WO2003009683A1

WO2003009683A1 - Bait station and trap

Info

Publication number: WO2003009683A1
Application number: PCT/AU2002/000998
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth Rees Oliver
Original assignee: Kenneth Rees Oliver
Priority date: 2001-07-26
Filing date: 2002-07-26
Publication date: 2003-02-06
Also published as: AUPR662101A0

Abstract

The present invention provides a bait station 1 for use in laying a bait B for small animals, such as mice, rats or other rodents. The bait station 1 includes a casing (2) defining an enclosure (3) for housing the bait, and the casing (2) includes an access port (4) sized to admit the small animal into the enclosure (3) to access the bait. The bait station 1 further includes a bait mounting (8) upon which the bait is placed, the bait mounting (8) being movable relative to the casing (2) between a set position within the enclosure remote from the access port (4), and a re-baiting position outside the enclosure. The present invention also provides a trap (1') incorporating the features of the bait station.

Description

BAIT STATION AND TRAP

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bait station, and in particular to a bait station for small animals such as mice, rats and other rodents. The present invention also relates to an animal trap for small animals such as mice, rats and other rodents, the trap incorporating the features of the inventive bait station.

Background to the Invention Numerous devices are known for baiting or trapping rodents such as mice and rats, but these known arrangements often suffer from practical difficulties relating to the setting or re-setting of a bait. Furthermore, known bait station configurations and trap configurations for rodents can be susceptible to tampering after a bait is set. They also often lack suitable safety features to prevent or minimise the potential for children or domestic animals from coming into inadvertent contact with toxic bait materials. The present invention therefore aims to provide an improved bait station and an improved animal trap which take these factors into consideration.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention broadly provides a bait station for use in laying a bait for small animals, such as mice, rats or other rodents. The bait station includes a casing defining an enclosure for housing the bait, and the casing includes an access port sized to admit the animal into the enclosure to access the bait. The bait station further includes a bait mounting upon which the bait is placed, the bait mounting being movable relative to the casing between a set position within the enclosure remote from the access port, and a re-baiting position outside the enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access port is sized to prevent larger animals, such as cats or dogs from accessing the enclosure housing the bait. The access port is also preferably sized to prevent a human hand from entering the enclosure of the bait station. Accordingly, the bait station of the invention is preferably designed to mount and set the bait material enclosed within the bait station casing in a position spaced from the animal access port to prevent children and/or domestic animals from inadvertently coming into contact with the potentially toxic bait material. Furthermore, the movable nature of the bait mounting conveniently facilitates the checking and/or re-baiting of the bait station by a user. The bait mounting itself may be any suitable means for supporting the bait material. It may simply comprise a platform or plate onto which the bait material can be loosely placed, or it may preferably comprise means for securely attaching the bait material so that it remains relatively fixed to the mounting. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bait mounting is adapted for movement through the animal access port of the casing as the bait mounting moves between the set position and the re-baiting position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bait mounting is movably attached to the bait station casing. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable attachment of the bait mounting to the bait station casing is by means of a retractable connection. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this retractable connection includes an elongate flexible connecting member secured to the bait mounting such that extension and retraction of the connecting member moves the bait mounting between the set and re-baiting positions. The connecting member is most preferably in the form of a flexible cable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bait station further includes means for locking the bait mounting in the set position. By locking the bait mounting in the set position, the bait station of the invention is able to resist tampering by children or domestic animals such as cats and dogs, thereby preventing disturbance of the bait station after it has been set, and again preventing the potential for harm caused by contact with toxic bait material within the station. The means for locking the bait mounting in the set position preferably includes means for securing the movable attachment of the bait mounting relative to the station casing. For example, an elongate flexible connecting member providing retractable connection of the bait mounting to the casing can be secured in its fully retracted position to retain the bait mounting locked at the set position within the enclosure. The securing of the connecting member in its retracted position may be effected in any number of suitable ways. One very simple example may entail securing the elongate flexible connecting member in its retracted state with a small padlock.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bait station further includes means for fixing the bait station to another object to prevent removal of the bait station from its in-use position, whether that removal be inadvertent or intentional. This again prevents any undesired tampering with the bait station by domestic animals, children or the like once the bait station has been deployed. The means for fixing the bait station to an object preferably includes a fixing element connected to the casing which is able to be fastened to a variety of objects. In a preferred embodiment, the fixing element includes a flexible elongate member, such as a cable or chain able to be fastened around an object. In one embodiment of the invention, the flexible connecting member by means of which the bait mounting is movably attached to the bait station casing may also constitute the fixing element for fixing the bait station to another object.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the access port includes a skirt or rim which projects inwardly from an external opening of the access port into the bait-housing enclosure of the bait station. Preferably, the inwardly projecting skirt or rim forms a short passage or tunnel into the casing enclosure. This passage or tunnel may optionally include a constriction or region of reduced cross-sectional area compared to an area of the external opening of the access port.

