WO1999063811A1

WO1999063811A1 - Improvements to traps

Info

Publication number: WO1999063811A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1999/000077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher David WATERWORTH (deceased)
Original assignee: WATERWORTH, Angela, Christine (heir to the estate of WATERWORTH, Christopher, David (deceased))
Priority date: 1998-06-08
Filing date: 1999-06-08
Publication date: 1999-12-16
Also published as: AU4535299A

Abstract

A trap for rodents, possums, etc. has a striker (20) for hitting the back of an animal attracted by bait (33). The striker pivots on frame (21) via axle (23). Coiled biasing springs (24) are attached to the trap at points (25) and to the striker at points (26). When in the set position (shown), these points of attachment are aligned with pivot points (22). This unstable position is maintained because the weight of the trip mechanism (27) is supported by the attraction of magnet (29) for part (30). When an animal contacts trip mechanism (27) it presses on item (28), rotating axle (23), and freeing the magnet. The springs now shorten, activating the trap, as the points (26, 22, and 25) are no longer aligned. Alternatively, a catch is held in a notch in a trip lever which also carries the bait. A housing may be used to confine an animal taking the bait.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO TRAPS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to improvements to traps.

In particular, the present invention relates to improvements in ways of setting and tripping traps.

BACKGROUND ART

Pestilence in the form of vermin and other animals is wide spread. These creatures are common in most countries of the world. In particular, problem animals include small animals such as mice, rats, opossums, stoats, ferrets, rabbits, moles, squirrels and other similar animals.

Mice and rats attack food stores and food crops. This can be of major financial consequence to people, especially in areas where people rely on crops for their income. Further, in areas where food is scarce, the rats and mice can present a significant threat.

On the other hand, many people detest the presence of rats and mice in their homes and surrounds.

Vermin are also notorious for carrying diseases. For example the bubonic plague was transmitted by fleas inhabiting rats. Fleas are also often found on mice.

Mice also gnaw at structures in order to gain access to food stores which can result in costly damage. Viral controls on pests have been used to control pests such as those aforementioned. There is much controversy over the safety and effectiveness of using such viral controls. Risks include causing sickness or damage to those animals not intended to be controlled by the particular virus.

Opossums are a particular problem in New Zealand. They pose a significant threat to native forests. Opossums are notorious for stripping native trees and damaging their flora. They are also responsible for transmitting tuberculosis to cattle.

The main method of controlling possums in the past has been to shoot them. However, this is an extremely labour intensive process and can be rather costly. There is always the risk of injury from misuse of firearms also.

Poisons have also been used to control opossums.

The substance known as 10-80 has been used in New Zealand. This form of control has met a lot of controversy regarding its safety.

Cyanide poison has also been used. This is an extremely toxic and deadly substance. There is always the risk that an animal that is not intended to be targeted by the cyanide comes into contact with the substance and subsequently dies. Humans are also at risk.

Stoats and ferrets have been a problem since they were introduced to control rodents and vermin. They pose a threat to native birds, and particularly those birds that nest on the ground. Stoats and ferrets have been identified as being responsible for the significant depletion of many native birds. Similar methods and there associated problems as those described above have been used to attempt to control these pests.

Trapping is another method of controlling pest populations. In the domestic situation, the common mouse trap or rat trap is familiar to most people. This usually includes a flat wooden board, with a coil arrangement that has a striker arm attached to it. A pivoting bait platform is attached to a wire that trips the trap when the rat or mouse attempts to retrieve the bait.

One problem with these traps is that the trigger sensitivity is dependant on the strength of the springs. Therefore, it follows that if one is to use a more powerful spring needed to kill a rat, then it will take more movement to trigger the trap in the case of a rat trap than in a mouse trap.

These traps are therefore unreliable as there may be insufficient movement by the larger animal to trigger the trap.

The traps are also lightweight, and once the animal has a part of the body trapped, the animal may run off with the trap attached to the body.

Many traps are also not designed to account for a particular animal's habits or movements when approaching a potential food source.

Mice tend to climb over the food source. This can mean that a mouse is in a position where it will not be killed when the trap is triggered.

