WO2004030451A2

WO2004030451A2 - Rodent trap

Info

Publication number: WO2004030451A2
Application number: PCT/GB2003/004243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Levesley
Original assignee: Rodent Man Systems Ltd; Simon Levesley
Priority date: 2002-10-01
Filing date: 2003-10-01
Publication date: 2004-04-15
Also published as: GB0222700D0; AU2003271875A1; WO2004030451A3; GB2393628A

Abstract

A rodent trap (6, 206) is provided in which a cartridge (7, 207) is utilised. The cartridge is associated with a failsafe mechanism (14, 214) which supports the cartridge until deactivated. Deactivation of the failsafe mechanism (14, 214) is achieved through the rodent displacing an entrance door (32, 232) which in turn slides the failsafe mechanism (14, 214) such that a trip lever (19, 310) acts to release a striker (23, 223) which has a striker bar, (24, 224) to break the rodent's back in order to kill it. The trap (6, 206) will only become actuated once the failsafe mechanism (14, 214) is slide released so that the trap (6, 206) is less susceptible to inadvertent actuation if knocked or dropped. Furthermore, there is less likelihood of contamination in that the rodent and parts of the trap (6, 206) which may be contacted by a rodent are isolated from normal touch by a user.

Description

RODENT TRAP

This invention relates to animal traps. It is particularly intended to be used to catch rodents, such as household mice or rats.

The most common, and simple, of rodent traps comprise a wooden base having a spring-mounted bar and securing means attached thereto. A small spike on a trigger arm supports bait, which, when moved by a rodent releases the securing means thereby allowing the spring-mounted bar to pivot, under force from the spring, through 180° and strike the rodent. This type of mouse trap has many disadvantages. For example, due to the sensitive nature of the triggering mechanism it is possible for a user to injure their fingers when setting or moving the trap as vibrations can cause premature actuation. Also, as the rodent is caught and killed between the spring-mounted bar and the wooden base there is a further problem of contamination and soiling of the trap.

An improved mouse trap is known from US 5 706 601 that describes a trap comprising a tubular cover, closed at one end, into which an enclosure, such as a disposable plastic bag is inserted. A trap mechanism principally comprising a pressure pad, a trigger member and a spring-loaded striker is located towards the closed end of the tubular cover/enclosure. Bait is placed inside, at the closed end, so that when a rodent is attracted by the bait and enters the trap, the spring-loaded striker is released when the rodent is fully inside. To empty the trap, the striker is withdrawn so that the enclosure can be sealed and then removed from the tubular cover for disposal. Although this trap is an improvement over the simple trap, the striker mechanism is exposed and could be actuated accidentally. Therefore, there remains the risk of injury to the user. Furthermore, the contaminated enclosure needs to be touched by the user in order to be sealed and there is a chance that the plastic could become punctured upon actuation of the striker, causing a sanitation problem. According to a first aspect of the invention, a rodent trap comprises an enclosure having at least one aperture to allow access for a rodent, a trip mechanism comprising a striker to kill a rodent, a trip lever and a failsafe means, said failsafe means having an inoperative position and an operative position, when in the inoperative position the failsafe means engages the trip lever thereby rendering the striker inoperable, whilst when in the operative position the failsafe means is disengaged from the trip lever and the striker can be actuated in order to kill a rodent.

This invention therefore provides a rodent trap that overcomes several problems of previous traps as the failsafe means ensures that the striker cannot be activated by vibration, dropping or kicking the trap. It is only when a rodent enters the trap that the failsafe is removed and the striker can be triggered.

Preferably, the enclosure is constructed such that the trap mechanism is completely enclosed. The user is thereby protected from the mechanism and the risk of injury is substantially reduced.

The trip lever may have a cam to assist the actuation of the trap. Alternatively, the trip lever is associated with a trip pendulum through a latch engagement whereby tilt of the trip lever releases the latch engagement to allow pendulum pivot of the trip pendulum to cause actuation of the striker. Furthermore, the trip lever may have a resilient portion that biases the trip lever against releasing the striker such that the trip lever will return to a position where it supports the striker when the trap is reset. This is advantageous as user contact with the mechanism is reduced.

The resilient portion of the trip lever may be in the form of a compression spring. Preferably, the resilient portion is formed integrally with the trip lever. Preferably, the failsafe means comprises a failsafe lever and a spring means that is adapted to urge the failsafe lever into an inoperative, failsafe position. The failsafe means will therefore be urged to an inoperative position when the trap is reset, without user intervention. Most preferably, the spring means is a resilient elongate member that is formed integrally with the failsafe lever.