When a rodent gnaws on and eats the bait set within the casing enclosure, small fragments of bait material will typically break away from the bait mounting and remain loose within the bait station enclosure. The inwardly projecting skirt or rim of the access port serves to minimise spillage of loose fragments of the bait material from the casing when the bait station is manually handled, for example during installation of a fresh bait. That is, the skirt or rim forms an internal guard that substantially prevents the fragments from falling out through the opening of the access port.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing of the bait station is elongate and has the access port provided at an end thereof. For example, the casing may be formed from a substantially tubular element, having the access port at one end of the tubular element with the bait mounting adapted to be fixed in the set position inside the tubular enclosure at the opposite end of the tube. In an alternative arrangement, however, the casing may include more than one access port. Referring again to the example of an elongate tubular casing, the bait station may include an access port at each of the two opposite ends of the casing with the bait mounting movable to and from a set position remote from each of the access ports in a central region of the tubular enclosure. Each access port is preferably incorporated in a cap element which is fixed at an end of the tubular casing.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a trap for small animals such as mice, rats and other rodents is provided, the trap incorporating the features of the inventive bait station described above.

In a second aspect, therefore, the present invention broadly provides a trap for small animals such as mice, rats and other rodents, the trap having a casing defining an entrapment enclosure, and the entrapment enclosure being adapted to house a bait to coax an animal into the casing. The casing includes an access port sized to admit the small animal into the entrapment enclosure to access the bait. The trap further includes a bait mounting upon which bait material is placed, the bait mounting being movable relative to the trap casing between a set position within the entrapment enclosure remote from the access port, and a re-baiting position outside the enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bait mounting is adapted for movement through the animal access port of the casing as the bait mounting moves between the set position and the re-baiting position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bait mounting is movably attached to the trap casing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access port includes a skirt or rim which projects inwardly from an external opening of the access port into the bait-housing enclosure of the trap. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the inwardly projecting skirt or rim forms a short passage or tunnel into the casing enclosure.

The animal trap of the invention will naturally include some means for preventing escape of an animal after it enters the entrapment enclosure. This means of preventing escape may take any of a number of different forms, such as, for example, a closure at the access port preventing exit of the animal from the trap. In one embodiment, this closure may be a simple hinged door or flap which opens inwardly only, thereby permitting ready access of the animal into the enclosure but preventing the animal from travelling through the access port in the opposite, outward direction. The door may be transparent and/or include apertures through it enabling the animal to see and/or smell the bait material from outside the trap casing.

Alternatively, the trap may include a spring-loaded door which is designed to snap closed from an open position under a spring bias when triggered by the animal accessing the enclosure. For example, movement of the animal within the entrapment enclosure and/or movement of the bait could trigger closure of the door.

In another embodiment, the means for preventing escape of the animal could include a glue covering within the enclosure for adhesively holding the animal and/or some means for physically maiming or killing the animal within the enclosure.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a trap for small animals such as mice, rats and other rodents, the trap having: a tubular casing defining an entrapment enclosure, the entrapment enclosure being adapted to house a bait to coax an animal into the casing; a bait mounting within the casing and remote from the access port upon which bait material is placed; an access port at an end of the casing, the access port sized to admit the small animal into the entrapment enclosure to access the bait; and a closure at the access port for preventing escape of an animal after it enters the entrapment enclosure, the closure being spring-loaded and designed to snap closed from an open position under a spring bias when triggered by movement of the animal within the entrapment enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trap includes means for triggering the closure to snap closed from the open position, the trigger means comprising a flap or panel movably mounted within the enclosure and positioned to at least partially obstruct a path of the animal to the bait, with the panel or flap being furthermore operatively connected with the closure at the access port, such that movement of the panel or flap by the animal as it tries to access the bait triggers activation of the spring-biased closure. Brief Description of the Drawings

In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments of a bait station and of animal traps according to the invention are hereafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like features, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a bait station according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectioned side view of the bait station illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bait station illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 showing the bait mounting locked in the set position;

Fig. 4 is a cut-away side view of an animal trap according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectioned side view of the trap illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the trap illustrated in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a cut-away side view of an animal trap according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectioned side view of the trap illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an end view of the trap illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a sectioned side view of an animal trap according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a sectioned plan view of the trap illustrated in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is an end view of the trap illustrated in Fig. 10.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the present invention provides a bait station 1 for small animals, such as mice, rats or other rodents. The bait station 1 includes an elongate tubular casing 2 which defines an enclosure 3 for housing a bait B. The tubular casing 2 includes an access port 4 at each of its opposite ends with each access port sized to admit the small animal into the enclosure 3 to access the bait. Each access port 4 is formed in a cap member 5 secured at each end of the casing by any suitable means. For example, the cap members 5 may be releasably secured at the respective ends of the tubular casing 2 by a friction fit or a screw-connection. Alternatively, they could be non-releasably secured by an adhesive, welding, or the like. Each of the cap members 5 forming the access ports 4 at the opposite ends of the casing 2 has an outer flange formed with an octagonal periphery presenting flat surfaces. These flat surfaces provide a stable footing for the bait station 1 when it is set in position (typically on the ground) for access by the rodents. The elongate nature of the bait station also makes it suitable for location in the sort of narrow gaps preferred by mice and rats.

Furthermore, each cap member 5 includes a skirt or rim 6 which extends inwardly into the casing enclosure 3 from an external opening 7 of the access port 4. Each of these inwardly projecting skirts or rims 6 forms a tunnel or passage for the animal into the enclosure 3 and this tunnel or passage includes a slight constriction in its cross-sectional area. This not only helps prevent any loose fragments of bait material within the enclosure 3 from spilling out through the access openings 7 when the bait station is being handled, but it also helps prevent the hands of children or the paws of larger domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, from accessing the enclosure 3.

The bait station 1 furthermore includes a bait mounting 8 to which the bait material 9 is attached. The bait mounting 8 is movable relative to the casing 2 between a "set" position substantially centrally within the enclosure 3 remote from each of the access ports 4, and a "re-baiting" position outside the enclosure 3. The movable connection of the bait mounting relative to the casing is in this case by means of a flexible cable 10 which passes through a small aperture 11 in a wall of the tubular bait station casing 2. The flexible cable 10 which connects the bait mounting 8 to the casing is able to be extended into or retracted from the casing 2 to move the bait mounting (together with any bait material on it) relative to the casing between the set and re-baiting position. In particular, when the cable is fully retracted from the casing, the bait material is in the set position centrally within the bait station enclosure 3 adjacent the small aperture 11 in the casing wall. When the flexible cable 10 is fully extended into the casing, the bait mounting (together with any bait material on it) is able to move outside the enclosure 3 through one of the access ports 4.

With reference now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the bait station 1 further includes means for locking the bait mounting in the set position. This locking means includes a loop 12 fixed at an external wall of the bait station casing 2 and a padlock or shackle 13. The loop 12 and padlock 13 cooperate to lock the flexible cable in its fully retracted position. In this particular example, the length of the flexible cable is such that wrapping it once around the circumference of the tubular casing draws the bait mounting into the set position. Once wrapped around the casing, the padlock 13 is used to fasten an eyelet 14 at the end of the cable 10 to the loop 12 on the outside of the casing. The flexible cable 10 may also be used to fasten the entire bait station 1 to other objects when the bait station is being set for the rodents.

It will of course be appreciated that the length of the cable 10 could be greater or smaller than the circumference of the casing 2. The preferred length of the cable is simply such that it readily enables the bait mounting 8 to emerge from either or both of the access ports 4 for re-baiting when the cable is extended into the casing enclosure 3.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6 of the drawings, an example of an animal trap 1' incorporating the features of the inventive bait station described above is illustrated. The main difference between the trap 1' illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 and the bait station 1 of Figs. 1 to 3 is that the trap includes means for preventing escape of the animal after it enters the enclosure 3. Accordingly, in this instance the enclosure 3 is an entrapment enclosure. In this particular example the means for preventing escape of the animal is a glue pad 15 located centrally within the enclosure beneath the set position of the bait mounting 8. The glue pad 15 binds or adheres the rodent to it when that animal moves onto it to access the bait material. Other small differences of this trap 1 ' compared to the bait station in Figs. 1 to 3 include that the bait mounting 8 is in this instance formed as a wire clasp or loop for securely attaching the bait material. Also, the flexible cable 10 is long enough to wind twice around the periphery of the casing 2 when the bait mounting is locked in the set position.