Further, it has been observed by the applicant that mice prefer eating food or bait that is in some enclosure, rather than exposed. Existing traps do not adequately take advantage of this behavioural characteristic. Rats tend to approach their food very cautiously and tend to sniff around the food before attempting to eat it. Therefore, if the rat does not actually touch the food, then present traps will not trigger. Alternatively, the rat may simply not be in the area where the striking means would ordinarily hit the animal.

Common snare traps using two opposing jaws have similar problems. These types of traps are also dangerous as they are often hidden and may be trodden on by humans, or animals not desired to be trapped. These traps are also difficult to set.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a trap, the trap including,

at least one setting means,

at least one striking means, and

at least one biasing means to bias the striking means in a striking action, the trap characterised in that

at the moment of setting the trap with the setting means by an operator, the operator is not exerting maximum resistance force against the biasing means. The biasing means may be any device that provides a biasing force to enable the striking means to exert a striking action.

For example the biasing means may include a spring, an elastic material, such as including rubber, a compression spring or an expansion spring.

In preferred embodiments the biasing means may be a spring where the biasing force is derived from resistance against the extension of at least one spring.

The biasing means shall now be referred to as a spring, but may refer to a plurality of springs.

Reference to the biasing means as a spring or springs should not be seen to be limiting the scope of the present invention's manufacture or use, as one skilled in the art will appreciate that the biasing means of various types, including those mentioned above, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

One potential advantage of using a spring as the biasing means, is that springs are readily available and easily attachable to the trap. Springs are also easily manufactured and hence are low cost. Springs come in a variety of strengths, and may be purchased according to the biasing force required for the trap. Springs are also easily and cheaply replaced should they become worn.

Preferably, the trap may include a triggering means.

The spring may preferably be configured in such a way so that when the trap is set, the potential energy stored in the spring is released when the trap is triggered, inducing the striking action on the striking means. Reference to the striking means may be made with reference to any device that induces the trapping or killing of an animal by striking the animal under the action of the biasing means.

For example the striking means may be a horizontal bar, a spike, or a combination of devices.

In some embodiments, the striking means may be interchangeable, allowing the operator to choose the level of effectiveness of the trap. For example, a spike may be used to kill an animal, and then may be interchanged to a bar to perhaps trap the animal or knock it unconscious.

Reference to the setting means may be made with reference to any arrangement that allows the striking means to remain in the set position, and is responsive to the trigger.

Reference to a set position may be made with reference to a position where a proportion of the biasing force from the biasing means has been stored, and can be imparted to the striking means, when the trap is triggered.

Reference to the triggering means may be made with reference to any device that disturbs the setting means and induces the release of the biasing force stored in the spring.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a trap as previously herein described above wherein.

the striking means is pivotally attached to the frame, and

at the moment of setting the trap, the pivot point of the striking means is substantially aligned between where the biasing means connects to the striking means and where the biasing means connects to the frame. Reference to a frame may be made with reference to a support arrangement configured to support the components of the trap.

Reference to the pivot point of the striking means being substantially aligned between the connection points aforementioned, may be made with reference to an equilibrium.

The alignment of the pivot point between the two connection points means that the striking force of the striking means is at a minimum, and the operator will effectively be exerting no or minimal force in order to maintain the striking means in the set position.

In one preferred embodiment, the frame may be configured as a box-like cover open at least one end.

Preferably the frame may be open on the side facing the ground.

In some embodiments, the striking means may be a metal bar attached at either end to the end of the frame opposing the open end.

In some embodiments, the setting means may include a member attached to and moveable with the pivotable attachment of the striking means, configured to engage a trigger.

In some embodiments, the trigger may be pivotable from the top of the frame.

In some embodiments, the trigger may include a recess adapted to receive the attached member on the setting means.

In a further preferred embodiment, the striking means may be attached at either end to the frame by a rotating member, the rotating member attached to the frame at either end. The rotating member may also include a fixed magnetic member in some embodiments which is magnetically engageable with the frame to maintain the striking means in the set position.

In some preferred embodiments, the rotating member may further include an attached biasing member which counteracts the engaging force of the magnetic member with the frame.