The spring-loaded striker may have spaced, parallel striker arms joined at one end by a striker bar and at the other end by a pivot.

Preferably, the rodent trap further includes a removable cartridge having a closed end and an open end through which it is adapted to receive the striker arms. As the striker is disposed within the cartridge, when a rodent is caught, the rodent's body is contained within the cartridge and the cartridge can be easily and hygienically removed from the trap and disposed of. Also, as the operating movement of the striker bar is small, from the top of the cartridge to the bottom, it provides a quick and instant death for the rodent.

Preferably, the enclosure has two, aligned apertures to allow access for a rodent. This is advantageous as it is common for rodents to move along the edges of rooms and therefore placement of a trap with two apertures adjacent to a wall does not disturb the rodent's behavioural patterns.

The enclosure may further include a removable lid to provide access to the cartridge and mechanism.

Preferably, the enclosure has a further aperture adapted to receive the cartridge for loading into the trap and removal thereof. This aperture provides a trap that is easy to use and operate with a cartridge.

The cartridge may have a door at its open end that is biased by a resilient portion into a closed position and is such that it can only be opened from the outside of the cartridge. Thus, when the cartridge containing a dead rodent is removed from the trap enclosure, the cartridge door is held shut by the resilient portion and the user does not see the contents. Also, the body of the rodent is unable to accidentally exit the cartridge.

Preferably, the door of the cartridge has a protruding tab that is adapted to co-operate with the failsafe means. Pivoting of the cartridge door thereby causes the door tab to move the failsafe means from an inoperative, failsafe position to an operative position. Therefore, the trap will only be primed for actuation once a rodent has disturbed the door and entered the cartridge.

The failsafe may further comprise a resilient flap adapted to co-operate with a latch on the cartridge so that the failsafe means cannot return to an inoperative condition once it has been moved to an operative position, until the trap is manually reset. Thus, the mechanism remains primed after the door has been disturbed.

The striker may have a limb that extends outside the removable cartridge, said limb having a tab at its free end for the purpose of covering an enclosure window when the striker arm is in a lowered position to indicate that the trap has been actuated. The tab may be of coloured plastics or painted.

Preferably, the enclosure has internal walls that delimit the path the rodent may take in the trap towards the bait. It is then clear which parts of the trap have come into contact with the rodent. Appropriate structuring of the internal walls can protect parts of the trap that the user may have to touch.

The enclosure may further comprise internal guide walls to guide the cartridge into an exact position. Preferably the guide walls have slots to receive the mechanism. According to a second aspect of the invention, a rodent trap includes a spring-loaded striker having striker arms and a removable cartridge having an elongate hollow body with a closed end and an open end, the open end having a door so adapted that it can only be opened from outside the cartridge, the striker and cartridge being constructed and arranged such that in use the striker arms extend within the cartridge and on removal of the cartridge the door is resiliently biased into a closed position.

The trap therefore provides a hygienic means for catching and disposing of rodents, as killing and storage of the rodent's body occurs within the cartridge.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a removable cartridge for a rodent trap comprises an elongate hollow body having a closed end and an open end, the open end having a door so adapted that it can only be opened from outside the cartridge. Normally, the cartridge is for use with the rodent trap of the second aspect of the invention above.

The use of a removable cartridge provides a reliable means for extracting a dead rodent from the trap. The cartridge door prevents the dead rodent from accidentally exiting the cartridge.

Preferably, the door of the cartridge has a spring that urges the door into a closed position. The spring may be of the form of a resilient portion formed integrally with the door.

There may be a spike for supporting bait that extends from the inside face of the closed end of the cartridge. The rodent will therefore be lured fully inside the cartridge as the bait is secured at the closed end.

In preference to the spike, the body of the cartridge may have a slot located towards the closed end for inserting bait. The bait slot may be adapted to receive a bait card comprising a laminar member having an odour. The bait card is preferably impregnated with the odour. Therefore, bait can easily be interchanged between cartridges for the purpose of attracting different types of rodent. Using a bait card avoids the problems associated with loading the trap with household foods, such as chocolate or cheese.

Preferably, the cartridge is made from inexpensive and disposable materials such as plastic coated cardboard or plastics. The cartridge can then be suitably disposed of, instead of being emptied and reused.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a bait for an animal trap comprises a laminar member having an odour for attracting animals.

Preferably, the laminar member is of paper-based material. The laminar member may alternatively be of plastics or textiles.

The odour may be emitted by an appropriate chemical that is formulated to attract animals.

