ELECTRIC ANIMAL TRAINER

• US 3,777,712 A
• Filed: 02/01/1972
• Issued: 12/11/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Calvin I. Ricketts, Hugh R. Gardner, Wesley L. Joosten
• Original Assignee: Calvin I. Ricketts, Hugh R. Gardner, Wesley L. Joosten
• Inventors: Gardner, Hugh R., Ricketts, Calvin I., Joosten, Wesley L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Louis G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eskovitz, J. N.
• Application Number:
  US05/222,499
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 119/29,96,106 231/2E 325/118,119,361,364
• US Class Current: 119/719
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 119/908 Electrical animal control or handling

Abstract

A radio frequency signal modulated at a predetermined audio frequency is transmitted to a receiver carried by the animal to be trained. The modulated signal is detected, amplified and demodulated, and the resulting audio signal is then amplified by a tuned audio amplifier. A trigger circuit is arranged to accept audio signals resulting from an original modulation percentage greater than a predetermined level and to create a voltage pulse at electrodes arranged to bear against the animal'"'"''"'"'s fur. Means are provided for attenuating audio signals which differ from the predetermined audio frequency.

Claims

1. In electronic animal training apparatus for use with a radio frequency transmitter modulated at a predetermined audio frequency, the combination comprising:

means for detecting and amplifying said audio frequency modulated radio frequency signal;

means connected to said detecting and amplifying means for demodulating said signal to produce an audio signal at said audio frequency;

means for selectively amplifying said audio signal, said selective amplifying means including means for inhibiting amplification of said audio signal when the percentage of audio modulation of said radio frequency signal is below 70 percent; and

, means for communicating said selectively amplified signal to an animal to be trained, said communicating means including;

shock electrodes arranged for contact with said animal; and

means for coupling said selectively amplified audio signal to said shock electrodes.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said selective amplifying means includes:

a first filter operably connected to said audio amplifier and arranged to attenuate signals above said audio frequency; and

, a second filter operably connected to said audio amplifier and arranged to attenuate signals below said audio frequency.

3. The invention as claim in claim 1 wherein said communicating means includes:

a transformer operable at said audio signal frequency;

the secondary of said transformer being connected to said shock electrodes; and

, means for connecting said selectively amplified audio signal to the primary of said transformer.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting means includes:

a trigger circuit arranged to switch the current in the primary of said transformer upon receipt of said selectively amplified audio signal.

5. In electronic animal training apparatus for use with a radio frequency transmitter modulated at a predetermined audio frequency, the combination comprising:

means for detecting and amplifying said audio frequency modulated radio frequency signal;

means connected to said radio frequency signal detecting and amplifying means for detecting and amplifying said audio frequency signal;

said audio detector-amplifier being tuned to said audio frequency;

said audio detector-amplifier also including means for inhibiting amplification of said audio signal when the percentage of audio modulation of said radio frequency signal is below 70 percent;

a trigger circuit arranged to produce current pulses upon receipt of said audio signal; and

, means for communicating said current pulses to an animal to be trained.

6. In electronic animal training systems, the combination comprising:

means for transmitting a radio frequency signal modulated by a preselected audio frequency;

means for detecting and amplifying said modulated signal;

means for demodulating said modulated signal to produce an audio signal;

said demodulating means being tuned to said audio frequency;

a trigger circuit arranged to provide current pulses upon receipt of said audio signal;

means for inhibiting passage of said audio signal from said demodulating means to said trigger circuit when the audio modulation percentage of said modulated radio frequency signal is below 70 percent; and

, shock electrodes arranged to receive said current pulses from said trigger circuit.