Preferably the attached biasing member may be pivotally attached to the rotating member, and may counteract the engaging force of the magnetic member using gravity.

In further preferred embodiments, the striking means may include a first member pivotally attached to the frame, the first member also attached to the biasing means, with a second member extending in a cantilevered fashion from the first member, the second member configured to move in a striking action.

There may also be a portion of the first member extending towards the base of the frame.

There may also be a platform extending from the portion towards the interior of the frame.

In some preferred embodiments, there may be a bait attachment means insertable through the said portion.

Preferably, the bait attachment means may be inserted so the bait attachment extends to the platform.

In one preferred embodiment, the frame may include sides, a base, opened at the end distal from the pivot point of the striking means. There may also be included a housing enclosing the workings of the trap.

The housing may be configured so that the animal cannot disturb the trigger by climbing over the trap.

Preferably the cover may form an opening whereby the animal, by entering into the cavity formed by the housing, is forced into a position that is struck by the striking means in the striking action.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trap, the trap including a striking means, a biasing means to bias the striking member in a striking action,

and a housing configured so that

when the trap is triggered by an animal, the animal is confined by the housing so as to be positioned in the impact zone of the striking means.

In some preferred embodiments, the housing may be removable.

In other preferred embodiments, the housing may be permanently attached to the frame or may be part of the frame.

In a further preferred embodiment, the setting means may be a latch rotatably attached to the frame, and engageable with the striking means in the set position.

The striking means may be pivotally attached to the frame, the pivotable attachment attached to the biasing means, with the other end of the biasing means attached to the frame. In some embodiments, there may be a bait attachment means connected to the latch, configured so that when the bait is disturbed, the latch triggers the striking means.

Preferably, the bait attachment means may be outside the frame, and the striking means strikes beyond the bait attachment means.

In preferred embodiments, the frame may include securing attachments which are configured to enable an operator to stabilise the trap during the setting action.

In preferred embodiments, there may also be a gripping means attached to the striking means configured to assist an operator in moving the striking means from the unset to the set position.

Preferably, the securing means and the gripping means may be configured to work in concert with each other, so that the operator places their feet on the securing means, and uses the gripping means to move the striking means to the set position.

In other preferred embodiments the setting means may take the form of a hinged latch. The latch may include a recess that retains the striking means using the resistance force against the inside of the recess, induced by the force stored in the biasing means and transferred to the striking means.

The advantage of this arrangement is that the latch is easily formed and the setting action is simple.

The use of a latch as the setting means as described above should not be seen to be limiting the scope of the present invention's manufacture or use as other setting means may be employed. In preferred embodiments, this may be achieved by a translation of the animal victim's movement to the latch.

There may be provided a platform connected via a connecting device to the latch.

When the animal is induced on to the platform, the movement is translated to the latch, causing the break down in equilibrium of resistance forces between the latch recess and the striking means.

In preferred embodiments, the platform may be capable of 360° rotational movement. The platform may also be configured so that it can be tilted from any direction. The platform may also include a spike to place a bait upon.

The use of a platform as a trigger should not be seen to be limiting the present invention's manufacture or use, as other devices may be used such as a length of wire, or a trip mechanism.

Consequently, the sensitivity of the triggering means is not governed by the strength of the biasing means as in previous traps. Thus, an animal with small movement, relative to a large animal, is just as likely to trigger the trap as the large animal.

In preferred embodiments, the present invention may be configured so that the setting action is describable by four stages.

The first stage is where the bar is substantially flat against the area surrounding the platform, and is not set. At this stage there is no force opposing the operator wishing to set the trap. The second stage may consist of the striking means being substantially upright. This may correspond to the maximum resistance force the operator must apply against the biasing means to set the trap.

The third stage is where the arrangement is over-centred so that there is low resistance force applied by the operator against the biasing means in setting the trap.

The fourth stage may be described as the latching stage. At this point there is medium force applied by the operator against the biasing means in order to set the trap.

The fourth stage is characterised in the present invention, in that the medium force applied by the operator in this stage is not due to the longitudinal resistance to extension of the biasing means. It is provided by a bending force normal to the longitudinal resistance force, caused by a kinking member that may be preferably attached to the arm of the striking means.