The laminar member may be impregnated with an odour-emitting substance. However, the odour-emitting substance could be applied to the surface of the laminar member.

Preferably, the odour-emitting substance is of a concentration strong enough to attract an animal in the vicinity of the trap and weak enough to be substantially undetectable by a user.

Preferably, the odour-emitting substance is of sufficient concentration that it remains effective at attracting animals for a period of approximately a week. It is preferable that the laminar member having an odour is sealed during manufacture as to retain the initial concentration of the odour before use.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a rodent trap and cartridge:

Fig. 2 shows a partial side view of the trap mechanism in a set and inoperable failsafe condition;

Fig. 3 shows a partial side view of the trap mechanism in a set and operable condition with failsafe disengaged;

Fig. 4 shows a partial side view of the trap mechanism in a triggered condition;

Fig. 5 shows exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of a rodent trap and cartridge;

Fig. 6 is an exploded isometric view of a trip lever combination and striker shown in Fig. 5 from a reverse angle; and,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged isometric view of a failsafe lever used in Fig.s 5 and Fig. 6.

A rodent trap 6 comprises an enclosure 1 having an integral lid 2 with lid locking means 3. The enclosure 1 comprises two end walls, two side walls and a base. The enclosure 1 has aligned apertures 4 in opposite end walls. A third aperture 5 in one end wall is adapted to receive a cartridge 7. This allows the cartridge 7 to be loaded and unloaded easily. The enclosure 1 further comprises an L-shaped internal wall 8 that has a gap, opposite the aperture 5. Passageways 9, 9' are defined by L-shaped wall 8 and an end wall and side wall of the enclosure 1 respectively. Internal guide walls 10, 10' are spaced for guiding cartridge 7 into a loaded position. The guide walls 10, 10' have slots 13 for receiving a trap mechanism. Ribs 11 are upstanding from the enclosure base and are located between guide walls 10, 10'. A window 12 is located in the side wall of enclosure 1 , opposite the passageway 9'. Apertures 4 allow a rodent (not shown) to either enter the trap 6 or pass straight through via passageway 9'.

The trap mechanism comprises a failsafe means 14, a trip lever 19 and a striker 23.

The failsafe means 14 comprises an elongate lever 28 having up-stands 15, 16 at its ends. The up-stands 15,16 extend at 90° to the elongate lever 28. An integral resilient flap 17 projects from the surface of the elongate lever 28 and a resilient elongate member 18 extends along a side of the elongate lever 28.

The trip lever 19 comprises a trip lever bar 22 having two ends. A pivot arm 29 extends at a right angle from one end of the trip lever bar 22 and a cam 20 extends at a right angle from the other end. At the free ends of the pivot arm 29 and the cam 20 there are pivot means 30, 30' that are adapted to co-operate with a slot in the guide wall 10 and a recess 38. An integral resilient member 21 extends perpendicular from a mid-point of trip lever bar 22.

The striker 23 comprises two striker arms 25 which at one end form pivoting points 31 , 31'. and at the other end are joined by a striker bar 24. A further limb 26 projects from pivot point 31' parallel to, but spaced from, the striker arms 25. The limb 26 provides a lever for lifting the striker by rotating about pivot points 31, 31'. The striker 23 is also spring loaded, by a spring (not shown) so that the striker bar 24 is urged towards the base of the enclosure 1. One end of the striker spring (not shown) is attached to limb 26 and is held in position by a slot 40, and the other end of the spring is appropriately attached to the base of the enclosure 1. The striker bar 24 has two positions. The first is a raised position where the striker 23 is supported against the force of the striker spring (not shown), and the second is a lowered position where the striker 23 has been actuated. The limb 26 has a tab 27 that is made of coloured plastics that projects from its end furthest from the pivot means 31 ,

31 ' . The tab 27 is adapted such that when the striker bar 24 is in a lowered position then the tab 27 covers the window 12. This provides a simple visible means for determining trap status.

The cartridge 7 has a closed end 36 and an open end 35. The open end 35 has slots adapted to receive door pivots 37 of a cartridge door 32. The cartridge door 32 is adapted to completely cover the open end 35 and only open inwardly of the open end 35. An integral resilient bar 33, which is angled towards the cartridge base, acts as a spring to urge the door 32 into a closed position. The cartridge door

32 is therefore effectively one way, only permitting entrance by a rodent to the cartridge 7. Cartridge 7 further comprises a bait slot 41 located near the closed end 36 for receiving a bait impregnated card (not shown) or other rodent attractant.

