# US 2018/0020657 A1 · Rodent Barrier System and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0020657 A1 - Document ID: US20180020657A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/467,457 - Filed: 2017-03-23 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-19 - Inventors: Steven V. Oliveira - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180020657A1 ## CPC - A01M 29/24: using electric or magnetic effects, e.g. electric shocks, magnetic fields or microwaves - A01M 29/30: preventing or obstructing access or passage, e.g. by means of barriers, spikes, cords, obstacles or sprinkled water - B66F 7/28: Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions - E04H 6/42: Devices or arrangements peculiar to garages, not covered elsewhere, e.g. securing devices, safety devices {, monitoring and operating schemes; centering devices} - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A rodent barrier system is disclosed herein. The rodent barrier system includes a vehicle elevation platform, a perimeter ladder having a plurality of rungs, a right ramp, and a left ramp. The rodent barrier system is useful for deterring rodents from accessing a vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rodent barrier system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a front, a back, a right side and a left side, the rodent barrier system comprising: a vehicle elevation platform including a right side member, a left side member, and a first adjustable cross member coupling the right side member to the left side member, the right side member configured to support front and back wheels of the right side of the vehicle at a platform elevation, the left side member configured to support front and back wheels of the left side of the vehicle at the platform elevation; a right ramp, separated from the right side member, and configured to elevate the front and back wheels of the right side of the vehicle from a ground level to the platform elevation when driven up the right ramp; a left ramp, separated from the left side member, and configured to elevate the front and back wheels of the left side of the vehicle from the ground level to the platform elevation when driven up the left ramp; and a perimeter ladder forming a barrier around the right side member and the left side member, respectively, the perimeter ladder including a plurality of rungs configured for a rodent to climb up the rungs, the rungs configured to impart a nonlethal electric charge to the rodent when at least two rungs are contacted by the rodent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, further comprising a power source located within the vehicle elevation platform, and configured to deliver the nonlethal electric charge to the plurality of rungs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The rodent barrier system of claim 2, wherein the power source includes a battery and a power converter configured to convert external alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The rodent barrier system of claim 3, wherein the power source further includes an independent DC power supply configured to charge the battery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rungs are automatically activated upon detection of the vehicle being present on the rodent barrier system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to manually activate or deactivate the plurality of rungs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein adjacent rungs of the plurality of rungs alternate in polarity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rungs are recessed within the left side member and the right side member, and adjacent rungs are separated by at least 0.12 inch. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle elevation platform is at least four inches tall from ground level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein the left side member and the right side member include a left chock and a right chock, respectively, said left chock and said right chock positioned opposite the left side member and the right side member from the left ramp and the right ramp, respectively, and said left chock and said right chock configured to inhibit the vehicle from rolling off the left side member and the right side member after driving up, the left ramp and the right ramp, respectively. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein the left ramp and the right ramp include a left side flap and a right side flap, respectively, said left side flap and said right side flap located proximate the left ramp and the right ramp, respectively, and said left side flap and said right side flap configured to inhibit the rodent from crossing from the left ramp and the right ramp on to the left side member and the right side member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The rodent barrier system of claim 10, wherein the left side flap and the right side flap are further configured to allow the vehicle to pass over. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rungs are made of conductive material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The rodent barrier system of claim 1, wherein the left side member and the right side member include a left base and a right base, respectively, the left base and the right base each configured as a first step extending horizontally from the left side member and the right side member, respectively. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The rodent barrier system of claim 14, wherein the left base and the right base include a surface having conductive material configured to deliver a nonlethal charge, and each surface is configured to operate as a bottom rung. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The rodent barrier system of claim 14, wherein the right ramp is coupled to the right side member on the right base, while the right ramp is otherwise separated from the right side member such that the rodent is inhibited from walking up the right ramp and across to the right side member; and wherein the left ramp is coupled to the left side member on the left base, while the left ramp is otherwise separated from the left side member such that the rodent is inhibited from walking up the left ramp and across to the left side member. ### Claim 17 A rodent barrier system, the rodent barrier system comprising: a vehicle elevation platform including right side member, a left side member, and a first adjustable cross member coupling the right side member to the left side member, the right side member configured to support front and back wheels of the right side of the vehicle at a platform elevation, the left side member configured to support front and back wheels of the left side of the vehicle at the platform elevation; a right ramp, separated from the right side member, and configured to elevate the front and back wheels of the right side of the vehicle from a ground level to the platform elevation when driven up the right ramp; a left ramp, separated from the left side member, and configured to elevate the front and back wheels of the left side of the vehicle from the ground level to the platform elevation when driven up the left ramp; a perimeter ladder forming a barrier around the right side member and the left side member, respectively, the perimeter ladder including a plurality of rungs configured for a rodent to climb up the rungs, the rungs configured to impart a nonlethal electric charge to the rodent when at least two rungs are contacted by the rodent; and a power source located within the vehicle elevation platform, and configured to deliver the nonlethal electric charge to the plurality of rungs; wherein the power source includes a battery and a power converter configured to convert external alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC); wherein the power source further includes an independent DC power supply configured to charge the battery; wherein the plurality of rungs are automatically activated upon detection of the vehicle being present on the rodent barrier system; wherein adjacent rungs of the plurality of rungs alternate in polarity; wherein the plurality of rungs are recessed within the left side member and the right side member, and adjacent rungs are separated by at least 0.12 inch; wherein the vehicle elevation platform is at least four inches tall from ground level; wherein the left side member and the right side member include a left chock and a right chock, respectively, said left chock and said right chock positioned opposite the left side member and the right side member from the left ramp and the right ramp, respectively, and said left chock and said right chock configured to inhibit the vehicle from rolling off the left side member and the right side member after driving up, the left ramp and the right ramp, respectively; wherein the left ramp and the right ramp include a left side flap and a right side flap, respectively, said left side flap and said right side flap located proximate the left ramp and the right ramp, respectively, and said left side flap and said right side flap configured to inhibit the rodent from crossing from the left ramp and the right ramp on to the left side member and the right side member; wherein the left side flap and the right side flap are further configured to allow the vehicle to pass over; wherein the plurality of rungs are made of conductive material; wherein the left side member and the right side member include a left base and a right base, respectively, the left base and the right base each configured as a first step extending horizontally from the left side member and the right side member, respectively; wherein the left base and the right base include a surface having conductive material configured to deliver a nonlethal charge, and each surface is configured to operate as a bottom rung; wherein the right ramp is coupled to the right side member on the right base, while the right ramp is otherwise separated from the right side member such that the rodent is inhibited from walking up the right ramp and across to the right side member; and wherein the left ramp is coupled to the left side member on a left base, while the left ramp is otherwise separated from the left side member such that the rodent is inhibited from walking up the left ramp and across to the left side member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The rodent barrier system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the rodent barrier system is arranged as a kit. ### Claim 19 A method of using a rodent barrier system, the method comprising the steps of: activating the rodent barrier system by driving a vehicle onto the vehicle elevation platform; and deactivating the rodent barrier system by driving a vehicle off the vehicle elevation platform. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of activating the rodent barrier system by utilizing a user interface; and deactivating the rodent barrier system by utilizing a user interface.