GB2571939A - Rodent trap - Google Patents

Abstract

A rodent capturing device consisting of a base chamber A and moving barrier, which may be spring biased. Bait is placed inside the trap in a location E2 that the moving barrier conceals when the trap is set. Whilst the barrier is at location B2 it covers the bait location, it also permits access into the trap chamber. Once a rodent has been lured into the trap, it is enticed towards the bait and exerts forces on the barrier causing it to move aside. The action of moving the barrier aside to the position shown by B1 causes the chamber to be closed. Two trap independent enclosures may be provided in a single unit.

Description

Rodent Trap

This invention concerns a device for capturing rodents.

When mice or similar rodents have found a way into a domestic home or alike, it is usual practice to lay traps to control the invasion. Whether these traps are kill or non-kill, the general approach is that the bait is readily accessible and the trap mechanism relies on being triggered.

Whilst this approach is often successful, it can permit adept or lucky rodents to consume the bait without causing the trap to close. The invention puts forward a trap arrangement where the rodent is enticed into a chamber by the scent of the bait, but can only get tantalisingly close to the bait due to a moveable barrier positioned to cause restricted access. As the rodent pushes to gain access to the bait, the restrictive barrier is pushed aside and in the same action covers the trap exit.

It is anticipated that the moving of the restrictive barrier would be initiated by the rodent but thereon assisted by a spring or similar to ensure full closure of the exit.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the fully assembled two-trap example intended for capturing mice.

Figure 2 shows an isometric view as figure 1 but with a pivoting cover removed to expose the inner details.

Figure 3 shows a plan top view of the trap, one of the traps of the two-trap example set open and the other closed for comparative purposes.

Figure 4 shows a horizontal plane section mid height through the trap, again one of the traps of the two-trap example set open and the other closed for comparative purposes .

In figure 1, the main body A is shown with cover Bl fitted and in the closed state. This cover pivots about DI and is engaged in slots in body A at the pivot end and the opposing end. Spring lever Cl acts on a lug on cover Bl to prevent it from opening or from disengaging from the slots in body A. The trap is un-set in this state.

In figure 2, the integrated barrier feature of cover Bl is seen, this barrier serves to permit or deny passage through the doorway in body A and also allow or restrict access to the bait. The barrier on cover Bl is shaped in a way that is considered to encourage the rodent to interact with the trap.

The setting of the trap may be seen in figure 3 by viewing the cover B2 and spring lever C2 of the two-trap example. The spring lever C2 is first manually pushed away from point D2, which allows the cover B2 to pivot about point D2 so that the respective doorway is open.

The spring lever C2 can then be released onto the lug on cover B2. The lug is profiled in a fashion that the spring lever C2 and cover B2 are in equilibrium. This spring lever and lug mechanism is designed to give the rodent mechanical advantage when it applies force to the barrier as it attempts to access the bait. In the example trap the rodent is required only to initiate the moving of the barrier, once this occurs the spring lever and lug mechanism assist and completes the full barrier movement and traps the rodent.

The positioning of the cover B2 barrier in the two-trap example may be seen in figure 4, the bait location E2 has restricted access due to the barrier but the doorway permits access. For comparative purposes, the cover Bl barrier is shown blocking the corresponding doorway but allowing access to the bait. In this example, the bait locations El / E2 are intended to accept peanut butter primarily.

Once a rodent has been captured in the trap, it may be released by manually pulling the spring lever as when setting the trap, permitting the doorway to be opened or the cover removed as desired. With the rodent released, the removal of the covers facilitates cleaning of the trap for re-use.

Claims (1)

1. Claim

   A chamber doorway moveable barrier system that facilitates a rodent to be enticed into the chamber but also impedes the rodent's access to the enticement, the rodent must then force the barrier aside to gain full access to the enticement consequently causing the barrier to cover the chamber doorway.

   Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

   Claim 1

   A rodent trap comprising an enclosure having a doorway, a moveable multifaceted exclusion zone forming a barrier arranged within the enclosure so that in a first position it substantially covers the doorway and in a second position it impedes rodent access to a strategically placed bait location within the enclosure, interstices purposefully formed between the enclosure and the barrier, a strategically placed bait location within the enclosure, and rodent marshalling facets on the barrier, wherein in use a rodent must push aside the barrier from the second position to the first position to gain full access to the bait and in so doing causes the barrier to cover the doorway preventing exit.