GB2218885A

GB2218885A - Bird scarer

Info

Publication number: GB2218885A
Application number: GB8812405A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Christopher Thoma Long
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-25
Filing date: 1988-05-25
Publication date: 1989-11-29
Also published as: GB8812405D0

Abstract

A device for deterring birds from a surface such as a surface 4 of a window ledge 3 comprises a wire 5 which is highly convoluted and which is secured relative to the surface 4 such that the wire obstructs access of birds to the surface 4. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Bird Scarer Description of Invention This invention relates to a bird scarer.

Various devices have been proposed for the purpose of deterring birds from perching and roosting on window sills but each of the proposals hos disadvantages. For example the use of noise making devices has the disadvantage that it disturbs persons within and without a building to which the devices are applied. The use of sticky coatings on window sills is unpopular because such coatings are unsightly and are troublesome to apply to the window sill. Moreover, whilst it is known to stretch metal wires across window sills to prevent birds making contact with the sill, the birds quickly adapt to landing and perching on the wires. The bird scarer according to the invention overcomes or reduces this disadvantage by provision of a wire on which birds find it awkward to perch.

According to a first aspect of the invention I provide a device for deterring birds from a surface upon which, ordinarily, they may perch, comprising a fine elongate element, such as of wire, plastics or other material which is convoluted along at least a major part of its length, said elongate element being attached to said surface or to means which are proximal to said surface so as to maintain the elongate element in a position in which it obstructs access of the birds to said surface or otherwise deters them from it.

Preferably the elongate element comprises a resilient metal wire.

Preferably the convolutions in the elongate element comprise regular coils which coils are themselves resilient.

The elongate element may be firmly attached to or to means adjacent to either longitundinal end of said surface.

The elongate element may be attached to post members which are firmly attached to the surface itself or to means which are proximal to said surface.

The post members may provide hooks and the elongate element may provide, at opposite ends thereof, eyes which are adapted to fit onto said hooks.

The elongate element may be an endless elongate element which is adapted to be stretched around the post members.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide a method of deterring birds from a surface upon which, ordinarily, they may perch, comprising the step of installation of a device for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding statements.

The fact that the elongate element is fine and is convoluted makes difficult its use as a perch by birds.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows awindow having a sill to which a deterrent device according to the invention has been applied.

Referring to the drawing, a window I in a building 2 has a sill 3 to an upper surface 4 of which is secured a convoluted, fine elongate element 5.

The elongate element 5 comprises a strong metal wire which is unlikely to deform permanently under the weight of a bird attempting to perch thereon, that is, the wire and the convolutions of the wire are resilient.

In this example the wire is uncoated, but could alternatively be surface coated such as with a plastics material.

Alternatively, the element 5 could be afforded by a plastics material thread or other suitable fine, resilient elongate element.

Preferably the elongate element 5 comprises regular coils but convolutions of other kinds both regular and irregular may be used instead provided that the resultant element is sufficiently twisted to make perching thereon, by even small birds, uncomfortable or impossible. The convolutions are large enough and close enough together to preclude larger birds with longer legs reaching through the coils of the element to the surface 4 of the sill 3.

Post members 6 are provided to which the element 5 is attached.

It will be understood that the post members 6 may be attached to the sill 3 by being partly embedded therein if, for example, the sill is made of wood, or by use of adhesive, or by any other suitable means. Moreover the post members 6 could be attached to other parts of the window frame or proximal surrounding wall provided that the element 5 is positioned Sc as to obstruct access of birds to the sill 3.

The post members 6 provide attachment means 7 to which ends of the element 5 are attached. In the example shown the attachment means 7 are eyes onto which hooks, provided at the ends of the element 5, may be hooked but it will be understood that any suitable attachment means between the post members 6 and the element 5 may be used. Alternatively, an endless element 5 may be provided which is simply stretched over the post members 6 and such an embodiment of the invention would be especially useful for broad window sills because the effective width of the deterrent element would then be increased.

Each of the post members 6 is provided with a narrow or sharp pinnacle 8 which prevents their use as a perch by birds.

It will be understood that whilst two post members 6 with a single element 5 connecting them are shown in the drawing, more than two post members 6 could be employed if desired. Moreover, a plurality of short elements 5 could be used if desired, if more than two post members 6 are used.

Alternatively, the element 5 may be secured to the sill 3 or to means proximal to the sill 3 without the use of post members 6, by any other suitable means, for example, tacks or nails.

It will be understood that the deterrent device according to the invention may be applied to any narrow surface from which it is desired to exclude birds and not just to window sills.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

I. A device for deterring birds from a surface, which device comprises an elongate element which is convoluted along a major part of its length, said elongate element being attached to said surface or to means which are proximal to said surface so as to maintain the elongate element in a position in which it obstructs access of the birds to said surface or otherwise deters them from it.
2. A device for deterring birds acording to Claim I in which the elongate element comprises a resilient wire.
3. A device for deterring birds according to Claim I or Claim 2 in which the convolutions in the elongate element comprise regular coils which coils are themselves resilient.
4. A device for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate member is helical.
5. A device for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate element comprises fine wire.
6. A device for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate element comprises wire made of metal or plastics.
7. A d-evice for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate element is firmly attached to, or to means adjacent to, either longitudinal end of said surface.
8. A device for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate element is attached to post members which are firmly attached to the surface or to means which are proximal to said surface.
9. A device for deterring birds according to Claim 8 in which the post members each provide a hook and the elongate element provides, at opposite ends thereof, eyes which are adapted to fit onto said hooks.
10. A device for deterring birds according to Claim 8 in which the elongate element is an endless elongate element which is adapated to be stretched around the post members.
II. A device for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate element is secured by adhesive to at least one of either the surface, the means proximal to the surface or the posts by means of adhesive.
12. A method of deterring birds from a surface comprising the step of installation, at or adjacent the surface, of a device for deterring birds according to any one of the preceding claims.
13. A device for deterring birds substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.