MXPA00007525A - Bait station with interior mechanical rodent trap - Google Patents

Abstract

An injection molded plastic body has a lid joined by a living hinge. A rodent passageway extends within the body between two aligned holes. The hinge is perpendicular to the passageway, allowing the lid to be opened when the body is fixed adjacent a building wall. The interior of the body is divided by a raised wall which is broken into two segments by an opening to a blind passageway extending perpendicular to the passageway. Two rodent feeding areas are positioned adjacent the blind passageway. Bait blocks are positioned within each feeding area on protrusions which are received within axially extending central holes. The blocks are clamped between underlying rings and cooperating structure depending downwardly from the lid. Instead of bait, a mechanical trap may be positioned on two of three protrusions aligned along the blind passageway. The mechanical trap inter-fits with the protrusions to positively position the mechanical trap.

Description

LURE STATION WITH MECHANICAL INSIDE TRAP FOR RODENTS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to decoy stations for rodents and traps for rodents. Rodents are persistent pests that present a continuous threat to health and property wherever humans inhabit or carry out their work. Rodents continue to be a source of disease and economic damage through food waste and similar inedible items. Although ancient scourges such as bubonic plague are rare, rodents are associated with modern diseases such as spirochetes and ticks and virus diseases. Rodents are generally controlled through poisons and traps. Poisons and traps have been placed inside specialized containers, called decoy stations, to prevent children, non-target animals, and unauthorized individuals from coming into contact with the poison or trap. The decoy stations are designed to isolate the venom or trap from easy access to all those except target rodents. A typical decoy station has a metal or plastic box inside which a trap or a poison decoy is placed. Typically, decoy stations are placed along walls and other places where rodents are likely to frequent. To prevent animals or children from having access to the contents of decoy stations by flipping them or shaking them, a decoy station is often screwed or nailed to the floor or other structure. To maintain the effectiveness of the decoy station, the decoy must be periodically replaced or the traps inside the decoy station must be emptied and reset. The lure is often in the form of grain mixed with paraffin and rodent poison which is cast or extruded to form blocks. The blocks are resistant to deterioration due to humidity and serve to prevent target rodents from spreading the decoy. What is necessary is a decoy station that can easily be opened while it is fixed to the floor and which can accommodate the decoy or trap and positively place the decoy to the trap inside the decoy station. The decoy station of this invention incorporates an injection molded body with an openable lid attached to the body by an integrally formed living hinge. The body defines a rectangular box that has a passage defined by two aligned holes. The passage is placed adjacent and parallel to a first side of the box. The hinge is formed along a second side of the box perpendicular to the first side. During use, the first side and the passage are positioned along a wall so that the hinge is perpendicular to the wall and the lid can easily be opened without interference from the wall even if the body is fixedly mounted to the floor adjacent to the wall. Wall. The side of the lid opposite the hinge is able to lock to the body along a third side by means of double teeth, which prevent it from being opened without a key. The interior of the body is divided by an elevated wall that runs parallel to the adjacent side of the passage. The raised wall is divided into two equal parts by an opening extending away from and perpendicular to the passage. The opening extends into a blind passage terminating in a fourth wall of the body opposite the first wall. The passage and the counted blind passage form an interior arrangement in the form of T is the interior part of the decoy station. The partial walls on both sides of the blind passage extending from the wall raised to the fourth body wall form feeding areas between the partial walls and the second and third sides. Within each feeding area on each side of the blind passage two raised ledges are surrounded by raised rings. Decoy blocks that have axially extending center holes fit over the raised ledge, and are held between the raised rings and the dependent cooperative structure down the lid. A mechanical trap is placed in two of three raised ridges aligned along the blind passage. The mechanical trap has portions that interengage with the flanges to positively place the mechanical trap within the blind passage. The decoy station will normally be used - either decoy blocks or a mechanical trap. It is an object of the present invention to provide a decoy station suitable for use with decoy with rodent venom or a mechanical trap. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a decoy station which facilitates access when fixed against a wall. It is another object of the present invention to provide a decoy station which positively holds the decoy blocks. