjust the direction of the sprayed fluid  100  vertically and horizontally, respectively, thereby adapting to a particular surrounding area and/or a particularly sized animal. The pump/motor  46  is to be capable of pressurizing and propelling the fluid  100  across an area to be protected such as a walkway, flower garden, or the like. Electrical power to the pump/motor  46  is controlled by a two-position sliding power switch  40  and supplied by at least one (1) battery  48 . The battery  48  is accessible for periodic replacement via a battery compartment cover  50  located along a side surface of the body  32 , being secured in place via a quarter-turn latch  52 . 
     The pump/motor  46  is activated by an electronic motion sensor  38  located along a side surface of the body  32 . The motion sensor  38  is to be capable of detecting an animal such as a cat, dog, or wild animal as it approaches the apparatus  10 . Upon detection, the apparatus  10  propels a spray of fluid  100  onto said animal. The fluid  100  preferably takes a form of a mist pattern approximately three to five inches (3-5 in.) in diameter. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Electrical power is provided to the apparatus  10  by at least one (1) rechargeable or disposable DC battery  48 . Said power is controlled via a two-position sliding power switch  40  or equivalent switching means. The battery  48 , power switch  40 , motion sensor  38 , and pump/motor  46  are in electrical communication with each other via common wiring  49  forming a simple DC circuit. The motion sensor  38  is preferably an infrared-type sensor or may utilize a thermally-activated unit or other equivalent switching sensor type. Once electrically energized, and upon sensing the presence of an animal, the sensor  38  switches and conducts power to the pump/motor  46 . The pump/motor  46  is envisioned to comprise a miniature DC unit capable of pressurizing and propelling the fluid  100  a sufficient distance. 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the automatic spraying assembly  30  includes a body  32  having an open spout receiver portion  44  formed at a bottom surface thereof. A sensor  38  is located at body  32  and a power switch  40  located at body  32 . A pump  46  is entirely housed within body  32 , and tubing  42  in fluid communication with pump  46 . Such tubing  42  is removably located within vessel  20 . Also, power source  48  is entirely housed within body  20  and is communicatively coupled to pump  46 . In this manner, while power switch  40  is at an on position, pump  46  is automatically activated when sensor  38  detects the animal. 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the automatic spraying assembly  30  further includes a rotary fitting  35  extending outwardly from body  32  and is in fluid communication with pump  46 . A spray head  34  is rotatable coupled to rotary fitting  35  and located above body  32 . Flexible hose  37  is entirely located within spray head  34  such that swivel nozzle  36  is in fluid communication with flexible hose  37 . Notably, swivel nozzle  36  extends outwardly from spray head  34 . Advantageously, rotary fitting  35  has concentrically spaced spool-shaped features simultaneously attached to body  32  as well as spray head  34 , respectively. In this manner, spray head  34  is rotationally motioned relative to stationary positions of body  32  and rotary fitting  35 , respectively. 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, rotary fitting  35  remains stationary while spray head  34  and swivel nozzle  36  are simultaneously rotated along a y-axis  71  and an x-axis  72 , respectively, thereby allowing a user to simultaneously adjust horizontal and vertical trajectories (collectively at  73 ) of fluid  100 , respectively. 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, swivel nozzle  36  is orbitally-adjustable relative to spray head  34 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring at least one (1) unit of the apparatus  10 ; unthreading and removing the vessel  20  from the spraying assembly  30 ; removing the battery compartment cover  50  using the latch  52 ; installing at least one (1) fresh battery  48 ; replacing and locking the battery compartment cover  50 ; filling the vessel  20  with an animal deterring fluid  100  such as water, ammonia, or other animal deterring solution; installing the anchoring assembly  60  at a desired location where unwanted animals are likely to pass by, by pushing the spike leg portions  64  down into the ground surface  105 ; inserting a bottom portion of the vessel  20  into the frame portion  62  of the anchoring assembly  60 ; adjusting the direction of the spray of the fluid  100  horizontally by rotating the spray head  34  or by rotating the vessel  20  within the anchoring assembly  60 ; adjusting the direction of the spray of fluid  100  vertically by manipulating the swivel nozzle  36  up or down as desired; installing additional units of the apparatus  10  as desired based upon a size of the area to be protected; moving the power switch  40  to the “ON” position; allowing the apparatus  10  to function in an automatic manner over a period of time to deter animals; inspecting a level of the fluid  100  within the vessel  20  periodically, and refilling the fluid  100  when required; and, benefiting from an automatic and humane deterrent means to remove unwanted animals afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.