GB2173085A - Rodent trap - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal trap (10 or 80) especially suited for trapping rodents such as mice and other small animals, one embodiment (10) of which comprises a disposable, elongated container (12) having two contiguous bottom surfaces (20 and 22) forming an obtuse angle therebetween and a hinged door (24) for selectively enclosing the container after the animal has entered and sprung the trap. When set, the trap rests on a first of the two bottom surfaces (22) with the door (24) held elevated from the container (12) to permit an animal to enter the trap (10). The second of the two bottom surfaces (20) is elevated from the underlying support surface. When the animal enters the portion of the container (12) where the bait (34) is positioned, the animal's weight lowers the second bottom surface (20) and elevates the first bottom surface (22) releasing the door (24) and closing the container (12) trapping the animal. The door (24) is sealed by magnetic force (32) and/or a latch (26) which hooks into an aperture (30) in the first bottom surface (22). This embodiment of the trap is well suited for catching mice and is especially configured as an integral unit for low cost manufacture by means of molding or extruding various plastics. A second embodiment (80), well suited for trapping such rodents as gophers and rats, uses a stationary exterior housing (81) having a uniquely configured and positioned tilt plate (93) which is similar to the bottom surfaces (20 and 22) of the first embodiment, but which permits the trap housing (81) to remain in a fixed and stable configuration. A trap plate (98), hinged to the tilt plate (93), blocks the rodent's exit when its weight activates the trap. An alternative two-piece container configuration (110) of the second embodiment is also disclosed.

Description

SPECIFICATION Rodent trap CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of Patent Application Serial No.718,553 filed April 1, 1985.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to animal traps and more specifically, to traps particularly suitable for catching mice, rats, gophers and other small rodents in a disposable container which may be readily discarded after its use and without requiring exposure ofthetrapped rodent.

PRIOR ART The art of animal traps is old and manydifferenttrap configurations have been designed in an attempt two provide a reliable and inexpensive devicefor capturing and disposing of small animals such as mice and other rodents. The most common mousetrap of current use is the well-known bait spring device which has achieved commercial success primarily because it is of simple design and relatively low cost. unfortu nately,the bait loaded spring-type mousetrap is disadvantageous in a numberof respects. Onesuch disadvantage isthe possibilityof injurytothe user in setting the trap if a spring loaded bar designed to kill the rodent is inadvertently released while fingers or other human body parts are in the way.The risk of injury is especially high to young children or household pets whose curiosity gets the better ofthem.

Anothersignificantdisadvantageto the conventional low-cost mousetrap is the distastefulness of having to observe or even clean up the blood or other parts of the rodentthathas been caught and killed bythetrap.

Thus, there has been a long-feit need for a simple and low cost rodent trap that is at least as inexpensive asthe aformementioned conventional spring loaded trap butwhich does not present the noted disadvantages of such spring loaded traps. A number of attempts have been madeto provideatrap which satisfies these criteria, but typically either the cost or complexity or both and the reliability of such traps have been less than desirable and the aforementioned long-felt need has remained unsatisfied.By way of example, the following patents disclose animal traps which are relevantto varying degreestothe present invention: 1,240,248 Pease, petal 1,273,185 Reich 1,581,297 Schmuck The patentto Pease etal discloses an animal trap including a tubethat is tapered so that the greater weight ofthe body lies nearthe open end which may be closed by a gate which is adapted for vertical motion within a pair ofvertical sills. When the animal runs into the trap, the animals weight unbalances the traptowardsthe rear causing the gate to close trapping the animal inside.A similarconcept is disclosed in the Reich patent in which an animal trap in theform of a mailbox-shaped tube is again adapted to rotate about a foot which is integral and at right angles to a door. When the weight ofthe animal forces the tube to rotate rearwardly about the foot, the foot collapses forward thereby closing the door. Aforwardly positioned plate assures that the initial weight of the trap is such that the trap will be inclined towards the forward portion thereof until the animal enters the trap. Still another disclosure of a device that uses a similar concept is shown in the patentto Schmuck in which a rectanguiartube is again balanced on a V-shaped fulcrum support.The open end ofthe tube is initially inclined downwardly and includes a door or closure which is designed to lower automatically within a pair of parallel slots when the weight of the animal forces the rearward portion ofthe tube to be lowered and the forward open portion of the tube to be raised.

