Abstract
The present invention is a system for repelling animals that includes a spraying device, a water pump, a motion detector, and a power source. The system will cause the spraying device to spray water when the motion detector detects motion. The inclusion of the water pump allows the system to be used on boats that are at sea or in other situations where a pressurized water source is not readily available. The system may include means for changing a direction of the spray of the water, including the directions of both vertical and lateral motion. As such, a specific area to be sprayed may be programmed into the system so that the system will only spray in that area.
Claims
1. A system for repelling animals, comprising: a spraying device comprising a nozzle from which water is sprayed; a water pump in physical communication with a source of water and in mechanical communication with said spraying device such that said water pump pumps the water from the source of water to said spraying device; a motion detector in communication with said spraying device such that a motion detected by said motion detector causes said spraying device to spray the water from said nozzle; and at least one power source in electrical communication with at least said water pump and said motion detector such that said power source provides power to at least said water pump and said motion detector.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hose, said hose comprising: a first end attached to said water pump; a second end; and a length between said first and second ends, wherein said second end of said hose is positioned in the source of the water and said length is sufficient for said second end to reach the source of the water.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pump connector that connects said spraying device and said water pump.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spraying device comprises means for adjusting a direction of the spray.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one power source is further in electrical communication with at least said means for adjusting a direction of the spray.
6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said spraying device only sprays in a direction of the detected motion.
7. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting a direction of the spray comprises means for moving at least said nozzle of said spraying device through up to 360° of lateral motion.
8. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting a direction of the spray comprise means for moving at least said nozzle of said spraying device through up to 180° of vertical motion.
9. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting a direction of the spray comprise: means for moving at least said nozzle of said spraying device through approximately 270° of lateral motion; and means for moving at least said nozzle of said spraying device through approximately 135° of vertical motion.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power source is at least a battery.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery and said system further comprises a charge cord for recharging said rechargeable battery.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said power source is also at least a solar panel, wherein said solar panel recharges said rechargeable battery
13. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power source is a power cord adapted to mate with a remote power.
14. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mounting system for securing said system to a fixed surface
15. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls at least a power cycle control of said system.
16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said power cycle control comprises a timer of operation of said system.
17. The system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a remote control in communication with said control unit such that said remote control controls said control unit remotely.
18. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said spraying device comprises means for adjusting a direction of the spray and said control unit further comprises at least controls for inputting ranges of the lateral and vertical motion, such that said control unit controls a range of the direction of the spray.
19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said motion detector comprises more than one motion detector, each of which is disposed to face in a different direction from one another and toward a separate area in which said motion detector detects motion; and said controls for inputting ranges of the lateral and vertical motion comprise controls for inputting ranges of the lateral and vertical motion for each of said more than one motion detector, such that spray is only directed toward the specific area toward which said motion detector that detected motion in the specific area faces.
20. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing that houses at least a portion of said spraying device, such that said nozzle of said spraying device is external from said housing.
21. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base on which said motion detector is disposed.
22. A system for repelling animals, comprising: a spraying device comprising a nozzle from which water is sprayed; a water pump in mechanical communication with said spraying device such that said water pump pumps the water to be sprayed to said spraying device; a motion detector in communication with said spraying device such that a motion detected by said motion detector causes said spraying device to spray the water from said nozzle; means for adjusting a direction of the spray comprising: means for moving said spraying device through up to 360° of lateral motion; and means for moving said nozzle of said spraying device through up to 180° of vertical motion; at least one power source in electrical communication with at least said water pump, said motion detector, and said means for adjusting a direction of the spray such that said at least one power source provides power to at least said water pump, said motion detector, and said means for adjusting a direction of the spray; a base on which said motion detector is mounted; and a housing attached to said base, wherein said housing houses at least: said means for adjusting a direction of the spray; and said spraying device except for said nozzle of said spraying device, wherein said housing comprises a slot through which said nozzle extends outside of said housing, said slot sized and dimensioned to allow for said vertical motion of said nozzle.
23. The system as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a pump connector that connects said spraying device and said water pump.
24. The system as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a hose, said hose comprising: a first end attached to said water pump; a second end; and a length between said first and second ends, wherein said second end of said hose is positioned in the source of the water and said length is sufficient for said second end to reach the source of the water.
25. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein: said means for moving said spraying device through up to 360° of lateral motion are means for moving said spraying device through approximately 270° of lateral motion; and said means for moving at least said nozzle of said spraying device through up to 180° of vertical motion are means for moving said nozzle of said spraying device through approximately 135° of vertical motion.