The kinking member comes in contact with the extended spring at somewhere along the spring's length causing the spring to bend at that point. The spring has flexural resistance to this bending action, which translates into the force resisting the operator's movement at the setting stage.

This force is sufficient to initialise the trapping motion, however is less than the maximum force applied when the biasing means is fully extended.

In some embodiments this fourth stage may not need the kinking member. Also, the present invention does not require the recess in the triggering means as previously mentioned in a preferred embodiment. The biasing force experienced by the operator when they set the trap in the second stage is transferred through the pivot point of the striking means to the part of the striking means that the operator is using as a gripping point. The third stage involves the pivot point taking an increasing proportion of the biasing force as the striking means is brought into the setting position.

The setting position of the striking means is substantially or approximately parallel to the longitudinal orientation of the biasing means.

In some embodiments, the setting position may be such so as to take advantage of this parallel orientation where, due to the shape of the striking means as it relates to the pivot point and the forces exerted on the pivot point, the striking arm is held in that equilibrium point by the equalisation of the forces of the spring, relative to the pivot point.

The force of gravity acting on the striking means is sometimes sufficient to maintain it in the equilibrium position. The equilibrium position occurs when the pivot point is directly between the two fixed ends of the biasing means.

When the above situation is exploited in terms of a setting means, the triggering means may be a system that disturbs that equilibrium position.

For example the platform or some other moveable device may be mechanically connected to some part of the striking means, so that the movement of the triggering means is translated into movement that upsets the equilibrium of the setting means. This will result in the force of the biasing means being released and the trap activating.

The applicant envisages various embodiments of the present invention that may employ this inventive concept.

The present invention has a number of advantages.

One potential advantage is that the sensitivity of the trap according to the various preferred embodiments is not dependant on the strength of the biasing means. Therefore, a larger variety of animals may be trapped using the same trap, and the same inventive principles.

The traps are also easy to set, as in the setting action, as the trap is set, there is no striking force that the operator must resist while setting the trap.

Furthermore, the higher kill rate achievable with the traps of the present invention mean that animals are less likely to become trap-shy as a result of escaping from traps.

Because the operator does not have to oppose the full extension force of the biasing means when the trap is in the setting position, the trap is easier to set, and the operator has a reduced risk of the trap activating, trapping the operator and causing injury.

In further preferred embodiments, the present invention may include a feature whereby the unset biasing strength of the spring may be adjusted.

Preferably, this may be achieved by providing a spring lengthening arrangement. This has an advantage that the trap may be set to various strengths intended to be caught to be caught by the trap.

Thus for killing pole cats, a certain strength may be set, whereas a lesser striking force may be set for killing smaller animals such as rats.

The trap may also be easier for the operator to set, regardless of the strength of the biasing means employed in the trap.

This is because the biasing strength may be set as low as possible during the setting action, and then increased once the trap is set using the adjusting means.

Further, in the embodiments with an open base, the operator is less likely to be caught in the trap when baiting the trap, as the bait may be placed on the ground and the trap may be placed over top of the bait.

Some of the embodiments of the traps give advantages in that if animals climb over their traps, the trap is less likely to be triggered when the animal is in a position where they will not be hit by the striking means.

Some embodiments of the present invention also provide an advantage in that the dead animal is out of view of the operator, by being enclosed by the housing.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a side view of one preferred embodiment; and

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment; and

Figure 3 shows a side-on view of a further preferred embodiment; and

Figure 3A shows fig 3 with a housing

Figure 4 shows another view of a preferred embodiment; and

Figure 5 shows another view of a preferred embodiment; and

Figure 6 shows another view of the preferred embodiment in figure 5 in the set position; and

Figure 7 shows another view of a preferred embodiment; and

Figure 8 shows another view of a preferred embodiment.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to figure 1 there is shown one embodiment of the present invention.