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view, in partially broken section, of the decoy station and a rodent trap assembly of this invention. FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the open decoy station of FIGURE 1 with a rodent trap placed therein. FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIGURE 2 in a closed configuration, taken along the section line 3-3. Referring particularly to FIGURES 1-3, where like members refer to similar parts, a decoy station 20 of FIGURE 1 is shown. The decoy station 20 is configured to receive a rodent destroyer element placed within a decoy. portion of the accessible box of the passage, for example blocks 68 of decoy for rodents or traps 78 for rodents. The decoy station 20 has a body 22 which is in the form of a rectangular box 24 with a lid 26. The body 22 is attached to the lid 26 by an integrally formed living hinge 28. The body 22, the cover 26, and the hinge 28 can be formed as a single injection molded part. The rectangular box 24 has four walls extending upwardly from a bottom wall 44: A first wall 34 which will typically be positioned along the building wall 35; a second wall 38 extending approximately perpendicular to the first wall, and from which the hinge 28 extends; a third wall 40 which extends from the first wall parallel to the second wall; and the fourth wall 58 which extends between the second wall and the third wall. The second wall 38 and the third opposite wall 40 have portions defining two openings 30 for aligned rodents which define a passage 3'2 through the decoy station 20. The openings 30 are positioned in the second and third walls adjacent to the first wall 34 of the box 24. The passage 32 extends along the interior 36 of the box 24 parallel to the first side wall 34. Mice and rats generally move along the walls and are more willing to enter a decoy station when a passage can be seen through the decoy station. Therefore, the decoy station 20 during use is placed with the first wall 34 and the passage 32 parallel to the wall 35 of the building. The lid 26 has two teeth 42 that protrude downwards, as shown in FIGURE 1, which can be releasably engaged with two coupling shoulders 43 that are positioned outwardly of the third wall 40, as shown in FIGURE 3 The flexible teeth 42 allow the lid to be locked in the third wall 40, thereby preventing it from opening without a key, in a manner similar to the block structures described in US Pat. No. 5,040,327, the description of which is incorporated in the present by reference.

To prevent lifting and agitation of the decoy station 20, or other displacement of the intended assumption station, the floor 41 adjacent to the building wall 35 can be nailed or screwed by driving a fastener such as a nail or screw 45 through of the wall 44 of the bottom of the box 24. An area of the thinner material 46 is provided for this purpose as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Because the hinge 28 is perpendicular to the building wall 35, the lid 26 can open freely while the first cover 34 is fixed against the wall 35. Because the position of the hinge 28 relative to the passage 32, accessing the lock formed by the flexible teeth 42 and the shoulders 43 is not impeded by the presence from wall 35 of the building. Within the body 22 of the decoy station 20, the passage 32 is defined between the interior surface 48 of the first wall 34 and an elevated interior wall 50 which extends parallel to and spaced from the first wall 34. The raised interior wall 50 , as shown in FIGURE 1, has an opening 52 which divides the interior wall 50 raised in two segments 54. The opening 52 extends into a blind passage 56 which extends from the fourth wall 58 of the box 24 to intersect perpendicularly with the passage 32. The passage 32 and the blind passage 56 form a T-shaped pattern of the trajectories \ within the body 22 of the decoy station 20. The partial walls 60 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 80 on either side of the blind passageway 56. Each partial wall 60 extends between a segment 54 of the raised interior wall 50 and the fourth wall 58, defining a supply area 62 with either the second wall 38 or the third wall 40. Two cross-shaped projections 64 extend upwards within each feeding area 62. Each projection is surrounded by a raised ring 66. Station 20 is activated by decoy by placing rodent decoy blocks 68 composed of rodent feed mixed with paraffin and rodent venom within feed areas 62. Each decoy block 68 is provided with an axially extending hole 70, which receives a cross-shaped projection 64 therein. The vertical orientation of the decoy blocks 68 suitably presents it so that rodents can gnaw them, while the high rings 66 elevate the blocks above the condensation or other fluid that may accumulate within the station 20. The lower surfaces 72 of the decoy blocks 68 rest on the raised rings 66. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the structures 74 projecting on the lid 26 of the decoy station 20 are placed above the raised rings 66 and v capture or attach the decoy blocks 68. The projections 64 extend less than a maximum height of the supported decoy blocks 68, and thus are easier to form in the molding process, furthermore, they are not so long as to become flexible or prone to breakage. By coupling the blocks between the portions of the base and the lid, it is avoided that the lure can be agitated out and removed through the openings 30, and presented for optimal feeding by the rodents. The access and arrangement of the feeding areas 62 is such as to discourage the failure of the decoy by the ation of the target rodents. As shown in FIGURE 1, the lid has two inclined segments 96 extending downwardly from the upper segment 98. The projecting cover structures 74, as shown in FIGURE 2, can be formed as a double cross that extends downwardly from an inclined segment 96. Each structure 74 has a long member 100 and two short members 102. The intersections between the long member 100 and the short members are centered on the projections 64. TypicallyWhen the decoy is used, the