With reference to Figs. 7 to 9, another alternative example of an animal trap 1" according to the invention is illustrated. This trap 1 " is very similar to, and shares many features of, the trap 1' shown in Figs. 4 to 6. In this particular example, however, the means for preventing escape of the animal after it enters the entrapment enclosure 3 is a spring-loaded door 16 hingedly mounted at an end 17 of each access port 4. When the animal enters the enclosure 3 attracted by the bait, it triggers the doors 16 which snap closed under their spring bias against the ends 17 of the skirts 6 in the cap members 5. Both access ports 4 close preventing escape of the animal.

The dimensions shown in drawing Figs. 4 to 9 are in millimetres and are given by way of example only. With reference now to Figs. 10 to 12, a further embodiment of a trap 1'" is illustrated. In this embodiment, the trap again has a tubular casing 2 defining the entrapment enclosure 3, with the entrapment enclosure adapted to house the bait B to coax an animal into the casing. The bait mounting may be as previously described. Again, a spring-loaded closure or door 16 is arranged at each of the access ports 4 for preventing escape of an animal after it enters the entrapment enclosure.

Furthermore, a triggering mechanism is provided to activate the closure to snap closed from its open position under the spring bias when the animal is within the entrapment enclosure. Specifically, the trigger mechanism comprises a pair flaps or panels 18 which are pivotably hinged within the enclosure to provide an at least partial obstruct the animal's path to the bait B. In this regard, each of the two flaps or panels 18 are arranged between an access port 4 and the bait B located in the middle of the casing 2. Furthermore, each panel or flap 18 of the trigger mechanism may be transparent, have apertures through it, and/or be of such a size so that the animal can see and/or smell the bait. Each panel or flap 18 is furthermore operatively connected with the closure 16 at each access port, such that pivoting movement of either panel or flap 18 by the animal as it tries to reach the bait triggers activation of both the spring-biased closures 16, thereby trapping the animal within the enclosure 3. The operative connection of each flap or panel 18 to the doors 16 is by a cam and sliding rod 19.

Finally, it will also be appreciated that various alterations and/or additions may be introduced into the particular construction and arrangement of parts specifically described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bait station for use in laying a bait for small animals, such as mice, rats or other rodents, the bait station including a casing defining an enclosure for housing the bait, the casing having an access port sized to admit the small animal into the enclosure to access the bait, and the bait station further including a bait mounting upon which the bait is placed, the bait mounting being movable relative to the casing between a set position within the enclosure remote from the access port, and a re-baiting position outside the enclosure.

2. A bait station according to claim 1 , wherein the bait mounting is adapted for movement through the animal access port of the casing as the bait mounting moves between the set position and the re-baiting position.

3. A bait station according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bait mounting is movably attached to the bait station casing.

4. A bait station according to claim 3, wherein the movable attachment of the bait mounting to the bait station casing is by means of a retractable connection.

5. A bait station according to claim 4, wherein said retractable connection includes an elongate flexible connecting member secured to the bait mounting such that extension and retraction of the connecting member moves the bait mounting between the set and re-baiting positions.

6. A bait station according to claim 5, wherein the connecting member is in the form of a flexible cable.

7. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bait station further includes means for locking the bait mounting in the set position.

8. A bait station according to claim 7, wherein the means for locking the bait mounting in the set position includes means for securing the movable attachment of the bait mounting relative to the station casing.

9. A bait station according to claim 8, wherein the means for securing the movable attachment of the bait mounting relative to the casing comprises means for securing the elongate flexible connecting member that retractably connects the bait mounting to the casing in its fully retracted position to retain the bait mounting locked at the set position within the enclosure.

10. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, further including means for fixing the bait station to another object to prevent removal of the bait station from its in-use position.

11. A bait station according to claim 10, wherein the means for fixing the bait station to an object includes a fixing element in the form of a flexible elongate member, such as a cable or chain able to be fastened around an object.

12. A bait station according to claim 11 , wherein the flexible connecting member by means of which the bait mounting is movably attached to the bait station casing may also constitute the fixing element for fixing the bait station to another object.

13. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bait station is designed to mount and set the bait material enclosed within the bait station casing in a position spaced from the animal access port.

14. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bait mounting comprises a platform or plate onto which the bait material can be loosely placed.

15. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bait mounting comprises means for securely attaching the bait material so that it remains relatively fixed to the mounting.

16. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access port is sized to prevent larger animals, such as cats or dogs from accessing the enclosure housing the bait.

17. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access port is sized to prevent a human hand from entering the enclosure of the bait station.