The frame 1 is configured in a box-like section with an open end at 2 and an open base at 3. The striking means 4 is pivoted about member 5. Member 5 has attached a catch, 6. The catch 6 is engageable with trip mechanism 7 which is adapted to receive the engaging member 6. The biasing spring 8 is attached to the striking member about attachment means 9 and 10. The striking means 4 is shown in the set position, and moves according to the direction arrow when the trap is triggered.

The trip mechanism 7 is pivotable about point 7A. A gripping means 12 is provided on the striking means 4.

Bait 13 may be attached to the trip mechanism 7, or may be placed on the ground and the trap placed over the bait.

The set position occurs when the points 9, 10 and 5 are aligned substantially along the line show^τn by X-X. At this point, the forces result to zero, and there will be no movement of the striking means.

Backing 14 ensures that the striking means can only rotate in the desired direction shown by the direction arrow when the equilibrium position along line X-X is disturbed.

In use, the trap shown in figure 1 is set by using the stabilising means 11 and the gripping means 12 to rotate the striking means 4 into the set position shown. At this point, the catch 6 will engage with the recess on trip mechanism 7 which will help maintain the trap in the equilibrium position.

At the equilibrium position, the operator is exerting minimal or no force against the striking force produced by the spring 8.

When the trip mechanism 7 is disturbed, this will upset the equilibrium of the striking means by moving member 6 and hence member 5. The trap will therefore be triggered and kill the animal 15 by striking it at point 16. With reference to figure 2 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the striking means 20 is rotatably attached to the frame 21 at point 22, by axle 23 in this view.

Biasing spring 24 is attached to the trap at points 25 and 26. Pivotally attached to the axle 23 is a trip mechanism 27. In the set position, this rests against magnet support member 28.

The magnetic support member 28 supports magnet 29. Magnet 29 is configured to engage portion 30 of the frame 21.

In the set position, points 25 and 26 align with point 22, along line X-X. This position is one of the equilibrium positions previously defined herein.

The embodiment in figure 2 also includes gripping means 31 and stabilising means 32. The bait 33 may be placed underneath the trap. When the trap is set. the axle 23 and hence the magnet support member 28 will rotate counter-clockwise in this view.

As the magnet support member 28 rotates counter-clockwise it will engage the trip mechanism 27 and support it at an angle where the trip mechanism 27 will act against the positive engagement between the magnet 29 and the frame.

Ordinarily, the counter-acting force of the trip mechanism 27 would tend towards the equilibrium position being upset by urging the striking means to rotate clockwise in this view past the equilibrium position and hence triggering the trap.

However, the provision of a magnet 29 prevents this from happening. This provides an extremely sensitive triggering mechanism. As soon as an animal comes into contact with the trip mechanism 27 trying to retrieve the bait 33, the trip mechanism will cause the positive engagement to release allowing the striking means to strike the animal.

According to figure 3 there is shown a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The frame 40 is configured to have a channel 41.

The striking means 42 is pivotally connected to the frame at point 43. The biasing spring 44 is connected to the frame at one end at point 45, and is configured to loop over the channel 46 and fix on an equivalent position in the frame opposition point 45, not shown. Of course, individual springs may be used.

The striking means includes a striker 42 cantilevered from support 47. Support 47 also has horizontally attached a platform 48.

There is also included a bait attachment means 49 that fits through the support 47, so that the scoop 50 of the bait attachment 49, which will house the bait, extends to the platform 48.

The set position is shown, with the point where the spring 44 comes into contact with the striking means through groove 46 and point 45 are aligned with point 43 through line X-X. This forms the equilibrium position previously herein described.

There may also be a housing (52), shown in figure 3A that houses the assembly in figure 3. The equilibrium position shown in figure 3 is maintained as the set position. An animal will access the bait 51 via channel 41. In order to access the bait 51, the animal must put weight on platform 48. The turning moment created by the weight of the animal on the platform will urge the striking member to turn anti-clockwise in this view, and will hence disturb the equilibrium position and cause the striking means to crush the animal shown by the direction arrow.

The housing 52 has two functions. The first is to prevent an animal from climbing over the trap, and triggering the trap at a time when the animal is not in a position to be struck by the striker 42.

