Abstract:
An apparatus is adapted to be installed on a top portion of a utility pole to allow perching upon by birds while preventing the nesting of birds thereby avoiding damage to the utility equipment, or the accidental death of the birds.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/885,038, filed Oct. 1, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a post having semi-rigid extensions, which is attached to a top portion of a utility pole to promote perching on the extensions as opposed to perching on the utility pole, and also prevents nesting on the extensions as well as the utility pole. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people enjoy the presence of birds on their property as evidence by the abundance of bird feeders and birdbaths that can be seen in yards throughout the country. But even bird lovers must admit that when birds roost near and on utility poles, disaster is often the end result. Due to the close proximity to energized electrical components, nests often make contact with the components leading to short circuits. This causes blackouts to possibly wide areas of homes and businesses, resulting in financial loss, and perhaps physical damage. Even if power failures do not occur, large birds such as eagles and ospreys can be severely injured, or even killed should they themselves come in contact with live electrical components. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which large birds can be prevented from roosting and a nesting on or near utility poles. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has seen a need for such a device to provide a way to protect utility poles from nesting birds, and subsequently protecting said birds from damage or death as well as consumers of energy transmitted along lines supported by said poles from experiencing disruptions in service. 
     In order to accomplish this need, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a nesting deterrent device including an elongate central shaft, at least one (1) cross pole, at least one (1) coupling capable of slidably receiving said top end of said shaft, and a mount adapted to secure a bottom end of the shaft to a utility pole. Each coupling is capable of receiving an individual cross pole. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device having an upper coupling having a first pair of receiving sleeves adapted to be slid over and affixed to the shaft approximately two feet below the top end, a pair of semi-rigid upper cross poles each attached to one (1) of a second pair of receiving sleeves of the upper coupling, a lower coupling having a first pair receiving sleeves adapted to be slid over and affixed to the shaft approximately one (1) foot above the utility pole, and a pair of semi-rigid lower cross poles each attached to one (1) of a second pair of receiving sleeves of the lower coupling. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such lower cross poles having a general arcuate shape and oriented perpendicular from the pair of upper cross poles. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide where the elongated shaft, each of the pair of upper cross poles, and each of the pair of lower cross poles exhibits low electric conductivity. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mount for mounting the bottom of the elongated shaft to the utility pole, where the elongated shaft is capable of being vertically positionable to a desired position. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a cap removably attached to a top end of the elongated shaft. 
    
    
     
       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 an environmental view of a bird nesting deterrent  10 , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cross fitting portion  50   a ,  50   b , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  bird nesting deterrent 
               11  utility pole 
               13  cross-member 
               20  stand post 
               28  holder 
               30  first fastener 
               40   a  first lower cross pole 
               40   b  second lower cross pole 
               41  radius 
               42   a  first upper cross pole 
               42   b  second upper cross pole 
               50   a  lower cross fitting 
               50   b  upper cross fitting 
               52   a  upper opening 
               52   b  lower opening 
               52   c  first opening 
               52   d  second opening 
               54  cap 
               56  inner diameter 
               58  outer diameter 
               60  second fastener 
               70  top section 
               80  bottom section 
           
         
       
