Animal trap

Abstract

An animal trap comprising a trap (106, 102, 302) section having at least one moveable wall section (136, 228, 314), being moveable with respect to one or more other walls of the trap section to thereby alter the size of the trap section; animal detection means (138, 242, 306) operable to detect the presence of an animal within the trap section and adapted to signal such a presence to control means, which control means is operable, upon receipt of said signal, to cause movement of the moveable wall section (136, 228, 314) and thus alter the size of the trap section.

Claims

1. A method of trapping animals, the method comprising: detecting the presence of an animal in a trap section of an animal trap, the trap section having at least one moveable wall section, the at least one moveable wall section being moveable with respect to one or more other walls of the trap section to thereby alter the size of the trap section, the animal detection means being operable to detect the presence of an animal within the trap section and adapted to signal such a presence to a control means, which control means is operable, upon receipt of said signal, to cause movement of the at least one moveable wall section and thus alter the size of the trap section, wherein the at least one moveable wall section is moveable by compressed air such as to push the moveable wall toward an opposed other wall at speed, crushing a trapped animal and killing it against the opposed wall, and wherein the animal detection means comprises a beam of light, which is cast across at least a portion of the trap section; detecting a pressure of the compressed air of the animal trap; determining if the pressure is below a limit that is a preset minimal pressure needed to move the at least one moveable wall section with enough force to terminate the animal; and if the pressure is below the limit, deactivating the animal trap, if the pressure is not below the limit, causing movement of the at least one moveable wall section in response to the control means receiving said signal, the movement of the at least one moveable wall section altering the size of the trap section and crushing the trapped animal.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising notifying a user of the animal trap of the detecting the presence of an animal.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the animal trap further comprises a collection section that is removable from the animal trap and the method further comprises collecting the crushed trapped animal via the collection section.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the trap section is arranged generally vertically when the animal trap is in use and the trap section is configured such that the animal can climb up into the trap section.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the causing movement of the at least one moveable wall includes use of a supply of compressed air.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the supply of compressed air includes a single stroke air cylinder.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the causing movement of the at least one moveable wall includes use of an air powered ram.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the causing movement of the at least one moveable wall includes use of a supply of compressed air.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the supply of compressed air includes a single stroke air cylinder and wherein the air powered ram is configured to be powered by the single stroke air cylinder.

10. A method according to claim 7, the causing movement of the at least one movable wall includes the movable wall being moved by the air powered ram.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the preset minimal pressure is at least 3 bar.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the animal trap further comprises a warning system operable by the control means when the trap has been deactivated.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising notifying a user of the animal trap if the animal trap is deactivated.

14. A method according to claim 1, further comprising retracting the at least one moveable wall after crushing the trapped animal.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the retracting is performed using a retracting spring.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the animal trap further comprises a safety switch which is operable to deactivate the trap when triggered by a user of the animal trap.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a control valve that is configured to withhold the release of compressed air from a compressed air supply if the pressure of the compressed air is below the limit.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a control valve that is configured to allow the compressed air to flow to such as to move the at least one moveable wall section if the pressure of the compressed air is above the limit.

Description

(1) For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first part of a rodent trap;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second part of a rodent trap;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the first and second part of the rodent trap assembled together;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective partial cutaway view of the first part of the rodent trap;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a control plate of the rodent trap; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the first part of the rodent trap;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rodent trap; and

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a bottom section of a second embodiment of a rodent trap;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view inside a second embodiment of a rodent trap;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a plan view inside a second embodiment of a rodent trap; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of an animal trap suitable for use with squirrels.

(13) Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a first part 102 of a rodent trap 106. The first part 102 comprises a cuboidal box 108 having opposing short walls 110, 112 and opposing long walls 114, 116. On a first of the long walls 114, toward a lower corner thereof, is a circular hole 118, which extends through the wall into an interior of the box 108. Extending from an upper edge of the opposite long wall 116 is a lid 120. The lid 120 is connected to the wall 116 by a hinge 122 and is shown in FIG. 1 in an open configuration.

(14) On a second of the short walls 112 is an aperture 124, covered by a flap 126. The flap 126 is fixed on an exterior of the box 108 and is slightly larger than the aperture 124. The flap 126 is hinged to the side wall 112 above an upper edge of the aperture 124. The aperture 124 and flap 126 will be discussed in more detail hereunder.

(15) A base of the box 108 has legs 125 extending therefrom, such that the box is lifted slightly off a surface upon which it stands.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a second part 104 of the rodent trap 106. The second part 104 comprises a cuboidal box having a large portion thereof cutaway to leave a partially enclosed collection box. Toward a top of the cutaway section of the second part 104 are clips 128 that allow the second part 104 to be secured to the first part 102 as will be described hereunder. On an upper surface of the second section is a handle 130. The cutaway potion is shaped such to correspond with and fit around the first part, as is shown in FIG. 3.

