WO2017213522A1

WO2017213522A1 - Stackable enclosure for a vermin trap

Info

Publication number: WO2017213522A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2017/050073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ross Desmond Mitchell; Darron Thomas William SIMONS
Original assignee: Cmi Limited
Priority date: 2016-06-07
Filing date: 2017-06-01
Publication date: 2017-12-14

Abstract

Each moulded plastics enclosure for a trap mechanism has a rigid base, stackable with like bases for portability and a voluminous rigid cover having tapered sides for stackability. A trap mechanism is fixed to each base by a trapper. A cover is then attached at a detachable hinge. A closed assembly defines an enclosed volume. Each cover includes at least one access port for vermin, air flow apertures, and frames for animal access barriers. Another port may be opened for bait replenishment. The cover may be unlatched and opened along the detachable hinge by a trapper, exposing the mechanism.

Description

STACKABLE ENCLOSURE FOR A VERMIN TRAP

FIELD

The invention relates to traps for animals, and in particular to improvements to enclosures that improve the effectiveness of traps ready to be triggered by vermin in infested areas. DEFINITIONS

The word "animal" as used herein includes birds.

"Enclosure" as used herein means a protective, safe, or concealing housing for the mechanism of the trap which nevertheless admits the intended vermin only.

"Excluded animals" as used herein refers to animals and birds that are not to be caught and killed.

"Trap" as used herein refers to a mechanism for killing vermin, such as a trap mechanism which is often placed inside an enclosure. One such trap is the DOC 200 predator trap produced by CMI Springs for the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

"Vermin" as used herein refers to pest animals - specific kinds of animals that are intended to be trapped and killed. They are arbitrarily split onto "small vermin" up to the size of (for example) mustelids, and "large vermin" including the examples of mongooses, possums and brown snakes.

BACKGROUND

Vermin cause a range of problems in many countries, including threatening the survival of protected species, spreading diseases, and destroying food. Trapping is one way to control pest animals. Traps could be used to catch edible animals. Trapping has the advantage that once placed and set, a trap will operate without supervision or effort.

A variety of trap designs are known. A common type is a sprung trap, in which opposed jaws are held ready under spring bias yet are prevented from closing by a triggering mechanism. The jaws are brought together around the target when the triggering mechanism is activated. The enclosure of the present application may also be used with other kinds of trap.

When setting traps it is usually important to target particular vermin and avoid harm to other animals (or birds). Trap enclosures, selection of bait and suitable locations are known ways to achieve this. Some enclosures operate to guide vermin towards the trap, while restricting access by other animals.

At this time the usual trap enclosure known in New Zealand at least is constructed by hand from wood in half-inch thick strips to make a wooden box with one or two open, enterable ends. The box has a closable lid for trap inspection, carcass removal, and re-baiting. The metal trap itself is securely fixed inside, which makes on-site assembly impractical. The logistics of trapping can be difficult. Traps and accessories must be delivered to target sites, often in remote areas in rugged terrain that is inaccessible by vehicle. It is therefore common for trapping equipment to be carried by people. Yet "trapper efficiency" is an important management issue. There is conflict with a policy (as at 2016-17) within the New Zealand Conservation Department that women rangers are allowed to carry by back-pack a maximum of 12 kg while men are allowed to carry by back-pack a maximum of 18 kg. That enforces a limited number (2 or 3) of enclosures holding traps along with securing chains to be deployed or collected during perhaps a whole day's tramping. The wooden enclosures are relatively heavy and bulky and become heavier ./ after absorbing water, in a trap line in wet bush. See Prior- Art Fig 1, illustrating the carrying of five or six such enclosures, which would not be easy in dense bush.

Trap stacking, an option made possible by the present invention, is also highly desirable if loads are to be delivered by helicopter in an economical way.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

There is a need for a durable trap enclosure which can be efficiently produced as a standard unit according to an optimised design.

There is also a need for a trap enclosure which is relatively compact and light, maximising the number of traps that can be set up or carried out in a single trip.

If the enclosures could be stacked together; either complete or in dismantled form, more could be carried. There is a further need for a trap enclosure which is easier to set up, easier to bait, more attractive to target animals, and from which it is easier to remove trapped vermin.