poison for rodents causes the target rodents to experience thirst and thus leave the building before dying. However, in some circumstances, the size of the building or the availability of water means that some target rodents may die within the inaccessible portions of a building, creating an unpleasant odor. When such problems arise, the use of mechanical traps is effective. To prevent the traps from being misplaced or causing danger to children and non-target animals, the traps can be placed inside the decoy station 20. As shown in FIGURES 1-3, a mechanical trap 78 can be placed in one of two positions, totally or partially within the blind passage 56. The mechanical trap may be of the type described in U.S. Patent Application No. 29 / 113,430, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The mechanical trap 78 has a trigger 88 which is pivotally connected to a base 90, with a spring 92 which serves to close the trap when a trigger 94 is activated. The bottom side 80 of the base 90 of the trap is placed against the bottom wall 44 of the box 24. Two recesses or cylindrical depressions 82 are formed in the base 90 of the trap 78, as indicated in FIGURE 2. Three small projections or cylindrical projections extend upwardly from the bottom wall 44 of the station and are regularly spaced along the center of the blind passageway 56. The mechanical trap 78 can thus be placed within the decoy station at two defined locations, to engage any of the first and second projections 84, or the second and third projections. In any case, the projections restrict the rotation and translation of the trap 78 within the decoy station 20. Closing the lid 26 in the base limits the vertical movement of the trap 78. The mechanical trap 78 is sized to fit between the partial walls 60, the bottom 44, and the lid 26. In addition, the trap 78, in its part wider, it is received in the opening 52 between the two interior wall segments 54. The projections 84 on the bottom 44 are separated so that the mechanical trap 78 can be placed slightly out of the passage 32 or alternatively using the rearmost ledge 86, the mechanical trap 78 can be positioned by means of recesses within the blind passage 56. In the first position, the trap 78 is placed to be activated by the lateral entry of a rodent, in the second position, the trap is placed to be activated by the front entrance of a rodent. The integer indentations 82 in the mechanical trap 78 and the projections 84, 86, in the bottom 44 of the body 22 of the decoy station 20 allow the positive, adjustable positioning of the mechanical trap 78. The repeatable placement of the mechanical trap 78 facilitates the duplication of a successful trapping strategy, removing the placement of the trap as an uncontrolled variable to achieve the suppression of the rodent within a facility. Adjustability provides controlled variability of trap placement which can result in a better total trapping success if the position of the trap varies from time to time. In addition, although the placement of the mechanical traps 78 is restricted when the lid is closed, once the lid is opened the traps are easily removed from the interior and emptied and restored. In addition, because the traps 78 are restricted from movement once they are engaged within the decoy station 20, the user may refrain from setting the traps until they are in place, in which case it is only necessary to press the back of the trigger 88 with one hand, avoiding the possibility of accidental activation of the trap by moving it while it is being established, or by activating the trap on a portion of the user. It should be understood that the structure 74 that emerges from the cap may be in the form of a cone or portions of a cone extending downwardly to engage the holes 70 in the decoy blocks 68. On the other hand, trap 78 and decoy station 20 can be scaled to mice or to rats or other target species. It should be understood that the decoy blocks 68 are maintained between the bottom 80 and the lid 26, and are thus substantially substantially substantially rigid with respect to the body 20 of the decoy station 20. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated and described herein, but covers the modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A decoy station characterized in that it comprises: a body forming a rectangular box having a bottom wall, a first side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a second side wall joining with the first side wall, and a third side wall opposite the second side wall that joins the first side wall, and a fourth side wall that joins the second and third side wall and opposite the first side wall; a cover joined to the second side wall by a hinge and that can be coupled with the third side wall to lock the cover to the box; a passage defined between a first hole in the second side wall and a second hole in the third side wall, the orifices being aligned to provide a visible path through the body of the decoy station, the passage being adjacent to and parallel to the first side wall; an inner wall extending upward from the bottom of the box in a parallel parallel relationship with the first side wall, the inner wall having the passage within the box; the portions of the inner wall form an opening that folds to a blind passage, the blind passage extends substantially perpendicular to the passage and ends at the fourth side wall of the box, the portions of the bottom wall of the box form a bottom for the blind passage; and a mechanical trap positioned within the blind passage, the portions of the mechanical trap interengaged with the portions of the bottom wall within the blind passage, to place and retain the mechanical trap within the body of the decoy station.