To assemble the trap 6, failsafe means 14 is positioned on the enclosure base parallel to guide wall 10' and alongside base ribs 11. The free end of the resilient elongate member 18 is positioned so that it abuts the base ribs 11 opposite the aperture 5. The resilient elongate member 18 is deformed that is to say slightly bowed, such that it urges the elongate lever 28 into the inoperative position.

The trip lever 19 is then positioned between the guide walls 10,10' towards the aperture 5 with cam 20 extending along the outside edge portion of guide wall 10'. The pivot 30' engages with a complementary recess 38 and pivot 30 engages with a complementary slot in guide wall 10. The trip lever bar 22 is held, slightly raised from the base of the enclosure 1 by resilient member 21. In a modification (not shown), the pivot arm 29 extends along the outside of guide wall 10. The pivot 30 is therefore located on the opposite side of pivot arm 29 in order to engage with a slot in the guide wall 10.

The striker 23 is positioned such that the striker arms 25 are accommodated between the guide walls 10, 10'. The limb 26 extends along the outside edge portion of guide wall 10' so that a free end of limb 26 can co-operate with a ledge 39 of cam 20.

The cartridge 7 is inserted through aperture 5 and between guide walls 10, 10'. Upon insertion into the trap 6, the striker bar 24 and striker arms 25 enter the cartridge 7 through the door 32. This holds the door 32 ajar against the bias force of the spring resilient member 33 in order that a rodent can smell the bait or attractant aroma upon the card at slot 41. Upon actuation the door 32 is forced down by the rodent, the striker bar 24 kills that rodent and then the striker 23 lifted about the pivots 31. When the cartridge 7 is removed from the enclosure the spring resilient number 33 closes the door 32 in order to avoid user contact with or sight of the dead rodent.

Fig. 2 shows the assembled trap mechanism in detail whilst in an inoperative failsafe condition. The cartridge is supported at its open end 35 by the base ribs 11 and at its closed end 36 by the trip lever bar 22. The trip lever bar 22 is itself further supported, in the inoperative failsafe condition, by failsafe up-stand 16. Cam ledge 39 supports the limb 26, and therefore the striker 23, in a raised position against the force of the striker spring (not shown). The striker arms 25 are located within the cartridge 7 and the enlarged portions of the striker arms 25 hold the cartridge door 32 ajar. A door tab 34, which extends beyond the door pivot 37, is adapted to cooperate with the failsafe up-stand 15. In the inoperative failsafe condition shown in Fig. 2 and described above, the cam 20 is unable to rotate about pivot means 30 due to up-stand 16 and therefore the cam ledge 39 cannot release the striker 23. When a rodent enters the trap 6 through apertures 4 it is lured by the bait contained within the cartridge 7, through passageway 9. The state of the trap mechanism once a rodent, or the like, has entered the cartridge 7 is shown in Fig. 3.

As the rodent enters the cartridge 7 the rodent's weight opens the door 32 from being ajar against the force of the resilient bar 33. Rotation of the door 32 about pivot 37 causes a door tab 34 to apply a force to failsafe up-stand 15 thereby sliding the failsafe means 14, in the direction of AA against the force of the resilient elongate member 18, towards the passageway 9. The resilient flap 17 passes under a latch 43 of the cartridge 7 and thereby acts to prevent the failsafe means 14 returning to its original position (as shown in Fig. 2) once released from the inoperative failsafe condition.

Movement of the failsafe means 14 causes up-stand 16 to slide from beneath the trip lever bar 22. The failsafe means 14 is therefore deactivated and the trip lever 19 and cam 20 are no longer held in an inoperative position.

The rodent will continue towards the bait at the closed end 36 of the cartridge 7. The condition of the trap mechanism once the rodent has passed beyond a tilt point P is shown in Fig. 4. This tilt point is normally an edge 11' of the ribs 11 upon which the cartridge 7 is supported.

When the rodent approaches the bait, the rodent's weight causes the closed end 36 of the cartridge 7 to pivot downward about tilt point P of the base ribs 11. Pivoting of the cartridge 7 pushes the trip lever bar 22 downwards, against the force of the resilient member 21 , causing rotation of cam 20. When trip lever bar 22 makes contact with the enclosure base, or before that, the cam ledge 39 no longer supports the limb 26 and thereby allows the striker bar 24 to travel rapidly downward under the force from the striker spring (not shown). It will be appreciated that the force of the striker spring is chosen so that the striker bar 24 will move sufficiently quickly and with sufficient force to break the back of the trapped rodent, thereby killing it. The striker arms 25 and limb 26 are now in a lowered position such that tab 27 covers window 12 to indicate that the trap 6 has been triggered. This tab will normally be coloured to provide a clear visible indication of status.

