AU2004200834A1 - Animal trap - Google Patents

Description

PATENTS ACT 1953 NEW ZEALAND PATENT APPLICATION COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Applicant Name: PHILLIP JOHN HAYCOCK, Address: 176 KawaKawa Road, Taupo, New Zealand.

Nationality: a New Zealand citizen.

Inventor Name: PHILLIP JOHN HAYCOCK.

Address: 176 Kawakawa Road, RD ITaupo, New Zealand.

I PHILLIP JOHN HAYCOCK a New Zealand citizen of 176 Kawakawa Road, RD 1 Taupo, New Zealand.

do hereby declare this invention to be described in the following statement: 1 ANIMAL TRAP TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to an animal kill trap. Specifically, this invention relates to an animal kill trap that may kill a captured animal subsequent to the animal being captured in the trap, and contained alive and uninjured within the confines of the trap. The live animal is killed when it attempts to escape the trap confines via an exit that incorporates an engagement device.

Background Art Typically animal traps are designed to kill pests A number of methods for reducing pest numbers are known, including poisoning and trapping, which have both been used to various success.

Whilst useful in some situations, poisons are often unsuitable for many applications due to the nature of the poisons used and the danger to human and domestic animal health. Careful handling and training is also required in order for such chemicals to be used safely. Poisons are also prone to affecting a large range of non-target species.

Live capture traps are useful for catching animals, but are not so useful for efficient pest destruction as the animal still needs to be humanely killed.

Typically animal kill traps, whilst in their bare form can be indiscriminate in the species they catch, often requiring bulky, complex modifications and safe-guards to be applied when the trap is set in the field in order to ensure the safety of non target species that may be at risk of injury or death from contact with a bare trapset.

NOTE. The term "bare" when use in this specification in describing an animal kill trap, can be taken to mean, "an off the shelf configuration" or as manufactured".

An example may be, a generic, leg-hold jaw trap, as manufactured, set in the open without a means to deter or prevent non-target species from triggering the trap.

Live capture traps must be checked and cleared daily, which can be very time consuming.

A wide variety of designs for animal kill traps exist and are known in the art.

Many conventional traps use a spring system as part of the trigger or engaging mechanism, thus requiring a stiff spring to be used to provide enough force to kill the animal However, to ensure the traps are not triggered accidentally, the sensitivity of the trigger mechanism is often low and often requires large movements of the trigger before the trap will activate. As such, trap shy or bait shy animals often avoid capture.

Because kill traps are designed to kill animals fast and efficiently, their mechanisms are typically quite cumbersome and complex. Such traps thus require regular maintenance to ensure they function efficiently.

It is the object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term "comprise" may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term "comprise" shall have an inclusive meaning i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specific components or elements. This rational will also be used when the term "comprised" or "comprising" is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process It will be clearly understood that for the purpose of this specification the term "over-center" will refer to a method wherein a lever or plurality of levers or a device is rotated slightly past 180 degrees from a nominal start point and the center of a radius. This situation utilizes the restrained load to hold the over-center device against a stop means. The force required to rotate the item back through 180 degrees is small in comparison to the total load restrained. Any position of the rotated item less than 180 degrees from a nominal start point and the center of a radius, is referred to in this specification as an "under-center" position. An under center position allows the restrained load to move freely to natural conclusion.

This method of latching, retaining and triggering is common in the art.

Further aspects and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the ensuing description, which is given by way of example only.

Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal trap, including an exit aperture, a trigger release mechanism, and an animal engagement device, the trap characterized in that the trigger release mechanism is adjacent to the exit aperture and wherein the actuation of the trigger release mechanism causes the animal engagement device to engage an animal within the exit aperture.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of trapping an animal using a trap substantially as described above Characterized by the step of As the live captured animal attempts to leave the confines of the trap through an exit aperture incorporating an animal engagement device, the trigger release mechanism is actuated, causing the animal engagement devise to engage the animal within the exit aperture.

In preferred embodiments the present invention will be used to trap or kill pests such as mustelids, specifically stoats and weasels. This should not be seen a limitation as in other embodiments the trap might be used to trap other pest such as ferrets, rodents, wild cats, possums and so forth.

The trigger release mechanism may be any mechanism responsive to a trigger that disturbs the set position of the trap and activates the animal engagement device.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the trigger release mechanism consists of a simple pin, which is released from its restraining position when the captured animal attempts to leave through the exit aperture incorporating an animal engagement device. However, this should not be seen as a limitation in any way, for the animal engagement device may be released by any means responsive to a grate or other device which may partially eclipse exit orifice.

