Fences – Top guarded
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-03-13
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Top guarded
C256S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199831
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to perimeter fences for keeping selected animals from entering an enclosed area, and specifically relates to non-electric perimeter fences which prevent ground-dwelling animals from entering an enclosed area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electric facilities such as transformer substations and distribution stations pose a potential hazard to both the public and to wildlife. Although such facilities are typically enclosed, wild animals have been known to gain entrance to such enclosures and short circuit a power line, thereby causing a power outage and also damaging equipment.
Chain link fences have been used to isolate the public and, to some extent, wildlife from distribution stations and transformer substations. However, chain link fences have not proven effective in preventing the entry of small animals into such facilities. In particular, small animals such as squirrels and raccoons are able to climb over chain link fences.
Occasionally, electrified fences have been used to keep animals out of hazardous areas. These electric fences generally consist of a chain link fence having adjacent its top a bare electrically conductive element, such as a wire or a metal bar. The conductive element is electrically coupled to a charging device. However, to protect the public as well as wildlife from death or injury due to electric shock, electrified fences typically produce an electric shock which startles and causes discomfort to an animal climbing the fence, but does not cause permanent or serious injury to the animal. This may be problematic when one is attempting to exclude certain animals such as raccoons from entering a restricted area. Raccoons have been observed to easily climb over some types of electrified fences despite the fact that they will typically absorb multiple shocks in doing so.
Other disadvantages of electrified fences include the need for a power supply and relatively frequent maintenance and/or a monitoring system to ensure proper operation of the fence. Therefore, electrified fences are considerably more expensive to construct and maintain than comparable non-electric fences.
Therefore, presently used fences for excluding animals from restricted areas such as transformer stations and distribution stations are not completely effective. There remains a need for an effective and low cost fence which effectively prevents small animals such as squirrels and raccoons from entering enclosed areas such as electrical distribution stations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a non-electric perimeter fence which is effective for keeping selected animals out of an enclosed area, and is particularly effective for excluding small climbing animals, such as squirrels and raccoons, from entering an enclosed area. Since the fence is non-electric, it does not pose a hazard to humans or wildlife, and requires much less maintenance than conventional electrified fences.
The non-electric perimeter fence according to the present invention comprises a vertical barrier member extending upward from ground level and an upper, angled barrier member which extends at an angle from the vertical barrier member away from the enclosure. The vertical barrier member may be of conventional construction, and may, for example, be a conventional chain link fence. The angled portion is preferably made of a flat, sheet material and is of sufficient height that an animal able to climb the lower portion of the fence will not be able to reach backward and upward to the edge of the angled portion, and will therefore be unable to climb over the fence.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a non-electric perimeter fence adapted to enclose an area and to keep selected animals from entering said enclosed area, said fence comprising: an elongate, vertical barrier member extending lengthwise around an outer perimeter of said enclosed area and extending upwardly from ground level to a predetermined height above ground level, said height being sufficient to prevent said selected animals from jumping over said fence; a plurality of vertical support members for supporting said vertical barrier member; an elongate angled barrier member extending lengthwise along substantially the entire length of the vertical barrier member, said angled barrier member projecting upwardly from said vertical barrier member at an angle to the vertical and comprising a first surface facing upwardly and inwardly relative to said enclosed area and a second surface facing downwardly and outwardly relative to said enclosed area, said surfaces meeting at a lower edge extending along said vertical barrier member in close relation thereto and at an upper edge remote from the vertical barrier member, wherein said second surface is substantially smooth and flat from the bottom edge to the top edge and a distance from the bottom edge to the top edge being sufficient to prevent said selected animals from reaching from the bottom edge to the top edge of the angled barrier member; and a plurality of angled support members for supporting the angled barrier member, said angled support members being rigidly secured to the first surface of the angled barrier member and maintaining the position of the angled barrier member relative to the vertical barrier member.
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Patrick Paul H.
Poulton Scott
Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Ridout & Maybee
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