Animal deterrent device for protecting buildings and monuments

Abstract

The present invention relates to an animal deterrent device (1) intended to prevent animals such as birds, dogs, cats, rats and others from resting or urinating on façades, ledges or other areas of buildings and monuments. The invention comprises a control unit to which at least one modular lamellar circuit is linked which, upon being closed, transmits a very low-intensity electric current, either due to one of the legs of the animal coming into direct contact with the two poles, or due to direct urination on the lamellar circuit in the case of dogs or cats.

Description

[0001]ANIMAL DETERRENT DEVICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS Technical Field The present invention relates to a device intended to deter animals such as birds, dogs, cats, rats, and others from perching or urinating on facades, cornices, and other areas of buildings and monuments. More specifically, the invention comprises a control unit to which at least one modular laminar circuit is connected. This circuit transmits a very low-intensity electrical current when closed, either by direct contact of the animal with the two poles using one of its paws, or by direct urination onto the laminar circuit in the case of dogs or cats. The device also includes two complementary deterrent means: first, a means for spraying animal-repellent odors, and second, a loudspeaker that emits sounds in the frequency ranges required to deter animals from approaching.The device is especially suitable for installation on facades, roofs, balconies, cornices, and other areas of buildings and public monuments. Background of the Invention: It is widely known that animals can cause serious damage to buildings and monuments. For example, pigeons tend to perch on cornices and facades, leaving acidic droppings that corrode stone and other surfaces, resulting in structural and aesthetic deterioration. Similarly, dogs that urinate on facades not only cause stains and unpleasant odors, but the urine can also penetrate building materials, causing long-term damage. In addition to pigeons and dogs, other animals such as cats, raccoons, and rats can also cause significant problems on buildings and monuments. Cats, like dogs, can mark their territory by urinating on facades, resulting in stains and unpleasant odors.Raccoons, on the other hand, are known to seek refuge in attics and roofs, causing structural damage by tearing through building materials and insulation in their attempts to gain entry. Rats not only pose a public health problem due to the diseases they can transmit, but they also damage infrastructure by gnawing on electrical wiring, pipes, and other materials, which can lead to short circuits and other serious structural damage. To address these problems, several solutions have been developed. In the case of pigeons, chemical repellents and anti-pigeon spikes are among the most common solutions. However, chemical repellents tend to degrade rapidly when exposed to the elements, losing effectiveness in a short time. Furthermore, these chemicals can be toxic to the environment and humans, especially if used in large quantities.On the other hand, spikes can cause physical harm or even death to birds, raising ethical and legal concerns. Furthermore, installing spikes can negatively impact the aesthetics of buildings and monuments. To prevent dogs from urinating on facades, various methods are used, such as repellent sprays and physical barriers. Repellent sprays often contain substances like vinegar or citrus fruits, which dogs find unpleasant. However, these sprays need to be reapplied frequently, especially after rain, which is impractical and costly in the long run. Physical barriers, such as fences or grates, can be effective in specific areas, but they are not always a viable solution for protecting large surfaces and can be difficult to install in some locations.The invention entitled "Animal Urine Inhibitor Device," with publication number ES 1304544 U, is known in the prior art. This invention describes an electrical device intended to prevent dogs from urinating on building facades by means of subtle electrical discharges generated by a plate mounted on said facades. Although this device offers an innovative solution for deterring dogs from urinating on facades, it can be improved in aspects such as: the described plate lacks a means for adding new plates in a modular fashion, and the device does not incorporate complementary means such as deterrent sounds or smells, which would increase its effectiveness by acting on other nearby animals not in contact with it. Consequently, its deterrent action is restricted to the animal in direct contact with the device.It is also known that specific sounds and smells that are unpleasant to animals are used to deter them from approaching certain areas. Sounds in the 15 kHz to 18 kHz range have proven particularly effective at deterring pigeons and other common birds. To deter dogs, the use of ultrasonic frequencies is recommended. These are above the range audible to humans but are perceptible and unpleasant to dogs; these frequencies are typically in the 20 kHz to 25 kHz range. Additionally, frequencies in the 3.5 kHz to 19.5 kHz range are effective at repelling animals such as mice, rats, dogs, foxes, and martens, while the 19.5 kHz to 24.5 kHz range is useful for deterring cats and raccoons.Regarding odors, citrus fruits (such as lemon and orange) and vinegar are known to be natural dog repellents, while pigeons can be deterred with cayenne pepper, garlic, and peppermint oil. In conclusion, known solutions do not completely resolve the technical problem of protecting buildings and monuments from animal damage. Existing methods, such as chemical repellents and