Preferably the trigger mechanism includes a hinged grate, which substantially covers the exit aperture, which does not open sufficiently far to permit the animal to escape.

The term "animal engagement device" may be any devise designed to contact the animal within the exit aperture.

As the animal attempts to push through the exit aperture incorporating an animal engagement device, past the hinged grate, the trigger release pin is drawn from its restraining position, actuating the animal engagement device and in preferred embodiments killing the animal within the exit aperture.

The animal engagement device is preferably a sliding block, though this should not be seen as a limitation and in other embodiments may be a blade, or plurality of blades, spike or other device able to quickly and efficiently kill the animal.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the exit aperture incorporating an animal engagement device may include 2 pair of counter-rotating blades that rotate in unison via a pair of spur gears. The pairs of blades each rotate about their own axis. The distance between the 2 axes may be equal to, or greater than, the sum total of the 2 combined blade lengths measured from center of axis to tip of blade. Attached perpendicular to each blade at the axis is another blade. This second pair of blades each include a half profile of an exit aperture.

When the device is in the set position the 2 second blades are positioned towards each other and held in the set position by an "over-center" bias mechanism. As each of these 2 blades each have a half profile of an exit aperture included, the target animal may be inclined to push through the exit, therein pushing the rotating blades outwards through an "under-center" position. All 4 blades then counter rotate in unison via the meshed spur gears at each axis resulting in the first pair of blades rotating together to crush an animal within the exit aperture.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the animal engagement device is connected to a biasing mechanism, such that as the trigger mechanism is actuated, the biasing mechanism causes the animal engagement device to be actuated.

Preferable the biasing mechanism is a spring such as a tension or torsion spring, or a rubber cord such as rubber shock cord though it should be understood this should not be viewed as a limitation.

Preferably the trap has separate entry and exit apertures, the trap configured such that an intended target animal is not able to escape the trap through the entry aperture.

In some embodiments of the present invention the entry aperture may include a tilting or hinged floor which when activated drops the animal into the trap and thus prevents the intended target animal exiting the trap through the entrance.

Such mechanisms are commonly used in the art for life capture traps.

In other embodiments the entry aperture may include a door designed to permit one way passage, allowing an animal to easily push into the trap but unable to escape via the same door In some embodiments the trap entry may include an outwardly opening, normally closed, normally latched, hinged door.

In another embodiment the trap may include an inwardly opening, normally closed, hinged door.

Preferably such hinged doors are held in the open, set position, by a retaining bar.

Preferably the retaining bar is attached to a trigger mechanism.

Preferably the trigger means is a pivoting footplate. However this should not be seen as a limitation in any way for the trigger mechanism may be triggered by movement sensors, pressure sensitive switches or by any other triggering means known in the art.

Such entry door mechanisms are commonly used in the art for live capture traps.

The shape of the trap may also prevent animals being able to escape via the entry aperture.

The trap may resemble a tunnel to attract mustelids into the trap. Mustelids have previously been shown to be wary of entering many types of traps, whereas tunnel traps have proven effective for catching mustelids.

A tunnel shaped trap is also substantially species specific as only a restricted number of species will be able to enter, reducing the effect of trapping on nontarget species such as ground dwelling birds.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the trap is L-shaped with the entry aperture on the inside of the bend, forward of a blank end. In these traps an animal entering the trap will not be able to turn around, but will be able to edge backwards. However as the bend in the trap housing will prevent the animal seeing the entry aperture, the animal will back past the entry into the blank end of the trap. The only option for the animal will be to attempt to escape through an aperture other than the entry aperture.

In some embodiments of the present invention there may be included exit apertures that do not include an "animal engagement device". Such exit apertures may be of smaller cross-sectional area than exit apertures that include an animal engagement device. Small non-target species of animal may enter and or exit the trap via such non-lethal apertures.

Many conventional traps use a spring as part of the trigger or engaging mechanism, as per the present invention. However, to prevent such traps being triggered accidentally, a low sensitivity trigger mechanism is required.

Such traps are typically designed to be triggered as the animal enters the trap, or disturbs a bait. As such, large movements are usually required to activate the trap.

Trap shy or bait shy animals thus often avoid capture.

The sensitivity of the trigger in conventional traps is often a compromise between the ability to capture trap-shy animals and the risk of the trap being triggered accidentally.

As the present invention does not allow a trapped, "target animal species", to escape via the entry aperture, the captured animal may panic and try hard to escape via the only alternative exit aperture. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the only suitable alternative exit may incorperate an animal engagement device.

The force a trapped animal will use to escape thus allows low sensitive trigger mechanisms to be used, reducing the risk of the trap triggering accidentally without reducing the number of trap-shy animals caught.