2. 2. The decoy station according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises two parallel walls extending between the inner wall and the fourth wall defining the blind passage, the two parallel walls extend only partially towards the lid, where the two parallel walls define feeding areas on either side of the blind passage, each feeding area having at least one first protrusion extending from the bottom of the box partially towards the lid, the first protrusion can be received inside a hole Central axial of a decoy block for rodents to retain the decoy block in a vertical orientation.
3. The decoy station according to claim 2, further characterized in that it comprises at least one projecting structure extending downwardly from the cover above the first projection, the projecting structure is positioned to close on and restrict a block of lure for rodent supported on the first projection, wherein the projecting structure is separated from the first projection when the cover is closed on the base.
4. The decoy station according to claim 1, characterized in that the portions of the bottom wall which engage with the mechanical trap comprise at least two separate projections which extend upwards from the bottom wall, and in wherein the interengagement portions of the mechanical trap comprise at least two recesses positioned to overlap at least two separate projections.
5. The decoy station according to claim 4, characterized in that at least three aligned projections extend upwards from the bottom wall of the body, and wherein the distance between the first projection and the second projection is equal to the distance between the second projection and the third projection, so that the mechanical trap can be alternately coupled with the first and second projections, or with the second and third projections.
6. 6. A rodent trap characterized in that it comprises: a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwards, wherein the body portions define two openings for opposite rodents to admit rodents into the body; a lid which is superimposed on the body and which is capable of selectively locking the body; a mechanical trap for rodents that can be placed in an established position to hit and capture a rodent when activated, where the rodent trap has a base with a plurality of recesses formed in it, the rodent trap being received inside the body superimposed on the background wall; and at least two projections extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the body, the projections extend into the recesses of the rodent trap to positively place the rodent trap which is superposed with respect to the body, and place the trap established so that a rodent entering through one of the rodent openings is directed to the established trap.
7. The decoy station according to claim 6, characterized in that at least three aligned projections extend upwards from the bottom wall of the body, and wherein the distance between the first projection and the second projection is the same as the distance between the first projection and the second projection. distance between the second projection and the third projection, so that the mechanical trap can be alternately coupled with the first and second projections, or with the second and third projections.
8. The decoy station according to claim 7, characterized in that a passage for rodents is defined between the openings for opposite rodents, and in which a blind passage extends perpendicular to the passage for rodents, and where two of the following protrusions aligned are placed along the blind passage, and one of the three aligned ledges is placed along the passage for rodents, so that the rodent trap can be placed to catch rodents entering from the side of the trap or from the front of the trap.
9. The decoy station according to claim 6, characterized in that the two opposite rodent openings are formed in the opposite parallel side walls, and wherein the cover is hinged to the body along one of the parallel side walls.
10. 10. A decoy station for rodents to retain and present blocks of lures for rodents having axially extended central openings, the decoy station is characterized in that it comprises: "a body, having a plurality of side walls extending upwards from a wall in the background, the side walls define a closed box having two opposite openings for the passage of the rodents inside the box, a cover that is superimposed on the side walls of the body, and which is selectively locked to secure the cover to the body, and restricting the entry into the body of non-objective and human animals, at least a first projection extending upwards from the bottom wall of the body, the projection extends upwards less than the height of the body side walls, the projection being capable of receiving within the axially extended central opening of a decoy block for rodents; at least one second projection extending down from the lid when the lid is closed on the body, the second projection is placed directly on the first projection, wherein the second projection is separated above the first projection and not in contact with the first projection, the second projection being placed to attach a rodent decoy block mounted on the first projection and retain the decoy block in position within the body.
