WO2006135957A1

WO2006135957A1 - Insect killing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2006135957A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000854
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Henry Martin Mccoll
Original assignee: Richard Henry Martin Mccoll
Priority date: 2005-06-20
Filing date: 2006-06-20
Publication date: 2006-12-28

Abstract

Insect killing apparatus (10) including a rotor (14) mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a drive motor (23) for rotating the rotor (14), the rotor (14) having at least one thin elongated element (19) spaced from the axis of rotation and a light source (25) for attracting insects into the path of movement of the at least one element (19).

Description

INSECT KILLING APPARATUS Technical Field

This invention relates to insect killing apparatus and in apparatus which is particularly but not exclusive suited to killing flying insects such as mosquitoes, midges, moths and flies. Background Art

Many different types of insect killing apparatus are on the market or have been proposed. One form of apparatus comprises a trap and includes an attractant which may be a light source to attract insects towards the apparatus. The apparatus additionally includes a trapping device which may include a liquid or other materials such as sticky paper so that attracted insects are trapped in the apparatus. Other forms of apparatus also include a light source to attract insects and further include an electrical grid or electrical conductors connected to the high voltage source. Thus when insects attracted towards the light source come into contact with the grid or the conductors, they are killed. A disadvantage of the above types of apparatus is that they generally require cleaning or emptying of trapped insects at regular intervals. If this is not done, the odour of dead insects can become offensive. Some of the devices, particularly those which include a grid of conducting wire which carry a high voltage are difficult and time consuming to clean. As regular cleaning is required, this limits the area in which the apparatus can be used to areas which are readily accessible. Furthermore the apparatus which uses high voltage as the means for killing insects, is required to be associated with a power source usually a mains power supply and therefore again cannot be used in situations where a suitably power supply to provide the high voltage is not readily available. Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to provide an improved insect killing apparatus which overcomes or alleviates one or more of the above disadvantages or which at least provides an effective alternative to the known insect killing apparatus. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The present invention thus provides in a preferred aspect, insect killing apparatus including a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and having at least one thin elongated element spaced from said axis and an insect attractant for attracting insects into the path of movement of said at least one element.

The at least one elongated element may extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. Alternatively the at least one elongated element may be angled relative to the axis of rotation.

Preferably the rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated elements. Typically the rotor includes four to six elements but may include any number of elements.

Preferably the rotor includes a pair of spaced apart support members and the at least one elongated element extends between and is supported by the support members. Preferably the at least one elongated element is held under tension between the support members. The support members may be of disc-like form and lie in spaced apart substantially parallel planes. The disc-like members are suitably centered on the axis of rotation of the rotor. Preferably the disc-like members are provided with at least one opening or slot in or adjacent to their periphery for receiving opposite ends of the at least one element. The support members however may be in many other configurations such as in the form of radially extending arms.

The at least one elongated element may be provided with spaced apart stops which locate on the outside of the disc-like members such that the element between the stops is under tension. Means may be provided for selectively tensioning the element. The tensioning means may comprise at least one of the stops. The at least one of the stops may comprise a ferrule-like member with which an end of the element may be adjustably engaged such as by clamping. The ferrule-like member may be in the form of a small tubular member through which the element may pass. A threaded clamping member such as a grub screw may be threaded into the tubular member and operated to clamp the element to the tubular member. The thin elongated element typically may comprise a thin wire such as a piano wire however it may comprise any other form of thin elongated filament such as a plastics line.

The inset attractant preferably comprises a light source which provides light which is attractive to insects. Preferably the light source emits ultraviolet light. Typically the light source may comprise an ultraviolet lamp

The light source is suitably supported adjacent to the axis of rotation of the rotor. The light source is suitably fixedly mounted relative to the rotor.

Preferably the light source is located within a hollow transparent or translucent member. The hollow transparent member suitably is supported coaxially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. The hollow member suitably comprises a hollow tubular member. The tubular member may be formed of plastics or glass

The hollow tubular member is suitably fixed at opposite ends to the support members which support the at least one elongated element. Thus where the support members comprise disc-like members, the tubular members and disc-like members form a rotor in the form of a spool.

