Electromechanical trap for small animals

Abstract

An electromechanical trap for small animals having a container attached to a module whose upper side is a swing frame which includes a solar panel. The module includes a tunnel with an open end and an access to let the animals to be caught enter and the floor includes a first fixed part, a second part, which has a missing section which coincides with the cutting on the module floor and a third fixed part where there is an appropriate vessel for the bait. First part and missing section of the second part have a tilting lamina as of at least an axis connected to the side ends of the tunnel. The tunnel has several sensors which generate a beam whose interruption sends a signal captured by the microprocessor enabling a single exit, energizing the coil which, during a programmed time equals the polarity of the permanent magnet freeing the lamina whose end, as the result of the animal weight, goes violently down tilting over the axis and lifting the opposite end in an equal or higher angle of 45 degrees.

Claims

1. An electromechanical trap for small animals comprising: a container to accommodate and keep a captured animal; a module placed on top of the container, wherein the module has an upper side including a solar panel, side walls, a first end, a second end, and a floor; a tunnel located inside the module and below the solar panel, the tunnel includes an open end a floor having an opening, the floor of the module includes a first fixed part located on a first end of the module, a second part having a cut section which coincides with the opening of the floor of the tunnel, and a third fixed part located on a second end of the module and includes a vessel adapted to hold a bait; a tilting lamina is located on the first fixed part and the cut of the second part and includes a first end close to the third fixed part and a second end on the first fixed part, the tilting lamina is connected to side ends of the tunnel; a permanent magnet powered by a coil, the permanent magnet holds the tilting lamina; an access ramp located on the first end of the module; a first set of sensors are located inside of the tunnel on a first section, the first set of sensors record a presence of the captured animal and sends the information about the animal to a microprocessor; a second set of sensors located inside the tunnel on a second section, the second set of sensors generate a beam and when the beam is interrupted, the second set of sensors sends a signal to the microprocessor, then the microprocessor changes a magnetic field of the coil freeing the tilting lamina, then the first end of the titling lamina tilts down and the second end of the tilting lamina is lifted to an angle of at least of 45 degrees; once a programmed time is due, the microprocessor stops supplying energy and the permanent magnet is attracted again lifting the tilting lamina to a horizontal position; wherein the animal to be captured climbs through the access ramp until the animal reaches the tunnel.

2. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second set of sensors are selected from the group consisting of motion sensors, temperature sensors, infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, optical sensors, magnetic, microwave, mechanical, and contact sensors.

3. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the module is energized from an electrical network, the solar panel, or a battery.

4. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor includes a program that determines an entrance of the animals to the container according to a predetermined number, interprets a time for changing the magnetic field of the coil.

5. The trap according to claim 1, further including a hinged lid on the first end of the module and a knob.

6. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the floor of the module allows the animal to fall into the container.

7. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the titling lamina includes a damper element made of rubber, the damper element is lactated along a perimeter of the titling lamina.

8. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel, the titling lamina, and the access ramp are made of metal and the permanent magnet is made of neodymium alloy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Several schematic drawings are included to allow a better understanding of this invention.

(2) Such figures have been schematized in different scales.

(3) FIG. 1 schematizes a block diagram which represents the relationship between the different components that are part of the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 schematizes the different pieces that represent the module components;

(5) FIG. 3 schematizes a sectional view of the tunnel; and

(6) Finally, FIG. 4 schematizes a plant view of a card where the microprocessor, the visual display and single and double exits are represented.

REFERENCES

(7) In the described figures, the same characters represent equal or complementary parts.

(8) Number -1- shows the container; number -2- shows a module; number -3- shows a solar panel; number -4- shows a tunnel; number -5- shows the first part; number -6- shows the second part; number -7- shows an opening; number -8- shows a third part; number -9- shows a vessel; number -10- shows a tilting lamina; number -11- shows an axis; number -12- shows a sensor; number -13- shows a permanent magnet; number -14- shows a coil or inductor; number -15- shows a microprocessor; number -16- shows a visual display; number -17- shows a lid; number -18- shows a transformer, number -19- shows a double exit; number -20- shows a single exit; number -21- shows an access ramp; number -22- shows a regulator plate; number -23- shows a gel battery.

(9) Functioning

(10) In order to obtain an electromechanical trap for small animals developed to catch and keep animals, an appropriate device is provided to keep a certain number of animals that are needed to be caught.

(11) The size of such device is directly related not only to the number of animals but also to the kind of animal to be caught.

(12) The invention that is revealed includes -1- a container suitable to keep the captured animals and a module -2- which can be fixed on top of it.

(13) The upper side of such module (2) includes a swing frame where a solar panel -3- is attached and which collects enough energy so that all the components can be kept active.

(14) Within the module and under the solar panel (3) there is a tunnel -4- whose floor represents a first fixed part -5- and it is the place where the animal to be capture enters into the trap.

(15) A second part -6- of the floor represents a cut section 7 which coincides with the opening -4a- of the floor of the tunnel (4) which covers enough surface where the animal fits and can fall into the container (1) while it walks along the way between the first part (5) and the third part -8- which is also fixed and where there is a vessel -9- suitable to keep the bait to tempt the animal intended to be caught.

(16) On the first part (5) and also on the missing part of the second part there is (6) a tilting lamina -10- from an axis -11- connected to the side ends of the tunnel (4).

(17) In the tunnel (4) and along all the way that the animal has to follow until it gets to the vessel (9) with the bait, there are several sensors -12- which are sensors of motion, temperature, infrared, capacitive, inductive, optical, magnetic, microwave, mechanical and contact.