Another need is to provide a trap enclosure that vermin to be trapped can enter easily, while excluding animals (including birds) that are to be protected. OBJECT An object of the present application is to provide a trap enclosure, having a variety of configurations in order to target particular vermin, which can be efficiently produced as a standard unit. A second object is to provide a trap enclosure which is relatively easy to carry, assemble, and maintain and which is easily transportable, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first broad aspect the invention provides a portable enclosure for a trap mechanism, wherein the enclosure provides a rigid base, stackable with like bases for transport and a rigid voluminous cover, stackable with like covers within a reduced volume by virtue of inwardly tapered sides; each rigid cover and rigid base are moulded from a durable plastics material; each rigid cover and rigid base sharing a detachable hinge and, when in use are maintained closed by a latch opposite the detachable hinge and defines a cuboidal working volume of the enclosure enclosing the trap mechanism; the enclosure having at least one vermin access port.

Preferably the cover may be pivoted into an open position in relation to the base along the detachable hinge after operation of the latch by a user and the cover may be detached from the base at the detachable hinge for disassembly of the enclosure in order to facilitate storage and transport.

Preferably the base serves as a stiffened floor and includes mounting means capable when in use of securing an internal trap mechanism and mounting means capable of retaining a bait, and includes peripheral apertures capable of receiving fastening means and thereby of securing the enclosure at a selected trapping site.

Preferably, the trap mechanism comprises a separately sourced trap that is a lethal mechanism to be triggered by vermin (target animals as herein defined) investigating a bait in an infested area.

Preferably the base and the cover are moulded from a durable thermoplastics material selected from a range including polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, or alloys thereof, and optionally includes at least some recycled materials. In a related aspect the base is relatively flat and serves as a floor and includes shapes capable when in use of securing an internal trap mechanism and capable of retaining a bait, and includes peripheral apertures capable of receiving fastening means and thereby of securing the 90 enclosure at a selected trapping site.

In a subsidiary aspect, the base is provided with indicia to indicate a site suitable for installing the mechanism within the enclosure.

Preferably the enclosure includes at least one mounting site for an optional, selected mesh barrier having zero or more ingress apertures for vermin to block or allow access according to 95 known characteristics of the vermin as compared to animals or birds to be denied access.

Preferably the cover of the enclosure is configured to include at least one moulded frame capable when in use of retaining an internal screen selected from a range of metal sheet, plastics sheet, perforated metal sheet and perforated plastics sheet; said screen or sheet optionally including an access aperture capable of admitting vermin and thereby capable, 100 when in use, of delimiting an access route admitting vermin to the mechanism and capable of selectively excluding animals not intended to be trapped.

In a subsidiary aspect, at least one moulded frame is continuous about a plane through the cover and includes at least one externally directed strengthening rib.

Preferably the enclosure includes a reclosable aperture allowing inspection and optional 105 replacement of a separate bait or bait cage insertable into the interior of the enclosure.

In a related aspect the cover defines a centrally enlarged working volume of the enclosure including a space for the mechanism and defines at least one tunnel having a narrowed height and width, and includes at least one frame capable when in use of retaining a screen or sheet; the tunnel and central enlargement being suited to trapping a type of vermin.

110 Optionally the cover includes a plurality of vents.

Preferably at least one larger version, and at least one smaller version of the portable enclosure are provided as options.

In an option the cover defines a centrally enlarged working volume of the enclosure including a space for the mechanism and defines at least one tunnel having a narrowed height and width, 115 and includes at least one frame capable when in use of retaining a screen or sheet; the tunnel and central enlargement being suited to trapping a class of vermin that habitually prefers to move along defined paths or tunnels.

In either option, the enclosure may include a reclosable aperture allowing inspection and optional replacement of a separate bait cage insertable into the interior of the enclosure.

120 Preferably the enclosure allows use of a separate bait cage insertable into the interior of the enclosure through an aperture, having the advantage that bait replenishment need not risk exposure to the trap itself.

In another option, the cage insertion hole is provided in the base of the trap enclosure.

In a second broad aspect the stackable base and stackable cover of the portable enclosure 125 provide a method for increasing trapper efficiency by reducing the volume and weight of a load of traps to be carried.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The description of the invention to be provided herein is given purely by way of example and is not to be taken in any way as limiting the scope or extent of the invention.