One end of the tubular member is suitably open so as to enable the light source to be located within the tubular member. In another arrangement, the light source may be located within a guard which permits the passage of light therethrough. The guard thus may be formed of a mesh-like material or of other open structure. The guard in this configuration may also be tubular.

Preferably the rotor is driven in rotation about the axis of rotation by any suitable drive motor. The drive motor may be directly coupled to the rotor or indirectly coupled such as through a drive belt transmission. The drive motor may also be coupled through a clutch to the rotor.

Where the rotor is directly driven by the drive motor, the shaft of the drive motor is suitably directly coupled to the rotor along the axis of rotation of the device. The axis of rotation of the rotor may be in any orientation however typically the axis of rotation is substantially vertical. The drive motor is suitably located above the rotor. The rotor may be suspended from the shaft of the drive motor so as to be supported solely by the drive motor. If necessary however the lower end of the rotor may be supported such as by means of a bearing. The motor typically comprises an electric motor.

The apparatus may comprise any suitably support frame to which the rotor may be mounted. The support frame suitably is arranged to support the rotor such that its axis of rotation is substantially vertical.

In a particularly preferred form, the support frame includes upper and lower frame members between which the rotor is supported for rotation. The upper and lower frame members may comprise disc-shaped members which are fixed rigidly to each other. Preferably the frame members are fixed to each other by circumferentially spaced elongated members which preferably extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor An elongated support pole may be provided for mounting of the support frame at an elevated attitude. The lower frame member of the support frame may be mounted releasably to the upper end of the support pole. The support pole may comprise upper and lower hollow normally aligned pole parts which may be hingedly interconnected for movement about a substantially horizontal axis. A power supply for supplying power to the light source and drive motor may be provided in the lower part of the support pole. Means may be provided for disconnecting the power supply from at least the drive motor when the upper part of the support pole is hingedly moved away from alignment with the lower part of the support pole. Means may be provided to prevent rotation of the rotor when persons are sensed in proximity of the apparatus. Such means may comprise proximity sensors. Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein :-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of insect killing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the rotor of the apparatus;

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate in plan and perspective views the connection between an elongated insect killing element and rotor; and

Fig. 7 is a side partly cut-away view of a further embodiment of insect killing apparatus according to the invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 to 3, there is illustrated insect killing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 10 including a support frame 11 having a main rectangular frame part 12 and a transverse leg 13 which enables the frame 11 to be normally supported on a ground or floor surface with the frame part 12 in a substantially upright attitude. Supported rotatably on the frame part 12 is a rotatable rotor 14 mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis X-X. The rotor 14 as also shown in Fig. 4 includes upper and lower disc-like members

15 joined by a hollow tubular member 16 so as to be of a spool-like configuration. At least the tubular member 16 is formed of a transparent or translucent material such as glass or plastics for example polycarbonate. The disc-like members 15 may be formed of similar materials for example plastics or alternatively metal or timber. The lower end of the tubular member 16 is open as at 17 so that access is provided to the interior of the member 16.

A series of L- shaped slots 18 (see also Figs. 5 and 6) are provided around the circumference of the disc-like members 15 and extend inwardly from the periphery thereof. The slots 18 in the upper and lower disc-like members 15 are longitudinally aligned to receive opposite ends of an elongated wire 19. Stops 20 and 21 are provided at spaced apart positions along the wire 19 and located on the outside of and in abutment with the disc-like members 15. At least one of the stops 20 is adjustable along the wire 19 so that a suitable tension can be provided in the wire 19 between the disc-like members 15. For this purpose the stop 20 is of a tubular configuration to receive the wire 19 therethrough and includes a clamp grub screw 22 which can clamp the wire 19 to the stop 20 where desired.

Mounted on an upper portion of the frame part 12 is an electric drive motor 23 having it shaft 24 arranged along the axis of rotation X-X and connected to the rotor 14 so that the rotor 14 is suspended from the motor shaft 24.