26. A system for repelling animals, comprising: a spraying device comprising a nozzle from which water is sprayed in mechanical communication with a pressurized source of the water; a motion detector in communication with said spraying device such that a motion detected by said motion detector causes said spraying device to spray the water from said nozzle; means for adjusting a direction of the spray, said means for adjusting a direction of the spray comprising: means for moving at least said nozzle of said spraying device through up to 360° of lateral motion; and means for moving at least said nozzle of said spraying device through up to 180° of vertical motion; a programmable control unit comprising at least controls for inputting ranges of the lateral and vertical motion, such that said programmable control controls at least a range of the of the direction of the spray; and at least one power source in electrical communication with at least said control unit such that said power source provides power to at least said control unit.
27. The system as claimed in claim 26, wherein: said motion detector comprises more than one motion detector, each of which is disposed to face in a different direction from one another and toward a separate area in which said motion detector detects motion; and said controls for inputting ranges of the lateral and vertical motion comprise controls for inputting ranges of the lateral and vertical motion for each of said more than one motion detector, such that spray is only directed toward the specific area toward which said motion detector that detected motion in the specific area faces.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0069] FIG. 1A is a diagram of an embodiment of the system of the present invention that does not include a housing; and does include a hose; and where a submersible pump is at the end of the hose.
[0070] FIG. 1B is a diagram of an embodiment of the system of the present invention that does not include a housing; does include a hose; and where the water pump is integrated directly with the spraying device.
[0071] FIG. 1C is a diagram of an embodiment of the system of the present invention where the water pump is incorporated into the boat's bilge pump.
[0072] FIG. 2A is a perspective cut away view of some components of one embodiment of the system of the present invention.
[0073] FIGS. 2B and 2C are top down and side views, respectively, of some components of one embodiment of the system of the present invention that includes a housing.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a control unit of the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 4 is a side view of a system of the present invention in situ.
[0076] FIGS. 5A-5C are top down diagrams illustrating lateral motion.
[0077] FIGS. 5D-5F are side cut away diagrams illustrating vertical motion.
[0078] FIGS. 6A-6C are diagrams illustrating variations of the system of the present invention in terms of power source.
[0079] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the components of a kit of the present invention.
[0080] FIG. 8A is a diagram of the spraying capabilities of a prior art motion-detector activated spraying device.
[0081] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating spraying capabilities of the present invention, regarding programming a specific area to be sprayed.
[0082] FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating further spraying capabilities as an alternative to or in addition to those illustrated in FIG. 8B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0083] Referring first to FIG. 1A, a diagram of system 10 of the present invention is provided. System 10 includes spraying device 12 with nozzle 14 from which water is sprayed. Water pump 24 is in mechanical communication with spraying device 12 such that water pump 24 pumps water to be sprayed to spraying device 12. This mechanical communication is facilitated by pump connector 66, which is shown broken to indicate that there may be any reasonable length of pump connector 66 between water pump 24 and spraying device 12. In this embodiment, it is understood that water pump 24 is sitting directly on or in the source of water that is pumped to spraying device 12. Although pump connector 66 is shown connecting water pump 24 to the other components of system 10, it is understood that water pump 24 may incorporated directly into housing 64 (as shown in, e.g., in FIGS. 2B and 2C) or base 53 or as otherwise configured such that pump connector 66 would not be necessary or be so short as to be negligible. System 10 also includes motion detector(s) 22 that detects motion. Motion detector 22 is in communication with spraying device 12 such that, when motion detector 22 detects motion, spraying device 12 sprays water from nozzle 14. In some embodiments, spraying device 12 only sprays in a direction of the detected motion. System 10 also has power source 28, which is power cord 31 in this embodiment. Power cord 31 is adapted to mate with a remote power that is external from system 10, such as the electric grid or a boat's battery. It is understood that the diagrams shown are not necessarily to scale.
[0084] Now referring to FIG. 1B, a diagram of an alternative embodiment of system 10 of the present invention is provided. In this embodiment, water pump 24 is incorporated directly into the other components of system 10. No pump connector 66 is necessary because water pump 24 and spraying device 12 are connected by their proximity to one another. Hose 26 extends from water pump 24 so as to reach the source 104 of water (as shown in FIGS. 1C and 4, for examples).