130 Throughout this specification unless the text requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprising" or "comprises" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. Each document, reference, patent application or patent cited in this text is expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Reference to cited

135 material or information cited in the text should not be understood as a concession that the material or information was part of the common general knowledge or was known in New Zealand or in any other country.

DRAWINGS

Fig 1: (prior art ) shows a person carrying a pack load of wooden trap enclosures.

140 Fig 2: is a plan view of the internal layout of a "large-vermin" (Example 2) portable trap enclosure.

Fig 3: is an oblique view of a "small- vermin" (Example 1) portable trap enclosure with the top hinged back to reveal an installed trap mechanism. Fig 4: is an end elevation view of a "small-vermin" trap enclosure top.

145 Fig 5: is an oblique view of a "small-vermin" trap enclosure base.

Fig 6: is an underneath oblique view of a "small-vermin" trap enclosure base.

Fig 7: is an exploded view of a "large-vermin" trap enclosure; including base and top.

The invention provides a portable trap enclosure formed from stackable moulded parts (bases and covers) which are relatively easy to carry to a site and assemble together with a trap

150 mechanism which is then baited and set for use. By way of example, the trap enclosure is provided in a "small vermin option" with tunnel constructions intended to be suitable for mustelids (stoats, weasels, polecats) and rats (Example 1) including run-through tunnels, and a cuboidal "large vermin option" (Example 2) such as for the Australian possums endemic in New Zealand (Trichosurus vulpecula) and mongooses endemic in Hawaii, in which a simple

155 maze is included to raise the selectivity of the trap. Snakes such as the non-native brown snake endemic in Guam in a wide range of sizes are able to be caught and killed. Apart from the examples as described, the concept of a moulded, two-part, hinged enclosure for a trap, separable at the hinge in order to stack and carry the parts, can be constructed in other sizes and shapes.

160 Both examples are formed of light-weight moulded plastics components which are readily carried and assembled. A base and a corresponding cover are moulded from a durable thermoplastics material selected from a range including polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, or alloys thereof, and optionally includes at least some recycled materials.

EXAMPLE 1

165 The Example 1 portable enclosure includes a tunnel to each side of a central trap and is suggested for small vermin like rats and mice which are small mammals that habitually run along the same tracks. The design caters for situations in which a trapper intends to trap such vermin by placing the un-set trap inside the enclosure over the path for a period of time so that the vermin learn to run through the enclosure. After a period of time the trap mechanism is set.

170 Fig 3 shows an assembled run-through tunnel ready for setting the mechanism within. Here

312 is an opened cover illustrated at an angle to the base 306 - 307. (The indicia shown here are a safety requirement and are part of the enclosure, not part of the specification). The cover pivots around an axis indicated by the dashed line 308A— 308A. The axis passes through pivot joints 308 (one being obscured in Fig 3). The cover may be pivoted open on pivots 308 so that

175 the trapper can bait, set and clear the trap from time to time, having unlatched the cover by pressing the tab 309. When the cover 312 is disconnected from the base 306 - 307 by forcing the pivot joints 308 apart it becomes stackable with other covers and can be carried in a compacted format, as compared to carrying previously assembled traps. The base 306 - 307 is also stackable with other bases such as for compacting a load. This drawing shows the spring-

180 driven trap mechanism 304 itself in a triggerable configuration. The preferred trap mechanism exists in variants such as those known as a "DOC 150" or a "DOC 200" and is not itself part of the present invention which relates to the enclosure, not to the actual trap. The tunnels 303A, 303B run from side to side and the sides of the base include access ramps 306 and 307. In Fig 3 one tunnel 303B is shown screened off, which is done by the trapper according to his

185 or her knowledge of vermin behaviour by inserting an optional screen 310 into pre- formed guides.

Fig 4 shows an end elevation view, which displays the relative size of the central space of the enclosure under 312. The latch 309 for opening the cover is at the left. This drawing includes the anchors 313, 314 which are used to secure the trap within a selected environment using 190 stakes, nails, tent pegs, and cords.

Fig 5 is a perspective view of a trapper-disassembled base, ready for stacking and carrying. It includes one screen 310 and shows the recess (300 - Fig 2) into which the preferred trap mechanism is fixed using appropriate fasteners. Fig 6 is an underneath oblique view of a base showing a mosaic of criss-cross strengthening ribs 315 that are moulded into the floor, thereby 195 minimising the weight of the part. The cover derives useful strength from its curved shape.