It can be seen that all of the aforementioned prior art patents disclose animal traps which attemptto overcome the aforementioned deficiencies ofthe spring loaded conventional trap. More specifically, each discloses a device which obviates the aforementioned risk of injury to the user while setting the trap and each discloses a device which is designed to containthetrapped animal thereby removing the requirement for observing and/or cleaning up the mess created by the spring loaded device. Unfortunately, in overcoming these disadvantages, the patented devices result in additional disadvantages which render them commercially undesirable for providing substitutes for the inexpensive conventional trap described above.For example, in each instance ofthe aforementioned prior art patents, the door closing mechanism is far too complex and unreliable thereby reducing the probability of trapping the animal. Furthermore, each such device is of a generally complex configuration which is not conducive to low cost manufacturing techniques and which therefore cannot be produced at a costwhich would permit them to be competitive in the marketplace as compared to the aforementioned conventional spring loaded devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art by providing a trap of a uniform integral container configuration which is specifically designed to be manufactured by low cost techniques such as plastic molding and like, which is reliable in its operations and free of any risk of injuryto the user. Furthermore, the present invention uses an integral type door which is of simple and reliable configuration and which is configured to merely swing shutto trap the animal that has entered the invention.The aforementioned integral swinging door and the novel shape ofthe container are the principal unique features of a first embodiment ofthe present invention.More specifically, unlikethe relatively complex configurations of the aforementioned prior artt the container of a first embodiment of the present invention is formed of two integrated substantially rectangular, cylindrical compartments angled with respect to one anotherwhereby the weightofthe rodent entering the rearmost portion of the container activates closure ofthe door thereby trapping the rodent within the container. However, unlike the priorartdevices previously described, the containerofthepresentinvention comprises a unitary smooth surface device without pivots orfeet or other affixed or odd shaped structures which would otherwise add to the complexity and cost of the device.

Asecond embodiment of the invention uses a principle of operation similarto the aforementioned first embodiment, but it is configured with a stationary exterior housing for use in connection where motion ofthe housing may not be practical or desirable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a rodenttrap which substantially reduces or entirely overcomes the noted disa dvan- tages of conventional traps and which is still of low cost configuration and therefore commercially more attractive than conventional devices.

It is an additional object ofthe present invention to provide a rodenttrap which is of substantially uniform integral configuration particularly suitable for low cost plastic molding manufacture or manufactured by other comparable lowcosttechniques.

It is still an additional objectofthe present invention to provide a rodenttrap which is reliable in operation, free of risk of injury to the user, and which is configured to be produced at sufficiently lowcostto make it commercially competitive with conventional spring loaded traps.

