Animal proof hooded barrier, related enclosure systems and method of maintaining an animal proof domain

Abstract

The invention encompasses a substantially animal-proof barrier that includes (a) two supports that are laterally spaced apart to define a substantially vertical plane there between; (b) fencing material that is attached to each of the supports and spans the defined substantially vertical plane to form a simple barrier that has a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface and a back surface, wherein the simple barrier divides a domain into a first area and a second area; and (c) a hood having an inner surface, the hood originating from the top edge of the simple barrier. An angle formed by the inner surface of the hood and the front surface of the simple barrier measures about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees, such that a channel having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A substantially animal-proof barrier comprising:
 (a) two supports that are laterally spaced apart to define a substantially vertical plane therebetween;   (b) fencing material that is attached to each of the supports and spans the defined substantially vertical plane to form a simple barrier that has a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface and a back surface, wherein the simple barrier divides a domain into a first area and a second area;   (c) a hood having an inner surface, the hood originating from the top edge of the simple barrier, Wherein an angle formed by the inner surface of the hood and the front surface of the simple barrier measures about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees, such that a channel having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed.   
     
     
         2 . The BARRIER according  claim 1 , further comprising a top rail that is adjacent to the edge of the simple barrier, and to which the hood is attached. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle is about 20 degrees to about 50 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier according  claim 1 , wherein the angle is about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier according  claim 1 , wherein the angle is about 25 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the hood comprises a bottom lip. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the bottom lip is selected from a lip that extends substantially horizontally away from the front surface of the simple barrier, a lip that extends substantially horizontally towards the front surface of the simple barrier, and a lip that extends substantially horizontally both toward and away from the front surface of the simple barrier. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the supports are independently made of a material chosen from wood, plastic, polymer, fiberglass, metal, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the fencing material is chosen from mesh, chain link, sheets and panels. 
     
     
         10 . An enclosure system to maintain an animal population on a first side of a domain comprising at least one barrier of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . An enclosure system to maintain an animal population on a first side of a domain comprising:
 (a) at least three supports that are laterally spaced apart to define a define a substantially vertical plane;   (b) fencing material that is serially attached to each of the at least three supports to span the defined substantially vertical plane to form a simple barrier that has a top edge, a bottom edge, a front surface and a back surface, wherein the simple barrier divides a domain into a first area and a second area; and   (c) a hood having an inner surface, the hood originating from the top edge of the simple barrier, wherein an angle formed by the inner surface of the hood and the front surface of the simple barrier measures about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees.   
     
     
         12 . The enclosure system according to  claim 11  further comprising at least one access portal. 
     
     
         13 . The enclosure system according to  claim 12 , wherein the access portal is chosen from a gate, a door, a drawbridge, a sliding door, a sliding gate, a revolving door or gate, and a trapdoor. 
     
     
         14 . The enclosure system according to  claim 11  wherein the defined vertical plane has a Y-dimension of about 7 feet to about 9 feet. 
     
     
         15 . The enclosure system according to  claim 11 , wherein the supports are independently made of a material chosen from wood, plastic, polymer, fiberglass, metal, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The enclosure system according to  claim 11 , wherein the angle is about 25 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The enclosure system according to  claim 11 , wherein the fencing material is chosen from mesh, chain link, sheets and panels. 
     
     
         18 . A method of maintaining an animal population in an enclosure comprising placing along a perimeter of the domain at least one barrier of  claim 1 .