GB2277669A

GB2277669A - An animal and insect trap.

Info

Publication number: GB2277669A
Application number: GB9309270A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bernard Paxon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-05
Filing date: 1993-05-05
Publication date: 1994-11-09
Also published as: GB9309270D0

Abstract

This Animal and Insect Trap comprises a hollow box-like container 2 on which a sliding door 115 moved in one direction against resilient means 6 which forces the sliding door to move in the opposite direction when the tension in the resilient means 3 is released, the setting of the trap being made by turning a spindle 4. An ideal form of resilient means is an elastic band 6 attached to the box side and attached at its other end to a sliding doors, opened by turning a spindle attached to which is a cord that wraps around the spindle as the spindle is turned, the other end of the cord being attached to the opposite side of the door on which the elastic band is fixed. On releasing the spindle the elastic band pulls against the door causing it to close over the trapped animal 1 insect, the spindle turning freely in its housing. <IMAGE>

Description

AN ANIMAL AND INSECT TRAP BACKGROUND TO EWE INVENTION This invention relates to traps for animals and insects. There are a number of types of traps currently used or known. For example one such trap relies on gravity to move the trap door over a hollow enclosure, turning the trap one way to open it and turning it the other way to close it.One method is to open and close the trap door by turning a spindle on which is fixed a kear that engages with a gear on the door or mutually bondable material can be used one surface adhering to the other surface on door and spindle causing movement of the door as the spindle is turned There is also a trap that relies on a door swivelling on an axis or studlike connection that is turned one way to close and another way to open the trap door by a spindle attached to the 'hinged' area of the door, the spindle being either a rod or flexible cable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

The object of the present invention is to provide an insect trap that has a sliding door that is opened or closed at least indirectly by resilient means and not by gravity, the advantage being that the operator has more control over the movement of the trap door and it is not necessary to turn the trap in order to make it work. When the connecting link between the operator and the resilient means is released or when the resilient means itself is released from the door the door moves, preferably closing by the force 0 the resilient means although it could be assembled so that it opens by the force of the resilient means.

An animal and insect trap according to the invention in which a sliding trap door is moved in one direction against resilient means which forces the said trap door to slide in the opposite direction when the tension in the resilient means is released, the setting of the trap being made by turning a spindle0 The invention shall now be described by the Description of the Preferred Embodiments and the Dkawings which shall be by way of example onlyo BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG 1 End view from surface against which the trap 8ill be placed shows the resilient means in the form of an elastic bands wrapped around a spindle.Open position of trap door0 FIG 2 End view from surface against which the trap will be placed shows resilient means in the form of an elastic bani wrapped around the spindle.Closed position of trap door0 FIG 3 Side view of trap and its setting mechanism in the form of a spindle0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBOIIIMENTS Varioud ways of fixing the resilient means can be incorporated in this invention but as shown in FIG 1 it is preferable to attach the resilient means to the trap door 1 so that the pull of the resilient means is central on the door leaving equal distance between the resilient means and the edge of the door to prevent jamming of the door. The resilient means may be used to force the trap door open or to force it shut - the latter way being preferable to trap the animal or insect quickly if in the receptable area of the trap and before it flys or otherwise moves back towards the entrahce area of the trap in the area of the door.In FIGS 1 and 2 a trap 2 has located thereon a sliding door 1 with an elastic band 3, and there may be more than one such band, located on a spindle 4. On the turning of the spindle the band wraps around the spindle and the band being attached to the door pulls the door along slots 5 or guides in the body of the trap 2. Attached to the trap door and preferably on the opposite side of the door on which the elastic band is attached is another band or bands 6 which is attached at its other end to the hEap, preferably to its outer edge. As the spindle is turned the first band wraps itself around the spindle drawing with it the trap door against the resilience of the second elastic band. When the spindle which may be housed in any suitable position, such as a bearing 7 that enables it to turn easily, is released the second elastic band 6 pulls the trap door shut. There need only be one elastic band fixed on the spindle at one end atd at the opposite end of the trap at its other end with the door attached to the band so that it moves one way as the spindle is turned by the operator and the other way as the spindle is released, but it is preferable from the point of efficiency and ease of assembly to use two bands.Fig 1 shows the sliding door open and figure 2 shows the sliding door shut. In FIG 3 the trap 2 and controlling spindle 4 is shown from the side.The trap door may be positioned either on the side of the trap or at its upper or lower side. A flange 8 may be incorporated on the spindle shown also in FIGs 1 and 2, Elastic band shown as 3 in FIG 3 Non-resilient means may be fixed to the spindle.

Claims

1. An Animal and Insect Trap in which a sliding trap door is moved in one direction against resilient means which forces the said trap door to slide in the opposite direction when the tension in the resilient means is released, the setting of the trap being made by turning a spindle.

2. An Animal and Insect Trap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the resilient means is attached to the spindle at its one end and to the trap door at its other end.

4. An Animal and Insect Trap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the resilient means is attached at its one end to the trap door and at its other end to the body of the trap.

5. An Animal and Insect Trap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the setting of the trap is made by turning a spindle on which is located a non-resilient connection between the spindle and the trap door the resilient means being fixed to the trap door at its one end, its other end -to the trap.

6. An Animal end Insect Trap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the trap door is attached to the resilient means one end of which is attached to the body of the insect trap and the other end of which is attached to the spindle.

7. An Animal and Insect Trap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the resilient means is characterised by at least one elastic band.

8. An Animal and Insect Trap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the sliding trap door is characterised by locating it in grooves in the body of the trap, across the opening of the trap.

9. An Animal and Insect Trap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the spindle is characterised by a cable located along one face of a handle attached to the trap.

An Animal and Insect Trap substantially as hereinbefore defined in the Description of the Preferred Embodiments of this invention and in the drawings which are by way of example only.