Ultrasonic sound wave generating device for repelling animals

• US 4,658,386 A
• Filed: 02/01/1985
• Issued: 04/14/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Morris, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US06/697,548
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 367/139, 367/136, 367/112, 250/349, 43/120, 43/143, 340/565-567, 340/573, 340/384 E
• US Class Current: 367/139
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/18 using ultrasonic signals

Abstract

A device for repelling animals is disclosed which is adapted for use with refuse and garbage containers to discourage entry therein by foraging animals. The device comprises:

(a) a detector for remote-sensing the presence of an animal within its vicinity;

(b) an ultrasonic sound generator for producing an animal-repelling ultrasonic sound wave; and

(c) means for temporarily activating the ultrasonic sound generator when the detector has sensed the presence of an animal within its vicinity.

Claims

1. In a refuse container of the type which includes a receptacle and a lid removably fitted to the receptacle, a device carried in the container and operable for repelling animals present in the vicinity of the container location, the device comprising as components embodied in the lid

(a) a detector for remote-sensing infra-red radiation emitted by an animal present within its infra-red radiation sensing range, said detector including a plurality of detecting elements received in the lid at the circumference thereof and disposed in spaced array about said circumference;

(b) ultrasonic sound generator means for producing an animal-repelling ultrasonic soundwave; and

(c) means for temporarily activating the ultrasonic sound generator when presence of an animal is sensed by any of the detecting elements.

2. The refuse container of claim 1, in which the sound generator means comprises a plurality of ultrasonic sound generators arrayed in like correspondence with the plurality of detecting elements, each detecting element being connected to a corresponding sound generator whereby the output from an activated sound generator is in the direction from which animal emitted radiation was detected.

3. The refuse container of claim 1, in which the container lid has a circular circumferential rim, the detecting elements being recessed in the rim and configured with curvature to complement that of said rim.

4. The refuse container of claim 1, which further comprises a secondary detector for detecting disturbance of said container by one of tilt thereof and lid removal therefrom, said secondary detector being operable to temporarily activate the ultrasonic sound generator.