System and method to drive away geese

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11297822-B2
Application number	US-202016733599-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 3, 2020
Priority date	Dec 11, 2015
Publication date	Apr 12, 2022
Grant date	Apr 12, 2022

Abstract

A system and method for driving geese away from an area employs predetermined random illuminations of particular wavelength light directed in a fashion that repels geese while avoiding annoying humans. Embodiments include systems associated with golf course flags and other structures and animal decoys that hide undesired aesthetic appearances of prior art industrial lighting elements. Other embodiments employ adjustable/movable mirror elements used in conjunction with systems powered by solar energy panels positioned below the light source, which can be adjusted in terms of direction, shielding, color, duration, wavelength and pulsation, providing a variety of random patterns so as to avoid habituation by geese.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method to repel geese from an area in a manner that avoids undesired light annoyances to humans, comprising:
a) providing a device that has a light emitter that emits a predetermined wavelength of light that is detectable by geese but that is not detectable by humans,
wherein the light wavelength is within a range of from 320-409 nm;

b) activating the light of the device before dusk to deter geese from occupying the area prior to nightfall, wherein the light emitted by the device is directed on a plane at the eye level of a goose, wherein the device does not employ a single rhythmic cyclical flashing light pattern; and wherein the device is housed in a structure that is one of a decoy selected from the group consisting of a coyote, owl, goose, wolf, dog, snake; swan, waterfowl bird, and an alligator;
c) randomly emitting unsynchronized light emissions using the device, with the light emissions being emitted within a time period varying from one second to 120 second intervals; and
d) positioning at least one mirror supporting structure comprising a mirror within 50 feet of the device such that the mirror reflects the light emitted from the device in a direction parallel to the ground, wherein the at least one mirror supporting structure is adjusted to reflect light emissions off of the mirror that is received from said light emitter such that geese that may attempt to turn away from the light emitter are still exposed to flashing lights via reflections in the mirror, further confusing geese and making them anxious enough to depart the area.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a sound emitter that emits a sound wavelength between 20 kHz and 22 kHz.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a sound emitter that produces a subharmonic at F/2 in the range of 7.5 kHz to 10 kHz.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light emitter employs LED lighting elements.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said light emitter produces a light having a sole wavelength of 409 kHz.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a sequence of light emissions vary so that geese do not grow accustomed to a steady rhythmic emission of light or sound from said device.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light wavelength for the light emitter is between 400 nm and 409 nm.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the device includes a battery, the light emitter is positioned above the battery and the device comprises a floating structure.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises at least one solar panel mounted below a topmost portion of the device, said at least one solar panel being mounted in an area below the light emitter.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light emitter is positioned within about 15″-24″ from ground level and the at least one mirror supporting structure is positioned within 15″-24″ from ground level.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the decoy is a coyote.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light emitter varies a frequency of the unsynchronized light emissions in the range of 1 Hz to 7 Hz.

13. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein operation of said device prevents geese from becoming accustomed to a predictable series of light flashes.

14. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising pre-programming desired lighting patterns, intensities, and durations of the light emitter.

15. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light emitter emits a light at night that cannot be seen by humans.

16. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light emitter comprises a laser.

17. A method to repel geese from an area in a manner that avoids undesired light annoyances to humans, comprising:
a) providing a device that has a light emitter that emits a predetermined wavelength of light that is detectable by geese but that is not detectable by humans,
wherein the light wavelength is within a range between 400 nm and 409 nm;

b) activating the light of the device before dusk to deter geese from occupying the area prior to nightfall, wherein the light emitted by the device is directed on a plane at the eye level of a goose, wherein the device does not employ a single rhythmic cyclical flashing light pattern; and wherein the device is housed in a structure selected from the group consisting of a golf pin, and a decoy resembling one of a coyote, owl, goose, wolf, dog, snake; swan, waterfowl bird, and an alligator;
c) randomly emitting unsynchronized light emissions using the device, with the light emissions being emitted within a time period varying from one second to 120 second intervals; and
d) positioning at least one mirror supporting structure comprising a mirror within 50 feet of the device such that the mirror reflects the light emitted from the device in a direction parallel to the ground, wherein the at least one mirror supporting structure is adjusted to reflect light emissions off of the mirror that is received from said light emitter such that geese that may attempt to turn away from the light emitter are still exposed to flashing lights via reflections in the mirror, further confusing geese and making them anxious enough to depart the area.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the light emitter emits a light at night that cannot be seen by humans.

19. A method to repel geese from an area in a manner that avoids undesired light annoyances to humans, comprising:
a) providing a device that has a light emitter that emits a predetermined wavelength of light that is detectable by geese but that is not detectable by humans,
wherein the light wavelength is within a range between 400 nm and 409 nm;
b) activating the light of the device to deter geese from occupying the area prior to nightfall, wherein the light emitted by the device is directed on a plane at the eye level of a goose, wherein the device does not employ a single rhythmic cyclical flashing light pattern; and wherein the device is housed in a structure selected from the group consisting of a golf pin, and a decoy resembling one of a coyote, owl, goose, wolf, dog, snake; swan, waterfowl bird, and an alligator;
c) randomly emitting unsynchronized light emissions using the device, with the light emissions being emitted within a time period varying from one second to 120 second intervals; and
d) positioning at least one mirror supporting structure comprising a mirror within 50 feet of the device such that the mirror reflects the light emitted from the device in a direction parallel to the ground and that reflects the light emissions off of the mirror that are received from said light emitter such that geese that may attempt to turn away from the light emitter are still exposed to flashing lights via reflections in the mirror, further confusing geese and making them anxious enough to depart the area.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the device is housed in a structure comprising a golf pin.

Assignees

• Kovarik Joseph E
• Franek Jeff

Inventors

• Kovarik Joseph E
• Franek Jeff

Classifications

• A01M29/18

  using ultrasonic signals · CPC title

• A01M29/06

  using visual means, e.g. scarecrows, moving elements, specific shapes, patterns or the like · CPC title

• G10K5/02

  Ultrasonic whistles · CPC title

• A01M29/10 Primary

  using light sources, e.g. lasers or flashing lights · CPC title

• A01M29/16

  using sound waves · CPC title