The second function of the housing 52 is so that once the animal has sensed the bait in the scoop 50, and attempts to retrieve the bait 51, the housing restricts the animals movement so that at the time of triggering, the animal is directly in the impact zone of the striker 42.

A third advantage of providing the housing is that any parasites such as fleas resident on the animal will be restricted in their ability to infest the surrounding area outside the trap.

With reference to figure 4 there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention.

The striking means 60 is pivotally attached to the frame at point 62. The biasing spring 63 is attached to the frame at point 64 at one end and is attached to the rotating member 65 at point 66. The embodiment shown in figure 4 also includes a latch 67 that is fixably attached to a second rotating member 68. The latch 67 has a recess which engages the rotating member 66, and a bait attachment means 69 for attaching bait 69A, which is beyond the interior of the frame.

The equilibrium position is achieved when the line X-X along the longitudinal axis of spring 63 aligns with points 62.

When an animal pulls on bait 69A, this will cause the latch 67 to rotate anti-clockwise in this view about the secondary rotating member 68. This rotational motion will disturb the equilibrium position by urging the rotating member 65. and hence the striking means 60 in the clockwise direction in this view shown by the direction arrow. This will cause the equilibrium to be upset and the trap to activate.

The animal is struck substantially at the bait attachment means.

With reference to Figure 5 there is shown a trap by general arrow 71 including the biasing means 72, a striking means 73, a setting means 74 and a triggering means including members 75 and 76. There is also provided a bait hook 77.

When the operator wishes to set the trap, striking means 37 is positioned by rotating it about hinge 79 so that it is releasably inserted into the recess 74A of setting means 74. At the distal end of member 710, the biasing means 72 is attached. The biasing means 72 is attached at its other end to member 711.

At this point, biasing means 72 will be fully extended and kinked by kinking member 78, as can be seen in Figure 6.

Movement on platform 76 is translated to setting means 74 via member 75. This movement may be as a result of an animal attempting to reach bait (not shown) placed on bait hook 77.

The movement induced in platform 6 and transferred via member 75 to setting means 74 causes striking means 73 to be released from the recess

74A.

Tension stored in the biasing means 72 is released, resulting in striking means 73 rotating back rapidly towards its pre-setting position.

This strikes the animal either trapping it or killing it depending on the force desired and the striking member used.

With reference to Figure 7 there is shown another preferred embodiment of the present invention. It includes biasing means 222, striking means 223, setting means 224 with recess 224A, and triggering means 226.

To set the trap , the operator rotates striking means 223 about hinge 229 so that it is releasably held in recess 224A of setting means 224.

At this point, biasing means 222 is fully extended and is kinked by kinking member 228. Member 226 is attached to setting means 224. Movement of member 226 is translated to setting means 224, causing striking means 223 to be released from recess 224A.

The potential energy stored in biasing means 222 is released causing striking means 223 to rotate towards its original position at a rapid rate this action may trap or kill an animal should the striking means come in contact with a body part of the animal.

The movement induced in member 226 may be from an animal attempting to reach bait held on bait hook 230. The trap also includes guiding members 231 these are intended to guide the animal towards the bait hook, increasing the chance of the animal being caught underneath the striking means.

With reference to Figure 6 there is shown a side on view of the first preferred embodiment of Figure 5 in a set position. Biasing means 22 can be seen to be fully extended and kinked by kinking member 28. The striking means 23 is releasably inserted into recess 24A of setting means 24. Kinking member 28 is attached to member 210, member 210 rotating about hinge 29.

At the distal end of member 210, the biasing means 22 is attached. The biasing means 22 is attached at its other end to member 211.

With reference to Figure 8 there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is showing a side-on perspective in the set position.

Included is frame 852 which is a substantially walled frame made of sheet metal. The biasing means 853 is a coiled spring attached at points 853a and 853b. Point 853a is attached to a section of the striking means 851. Point 853b is attached to an upright part of the rearward section of the frame 852.

