WO1996028971A1

WO1996028971A1 - Improved animal trap

Info

Publication number: WO1996028971A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/004195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael J. Mollo
Original assignee: Mollo Michael J
Priority date: 1995-03-20
Filing date: 1996-03-20
Publication date: 1996-09-26
Also published as: AU5375096A

Abstract

An animal trap (100) in the shape of an expandable collapsible prismoidal box is made out of cardboard and has a stiff square top (30) and bottom (31) and four side walls (2, 5, 6, 16) which are foldable to the outside along central folding lines by pressure onto the top. Each side wall has an inwardly extending tongue and at least two tongues on opposite side walls which are connected by elastic bands or a contracting spring (17) which pull the walls back from their folded positions into a partially planar state as soon as the pressure on the top is released. The square tops are connected by a baited string (14) which holds the trap in its partial state thus creating corner openings through which an animal may gain access to the trap.

Description

IMPROVED ANIMAL TRAP

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to improved traps for capture and disposal of rodents and other small animals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There have been innumerable variations on the theme of traps for rodents and other small animals, including traps which are designed to capture the animals alive for humane relocation and those which are designed to kill the trapped animal. This field of invention is continually active; for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,109,626 issued on May 5, 1992, and U.S. Patent No. 5,010,682 issued on April 30, 1991, involve traps designed to kill the trapped animal; and U.S. Patent No. 5,005,312 issued on April 9, 1991, and U.S. Patent No. 4,984,382, issued on January 15, 1991, disclose traps which are designed not to kill the trapped animal, illustrate these continuing efforts to invent the "perfect mouse trap."

These inventions, as well as a vast variety of other trapping devices previously invented and used for this purpose, all have certain characteristics and limitations which render them undesirable or ineffective in one way or another. For example, the most commonly-used trap, with a u- shaped, spring-loaded bar, results in the killing of an animal, but usually not without a certain amount of struggle on the part of the trapped animal. After successfully trapping of an animal with this type of trap, a certain amount of cleanup in the area where the animal is trapped is often required and the potential exists for the escape of various pests, such as fleas, which inhabit the animal prior to its demise. In addition, this type of trap poses some risk to the user in setting the trap and from inadvertently triggering if the trap must be moved or removed from a particular location. These characteristics are fairly typical of traps designed to kill an animal when the trap is sprung.

In general, the traps designed to capture an animal alive tend to be complex, bulky, or provide for a complicated or inconvenient entry point for the intended victim. Other traps such as the "Have-a-Hart" which provides for the entry from either end, while relatively simple and straight forward, are expensive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of my invention is comprised of rigid sheet material such as cardboard, which is cut and folded to allow the cardboard to take the shape of a closed, regular geometric prismoid structure with sloping angled sidewalls (e.g., interconnected upright and inverted triangular or square truncated pyramids) . Inside the structure, a tensioned member such as a contracting spring or rubber band pulls on longitudinally opposed points such as two opposing walls, thus causing the structure to remain in a closed position.

In one preferred baited form of the prismoid structure, a small baited thread connects planar square top and square bottom members together at a reduced height so as to prevent corners of the structure from fully closing, thus allowing the corners of the structure to remain open and thereby provide entry access points for the intended animal.

In operation, an animal, such as a mouse, enters the structure to chew or lick the bait which is attached to a thread or spring device. When the baited thread becomes weakened, it breaks. Similarly, when the spring device is triggered, it releases the top and bottom members and allows the contracting spring to pull the sidewalls inward, closing the access point and thus trapping the mouse inside.

It is an object of the present invention to create a trap that is simple in design, economical to manufacture, easy to use, and is sanitary, readily disposable, and preferably biodegradable.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an animal trap with a configuration that is appropriate for trapping of small and medium sized animals, including mice and other rodents; squirrels, possums, fur bearing animals such as mink, muskrat, and the like; skunks; and other similar sized animals by providing appropriate-sized versions of the present invention.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trap which is very compact for purposes of shipping and storage before use.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a trap which may be baited with poison, when necessary, in a manner ensuring that the bait is inaccessible to household pets, such as cats or dogs, but still readily accessible to the intended animals such as small household rodents.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a trap with multiple points of access; points of access which are in close proximity to animal pest runways, such as walls and a configuration which may be placed in corners; that is a configuration which permits ready access to the trap by the intended animal.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a trap that is disposable and allows the user to free the trapped animal if desired. It is another object of the invention to provide a safe trap which comes pre-baited and ready to use to prevent children, pets, and others from having their fingers and paws caught in the trap.

