Rodent intrusion barrier for foundation mounted electrical signaling and lighting fixtures

A formed rodent intrusion barrier for foundation mounted electrical signaling and lighting pole fixtures having a bottom opening of defined peripheral shape into an electrical wiring cavity. The intrusion barrier includes a formed, radially thin, radially perforated, axially split, pliable, elastic, electrically insulating, encircling band, and a means for connecting the first and second ends of the formed band after installation within the electrical wiring cavity to form a peripherally continuous barrier.

1. 11. A formed rodent intrusion barrier for foundation mounted electrical signaling and lighting pole fixtures having a bottom opening of defined peripheral shape into an electrical wiring cavity, comprising: (a) a formed, radially thin, radially perforated, axially split, pliable, elastic, electrically insulating, encircling band having inner and outer radially spaced major surfaces, first and second axially spaced edges, and first and second peripherally adjacent ends, the band shaped to conform to the peripheral shape of the bottom opening and the perforations sized to allow passage of water and water vapor therethrough while preventing transit of rodents, and (b) a means for connecting the first and second ends of the formed band with the first and second ends facing one another to form a peripherally continuous non-overlapping barrier, the means for connecting selected from the group consisting of an electrically insulating push-on friction fit H-shaped connector, an electrically insulating push-on barbed friction fit H-shaped connector, and an electrically insulating slide-on H-shaped connector.
2. 22. The formed rodent intrusion barrier of claim 1 wherein the band is formed as a circle.
3. 33. The formed rodent intrusion barrier of claim 1 wherein the band is formed as an oval.
4. 44. The formed rodent intrusion barrier of claim 1 herein the band is formed as a polygon.
5. 55. The formed rodent intrusion barrier of claim 1 wherein the band is formed as a stadium.
6. 66. The formed rodent intrusion barrier of claim 1 wherein the band is formed as a regular polygon.
7. 77. The formed rodent intrusion barrier of claim 1 wherein the band is formed as a quadrilateral.
8. 88. The formed rodent intrusion barrier of claim 1 wherein the band is formed as a rectangle.

BACKGROUND
Foundation mounted electrical signaling and lighting fixtures, such as traffic signals and light poles, are known to regularly suffer damage to internal wiring due to rodents entering and nesting in the electrical wiring cavity, sometimes damaging the wiring to the point that operation of the fixture is dangerously impaired.
A longstanding need exists for a ready-to-use, extended useful life, electrical insulating, weather resistant, air and moisture porous rodent intrusion barrier for foundation mounted electrical signaling and lighting fixtures, especially one capable of both original and retrofit hand installation sans use of any tools.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of the lower portion of a typical installed, foundation mounted light signal pole equipped with a prior art wire mesh rodent intrusion barrier.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the base portion of the foundation mounted light signal pole of FIG. 1 depicting the side with a removable access panel to the electrical wiring cavity.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the pole to foundation attachment zone of the foundation mounted light signal pole of FIG. 1 depicting the prior art wire mesh rodent intrusion barrier.
FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged side view of the prior art wire mesh rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled octagon shaped rodent intrusion barrier in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 5A is a side view of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5B is a top view of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5C is an enlarged top view of a portion of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 5B, encircled by line A to facilitate viewing of the first and second peripherally adjacent ends of the band.
FIG. 5D is a side view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5E is a top view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5F is an enlarged top view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 5B, encircled by line A to facilitate viewing of the connected first and second peripherally adjacent ends of the band.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled circular shaped rodent intrusion barrier in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 6A is a side view of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6B is a top view of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6C is an enlarged top view of a portion of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 6B, encircled by line A to facilitate viewing of the first and second peripherally adjacent ends of the band.
FIG. 6D is a side view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6E is a top view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6F is an enlarged top view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 6B, encircled by line A to facilitate viewing of the connected first and second peripherally adjacent ends of the band.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled stadium shaped rodent intrusion barrier in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 7A is a side view of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7B is a top view of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7C is an enlarged top view of a portion of the band component of the rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 7B, encircled by line A to facilitate viewing of the first and second peripherally adjacent ends of the band.
FIG. 7D is a side view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7E is a top view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7F is an enlarged top view of the assembled rodent intrusion barrier depicted in FIG. 7B, encircled by line A to facilitate viewing of the connected first and second peripherally adjacent ends of the band.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the slide-on H-shaped connector depicted in FIGS. 5, 5E, 5F, 6, 6E, 6F, and 7, 7E, 7F.
FIG. 8A is an end view of the slide-on H-shaped connector depicted in FIG. 8.
FIG. 8B is an enlarged end view of the slide-on H-shaped connector depicted in FIG. 8A encircled by line A to facilitate viewing of the interlocking tab on the connector.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an assembled circular shaped rodent intrusion barrier as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 6A-F inserted within the bottom opening through the base plate of a foundation mounted electrical signaling and lighting pole fixture.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Definitions
As utilized herein, the phrase “electrically insulating material” means a material in which electric current does not flow freely, as contrasted with an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, copper and steel. Exemplary electrically insulating materials include specifically but not exclusively plastic, glass, wood and rubber.
As utilized herein, the term “elastic”, in reference to an encircling band in accordance with the present invention, means an ability to return to its original shape after being deformed.
As utilized herein, the term “pliable”, in reference to an encircling band in accordance with the present invention, means an ability to separate the first and second peripherally adjacent ends a distance equal to the radius of the band without the aid of a tool and without reaching the elastic limit of the band.
As utilized herein, the term “thin” means less than 2 cm, the term “extra thin” means less than 1 cm, and the phrase “ultra thin” means less than 0.5 cm.