It is stili an additional object of the present invention to provide a reliable and low cost rodenttrap which may be implemented in unique configurations for exploiting the body weight ofthe rodentfortrap activation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned objects and advantages ofthe present invention as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood hereinafter as a resultofa detailed description of preferred embodiments ofthe invention taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:: FIG. is three-dimensional view ofone configura tion ofafirstemb-odimentofthe invention; FIG. 2 is a sideview ofthe FIG. 1 configuration of the invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional sideview of the FIG. 1 configuration oftheinvention shown setfortrapping a rodent; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the FIG. 1 configuration ofthe invention illustrating the manner in which the invention operates; FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a second configuration of the first embodiment ofthe invention; FIG. 6 is a side view of the FIG. 5 configuration ofthe invention utilizing an alternative door structure; FIG. 7 is a side view of the FIG. 5 configuration ofthe invention showing the manner in which the alternative door structure may be utilized;; FIG. 8 is a bottom view ofthe FIG. 5 configuration of the invention illustrating the manner in which the preferred door configuration operates; FIG. 9 is a side view of a third configuration of the firstembodimentofthe invention; FIG. is a three-dimensional view of a second embodimentofthe invention; FIGS. 11 to 14 are exterior side, front, top and rear side views ofthe second embodiment, respectively; FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are cross-sectional side views of the second embodiment illustrating the interior and method of operation thereof; and FIGS. 18 and 19 provide side and three-dimensional views, respectively, of an alternative configuration of the second embodiment ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A FIRST EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1-4 itwill be seen thatthe rodenttrap 10 ofthe present invention comprises a container 12 enclosed on all sides by a roof 14, a pair of elongated sides 16, a rearwall 18, bottom surfaces 20 and 22 and a door 24 which selectively closes an opening 25 into the container. Container 12 is preferably made of a smooth lightweight plastic of about 1/16 of an inch in thickness and preferably at least partially translucent. The bottom surfaces 20 and 22 form an obtuse angle relativeto one another of about 160 degrees, although, as will be seen hereinafter, the operation ofthe present invention may be quite suitable when the angle between the surfaces 20 and 22 is even somewhat greater and certainly when it is less than 160 degrees.The range of preferable angles is 140 degrees to 170 degrees. The top of the container or roof 14 is preferably confi g u red to be otherthan flat such as the partially circular orcurved roof line 14 of FIG. 1 of a first embodiment of the invention or inthe alternative, of a triangular roof line configuration 44 of an alternative configuration of the first embodiment of the invention to be discussed hereinafter in conjunction with FIG. 5.Although the roof line in the embodiments herein illustrated is generally parallel to the corresponding bottom surface 20 and 22 along the length of container 12, it will be seen thatthe roof line could be readily configured tohave a uniform profile defining a straight line between the rearwall 18 and the area immediately adjacent door 24.

As seen best in FIG. 1 door 24 is of a substantially rectangularconfiguration designed to entirely enclose the opening 25 of container 12 when the door is in its closed configuration. Door 24 is preferably attached by means of a hinge to the container 12 adjacent a flat 38 which is formed between termination of the roof 14 and the hinge 36. For purposes of minimizing the manufacturing costs, door24would preferably be made ofthe same material as the remaining portions of container 12 and, preferably, be formed in the same molding or extruding process wherein the hinge is provided in the form of a stressed line or depression at the intersection of door 24 and a flat 38 whereby to permit door 24to swing between its open and closed position relative to container 12 while being integral thereto. Door 24 extends from hinge 36 toward the bottom surface 22. It is preferably of sufficient length to extend slightly beyond the surface 22 as seen best inFIG.2.

In one embodiment, the door 24 is provided with a latch 26 which terminates in a perpendicularly configured hook28 as seen bestin FIGS. 3 and 4. As seen best in FIGS. 4 and 8, the bottom surface 22 of container 12 is provided with an aperture 30 suitably positioned in the bottom surface to receive the hook 28 when the door is fully closed. Hook 28 and aperture 30 acttogetherto provide a means for securing the door in its closed position afterthetrap has been actuated by a rodent entering the trap. An alternative or additional form of securing door 24 in its closed configuration may be provided in the form of a magnet 32 suitably affixed adjacent the opening 25 on the inside-ofthe container 12 such as by being glued to the interior side of surface 22.Furthermore, the door 24would be provided eitherintheform of a magnetically reactive material or coated with a layer of suitable metal or otherwise have a layer of suitable metal affixed to the inside surface thereofforadher- encetothe magnet 32 when door 24 is in itsfully closed position.

As also seen best in FIGS, 3 and 4, trap 10 ofthe present invention is preferably provided with a suitable form of bait 34 in the form of either a piece of cheese or bacon or othersimilarfood substance or chemica I su bstitute particularly attractive to rodents and which preferably provides an odor which can be readily detected by rodents in the general area ofthe trap.

