Avian distractor device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12507689-B2
Application number	US-202117544475-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2021
Priority date	Dec 7, 2020
Publication date	Dec 30, 2025
Grant date	Dec 30, 2025

Abstract

An avian distractor device includes a clamp having a pair of jaws attached to a hinge and biased via a plurality of springs into a closed position, and a locking member disposed in communication with the pair of jaws to rigidly hold a conductor of different sizes under a force generated by the plurality of springs. A spherical diverter is provided and is rotatably attached to the hinge and the clamp. A reflective surface encircles a central portion of the spherical diverter to enhance visibility of the device to wildlife. A plurality of dimples are formed on an external surface of the spherical diverter to reduce a drag force on the device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An avian distractor device, comprising:
a clamp having:
a pair of jaws attached to a hinge and biased into a closed position via a plurality of springs; and
a locking member disposed in communication with the pair of jaws to rigidly hold a conductor of different sizes within the pair of jaws under a force generated by the plurality of springs;
a spherical diverter rotatably attached to the hinge and the clamp; a reflective surface including a retro-reflective tape that extends continuously around and encircles a central portion of the spherical diverter to enhance visibility of the device to wildlife; and a plurality of dimples formed on a portion of an external surface of the spherical diverter other than the central portion having the retro-reflective tape to reduce a drag force on the device.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the spherical diverter includes two interlocking hemispheres mechanically interlocked via a male and female slot located at its end and a fastener threaded through a center portion of the spherical diverter.

3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the spherical diverter further includes a swivel structure located at an inner side of a lower hemisphere of the spherical diverter and receiving the fastener for rotatably attaching the spherical diverter to the hinge and the clamp.

4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a locking cover engaging with the locking member of the clamp via fasteners, the locking cover rigidly holding the locking member for fixing the conductor within the clamp.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the each of the pair of jaws includes a plurality of rubber inserts to flexibly hold the conductor.

6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment hole defined by each jaw of the pair of jaws.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the clamp is a polyamide structure having an ultraviolet and thermal stability to enhance visibility and ensure long durability.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the spherical diverter comprises a polymer material with a photo-phosphorescence pigment to induce a night glow effect onto the spherical diverter.

9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the polymer material comprises a polycarbonate material or a polyacetal material.

10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the spherical diverter is translucent.

11 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the retro-reflective tape is positioned over the male and female slot between the two interlocking hemispheres.

12 . An avian distractor device, comprising:
a spring-biased clamp; a locking member disposed in communication with the clamp to rigidly hold a conductor of different sizes within the clamp; a diverter rotatably attached to the clamp, the diverter is a spherical shape and has a reflective surface including a retro-reflective tape that extends continuously around and encircles a perimeter thereof; and a plurality of dimples defined on a portion of an external surface of the diverter other than a central portion having the retro-reflective tape, the dimples extending between the retro-reflective tape and an upper end of the diverter attached to the clamp, and between the retro-reflective tape and a lower end of the diverter.

13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the clamp includes a pair of jaws pivotally attached to a hinge.

14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein each jaw of the pair of jaws includes at least one arm extending in a direction toward the other one of the pair of jaws.

15 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the clamp includes a pair of tension springs arranged on respective sides of the pair of jaws, the ends of each tension spring attached to a respective one of the pair of jaws.

16 . The device of claim 12 , further comprising a locking cover covering and engaging with the locking member of the clamp via fasteners, the locking cover rigidly holding the locking member for fixing the conductor within the clamp.

17 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the diverter includes two interlocking hemispheres mechanically interlocked together.

18 . The device of claim 17 , further comprising a fastener threaded via a center portion of the diverter via a swivel structure molded on an inner side of a lower hemisphere of the diverter to rotatably attach the diverter to the clamp.

19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the fastener extends from a bottom of the lower hemisphere, through the diverter, and engages with a hinge of the clamp arranged on an upper hemisphere of the diverter.

Assignees

• Te Connectivity India Private Ltd
• Te Connectivity Ireland Ltd
• Te Connectivity Services Gmbh Et Al

Inventors

• Mcgowan Brian
• Mulligan Jason
• S Ravi
• Vade Praveena
• Kushtagi Praveen
• Tijare Vijay Wasudeorao

Classifications

• H02G1/02

  for overhead lines or cables · CPC title

• A01M29/08 Primary

  using reflection, colours or films with specific transparency or reflectivity · CPC title