GB594894A - Improvements in or relating to method and means for exterminating animals - Google Patents

Abstract

594,894. Light-sensitive rat traps. STEVENS, A. H. (Electronic Traps, Inc.). Feb. 15, 1945, No. 3814. [Class 5 (i)] [Also in Group XL] An apparatus for catching and electrocuting rats consists of a box 5, having a through passage crossed by a light-ray from a lamp 29. On entering the box the rats break the ray so opening a circuit including a photo-electric cell 32. A circuit including relay 120, and valve 114 is now closed and a catch 27 is moved by magnet 28 so releasing bar 26 holding the angle bar 21 in position on the wall 7 of the box. Doors 12, 13 run down under gravity on rollers 20 by means of levers 23, 25 so enclosing the rat. Simultaneously gate switch 126 is closed and the chamber C lit by a lamp L ; in parallel with this lamp is a 15-minute timing motor 127 which governs the resetting of the trap in case of mishap. A false exit is provided in wall 7 which leads via a ramp R to an execution chamber E. The ramp consists of a conducting run 42 pivoted at 43 and connected by rod 46 to catch 37 holding door 35. When the run 42 is moved by the rat the door falls closing the chamber and a switch 49 closed which electrifies the floor of the ramp through conductors 50. The rat is impelled into the execution chamber E which consists of a metal hinged floor 51 acting as an electrode, moved from its dropped position so that it is the floor of the chamber, by catch 54 attached to bar 21. Upper electrodes 70, 71, 75 are governed in parallel linkage by hair - pin spring 77. A partition-like trigger 52<SP>1</SP> is moved by the rat so that by a series of levers and catches 58, 59, 63, 66, 68, 78 the upper electrode descends, spikes 76 coming into close contact with the rat. Simultaneously a switch 62 is closed and the electrocuting current passes between the two electrodes for 2-3 minutes governed by timing-motor 137. When this motor stops it closes a circuit for lifting motor 81 which by a train of gears lifts catch 26 and hence doors 13, 12 by bar 21. Door 13 has a catch 85 engageable with door 35 which is also lifted and held by catch 37 opening switch 49 in the operation. On movement of bar 21 catch 54 lets down the hinged plate 51 and the dead rat drops into a receptacle. Attached to bar 21 is a roller 89 which comes into contact with roller 90, reversing the process of the levers and catches and restoring the trap to its original position, and at the same time opening the electrocuting circuit. The 15-minute timing-motor is reset by the opening of switch 126 and the trap is now reset. A test-key 95 is supplied to check the trap. The current is supplied through a transformer and various voltages may be tapped.