Operation of trap 10 ofthe present invention may be understood by reference to FIGS .3 and 4. More specifically, the trap 10 is set by placing it in the configuration as shown in FIG. 3 wherein the container 12 is positioned to allow itto rest on bottom surface 22 wherein the opening 25 is immediately adjacent the underlying support and the rearwall 18 is relatively elevated. In this position, the center of gravity is above bottom surface22. Furthermore,the door24 is placed in its opened configuration by swinging it outward from the opening 25 about the hinges 36 so that door 24 may be in effect rest againstthe underlying surface against which the latch 26 bears for supporting door 24 in its open configuration swung outwardly from the opening 25.In this configuration the odor emanating from the bait 34 can only exit the trap 10through opening 25 because of the otherwise substantially airtight integral relationship between the various surfaces of container 12. The odor attracts any nearby rodents to the container which may be carefully examined by the rodent before it decides to enterthe trap. For this reason as previously indicated, it may be preferablethatthe material of which container 12 is manufactured is at least partially translucent particu- larly in the area adjacent the rear wall 18 so that the rodent may observe the location of the bait 34 contained within the trap 10 before it enters.The door 24 is swung away from the opening 25 whereby to permit vi rtually any rodent suitable for trapping within the container 12 to enterthe opening 25 at first placing his weight on the bottom surface 22 from which location the rodent may more readily observe, smell and be attracted to the bait 34.

Upon further entry into the container 12 and movement closerto the bait 34to which the attention of the rodent has been directed, the weight ofthe rodent istransferred from bottom surface 22 tothe bottom surface 20. As a result, the weight ofthe rodent places a sufficient force against the bottom surface 20 of container 12 to rotate the container clockwise as seen in FlGS.3and4wherebyto bring the bottom surface 20 in contact with the underlying support structure and at the sametime elevate the bottom surface 22 along with the opening 25, the hinge 36 and the door 24. The rodent therefore shifts the center of gravity ofthe combination to a point above surface 20.

Clearly, elevation of door 24 releases the latch 26 previously supported by the underlying structure and allows the door 24to swing into its closed position as it will do in response to the force of gravity as a result of the inherent weight of the door or ofthe combined weight of the door and an affixed metal layer or magnet. The force or momentum ofthe door swinging towardstheopening 25, brings the door into engagement with the end portions ofthe side walls 16 and bottom surface 20 defining the opening 25 wherebyto allow contact between the magnet 32 and the metal surface of door 24 and secure the door in its closed position.

Furthermore, in the particular embodiment illus- trated in FIGS. 3 and 4, hook 28 of latch 26 will mate with and enterthe aperture 30 wherebyto further secure the door in its closed position. Morespecifically, if the rodent attempts to exit the container 12 it must do so by approaching the door24 which will again place its weight above bottom surface 22 which again elevate rear wall 18 and brings bottom surface 22 in contact with the underlying support structure.

This activity places the trap lOin the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 relative to the underlying support structure wherein the weight of the trapped rodent assures that the relative positions of hook 28 and aperture 30 are maintained to secure closure of door 24 and render it impossibleforthe rodentto escape.

Thecloseddoorconfigurationofthetrap lOalerts the user of the factthatthe trap has been sprung and that a rodent is most likely contained therein. The user may ofcourse open the door24 and dispose of the rodent by allowing itto fall out of the trap 10. However, the present invention is, by means of its unique structure, configured to be manufactured at extremely low cost and therefore, may be preferably disposed of mereiy by discarding the entire trap including the rodent contained therein. The rodent of course will asphyxiate within the airtight trap within a matter of minutes after door 24 has closed.

One alternative configuration of the first embodi ment ofthe present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5.

The rodent trap 40 of FIG. 5 comprises a container 42 enclosed byan integral roof 44, a pairofelongated sides 48, a rearwall 50 and bottom surfaces 52 and 54.

An opening 55 is secured by door 64 or alternatively, by an even more simply configured door 56 which is of planarconfiguration with no latch. The alternative configuration ofthefirst embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in FIG. 5 is otherwise substantially equivalent to that illustrated in FIG. 1-4 with the exception of the roof configuration. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 5, the roof 44 ofthe present invention may be configured in the form of a triangular cross-section and be molded to exhibit a simulated shingle appear ancetoenhancetheornamental configurationofthe trap and therefore, improve its marketability. Like the circular or curved configuration of roof 14 of the trap 10 of FIG. 1, the shingle roof configuration of the trap 40 of FIG. 5 may be provided with a termination plane short ofthe opening 55 to provide convenient interconnection for a hinge 58 ofthe same type previously described as the first embodiment illus- trated. Door 64 is again ofsubstantially rectangular configuration and is provided with a latch 62 which operates in an identical mannerto that of latch 26 described previously in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4.