[0085] Now referring to FIG. 1C, a diagram of an alternative embodiment of system 10 incorporated into boat 100 is provided. In this embodiment, water pump 24 is the bilge pump of boat 100 or is incorporated into the bilge pump of boat 100. Spraying device 12 is attached to or incorporated into the gunnel of boat 100 and pump connector 66 extends between water pump 24 and spraying device 12. Hose 26 extends from water pump 24 out into the source 104 of water on which boat 100 is floating. The hose shown beneath hose 26 is the hose out of which water will be pumped by the bilge pump. Depending on the sophistication of the bilge pump and water pump 24, a single hose 24 may be used both to suck in water for system 10 and spit out unwanted, as necessary. This embodiment may be built into boat 100 or retrofitted.
[0086] Now referring to FIG. 2A, a perspective view of some components of one embodiment of system 10 of the present invention are provided. Certain components, such as water pump 24 and hose 26, are omitted for the purposes of illustration but are understood to be present, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 1. Spraying device 12 ends in nozzle 14 from which water is sprayed. Motion detector 22 is disposed within base 53, but it is understood that motion detector 22 may be successfully configured into system 10 in many ways, within or not within base 53, or otherwise in configurations of system 10 that do not include base 53. As shown, motion detector 22 is three passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors, which together provide approximately 290° of horizontal or lateral view and approximately 90° of vertical view.
[0087] System 10 includes means 18 for adjusting a direction of the spray. A first means 18 is means 88 for moving at least nozzle 14 of spraying device 12 through lateral motion 80. These means 88 are lateral actuator 58, which may be an oscillating disc, and they move the entire spraying device 12 from side to side. A second means 18 is means 90 for moving at least nozzle 14 of spraying device 12 through vertical motion 82. These means 90 are vertical actuator 91 and they move nozzle 14 only up and down. Lateral and vertical motion 80, 82 are discussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 5A-5F.
[0088] Now referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, top down and side views, respectively, of some components of one embodiment of the system 10 of the present invention are provided. As in FIG. 2A, certain components are omitted for clarity, but are understood to be as presented with respect to FIG. 1. In this embodiment, system 10 has a round housing 64 having a diameter of approximately 7.5 inches, although the dimensions may be greater or less than 7.5 inches. Housing 64 is attached to base 53. Housing 64 includes slot 51 through which nozzle 14 extends. Slot 51 is long enough to allow nozzle 14 to move through its full range of vertical motion 82. Spraying device 12 is disposed primarily within housing 64, except that nozzle 14 extends outside of housing 64. Nozzle 14 need not extend outside of housing 64. It only needs to be able to spray out of housing 64. In some embodiments, nozzle 14 may be essentially flush with housing 64, so long as it can spray water out. Each of the three motion detectors 22 are shown in base 53 in FIG. 2C. It is understood that in some embodiments, slot 51 is omitted so that housing 64 is more sealed. As shown in FIG. 2A, lateral actuator 58 moves the entire spraying device 12 and housing 64 from side to side through lateral motion 80 but vertical actuator 91 moves only nozzle 14 up and down through vertical motion 82 through slot 51. In embodiments where slot 51 is omitted, the entire spraying device 12 and housing 64 may also move through vertical motion 82. Although not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, it is understood that battery 30 may be disposed within housing 64, which provides an added level of protection from the elements, such as sea water or other corrosive elements.
[0089] Now referring to FIG. 3, a diagram of a control unit 46 of system 10 is provided. Control unit 46 includes at least a power cycle control 97 for turning system 10 on and off and may also include controls for, the distance that the spraying device will spray water 48; whether pulsation of the spray is used and its frequency and intensity if used 50; force/pressure of the spray 52; and hours of operation of the system 54 or a timer. It is understood that the distance that the spraying device will spray water 48 may be controlled by the direction of the spray, i.e., a combination of the lateral and vertical motion 80, 82 (as described below with respect to FIGS. 5A-5F). Control 48 may control the position of nozzle 14, so that the same circuit coordinates both lateral and vertical positioning. The distance may also be controlled by the force pressure of the spray 52. Control unit 46 also includes a range control 86 that restricts the lateral and vertical motion 80, 82 of the nozzle 14 so that only a specified area is sprayed, as discussed in more detail below. The range control 86 may include separate controls 95, 99 for inputting a range of vertical motion and lateral motion, respectively. Control unit 46 may be controlled by a user interface on a panel 94 somewhere on the body of system 10 or by a remote control 92 or both. Although FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functionality of control unit 46, a panel 94 could resemble such a black diagram as far as each function having a separate control. Some embodiments of system 10 include a battery level detector 96 that monitors the level of battery 30. In such embodiments, control unit 46 may include a function 98 that turns off system 10 when the battery level is less than a designated level. Control unit 46 may include a motion sensor signal 49 that is in communication with motion detector 22.
