IP Library Granted Patent US 6,912,815
Granted Patent B1
US 6,912,815 · App. 10/010,533 · Granted Jul 5, 2005

Methods and devices for impeding crawling arthropods from entering enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces

Assignee: University of Florida
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,912,815
App. No.
10/010,533
Granted
Jul 5, 2005
Kind
B1
Abstract

Gasket devices having a crawling arthropod deterring substance for fitting adjacent to connection points to permanent fixture objects on walls, ceilings and floors to interior spaces. The novel gasket devices can be used for protecting gaps and spaces between permanent fixtures such as shower heads, faucets, drainpipes, incoming waterlines into various rooms such as but not limited to bathrooms and/or kitchens, and anywhere these fixtures exist. Additionally, the gasket devices can be used for protecting gaps and spaces between other permanent fixtures such behind plates such as but not limited to electrical sockets, switches, cables, telephone jacks thermostats, and the like. Additionally, the gasket devices can be used behind ventilation vent covers, and the like. Finally, the gasket covers can be used about wall mounted stems of on hanging fixtures such as lights, chandeliers, and ceiling fans, and the like.

Claims (37)

1. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a solid barrier material with no spaces and gaps, sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room, the fixture including an attachment point between shower faucet handles and the surface portion, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods enter the room, the solid barrier material including a disc shape with a center through-hole therethrough for fitting adjacent to the attachment point between the shower faucet handles and the surface portion, and the fixed-permanent surface being selected from at least one of: a floor, wall, and ceiling; and

a separate arthropod repellant substance associated with the solid barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway, the barrier material further preventing and blocking airflow from passing therethrough.

2. The barrier device of claim 1 , wherein the fixed-permanent surface includes: a wall portion.

3. The barrier device of claim 1 , wherein the fixed-permanent surface includes: a floor portion.

4. The barrier device of claim 1 , wherein the fixed permanent surface includes: a ceiling portion.

5. The barrier device of claim 1 , wherein the separate arthropod repellant substance is selected from at least one of: a repellant substance, a pesticide, and a slippery substance.

6. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a solid barrier material with no spaces and gaps, sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room, the fixture including an attachment point between a pipe and the surface portion, the barrier material having a conical shape with a center through-hole therethrough for fitting adjacent to the attachment point between the pipe and the surface portion, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods enter the room, the fixed-permanent surface being selected from at least one of: a floor, wall, and ceiling; and

a separate arthropod repellant substance associated with the solid barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway, the barrier material further preventing and blocking airflow from passing therethrough.

7. The barrier device of claim 6 , wherein the pipe includes: a drainline for a sink.

8. The barrier device of claim 6 , wherein the pipe includes: an incoming waterline for a sink.

9. The barrier device of claim 6 , wherein the pipe includes: a water line for a showerhead.

10. The barrier device of claim 6 , wherein the center through-hole of the barrier material further includes:

a variable size opening for fitting about different pipe diameters.

11. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a solid barrier material with no spaces and gaps, sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room, the fixture including a stem extending into the room and the stem located between the surface portion and an electric powered fixture, the barrier material having a bell shape with a center through-hole therethrough for fitting about the stem, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods enter the room, the fixed-permanent surface being selected from at least one of: a floor, wall, and ceiling; and

a separate arthropod repellant substance associated with the solid barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway, the barrier material further preventing and blocking airflow from passing therethrough.

12. The barrier device of claim 11 , wherein the electric powered fixture includes: a ceiling fan.

13. The barrier device of claim 11 , wherein the electrical powered fixture includes: a light.

14. The barrier device of claim 11 , wherein the center through-hole of the barrier material further includes:

a variable size opening for fitting about different stem diameters.

15. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a barrier material sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room with a stem therebetween, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods can enter the room, the barrier material having a disc shape with a center through-hole therethrough with the stem of the fixture being inserted into the center through-hole of the disc shape barrier material; and

an arthropod repellant substance associated with the barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway.

16. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a barrier material sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room with a conduit therebetween, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods can enter the room, the barrier material having a conical shape with a center through-hole therethrough with the conduit of the fixture being inserted into the center through-hole of the conical shape barrier material; and

an arthropod repellant substance associated with the barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway.

17. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a barrier material sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room with a stem therebetween, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods can enter the room, the barrier material having a bell shape with a center through-hole therethrough with the stem of the fixture being inserted into the center through-hole of the bell shape of the barrier material; and

an arthropod repellant substance associated with the barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway.

18. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a barrier material sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room with a conduit therebetween, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods can enter the room, the barrier material having a cup shape with a center through-hole therethrough with the conduit of the fixture being inserted into the center through-hole of the cup shape barrier material; and

an arthropod repellant substance associated with the barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway.

19. A barrier device for obstructing entry travel routes into enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces, comprising:

a solid barrier material with no spaces and gaps, sized to fit adjacent to an attachment portion which is sized to fit between a fixture and a fixed-permanent surface in a room, the fixture including a drain receptical, the barrier material having a cup shaped insert having a center through-hole for fitting with the drain receptical, the barrier material substantially closing off a passageway along where crawling arthropods enter the room, the fixed-permanent surface being selected from at least one of: a floor, wall, and ceiling; and

a separate arthropod repellant substance associated with the solid barrier material for deterring the crawling arthropods from entering into the room along the passageway, the barrier material further preventing and blocking airflow from passing therethrough.

Assignments (2)
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2026
From: EAGLE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC
To: ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC.
Reel/Frame 074849/0457 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2001
From: ROBERTS, ERNEST H.
To: LINEGUARD, INC.
Reel/Frame 012383/0913 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 0975083100 · Dec 28, 2000
Provisional Application 6018139500 · Feb 9, 2000