U.S. patent application number 13/136455 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for rodent bait station.
This patent application is currently assigned to Technicide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jim M. Harper.
Application Number | 20110283600 13/136455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40674317 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110283600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harper; Jim M. |
November 24, 2011 |
Rodent bait station
Abstract
An embodiment of a bait station comprises a rotatable lid and
air-tight bait compartments. An additional compartment also
contains bait and is accessible to rodents as they enter the
station. The rotatable lid is configured to hold the bait within
the compartments and can be rotated in order to replace the
previously accessible bait with fresh bait from a different
compartment. A key can be attached to an extension pole in order to
unlock and rotate the rotatable lid without requiring a person to
kneel down or bend over. A base having two entrances provides an
inviting environment for rodents.
Inventors: |
Harper; Jim M.; (San
Clemente, CA) |
Assignee: |
Technicide, Inc.
San Clemente
CA
|
Family ID: |
40674317 |
Appl. No.: |
13/136455 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12241008 |
Sep 29, 2008 |
7987629 |
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13136455 |
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60976384 |
Sep 28, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
43/131 ;
70/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 25/004 20130101;
Y10T 70/5549 20150401; A01M 25/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
43/131 ;
70/160 |
International
Class: |
A01M 25/00 20060101
A01M025/00; B65D 55/14 20060101 B65D055/14 |
Claims
1. A bait station comprising: a base having a plurality of
compartments configured to properly store bait and a compartment
configured to be accessible to rodents, and an upper member which
holds portions of bait within the compartments, the upper member
being rotatably configured so that rotating the upper member places
the portions of bait into different compartments.
2. The bait station of claim 1, wherein the upper member comprises
a lock with a corresponding key, the key being configured to attach
to an extension pole.
3. The bait station of claim 1, wherein the compartments are
separated by removable inner walls.
4. The bait station of claim 1, wherein the compartments not
accessible to rodents are configured to be air-tight.
5. The bait station of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a foot
platform.
6. A bait station comprising: a plurality of compartments separated
by walls and configured to store bait, the compartments being
rotatable so that rotating the compartments causes a different
compartment to be accessible to rodents, a lid which covers the
compartments and rotates with the compartments, and at least one
hole through which rodents can enter the bait station.
7. The bait station of claim 6, wherein the lid comprises a lock
which corresponds to a key, the key being configured to attach to
an extension pole.
8. The bait station of claim 7, wherein the key comprises a
threaded portion which corresponds to general broom handles and
extension poles.
9. The bait station of claim 6, wherein the lid comprises a lock
which corresponds to a key, the key being configured to assist in
lifting the lid away from the bait station.
10. The bait station of claim 6, wherein the compartments are
configured to be air-tight when not accessible to the rodents.
11. A bait station comprising: a base having a compartment portion
and an entry portion configured to allow rodents to enter the
station and access the compartment portion, the compartment portion
having a plurality of compartments for storing bait, one
compartment being accessible to rodents, the entry portion having
at least one hole big enough for a rodent to fit through, a
rotatable lid connected to the top of the compartment portion of
the base and configured to hold portions of bait, the lid being
configured so that rotating the lid moves the bait portions into
different compartments, a lock on the rotatable lid, a key which
unlocks the lock, the key having an attachment portion configured
to be attached to an extension pole.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/976,384, filed Sep. 28, 2007, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety as if set forth fully
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
rodent baiting devices and procedures.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Bait stations containing poisoned bait are commonly used to
kill rodents. When a bait station is to be placed in an area people
can access, it is important that the bait station be secure and
tamper-resistant so that children and others cannot access the
bait. Many rodent bait stations have double locking mechanisms or
special keys which are complicated and difficult to operate. A
service specialist who replaces the bait must squat or kneel down
to perform service on a typical bait station. This can be very time
consuming and physically taxing when a service specialist must
service hundreds of bait stations.