    
     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 and 2 . 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 a bird nesting deterrent (herein referred to as the “device”)  10 , which secures to an upper portion of an existing utility pole  11  and employs cross poles  40   a ,  40   b ,  42   a ,  42   b  to enable perching of birds, while preventing nesting of birds. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the device  10 , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  provides a vertical stand post  20  being approximately one inch (1 in.) in diameter, including a bottom section  80  being attached to a top portion of an existing utility pole  11  in a parallel manner. The stand post  20  is inserted into a tubular holder  28  capable of being mounted to a side surface of the utility pole  11 . The holder  28  provides a length of plastic conduit approximately one and one-quarter inches (1½ in.) in diameter and being affixed to the utility pole  11  using a plurality of first fasteners  30 , preferably being conduit clamps, or an equivalent clamping means, based upon the utility pole size, weather conditions, and the like. The stand post  20  is inserted into the holder  28 , positioned vertically as desired, and secured using a plurality of second fasteners  60  such as screws or bolts. 
     The stand post  20  is approximately sixty inches to ninety-six inches (60-96 in.) in length. A top section  70  of the stand post  20  extends vertically beyond top-mounted cross-member portions  13  of the utility pole  11  approximately two feet (2 ft.). The top section  70  of the stand post  20  supports a lower “T”-shaped assembly including a lower cross fitting  50   a  a first lower cross pole  40   a , and a second lower cross pole  40   b . The top section  70  of the stand post  20  also supports an upper “T”-shaped assembly including an upper cross fitting  50   b , a first upper cross pole  42   a , and a second upper cross pole  42   b . The cross poles  40   a ,  40   b ,  42   a ,  42   b  extend perpendicularly from the stand post  20  and are to be rigid enough to support a perched bird, but flexible enough to bend under a load of a bird nest, thereby preventing establishment of a nest upon the utility pole  11 . The configuration and orientation of the device  10 , when attached to a utility pole  11 , enables a bird to perch upon the device  10 , but positions the bird so as to decrease a risk of making contact with any of the electrified components of the utility pole  11 . 
     The stand post  20  insertingly passes through hollow upper opening  52   a  and lower opening  52   b  portions of the lower cross fitting  50   a  being positioned and secured upon the stand post  20  approximately one foot (1 ft.) above the cross-member portions  13  of the utility pole  11  using at least one (1) second fastener  60 . In a similar manner, the stand post  20  also insertingly passes through the upper opening  52   a  and lower opening  52   b  portions of the upper cross fitting  50   b , being positioned and secured to the stand post  20  approximately four inches (4 in.) above the lower cross fitting  50   a  using at least one (1) additional second fastener  60 . 
     The first side opening  52   c  and second side opening  52   d  portions of the lower cross fitting  50   a  provide inserted connection of respective first lower cross pole  40   a  and second lower cross pole  40   b  portions, which are secured thereto using at least one (1) second fastener  60 . In a similar manner, the first side opening  52   c  and second side opening  52   d  portions of the upper cross fitting  50   b  provide inserted connection of respective first upper cross pole  42   a  and second upper cross pole  42   b  portions, which are also secured using at least one (1) second fastener  60 . Each lower cross pole  40   a ,  40   b  is approximately four feet (4 ft.) in length and extends from the respective opening  52   c ,  52   d  in a horizontal direction and subsequently having a downward arcuate shape having a radius of approximately three feet (3 ft.) as indicated by dimension ‘R’  41  in  FIG. 1 . Each lower cross pole  40   a ,  40   b  is to be positioned perpendicular to the cross-members  13 . The arrangement of the lower cross poles  40   a ,  40   b  and upper cross poles  42   a ,  42   b  is specifically designed to enable the perching of birds, while preventing attempts by the birds to establish a nest. 
     A standard plastic pipe cap  54  is to be mounted to enclose an upper end portion of the stand post  20 . The assembled portions of the device  10  are secured to each other using second fasteners  60 , thereby providing a means of easily assembling and disassembling the portions of the device  10  as needed. 
     The stand post  20 , cross poles  40   a ,  40   b ,  42   a ,  42   b , and cross fittings  50   a ,  50   b  are envisioned being made using a hollow tubular material exhibiting low electric conductivity, preferably using a durable plastic material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or the like. However, other configurations and equivalent materials may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a cross fitting portion  50   a ,  50   b , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The upper opening  52   a , lower opening  52   b , first side opening  52   c , and second side opening  52   d  portions of each cross fitting  50   a ,  50   b  provide an inner diameter  56  being sized to slidingly receive outer diameter portions  58  of the stand pipe  20  and cross poles  40   a ,  40   b ,  42   a ,  42   b  portions for subsequent securement using second fasteners  60 . 
     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 device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; attaching a holder  28  to an upper side surface of the utility pole  11  using a plurality of first fasteners  30  such as conduit clamps; sliding a lower cross fitting  50   a  over the top end of the stand post  20 ; positioning the lower cross fitting  50   a  approximately ten inches (10 in.) from a top end of the stand post  20 ; securing the lower cross fitting  50   a  to the stand post  20  by installing at least one (1) second fastener  60  such as a screw or bolt; slidably inserting a first lower cross pole  40   a  and a second lower cross pole  40   b  into respective first side  52   c  and second side  52   d  openings of the lower cross fitting  50   a ; securing the lower cross poles  40   a ,  40   b  to the lower cross fitting  50   a  via additional second fasteners  60 ; slidably inserting an upper cross fitting  50   b  upon the stand post  20 ; positioning the upper cross fitting  50   b  approximately three inches (3 in.) from a top end of the stand post  20 ; securing the upper cross fitting  50   b  to the stand post  20  by installing at least one (1) second fastener  60 ; inserting and securing the corresponding first upper cross pole  42   a  and second upper cross pole  42   b  portions into respective first side  52   c  and second side  52   d  openings of the upper cross fitting  50   b  using additional second fasteners  60 ; installing a cap  54  onto a top end of the stand post  20  and securing with second fasteners  60 ; sliding a bottom end portion of the stand post  20  into the holder  28  such that the lower cross poles  40   a ,  40   b  are positioned approximately one foot (1 ft.) above and perpendicular to the cross-member portions  13  of the utility pole  11 ; securing the stand post  20  to the holder  28  using additional second fasteners  60 ; and, allowing the device  10  to promote perching of birds while deterring nesting, by using 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 and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and 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. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.