Further, less complex trigger mechanisms can be used, reducing the amount of maintenance required and thus improving the overall efficiency of the trap.

The shape of the trap and the ability to use a wide range of attractants also allows the trap to be more species specific, reducing the number of non-target species caught.

It should be appreciated that the animal trap of the present invention could easily be incorporated or retrofitted to a wide range of existing box or tunnel trap designs.

It should also be appreciated that the animal engagement device of the present invention could be incorporated in an animal exclusion fence to engage an animal that may attempt to breach said fence.

It should also be appreciated that the animal engagement device of the present invention could easily be incorporated in a fence that is configured to form a large animal trap, such as a pen trap intended to kill an animal that may be by nature reluctant to enter a small box trap. An example may be as follows, A fox may not be inclined to enter a box trap that may be of sufficient physical size to accommodate said fox. The fox may shy from such a trap due to an instinctive reflex. However a large open pen trap may not trigger such a reflex, thus enabling the fox to enter the trap. Once inside the pen trap the fox, unable to leave via the entry access may search the perimeter of the pen trap for an exit. The fox may attempt to exploit any potential exit including an exit incorporating an animal engagement device.(end of example).

It should also be appreciated that although the reference throughout this specification has been made to the use of the present invention as a trap for killing pests, the trap could also be used without priming the animal engagement device and thus operating in a "triggered" mode. This would allow the trap to be used in a live capture mode, allowing targeted animals to enter but not leave.

Brief description of drawines Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1&la show diagrammatic representations of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a plan view, diagrammatic representation of the present invention incorporated into a standard box trap; Figure 2b,2c,2d show elevation view, diagrammatic representations, of the present invention incorporated into a standard box trap; Figure 3 3a shows elevation view, diagrammatic representations, of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 4a shows elevation view, diagrammatic representations, of preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporated into a standard box trap; and; Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a box, cage or pen trap is fitted with multiple exit apertures incorporating animal engagement devices; and Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein an animal enters a bent cylinder and may be unable to negotiate its way out via the entry.

Best modes for carrvina out the invention With respect to the drawings there is an animal trap as indicated by figure 1, arrow 1 and figure 1 a.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by Figure 1& la which shows a mechanism of the present invention.

The trap has an exit aperture (Fig 1 fig la substantially covered by a grate (41) which pivots about pivot point The trigger release mechanism consists of a tapered pin which is attached to the grate The pin (32) also reasonably secures the animal engagement device in a set position, by locating in housing (31).

The tapered pin (32) is responsive to the trigger release mechanism (41).

The animal engagement device (35) consists of a shearing blade, which may shear across the exit aperture. The shearing blade (35) is connected to a tensioned bias mechanism (36) by a wire coupling The mechanical bias mechanism is anchored at points As the animal, represented on figure la 2b by item attempts to push through the exit aperture (39) the grate is able to pivot far enough to release the tapered pin (32) from it's housing releasing the sharing blade (35) to engage the animal within the exit aperture (39).

A further embodiment is shown by figure 2, 2b, 2c, 2d, wherein the present invention is incorporated into a standard box trap An animal is able to enter the trap through a one-way door (50) at entry (37).The animal may stand on footplate (48) causing entry door (50) to rotate to a closed position. Once again, as the animal (46) attempts to escape through the exit aperture the trigger release mechanism consisting of a grate tapered pin is pushed open, pivoting about point (55) continuing through an outward arc until the tapered pin (32) releases the animal engagement device Engaging animal within exit aperture (39).

Figure 3 3a show elevation view, diagrammatic representations of the present invention wherein an animal engagement device may include 2 pairs of counter rotating blades, which may be held in unison by a pair of spur gears (64) and (70) in constant mesh.

The trap indicated by figure(3 3a (2)has an exit orifice (78) which is formed by the closed pair of blades (75) and In the set position the blades (75) and (73) meet to form an exit orifice (78).

In the set position, driving arm (60) connected to engaging blade (65) and aperture blade including spur gear (64) may stretch a mechanical bias (61) connected to driving arm (60) at connection point (77) and terminated at connection point locates to an adjustable over-center stop (79) thus retaining trap in set position.

A live, trapped animal may move through the exit aperture (78) in the direction of arrow (67) in an attempt to exploit said exit aperture.

In attempting to push through exit aperture driving arm (60) is moved through an arc demonstrated by arrow (62) from an over center, to an undercenter, position.

When the driving arm (60) reaches an under center position, the mechanical bias (61) drives engaging blade (64) about axis (63).

