GB2083992A - Scarecrows - Google Patents

Abstract

A scarecrow comprises electric motor which by a system of levers and linkages reciprocates the arms of the scarecrow, and by simple means causes the head of the scarecrow to nod. There is also provided a noise alarm which is operated with each movement of the arms. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Scarecrow The present invention relates to scarecrows. Generally scarecrows comprise a frame supporting a set of clothes so as to produce a facsimile of a human being. Other methods of frightening birds from crops include noise alarms which may be electrically operated or may comprise explosive devices and wind operated devices.

The present invention relates to a scarecrow in which at least part of the scarecrow, such as the arms or head, moves.

A preferred arrangement of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa front view of the apparatus for driving the scarecrow, Figure 2 is a rear view of the apparatus for driving the scarecrow, and, Figure 3 is a front view of a detail of the scarecrow for moving the head.

Referring to the Figures, a flat base plate 10 is provided which extends generally vertically, and from the top end of the base plate 10 extends a head supporting projection 11. The head may be mounted thereon by a resilient mount (not shown) which may comprise a spring steel frame so that it may move, at least to the extent that it can nod back and forth.

Extending to each side of the base plate 10 below the head supporting projection 11 are shoulder supporting projections 12. To the bottom of the base plate 10 are provided leg engaging supports 13.

The base plate 10, which may be provided by a plank of wood, mounts to its rear side a noise alarm 14, a motor unit 15 comprising an electric motor, an electric switch 16 for switching power from a battery (not shown) to the motor unit 15 and a relay unit 17.

The motor unit 15 drives an axle 18 which passes through the base plate 10 and the end 19 ofthe axle 18 which projects from the second side of the base plate 10 mounts an arm 20 of flat steel strip bent as shown in Figure 2. The projecting end 19 of the axle 18 is of square section and mounts within a square section hole of the arm 20 so that the arm 20 rotates with the axle 18. A nut and washer hold the arm 20 to the axle 18.

At the end of the arm 20 opposite the axle 18 there is mounted, through a pin 21, a further arm 22 also in the form of a flat strip of steel and at the opposite end of the arm 22 there is provided a hole 23.

A pin 24 of steel is provided which comprises a straight central portion 25 and two end portions 26, 27 bent at right angles to central portion 25, the end portions 26, 27 extending in generally opposite directions. End portions 26 passes through the hole 23. The opposite end portion 27 passes through a hole 28 in a plate 29 extending from one side of the base plate 10 which thereby acts as a pivot for the pin 24.

One arm of the scarecrow is supported on an arm support 30 which is mounted at the outer end of an arm 31 formed of two parallel steel strips 33,34 joined at their outer ends 32. The inner strip portion 33 includes a hole 35 through which the portion 27 of the pin 24 passes, the inner strip portion 33 being mounted between the plate 29 and central portion 25 of the pin 24.

The outer strip portion 34 which extends on the opposite side of the plate 29 to inner strip portion 33 is bent away from the base plate 10 at its inner end to form a lip 36 (see Figure 3 for more detail), the lip 36 including a slot 37 which engages the central portion 25 of the pin 24 and grips it. The outer strip portion 34 also includes a hole 38 to engage with the end portion 27 of the pin 24 protruding from the hole 28.

As can be seen from the Figures, the arm support 30 extends laterally from one side of the base plate 10 and there is a similar arrangement of members to mount a second arm support 30' extending from the opposite side of the base plate 10. These similar members are numbered the same as those already described with the addition of a prime except that plate 29 extends from both sides of the base plate 10.

The apparatus described operates as follows. We shall only describe the manner of motion of the arm support 30, the manner of motion of the arm support 30' being similar. A suitable length of rod is screwed to the arm supports 30,30' to support an arm, and suitable clothes are laid over the scarecrow base member 10 in the conventional manner. A battery is connected via the switch 16 and relay unit 17 to the motor 15 and when the switch 16 is switched on, the motor unit 15 operates so as to rotate the axle 18.

The motor unit 15 is in fact a drive unit from a motor car windscreen wiper. Rotation of arm 20 rocks arm 22.

This causes rotation of the pin 24 about its end portion 27 which is restrained by the hole 28. The effect, therefore, is that the end portion 26 of the pin 24 moves in an arcuate manner up and down. This motion is transmitted through the slot 37 in the lip 36 to the strip portion 34 which is restrained to pivot about the end portion 27 which engages in the hole 38so that the arm support 30 also pivots about the end portion 27 back and forth as the arm 20 rotates.

The effect of this is to apparently lift and lower the arm of the scarecrow.

Such a motion which reproduces movement of a person has the effect of scaring birds from the crops.

To further assist in this manner the noise alarm 14 is set off with each movement of the arms.

The arrangement described thus far may also be adapted so as to cause a nodding motion of the head of the scarecrow. Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that a suitable wire 50 is provided extending between the end portion 26 of the pin 24 (to which it is attached by a washer plate 52) and a suitable mounting in the form of a nut and bolt assembly 51 attached to the head (in this case the nose) of the scarecrow. As the pin 24 moves in an arcuate manner up and down as hitherto described the wire 50 causes the head ofthe scarecrow to nod up and down.

In a preferred arrangement there may also be provided, in the circuit controlling the motor, and onloff switch which may also switch the motor on so as to rotate through a complete cycle and switch off the motor. This intermittent control may cause there to be two positions of the arm per minute up to twenty motions of the arm per minute.

There has thus been disclosed an effective scarecrow driven by a suitable mechanism which is of a particularly simple and rugged kind.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing example.

Claims (4)

1. A scarecrow comprising an electric motor mounted to a support means, a first member connected to said electric motor to be rotated about an axis by a said electric motor, said first member including a pivot pin pivotally connected to two arms, each arm including at its end opposite said pivot pin a hole, two pins being provided each comprising a straight central portion and two end portions generally at right angles to said central portion whereby one end portion of each pin extends through a respective one of said holes and the opposite end portion extends through a respective hole in said support means to act as a pivot for said pin, two arm supports being provided each pivotally mounted to a respective one of the pivots and each including means connected to the central portion of a respective one of said pin means whereby, when arms are mounted to said arm supports, on rotation of said first member by said motor, said arm support pivot up and down to lift and lower the arms of the scarecrow.

2. A scarecrow as claimed in claim 1 including a noise alarm, means being provided to operate said noise alarm once with each movement of said arms.

3. A scarecrow as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which a head is provided mounted to said support means by a spring, and means is provided to interconnect said head with one end portion of one pin remote from said pivot whereby as said arms move, said head nods.

4. A scarecrow as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.