The relative configuration of latch 62 and therefore of identical latch 26 is illustrated best in FIG. 8.

An alternative door configuration which can be used with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein it is shown that a door 56 extends beyond the underlying bottom surface54whichtogetherwith flat 60 and elongated sides 48 define the opening 55.

Latch less door 56 may sti 11 be supported by the underlying surface when the trap is set as shown in FIG. 7 wherein the door 64 is of sufficient length to engage the underlying surface while still providing suitable access to opening 55to provide entry to the trap 40 to the rodent It will be understood that operation ofthe first embodimentofthetrap 40, whether with the door 64 including latch 62 or the door 56 which does not employ a latch, is the same asthat previously describedforthe configuration ofthe trap 10. More specifically, the trap is set by opening door 64 and placing the trap in a configuration whereby bottom surface 54 is in contact with the underlying surface and whereby the bottom surface 52 and rear wall 50 are elevated.When the rodent's weight is applied to the interior of the container above bottom surface 52 the trap 40 rotates clockwise thereby allowing doorto swing freely into its closed position sealing the opening 55 and trapping the rodent. Aflattop surface configuration having top surfaces 72 and 74 and bottom surfaces 76 and 78, isshown in FIG. 9. This configuration has the advantage of being an especially low cost illustration ofthe first embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND EMBODIMENT Referencewill now be made to FIGS. 10 through 14 fora detailed description of a second embodiment which uses the principle of operation similartothe aforementioned first embodiment butwhich is confi gored with a stationary exteriorhousing for use in circumstances where motion ofthe housing may not be practical or desirable. Referring to FIGS. 10 through 17 itwill be seen thatthe second embodiment70 of the present invention comprises a rectangular housing 81 which is defined by a top surface 82, a pair of elongated sidewalls84and 86, a rear surface 88 and a bottom surface 89.The remaining surface comprises a swingable hinged door 90 which in FIG. 10 is shown in its fully opened position and which in FIG. 17 is shown in its fully closed position. The door 90 is adapted to swing open and close about a hinge 91 as illustrated in FIG. 17. The bottom surface 89 terminates adjacent the closed position of door 90 with a ramp 92 which is adapted to presenta relatively smooth and encumbered appearing surface to a rodent contemplating entry ofthetrap80.

Immediately insidethe ramp 92 and lying along at least a portion ofthe interiorsurface of bottom surface 89 is a tilt plate 93 which is a rectangular elongated plate having two surfaces oriented at an obtuse angle relative to one another, namely, entry surface 94 and activating surface 96. Surfaces 94and 96 serve a function which is analogous to the bottom surfaces of the first embodiment ofthe ivention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9.However, in this embodiment ofthe invention, tilt plate 93 is provided with afulcrum 95 of elongated cylindrical configuration which extends the fuil width ofthe housing 81 between side walls 84and 96 and which is secured in that position by a pin 99 which extends into and through a pairofapertures 100 in the respective side walls 84 and 86. Furthermore, as seen best in FIG. 17, the tilt plate 93 is also provided with a trap plate 98 which is hinged to the entry surface 96 by means of a hinge 102 which is initially positioned immediately behind ramp 92 when the trap is configured for catching a rodent.Furthermore, as shown best in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, the interior surface of bottom surface 89 is provided with a plurality of indentations 97 which as shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 may be oftriangularconfiguration and which extend along the entire width of bottom surface 89 between side walls 84and 86. As seen best in FIG. 17,the indentations 97 are adapted to receive the end oftrap plate 98 whereby to preventtilt plate 93 from resuming its entry configuration afterthe rodent has been caught as will be hereinafter described. The operation of the second embodiment ofthe invention may be best understood by referring to FIGS. 16 and 17 in that sequence. More specifically, as seen in FIG.