11. A decoy station characterized in that it comprises: a body forming a box having a bottom wall, a first side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a second side wall joining the first side wall , and a third side wall opposite the second side stop and which joins the first side wall; a cover joined to the second side wall by a hinge and that can be coupled with the third side wall to lock the cover to the box; a passage defined between a first hole in the second side wall and a second hole in the third side wall, the holes are aligned to provide a visible path through the body of the decoy station, the passage being adjacent and parallel to the first lateral wall, the passage extends under the lid when the lid is locked to the box; an interior wall extending upwards from the bottom of the interior wall of the box together with the first wall defining the passage within the box; the portions of the inner wall form an opening leading to a blind passage, the portions of the bottom wall of the box form a bottom of the blind passage; and a mechanical trap placed within the blind passage, the portions of the mechanical trap interconnect with the portions of the bottom wall within the blind passage, to place and retain the mechanical trap within the body of the decoy station.
12. 12. The decoy station according to claim 11, further characterized in that it comprises two parallel walls extending between the inner wall and the fourth wall defining the blind passage, the two parallel walls extend only partially towards the lid, where the two parallel walls define feeding areas on either side of the blind passage, each feeding area having at least one first projection extending from the bottom of the box partially towards the lid, the first projection can be received within an axial hole center of a decoy block for rodents to retain the decoy block in a vertical orientation.
13. The decoy station according to claim 12, further characterized in that it comprises at least one projecting structure extending downward from the cover above the first projection, the projecting structure being positioned to close on and restrict the block of rodent lure supported on the first projection, wherein the projecting structure is separated from the first projection when the cover is closed on the base.
14. The decoy station according to claim 11, characterized in that the portions of the bottom wall which engage with the mechanical trap comprise at least two separate projections which extend upwards from the bottom wall, and in wherein the interengagement portions of the mechanical trap comprise at least two recesses arranged to be superimposed on at least two separate projections.
15. 15. The decoy station according to claim 14, characterized in that at least three aligned projections extend upwards from the bottom wall of the body, and wherein the distance between the first projection and the second projection is the same as that of the first projection. the distance between the second projection and the third projection, so that the mechanical trap can be alternately coupled with the first and second projections, or with the second and third projections.
16. 16. A decoy station mounted within a building characterized in that it comprises: a floor of a building; a building wall that extends substantially and vertically upwards from the floor of the building; a body that forms a box having a bottom wall; a fastener that extends through the back wall to secure the body to the floor of the building adjacent to the building wall; a first side wall extending substantially upwards from the bottom wall, the first wall being substantially parallel to and adjacent to the wall the building; a second side wall that joins the first side wall; a third side wall opposite the second side wall and joining the first side wall; a lid attached to the second side wall by a hinge and which can be coupled with the third side wall to lock the lid to the box, the lid pivots freely around the hinge without interference from the wall; a passage defined between a first hole in the second side wall and a second hole in the third side wall, the holes are aligned to provide a path through the body of the decoy station, the passage being adjacent to and parallel to the first wall lateral and the wall of the building, the passage being under the cover; a rodent destroying element placed within a portion of the accessible box of the passage.
17. 17. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 16, characterized in that the rodent destroying element comprises a block containing rodent poison and maintained between the bottom wall and the lid.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the rodent destroying element comprises a mechanical trap placed inside the body, the portions of the mechanical trap are interengaged with the portions of the bottom wall to place and retain the mechanical trap inside the body.
19. 19. The decoy station mounted inside a building according to claim 16, further characterized in that it comprises: an interior wall that extends upwards from the bottom of the box, the interior wall together with the first wall define the passage within from the box; the portions of the interior wall that form an opening leading to a blind passage.
20. 20. A decoy station mounted within a building characterized in that it comprises: a floor of a building; a building wall that extends substantially and vertically upwards from the floor of the building; a body that forms a box that has a bottom wall; a bra that extends through the back wall to secure the body to the floor of the building, adjacent to the wall of the building; a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the building wall; a lid attached to a first of the plurality of walls by a hinge and that can be coupled with a second of the plurality of walls to lock the lid to the box, the lid pivots freely around the hinge without interference from the wall; a passage defined between a first hole, and a second hole in the plurality of walls, the holes being aligned to provide a visible path through the body of the decoy station, the passage being adjacent to and parallel to the building wall and it extends under the lid.