GB2124880A - Insect catching device - Google Patents

Abstract

An insect catching device that can be readily used in environments where sanitary regulations prohibit the use of chemical insecticides or the swatting of insects comprises a pair of co-operating elements 20, 21, each in the form of a tray or a lid, connected by handle means. The handle means may be in the form of a flexible loop 22 or in the form of two rigid handles pivotally connected to each other (Fig. 13). The elements 20, 21 are closable against one another by means of the handle means to form a receptacle in which an insect may be trapped. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Insect catching device This invention concerns an insect catching device.

Various forms of insect repellant and catchers are already commercially available. However, these all rely on either poisoning, electrocuting or crushing the insect. These methods are of limited use in environmentswhich deal with food or require high sanitary standards to be enforced.

An object of the present invention is to provide an insect catching device that can be used in any environmentwithoutcontravening sanitary regulations.

With this object in view the present invention provides an insect catching device comprising a pair of co-operative elements each in the form of a tray or a lid connected by flexible or pivotal handle means by means of which the elements are closable against one anotherto form a receptacle in which an insect may be trapped.

In one embodiment of the device ofthe invention.

The co-operative elements may be formed as a pair of trays or a tray and a lid, which are connected to each other by a handle formed as a flexible loop. The trays orthetray and the lid being normally held apart so as to face one another and, upon application of pressure totheflexible loop, being brought togetherto form a closed receptacle. Advantageously a sliding member is provided which is capable of engaging overthe loop and sliding therealong to being the trays or the tray and the lid together.

In another embodiment of the invention the elements are in the form of a pair of trays, which are connected to each other by a hinge and also by a handle in the form of a flexible loop. In this arrangementthe device is normally closed but application of pressureto one or both sides of the loop will open the trays.

In another embodiment ofthe invention a rigid handle is connected to each of the two co-operative elements, which are in the form of a pair of trays or a tray and a lid. The two handles are pivotally connected at a distance from the elements. Advantageously the rigid handles extend beyond the pivotal connection to form a scissor-like grip and, preferably, biasing means are provided between the handles to bias the trays or the tray and the lid to their closed position.

In any of the preceding embodiments one or both of the co-operative elements can be constructed of a mesh, fine enough to ensure that a captured insect cannot escape.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. lisa perspective view of a first embodiment of the device ofthe invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a modification ofthefirst embodiment; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of another modification of thefirstembodiment; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section illustrating a further modification of the first embodimentwhich includes a sliding member; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a further modification ofthefirst embodiment ofthe invention in which one of the co-operative elements is in the form of a tray and the other is in the form of a lid; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the device ofthe invention in the closed position;; Fig. 7 is a similar view ofthe second embodiment in the open position; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross section of a modification of the second embodiment having an alternative method of hinging the two trays; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view showing howthe handles are pivotally connected in a third embodiment of the device ofthe invention; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a fourth embodiment of the device ofthe invention in the closed position; Fig. 11 is a similar view ofthe fourth embodiment in the open position; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a modification of the fourth embodiment in closed position; Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a fifth embodiment of the device ofthe invention in closed position; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a modified form of the first embodiment; and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the insect catching device of the invention.

Figs. 1 to 5 and Fig. 14 of the drawings illustrate a first embodiment of the insect catching device of the invention and a number of minor modifications thereof. The particular device shown in Fig. 1 comprises a pair of co-operative elements in the form of two trays 20, for example made of plastics or metal, connected by integral flexible handle means in the form of a loop 22, of similar material. In order to facilitate the catching of insects the forward rim of 50, 51 each tray 20,21 is inclined to the base of the respective tray 20, 21 to allow the device to be used in the manner of a scoop. To use the device, a user obviously grips the loop 23 in one hand and applies pressure thereto to bring the trays 20, 21 together in a snapping action to trap an insect in the receptacle formed therebetween.The insects may be released and disposed of elsewhere to conform to hygiene regulations. The device has been found to be particu larlysuitableforcatching common insects, such a spiders, beetles, daddy-long-legs, and houseflies.

Although,strictly-speaking spiders are notinsects,the term "insects" in this specification is intended to coverthese creatures.

Fig . 2 shows a similar device wherein the handle means is divided into two identical sections 23, 24 which are fastened together attheir ends remote from the trays 20, 21. Fig. 3 illustrates a further modification wherein the handle means is formed from a single loop of material 25, which in this case is shaped to give a more comfortable grip than the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a sliding member 26, e.g. in the form of a ring, which can be used in conjunction with any of the previously mentioned variants. The sliding mem ber26 is located around a flexible handle 27 (or any of the handles 22, 23 and 24 or 25). By sliding this member down the handle towards the trays, 21,22 the device can be closed extremely rapidly.

