U.S. patent application number 09/876797 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-12 for multiple rodent trap with sliding cover.
Invention is credited to Collins, Scott J., Johnson, Daniel C., Walsh, James R..
Application Number | 20020184813 09/876797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25368607 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020184813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, Daniel C. ; et
al. |
December 12, 2002 |
MULTIPLE RODENT TRAP WITH SLIDING COVER
Abstract
A molded plastic base has a rodent runway which extends from two
inlet openings to a single rodent containment compartment.
Pivotable ramps are positioned in the rodent runway adjacent each
inlet opening. A plastic lid is slidingly engaged with the base,
and is movable along the axis of the rodent runway. The lid has
downwardly extending tabs which have inclined inside and outside
surfaces, and barriers extending between each pair of tabs. The
inclined surfaces of the tabs engage inclined protrusions which
project upwardly from the ramps when the lid is slid open and
closed, the engagement between the inclined surfaces causes the
ramps to pivot out of the way of the barriers, facilitating smooth
and uninterrupted opening and closing of the lid on the base.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Daniel C.;
(Madison, WI) ; Walsh, James R.; (Wauwatosa,
WI) ; Collins, Scott J.; (Brown Deer, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LATHROP & CLARK LLP
740 REGENT STREET SUITE 400
P.O. BOX 1507
MADISON
WI
537011507
|
Family ID: |
25368607 |
Appl. No.: |
09/876797 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
43/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 23/08 20130101;
A01M 23/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
43/69 |
International
Class: |
A01M 023/04; A01M
023/12 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A rodent trap comprising: a base having an upwardly extending
rear wall, and at least one interior wall spaced from the rear wall
to define a rodent runway, the rodent runway extending from a first
trap inlet to a second trap inlet, and communicating with an
interior compartment; a lid slidably mounted to the base, the lid
being mounted to cover the rodent runway and to be slidable from a
closed position in which the runway is fully covered, to an open
position; a first ramp, pivotably mounted to the base within the
runway between the first inlet and the interior compartment, the
first ramp having an inward end; a first inclined protrusion
projecting upwardly from the inward end of the first entrance ramp;
a first barrier extending downwardly from the lid and positioned to
extend in close proximity to the inward end of the first entrance
ramp when the lid is in the closed position; and a first tab
positioned adjacent the first barrier, the first tab having an
inclined portion which faces the first inclined protrusion, such
that when the lid is slid with respect to the base the first tab
inclined portion engages the first ramp inclined protrusion to
cause the first ramp to pivot and provide clearance for the first
barrier to pass over the first ramp.
2. The rodent trap of claim 1 further comprising a second ramp,
pivotably mounted to the base within the runway between the second
inlet and the interior compartment, the second ramp having an
inward end; and a second inclined protrusion projecting upwardly
from the inward end of the second entrance ramp, wherein the first
tab inclined portion is positioned to sequentially engage the first
ramp inclined protrusion and the second ramp inclined protrusion in
the course of slidably moving the lid off the base.
3. A rodent trap comprising: a base having walls which define an
axially extending rodent runway, the runway extending between a
first rodent inlet and a second rodent inlet and communicating with
an interior compartment; a lid slidably mounted to the base, the
lid being mounted to cover the rodent runway and to be axially
slidable from a closed position in which the runway is covered, to
an open position; a first ramp, pivotably mounted to the base
within the runway between the first inlet and the interior
compartment, the first ramp having an inward end; a second ramp,
pivotably mounted to the base within the runway between the second
inlet and the interior compartment; a first barrier extending
downwardly from the lid and positioned to extend in close proximity
to the inward end of the first entrance ramp when the lid is in the
closed position; and a first tab positioned adjacent the first
barrier, the first tab having portions which extend downwardly to
engage the first ramp when the lid is slid axially with respect to
the base, such that when the first barrier passes over the first
ramp inward end, the first tab protrusion causes the first ramp to
pivot to avoid restricting the sliding movement of the lid by
interference between the first barrier and the first ramp.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to rodent traps in general and to
mousetraps which can sequentially capture alive a plurality of mice
in particular.
