US 12,453,344 B1
Animal monitoring and deterrent device
Mark C. Cridge, Miamisburg, OH (US); Trang T. Young, Dayton, OH (US); Kevin D. Blount, West Chester, OH (US); Brian E. Henslee, Galloway, OH (US); Timothy A. Shields, Haines, AK (US); and Frank L. Guercio, Apple Valley, CA (US)
Assigned to Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., Miamisburg, OH (US); and OrniLogic, LLC, Kalamazoo, MI (US)
Filed by Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., Miamisburg, OH (US); and Hardshell Labs, Inc., Joshua Tree, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/158,676.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/302,324, filed on Jan. 24, 2022.
Int. Cl. A01M 29/12 (2011.01); A01K 29/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01M 29/12 (2013.01) [A01K 29/005 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An animal monitoring and deterrent device comprising:
a lure body;
one or more sensors, the sensors configured to detect movement of the animal monitoring and deterrent device or presence of the pest animal proximal to the animal monitoring and deterrent device, where the one or more sensors comprise one or more of an accelerometer, an angular sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a shock or impact sensor, and a capacitive sensor;
an animal deterrent mechanism, where the animal deterrent mechanism comprises:
a source of animal deterrent;
an animal deterrent delivery system fluidly connected to the source of animal deterrent, the animal deterrent delivery system configured to disperse an animal deterrent from the source of animal deterrent upon activation of the animal deterrent delivery system; and
mounting hardware engaged with the lure body, the mounting hardware configured to secure the animal monitoring and deterrent device to a substrate, wherein the mounting hardware is a spike configured to penetrate the substrate to secure and restrain the animal monitoring and deterrent device to the substrate; and
a controller communicatively connected to the one or more sensors and the animal deterrent mechanism, where the controller analyzes data generated by the sensors and activates the animal deterrent mechanism to release the animal deterrent from the source of animal deterrent,
wherein the lure body comprises an exterior surface with shape and coloration replicating the appearance of an animal body, egg, nest, or shelter and is configured to attract the attention of a pest animal prior to release of the animal deterrent from the source of animal deterrent and conceal one or more components of the animal monitoring and deterrent device;
wherein the animal deterrent delivery system comprises a deterrent distribution manifold to direct the animal deterrent towards one or more nozzles to disperse the animal deterrent toward the pest animal;
wherein the deterrent distribution manifold is integral with the lure body;
wherein the animal deterrent is an irritant to the pest animal; and
wherein the source of animal deterrent is a pressurized or pumped liquid, gas, or aerosol of the animal deterrent provided in a closed vessel which is positioned entirely within the spike at a position within the substrate.