Fig. 5 shows a further modification wherein the trays 20, 21 are replaced by a curved lid 28 and a tray 29, the rims of which are formed so asto be capable of a close fit with the lid 28. When the handles are pressed together the tray 29 and the lid 28 form an escape-proof receptacle.

Fig. 14 illustrates an example of the insect catching device ofthe invention in which a flexible handle 30 in the form of a loop has integral flanges 31, 32 forming lids at its ends. When these flanges 31, 32 are closed together by pressure on the sides of the loop 30, said flanges 31, 32 and the end portions of the loop togetherform the walls of the closed receptacle.

Figs. 6,7 and 8 of the drawings illustrate a second embodiment of the insect catching device of the invention and a minor modification thereof. The particular device shown in Fig. 6 and 7 comprises a pair of co-operative elements in the form of two trays 20,21, constructed in a similarfashion to the trays in the first embodiment. These trays are connected to each other by a hinge 33 and a flexible handle 52. The normal position for this embodiment is closed and it requires the application of pressure to the handle 52, as shown in Fig. 7,to move the trays 20, 21 apart.

Release of the handle 52 will cause the trays 20, 21 to snap together forming a closed receptacle. Fig. 8 illustrates an alternative method of hinging the two trays 20,21. In this instance the two trays 20, 21 are constructed in one piece from a flexible material, such as plastics, joined along the rear edge where the hinge would normally be located. Because the material is much thinner along the line of the joint the material can bend along this line as at a hinge.

Figs. 9 to 13 and Fig. 15 of the drawings illustrate a third main type of insect catching device falling within the scope of the invention. The particular embodiment shown in Fig. 9 comprises handle means in the form of a pair of rigid handles 34,35, preferably of metal or rigid plastics, attached to two co-operative elements (not shown) which may be any previously mentioned combination of trays and lids. The two handles 34, 35 are pivotally attached to one another at 53 to enable the elements to be opened and closed.

Figs. 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment ofthe device of the invention wherein the handle means comprises two rigid handles, 37,38, each attached to a respective mesh tray 60,61. The handles 37, 38 extend beyond a pivotal point 54 and are bent apart to form a suitable grip. Biasing means, in this case a prestressed and shaped piece of metal 36, is located between the handles 37,38 to cause the grip part of the handles 37, 38 to be forced apart and the trays 60, 61 which form the co-operating elements to be closed together. When pressure is applied to the handles 37, 38 the trays 60, 61 open apart to allow an insectto be captured. The biasing means need not be as illustrated and could,for example, be an appropriately positioned spring or similar device. Fig. 12 shows a modification ofthe device illustrated in Fig. 10 having differently shaped handles 39, 40.

Afifth embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 13 is similar to the fourth embodiment except that the handle means comprising two rigid handles 41,42 are nowformed into a scissor-like grip, to facilitate operation of the device.

Fig. 15 shows a sixth embodiment in which the two co-operating elements, in this case a tray 43 and a lid 44, have integrally attached scissor-like handles formed from a suitably rigid material, preferably plastics or metal. The two elements 43, 44 are pivoted together in such a mannerthatthe tray 43 slides over the lid44when the handles are operated.

Claims (9)

1. An insect catching device comprising a pair of co-operative elements each in the form of a tray or a lid connected by flexible or pivotal handle means by means of which the elements are closable against one another to form a receptacle in which an insect may be trapped.

2. Adevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein the co-operative elements are in the form of a pair of trays or a tray and a lid, which are connected to each other by a handle formed as a flexible loop, the trays orthe tray and lid being normally held apart so as to face one another and being brought together to form a closed receptacle upon application of pressure to the flexible loop.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 further including a sliding memberwhich is capable of engaging over the loop and sliding therealong to bring the elements together.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the co-operative elements are in the form of a pair of trays, connected to each other by a hinge and by a handle in the form of a flexible loop, the ends of the loop being attached one to each tray so that pressure applied to either one or both sides ofthe loop will open the trays, the trays being normally closed together to form a closed receptacle.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the co-operative elements are in the form of a pair of trays or a tray and a lid, to which are connected a pair of rigid handles which are pivotally connected art a distance from the elements.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, where the rigid handles are extended past the pivotal connection to form a scissor-like grip.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5, or 6 wherein biasing means are provided between the handles to bias the trays or the tray and the lid to their closed position.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one ofthe co-operative elements is formed from mesh.

9. An insect catching device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one ofthe accompanying drawings.