[0004] Problems with rodents are at least as old as the discovery
of agriculture. Rodents carry disease, consume and spoil grain and
foodstuffs, and can damage buildings and their contents. Various
poisons are known to be effective in controlling pests,
particularly rats and mice, however in many situations it is
desirable to be sure that the rodents do not die in inaccessible
portions of the building or dwelling, where decomposition can cause
other unwanted problems.
[0005] Typically rodent poisons cause the animals to leave the
building or dwelling in search of water, but in those situations
where water is available within the building it is particularly
desirable to use rodent control systems which capture rather than
poison the undesirable vermin. Capturing the rodents allows the
type and number of rodents present in the building or dwelling to
be monitored, and so a number of traps may be used even in a
situation where a majority of pest control is accomplished with
poisoned bait.
[0006] Capturing vermin alive has advantages both in the simplicity
of the trap and in avoiding the resultant mess which may result
from the destruction of rodents during their capture. Live capture
is also desired by those who do not wish to kill but only remove
undesirable vermin from their premises or dwelling. The basic
design for live traps for various types of vermin is that of a box
with a folding lid which can be accessed through a one-way door or
mechanism that allows mice to enter the box but not to leave. One
of the simplest and most reliable mechanisms for creating a one-way
door, employs a centrally pivoted lever. A narrow tunnel is
provided along one side of the box which forms the trap. As rodents
are known to move along the walls of a room, and to be attracted to
small opening or tunnels, the mice enter the tunnel formed along
the side of the box and pass over the pivoting lever, crossing the
axis and being discharged into an internal compartment.
[0007] After the mouse crosses the lever into the central volume of
the box, the lever returns to its original position. A pivoting
barrier is mounted to overlie the lever, such that any attempt by a
rodent to remount the lever causes the pivoting barrier to be
raised, blocking exit from the trap. Usually, a barrier is fixed
above the pivoting barrier, to prevent the rodent from being able
to get a grip on the pivoting barrier.
[0008] A typical rodent trap of the type designed to catch live
mice may be able to trap as many as 30 mice which are held within
the interior of the trap box. If the box is of the conventional
type, opening the pivoting lid to dispose of the mice exposes the
person who opens the box to a large number of rodents which may
leave the box in a disorganized manner. Plastic traps which have a
sliding lid are known, but such a trap has only a single entrance
to the trap. What is needed is a trap for catching a number of mice
which has multiple entrances and which incorporates a lid or
opening mechanism for the release of the mice which facilitates
controlled release of the contents spaced from the operator who is
opening the trap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The rodent trap of this invention has a plastic base with a
rodent runway which extends from two inlet openings to a single
rodent containment compartment. Pivotable ramps are positioned in
the rodent runway adjacent each inlet opening. A plastic lid is
slidingly engaged with the base, and is movable along the axis of
the rodent runway. The lid has downwardly extending tabs which have
inclined inside and outside surfaces, and barriers extending
between each pair of tabs. The inclined surfaces of the tabs engage
inclined protrusions which project upwardly from the ramps when the
lid is slid open and closed, the engagement between the inclined
surfaces causes the ramps to pivot out of the way of the barriers,
facilitating smooth and uninterrupted opening and closing of the
lid on the base.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rodent
trap having multiple inlet openings and a lid which is slidable
with respect to a base.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
rodent trap with a lid having barriers thereon which is easily
removed without interference with pivotable ramps.