Located within the tubular member 16 is an ultraviolet lamp 25, the lamp 25 being mounted through a support bracket 26 on a lower part of the support frame part 12 so as to be fixed against movement. The bracket 26 is located coaxially with the axis of rotation X-X. The lamp 25 and motor 23 may be 12 volt powered devices so that supply current therefore can be derived from a 12 volt battery. Alternatively the lamp 25 and/or motor 23 may be mains powered devices in which case they can be connected to a mains supply or via an inverter to a 12 volt battery. Where a battery supply is provided, it may be recharged through a solar panel. In use the apparatus 10 is located in any area where flying insects are a problem and current supplied both the motor 23 to cause rotation of the rotor 14 and to the lamp 25 to cause illumination thereof. Insects will be attracted towards the light generated by the lamp 25 and will thus cross the path of movement of the wires 19 which lie substantially parallel to the axis X- X of rotation and which orbit around the axis on a constant radius from the axis. Insects will thus be contacted by the wires 19 and severed into multiple small pieces and drop to the ground. The small pieces will either rot or can be swept away or carried away by wind or rain in the area or alternatively may be eaten by birds which will be attracted to the area of the disintegrated insects. Thus there is no build up of dead whole insects as occurs in the known devices and thus there is no odour created by rotting insects.

Typically the rotor 14 is driven by the motor 23 at a rotational speed of approximately 3000 RPM however this may be varied as desired. The wires 19 typically comprise piano-type wires of 0.2mm in diameter however again the wires 19 may be of different sizes.

So as to prevent small children or other persons from coming into contact with the rotating wires, a shield may be provided around the rotor. The shield may comprise a mesh wire with a mesh size sufficient to permit insect to pass therethrough towards the light source but to prevent fingers or hands passing therethrough. Alternatively, the shield may comprise a plurality of closely spaced elements for example bar-like elements extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor 14.

The embodiment of the insect killing apparatus 10 may be considerably varied from that described and illustrated in the drawings. Thus the support frame 11 may be in various configurations to enable the rotor 14 to be supported for rotation about a vertical axis. Further the lower end of the rotor 14 may be also supported by bearings or the like. In another configuration, the motor 23 may be provided on the lower end of the rotor 14 In some configurations however, the support frame 11 may not be provided and the motor 23 may be supply mounted for example to an elevated horizontal surface so that the rotor 14 effectively hangs from the surface.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is illustrated a further embodiment of insect killing apparatus 27 according to the present invention which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6 but which in this instance is supported on a hollow substantially vertical pole assembly 28 so that it may be located at an elevated attitude. The apparatus 27 includes a rotor assembly 29 supported by an external support frame 30, the support frame 30 including upper and lower disc-like members 31 and 32 rigidly connected to, and spaced apart from, each other by three circumferentially spaced elongated rods 33 which may comprise elongated bolts. Mounted centrally to the upper disc like member 31 is an electric drive motor 34 which has a drive shaft 35 connected coaxially to the rotor assembly 29.

The rotor assembly 29 as above is of a spool-like configuration including upper and lower discs 36 and 37 provided at opposite ends of and fixed to a central hollow tubular member 38 formed of transparent or translucent material. Thin elements 39 of wire or the like are provided at spaced circumferential positions around the discs 36 and 37, the elements 39 extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly 29. The elements 39 may comprise one or more single lengths of wire which are provided with a stop at one end and which are looped back and forward between the discs 36 and 37 and terminate in tightening screws 40 mounted on the underside of the upper disc 36 to enable the lengths of the elements 39 between the members 36 and 37 to be tightened.

An ultraviolet lamp 41 is located within the tubular member 38 being mounted on a socket 42 at the lower end of the rotor assembly 29. The lamp 41 typically comprises a 12V 8 watt UV lamp but may be of other power ratings. The socket 42 is mounted on a hollow tubular support member 43 which extends through the lower disc 37 and which is mounted in an upright position to the lower disc like member 32 of the support frame 30. A bearing 44 is provided between the support member 43 and disc 37 to rotatably support the lower end of the rotor assembly 29. Wires 45 for supply of current to the lamp 41 and motor 34 pass through the support member 43 for connection to the socket 42. Further wires (not shown) are connected to the motor 34 and pass into the interior of the pole 28.

A hollow spigot 46 extends from the lower end of the disc-like member 32 for receipt within the upper end of the hollow pole assembly 28. The hollow pole assembly 28 includes an upper part 47 which is hingedly connected to a lower part 48 through hinge 49 to enable the upper part 47 to be hingedly moved about a horizontal axis to provide access to the apparatus 27 for cleaning, for servicing or to allow replacement of the lamp 41 or wires 39. The upper and lower parts 47 and 48 can be releasably maintained in an aligned attitude by a wing nut connection 50 or the like opposite the hinge 49 which releasably interconnects aligned lugs in the upper and lower pole parts 47 and 48.