[0006] Other bait stations are also limited to a single compartment
so that a person must replace the bait with new bait each time the
bait has been eaten or has expired. In addition, most service
contracts require that the bait be replaced with new bait during
every service. This requires additional effort because bulk
supplies of bait must be carried to each station for
replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a bait station
that can be easily serviced without kneeling or squatting, and one
that doesn't require carrying bulk bait supplies to the station
each time the bait needs to be replaced. An embodiment of a bait
station includes separate compartments for storing bait and at
least one compartment that is accessible to rodents. The bait is
attached to a rotatable member which is configured to hold the bait
portions within the separate compartments. As the rotatable member
is rotated, the portions of bait can be moved into different
compartments, and bait which was previously being stored can be
made accessible to rodents. An expired portion of bait can be
replaced with a fresh portion of bait by simply rotating the
rotatable member.
[0008] In one embodiment, the bait station comprises a lock
integrated into the rotatable member which is configured to prevent
tampering with the bait. A key is configured to unlock and rotate
the rotatable member. The key is also configured with an attachment
portion and threads so that it can be attached to an extension pole
or standard broom stick. With the key on an extension pole, the
person servicing the bait station is not required to kneel down or
squat in order to replace the bait.
[0009] In another embodiment, the storage compartments are
configured to be air-tight and each compartment is separated from
the others by inner walls. In yet another embodiment, the bait
station comprises three storage compartments and one compartment
accessible to rodents. The upper member is a rotatable lid which
fits over the compartments and comprises bait assemblies which
correspond to the compartments. The rotatable lid can be removed
and rotated using a key and extension pole.
[0010] All of the embodiments summarized above and below are
intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed.
However, despite the foregoing and ensuing discussion of certain
embodiments, only the appended claims (and not the present summary)
are intended to define the invention. The summarized embodiments,
and other embodiments of the present invention, will become readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the
attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular
embodiment(s) disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bait
station.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bait station in FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bait station
in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bait station of FIG. 1
with the hinge lid opened.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
rotatable lid.
[0016] FIG. 5B is a perspective view from below of an embodiment of
a rotatable lid.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rotatable
lid with exploded bait and bait rod.
[0018] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bait
station key.
[0019] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bait
station key.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a bait station 8 comprising
a base 10, a hinge lid, a rotatable lid 14, and a key 16. The base
10 includes an entry portion 18, a bait compartment 20 portion, and
foot platforms 22. The foot platforms can be stepped on to secure
the bait station during servicing. The rotatable lid covers 14 the
compartment portion 20 of the base, and there is a lock 24 on the
top of the rotatable lid which corresponds to a unique key. The
hinge lid 12 is positioned over the entry portion 18 of the base
10.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows the different portions of the base 10 in an
embodiment of the bait station. The entry portion 18 includes two
holes 26 through which rodents can enter and exit the bait station
18. A passageway 28 exists connecting the entry portion 18 to the
compartment portion 20. The compartment portion 20 comprises three
air-tight compartments 30 and one compartment 32 that is open to
the passageway 28 and accessible to rodents. The compartments 30,
32 may be separated by removable wall inserts 34 which are
configured to assure an air-tight environment within the
compartments 30 when the rotatable lid 14 is locked onto the base
10.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the bait
station 8 showing how the different parts are assembled. The
rotatable lid 14 fits over the compartment portion 20 of the base
10, positioning the bait holders 36 in corresponding compartments
30, 32. When removed, the lid 14 can be rotated ninety degrees and
repositioned on the base so that a different bait holder
corresponds to the rodent-accessible compartment. In this manner,
fresh bait can be made accessible to rodents by simply rotating the
rotatable lid 14, instead of replacing the bait each time the
accessible bait expires. A key is configured to release the lock 24
on the rotatable lid 14 so that it can be removed from the base 10
and rotated. The outer lip of the rotatable lid interlocks with a
corresponding lip 40 on the hinge lid 12 to secure the hinge lid 12
in the closed position. When the rotatable lid 14 is locked in
place, the hinge lid 12 cannot be opened so that unauthorized
persons can not access any bait by opening the hinge lid 12.
[0023] In one embodiment, the hinge lid 12 is connected to the base
by hinges 42 as shown in FIG. 4. When the rotatable lid 14 is
removed, the hinge lid 12 can be opened and the entry portion 18
can be accessed and serviced if necessary.
