Animal husbandry – Body- or appendage-encircling collar or band – Having or specifically adapted to support a diverse element...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-03-20
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Body- or appendage-encircling collar or band
Having or specifically adapted to support a diverse element...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202599
ABSTRACT:
THIS INVENTION relates to a warning device for animals. In particular, the invention concerns a collar for pets which provides at least an audible signal.
The invention will be described by way of example with reference to its use with domestic pets such as cats. It should be appreciated that the warning device of the invention may also be used in other situations.
Cats are endowed with strong hind quarters and have the ability to propel themselves in a forward direction over short distances with exceptional speed in a “launch action” to capture pray.
Domestic cats are responsible for the unwanted killing of wildlife such as birds, small mammals and reptiles. An attempt at providing prey with adequate warning of an impending attack by a cat has involved the fitting of a bell on a collar normally worn by the cat. The particular nature of the launch action in many instances renders such bells useless. The nature of the launch action over short distances is not physically capable of producing the mechanics necessary for an audible “pre-strike” alarm being caused by a bell. In addition, such bells during normal movement of the cat, produce constant ringing and this is not only annoying, but is not particularly threatening to wildlife and bells therefore are not effective as warning devices.
In most instances where cats attack and capture prey, the launch action is also an inherent part of the hunting pattern and this is one reason why the warning device of the invention is particularly effective.
The closer a cat can position itself to its intended prey without being noticed and before the launch action described above is carried out, the greater the chance of a kill. Strike distances vary and are typically 1.8 to 4.2 m. Cats draw on stalking skills to secure a suitable launch position. During the launch action, the cat endeavours to cover as much distance as possible before its prey detects the impending strike to thereby shorten the time available for the prey to take evasive action. Typically, a cat requires less than one second to cover the strike distance during a launch action.
Observations have shown that prey, such as birds, are not unduly perturbed by a ringing bell. Cat bells sound incessantly due to normal movement of the cat. Birds which share the same environment as the cat become familiar with the ringing bell sound and these sounds then become no cause for alarm.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning device which at least minimises the disadvantages referred to above.
According to one aspect, the invention provides a warning device for animals, the device including an inertial sensor responsive to rapid movement in a predetermined direction of an animal to which the device is fitted, the sensor providing a control signal in response to movement in the predetermined direction, a control circuit responsive to the control signal and an output device for receiving a warning signal from the circuit and providing an audible warning output.
The warning device may be worn by or otherwise be attached to an animal such as a cat. In one embodiment, the warning device is attached to or incorporated in a collar worn by the animal.
The warning device may be powered in any suitable way such as by a battery or a solar cell or dual powered by a battery and solar cell. The battery may be received by a battery housing on the collar.
The output device may consist of a piezoelectric transducer or crystal or a speaker. The output device may be mounted to the collar. A harsh intermittent tone may be produced although other sounds are not excluded.
The inertial sensor is responsive to rapid movement in a predetermined direction which typically coincides substantially with the direction of movement of the animal during a launch action. In this way, normal movement of the animal or movement of the animal in a direction other than the predetermined direction does not usually produce an alarm warning output from the warning device.
The sensor, as well as allowing the device to provide an audible warning output may also initiate a visual indication of rapid movement in the predetermined direction. Preferably the visual indication is provided by one or more lights. Preferably, the visual indication is provided by two lights which are illuminated in response to rapid movement in the predetermined direction. At night, the two lights may be seen by the intended prey as representing eyes and assist in allowing the prey to take evasive action. Regardless of whether the lights are recognised as eyes by the prey, the presence of one or more lights allow the prey to take bearings and effect an intelligent escape route.
The sensor may include a housing and an inertial member within the housing adapted for movement in a predetermined direction. The housing may have two electrical contacts with one coupled to the inertial member and the other being normally spaced and isolated from the inertial member. The member is movable into contact with the other contact to make a circuit.
Preferably, the sensitivity of the inertial member is adjustable so that its response to movement of the animal to which the device is fitted and its response to the direction of the movement may be varied.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4234876 (1980-11-01), Murai
patent: 4898119 (1990-02-01), Tsai
patent: 5515033 (1996-05-01), Matarazzo
patent: 5575242 (1996-11-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5818354 (1998-10-01), Gentry
patent: 5952925 (1999-09-01), Secker
Poon Peter M.
Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Shaw Elizabeth
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