"Mad inventor"?

Self-confessed "mad inventor" Howard Stapleton developed the Mosquito [a device emits an irritating high-pitched pulse that most people aged under 20 can hear but almost nobody over 30 can ] after his 15-year-old daughter was harassed by youths hanging around a local shop.

Note published application 20070037691 (based on app. 11/465299) which has claims:


1. A sound-emitting device, said sound-emitting device comprising oscillating means for generating a signal and sounding means for generating a sound wave in accordance with said signal, said sound wave having a frequency that is detectable by one or more subgroups of individuals within a group of individuals, said subgroup of individuals being of the same species as the group of individuals.

2. A sound-emitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more subgroups of individuals are caused to move away from said sound-emitting device by said sound wave.

3. A sound-emitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frequency is in the range 16.5 kHz.+-.5 kHz.

4. A sound-emitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frequency is in the range 16.5 kHz.+-.2 kHz.

5. A sound-emitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frequency is in the range 16.5 kHz.+-.1 kHz.


Note to Bessen and Meurer: an invention by an individual inventor with a commercial product that is not in the
pharma area.