18. A bait station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access port includes a skirt or rim which projects inwardly from an external opening of the access port into the bait-housing enclosure of the bait station.

19. A bait station according to claim 18, wherein the inwardly projecting skirt or rim forms a short passage or tunnel into the casing enclosure.

20. A bait station according to claim 19, wherein the passage or tunnel includes a constriction or region of reduced cross-sectional area compared to an area of the external opening of the access port.

21. A trap for small animals such as mice, rats and other rodents, the trap having a casing defining an entrapment enclosure, the entrapment enclosure being adapted to house a bait to coax an animal into the casing, and the casing including an access port sized to admit the small animal into the entrapment enclosure to access the bait, wherein the trap further includes a bait mounting upon which bait material is placed, the bait mounting being movable relative to the trap casing between a set position within the entrapment enclosure remote from the access port, and a re-baiting position outside the enclosure.

22. A trap according to claim 21 , wherein the bait mounting is adapted for movement through the animal access port of the casing as the bait mounting moves between the set position and the re-baiting position.

23. A trap according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the bait mounting is movably attached to the trap casing.

24. A trap according to claim 23, wherein the movable attachment of the bait mounting to the bait station casing is by means of a retractable connection.

25. A trap according to claim 24, wherein said retractable connection includes an elongate flexible connecting member secured to the bait mounting such that extension and retraction of the connecting member moves the bait mounting between the set and re-baiting positions.

26. A trap according to claim 25, wherein the connecting member is in the form of a flexible cable.

27. A trap according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the bait station further includes means for locking the bait mounting in the set position.

28. A trap according to claim 27, wherein the means for locking the bait mounting in the set position includes means for securing the movable attachment of the bait mounting relative to the station casing.

29. A trap according to claim 28, wherein the means for securing the movable attachment of the bait mounting relative to the casing comprises means for securing the elongate flexible connecting member that retractably connects the bait mounting to the casing in its fully retracted position to retain the bait mounting locked at the set position within the enclosure.

30. A trap according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the access port includes a skirt or rim which projects inwardly from an external opening of the access port into the enclosure of the trap.

31. A trap according to claim 30, wherein the inwardly projecting skirt or rim forms a short passage or tunnel into the casing enclosure.

32. A trap according to any one of claims 21 to 31 , including means for preventing escape of an animal after it enters the entrapment enclosure.

33. A trap according to claim 32, wherein the means for preventing escape of the animal includes a closure at the access port which prevents exit of the animal from the trap.

34. A trap according to claim 33, wherein said closure comprises a hinged door or barrier which opens inwardly only, thereby permitting ready access of the animal into the enclosure but preventing the animal from travelling through the access port in the opposite, outward direction.

35. A trap according to claim 34, wherein the door is transparent and/or includes apertures through it enabling the animal to see and/or smell the bait material from outside the trap casing.

36. A trap according to claim 34 or claim 35, wherein the door is spring- loaded and designed to snap closed from an open position under a spring bias when triggered by movement of the animal within the entrapment enclosure and/or by movement of the bait.

37. A trap according to claim 32, wherein the means for preventing escape of the animal includes a glue covering within the enclosure for adhesively holding the animal.

38. A trap according to claim 32, wherein the means for preventing escape of the animal includes means for physically maiming or killing the animal within the enclosure.

39. A trap for small animals such as mice, rats and other rodents, the trap having: a tubular casing defining an entrapment enclosure, the entrapment enclosure being adapted to house a bait to coax an animal into the casing; a bait mounting within the casing and remote from the access port upon which bait material is placed; an access port at an end of the casing, the access port sized to admit the small animal into the entrapment enclosure to access the bait; and a closure at the access port for preventing escape of an animal after it enters the entrapment enclosure, the closure being spring-loaded and designed to snap closed from an open position under a spring bias when triggered by movement of the animal within the entrapment enclosure.

40. A trap according to claim 39, including means for triggering the closure to snap closed from the open position, the trigger means including a flap or panel movably mounted within the enclosure and positioned to at least partially obstruct a path of the animal to the bait, the panel or flap being furthermore operatively connected with the closure at the access port, such that movement of the panel or flap by the animal as it tries to access the bait triggers activation of the spring-biased closure.

41. A trap according to claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the flap or panel of the trigger means is transparent and/or includes apertures through it enabling the animal to see and/or smell the bait material.

42. A trap according to any one of claims 39 to 41 , wherein the tubular casing has an access port at each of its opposite ends, and each access port includes a skirt or rim which projects inwardly from an external opening thereof into the enclosure of the trap.