Both the base and the cover of the enclosure are injection-moulded. They have no re-entrant portions. Other appropriate manufacturing methods may be used.

EXAMPLE 2

Fig 2 shows a plan view of an Example 2 portable trap enclosure base 201 with indicated 200 structures for trapping larger pest animals. Ribs 111, 121 and 131 are shown as dashed lines.

Note that the lines are indicated with breaks (entrance hole 112 and guiding hole 122) which represent a tortuous path that the selected vermin has to traverse while seeking the bait. Vermin are attracted from the outside which is to the left of the drawing, by a bait placed in the pot 210. The pot resembles an egg cup by having a concave interior. The adjacent surface 205 includes a bayonet lock (not shown) for locating and retaining an upper mesh cover (not shown) that is placed by the trapper over the bait, in order to conserve the bait while letting odours escape. A recess for holding a trap mechanism is shown as 300, 301. As illustrated, the enclosure comprises a cover 101 and a base 201 having complementary shapes for ready assembly into a trap enclosure. An entrance chamber 115 guides vermin into the trap, although 210 the entry path winds from side to side. The front panel 111 has an entrance hole 112 large enough that vermin can pass through it. The trap within the recess 300, entrance hole 112, guiding hole 122 and bait holder 211 are arranged so that a targeted animal seeking the bait will land on the target zone 301 of the trap in the recess 300. Typically this means placing the trap in its recess 300 between the bait holder 211 and the guiding hole 122.

215 That is intended to minimise or avoid access to the trap mechanism by animals or birds not intended to be caught. A trap chamber 125 holds the trap, as well as bait to lure target animals. A rear panel 131 allows passage of light and air, so target animals can smell but cannot directly reach bait in the bait holder 201. Vermin attempting to reach the bait must go through the front chamber. Tab 140 is a latch for the trapper to use when opening the cover in order to

220 get access to the bait holder or the trap mechanism at 300. Holes 220 (or slots 701-704 (Fig 7) are provided for anchoring the trap enclosure base within a selected environment using tent pegs, stakes or ropes as available. The cover has side gaps 705, 706 that leave the slots exposed, so that the cover can be brought down on to the surface of the base without obstruction by the anchors used.

225 As seen in the exploded view of Fig 7, the moulded cover 101 of the Example 2 trap enclosure has an upper surface and side surfaces collectively spanning an interior space. The open ends are filled, when in use, by inserted panels 111, 131 made of solid material or a rigid mesh and including at least one access aperture. Three (for example) strengthening ridges 110, 120, and 130 extend across the upper surface and down the side surfaces of the cover. Each one is

230 oriented in a plane, so that it will accommodate a selected internal panel (111 or 121 in Fig 2) within a slot. When inserted the panels can partly enclose the space within the cover 101 and partition the space into multiple chambers 115, 125, and together with the apertures provide the tortuous path that the vermin has to traverse when approaching the bait situated at the bait holder 210.

235 Additional securing means for holding panels (not shown) may be provided. Fig 7 includes a number of panel clips 161; each of which fits into a clip space such as 160 on the lower end of each ridge. Each panel clip has a central channel adapted to hold a bottom edge of a panel (not shown). With two panel clips holding it, a panel can be firmly but releasably held in the grooves beneath any of the ridges 110, 120, and 130.

240 The Example 1 cover 101 is closed on to the base 201 by swinging it closed about a pivot (along axis 308A, 308A) and latching it closed with the tab 240 on the base that engages with sides of a slot 140 in the moulded cover. Holes 153 (one on each side of the cover) may be used to secure the cover to the base through corresponding holes, with, for example ties or fasteners as a backup for the latch. To open the cover, the tab 240 may be pressed in order to 245 release it from the lip 140. Convenient opening of the enclosure assists with setting, baiting and otherwise maintaining the trap.

The cover 101 is stackable for portability and storage. Side walls and all ridges 110, 120, and 130 taper outwards from their upper surfaces so that several such covers may be stacked in a relatively small shared volume. When the panels are removed, the ridge of one cover fits into 250 the hollow interior of a ridge of another cover above. Forming at least the cover in plastics material allows for relatively light (at about 1 kg in one example) but durable construction. Preferably the base is made according to the same principles. The combination of lighter materials and stackable parts allows more convenient carrying of several trap enclosures.

