Radial Metal Bird Spikes for Automated Injection-Molded Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bird deterrent devices, such as those with metal spikes or prongs, are costly to manufacture due to labor-intensive processes and lack automation in manufacturing, and plastic alternatives face issues with shipping weight and non-stackability.

Innovation Solution

A bird repellant device featuring injection-molded metal spikes arranged radially from a base, utilizing temporary retention features and insertion molding to facilitate automated manufacturing, allowing for the use of metal spikes or prongs in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional metal spike devices are used, then effective bird deterrence is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to labor-intensive processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird deterrence effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual labor-intensive mechanical assembly processes with automated injection molding technology. The injection molding process automatically forms the base and secures metal spikes in radial positions without requiring manual assembly, thereby maintaining effective bird deterrence while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates retention features directly into the base during the injection molding process itself, rather than adding them separately afterward. This preliminary integration of spike-retaining structures into the base manufacturing process eliminates subsequent assembly steps and reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic bird repellant devices are used, then manufacturing automation is improved, but shipping cost increases due to weight and non-stackability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing automationVSAvoidshipping weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure combining an injection-molded plastic base with metal spikes. This hybrid approach leverages the advantages of both materials: the plastic base enables automated manufacturing and cost-effective production, while the metal spikes provide durable, effective bird deterrence. The design optimizes the combination to balance manufacturing efficiency with shipping considerations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If radial spike arrangement is implemented, then bird deterrence effectiveness is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird deterrence effectivenessVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection molding process is configured to automatically position and secure metal spikes in their final radial arrangement during the base manufacturing step itself. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for separate, complex assembly operations to arrange the spikes radially, thereby maintaining effective bird deterrence while simplifying the overall assembly process to a single automated molding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11166450B2Devices and methods for repelling avian pests

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 BIRD B GONE INC

AI summary

A device for deterring avian pests includes first and second spikes, each having a terminal retention feature held within an injection molded base. The spikes are preferably arranged in a radial fashion, extending outward from the molded base.