IL116334A - Trap - Google Patents

Description

Ŕrap Tr¾p Field of the Invention The present invention concerns animal traps in general, and self closing and self re-setting traps in particular.

Background of the Invention Traps are known for generations as an effective means for capturing animals, for extermination of pests, or rodents, gathering of pets in nature, collection of "samples" for scientific research as well as for purposes of conservation of animals in danger of extinction. Most purposes and the latter in particular, require traps which are not injurious or harmful to the animal. Such traps usually involve some bait to tempt the animal to enter a cage or a container, wherein the captured animal is held until taken away, and a one way entrance leading through a passage-way into the cage.

One simple weight-activated mechanical trap is disclosed by Thornley in US Patent no. 617,617. Thornley's trap comprises a pair of tread-levers located intermediate of an entrance door and a cut-off pivotal door. The tread-levers are coupled to each other with a bent pin or hook and arranged to cooperate with the entrance door and the cut-off door, and the operative parts reset themselves automatically. Another door, a sliding exit door, needs to be pushed open by the animal. A door which needs to be pushed open by the animal, without taking advantage of the weight actuated tread-lever, is disadvantageous. A very small or weak animal may fail to open the exit door, and the very closure of the door may pose an intimidating obstacle for any animal, which discourages the animal from advancing through the door.

Under the disclosed arrangement the entering animal may escape if the animal steps over the tread-levers while its back feet or tail keep the entrance door open, or the animal gets entangled with the hook, or another previously entrapped animal steps over the cut-off door. Moreover, such combination of two tread-levers, requires loose coupling with a bent pin or a hook, and is therefore a non reliable arrangement which may lead to malfunctioning Another trapping arrangement is disclosed, for example, by Stone in US Patent no. 877,138 - having two levers associated to an entrance door and a separate exit screen. This arrangement is subject to malfunctioning when the size or weight of the animal deviate from certain proportions. Moreover, when a large animal is caught or when two animals try to enter in a sequence into the passage-way, the entrance door may remain open and the entrapped animal which is still in the passage-way may easily escape. Furthermore, the exit screen needs to be pushed open by the animal and this poses a disadvantage explained above.

US Patent no. 1,726,493 to Kelly teaches a further similarly problematic arrangement, having 4 doors, two of which are set to be pushed open by the animal -and once again the above mentioned disadvantage subsists. Kelly's arrangement further includes a third front door and a forth concave swinging door, both of which are designed to close simultaneously by a weight activated platform. The animal remains caged in the passage-way and its further advancement towards the exit depends on its power and motivation to step on and pass over the daunting concave swinging door while the animal is required to simultaneously push up another door, and ignore a sudden elevation of the platform and rotation of the swinging door underneath the body of the animal. Such arrangement is therefore problematic and may intimidate the animal and discourage it from entering a cage through the exit.

Other known traps comprise more sophisticated arrangements which involve complicated apparatus or elements that are relatively expensive to produce or are susceptible to malfunctioning, such as springs - that tend to rust or weaken.

Further known traps may make use of sophisticated technological gadgetry such as electronic controls or electrically operated doors and animal-stunning devices, and therefore may require expensive components or power sources. Therefore their operation may be troublesome in comparison to mechanical traps.

It is therefore, an object of this invention, to provide a novel trap which is purely mechanical, unencumbered by springs, self-resetting, escape-proof, adapted for trapping several animals, not harmful to the animals, reusable, resistant to corrosion, and durable against damage caused by animals.

These and other objectives are provided by the invention to be described below.

Summary of the Invention There is thus provided according to the present invention a novel trap for animals comprising a passage-way for leading animals from its entrance through its exit into a cage, a tread-lever rotatably mounted on the passage-way, a swinging entrance door and a swinging exit door, both of which are rotatably mounted on the passageway at the entrance and the exit, correspondingly, a rod pivotally coupling the exit door to the tread-lever, and an element that creates minimal friction upon engagement with the entrance door, the element is mounted on an edge of the tread-lever engaging the entrance door, the entrance door is in a normally open position overlapping the tread-lever, the exit door is in a normally closed position, wherein a weight of an animal, for as long as the animal is positioned on the tread-lever, tilts the tread-lever down toward the exit and up toward the entrance, so that when the tread-lever is so tilted it opens the exit door by the rod and closes the entrance door by the element.