[0090] Now referring to FIG. 4, a side view of system 10 in place on boat 100 is provided. System 10 is mounted on railing 102 of boat 100 with mounting system 34. Unlike the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, water pump 24 is not sitting directly on the water, so this embodiment includes hose 26. Instead, water pump 24 is incorporated directly with the other components of system 10, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B. Hose 26 has first end attached to water pump 24; second end 85; and length 83 extending between first and second ends 81, 85. When system 10 is in use, second end 85 of hose 26 is positioned in a source 104 of water that will be pumped by water pump 24 and sprayed by spraying device 12. Length 83 of hose 26 is sufficient for second end 85 to reach and be submerged in this source 104 of water.
[0091] Now referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, illustrations of lateral motion 80 are provided. Each of FIGS. 5A-5C is a top down view of system 10 with no housing 64. In FIG. 5A, lateral motion 80 is illustrated in arrows as being a swiveling or side to side motion, relative to the ground on which system 10 is sitting. In FIG. 5A, nozzle 14 is in a start position 84, which is a default position to which nozzle 14 will return when system 10 is not on or when no motion is detected. Some embodiments of system 10 will allow for up to 360° of lateral motion 80, meaning that system 10 may turn in a complete revolution. Although this presents no great engineering challenge, in practice, such a large range is not usually necessary. In light of such practicality, therefore, a practical embodiment moves through approximately 270° of lateral motion 80. This is shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, with nozzle 14 moving −135° to one side away from starting position 84 in FIG. 5B and +135° to the other side away from starting position 84 in FIG. 5C.
[0092] Now referring to FIGS. 5D-5F, illustrations of vertical motion 82 are provided. Each of FIGS. 5D-5F is a (simplified) side cut away view of system 10 with round housing 64 and nozzle 14 of spraying device 12 extending out from housing 64. In FIG. 5D, vertical motion 82 is illustrated in arrows as being up and down motion, relative to the ground on which system 10 is sitting. In FIG. 5D, nozzle 14 is in a start position 84, which is a default position to which nozzle 14 will return when system 10 is not on or when no motion is detected. Some embodiments of system 10 will allow for up to 180° of vertical motion 82, meaning that nozzle 14 may spray straight up in the air or straight down and anywhere in between. Although this presents no great engineering challenge, in practice, such a large range is not usually necessary. In light of such practicality, therefore, one embodiment moves through approximately 135° of vertical motion 82. This is shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F, with nozzle 14 moving +45° up from starting position 84 in FIG. 5D and −90° down from starting position 84 in FIG. 5F.
[0093] As discussed above with reference to control unit 46, range control 86 allows for the restriction of the ranges of the lateral and/or vertical motion 80, 82. The user of system 10 may only want the water to spray a specific area, such as a boat deck, and no further (such as the dock beyond the boat). Knowing where the system 10 is placed, the range control 86 allows the lateral motion 80 to be restricted so that spray will go no further than the width of the area to be sprayed and the vertical motion 82 to be restricted so that the spray will go no further than the length of the area to be sprayed.
[0094] Now referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, diagrams of variations on power source 28 are provided. In FIG. 6A, power source 28 is battery 30 and is shown in dashed lines to be positioned within housing 64. It is understood that battery 30 may also be positioned within base 53 or external to both housing 64 and base 53, as shown in FIG. 6C. Battery 30 is rechargeable and system 10 includes charge cord 11 so as to recharge battery 30. Charge cord 11 may be any commonly used in the art to connect the rechargeable battery 30 with a remote power source so that power from the remote power source will recharge battery 30. It is understood that charge cord 11 may be a charging port into which battery 30 is placed and then plugged directly into an outlet, such that charge cord 11 does not necessarily include a “cord.” Panel 94 for control unit 46 is also shown on base 53 as an example. Again, when control unit 46 has a user interface in the form of panel 94 but system 10 includes no base 53, panel 94 may be positioned elsewhere.
[0095] In FIG. 6B, power source 28 is power cord 31, which is adapted to mate with a remote power source, such as the boat's battery, the electric grid, or a generator. It is understood that power cord 31 is not a traditional power source, like battery 30 or solar panel 32, but as its inclusion in system 10 facilitates provision of power to system 10, it is considered a type of power source 28 herein. Again, in embodiments of system 10 that do not include base 53, power cord 31 may extend from some other part of system 10.
