RODENT REPELLING DEVICE

DISPOSITIF CHASSE-RONGEURS

English Abstract

RODENT REPELLING DEVICE
Abstract
A ground inserted rod supports at its upper end a base
having a cup-shaped member in which is loosely received a
motor housing. During motor operation an eccentric blade
imparts random movement to the motor housing to cause same
to impact the cup-shaped member to impart vibratory move-
ment to the ground inserted rod for wave generation. A
battery holder provides a self-contained power source such
as a low voltage dry cell battery.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
-1-
A rodent deterring device for generating constant sonic waves
over a period of several hours, said device comprising,
a rod for inserted ground engagement,
a base including a cup-shaped member thereon,
a motor assembly including a motor housing loosely confined
within said cup-shaped member, a motor in circuit with a power source
and having an output shaft, eccentric means on said shaft imparting
erratic motion to the motor housing during motor operation, and
said motor housing forcefully contacting the cup-shaped member
during motor operation to impart vibratory motion to the rod for
generating sound waves in the ground.
-2-
The device claimed in claim I wherein said base additionally
includes a battery holder and flexible electrical leads in circuit
with said motor and with a battery power source in said holder.
-3-
The device claimed in claim 2 wherein said eccentric means is
a blade having an aerodynamic shape to contribute to the erratic
motion of the motor housing.
-4-
The device claimed in claim 1 additionally including a step
engageable with said rod for ground insertion purposes.

Description

RODENT REPELLING DEVICE
The present invention pertains to vibratory devices for
imparting sound waves to the ground to deter burrowing rodents,
such as moles.
It is known that the propagation of sonic waves has a
deterrent effect on rodents. Examples of prior art using
sonic wave motion for such purposes are found in U. S.
Patents 3,~93,761; 3,503,039;3,879,702; 4,163,966 and 4,097,838.
For the most part, the known prior art devices are of
costly construction, not battery powered, and do not lend
themselves to multiple use in outdoor, unattended sites. The
power source most often required by such devices is llOV which
necessitates extension cords from a building electrical outlet.
Additionally, such a power source may constitute considerable
risk to persons and domestic animals.
The present invention is embodied in a ~round inserted
device having a self-contained power source and generating
ground waves over an extended period to kill or deter burrowing
rodents.
The present device utilizes a low voltage motor which
drives eccentric means to impart vibratory motion to the motor
housing and ultirnately to a ground inserted rod supporting the
device. A cup member atop the rod loosely confines the motor
housing to perrnit the latter to move in an erratic manner to
Forcefully contact the cup sides and base in a vibratory manner.
Accordingly, the ground rod is vibrated with wave motion being
induced in the ground for a radial range of several feet.
The present invention is embodied within a rodent deterring
device for generating constant sonic waves over a period of
several hours, said device comprising a rod for inserted ground

v~ .
engagement, a base for including a cup-shaped member thereon,
a motor assembly including A motor housing loosely confined
within said cup-shaped member, a motor in circuit with a power
source and having an output shaft, eccentric means on said shaft
imparting erratic motion to the motor housing during motor
operation, and said motor housing -forceFully contacting the
cup-shaped member during motor operation to impart vibratory
motion to the rod for generating sound waves in the ground.
In the dr~wing
Figure 1 is an elevational view of the device on a reduced
scale;
Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the left hand
side of the cup member of the device of Figure 1 and related
components; and
Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line
3-3 of Figure 1 and showing a foot actuated step for rod
insertion purposes.
With continuing attention to the drawing, the reference
numeral 1 indicates a rod pointed at its bottom end 2 to
facilitate ground penetration. In place on the uPper end 3
of the rod is a cup-shaped holder generally at 4 having an
inner wall surface 5 and a bottom wall surface ~ on a base
portion 8. A drain hole is at 9.
A battery holder at 7 is supported by holder 4 and includes
end walls 10 and 11, each provided with a terminal at lOA and
llA in circuit with electrical leads 12 and 13. The terminals
are of the yieldable clip type to facilitate installation and
removal of lead ends. A dry cell battery at B is rated at one
and one-half V. A spiral spring lOB on one terminal facilitates
battery removal as do flexible ears 7A-7B.
A double tapered motor housing at 14 is of elongate shape

)9~ :
and apertured to receive electrical leads 12 and 13 which terminate
at a motor 15 suitably secured within the upper exposed portion of
the housing. A motor output shaft is fitted with a spinner 16 of an
asymmetrical nature. A blade at 17 extends from spinner 1~ and is
preferably shaped as an airfoil. During spinner rotation at high
speed dynamic forces act on the spinner and hence housing 14 to
impart random or erratic~ vibratory motion to same causing the
housing 14 to impact inner wall 5 of the cup member. Additionally,
a vertical component of motor housing movement causes same to act on
the bottom wall surface 6 of the base to impart additional motion
thereto and specifically rod 1. In use motor housing 14 "dances"
about surface 6 in a vibratory manner to impact cup inner wall surface
5.
Installation of rod 1 is easily accomplished in most any ground,
soft or hard, by use of a step 17 which is apertured at 18 to engage
a notch 19 cut in the rod. An angulated segment at 20 of the step
assures desired horizontal step-to-rod engagement.
In use, the vibrating rod imparts wave motion to the earthen
material with wave motion propagated primarily along horizontal vectors.
Burrowing rodents such as moles are handicapped by such ground waves
in that their motion sensing capabilities are hindered. Since moles
locate their primary food source earthworms by means of detecting wave
motion generated by the earthworms the overriding rod generated waves
nullify those of an earthworm to render the mole incapable of finding
the food source. After a foodless period of eleven hours or so the
mole dies from starvation. The extremely low amperage draw of the
motor permits continuous motor operation on one battery for at least
eleven hours. In multiple use, spaced equally at ten feet or so such
imparts sound waves to a sizeable ground area.
A suitable embodiment of the invention uses a rod thirty inches
or so long, a cup member of rigid plastic and a motor housing widely

8`~ ~
sold off-the-shelf as part of a miniature hand held fan motor housing.
One blade of the fan is removed while the remaining blade is truncated
to provide a blade stub of about one inch length. Motor 15 has a rating
of 375 milliamps and operates within a voltage range of 1-1/2 V to .7 V.
Holder 4 is approximately two inches in length with a diameter to
provide about one quarter inch spacing about motor housing 14.