Animal proof hooded enclosure systems for power substations and methods 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A substantially animal-proof enclosure system 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;   (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; and   (d) at least one access portal,   wherein the enclosure surrounds a power substation.   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure system according to  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         3 . The enclosure system of  claim 1 , wherein the supports are independently made of a material chosen from polymer, fiberglass, metal, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure system according to  claim 1  wherein the defined vertical plane has a Y-dimension of about 7 feet to about 9 feet. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure system according to claim I, wherein the fencing material is chosen from mesh, chain link, sheets and panels. 
     
     
         6 . A method of maintaining an animal population in an enclosure comprising placing along a perimeter of a domain the enclosure system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the domain in includes a power substation.