The trap 6 is emptied and the cartridge 7 replaced as follows. The lid 2 is unlocked and opened to reveal the trap mechanism and cartridge 7. As the trap 6 is not triggered until the rodent is towards the closed end 36 of the cartridge 7, the user will not see the rodent's body upon opening lid 2. To remove the used cartridge 7 with dead rodent, the user must lift limb 26. When limb 26 is raised, the striker bar 24 releases its grip of the dead rodent. The cartridge 7 can then be extracted through aperture 5. When the cartridge 7 is removed from trap 6, the mechanism resets itself, as all the components are urged into a set condition by their associated springs and resilient portions. Thus, cam 20 rotates due to resilient member 21 so that cam ledge 39 supports limb 26. The striker bar 24 is therefore held in a raised position. The failsafe means 14, urged by elongate resilient member 18, slides so that up-stand 16 supports the trip lever bar 22. The trap mechanism is now in the condition shown in Fig. 2 but with the cartridge 7 absent. User contact with the mechanism is kept to a minimum, as the only operation required after lifting the lid 2 is the lifting of limb 26 and removal of cartridge 7.

As cartridge 7 is removed from the trap 6, the striker arms 25 are withdrawn and the door 32 is urged to a closed position by resilient door bar 33. The cartridge 7 is effectively a self-closing container that can be hygienically disposed of.

A new cartridge 7 can now be installed by sliding it through aperture 5, over the mechanism with striker arms 25 entering the door 32. Once the cartridge 7 is inserted fully, that is to say supported on the ribs 11 and upstand 16 as well as with the striker arms 25 and bar 24 with the cartridge 7 the lid 2 can be closed and locked and the trap 6 returns to the condition shown in Fig. 2. The cartridge 7 will previously have been baited, or appropriate bait card inserted, through the slot 31 for the animal or rodent to be caught.

In a modification, not shown, a spike may be located at the closed end 36 of the cartridge 7 for supporting bait. In this modification the bait slot 41 is absent. Similarly, the striker bar 24 may be shaped and/or include spikes to kill the rodent.

Referring to Fig. 5 providing an exploded view of a trap arrangement 206 and a cartridge 207 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. A number of elements of the arrangement 206 operate in a similar fashion to the first embodiment described with regard to Figs. 1 to 4. In such circumstances, similar elements are given consistent reference numerals to those used with regard to Figs. 1 to 4 but with an increment of 200 to distinguish them in the second embodiment depicted in Fig. 5. The following description will principally relate to the differences of the second embodiment compared to the first embodiment whereby the nature of operation of the similar elements in the second embodiment should be considered implicit from that given with regard to the first embodiment in Figs. 1 to 4.

In the above terms, as previously, an enclosure 201 is provided within which apertures 204 allow access to a rodent when an integral lid 202 is secured in position. The second embodiment includes an arrangement closure flap 300 which extends over the cartridge entry aperture 205 when required. In such circumstances as previously a rodent will enter through apertures 204 in order to pass through passageways 209, 209' to gain access to the cartridge 207 appropriately located within the closure 201 upon ribs 211. The rodent will be attracted by bait or an attractant odour in the cartridge 207.

A failsafe device 214 is located below the cartridge 207. This failsafe device 214 comprises an elongate lever 228 with upstanding ends 215, 216 and an integral flap 217. There is also a resilient elongate member 218 positioned along one side of the lever 228. As previously the failsafe device 214 acts with a trip lever mechanism in order to release a striker 223 incorporating a striker bar 224 which falls upon a rodent within the cartridge 207 in order to kill it. This striker 223 incorporates a striker arm 225 from which the striker bar 224 projects across the inside of the cartridge 207 in use. The striker 223 also includes a limb 226 incorporating a flag/lift member 227 utilised through a window 212 in the enclosure 201 to show trap arrangement status and to aid lifting of the striker 223 if required. A notch 240 is also provided upon the limb 226 where a striker spring is secured for actuation of the striker bar 224 when required.

