IR

Infra-Red Device for Repelling Rattlesnakes
and Other IR-Sensitive Snakes

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The abstract and figures below are from U.S. patent #6,271,533, which issued on May 15, 2001 and expires on July 6, 2019. The link takes you to a page at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's web site where you can see a text-only version of the patent. A full version with figures is also available at the USPTO site; follow their links. You will have to obtain the free AlternaTIFF plug-in to view the figures. The USPTO site will provide a link to AlternaTIFF. Link to text-version of the patent

AbstractA method and a device for repelling pit vipers (rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins) and boids (pythons, anacondas, boa constrictors) are disclosed whereby the snakes are irradiated with IR radiation having an appropriate wavelength and intensity to stimulate the IR-receptors of the snakes, thereby "jamming" the IR-receptors and/or producing an inimical electromagnetic environment that the snakes cannot tolerate.

Description

Interactions between people and rattlesnakes are virtually never pleasant for either the snake or the person. However, these interactions are increasing in America because of rapid urbanization of former desert areas in Southwest and because of increased numbers of hikers in areas where rattlesnakes are protected, such as state and national parks. The boom in golf courses throughout the Southwest is also bringing people into closer and more frequent contact with rattlesnakes. It is significant that the U.S.G.A. has recently amended its Rules to allow a player to drop a ball without penalty if his original ball is too close to a rattlesnake to play it without getting bit!

This invention relies upon the fact that a few genera of potentially lethal snakes, including Crotalus and Sisturus, (rattlesnakes), have very sensitive infra-red radiation detectors that they use to locate warm-blooded critters, which don't remain warm-blooded for long once the snake locates them.

By irradiating these snakes with high-intensity IR radiation of the appropriate wavelength, one essentially blinds them. This encourages the snake to retreat, or at least it disorients the snake sufficiently to give the person time to move safely around the snake, or, with luck, to play their ball without dropping.

Seriously, venomous snake bites represent a significant and growing threat to active outdoors people in large parts of the country. Roughly 3000 bites are recorded each year. The millions of individuals who love the wild deserts of America would walk easier if they had a portable IR source that could be used to repel rattlesnakes. Desert golf courses in particular would benefit by having a means of sweeping problem areas with an IR beam to keep sidewinders away, particularly at dawn and at dusk when golfers and snakes are most likely to meet. In addition zoological facilities and tourist attractions that display rattlesnakes would benefit from a way to "handle" rattlesnakes from a safe distance.

One embodiment of the invention is a small portable, hand-held IR generator housed with a high-intensity laser to assist in aiming. This unit can be used not just to "de-fuse" face-to-face interactions with pit-vipers, but it can also be used to scan areas where snakes may be lurking, such as mine entrances and brushy trails.

The invention incorporates a standard laser beam, such as found in pointing devices, to help aim the IR beam.

Figure 1 from the patent.

Another embodiment is a fixed, rotating IR generator that sweeps an area such as a playground, yard, or the borders of a desert golf course. The intense IR radiation presents an inimical environment for the snakes and, hence, keeps them away. Dogs, cats, kids and other mammals are not affected by the IR beam, nor are harmless snakes, which are generally beneficial because they keep rodent populations down.

Figure 2 from the patent.

Exclusive rights to this patent may be acquired by qualified parties. At this stage in development it is anticipated that any license agreement will be contingent upon test results.