Preferably, the element comprises a roller, the rod comprises a rigid bar, the passage-way comprises an oblong casing, and the tread-lever is balanced to be in a substantially horizontal position when not tilted.

Optionally, the trap further comprises a partition screen for prevention of back crawl of the animal underneath the tread-lever, wherein the partition screen hangs from or in proximity to a hinge of the tread-lever and is slanted toward the exit. Further optionally, the trap comprises a barrier externally contiguous to the top of the exit door, for blocking the animal from opening the exit door by reaching its top.

Still, further optionally, the cage comprises two compartments, one of which is used for placement of baits and is closed from all sides to prevent entrance of animals and the other is for gathering of entrapped animals. Alternatively, the trap comprises a container for baits which is coupled to the passage-way, preferably in the vicinity of the exit of the passage-way over the top of the passage-way, the external walls of the container are opaque and insulated against smells, except a wall common to the container and the passage-way that is pierced.

The cage may further comprise a separation door for sealing its entrance when the cage is separated from the passage-way.

The trap may further comprise safety locking means for locking the exit door from its opening by an entrapped animal. Such safety locking means may comprise a vertical bar which is reciprocatingly coupled to the passage-way and is supported by the tread-lever, wherein the tread-lever in its normal non-tilted position raises the bar to engage a meshing protrusion of the exit door in its closed position, and when the tread-lever is tilted down toward the exit, the bar drops down and allows the opening of the exit door. Preferably, for ensuring a smooth operation of the locking means and prevention of its faulty locking or unlocking, the rod may comprise at least one joint to either the exit door or the tread-lever, wherein the joint comprises a vertically elongated slit cut in the exit door or the tread-lever, correspondingly, into which a hook shaped ending of the rod is insertable.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below, given by way of example only.

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the following enclosed drawings inwhich like numerals designate correspondingly analogous elements or sections throughout, and inwhich: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the passage-way of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an open position - set for entrance of an animal; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the passage-way of Figure 1 in a closed position - when an animal is in transit through the passage-way; Figure 4 is a schematic top view of an optional combination of the invention with a cage; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another optional combination of the invention with a cage; Figure 6a is a perspective partial view of the embodiment of Figure 1 demonstrating an optional safety lock; Figure 6b is a perspective partial view of the embodiment of Figure 1 demonstrating another optional safety lock; Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment constructed and operative in accordance with the invention; Detailed Description of the Invention In reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a passage-way 1 comprising an oblong corridor having an open entrance 3 and an open exit S. Passage-way 1 may comprise grilled walls or even opaque walls - preferably with suitable lighting openings such as openings 7 in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 4, the sole entrance to a cage 9 is possible only through passage-way 1 which comprises a one-way corridor leading into cage 9, thus forming together a trap 11. Optionally, trap 11 may comprise an isolated compartment or compartments wherein a bait can be placed, for tempting animals to enter into cage 9 without actually consuming the "eternal" bait. This is desirable when trap 11 is employed to capture several entrapped animals or simply to save expenses on baits. A top view of a possible combination of cage 9 and passage-way 1 and alternate possible locations of bait compartments 10, are best shown in Figures 4 and 5. In reference to Figure 5, passageway 1 may be installed in a bait compartment 10, both of which may be perpetually set up in a permanent spot, while the captured animals are collected in a removable cage 9. Cage 9 comprises an entrance door 12 - compatible to exit S of passage-way 1, which is closed only prior to removal of cage 9 - either for its replacement or re-use after it is emptied.