[0024] FIGS. 5A and 5B show an embodiment of a rotatable lid 14.
There is a lock hole 24 in the center of the rotatable lid 14 and a
lip 38 exists along the entire outer edge. Slots 46 are built into
the rotatable lid 14, which correspond to the wall inserts 34
separating the compartments 30, 32 in the base 10. Several wall
guides 48 extend vertically from the rotatable lid 14 near the
slots 46. Bait rod holders 36 are positioned on the lid so that
bait assemblies can be attached to the lid and suspended into the
compartments 30, 32 of the base 10. Bait rod clips 52 also extend
vertically from the lid 14 as a means of securing the wire bait
assemblies 50 in a proper position within the base
compartments.
[0025] In other embodiments, the compartment walls can be fixed to
the rotatable lid so that, as the lid is rotated, the compartments
rotate and a different compartment is exposed to the
rodent-accessible area. In such an embodiment, the base may have
slots that correspond to the compartment walls or the compartment
walls may be configured to create a seal with the base portion.
[0026] In still other embodiments, the rotatable lid 14 and
compartment walls can be rotated without removing the lid from the
base. A key can be used to unlock the lid and rotate the
compartments without lifting the lid from the bait station. A
circular configuration allows the compartments to be rotated within
the bait station exposing a different compartment.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a rotatable lid 14 and a bait
assembly 50 that can be attached to the lid 14. A bait rod 52 fits
through the portions of bait 54 and comprises a clip portion 58 and
two holder ends 56. The clip portion 58 is inserted into the bait
rod clip 60 and the holder 56 ends fit within the bait rod holders
36. To replace the bait 54, the holder ends 56 can be pressed
together and released from the bait rod holder 36. The bait rod 52
can then be rotated about the clip portion within the bait rod clip
so that the bait pieces can be removed from the rod 52. New bait
pieces can easily be placed on the rod and the holder ends 56
secured again in the bait rod holders 36.
[0028] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of the key 16 used to
unlock the rotatable lid 14 in a bait station 8. The key 16
comprises a lower portion 62 which engages the lock 16 and an upper
portion 64 which can be attached to a pole or other extension
device (not shown). The upper portion 64 includes a threaded area
66 which can correspond for example, to standard broom handle
threads. The key 16 unlocks the rotatable lid 14 from the base 10
and the lower portion 62 also engages the lid 14 so that the lid 14
can be lifted off of the base 10 using the key 16 and extension
pole (not shown). Thus, the person servicing the bait station 8
does not need to squat or kneel down when servicing the bait
station 8.
[0029] A method of using the above and other embodiments comprises
providing a bait station as in such embodiments described above,
situating the bait station in a location that may be a locus for
rodents, and providing the bait station with bait.
[0030] In another method, situating the bait station further
comprises aligning the station with a surface and securing the
station to the surface if desired.
[0031] In one method, providing bait comprises a user approaching
the station and placing at least one body, such as a foot, wheel,
peg, or weight on top of or through a foot platform, into contact
with the foot platform so as to secure the bait station in
place.
[0032] Yet another method comprises employing the bait station to
poison rodents. This method further comprises providing the bait
station with poisoned bait. One method further comprises providing
more than one type of bait to the station.
[0033] Another method comprises adjusting the size of the hole to
selectively exclude or trap rodents meeting certain size
requirements.
[0034] Still another method comprises forming an assembly
comprising a key secured to the end of an extension pole or device.
In another embodiment, a method further comprises determining
whether to rotate the rotating lid to make a particular piece of
bait accessible from an entry portion. In another embodiment, a
method further comprises inserting the key into a key hole, and
rotating the compartments by turning the key.
[0035] Another method further comprises rotating the compartments
in a timed sequence, either with or without a motor that rotates at
least a portion of, or an attachment to, a rotatable lid
corresponding, for example, to freshness of the bait or type of
rodent or any other animal likely present during a given season or
time of day.
[0036] Another method further comprises removing or adding bait to
the compartments selectively as, for example, automatically or
manually in a timed sequence corresponding to user preference.
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