An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having an upper and a lower end; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, wherein the first and second portions are relatively positionable between a cocked position and a deployed position; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; two unique members extending from the lower end of the first portion; a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each unique member, wherein a first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the first portion, wherein each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members, the second end being opposite the first end along a longitudinal length of each unique member; and a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position.

An apparatus for controlling animal pests has a housing having a passage extending into the housing, the passage having a front wall and a rear wall, an impacting member movable across the passage from the front wall to the rear wall, the impacting member having a slidable arm extending out from the rear wall and having a free distal end having an impactor extending downwardly from the free distal end of the arm at the front wall, a retraction mechanism having a first support and a second support with the first support being integral with the rear wall, and a spring connected to the second support and the arm, a sensor positioned within the passage for providing a signal representative of the sensing of the presence of the animal pest, and the impacting member is operable to be released to rapidly move across the passage.

An apparatus for controlling animal pests has a housing having a passage extending into the housing, the passage having a front wall and a rear wall, an impacting member movable across the passage from the front wall to the rear wall, the impacting member having a slidable arm extending out from the rear wall and having a free distal end having an impactor extending downwardly from the free distal end of the arm at the front wall, a retraction mechanism having a first support and a second support with the first support being integral with the rear wall, and a spring connected to the second support and the arm, a sensor positioned within the passage for providing a signal representative of the sensing of the presence of the animal pest, and the impacting member is operable to be released to rapidly move across the passage.

A pest trap apparatus having a trap chamber attached to an entry channel, a drop cover having a trap door disposed within the trap chamber, such that the trap door provides a floor to the trap chamber, a shuttle box nested within the trap chamber and supported by the trap door, a sensor associated with the trap chamber, the sensor being configured to generate and transmit a signal upon detecting a pest, a striker in electrical communication with the sensor, such that upon receiving the signal from the sensor, the striker is configured to impact and rotate the trap door downward, thus dropping the shuttle box within the trap chamber to prevent escape of pests and sending pests within the trap chamber down into a trap chute below the trap chamber, and an actuator configured to reset the trap door by rotating it upward to reengage with a trap latch.

A pest trap apparatus having a trap chamber attached to an entry channel, a drop cover having a trap door disposed within the trap chamber, such that the trap door provides a floor to the trap chamber, a shuttle box nested within the trap chamber and supported by the trap door, a sensor associated with the trap chamber, the sensor being configured to generate and transmit a signal upon detecting a pest, a striker in electrical communication with the sensor, such that upon receiving the signal from the sensor, the striker is configured to impact and rotate the trap door downward, thus dropping the shuttle box within the trap chamber to prevent escape of pests and sending pests within the trap chamber down into a trap chute below the trap chamber, and an actuator configured to reset the trap door by rotating it upward to reengage with a trap latch.

An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having an upper and a lower end; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, wherein the first and second portions are relatively positionable between a cocked position and a deployed position; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; two unique members extending from the lower end of the first portion; a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each unique member, wherein a first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the first portion, wherein each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members, the second end being opposite the first end along a longitudinal length of each unique member; and a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position.

An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having an upper and a lower end; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, wherein the first and second portions are relatively positionable between a cocked position and a deployed position; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; two unique members extending from the lower end of the first portion; a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each unique member, wherein a first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the first portion, wherein each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members, the second end being opposite the first end along a longitudinal length of each unique member; and a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position.

An animal trap features entrance encouraging mechanism for urging an animal into an enclosure of the trap. The mechanism features a pushing unit pivotally supported outside the interior space of the enclosure adjacent an access-way that opens into same. The pushing unit is pivotal about an axis generally parallel to a plane of the access-way for movement between a withdrawn position in which the access-way is unobstructed and a working position in which the pushing unit substantially obstructs the access-way. An actuator coupled to the pushing unit is triggered by an animal detection device at an approach area outside the enclosure within a travel path followed by the pushing unit, whereby the pushing unit urges the animal toward and through the access-way into the interior space of the enclosure. A one way gate prevents exit of the trapped animal after return of the pushing unit to the withdrawn position.

An animal trap may include a source of compressed gas; a trigger mechanism configured to be actuated by an animal, and a kill mechanism powered by compressed gas. The trap may include two or more trigger valves connected in series. At least one trigger valve may include an opening, a valve seat surrounding the opening, a valve member having a sealing surface, and an O-ring arranged to seal between the sealing surface and the valve seat. One or more flow paths may allow gas to flow along at least part of an internal periphery of the O-ring. The trigger may include a trigger rod extending in a rest position from a mount at or near a first end thereof. The trigger rod may be mounted for pivoting movement about the mount, and may have two rotational degrees of freedom. Pivoting movement of the trigger rod in any direction away from the rest position may result in actuation of the trigger.

An animal trap may include a source of compressed gas; a trigger mechanism configured to be actuated by an animal, and a kill mechanism powered by compressed gas. The trap may include two or more trigger valves connected in series. At least one trigger valve may include an opening, a valve seat surrounding the opening, a valve member having a sealing surface, and an O-ring arranged to seal between the sealing surface and the valve seat. One or more flow paths may allow gas to flow along at least part of an internal periphery of the O-ring. The trigger may include a trigger rod extending in a rest position from a mount at or near a first end thereof. The trigger rod may be mounted for pivoting movement about the mount, and may have two rotational degrees of freedom. Pivoting movement of the trigger rod in any direction away from the rest position may result in actuation of the trigger.