Alternatively, a container 13 for placement of baits may be coupled to passageway 1. For the directing the bait odors toward passage-way 1, the external walls of container 13 are preferably opaque and insulated against smells, except a pierced wall 14 which is common to container 13 and passage-way 1 (as in Figure 1). For the prevention of animal preoccupation with the bait, container 13 may be mounted on ceiling IS of passage-way 1. Preferably, container 13 is located in the vicinity of exit S of passage-way 1 for attracting the animal to enter deeper into passage-way 1.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the operative system installed in passageway 1, is presented. Entrance door 16 is rotatably hinged to the side walls of passageway 1 at fulcrum or hinge 17 which is mounted substantially at the lower part of door 16. Thus, door 16 is biased to be in a normally open position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Door 16 may comprise slanting flange 18 which prevents infiltration of animals beneath door 16. If the gap 19 between door 16 in its open position and the ground is too wide, inclined stationary sloping element 21 may be mounted at the entrance. Such sloping element 21 provides further sealing against crawling under door 16 if the side flanges 23 of element 21 are sealed. Element 21 helps to guide the animals into the main part of passage-way 1. In the Middle section of passage-way 1, a treadle or tread-lever 25 is rotatably hinged to the side walls of passage-way 1 at fulcrums or hinge 27 located substantially toward the entrance 3. Door 16 overlaps tread-lever 25 and both form a substantially horizontal surface. At its edge adjacent to door 16, tread-lever 25 comprises a roller 29 hinged thereto at fulcrum 31 in proximity to hinge 17. However, roller 29 may be replaced by any element that effectively creates minimal friction upon engagement with entrance door 16, and which would be mounted on the edge of tread- lever 25 engaging the entrance door 16. The upper edge of door 16 is preferably located beyond hinge 27 for smoothing the continuity of such substantially horizontal configuration.

Next to exit 5, exit door 33 rotatably hangs closed and is hinged to the side walls of passage-way 1 at fulcrum or hinge 35. Door 33 preferably comprises a flange 37 which slightly alters its generally vertically closed position into at small slope such as in Figure 2, and can serve as a delicate counter-weight against the weight of the main portion of door 33. In this configuration door 33 cannot turn open toward the inner part of passage-way 1 (in the counter-clockwise direction) either because of floor 39 or ceiling 15 or edge 43 of tread-lever 25, or rigid rod 45 (if tread-lever 25 is well balanced and significantly heavier than door 33), all or any combination of which prevent such turn.

Tread-lever 25 is coupled, through rod 45 to exit door 33. Rod 45 is pivotally mounted to edge 43 of tread-lever 25 at fulcrum 47 and to the upper section of door 33 at fulcrum 49. Preferably, rod 45 is adjacent to a wall of passage-way 1 to avoid blockage of exit 5. Rod 45 may comprise a rigid bar or even a flexible element such as a wire or cord. However, if rod 45 comprises a rigid bar, the center of gravity may be located further to the right of hinge 27 towards entrance 3, whereas door 33 and rigid rod 45 would prevent excess tilting up of tread-lever 25 toward exit 5.

An observation at Figures 1 and 2 unravels that the center of gravity of the operative parts in passage-way 1 would be usually located either in the vicinity of hinge 27 or to the right thereof - towards entrance 3. Notably, door 33 may hang freely in its closed position and in such case imposes no gravitational force on tread-lever 25 until door 33 starts to turn open. Otherwise, door 33 would function as a further balancing weight which pulls up edge 43. In the former instance, tread-lever 25 is normally balanced, with the additional weight of door 16, to remain horizontal. If a relatively small weight is placed on its exit-oriented portion - between hinge 27 and edge 43, tread-lever 33 would be tilted down toward exit 5 and up toward entrance 3, as in Figure 3. The more the center of gravity is biased toward the entrance, or the heavier door 33 is, the larger the said weight would have to be in order to so tilt tread-lever 25.