The lower part 48 of the pole assembly 28 includes a power supply 51 which may be a battery and include an inverter and the supply wires 45 including supply wires for the motor 34 are connected from the power supply 51 and via a two part releasable connector 52 to the socket 42 and to the motor 34. When the upper part 47 of the pole assembly 28 is hinged away from the lower part 48, the connector 52 breaks the connection between the power supply 51 and lamp socket 42 and motor 34 so that there is no risk that the rotor assembly 29 will rotate when being serviced. This also provides access to the power supply 51 for replacement or recharging of batteries.

The apparatus 27 may also support on the underside of the lower disc-like member 32, motion detectors 53 each of which can cover a large arc such as 270 degrees to detect persons around the circumference of the apparatus 27 within a predetermined radius. The motion detectors 53 are connected to a switch 54 in series with the supply wires for the lamp 41 and motor 34 the detectors 53 causing the switch 54 to open the circuit between the wires and at least the motor 34 when persons are detected within the predetermine radius of the apparatus 27. Thus the rotor 29 will not be rotatably driven where persons are detected nearby so as to prevent a risk of injury to persons in proximity of the rotor 29.

Light sensors may also be associated with the electrical control circuits of the apparatus 27 to turn on power supply to the apparatus 27 when exterior light conditions fall below a predetermined level such as dusk and turn off the apparatus where external light conditions exceed a predetermined level such as at sunrise. Typically the disc-like members 31 and 32 are of 180mm diameter and the discs

36 and 37 of 150 mm diameter although these dimensions can vary. By positioning the rotating elements 39 close to the elongated members 33, the possibility of insects being caught on the elements 39 and building up on the elements 39 will be reduced as they will tend to be stripped from the elements 39 by the members 33 as they move past the members 33. The pole 28 typically is of 3 meters length however again this dimension can vary.

It will be appreciated that .the insect killing apparatus of the invention may be in various different configurations other than that described and illustrated in the embodiments. Whilst the support for the insect severing elements is preferably in the configuration of a rotor, it may be in other configurations and similarly the external support frame for the apparatus maybe in various forms.

The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Insect killing apparatus including a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and having at least one thin elongated element spaced from said axis and an insect attractant for attracting insects into the path of movement of said at least one element.

2. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claiml wherein said at least one elongated element extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

3. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one elongated element is angled relative to the axis of rotation.

4. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced said elongated elements.

5. Inset killing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotor includes a pair of spaced apart support members and the at least one elongated element extends between and is supported by the support members.

6. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said at least one elongated element is held under tension between the support members.

7. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said support members are of disc-like form and lie in spaced apart substantially parallel planes, said disc-like members being centered on the axis of rotation of the rotor.

8. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said disc-like members are provided with at least one opening or slot in or adjacent to their periphery for receiving the at least one element therethrough.

9. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said at least one elongated element is provided with spaced apart stops which locate on the outside of the disc-like members such that the element between the stops is under tension.

10. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one elongated element comprises a thin wire or other thin elongated filament.

11. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said insect attractant comprises a light source which provides light which is attractive to insects.

12. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said light source emits ultraviolet light.

13. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said light source is supported adjacent to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

14. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said light source is fixedly mounted relative to the rotor.

15. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said light source is located within a hollow transparent or translucent member supported coaxially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor and comprising part of said rotor.

16. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and including a drive motor coupled to the rotor to rotatably drive said rotor.

17. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 16 and including a support frame for said rotor, said support frame including upper and lower frame members between which the rotor is supported for rotation.

18. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 17 and including an elongated support pole for mounting of the support frame at an elevated attitude.

19. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said support pole comprises hingedly interconnected upper and lower hollow pole parts, said lower part containing a power supply for supplying power to the light source and drive motor.

20. Insect killing apparatus as claimed in claim 19 and including means for disconnecting the power supply from at least the drive motor when the upper part of the support pole is hingedly moved away from alignment with the lower part of the support pole.