1 6,thetrap 80 ofthe presentinvention is initially set and adapted for catching a rodent or other animal when the door 90 is in its fully open position and the tilt plate 93 is configured so thatthe activating surface 94 is elevated above the bdttom surface 89 ofthetrap and the entry surface 96 is at its lower-most position substantially atthe same level as the top of ramp 92. It will be understood that in this configuration, the trap plate 98 isfullyfolded about hinge 102 to be parallel and substantially contiguous with the entry surface 96 and in fact supports the entry surface so that it lies substantially parallel but spaced from the bottom surface 89 ofthe housing 81.

When a rat, gopher or other rodent initially enters the trap attracted thereto by bait of various kinds depending upon the nature ofthe animal to be trapped, the animal enters the trap by initially placing all its weight on the entry surface 96 oftilt plate 93.

However, as the animal proceedsfurther into the trap to which he is attracted by the bait, its weightwill eventually lie over the activating surface 94 oftilt plate 93 thereby causing thetilt plateto rotate about fulcrum 95 until the tilt plate assumesthe position shown in FIG. 17. Simultaneously, the effect ofgravity will forcetrap plate 98to rotate about hinge 102 until the end ofthe trap plate 98 enters and is retained by one ofthe indentations 97. This position ofthetrap plate 98 relative to the entry surface 96 to which it is connected by means of hinge 102 will clearly prevent the entry surface from resuming its initial entry condition parallel to bottom surface 89 and in fact, will preventthe entire tilt plate from moving substantially from the position shown in FIG. 17 Consequently, the entry surface 96 will be forced to remain in the elevated configuration illustrated in FIG. 17 irrespec tive of any attempt by the captured animal to exit the trap by shifting its weighttothe entry surface which of course it will be naturally inclindedto do as it determinesthatit is without any means of escaping the trap 80.

The second embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 17 is of course adapted for trapping a variety of different animals including rodents but it has been found especially useful in trapping large rodents such as gophers and rats.

Unlike the first embodiment ofthe invention in which a door is in effect, automatically shutto not only restrain the captured animal and also may be used to asphyxiate the animal, the door 90 ofthe second embodiment ofthe invention is shown in a configuration in FIGS. l0through 17 which is providedforthe sole purpose of allowing the userto selectively close the door in the event it is desired to asphyxiate the captured animal. However, door 90 is not used to actually capture the animal as thatfunction is served by the combination oftilt plate 93 and trap plate 98.

However, door 90 is availableforclosing to asphyxiate the animal ifthat is a desired result of capturing it.

Although door 90 is shown in a configuration which requires manual closing ofthetrapforasphyxiating the animal, it will be understood that a variety of various interconnections may be provided between door 90 and tilt plate 93 or trap plate 98 in order to implement a means of closing door90 automatically upon activation oftilt plate 93.

An alternative configuration ofthe second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. As seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, trap 110 comprises an elongated, open-end tube 112 enclosed atone end byan end cap 114. End cap 114 is adapted to be slip fit or pressfit overthe otherwise open end oftube 112 opposite the entry end ofthe trap 110. The end cap may be optionally provided with an air passage 116 and a pair of tabs 118, the iatter providing convenient means for applying pressure to the end cap for either engaging or disengaging the end cap from tube 112.

End cap 114 provides two advantages, namely, permitting even lower cost manufacture ofthe trap and permitting access to the end oftube 112 opposite the entry opening forfillingabaittrayl20.The activating surface ofthetilt plate would preferably be provided with a recess 122 to accommodate bait tray 120. Lower cost manufacture is acheived by providing tube 112 as a plastic extrusion thereby requiring that onlytheend cap portion ofthecontainerbe produced by plastic molding techniques.

Those having skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will now understand that what has been described herein comprises a novel rodenttrap which by its very simplicity encompasses the advantage ofthe prior artwhile overcoming its disadvantages. More specifically, the present invention pro -vides a reliable and safe rodent trap which is of sufficiently low cost configuration to be commercially competitive or even more attractive than conventional spring loaded rodenttrapswhile providing a containerized trap which may be readily discarded, rodent and all.

Asa resultofapplicant'steaching herein,a number.

of modification and additions may now be perceived.

By way of example, various other container and roof geometries would no doubt also provide satisfactory operation and provide all the noted advantges while avoiding the noted disadvantages ofthe prior art.

Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemed to be within the scope ofthe present invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (19)

1. A rodenttrap comprising: a container having an opening for permitting entry by a rodent, said container having at least two bottom surfaces oriented at an obtuse angle relative to one anotherwherebysaid opening is elevated when said container rests on a first of said bottom surfaces and said opening is not elevated when said container rests on the second of said bottom surfaces, and a hinged door, said door being adapted to close said opening when said opening is elevated and to remain elevated from said opening when said opening is not elevated.

2. The rodent trap recited in claim 1 wherein the center of gravity of said trap is above said second bottom surface.

3. The rodent trap recited in claim 2 wherein said center of gravityshifts to a point above said first bottom surfacewhen a rodent is positioned substantially on said first bottom surface inside said container.

4. The rodent trap recited in claim 1 wherein said door is hinged atthetop of said opening and is of sufficient length to remain ajar and elevated from said opening when said opening is not elevated.

5. The rodent trap recited in claim 1 further comprising a magnet affixed within said container adjacent said opening, and a magnetic material located on said doorforengagementwith said magnet when said door closes said opening.

6. The rodent trap recited in claim 1 further comprising a latch on said door and means on said container for receiving said latch for locking said door when said door closes said opening.

7. The rodenttrap recited in claim 1 wherein said latch comprises a hook and wherein said means for receiving comprises a hole in said second bottom surface, said hole being positioned for receiving said hook.

8. The rodent trap recited in claim 1 wherein said obtuse angle is substantially in the range of about 140 degrees to about 170 degrees.

9. The rodent trap recited in claim 1 wherein said obtuse angle is about 160 degrees.

10. The rodenttrap recited in claim 1 wherein said two bottom surfaces are contiguous to each other.

11. The rodenttrap recited in claim 1 wherein said opening is the sole entrance into said containerfor a rodent.

12. The rodenttrap recited in claim 1 wherein said container and said door are integral portions of a unitary structure.

13. The rodent trap recited in claim 1 further comprising means for attracting a rodent into said container and onto said first bottom surface.

14. The rodenttrap recited in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a top surface oftriangular cross-section adapted to simulate the appearance of a shingled roof.

15. A rodenttrap comprising: a container having an opening for permitting entry by a rodent; a tilt plate within said container and having first and second integral surfaces oriented at an obtuse angle relative to one another and having a fulcrum connected to said containerfor rotation of said tilt plate within said container, said fulcrum being positioned relative to said first and second integral surfaces wherebysaidfirstsurface is initially positioned substantially parallel to a bottom surface of said container adjacent said opening and said second surface initially elevated from said bottom surface;; a trap plate hinged to said first integral surface adjacent said opening and adapted to be in a continuous parallel relation to saidfirst integral surface between said first integral surface and said bottom surface when said second surface is elevated; means in said bottom surfacefor retaining a free end ofsaidtrap plate when said first surface is elevated relative to said bottom surface for preventing said firstsurface from resuming a position parallel to said bottom surface whereby a rodent's weight applied to said second surface elevates said first surface and blocks said opening fortrapping said rodent.

16. The rodenttrap recited in claim 15 wherein said means in said bottom surface comprises at least one indentation for receiving said free end ofsaidtrap plate.

17. The rodenttrap recited in claim 15 further comprising a door hinged to said container adjacent said opening for sealing said opening.

18. The rodenttrap recited in claim 15wherein the center ofgravityofsaid tilt plate is on the first surface side of said fulcrum.

19. The rodenttrap recited in claim 15 wherein said container comprises an elongated tube having an opening at each end thereof and an end cap adapted to be press fit overthe end-opening of said tube opposite the entry opening, said end cap substantially closing said tube end opening whereby to permit selective access to said containerfor depositing baittherein adjacent said end cap.