The trip mechanism in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention depicted Fig. 5 comprises a combination of a trip lever 310 and a trip pivot pendulum 320. In use the trip lever 310 is located within a slot 311 adjacent the wall 210 of the arrangement 206. Thus, with the cartridge 207 held upon a front pivot of the ribs 311 (equivalent to rib 11' or P in Figs. 1 to 4) it will be understood that the arrangement 206 is in a failsafe condition when the upstanding part 216 supports a foot 312 of the pivot lever 310 thereby preventing release of the striker 223 by engagement between a ledge 339 and the arm 225. However, as previously, when a door 232 is forced downward by a rodent then a door tab 234 engages the other upstanding part 215 in order to force that part in the direction of arrowhead X. Support for the foot 312 is removed and therefore the trip lever 210 can pivot in the direction of arrowheads Y. A latch engagement between a latch element 313 and a latch 314 of the trip pendulum 320 is removed to cause release of the striker 223 and in particular striker bar 224 downwards towards the rodent. It will be noted that a resilient spring 333 is positioned to act as a bias to facilitate displacement of the latch 239 in order to release the striker 223 and in particular bar 224 as required.

In summary the second embodiment of a trap arrangement 206 in accordance with the present invention operates by a rodent entering the enclosure 201 through apertures 204. The rodent is then attracted into the cartridge 207 by an aroma card, bait or other attractant. The rodent therefore passes through passageway 209 and depresses the door 232. This door 232 is left ajar by entry of the striker arm 225 but supported by a resilient bar spring 233. The rodent depresses the door 232 such that the tab 234 acts against the upstanding bar 215 in order to force slide removal of support for the foot 312 whereby the trip lever 310 can then operate. In such circumstances the failsafe device 214 prevents operation of the trap arrangement 201 until a rodent has disarmed this failsafe device 214. With the failsafe device 214 rendered inoperative, the rodent then progresses along the cartridge 207 towards the end 236 such that there is a tilt action about the rib 211 front edge under the rodent's weight. This tilt of the cartridge 207 engages the foot 312, no longer supported by the upstanding part 216, such that the foot 312 end is depressed whilst the other end through latch element 313 engages the tooth 314 to turn the latch 239 out of engagement with the arm 225 and so release or launch the strike bar 224 downwards using the force of a striker spring (not shown). As indicated previously this strike bar 224 will normally have sufficient force to instantaneously kill, typically through a back breaking exercise, a rodent within the cartridge 207. This force is provided by a striker spring (not shown) and engages the striker 223 in order to create the major downward force presented through the striker bar 224.

A particular advantage of the second embodiment depicted in Fig. 5 is that the striker 223 and trip lever combination 310, 320 can be made much narrower. Thus the arrangement 206 and in particular the enclosure 201 can also be narrower allowing the arrangement 206 to be positioned, along the lid 202 hinge side, closer to a building structure such as a wall. It will be understood that rodents tend to have regular "runs" along which they travel. These "runs" tend to be near to walls. The inward obstruction of a trap arrangement away from that wall should be reduced as far as possible in order to avoid inadvertent collision with pedestrians or vehicles as well as when cleaning or sweeping.

As indicated above, the cartridge 207 will be located through the aperture 205 within the enclosure 201. The cartridge 207 has the door 232 at one end and is closed at the other end 236. In such circumstances a rodent entering the cartridge 207 will be attracted to an aroma card or other attractive device near to the end 236. Clearly, hygiene and individuals sensibilities with regard to dead rodents is of high importance. In such circumstances typically the cartridge 207 will be closed after the action of the striker bar 204 in order to leave the dead rodent within that cartridge 204 for safe disposal. Closure will be effected by the spring 233 after removal of the striker 223.

Fig. 6 illustrates in exploded view the trip lever combination 310, 320 along with striker 223 from a reverse angle compared to that shown in Fig. 5. Thus, the trip lever combination 310, 320 is positioned prior to triggering with the tooth engaging a tab 345 upon the end of a cam ledge 339 which engages the limb 226 of the striker 223.

As indicated above, a particular problem is ensuring that the weight of a rodent, such as a mouse, is sufficient to trigger a trap arrangement in accordance with the present invention. In such circumstances, in accordance with the present invention lever advantage is utilised in order to ensure a mouse's weight is sufficient to trigger release of the striker bar 225. The pivot lever 310 incorporates a pivot 330 at one end opposite to the foot 312. At an appropriate position a tab 345 as shown engages the tooth 314 to prevent rotation of the trip pendulum 320. The length of a beam 322 of the trip lever 310 is chosen in order to ensure that there is sufficient mechanical lever advantage from pivot rotation about the pivot 330 in order to release the tooth 314 and so force the trip pendulum 320 so that there is pendulum rotation in the direction of arrowhead Z about the pivot 239 against a spring 333 such that the ledge 339 at its end opposite the tooth 314 disengages the limb 226 in order to release the striker 223 in a forceful downward motion in the direction of arrowhead A towards a rodent. The spring 333 helps reset the trap when required. It will be understood that the tilt motion about the pivot 330 is precipitated by the load applied to the foot 312 due to the rodent's weight once entered into the cartridge 307 (Fig. 5). This tilt about the pivot 330 cause downward movement in the direction of arrowhead B which releases the latch 314 and so allows pendulum rotation about the pivot 239 in the direction of arrowhead Z.