(17) Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the first section 102 and the second section 104 joined together to form the rodent trap 106. As discussed above with regard to FIG. 2, the second part accommodates and fits around the first part. Specifically, the second part fits over the second of the short walls 112 and extends around and under a portion of a base of the box 108.

(18) Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a partial cutaway view of the first part 102, having most of the long wall 114 removed, and the short wall 110 removed.

(19) Inside the box 108 are two areas 132, 134, separated by a wall 136. The first area 132 is accessible via the hole 118 in the long wall 114 and comprises a pressure sensitive section 138 on a floor thereof. The second area 134 comprises electrical and mechanical components to operate the trap 106.

(20) In more detail, the second area 134 comprises a battery 140, such as a 12 volt car battery, connected to a motor 142, such as a car starter motor. The motor is connected to a circular flywheel 144, which is mounted vertically on an axel and is free to rotate when caused to do so by the motor 142. The flywheel 144 has a rod 146 connected, off centre, to a face thereof, such that when the flywheel 144 rotates, the rod 146 moves in a reciprocating manner.

(21) The rod 146 is connected to the wall 136. The wall 136 is arranged on a runner 148, to allow it to move in a reciprocal manner. The second area 134 also has a vent 149 in the wall 116 and a safety switch 155. The safety switch 155 is operable to shut down the motor 140 either manually or remotely via the electrical connection 156.

(22) FIG. 5 shows a plate 150, having electrical circuitry 152 thereon (a relay, etc.), to control the action of the rodent trap 106. The plate 150 locates via apertures 153 onto upstanding rods 154 in the box 108. A notification system 402 is included and is operable to notify a user of the activation of animal detection.

(23) FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the interior of the box 108 and is labelled the same as FIG. 4. Now visible, is retracting spring 147 connected at a first end to the base of the first area 132 of the box 108 and at a second end to the rod 136. The retracting spring 147 allows the wall 136 to be retracted after the rod 136 has implemented a stroke.

(24) In use, the rodent trap 106 operates as follows. Food (not shown) is placed in the second area 134 and air enters through the vent 149, over the food (not shown) thus the smell of the food will be carried around the trap 106 to attract rodents thereto.

(25) A rodent enters the trap 106 via the hole 118. The hole is of an appropriate size for the target rodent, such as a rat or mouse. Thus, the rodent enters the box into the first area 132 and walks onto the pressure sensitive pad 138. This completes an electrical circuit, thus triggering a relay and causing the motor to operate and the flywheel to rotate, which moves the wall quickly toward the rodent and crushes it against the flap 126. The rodent dies almost instantaneously. The electrical circuit, after triggering, takes a few seconds to reset, in which time, the wheel rotates, a couple of times, more slowly, before coming to a rest. In these further rotations, the rodent is pushed through the flap 126, into the second section 104. After which, the retracting spring 147 retracts and pulls the wall 136 back along the runner 148 to its starting position.

(26) The second section may then be removed and emptied when a multitude of rodents have been caught.

(27) Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 10 there is shown a second embodiment of a rodent trap 202. Referring to FIG. 7, the rodent trap 202 comprises a box 204 sat atop a tray 206. The box 204 comprises a handle 208 on a top surface thereof 210 and side handles 212 on side surfaces thereof 214. Toward a lower corner of a front face 216 of the box 204 is an aperture 218 through which a rodent can enter the box 204

(28) The box 204 sits atop a tray 206, the two being held together by clips 220.

(29) Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown the tray 206 detached from the box 204. Support brackets 222 can be seen inside the tray 206 upon which the box 204 is supported, in use.

(30) Optionally, the box 204 may sit atop a drawer (not shown), similar to tray 206, but contained within a casing (not shown) continuous with box 204. In such cases (not shown), the trap 202 is a single unit and the drawer sits within a casing in the lower portion of the box 204. The drawer can then be slidably removed from the trap 202 to be emptied. As such, the drawer may be held in place by the casing without the need for clips.

(31) Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is shown an interior of the box 204. The interior comprises a trap compartment 224 having a static wall 226 opposite a moveable wall 228. The moveable wall 228 is attached to an air powered ram 231 housed within a single stroke air cylinder 230 which is in turn attached to a compressed gas supply 232 via an air line 233, an air valve 238 and a control valve 258. The control valve 258 shuts the system down by withholding air release from the supply 232 when it is detected that the pressure of the air in the supply 232 is below a set limit necessary to terminate the animal in the trap 202.