It is another object of the intention to provide a trap that will help in the prevention of disease transmission.

It is another object of the invention to provide a trap that will be low in cost and environmentally safe.

It is another object of the invention to provide a trap that can be disposed of with a captured animal enclosed. It is also an object of the invention to provide a trap that can be set and baited with virtually no effort on the part of the user. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sheet material such as a cardboard pattern depicting the components of a first preferred embodiment of the invention in an unfolded assembly. Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the first embodiment of the invention when set prior to trapping an animal.

Figure 3 is a top elevation of the first embodiment of the invention when set prior to trapping an animal. Figure 4 is a perspective of the first embodiment of the invention after the trap has sprung and an animal has been trapped inside.

Figure 5 is a top view of the first embodiment of the invention after the trap has sprung and an animal has been trapped inside.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a sheet material such as a cardboard pattern depicting the components of a second embodiment of the invention in an unfolded assembly.

Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of the second embodiment of the invention in its fully closed position.

Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of the second embodiment of the invention when set in the first partially closed position depicting the three access points.

Figure 9 is a top elevation of the second embodiment of the invention in its fully closed position.

Figure 10 is a top elevation of the second embodiment of the invention when set in its fully closed position.

Figure 11 is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention depicting the trigger assembly in its sprung position.

Figure 12 is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention depicting the trigger assembly in its set position. DESCRIPTION OF A FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The improved animal trap is illustrated in Figures 1 through 5, which depict a first preferred embodiment.

Figure 1 illustrates all of the components of the first embodiment of trap 100 disposed prior to assembly into the prismoidal shape as illustrated in Figure 2, deployed in the set position. The components of the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, include tension means shown as a contracting spring 17, bait thread 14, bait 18, tabs 1, 3, 8, 13, 15, upper wall flaps 2, 5, 6, 16, lower flaps 7, 10, 11, 12, planar top end 30, planar bottom end 31, eyelets 19 and 20, bait thread holes 23 and 24 and bait thread retainers 4 and 9.

The preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 12, which can be made from cardboard, plastic, lightweight metal, or any other suitable relatively rigid sheet material, comprises wall flaps 2, 5, 6, and 16 which are hingedly attached to the sides of top 30. Tabs 1, 3, and 15 are hingedly attached to wall flaps 2, 5 and 16 respectively. Tab 15 contains eyelet 19 for the mounting of contracting spring 17 by placing the end of contracting spring 17 through eyelet 19. Tab 3 contains eyelet 20 through which the opposite end of contracting spring 17 is mounted when the trap 100 is assembled. Wall flap 6 is hingedly attached to wall flap 7, which is in turn hingedly attached to bottom 31. In addition, wall flaps 10, 11 and 12 are hingedly attached to bottom 31. Tabs 8 and 13 respectively are hingedly attached to wall flaps 10 and 12. Tab 8 has notch 22 located such that notch 22 aligns with eyelet 20 when trap 100 is assembled. Tab 13 contains notch 21, which is located to align the eyelet 19 when trap 100 is assembled. Top 30 contains thread hole 24, through which bait thread 14 is passed and attached to top 30 by bait thread retainer 4 when trap 100 is assembled. Bottom 31 contains bait thread hole 23, through which the bait thread is passed, and thread 14 is retained by bait thread retainer 9 when trap 100 is assembled.