[0012] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the multi-catch
rodent trap of this invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the trap of FIG. 1 taken
through the rodent runway, showing the lid being removed.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the trap of FIG. 2,
showing the lid being closed on the base.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the trap of FIG. 3,
showing the lid filly closed on the base, with a mouse
entering.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, wherein like
numbers refer to similar parts, a rodent trap 20 is shown. The trap
20 has an injection molded base 22 having an injection molded
plastic lid 24 which is slidingly engaged with the base. The lid 24
may be transparent or translucent to permit inspection of the trap
contents. The base 22 has a rodent runway 26 defined between a rear
exterior wall 28 and two interior walls 30. A gap 32 between the
two interior walls 30 provides access from the rodent runway 26 to
an interior rodent compartment 34. Rodent inlet openings 36 are
defined in two opposed side walls 38 of the base 22. The trap 20 is
provided with structure mounted to the base 22 and the lid 24 which
permits the ready entrance of rodents into the rodent compartment
34 and which restricts their escape. The lid preferably can be
withdrawn only in a single direction, and is slidable in the
direction of the axis defined by the rodent runway. The lid has a
rear flange and a front flange which engage with parallel portions
of the base to constrain the lid 24 to move axially.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a molded plastic entrance ramp 40 is
pivotably mounted to the base in the runway 26 adjacent each inlet
opening 36. The entrance ramp 40 has parallel side members 42 from
which pivot pins 44 extend. The pivot pins 44 are received within
mounting holes 46 formed in the exterior wall 28 and one of the
interior walls 30. The pivot pins are positioned more closely to
the outward end 48 of the ramp 40 than to the inward end 50. A
counterweight 52, shown in FIG. 2, is mounted near the outward end
48 of the ramp 40 which serves to retain the inward end 50 of the
ramp elevated when no weight is placed on the ramp at a position
inward of the pivot pins 44.
[0019] A molded plastic pivot barrier 54, as shown in FIG. 1, is
shorter than the ramp 40, and is also mounted by sidewardly
extending pivot pins 56 to holes molded into the rear exterior wall
28 and one of the interior walls 30. The pivot barrier 54 extends
from the inlet opening 36 to about the position of the pivot axis
of the ramp 40. A metal strip 58 which serves as a chew guard is
mounted to the pivot barrier 54, which serves to bias the pivot
barrier to lie adjacent to the ramp 40.
[0020] As a rodent approaches the trap 20, the pivot barrier 54 and
the ramp 40 appear to form a nearly continuous pathway along the
runway 26. As the rodent enters the runway 26 and treads upon the
pivot barrier 54, the pivot barrier 54 is pressed down upon the
ramp 40. As shown in FIG. 4, as the rodent moves past the ramp
pivot axis defined between the opposed pivot pins 44, the ramp will
begin to pivot downward. Proceeding along the ramp 40, the weight
of the rodent will overcome the counterweight on the ramp 40, and
the rodent will then pass over the ramp 40 and be discharged from
the ramp at a position adjacent the gap 32 between the interior
walls 30, providing entrance to the interior compartment 34. Once
the rodent has stepped off the ramp 40, the ramp inward end 50 will
return to an elevated position. The rodent is now trapped within
the trap 20.
[0021] To prevent escape of the rodent from the trap 20, structure
is provided adjacent each of the two ramps 40 which restricts the
access of the rodent from the inside to the inward end 50 of the
ramp and to the inlet opening 36. As shown in FIG. 1, four metal
barriers are affixed to the plastic lid 24 to extend downwardly
into the runway 26. Each barrier is a metal strip 70, similar to
the strips 58, having downwardly angled serrations or teeth 72 on
the sides which allow the metal strip to be securely assembled
within downwardly opening slots 74 formed in plastic tabs which
extend downwardly from the lid 24.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, two central tabs 76 are parallel to one
another and are positioned alongside the exterior wall 28 and the
two interior walls 30. The central tabs 76 extend between the
inward ends 50 of the ramps 40. Two parallel metal strips 70 extend
between the two central tabs 76 and define, when the lid 24 is in a
closed configuration, a first inner barrier 78, and a second inner
barrier 80. The first inner barrier 78 extends downwardly below the
level of the inward end 50 of the first ramp 82, while the second
inner barrier does the same with respect to the second ramp 84.
These downwardly extending barriers 78, 80 block access by the
rodent to the inward ends 50 of the ramps 82, 84. Nevertheless, in
the event that a rodent is able to engage the inward end of a ramp,
and pivot it downwardly to climb thereon, outer barriers are
provided.