Thus, attached Spur gear (64) drives spur gear (70) and attached components including engaging blade and aperture blade in an opposite rotation demonstrated by arrows (68) and (69) about axis (72).

An animal within the exit aperture may be engaged between engaging blade and engaging blade (71) as said blades rotate toward a tangent point.

Figure 4 4a show elevation view, diagrammatic representations of a preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporated into a generic box or cage type trap.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by Figure which represents a modular construction, multiple exit trap The trap has optionally a lid (42) and optionally a floor An animal may enter through a one-way entry aperture (37) and attempt to escape through one of the exit apertures (39) that may incorporate an animal engaging device. Each exit aperture may be covered by a hinged grate which will actuate the trigger release mechanism of the animal engagement device as described above, engaging an animal within the exit aperture. A trap as shown in figure 5 and substantially as hereinbefore described, may range in size from being large enough to accommodate one only target animal,- to a trap configured to accommodate more than one animal and enclose an area of up to a hundred square meters, or more.

Figure 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the entry aperture (37) consists of a simple opening in the side of a bent cylinder An animal entering the trap, represented by arrow will not be able to turn around, though may be able to edge backwards. However, as the entry aperture (37) is on the inside of the bend an animal will not be able to see the entry aperture The animal will thus edge backwards past the entry aperture (37) into the blank end of the trap As such, the only option for the animal will be to escape through the exit aperture incorporating an animal engagement device The trigger release mechanism consisting of the grate release pin hinged grate pivot animal engagement device (35) and tensioned spring (36) functions substantially as described above.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof

Claims (17)

1. A trap characterized in that said trap may be configured to kill an animal subsequent to the trap capturing and containing the animal in a live and physically unharmed state.

2. A trap as claimed in claim I wherein a captured live animal is killed subsequent to capture, whilst in the act of attempting to escape the trap confines, via an exit aperture incorporating an animal engagement device.

3. A trap as claimed in claim 2, wherein said trap includes in the least total number, 1 of, exit apertures incorporating an animal engagement device.

4. A trap as claimed in claim 3 wherein an exit aperture incorporating an animal engagement device may include a trigger means that may partially eclipse said exit aperture. A trap as claimed in claim 2 wherein said animal engagement device may include a shearing block adjacent to exit aperture.

6. A trap as claimed in claims 2 wherein said animal engagement device may eclipse exit orifice when said animal engagement device is in normally disarmed state.

7. A trap as claimed in claim 6 wherein the trap may be used to trap an animal while the animal engagement device is in a disarmed state, therein providing for the live procurement of said animal.

8. A trap as claimed in claim 2 wherein a force applied by a captured animal outwardly from within the trap, through exit aperture, to trigger means, may cause animal engagement device to be released from its restrained position, therein engaging an animal within said exit aperture.

9. A trap as claimed in claim 8 wherein animal engagement device may be attached to a bias device such as a spring or rubber shock cord and retained in loaded state by a tapered pin connected to a trigger means. A trap as claimed in claim I wherein entry to the trap may be via a normally closed inwardly opening hinged entry door. I11. A trap wherein animal engagement device trigger means, operates independently of, trap entry door trigger means.

12. A trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein an animal killed within said trap, may be contained substantially within the confines of said trap.

13. .A trap as claimed in claim 10 wherein entry to the trap may be via an inwardly opening normally closed hinged door, retained in open, set, position by a retaining means connected to a trigger means.

14. A trap as claimed in claim 13 wherein normally closed, inwardly opening, entry door, may be penetrated by an aperture within the extremities of said entry door. A trap as claimed in claim 14 wherein said entry door penetration may provide for unrestricted entry, and or exit, of trap by non-target animal species, small enough to exploit such an exit.

16. A trap as claimed in claim 2 wherein 2 counter rotating blades rotate about adjacent axes, held in unison by a pair of spur gears.

17. A trap as claimed in claim 16 wherein counter- rotating blades rotate in unison toward a tangent point.

18. A trap as claimed in claims 16 and 17 wherein each counter- rotating blade includes a perpendicular blade connected at axes.

19. A trap as claimed in claims 16 to 18 wherein one blade of each pair includes a half profile of an aperture, removed from said blade. A trap as claimed in claims 16 to 19 wherein an arm connected to one pair of blades connects to a mechanical bias, which may drive both pairs of blades about each pair of blade's intersecting axes in unison via a pair of meshed spur gears.

21. A trap as claimed in claims 16 to 20 wherein an "over-center" trigger means may locate against an "adjustable stop" means so as to locate rotating blades in "over-center", set position.

22. A trap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying drawings.