The first preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1 is assembled by folding wall flap 6 against wall flap 7 along their hinged junction 40. Before folding wall flaps 6 and 7 together, tabs 3 and 15, attached to wall flaps 5 and 16 respectively, are folded along junctions 41 and 42. Tabs 8 and 13 are folded along junctions 43 and 44. Tabs 3, 15, 8 and 13 are folded such that when flaps 6 and 7 are folded along junction 40, tab 8 comes into contact with tab 3, and tab 13 comes into contact with tab 15, such that eyelet 20 is aligned with notch 22, and eyelet 19 is aligned with notch 21. At this point in the assembly of trap 100, tab 8 is attached to tab 3 by glue or other means, and tab 13 is attached to tab 15 in like manner. At this point in the assembly process, trap 100 can be opened to create a space between top 30 and bottom 31, so that thread 14 can be inserted through thread hole 24 in top 30 and thread 14 secured to top 30 by bait thread retainer 4.

In the preferred embodiment, bait thread retainer 4 is a disc with adhesive which causes the thread to be held in place on top 30. The other end of bait thread 14 is passed through bait thread hole 23 in bottom 31, and secured with bait thread retainer 9 in a like manner. The length of bait thread 14 inside trap 100 must be such that when the trap is baited, top 30 and bottom 31 are drawn together so that corner openings 101 (as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3) are open sufficiently to permit the entry of the animal for which the trap is intended.

The next step in the assembly of trap 100 involves the attachment of one end of contracting spring 17 to eyelet 19 and the stretching of said contracting spring 17 to attach the opposite end to eyelet 20. After contracting spring 17 is attached to eyelets 19 and 20, wall flap 11 is folded along with wall flap 2, so that wall flap 11 comes into contact with wall flap 2 along junction 45, and tab 1 is then glued to wall flap 11 to complete assembly of trap 100. At this point, trap 100 is ready to be placed for use or stored. If trap 100 is to be stored, top 30 is pressed down toward bottom 31, so that trap 100 is flattened as illustrated in Figure 3. Contracting spring 17 is stretched, and bait thread 14 containing bait 18 is contained loosely within trap 100.

Trap 100 is utilized for trapping the desired small animal by placing the trap in the desired location. The animal to be trapped enters the trap through corner opening 101 and proceeds to eat bait 18, which in turn causes bait thread 14 to part. At this point, contracting spring 17 pulls tab 15 and tab 3 towards each other, which in turn causes wall flaps 2, 5, 6 and 16 to hinge, as well as bottom flaps 7, 10, 11 and 12, resulting in the closure of corner openings 101, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. As a result, the animal which has entered the trap and eaten the bait is trapped therein.

The foregoing description is intended to illustrate a first preferred embodiment, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

I have determined that one preferred shape for the structure is a double prismoidal shape with eight equal sized trapezoidal, sloping upper and lower side walls. Longer ones of the edges of the side walls are joined at a mid-height portion of the trap and shorter ones of the edges of the side walls are joined by hinge members (score lines) to the top and bottom ends of the trap. It is also possible to build the trap in many shapes with many numbers and sizes of side walls. For example, a prismoidal structure with three, four, five or more symmetrical or unsymmetrical upper and lower sizes of side walls may be used to practice this invention. Also, I have found that it is possible to have two upper and lower side walls if appropriate rigid flaps are attached to each side wall. In the first preferred embodiment, which incorporates four upper and lower walls, the openings at the corners are sufficiently large to facilitate entry into the trap. The use of more walls reduces the size of the corner openings and may result in openings too small for intended animals. However, selection of the size of the corner opening may be used to prevent larger animals which are not intended to be trapped from having access to the bait.

The trap can be constructed from many different materials, such as wood, plastic, metal, fiberglass and other such materials that are lightweight and flexible. The preferred embodiment would be made of cardboard or plastic. I have also determined that there are many possible devices suitable for use as a contracting means.

In the case of the contracting means, a coil type spring made of metal is preferred, although it may be replaced with a rubber band, flex steel, plastic spring, bungee cord, expanding spring, etc. I have found these other methods to be less desirable due to the cost or the fact that, in some cases, the trapped animal can chew through the contracting means and cause the trap to fail. The baited thread (or trigger) can also be made from different materials. The first preferred method used a trigger made from two pieces of unconnected thread which are held together by the bait. The trigger can also be made from a continuous piece of thread, a latching method or any other material that can hold the top and bottom of the trap against the tension from contracting means in the set position. These alternative materials include, but are not limited to, fishing line, plastic thread, paper thread, hairs and so on.