[0023] A pair of first outer tabs 86 are provided extending
downwardly from the lid 24 at a position spaced above the outward
end 48 of the first ramp 82, and a similar pair of second outer
tabs 88 extends downwardly from the lid at a position spaced above
the outward end 48 of the second ramp 84. A single metal strip 70
is fastened between each pair of outer tabs to define a first outer
barrier 90 and a second outer barrier 92. If a rodent is able to
move back onto the ramp 40, the downward pivoting of the inward end
of the ramp will cause the pivot barrier 54 to rotate outwardly and
block the lower part of the inlet opening 36. The downwardly
extending outer barrier blocks the upper part of the inlet opening
36 and prevents escape of the rodent. To prevent the pivot barriers
from being pivoted outwardly too much, a limit protrusion 106
extends upwardly from each pivot barrier 54. The limit protrusion
106 will engage against portions of the side wall 38 surrounding
the inlet opening 36 and will set a limit to the amount of outward
pivoting which the pivot barrier 54 can perform.
[0024] The rodent trap 20 will typically be placed along a building
wall with the rodent runway 26 positioned adjacent the wall. By
providing rodent inlet openings 36 onto both ends of the runway 26
mice approaching the trap from either side may enter.
[0025] Over a period of time the rodent trap 20 may capture a
number of rodents. When the user services the trap, it will
typically be lifted from its service position and taken to a place
of rodent disposal. Because one or more of the captured rodents may
still be alive, it is helpful for the user to retain control over
the discharge of rodents from the interior compartment 34. The rear
hinge of conventional multiple catch traps has a disadvantage that
in order to discharge a single rodent, the trap must be nearly
fully uncovered. The present trap 20, on the other hand, has a
sliding lid which can be advanced toward the second ramp 84
incrementally to produce an opening between the lid and the base
large enough only for one rodent to be discharged at a time. Hence,
the successful operation of the trap 20 will involve repeated
opening and closing of the sliding lid on the base 22. It will be
noted, however, that the barriers 78, 80, 90, 92 extend down below
the uppermost level of the ramps 40. To provide for smooth
unimpeded opening and closing of the lid 24 on the base 22, cam
structure is provided on the barrier tabs and the ramps 40.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, each ramp 40 has two triangular
protrusions 94 which project upwardly from the inward end 50. The
protrusions 94 have an inwardly facing inclined surface 96 and an
outwardly facing inclined surface 98. The protrusions extend on
opposite sides of the ramp 40 and are positioned in line with the
tabs 76, 86, 88. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, each of the plastic tabs
76, 86, 88 has an inclined opening surface 102 which faces a finger
grip 100 molded into the lid, and an inclined closing surface 104
facing the opposite direction.
[0027] The inclined opening and closing surfaces 102,104 of the
barrier tabs 76, 86, 88, and the inclined inwardly and outwardly
facing surfaces 96, 98 of the ramp protrusions 94 cooperate to
pivot the ramps 40 out of the way of the barriers as the lid is
opened and closed on the base 22.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, as the lid 24 is slid off of the base
22, first the opening surfaces 102 of the central tabs 76 engage
the inwardly facing inclined surfaces 96 of the protrusions 94 of
the second ramp 84. Further advancement of the lid 24 causes the
barrier tabs to depress the ramp protrusions 94 and cause the
second ramp 84 to pivot and clear the metal first inner barrier 78
and second inner barrier 80. Next, the first outer tabs 86 will in
a like manner encounter the outwardly facing inclined surfaces 98
of the first ramp 82, also causing the first ramp to pivot and
provide clearance between the first ramp and the first outer
barrier 90. As the lid is retracted further, the inwardly facing
inclined surfaces 96 of the first outer tabs 86 engage against the
inwardly facing inclined surfaces 96 of the protrusions 94 of the
second ramp 84, causing the second ramp to also pivot downwardly
providing clearance for the first outer barrier 90.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, when the lid 24 is slid back onto the
base 22, the opposite surfaces of the tabs will engage the opposite
surfaces of the ramp protrusions 94, but will serve the same
purpose of pivoting the ramps out of the way temporarily as the
barriers pass overhead. The cam action of the protrusions 94 and
the inclined surfaces of the tabs permits smooth operation of the
sliding of the lid with respect to the base 22. This advantageously
permits speedy emptying of the contents of the trap 20.
[0030] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the
particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated
and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *