Radiant energy – Radiant energy generation and sources – With radiation modifying member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-08-07
Anderson, Bruce C. (Department: 2881)
Radiant energy
Radiant energy generation and sources
With radiation modifying member
C250S50400H, C250S492100, C250S494100, C250S495100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271533
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention comprises processes and electronic devices used to repel snakes, and more particularly, those species of snake that are sensitive to infrared (IR) radiation, which are referred to herein as “IR-sensitive snakes.”
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Of the more than 2700 species of snakes, a few are IR-sensitive, that is, they have evolved specialized receptors by which they can detect and respond to electromagnetic radiation in the IR range.
All IR-sensitive snakes pose dangers to humans. At least eighteen species are venomous. The venomous IR-sensitive snakes are collectively known as the “pit vipers” and are divided among three genera of the family Viperidae: Agkistrodon, Crotalus, and Sistrurus. Copperheads and cottonmouths comprise the genus Agkistrodon, while the rattlesnakes comprise the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus.
All pit vipers are distinguished by an indentation, or “pit”—one below each eye—which contains numerous receptors that detect IR radiation. Pit vipers are also distinguished by their propensity for attacking suddenly and by their ability to deliver venoms comprised of mixtures of various hemotoxins and/or neurotoxins.
Pit vipers are distributed throughout much of North America, Central America, and South America; they account for virtually all venomous snake bites in the United States. About 1000 rattlesnake bites occur each year in the United States; about 3% are fatal. The Western Diamondback rattlesnake (
Crotalus atrox
) is responsible for the greatest number of fatal snake bites in the United States. The numbers of attacks and the numbers of fatalities are increasing each year.
A second snake family, Boidae, includes the remaining known IR-sensitive species: boa constrictors, pythons, and anacondas. These snakes are found in sub-tropical areas of the world, and they all have IR-sensitive receptors lining their upper and lower lips. Generally docile, these snakes attain enormous size, and while they are not venomous, they do occasionally attack and kill humans, as well as pets and domestic animals. They are, not unreasonably, considered a menace in those parts of the world where they are common.
Although most rational humans try to avoid contact with pit vipers and boids, the habitats of these snakes are becoming increasingly susceptible to human encroachment. Furthermore, in many areas, such as national forests and parks, pit viper and boid populations are increasing as a result of government protection statutes and programs. Consequently, in some areas there is a reasonable likelihood of untoward interactions occurring between IR-sensitive snakes and humans. Coming upon these snakes unexpectedly can be a frightening experience and people often react reflexively to beat or stomp the snake. Such responses can enrage and/or injure the animal unnecessarily and often lead to the human being bitten.
At present, a safe, reliable and convenient means of repelling pit vipers and boids without risk of injury to the person and/or the snake is not available. Those who frequent areas in which pit vipers and boids are prevalent would benefit from an easily portable device with which one can repel IR-sensitive snakes without coming into close proximity with the snakes. Likewise, property owners would benefit from a device with which they can exclude dangerous pit vipers or boids from their property without excluding harmless snakes, which control vermin.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A snake guard has been patented by Hugh K. Holyoak (U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,996,Nov. 1981). This is essentially just a net affixed in a vertical orientation in the presumed path of a snake. Any snake that sticks its head in the net becomes ensnared. Presumably, a person is then required to remove the snake from the net, an unenviable chore indeed should the ensnared snake be a pit viper or seventy-five pound boid. Furthermore, this guard ensnares not just venomous snakes, but all species, including those that are beneficial. Also, the Holyoak invention is of no use to one walking or hiking through areas infested by venomous snakes.
A similar approach is taken by Walter K. Howard's pit viper trap (U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,405, September, 1981). This patent describes a noose arranged at the opening of an elongated cage in such a way that the triangular head of a pit viper will become ensnared in the noose as the snake enters the cage. While the inventor claims that this invention will selectively ensnare pit vipers, a person must nevertheless come into close proximity to the snake in order to remove it from the noose, presumably by killing it first. Thus, the ultimate effect of the invention is to bring the person and the ensnared pit viper into direct contact. This is not an entirely satisfactory situation. Furthermore, this invention is of little or no value to those walking in snake-infested areas.
A chemical snake repellant has been patented by Tennyson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,900, Apr. 1992). This repellant, comprised of naphthalene, sulfur, and montmorillonite, is sprinkled on the ground in an area from which snakes are to be repelled. When the snake encounters the mixture, the snake is repelled. This approach to the problem has obvious drawbacks in terms of the toxicity of the repellant to other animals and to humans. Furthermore, this approach repels not just venomous snakes, but all species, including those that are beneficial, nor is it beneficial to one wishing to avoid a snake bite while walking or hiking thorough areas infested by venomous snakes.
A variety of leggings and other protective garments have been devised to offer protection to those walking or hiking though snake infested areas. A patent issued to Hightower et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,503,Dec. 1992) for snake bite-resistant chaps is representative of this approach to the problem. By wearing such protective garments while traversing known snake-infested territory, the wearer is protected from snake bites, as long as the snake doesn't bite an area not protected by the garment. However, such garments are effective if, and only if, the person is actually attacked by a snake, which is a scenario most persons would prefer to avoid altogether.
As a last resort, snake bite kits are well known and have been used for generations as a means of extracting venom from wounds inflicted by a pit vipers. Such kits are particularly advantageous when used in conjunction with inventions that require the person to come into close proximity to the snake.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention represents a remedy to the foregoing problems and an improvement over the prior art by providing a method and an electronic device for repelling IR-sensitive snakes from a safe distance; i.e., a distance that is safe both from the human's perspective and from the snake's perspective. This is done by “over-loading” the IR-receptors of the snakes with IR-radiation.
Pit vipers and boids use their IR-receptors to locate prey and to sample the ambient temperature in order to facilitate thermoregulation. The IR-receptors are very sensitive, surpassing the best man-made IR detectors in terms of sensitivity and response time. For example, the response time of boa constrictor IR-receptors has been measured at 35 milliseconds, and IR-radiation having a differential intensity of just 0.1 watt/cm
2
over ambient is sufficient to stimulate the pit-receptors of a rattlesnake. The “temperature window” of sensitivity of the IR-receptors is about 25° C.-70° C., which corresponds to the wavelength band of 10 &mgr;m-6 &mgr;m. Birds and mammals, normal prey for both pit vipers and boids, emit IR radiation at about 9 &mgr;m.
By stimulating the snake's IR-receptors with electromagnetic radiation of an appropriate wavelength and sufficient power density, one can immobilize and/or repel IR-sensitive snakes. The result of stimulating the snakes' IR-receptors is to momentarily “blind” or “jam” the snakes' IR-detection system in a manner analogous to the way a bright light blinds human vision. IR radia
Anderson Bruce C.
O'Brien, Esq. Denis R.
Wells Nikita
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