The bait can consist of any material that would attract the intended animal such as fish based byproducts, vegetable based products, pet foods, etc. In the preferred embodiment, a combination of peanut butter and dough which is baked after embedding the ends of the trigger threads in the mixture is used for the bait. The trap is set by attaching one end of the trigger thread to the bottom of the trap by inserting the thread through a hole in the center of the bottom and tying off the thread. The other end of the trigger thread is inserted through a hole in the center of the top of the trap and tied off so that the top and bottom are compressed towards each other and the four corners of the trap are held open. After trigger threads are tied off, the trap is ready for use with the bait located inside in the approximate center of the trap. At this point the trap can be placed for use or stored. If the trap is to be stored, the top and bottom can be pressed to flatten the trap and then wrapped, banded or clipped to keep the trap in its flat configuration until such time as the trap is to be used.

The inside surface of the trap may also be lined with a foil in order to deter the trapped animal from eating his way out in the case of the cardboard trap.

DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 6 through 12 depict the second preferred embodiment.

Figure 6 illustrates all of the components of the second preferred embodiment of trap 600 disposed prior to assembly into the prismoidal shape as illustrated in Figure 7, deployed in the fully closed position. The components of this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 6, include contracting spring 26, trigger assembly 200 which further includes base member 32 with projections 34 for penetrating cardboard enclosure member 90, and vertical support member 50 to which platform member 28 is hingedly attached. Additionally, trigger mechanism 200 includes latching strap 60, base member 38 and projections 36 for penetrating cardboard member 80. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, which can be made from cardboard, plastic, or any other suitable material, comprises wall flaps 7', 12', and 10', which are hingedly attached to the sides of top member 80. Top member 80 is hingedly attached to bottom member 90 to which are hingedly attached flaps 6', 14' and 16'. Cutouts 58 on bottom flap members 14 ' and 16• provide for the mounting and placement of spring member 26.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 is assembled by first mounting the trigger assembly 200 as depicted in Figures 7 and 8. Strap portion 60 is mounted into top member 80 by pressing base portion 38 into the triangular section of member 80 so that projections 36 penetrate this cardboard member. Base member 38 may be further locked into position by the application of suitable glue. Base member 32 is then positioned into bottom triangular member 90 by means of projections 34 which penetrate this cardboard member and which may also be glued into place for additional support. Top flap 7• is then folded toward bottom flap 6' along their hinged junction 40' with strap member 60 being threaded through aperture 85 of flat hinged trigger 28. Tongue members 72 and 74 of top member 80 are then brought into contact with tongue members 76 and 78 of bottom member 90 and these tongue members are then affixed to each other by glue or other attachment means.

Strap member 60 contains an embossed tab 48 which engages the back portion of flat trigger assembly member 28 near aperture 85 raising flat member 28 to a set position by means of tensioning spring 26. Flat trigger member 28 further contains a plurality of circular depressions 52 into which appropriate bait such as peanut butter may be placed.

At this point trap 600 is ready to be positioned for use or stored. If trap 600 is to be stored, top 80 is pressed down toward bottom 90 so the trap 600 is flattened as illustrated in Figure 12.

Trap 600 is utilized by first placing it in a ready position which is achieved by pressing top member 80 towards bottom member 90 such that strap 60 passes through trigger member aperture 85 a sufficient distance so that embossed tab member 48 passes through aperture 85 and engages the back portion of flat trigger member 28, thus locking the trap in a first partially open position which in turn creates three openings 150 as depicted in Figure 8. Trap 600 is now placed in the desired location for trapping the desired small animal. The animal to be trapped enters the trap through corner opening 150 and proceeds to nibble at the bait contained in depressions 52 on flat trigger member 28. Upon placing sufficient pressure on flat trigger member 28, . this member is caused to move downward causing the back portion of member 28 forming aperture 85 to move away from embossed tab member 48. Continued movement causes tab member 48 to be released from flat trigger member 28, and contracting spring 26 is then allowed to pull tongue member 76 and 78 towards each other, which in turn causes wall flaps 6', 10', 12', 7', 14' and 16' to hinge resulting in the closure of corner openings 150 as illustrated in Figures 7 and 11. As a result, the animal which has entered through the trap is trapped therein.