Nomenclature Table










REF. 




NO.
DESCRIPTION







100
Rodent Intrusion Barrier



120
Band



120a1
Inner Major Surface of Band



120a2
Outer Major Surface of Band



120b1
First Edge of Band



120b2
Second Edge of Band



120c1
First End of Band



120c2
Second End of Band



120x
Height of Band



120y
Length of Band



120z
Width of Band



121c1
First End Margin of Band



121c2
Second End Margin of Band



123
Interlocking Depression in Band



129
Perforations through Band



130
Connector



131
Central Crossbar of H-shaped Connector



132
Legs of H-shaped Connector



133
Interlocking Protrusion on Leg of H-shaped Connector



1391
First Receiving Channel of H-shaped Connector



1392
Second Receiving Channel of H-shaped Connector



x
Axial Direction



r
Radial Direction



A
Foundation Mounted Electrical Signaling or Lighting 




Pole Fixture



B
Base of Fixture



B8
Electrical Wiring Cavity of Base



B9
Bottom Opening in Base into Electrical Wiring Cavity



F
Foundation



P
Pole of Fixture










Construction

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 11, the rodent intrusion barrier 100 includes a band 120 and a connector 130.
Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, the band 120 has inner and outer radially r spaced major surfaces 120a1 and 120a2 defining a thickness 120z, and first and second axially x spaced edges 120b1 and 120b2 defining a height 120x. The band 120 has a length 120y and is formed into a shape as necessary to conform to the peripheral shape of the bottom opening B9 in the base B of a particular style or model foundation mountable electric signal or lighting pole fixture A. Common peripheral shapes for these bottom openings B9 include specifically but not exclusively circle, oval, stadium, rectangle and square. Other quadrilateral and more complicated general and regular polygon shapes are known.
Still referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, the band 120 is axially x split to provide first and second peripherally adjacent ends 120c1 and 120c2 which can be readily tangentially separated by hand to allow the band 120 to be placed around and encircle electrical wiring at any point along the length of the wiring to facilitate retrofit installation of the rodent intrusion barrier 100.
The band 120 is sufficiently elastic to return to its original formed shaped after being deformed as necessary to retrofit the rodent intrusion barrier 100 around electrical wiring within the confines of an electrical wiring cavity Bs of an installed foundation-mounted electrical signaling or lighting pole fixture A.
The formed band 120 balances rigidity and pliability so as to be both self-supporting when stood upon an edge 120b1 or 120b2, and sufficiently flexible to accommodate tool-free retrofit installation of the rodent intrusion barrier 100 around sizable bundles of electrical wiring within the confines of an electrical wiring cavity Bs of an installed foundation-mounted electrical signaling or lighting pole fixture A.
The band 120 is sufficiently elastic to return to its original formed shaped after being deformed as necessary to retrofit the rodent intrusion barrier 100 around electrical wiring within the confines of an electrical wiring cavity Bs of an installed foundation-mounted electrical signaling or lighting pole fixture A.
The band 120 is formed from electrically insulating material in order to prevent the band 120 from accidentally and unintentionally contacting and shorting the electrical signaling or lighting pole fixture A.
The material of construction and radial r thickness 120z of the band 120 are selected to provide the desired elasticity and balancing of rigidity and pliability. Preferred materials of construction are thermoplastic polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The band 120 is preferably thin, more preferably extra thin and most preferably ultra thin.
Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 9, the band 120 is radially r perforated to allow passage of water and water vapor therethrough while preventing transit of rodents through the perforations 129. Generally, a plurality of perforations 129 with each perforation 129 less than about 1 cm2 in area is suitable, with perforation 129 between about 0.2 cm2 and 1 cm2 preferred. Perforations 129 smaller than about 0.2 cm2 tend to be readily plugged by air-borne dust and debris while perforations 129 greater than about 1 cm2 do not dependably prevent transit by rodents.
Referring to FIGS. 5, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6, 6D, 6E, 6F, 7, 7D, 7E, 7F, 8, 8A and 8B, the connector 130 is configured and arranged to reliably connect the free ends 120c1 and 120c2 of the axially split band 120 after the band 120 has been installed around the wiring within the electrical wiring cavity B8 of a foundation-mounted electrical signaling or lighting pole fixture A. The connector 130 is preferably of a type that can be quickly and easily fastened by hand without the need for any tools, and provides a reliable long-term connection. Suitable connectors 130 include specifically but not exclusively snap fit connectors, friction fit connectors, and slide on interlocking connectors.
The connector 130 can be provided as a separate component or formed on the ends 120c1 and 120c2 of the band 120.
The connector 130 should be constructed from an electrically insulating material such as plastic.
Referring to FIGS. 5C, 5F, 6C, 6F, 7C, 7F, 8, 8A and 8B, a particularly well-suited connector 130 is a slide-on H-shaped connector having legs 132 that define first and second receiving channels 1391 and 1392 on either side of a central crossbar 131, for receiving the first and second end margins 121c1 and 121c2 of the band 120. The slide-on H-shaped connector 130 provides the rodent intrusion barrier 100 with a modicum of tolerance in the overall circumference of the rodent intrusion barrier 100 as the end margins 121c1 and 121c2 of the band 120 need not be inserted to a precise depth within the receiving channels 1391 and 1392.
Optionally, at least one of the legs 132 defining each of the receiving channels 1391 and 1392 can have a protrusion 133 that extends towards and interlocks with a mated depression 123 in the band 120 for reliably holding the ends 120c1 and 120c2 of the band 120 together. The protrusion 133 advance securement of the end margins 121c1 and 121c2 of the band 120 within the receiving channels 1391 and 1392 of the slide-on H-shaped connector 130, but sacrifices any tolerance in the overall circumference of the rodent intrusion barrier 100.
Method of Making
The band 120 is well suited for manufacture via conventional extrusion techniques, with the cooled extruded band 120 perforated by standard mechanical drill or punch techniques. The perforated band 120 can then be heated to a softening point where the band 120 loses elasticity without slumping under its own weight, at which point it is reshaped by wrapping around a mandrel having the desired peripheral shape, and then cooled until the new shape is held and elasticity returns.
The connector 130, particularly an H-shaped connector, is also well suited for manufacture via conventional extrusion techniques.
Method of Installing
The rodent intrusion barrier 100 can be quickly and easily installed during original mounting of an electrical signaling or lighting pole fixture A onto a foundation F or retrofit onto a previously mounted electrical signaling or lighting pole fixture A without the need for a tool by (i) tangentially pulling the formed band 120 open and placing the band 120 around the wiring extending upward from the foundation F and through the bottom opening By in the base B mounted to the foundation F, (ii) manually securing the first and second peripherally adjacent ends 120c1 and 120c2 of the band 120 together by hand with a connector 130, and (iii) positioning the assembled rodent intrusion barrier 100 within the bottom opening By with the outer major surface 120a2 of the band 120 facing the periphery of the bottom opening B9 and one of the edges 120b1 or 120b2 engaging the top of the foundation F.