Rotating Roller Fence Deterrent for Animal Intrusion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animal-repelling devices are inadequate in preventing wild animals from entering domestic areas and domestic pets from escaping, as they are often complex, dangerous, and not effective in preventing animal invasions or escapes over fences and barriers.
Innovation Solution
An animal-repelling device featuring a mounting bracket with a vertical tab, rib, and roller system that rotates to deter animals from climbing over fences, combined with noise-making and security features to enhance deterrence, is designed to be easy to install, maintain, and aesthetically appealing, suitable for various fence types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fences and barriers are used to prevent animal intrusion, then basic boundary protection is provided, but animals can still scale and penetrate the barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using a rotating roller element that actively moves to prevent animal passage. The roller rotates when contacted by an animal, causing the animal to lose footing and fall back, thereby transforming a static barrier into a dynamic defense mechanism that adapts to animal attempts to cross.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the barrier system into modular components: mounting brackets that attach to existing fences, individual rollers spaced along the barrier, and optional attachment clips. This segmentation allows the system to be installed on various fence types without replacing the entire barrier structure.
2Reliability
If complex animal-repelling devices are deployed to prevent animal escapes, then deterrence capability is enhanced, but installation and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are pre-configured with pre-drilled holes and attachment features that align with standard fence post dimensions. The rollers are pre-assembled with bearings and mounting hardware, allowing for quick installation without complex field assembly or specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller design includes self-aligning features where the roller automatically orients itself during installation, and the mounting bracket design allows the installer to self-correct alignment issues without specialized equipment. The system is designed to be maintained by ordinary users without requiring expert intervention.
3Reliability
If dangerous features are incorporated into repelling devices to deter animals, then animal deterrence is improved, but safety risks to pets and humans increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of animals falling from heights by providing a soft, non-injurious roller surface and ensuring the rotation mechanism does not create sharp edges or protruding dangerous features. The harm of animal intrusion is countered by a mechanism that causes animals to fall back without injury rather than providing injurious obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller material and surface characteristics are selected to change the interaction parameters between the repelling device and animals. The roller provides sufficient friction to prevent animal climbing but uses rounded edges and appropriate hardness to avoid injury, transforming the interaction from dangerous to safe while maintaining effectiveness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting components are used to secure the roller system, then installation versatility across fence types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that can be attached to various fence post types (wooden, metal, chain-link) using the same basic bracket design. The bracket incorporates multiple attachment methods (screws, bolts, clips) that can accommodate different fence materials and construction styles without requiring different bracket designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively prevents animal passage over fences by rotating to deny footing and incorporating noise and security features to deter unwanted access, ensuring a safe environment for pets and households while being cost-effective and simple to install.
Implementation Method 1
A roller may be coupled to and extend axially from the mounting bracket
Implementation Method 2
The lower section may comprise a sidewall that extends away from the vertical tab, the sidewall comprising a curved inner surface
Data Source
AI summary
An animal repelling device is disclosed that may include a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket, each of which includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section may include a vertical tab, a notch formed in the vertical tab, and ribs coupled to opposing sides of the vertical tab. The lower section may include a foot coupled to a sidewall, the sidewall comprising a curved inner surface configured to mateably couple with a fence. A roller may be disposed between, be rotatably coupled to, and extend axially between, the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket, the roller comprising an aligner that biases the roller back to an initial at rest position. An attachment clip may be releasably coupled to the notch of the vertical tab.