The description set forth herein is intended to illustrate a second preferred embodiment, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

I have determined that the preferred shape for this structure is a prismoidal shape with three equal sized upper and lower side walls.

The trigger means can also be made from different materials. The preferred method utilizes a quick-snap arrangement incorporating a latching strap with a small embossed tab which hooks onto a mating and hingedly mounted flat trigger member. These trigger components can be made from polyethylene or polypropylene. It is understood that the above description of the improved animal trap is merely illustrative of the application of the principals of this invention, and other variations, modifications or embodiments including the use of other materials or means for the elements and the cooperation among and between the elements may be made without departing from the intent and scope of this invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An improved animal trap in the shape of a collapsible, expandable double prismoidal box, said trap having inside surfaces and outside surfaces, said trap comprising: a top end and a bottom end of substantially identical regular polygonal configuration in parallel alignment, each end being provided with a predetermined number of peripheral edges; a plurality of trapezoidal side walls each hingedly attached to one of the edges of one of said top and said bottom, each said side wall being adapted to fold outwardly from said top and said bottom, by pressure applied onto said top urging it toward said bottom, ; tabs associated with each of said side walls, for hingedly attaching corresponding ones of said side walls at a mid-height region of said trap, two of said tabs being provided with a connecting region at substantially opposite sides of said trap; at least one elastic contracting means having first and second ends attached to said tabs on substantially opposite sides of said trap and adapted to pull said opposite sides together; and trigger means attached to said top and bottom to cause said trap to be held in a first partially-closed position with access openings formed between said side walls and upon triggering to permit said access openings of said trap to fully close.

2. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said elastic contracting means is an elastic band attached to two opposite tabs.

3. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said elastic contracting means is a helical spring, said spring having its ends attached to two opposite tabs.

4. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said trigger means comprises a baited strand of string.

5. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said inside surfaces are coated with foil.

6. The trap of Claim 1, formed of a blank of cardboard sheeting adapted to be folded to form said box, in the form of two substantially identical Maltese crosses hingedly attached to each other along adjacent edges of said top and bottom, each cross comprising a central square portion representing top and bottom respectively and four flap portions outwardly extending from the four edges of said square portion, each of said flaps constituting a side wall portion adjacent to each square portion and a tab portion at the end of each flap, said blank being notched along the lines defining the borders between the respective square portion, the side portions and the tab portions to effect hinged connection between said portions.

7. An improved animal trap according to Claim 1, wherein said top and said bottom are of substantially identical triangular configuration in parallel alignment; and the number of trapezoidal side walls attached to each of said top and said bottom is three and said side walls are hingedly attached to the edges of said top and said bottom, each side wall being adapted to fold outwardly about a central folding line parallel to said edge of said top and bottom, by pressure applied onto said top urging it toward said bottom.

8. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said box is formed of cardboard.

9. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said top and said bottom are of substantially identical rectangular configuration in parallel alignment; and the number of trapezoidal walls attached to each of said top and said bottom is four and said side walls are hingedly attached to the edges of said top and said bottom, each side wall being adapted to fold outwardly about a central folding line parallel to said edge of said top and bottom, by pressure applied onto said top urging it toward said bottom.

10. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said box is formed of plastic sheet material.

11. The trap of Claim 1, wherein said trigger means comprises a base member for mounting on said trap bottom to which is hingedly mounted a flat trigger member which further contains a plurality of circular depressions, said trigger means further comprising a latching strap which is mounted to the trap top and which engages said flat trigger member through an aperture located at the base of said member.

12. A trap according to any of the preceding claims wherein said double prismoidal box is formed from a single sheet of relatively stiff but foldable material.

13. A trap according to any of the preceding claims wherein said double prismoidal box comprises upright and inverted truncated pyramids joined together along base edges at a mid-height level of said trap with adjacent edges of at least two of said sloping faces being detached from each other such that said top and bottom ends are separated by a predetermined height when said adjacent edges abut each other throughout their length to form a closed double pyramid structure and when said top and bottom ends are separated by less than said predetermined height, said adjacent edges separate to form access openings.