Patent Application
20160242406
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.
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.
A pest deterrent device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to
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 (
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 (
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.