A further advantage of the second embodiment depicted in Figs. 5 and 6 is that there is ready accommodation of a self-closing cartridge. With the first embodiment it is necessary to open the enclosure 1 by lifting the lid 2 in order to reset the failsafe and trip mechanism for the striker 23. In order to introduce a new cartridge 207 into the second embodiment the failsafe lever 214 is simply brought forward to its failsafe locking position. This operation can be performed manually or as a result of extracting a used cartridge whereby the tab 234 engages the flap 217 or a stop secured upon that flap 217.

Fig. 7 illustrates in isometric view the failsafe device 214 utilised with regard to the second embodiment depicted in Figs. 5 and 6. In such circumstances, as indicated previously the tab 234 will engage the upstanding part 215 in order to release the failsafe device to allow the trap arrangement 206 to be triggered in order to kill a rodent within the cartridge 207. Subsequent to such operation the tab 234 will then engage the stop 245 in order to carry, if necessary, the lever 240 with it as the cartridge is removed through the aperture 205. Moreover, as indicated previously a resetting bias spring could also be provided for the fail safe device. In such circumstances, the upstanding part 216 will then engage an inner ledge of the enclosure 201 ready to receive a fresh cartridge 207 with the foot 312 of the trip lever combination 310 supported by the upstanding part 216. It will also be understood in this process the striker 223 is reset by an upward movement such that the end of the ledge 339 again engages the limb 226 whilst with the foot 312 now supported by the upstanding part 216 the latch tab 345 again retains the trip pendulum 320 through to the tooth 314. In short, as the limb 226 is lifted with the arm 225 and striker bar 224 by the door 232 closing under the influence of the resilient bias force of spring 233 this also lifts the cartridge 207 and flap 217 again allowing the arrangement 206 to reset. Rather than depending upon simply removing the cartridge it is normally preferable to provide the indicator/finger reset toggle 227 in such a way that it can be lifted externally off the enclosure 201 through the window 212. This lifts the limb 226 and therefore arm 225 to enable a new cartridge 207 to be located within the enclosure 201 without possible contamination of a user.

As indicated above, normally the cartridge used in the course of the present invention will itself be disposable. However, it may be possible to provide cartridges in which a lining is provided to a cartridge module with the striker bar 24, 224 acting between the surface of the cartridge and that of the lining. In such circumstances only the lining with a dead rodent would then require disposal. The lining would be shake released from the cartridge. Instead of a striker spring a dead weight could be used to force displacement of the striker bar to kill the rodent in the cartridge.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A rodent trap comprises an enclosure having at least one aperture to allow access for a rodent, a trap mechanism comprising a striker to kill a rodent, a trip lever and a failsafe means, said failsafe means having an inoperative position and an operative position, when in the inoperative position the failsafe means engages the trip lever thereby rendering the striker inoperable, whilst when in the operative position the fail safe means is disengaged from the trip lever and the striker can be actuated in order to kill a rodent.

2. A trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the trap mechanism is completely enclosed within the enclosure.

3. A trap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the trip lever has a cam to assist the actuation of the striker.

4. A trap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the trip lever is associated with a trip pendulum through a latch engagement whereby tilt of the trip lever releases the latch engagement to allow pendulum pivot of the trip pendulum to cause actuation of the striker.

5. A trap as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the trip lever or trip pendulum has a resilient portion that biases the trip lever against releasing the striker such that the trip lever will return to a position where it supports the striker when the trap is reset.

6. A trap as claimed in claim 5 wherein the resilient portion of the trip lever is a compression spring.

7. A trap as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the resilient portion is integral with the trip lever.

8. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the failsafe means comprises a failsafe lever and a spring means that is adapted to urge the failsafe lever into an inoperative, fail safe position.

9. A trap as claimed in claim 8 wherein the spring means is a resilient elongate member that is formed integrally with the failsafe lever.

10. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the striker is spring-loaded and the striker has at least one striker arm joined at one end to a striker bar and at the other end by a pivot.

11. A trap as claimed claim 10 wherein the rodent trap includes a removable cartridge having a closed end and an open end through which the cartridge is adapted to receive the striker arms.

12. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the enclosure has two, aligned apertures to allow access by a rodent.

13. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the enclosure includes a removable lid to provide access to the trap mechanism at least.

14. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the enclosure has an aperture adapted to receive a cartridge for loading into the trap and removal thereof.

15. A trap as claimed in claim 11 wherein the cartridge has a door at its open end that is biased by a resilient portion into a closed position and is such that it can only be opened from the outside of the cartridge.

16. A trap as claimed in claim 15 wherein when the cartridge containing a dead rodent is removed from the trap enclosure, the cartridge door is held shut by the resilient portion.

17. A trap as claimed in claim 15 wherein the door of the cartridge has a protruding tab that is adapted to co-operate with the failsafe means.

18. A trap as claimed in claim 17 wherein pivoting of the cartridge door thereby causes the door tab to move the failsafe means from the inoperative, failsafe position to the operative position.

19. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the failsafe comprises a resilient flap adapted to co-operate with a latch on a cartridge so that the failsafe means cannot return to the inoperative condition once it has been moved to the operative position, unless the trap mechanism is manually reset.

20. A trap as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the trap mechanism remains in the operative position after the door has been displaced.

21. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the striker has a limb that extends outside the removable cartridge, said limb having a tab at its free end for the purpose of covering an enclosure window when the striker arm is in a lowered position to indicate that the trap mechanism has been actuated.

22. A trap as claimed in claim 21 wherein the tab of coloured plastics or painted material.

23. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the enclosure has internal walls that delimit the path the rodent is limited to take in the trap.

24. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the enclosure comprises internal guide walls to guide a cartridge into position.

25. A trap as claimed in claim 24 wherein the guide walls have slots to receive the trap mechanism.

26. A rodent trap including a spring-loaded striker having striker arms and a removable cartridge having an elongate hollow body with a closed end and an open end, the open end having a door so adapted that it can only be opened from outside the cartridge, the striker and cartridge being constructed and arranged such that in use the striker arms extend within the cartridge and on removal of the cartridge the door is resiliently biased into a closed position.

27. A removable cartridge for a rodent trap comprises an elongate hollow body having a closed end and an open end, the open end having a door so adapted that it can only be opened from outside the cartridge.

28. A cartridge as claimed in claim 27 wherein the removable cartridge provides a reliable means for extracting a dead rodent from a trap without contact by the user with the dead rodent.

29. A cartridge as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the cartridge door prevents the dead rodent from leaving the cartridge.

30. A cartridge as claimed in claim 27 to 29 wherein the door of the cartridge has a spring that urges the door into a closed position.

31. A cartridge as claimed in claim 30 wherein the spring is a resilient portion formed integrally with the door.

32. A cartridge as claimed in any of claims 27 to 31 wherein there is a spike for supporting bait that extends from the inside face of the closed end of the cartridge.

33. A cartridge as claimed in any of claims 27 to 32 wherein the cartridge has a bait slot located towards the closed end for inserting bait.

34. A cartridge as claimed in claim 33 wherein the bait slot is adapted to receive a bait card comprising a laminar member having an attractant odour.

35. A cartridge as claimed in claim 34 wherein the bait card is impregnated with the attractant odour.

36. A cartridge as claimed in any of claims 27 to 35 wherein the cartridge is adapted for use with a trap as claimed in any of claims 1 to 26.

37. A bait for an animal trap comprises a laminar member having an odour for attracting animals.

38. A bait as claimed in claim 37 wherein the laminar member is formed by paper- based material.

39. A bait as claimed in claim 37 wherein the laminar member is formed by plastics or textile material.

40. A bait as claimed in any of claims 37 to 39 wherein the odour is emitted by an appropriate chemical that is formulated to attract animals.

41. A bait as claimed in claim 37 to 40 wherein the laminar member is impregnated with an odour-emitting substance.

42. A bait as claimed in claim 41 wherein the odour-emitting substance is applied to the surface of the laminar member.

43. A bait as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42 wherein the odour-emitting substance is of a concentration strong enough to attract an animal in the vicinity of the trap and weak enough to be substantially undetectable by a user.

44. A bait as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42 or claim 43 wherein the odour-emitting substance is of sufficient concentration that it remains effective for attracting animals for a time period of approximately a week.

45. A bait as claimed in any of claims 37 to 44 wherein the laminar member having an odour is sealed during manufacture so as to retain the initial concentration of the odour immediately before use.

46. A rodent trap substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

47. A removable cartridge for a rodent trap substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

48. A bait for an animal trap substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

49. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.