In reference to Figure 3, the weight of an entering animal 51 is imposed on tread-lever 25 on its exit-oriented portion - between hinge 27 and edge 43. In this configuration, tread-lever 25 is tilted down toward exit 5, its entrance-oriented edge rises and pushes up (through roller 29) and closes door 16, and its edge 43 pulls down rod 45, which pulls open door 33. The center of gravity is designed to keep this configuration intact until animal 51 leaves passage-way 1 altogether, even if animal 51 retreats towards the entrance oriented portion of tread-lever 25 - between hinge 27 and hinge 31. It is also possible to employ rigid rod 45 as explained above - for prevention of excess tilting up of tread-lever 25 towards exit 5 or even to rely on door 16 to close and push away animal 51 toward the exit. Preferably, flange 37 has an intermediate cut-away portion 36 as shown in Figure 1, for eluding obstruction of the free passage of animal 51 through exit 5.

Roller 29 may be substituted by other elements, as explained above, or even eliminated altogether. However, roller 29 is particularly useful for dramatically reducing the significant fiictional resistance exerted upon the operative system when tread-lever 25 pulls door 16 (or when the operative system would reset itself), due to the high leverage of such pull which is caused, inter alia, by the proximity of roller 29 to hinge 17.

Use of alternate materials, or variations of shape or locations of hinges 15, 27 and 35 relative to each other and to doors 13 and 33 and tread-lever 27, will determine where the center of gravity is located and allows adaptation of the trap to the size and weight of the typical animal which is expected to be caught. These parameters can be used, therefore to differentiate and select the caught animals.

Optionally, for the prevention of back crawl of the captured animal beneath tread-lever 27, the trap may further comprise a partition screen 52 hanging from hinge 27 of tread-lever 25 (or in proximity thereto below hinge 27) and is slanted toward exit 5. Further optionally, a barrier 53 which is externally contiguous to the top of exit door 33, for blocking animal 51 from opening the exit door by reaching its top.

Having nowhere else to go and being tempted by a bait 54 in cage 9, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, or loosing track of the origin of the smell of a bait in container 13, animal 51 will eventually leave passage-way 1 only through exit 5 into cage 9. At this stage the forces imposed upon the operative system return to be as before the animal entered into passage-way 1, as in Figures 1 and 2 and therefore the system will automatically reset itself to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this position door 33 is closed and prevents the captured animal from escaping from cage 9 back to passage-way 1. The system is now ready for reactivating when another animal will enter into passage-way 1. The formerly captured animal cannot escape even when door 33 re-opens as another animal activates the system into the position of Figure 3, since door 16 closes simultaneously as described above.

It is the simplicity of the operative system - comprising merely three rotating surfaces - 13, 25 and 33, and two connecting elements - roller 29 (or substitute member) and rod 45, which ensures the reliability and durability of the trap and its simple and inexpensive production, operation and maintenance.

It should be noted that this invention concerns any animals, typically mice, rats, pests, birds or other creatures of any sort, including particularly-large or particularly-small animals, so long as the trap is designed to adapt for the anticipated size of the animals.

For extra safety against opening of exit door 33, safety locking means 60 as in Figure 6a may be added. Such locking means 60 may comprise a vertical bar 61 which is reciprocatingly coupled to passage-way 1, for example with supporters 63 which are coupled through element 65 to the side wall of passage-way 1. Bar 61 is also supported by tread-lever 25 in the doted area 67. When tread-lever 25 is in its normal non-tilted position as in Figure 6a, tread-lever 25 raises bar 61 to engage a meshing protrusion 69 of exit door 33 in its closed position. When tread-lever 25 is tilted down toward exit 5, bar 61 drops down to disengage protrusion 69 and allow the opening of exit door 33.

A simpler locking means 60 is shown in Figure 6b. Vertical bar 61 is rigidly mounted on tread-lever 25 on its exit oriented side near edge 43, so that when tread-lever 35 in its normal non-tilted position it raises bar 61 to engage a meshing protrusion 69 of exit door 33 in its closed position to lock closed exit door 33. When tread-lever 25 is tilted down toward exit 5 it lowers bar 61 to disengage protrusion 69 and allow opening of exit door 33.

Preferably, for ensuring a smooth operation of the locking means 60 and prevention of its faulty locking or unlocking, rod 45 in Figures 6a-6b may comprise at least one joint to either exit door 33 or to tread-lever 25, wherein such joint may comprise a vertically elongated slit 71 cut in exit door 33 or tread-lever 25, correspondingly, into which a hook shaped ending 73 of rod 45 is insertable.