[0096] In FIG. 6C, power source 28 is battery 30 and solar panel 32. As shown, battery 30 is not necessarily disposed within housing 64 or base 53, even when housing 64 or base 53 are included. Also as shown, solar panel 32 may be wired directly to battery 30, in parallel with battery 30 and the rest of the circuit.
[0097] Now referring to FIG. 7, a diagram displaying the components of kit 70 is provided. System 10 includes spraying device 12 with removable detachable nozzles 14, motion detector 22, and water pump 24 with removably detachable hoses 26. Kit 70 includes several hoses 26 of different lengths so as to accommodate boats with different freeboards, any of which may be cut to a desired length. Kit 70 may include several nozzles 14 that provide different spray characteristics and may be swapped out depending on the user's preference. Power source 28 may be included in kit 70. Kit 70 may also include battery level detector 96. Battery level detector 96 is primarily used to determine the level of a boat battery. If system 100 is being powered by the boat battery and the battery level is detected to be too low, then the system 10 may be turned off so as to preserve the boat battery's power for essential functions.
[0098] The variation of the system 10 is a specific subset of some of the components of system 10. FIG. 2A, which includes spraying device 12, motion detector 22, means 80 for moving the spraying device through lateral motion, means 88 for moving the spraying device through vertical motion 90, illustrates several components of the variation. FIG. 2A does not shown water pump 24, which is appropriate for the variation, which may or may not include a water pump 24. As with system 10, the variation may include any of the power sources 28 discussed above. A version of control unit 46, as diagrammed in FIG. 3, would also be included in the variation. The control unit 46 of the variation would be programmable to allow for input of a range of the lateral and vertical motion of the spray, so it would include controls 95, 99 for inputting a range of vertical motion and lateral motion, respectively.
[0099] Referring now to FIG. 8A, a diagram illustrating the spraying capabilities of a prior art motion detection-activated spraying device is provided. Prior art device PA can only spray in an arc determined by how far device PA may swivel from side to side or in a single direction. The outer distance for spraying is set so that the spray may reach only as far as the arc and the end of the arrows.
[0100] Referring now to FIG. 8B, a diagram illustrating the spraying capabilities facilitated by the programmable control unit is provided. This programming function allows only a specific area to be sprayed when motion is detected therein. It is understood that this functionality may be incorporated into any embodiment of system 10, but it is required in the variation. Programmable control unit 46, which includes controls 95, 99 for inputting a range of vertical motion and lateral motion, respectively, will allow a specific area to be designated. In FIG. 8B, the specific area of boat 100 has been entered, following the perimeter of boat 100. System 10, which may be the variation, will only spray within that designated area when motion is detected. When motion is detected, system 10 may spray the entire designated area or may spray only in the direction in which motion was detected. Either way, the spray will always be within the designated area. System 10 may draw its water from a pump, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C, for examples, or from another type of pressurized water source. For example, if boat 100 were tied up at a dock, the pressurized water system might be a hose spigot on the dock.
[0101] Now referring to FIG. 8C, a diagram illustrating further spraying capabilities as an alternative to or in addition to those illustrated in FIG. 8B is provided. In this embodiment, motion detector 22 includes three motion detectors, labeled 22a, 22b, and 22c, facing in different directions. Area a may be programmed in to be sprayed if motion detector 22a detects motion. Area b may be programmed in to be sprayed if motion detector 22b detects motion. Area c may be programmed in to be sprayed if motion detector 22c detects motion. This functionality may be in addition to or instead of the functionality described with respect to FIG. 8B. In embodiments that include both functionalities illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C, a user may choose between having the entire area sprayed when motion is detected anywhere within the perimeter of boat 100 (as illustrated in FIG. 8B) or having only the section corresponding to where motion was detected by a specific motion detector 22a, 22b, 22c, as applicable (as illustrated in FIG. 8C). In addition, system 10 may spray only in the single direction where motion was detected, rather than the entire area or a subset of the entire area.
[0102] One of at least ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any area may be programmed into the programmable control unit as described above. FIGS. 8B and 8C show a boat shape, but the shape of the area could be any shape and is limited in size only be the maximum distance that the spray may travel. As discussed above, the distance may be affected by the vertical motion, and may be enhanced by additional force of the spray.
[0103] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the description should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