The striking means 851 is rotatably mounted on the frame 852 at point 854. 854 is a metal rod that passes through both sides of the frame 852. The triggering means 855 is in an arrangement that pivots at point 856. Section 855a of the triggering means is positioned just under the striking portion of striking means 851. The end of the triggering means 855 distal from section 855a is essentially a support arrangement which may surround bait 857. Bait 857 is shown as protruding below the frame 852, as in preferred embodiments, the base of the frame 852 may include apertures so that the embodiment 850 may be placed over the bait, which has an advantage that the consumer does not risk getting their hand trapped in the trap while baiting the trap.

The direction arrows show the general direction of travel of the striking means when the trap is activated. There is an opening on the left hand side of the trap, which is not shown but would be seen from an end view.

The setting means is a combination of the configuration of the biasing means 853 and the striking means 851, combined with the pivot points 854 and connection points 853a and 853b. The orientation is such that the force of gravity acting on member 851 maintains the striking means in a position such that the pivot point 854 is directly between connection points 853a and 853b of the biasing means 853.

When an animal decides to retrieve the bait 857, they will tip setting means 855 which will rotate in a counterclockwise direction around point 856 in the figure shown, which will cause section 855a to overcome the equilibrium of the biasing means and the triggering means by pushing the triggering means slightly in the direction it would travel if activated.

The upsetting of the equilibrium in that direction causes the trap to activate and the striking means to kill the prey.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A trap which includes a frame,

at least one setting means,

at least one striking means, and

at least one biasing means to bias the striking means in a striking action.

the trap characterised in that at the moment of setting the trap with the setting means by an operator, the operator is not exerting maximum resistance force against the biasing means.

2. The trap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trap includes a frame, and

the striking means is pivotably attached to the frame, and

at the moment of setting the trap, the pivot point of the striking means is substantially aligned between where the biasing means connects to the striking means and where the biasing means connects to the frame.

3. A trap as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the frame is configured as a box-like cover open at least one end, and

the striking means is a bar attached to the frame opposite an open end of the frame,

wherein, the setting means includes a catch attached to the striking means, the catch configured to engage a trip mechanism when in the set position, the trip mechanism extending from the top of the frame and movable with respect to the catch,

whereupon movement of the trip mechanism, the catch disengages from the trip mechanism allowing the striking means to strike.

4. A trap as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein striking means is rotatably attached to the frame

wherein, there is a positive engagement means engageable with the frame to maintain the striking means in the set position.

the pivotal attachment of the striking means including at least one trip mechanism which acts against the engaging force of the positive engagement means,

wherein the downward pressure on the trip mechanism causes the positive engagement to release allowing striking means to strike.

5. A trap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the positive engagement means includes a magnet.

6. A trap according to either claims 1 or 2, wherein the striking means may include a support pivotally attached to the frame, and extending substantially vertically when in a set position

the support also attached to the biasing means,

with a striker extending in a cantilevered fashion from the support, wherein a portion of the support has the platform extending substantially horizontally when in a set position, wherein downward pressure on the trip mechanism causes the striking means to strike.

7. A trap as claimed in claim 6, which includes a bait attachment means which can be inserted through the support of the striking means.

8. A trap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the configuration of the trap allows the bait attachment means to be inserted so that it extends to the platform.

9. A trap as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the frame includes a channel.

10. A trap which includes a striking means, a biasing means to bias the striking means in a striking action, a housing, configured so that when the trap is triggered by an animal, the animal is confined by the housing so as to be positioned in the impact zone of the striking means.

11. A trap as claimed in claim 10, using apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A trap as claimed in either one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the housing is removable.

13. A trap as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, including a bait attachment means,

wherein the bait attachment means is located exterior of the frame, and the striking means strikes substantially at the bait attachment means.

14. A trap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the frame includes securing attachments configured to enable an operator to stabilise the trap during the setting action.

15. A trap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the trap also includes a gripping means attached to the striking means configured to assist the operator in moving the striking means from the unset to the set position.

16. A trap as claimed in claim 15, wherein a securing means and the gripping means may be configured to work in concert with each other so that the operator places their feet on the securing means and uses the gripping means to move the striking means to the set position.

17. A trap as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the biasing strength of the biasing member is adjustable with an adjustment means.

18. A trap as claimed in claim 17, wherein the adjustment means is a spring lengthening arrangement.

19. A trap substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.