physical barriers, have significant limitations, including rapid degradation, environmental and ethical impacts, and a lack of long-term effectiveness.For these reasons, a solution is needed to overcome these drawbacks, offering a modular system that protects large areas, uses specific sounds and smells to deter various animals, is practical and effective in diverse environmental conditions, and whose activation upon contact with the first animal deters others nearby. Description of the invention: The present invention relates to a device intended to deter animals such as birds, dogs, cats, and rats, among others, from perching or urinating on facades, cornices, and other areas of buildings and monuments. More specifically, the invention comprises a control unit connected to a modular laminar circuit.This control unit incorporates at least: an electronic board configured to manage the system's electrical current, a speaker, rechargeable batteries, mounting hardware, electrical contact connectors, and a power source, such as a solar panel. The modular laminated circuit, for its part, consists of two superimposed layers made of a flexible, electrically conductive material, such as a conductive polymer or metal. One side of each layer has an electrical insulator and an adhesive, so that electricity is only conducted through one side. The first layer serves as the base, attaching to the building via its adhesive side. The second layer, cut into a regular grid pattern, is then adhered to the base layer, leaving the contact area between the layers electrically isolated.Each layer connects to an electrical pole (positive or negative) of the control module, forming an open circuit. This way, the modular laminar circuit transmits a very low-intensity electrical current when closed, either by direct contact of the animal with the two poles using one of its paws, or by direct urination on the circuit in the case of dogs or cats. This makes the animal uncomfortable and discourages it from performing or repeating its actions in the protected area. The inventor envisions that the modular laminar circuit will have a series of electrical contact points on each of its layers, arranged on two opposite sides, so that additional laminar circuits can be connected laterally to cover the required area of ​​the building, using only one control unit.The modular laminar circuit can be cut to fit the shape of the building, maintaining its electrical conductivity thanks to the grid pattern of the second layer. Additionally, the inventor envisions that animal-repellent odor sprayers be arranged longitudinally on the laminar circuit. These sprayers can be electrical, for example, an odor spray system activated by the control module when the laminar circuit closes. Preferably, the electronic board includes a means for interrupting the electrical flow to the laminar circuit, for example, a relay, configured so that when the circuit closes due to contact with the animal or its urine, electricity is transmitted for one second, and then the flow is interrupted. Periodic validations of the opening and closing of the electrical flow are performed until the laminar circuit is open again.Preferably, the control unit has a housing made of an impact-resistant material, such as stainless steel or high-strength plastic, capable of withstanding shocks, vandalism attempts, and extreme weather conditions. Alternatively, the inventor envisions that the laminar circuit may have a vandal-proof frame made of a resistant material, such as metal, protecting the circuit from unauthorized attempts to remove it from the building. The inventor also envisions that, in an alternative embodiment, the laminar circuit is mounted directly onto the surface of the building or monument. For this purpose, electrically conductive paint or electrically conductive adhesive tape is used, applied over an insulating paint base, forming two parallel tracks across the surface to be protected.Each line connects to an electrical pole (positive or negative) of the control module, thus forming an open circuit. Similarly, in this alternative embodiment, the odor-spraying devices are placed directly on the building's surface. This creates a device that deters animals such as birds, dogs, cats, rats, and others from perching or urinating on facades, cornices, and other areas of buildings and monuments. The device integrates three complementary deterrent mechanisms: first, a very low-intensity electrical current emitted upon contact of the animal with the modular laminar circuit, which generates a slight, dissuasive discomfort for the animal for a period of one second, without affecting its health; second, odor-emitting devices that repel animals; and third, a loudspeaker system that emits sounds in the frequency ranges required to deter animals from approaching.These last two methods are activated simultaneously with the closing of the animal circuit, thus deterring other nearby animals from approaching the building or monument simply through contact with the first animal. Brief description. This descriptive specification is supplemented by a set of figures illustrating the preferred, and not limiting, embodiment of the invention. Figure 1: shows a front view of the device, in which the control unit and the modular laminar circuit can be seen. Figure 2: shows a front view of the device, in which a circular cross-section has been cut out of the modular laminar circuit. Figure 3: shows a side cross-section view of the device, in which the internal components of the control module are shown. Figure 4: shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of the laminar circuit, connected to the control module. Figure 5: shows an isometric view of the device installed in the building, to which an anti-vandalism frame has been added around the perimeter of the modular laminar circuit.Detailed Exposition of the Invention In view of the foregoing, the object of the present invention is an animal deterrent device for the protection of buildings and monuments. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the animal deterrent device (1) comprises a control unit (2) to which a modular laminated circuit (3) is connected. The control unit (2) includes at least: an electronic board (2.5), a speaker (2.3), rechargeable batteries (2.6), a power supply (2.1), fastening means (2.2), and electrical contact connectors (2.4) for positive and negative poles. The modular laminar circuit (3) is made up of two superimposed layers (3.1 and 3.2), made of a flexible and electrically conductive material, for example, conductive polymer or metal, to which a layer of electrical insulation and an adhesive are placed on one of its faces (3.11 and 3.21), so that they only conduct electricity on the face without insulation.The first layer (3.1) serves as the base, attaching to the building (5) by its insulating and adhesive side (3.11); and the second layer (3.2), suitably cut into a regular grid pattern, adheres to the base layer (3.1) by its insulating and adhesive side (3.21), leaving the contact area between layers (3.1 and 3.2) electrically insulated by the insulator on side (3.21). Each of the layers (3.1 and 3.2) of the laminated circuit (3) is connected to one of the electrical poles, positive or negative, of the electrical contact connectors (2.4) of the control module (2). This allows the passage of electricity through the layers (3.1 and 3.2) without contact between the electrical poles. The inventor anticipates that the modular laminar circuit (3) will have a series of electrical contact points (3.3) in each of its layers (3.1 and 3.2) arranged on two opposite sides of the laminar circuit (3), so that, as shown in Figure 5, it is possible to connect consecutive laminar circuits (3) to each side of the laminar circuit (3) connected to the control unit (2). As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the modular laminar circuit (3) can be cut out (3.4) of varying dimensions and shapes to adapt it to the shape of the building (5), maintaining electrical conductivity thanks to the grid pattern of the second layer (3.2). Additionally, animal repellent odor sprayers (4) are arranged longitudinally on the laminar circuit (3). These sprayers (4) can be an electrical system activated by the control module (2) when the laminar circuit (3) is closed.Preferably, the spraying means (4) are of the type that allows refilling of the odor-emitting material, for example, by using a system of cartridges or refillable tanks (not shown in the figures). Preferably, the electronic board (2.5) of the control unit (2) has means for interrupting the electrical flow (not shown in the figures) to the laminar circuit (3), for example, a relay, configured so that when the laminar circuit (3) closes due to contact with the animal or the action of its urine, electricity is transmitted for a period of 1 second, and then the electrical flow is interrupted (not shown in the figures). This allows the control unit (2) to manage the electrical current of the modular laminar circuit (3).It is also preferred that the means for interrupting the electrical flow (not shown in the figures) be configured to perform periodic validations, activating and deactivating the electrical flow until the laminar circuit (3) is open again. This prevents overheating of said laminar circuit (3) and extends the battery life (2.6). Preferably, the control unit (2) has a vandal-proof housing (2.7) made of an impact-resistant material, such as stainless steel or high-strength plastic, capable of withstanding shocks, vandalism attempts, and extreme weather conditions. Preferably, the speaker (2.3) emits sounds in the frequency ranges required to deter animals (6) from approaching. For example, high-pitched sounds in the 15 kHz to 18 kHz range to scare away pigeons, or ultrasound from 20 kHz to 24 kHz to repel dogs, cats, or raccoons. Preferably, the speaker (2.3) and the odor-spraying means (4) are activated simultaneously with the closing of the laminar circuit (3), so that other nearby animals (not shown in the figures) are deterred from approaching the building (5) by contact with the first animal (6). Alternatively, the inventor provides that the laminar circuit (3) in Figure 5 has a vandal-proof frame (7), made of a resistant material such as metal, protecting the laminar circuit (3) from unauthorized attempts to remove it from the building. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the laminar circuit (3) consists of two tracks (3.4 and 3.5) made of electrically conductive paint or electrically conductive adhesive tape, arranged on a base of insulating paint (3.6) applied to the facade of the building (5). Each track (3.4 and 3.5) is...5) connected to a positive or negative electrical pole of the electrical contact connectors (2.4) of the control unit (2), thus forming an open circuit. Similarly, in this alternative embodiment, the odor-spraying means (4) are arranged directly on the surface of the building (5). It is not considered necessary to expand the content of this description further so that a person skilled in the art can understand the scope and advantages of the invention, as well as develop and implement its object. However, it should be understood that the invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment, and therefore may be subject to modifications without affecting or altering the fundamental nature of the invention. That is to say, the terms in which this preferred description of the invention has been set forth should always be taken in a broad and non-restrictive sense.

