Rodent deterrent apparatus

• US 9,675,059 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2016
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Neal, Mickey Perreaud, Renee Yvonne Waldman
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Neal, Mickey Perreaud, Renee Yvonne Waldman
• Inventors: Waldman, Renee Yvonne, Neal, Charles A., Perreaud, Mickey
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US15/230,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20160338337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/10 using light sources, e.g. lasers or flashing lights
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/12 using odoriferous substances, e.g. aromas, pheromones or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/16 using sound waves
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/18 using ultrasonic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0407 for flashing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0464 the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0492 the sensor detecting a change in orientation, a movement or an acceleration of the lighting device, e.g. a tilt switch
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A rodent deterrent apparatus has one or more deterrent features including a deterring light feature, a deterring sound feature and/or a deterring scent feature. A selection feature allows a user to select one or more of the deterring features to be activated. A motion detector may activate the deterring feature or features when motion is detected near the rodent deterrent apparatus. An accelerometer detects when the rodent deterrent apparatus is in motion and a controller may switch the apparatus to a power saver mode, wherein the deterrent features are not activated during motion, in order to save power.

Claims

1. A rodent deterrent apparatus comprising:

a) a strobe light;

b) a deterrent apparatus controller comprising;

i) a control element;

wherein said control element is configured to selectively activate said strobe light;

c) a main housing attached to an automobile and configured under a hood of the automobile;

wherein said main housing is configured to retain said deterrent apparatus controller;

d) an accelerometer operably connected to said control element that detects when the automobile is in motion,

wherein the control element switches the rodent deterrent apparatus to a power saver mode when in motion to reduce drain on a battery power source;

wherein the battery power source provides power to said strobe light, and said control element;

f) a motion sensor, operably connected to said control element, that detects motion of a rodent near said main housing, and wherein the control element activates the strobe light when motion of said rodent is detected;

g) a light sensor, operably connected to said control element, that detects an ambient light level,

wherein the control element switches the rodent deterrent apparatus to a power saver mode when a light level above a threshold light level is detected by the light sensor and wherein the strobe light is deactivated when the light level is above a threshold light level; and

wherein the control element reactivates the rodent deterrent apparatus in a dark environment and the light sensor detects a light level below said threshold light level, wherein the control element activates the strobe light when the motion sensor detects motion.

2. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rodent deterrent apparatus is electrically coupled with a battery of the automobile.

3. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strobe light setting feature configured to change the wavelength of the strobe light.

4. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strobe light setting feature configured to change the intensity of the strobe light.

5. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strobe light setting feature configured to change the pulse interval of the strobe light.

6. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a scent deterrent that emits a scent to deter rodents.

7. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 6, wherein the scent deterrent comprises a scent reservoir and a heating element to activate release of the scent.

8. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 6, wherein the motion sensor, operably connected to said control element, detects motion of a rodents near said main housing, and wherein the control element activates the scent deterrent when motion of said rodent is detected.

9. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic wave emitter.

10. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 9, wherein the motion sensor, operably connected to said control element, detects motion of a rodents near said main housing, and wherein the control element activates the ultrasonic wave emitter when motion of said rodent is detected.

11. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising wireless signal transmitter that is operably coupled with the controller;

and a wireless interface comprising;

a) a wireless signal receiver;

b) an indicator light;

wherein the wireless signal receiver receives a wireless signal sent by the wireless

signal transmitter and changes the indicator light as a function of the wireless signal.

12. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rodent deterrent apparatus further comprises one or more attachment features attached to said main housing.

13. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 12, wherein said one or more attachment features comprises a magnet.

14. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light source is a strobe light comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) light.

15. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main housing is sealed to protect said deterrent apparatus controller from external elements.

16. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the strobe light has a pulse interval of between 0.1 and 5 seconds;

and

further comprising a strobe light setting feature configured to change the pulse interval of the strobe light;

wherein the rodent deterrent apparatus is electrically coupled with a battery of the automobile.

17. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a) a sound deterrent that emits an ultrasonic sound.

18. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control element switches the sound deterrent on when the motion detector detects motion.

19. The rodent deterrent apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a) a scent deterrent that emits a deterring scent comprising;

i) a scent element;

ii) a scent reservoir;

iii) a scent heating element; and

iv) a scent outlet;

wherein the scent element is configured in the scent reservoir and the scent heating element heats the scent element within the scent reservoir to release a deterring scent through the scent outlet in the main housing.