The base 201 is relatively flat in shape, allowing several bases to be stacked for storage or 255 carrying. It includes strengthening ribs (not shown) of the type shown at 315 in Fig 6. As illustrated, the base 201 is equipped with trap guides or a recess 300, and optional lettering indicating to a trapper where a trap mechanism is best installed, and trap fittings 320 to which a trap may be affixed, for example by bolts running through the base.

VARIATIONS

260 The bait holder 210 may be provided with a reclosable trapper access port (not shown) so that the bait can be inspected, evaluated and replenished if necessary without risk of contact with the trap mechanism. For this purpose the bait may be supplied inside a separately placed bait cage.

RESULTS AND ADVANTAGES

265 The stackable trap allows one trapper to carry more traps at one time, or the same number in a more compact load, than would be the case for prior-art non-stackable traps.

The invention provides a trap enclosure using stackable bases and covers which are relatively easy to carry and assemble. These parts may be formed of plastic for lighter weight and ease of manufacture. Fittings to locate and install the standard traps can be included as standard in 270 each moulded assembly, avoiding on-site assembly under possibly adverse conditions.

A plastics surface is easier to clean of organic contaminants than an unsealed wooden surface. It is unlikely that a trapper would use both large and small versions on the same trip, so that the bases and covers need not be interchangeable in the field.

Being formed of non-wettable plastic, the portable trap enclosure does not take up moisture. 275 Reduced use of metal components and fittings minimises corrosion.

The trap enclosure is easily opened. A clip holding the cover down may be released by pressing the clip inwards, allowing the cover to pivot upwards. Panels which enclose and partition the space within the trap are held in the cover, and therefore move away from the base when the cover is lifted. With the cover open, a trap (in the recess 300) and bait holder (at 280 210) are readily accessible.

Securing holes or slots provided in or about the base allow for the trap enclosure to be secured in place by ropes, cords, nails, pegs, or clips. This may be important where trapping locations lack level ground, or endure particularly harsh weather.

In combination, these features make traps easier to carry, set, bait, and check.

285 Finally it will be understood that the scope of this invention as described and/or illustrated herein is not limited to the specified embodiments. Those of skill will appreciate that various modifications, additions, known equivalents, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

290 CLAIMS

1. A portable enclosure for a trap mechanism, characterised in that the enclosure provides a rigid base, stackable with like bases for transport, together with a rigid voluminous cover, stackable with like covers within a reduced volume by virtue of 295 inwardly tapered sides; each rigid cover and rigid base are moulded from a durable plastics material; each rigid cover and rigid base share a detachable hinge and, when in use are maintained closed by a latch opposite the detachable hinge and defines a cuboidal working volume of the enclosure enclosing the trap mechanism; the enclosure having at least one vermin access port.

300 2. The portable enclosure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the cover may be pivoted into an open position in relation to the base along the detachable hinge after operation of the latch by a user, and the cover may be detached from the base at the detachable hinge for disassembly of the enclosure in order to facilitate storage and transport.

305 3. The portable enclosure as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the base serves as a stiffened enclosure floor and includes mounting means capable when in use of securing an internal trap mechanism and mounting means capable of retaining a bait, and includes peripheral apertures capable of receiving fastening means and thereby of securing the enclosure at a selected trapping site.

310 4. The portable enclosure as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the cover is configured to include at least one moulded frame capable when in use of retaining an internal screen selected from a range of metal sheet, plastics sheet, perforated metal sheet and perforated plastics sheet; said screen or sheet optionally including an access aperture capable of admitting vermin and thereby capable, when in use,

315 of delimiting an access route admitting vermin to the mechanism and capable of selectively excluding animals not intended to be trapped.

5. The portable enclosure as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said at least one moulded frame is continuous about a plane through the cover and includes at least one externally directed strengthening rib.

320 6. The portable enclosure as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that the cover defines a centrally enlarged working volume of the enclosure including a space for the mechanism and defines at least one tunnel having a narrowed height and width, and includes at least one frame capable when in use of retaining a screen or sheet; the tunnel and central enlargement being suited to trapping a second class of vermin

325 7. The portable enclosure as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that the enclosure includes a reclosable aperture allowing inspection and optional replacement of a separate bait or bait cage insertable into the interior of the enclosure.