Claims

Claims 1. An animal deterrent device (1) characterized in that it comprises: - A control unit (2) including at least: an electronic board (2.5), a loudspeaker (2.3), a rechargeable battery (2.6), an electrical power supply (2.1), fastening means (2.2), and electrical contact connectors (2.4); - a modular laminated circuit (3), linked to the control unit (2) by the electrical contact connectors (2.4), comprising: two superimposed layers (3.1 and 3.2) made of a flexible, electrically conductive material, for example, a conductive polymer or metal; - and electrically activated animal repellent odor spraying means (4) arranged longitudinally on the laminated circuit (3). Whereas, the control unit (2) is configured to manage the electrical current of the modular laminated circuit (3) and simultaneously activate the loudspeaker (2).3) and the means for spraying animal repellent odors (4), when an animal (6) makes contact or urinates on the modular laminar circuit (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the modular laminar circuit (3) has a series of electrical contact points (3.3) in each of its layers (3.1 and 3.2), arranged on two opposite sides of the laminar circuit (3), so that it is possible to connect consecutive laminar circuits (3) to each side of the laminar circuit (3) that is connected to the control unit (2).

3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the modular laminar circuit (3) has adhesive means on the face (3.11) that allow it to be fixed to the building (5).

4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the modular laminar circuit (3) can receive cutouts (3.4) of variable dimensions and shapes, to adapt it to the shape of the building (5). 5.Device according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the laminar circuit (3) has a vandal-proof frame (7), made of a resistant material, such as, for example, metal.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the animal repellent odor spraying means (4) are of the type that allows refilling of the odor-emitting material, for example, by using a system of refillable cartridges or tanks.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic board (2.5) of the control unit (2) has means for interrupting the electrical flow to the laminar circuit (3), for example, a relay.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (2) has a vandal-proof housing (2.7) made of a material resistant to impacts and extreme weather conditions, such as stainless steel or high-strength plastic.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the loudspeaker (2.3) emits sounds in the frequency ranges required to deter animals (6) from approaching.For example, high-pitched sounds in the range of 15 kHz to 18 kHz to scare away pigeons, or ultrasound from 20 kHz to 24 kHz to repel dogs, cats, or raccoons.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in an alternative embodiment, the laminar circuit (3) is formed by two tracks (3.4 and 3.5) made of electrically conductive paint or electrically conductive adhesive tape, arranged on a base of insulating paint (3.6) applied to the facade of the building (5).

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