(18) In an ideal way of embodiment, different types of sensors (12) are placed in the tunnel (4) in order to cover all the possibilities to record the entry and movements of the animal.

(19) As the animal moves towards the vessel (9) with the bait, its weight moves towards such end of the tilting lamina (10) which is kept in its place thanks to a permanent magnet -13- powered by a coil -14- which is placed in the lower side of the first part (5).

(20) The information collected by the sensors (12) is sent to a microprocessor -15- which changes the magnetic field of the coil (14) freeing the tilting lamina (10) that, due to the animal weight, tilts on the axis (11) lowering the nearest end to the vessel (9) where the animal is, in a violent way.

(21) As a part of such tilting lamina (10) is on the first part (5), when tilting on the axis (11) it goes up, forming an angle which makes it impossible for the animal to go backwards or jump onto a horizontal surface.

(22) Besides, the flat material of the tilting lamina (10) plus the fact that tilting lamina strikes a blow when it reaches its top encourage the fall of the animal into the container (1) and make it impossible for it to jump or go back.

(23) The microprocessor (15) can be programmed so the container (1) can receive a specific number of animals. In a visible part of the module (2) a visual display -16- or visualizer is set which records the number of times the polarity of the magnetic field of the coil (14) is changed.

(24) The induction of the coil (14) activates the permanent magnet (13) which holds the tilting lamina (10) in a resting position, that is to say, covering the missing part of the floor of the second part (6). The sensor information (12) decoded by the micro processor (15) determines the change of polarity of the magnetic field generated by the inductor (14).

(25) In this case, the power that holds the tilting lamina (10) in its horizontal position disappears, so the weight of the animal to be caught makes it tilt and the animal goes through the opening (7) and falls into the container (1).

(26) The number of animals which can be caught depends on the size of the container (1) but also in the way we want to connect with the other living creatures. So, the user has to keep in mind the suffering of the captured animals avoiding overcrowding.

(27) The tunnel (4) is open at one of its ends so that the animal to be caught can smell and see the bait in the vessel (9) and is tempted to get in.

(28) The opposite end faces one of the small sides of the module (2) which contains a hinged lid -17- which has a knob to open it letting us see the third part (8) of the tunnel (4) and allowing the cleaning and replenish of the bait.

(29) A transformer -18- is provided in the module (2) which is connected to the power network and to the microprocessor (15) where the program that controls several components of this invention is stored.

(30) As we have said before, the parameters of such program may be varied or changed entering the microprocessor (15) through a suitable means, either in the same site or from a remote place.

(31) The invention also includes a visual display (16) that can represent at least one digit in coincidence with the number of animals that have entered into the container (1).

(32) There is a double exit -19- connected to the sensors (12) which are distributed along the tunnel (4) and at least one single exit -20- where the coil (14) is energized from to change the polarity of the magnetic field.

(33) When the beam among the second set of sensors (12a) is interrupted, the single exit (20) is opened by the microprocessor (15) energizing the coil (14) and changing the polarity of the electromagnetic field.

(34) When energizing the inductor (14), current is passed through the core which takes the same polarity as the permanent magnet (13) repelling it, and as this is mounted in the tilting lamina (10) and so such tilting lamina is not held by such permanent magnet (13) the animal weight causes the tilting, slipping and fall of such animal.

(35) Once the programmed time is due, the microprocessor (15) cuts the energy supply to the coil (14) so the core is discharged and taking into account that the core is made of non-magnetic iron, the permanent magnet (13) is attracted again and therefore it tilts in the opposite direction taking the tilting lamina (10) to a horizontal position leaving the trap ready to be used again.

(36) When an animal is attracted by the bait, it climbs up the module (2) using an access ramp -21- that ends at the entrance of the tunnel (4). Once the animal is there, it goes onto the tilting lamina (10) until it interrupts the beam includes sensors (12) facing each other.

(37) The sensors (12) are adjusted according to the type of animal to be captured and as they are placed in the latter half of the tunnel (4), when the animal is touched by the beam, it has already passed the center of balance of the tilting lamina (10) so the signal sent and captured by the microprocessor (15) opens the single exit (20) energizing the coil (14) that repels the permanent magnet (13) freeing the tilting lamina (10) which tilts in a violent way to make the animal fall into the container (1).

(38) The time interval during which the coil (14) is energized is calculated according to the kind of animal to be caught and is regulated with the program recorded in the microprocessor (15).

(39) In an ideal way of embodiment, the inventor has calculated that the angular movement of the tilting lamina (10) should be between 45 and 50 angle degrees.

(40) In the ideal way of embodiment described above, the energy caught by the solar panel (3) cells pass through a regulator plate -22- feeds the microprocessor (15) and is stored in a gel battery -23- and of 12 to 15 volts.

(41) In this preferred way of embodiment that is revealed, the permanent magnet (13) is made of neodymium alloy.

(42) In the preferred way of embodiment which is described, the tunnel (4), the lamina (10), the axis (11) and the access ramp are made of metal.

(43) In the preferred way which is described, the program blocks the change of polarity if a certain number of captured animals is exceeded. Similarly, the microprocessor (15) blocks the polarity when there is a failure or a disconnection is recorded.

(44) In an alternative embodiment and taking into account that the blows resulting from the constant changes of polarity make a high noise, all the perimeter of the tilting lamina (10) is covered with a damper element such as rubber or a similar material.

(45) In this way, the different components of the invention have been described, and also the way they are related to each other, complementing this document with the summary of the invention expressed in the claims which are listed below.

(46) Having described and determined the nature of the invention, its scope and the way it can be put into practice in its main idea, it is declared as an invention and of exclusive property the following: