GB2370968A

GB2370968A - An automatic resetting animal trap

Info

Publication number: GB2370968A
Application number: GB0127171A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harold William Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-15
Filing date: 2001-11-13
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Also published as: GB0100953D0; GB0127171D0

Abstract

The automatic rodent unit comprises a body in the form of a rectangular box 4, constructed of steel mesh 3, with a lid 1. Rats or mice, attracted by bait in bait box 8, enter the trap through a door (15, fig. 5) which is open having been preset by hand. Next to the bait box and set into the floor is a trigger plate 9. In use, any light pressure on this plate will activate the trip latch 13 and cause the door to close. Captured animals attempt to escape through exit 5 which is connected to a separate holding unit. As they leave the trap through swing door 6 the rodents activate a mechanism which causes the door-lifting hook (17, fig. 5) to move the entrance door to its original position. The trap is now reset.

Description

Automatic Rodent Unit Mk. 2.

Description.

Page 1 of 3.

The Mk. 2. is box-like in form, the back wall and floor of which will be of some solid material. The front, sides and lid are expected to be of steel-mesh.

This box, rectangular in shape, contains all the working parts, which are as follows : an over-length door (15), which hangs from the roof at one end of the box. Being over-length, it hangs at an angle, requiring the positioning of two portals (14). Its"feet"lie flat to the floor in the closed position. In the set position the door has been lifted either by hand, or the raising of the"glass" window (6) in the exit-way (5).

Just inside the rim of the front of the opened box is a small ledge on which are to be found the trip-latch wheel and rods (10) and lOa), the tnp-latch tube (11), the return-spring, (12), and the trip-latch. (13).

Directly below the wheel, (10) and let into the floor, is the trigger-plate (9), connected to the trip-latch (13) via the wheel by fine wire rods (lOa), so that any light pressure on any part of the trigger-plate (9) will drop the door, (15), should it be in the"set"position.

Tucked into the comer immediately beyond the trigger-plate is the bait-bin, (8), and running alongside both (9) and (8) is the inside wall of the exit-way, (7), On the other side of this wall can be seen the hanging window, (6) (the keystone of this invention ; when raised by an"escaping"rodent the door is lifted and left in the"set"position again. Numbers 1,2 & 3 refer to the lid, its hinges, and steel mesh.

Page 2/3.

Fig. 2. Shows the front face of the unit. Here can be seen the inner-wall (7), the size and shape of the bait-bin (8), the height and extension of the exit-way (5), and a somewhat exaggerated trigger-plate (9). No. (15) shows the door (set), and (14) is a side-view of a portal. (18) shows one of the feet, end on.

Fig. 3. Shows the back wall, with the window-mechanism (16), at rest, and showing the connection at (6). Also, a side. view of the door-lifting hook (17), showing a connection at (20).

Page 3/3 Fig. 4. A view of the exit with the exit-way compressed in order to illustrate the hanging window (6), and its connection to (16). Three jump-rails, (19), compensate for the height of the"escape-hole"of the Mk. l version, of this unit.

Fig. 5. Shown with the door in the down position and giving a clear view of the dual hinge, (20). Figs 4 and 5 both show clear pictures of the feet, (18).

Figs 6 & 7, which are to no particular dimensions, but which may afford some clarification, are added.

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A. R. U. Mk2

Check-list of parts Lid............................ 1 Hinge........................ 2 Mesh.......................... 3 1. Box-. body............... 4 Exit-way..................... 5 Window...................... 6 Inner exit wall............... 7

Bait-bin....................... 8 Trigger-plate................. 9 Wheel & rods............... 10 Trip-latch tube 11 Return-spring.............. 12 Trip-latch................... 13 Portal (2).................... 14

Door......................... 15 Window mechanism ...... 16 Door..................... 17 Feet........................ 18 Jump rails.................. 19 Door x window hinge..... 20

Claims

Automatic Roden it Mk. Z Claims.

1 An automatic rodent unit comprising a body in the form of a rectangular, lidded box, and having the means for lifting and lowering, as and when required, those parts which allow entry and exit both into and out of the box, and having the means to transfer captured rodents to a separate holding unit.

2. An automatic rodent unit, as claimed in Claim 1. wherein there are means for arresting a rising door in the"set"position.

3. An automatic rodent unit as the claimed in Claims 2 & 3, wherein there are means provided for releasing the door from the"set"position.

4. An automatic rodent unit, as claimed in Claims 1,2 & 3, wherein there are means; with some assistance from the rodent, to raise the door to its catch and re-set all.