(32) A retracting spring 247 is connected at a first end to the support 235 of the single stroke air cylinder 230 and at a second end to the wall 228. The retracting spring 247 allows the wall 228 to be retracted after the ram 231 has implemented a stroke.

(33) The interior of the box 204 also comprises a battery 234 connected to a timer relay 236 and a pressure gauge 257 positioned upon the compressed gas supply 232 allowing pressure within the tank of the supply to be read from the dial. A safety switch 255 is further positioned upon the wall 216 and connected via connection 256 to the battery 234. The safety switch 255 is operable to shut down the battery 234 either manually or remotely via the electrical connection 256 when triggered by the user.

(34) Optionally, the pressure gauge 257 may be connected to the control valve 258 by means of a connection (not shown) in order to allow the pressure gauge 257 to relay information about the pressure of the air within the compressed air supply to the control valve 258 before air is released via air line 233 to implement a stroke of the air cylinder 230. A warning system 404 is operable by control valve 258 when a trap has been deactivated.

(35) Optionally, the retracting spring 247 may be housed within the single stroke air cylinder, instead of separately as shown. In which case, a first end of the retracting spring 247 is connected to the air powered ram 231 and a second end of the retracting spring 247 is connected to the cylinder 230 itself.

(36) The second embodiment of a rodent trap 202 functions in a similar manner to the first embodiment as follows. A rodent enters the trap compartment 224 via aperture 218 and is attracted to food on tray 240. Upon placing pressure on pressure sensitive pad 242 (by standing on it), the rodent triggers a circuit. The circuit causes the compressed air supply 232 to release pressurised air through the control valve 258 (if it is of high enough pressure) through air line 233, via air valve 238 and into the single stroke air cylinder 230. The single stroke air cylinder becomes pressurised behind the ram 231 within the cylinder 230 until the air powered ram 231 is forced out of the cylinder 230. The ram 230 then pushes the attached moveable wall 228 to move toward the static wall 226 at speed, crushing the trapped animal and killing it instantaneously against the wall 226, thus causing the animal to fall through hole in floor 244 and into the tray 206, which acts as trapped animal storage means and can store a plurality of animals. In this manner, animals are trapped.

(37) Squirrels are, in certain circumstances, a prolific pest and their population needs controlling.

(38) Accordingly, referring now to FIG. 11 there is shown a further embodiment of the animal trap 302 being suitable for controlling squirrels.

(39) The trap 302 is in many ways similar to the trap 202 described above. For example, it comprises a compressed gas storage cylinder 304, detection means 306 operable to detect the presence of a squirrel (not shown) in a trap area 308, the detection means being operable to send a signal to a switch 310, which activates a ram 312, thereby firing a moveable wall 314 across the trap area as indicated by direction arrow X to contact the other side of the trap area and thereby trap a squirrel. Optionally, a detection means (e.g., detection means 306) of an animal trap according to the current disclosure, may include a beam of light (example shown in FIG. 11 as light beam 340), which may be cast across at least a portion of a trap section, such as shown in FIG. 11 as trap area 308.

(40) The firing plate 314 is attached to a counter 316 which is operable to count the number of times the trap has been sprung. The trap 302 further comprises a mesh tunnel 318 which extends downward from the trap area 308. At a top of the trap area is a grate 320 upon which bait can be placed (via access aperture 322).

(41) The trap 302 is operable in use to be placed in elevated positions, such as in trees or the like and is positioned such that the trap area is arranged vertically, with the firing plate at or toward an upper region thereof.

(42) In use, a squirrel, detecting the bait placed on the grate 320 climbs up the tunnel 318 into the trap area 308. Once in the trap area, the squirrel is then detected by the detector 306 and the firing plate then activated to fire across the trap area 308 and contact the squirrel. The firing plate remains in this position for some time (30 seconds), before releasing pressure and resetting. In releasing the pressure, the now dead squirrel is released and falls out of the trap 302. For this reason, it is not necessary for the trap 302 to have a collecting tray (as per the first and second embodiment). However, the counter 316 is operable to inform a user of the number of times the trap has fired and therefore the number of squirrels trapped.

(43) An animal trap made in accordance with the present invention has the advantage that the death of the target animal is very quick and thus unnecessary cruelty is avoided. Furthermore the control valve allows the activity of the trap to be moderated, and acts as a failsafe to stop any animal being at risk of painful injury without death. Additionally, the safety switch allows the user to gain remote control of the trap at any time. Also, the trap can catch many animals without the need to be reset. Further, the caught animals are stored in a removable section or drawer, thus the trap is easy to empty.

(44) Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

(45) All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(46) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(47) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.