According to a preferred simple embodiment, passage-way 1 comprises an oblong corridor, as best seen in Figure 1. However, any suitable shape such as the elliptical shape cut at the bottom as shown in Figure 7. In addition, it is understood that the operative parts described above may be substituted by alternate equivalents, such as provided by a toggle mechanism instead of rod 45 or by locating hinge 35 at the bottom of door 33.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to what has been shown and described hereinabove by way of example only. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

Claims (15)

116334/2 - 13 - Claims

1. A novel trap for animals comprising a passage-way for leading animals from its entrance through its exit into a cage, a tread-lever rotatably mounted on said passageway, a swinging entrance door and a swinging exit door, both of which are rotatably mounted on said passage-way at said entrance and said exit, correspondingly, a rod pivotally coupling said exit door to said tread-lever, and an element that creates minimal friction upon engagement with said entrance door, said element is mounted on an edge of said tread-lever engaging said entrance door, said entrance door is in a normally open position overlapping said tread-lever, said exit door is in a normally closed position, wherein a weight of an animal, for as long as said animal is positioned on said tread-lever, tilts said tread-lever down toward said exit and up toward said entrance, so that when said tread-lever is so tilted it opens said exit door by said rod and closes said entrance door by said element.

2. A trap as in claim 1, wherein said element comprises a roller.

3. A trap as in claims 1 or 2, wherein said rod comprises a rigid bar.

4. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said passage-way comprises an oblong casing.

5. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said tread-lever is balanced to be in a substantially horizontal position when not tilted

6. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 5, further comprising a partition screen for prevention of back crawl of said animal underneath said tread-lever, wherein said partition screen hangs from or in proximity to a hinge of said tread-lever and is slanted toward said exit. 116334/2 - 14 -

7. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 6, further comprising a barrier externally contiguous to the top of said exit door, for blocking said animal from opening said exit door by reaching its top.

8. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein said cage comprises two compartments, one of which is used for placement of baits and is closed from all sides to prevent entrance of animals and the other is for gathering of entrapped animals.

9. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 7, further comprising a container for baits which is coupled to said passage-way, wherein said external walls of said container are opaque and insulated against smells, except a wall common to said container and said passage-way that is pierced.

10. A trap as in claim 9, wherein said container is located in the vicinity of said exit of said passage-way, preferably over the top of said passage-way. preferably in vicinity of said exit of said passage-way.

11. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 10, wherein said cage comprises a separation door for sealing its entrance when said cage is separated from said passage-way.

12. A trap as in any of the claims 1 to 11, further comprising safety locking means for locking said exit door from its opening by an entrapped animal.

13. A trap as in claim 12, wherein said safety locking means comprises a vertical bar which is rigidly mounted on said tread-lever on its exit oriented side, so that when said tread-lever in its normal non-tilted position it raises said bar to engage a meshing protrusion of said exit door in its closed position to lock said closed exit door, and when said tread-lever is tilted down toward said exit it lowers said bar to disengage said protrusion and allow opening of said exit door. 116334/1 - 15 -

14. A trap as in claim 12, wherein said safety locking means comprises a vertical bar which is reciprocatingly coupled to said passage-way and is supported by said tread-lever, wherein when said tread-lever in its normal non-tilted position it raises said bar to engage a meshing protrusion of said exit door in its closed position to lock said closed exit door, and when said tread-lever is tilted down toward said exit, said bar drops down to disengage said protrusion and allows opening of said exit door. 15. A trap as in any of the claims 12 to 14, wherein said rod comprises at least one joint joining said rod to either said exit door or said tread-lever, and wherein said joint comprises a vertically elongated slit cut in said exit door or said tread-lever, correspondingly, into which a hook shaped ending of said rod is insertable.

15. A trap substantially comprising any and all features of novelty as described, referred to, exemplified, illustrated or shown, hereinabove or in the accompanying drawings. GENRLl.DOT 11330002.002