Trap

Abstract

The application provides a rodent or possum trap (101) comprising: a tunnel (102) for receiving a rodent or possum, a mechanical kill mechanism (103), the kill mechanism comprising, a spring-loaded strike edge (105) and optionally additionally comprises a mechanical trigger, and at least one trap door (104) having a closed position and an open position; wherein when the kill mechanism (103) is arranged so that when it is activated by a rodent in the tunnel (102) it kills the rodent and opens the trap door (104) to release the deceased rodent from the rodent trap.

Claims

1. A rodent or possum trap comprising a tunnel for receiving a rodent or possum; a mechanical kill mechanism, the kill mechanism comprising a spring-loaded strike edge and optionally additionally comprises a mechanical trigger; at least one trap door having a closed position and an open position; and a delayed releasable closure for securing the at least one trap door in the closed position until a predetermined time after the spring-loaded strike edge has struck the rodent or possum comprising a lever which is moveable between a closed position and an open position on being struck by a portion of the spring-loaded strike edge, and movement of the lever from the closed to the open position causes a retaining pin to be removed, thereby allowing the at least one trap door to open, wherein when the kill mechanism is arranged so that when it is activated by a rodent in the tunnel it kills the rodent and opens the at least one trap door to release the deceased rodent from the rodent trap.

2. The trap according to claim 1, further comprising a bait dispenser.

3. The trap according to claim 2, wherein the bait dispenser is a timed bait dispenser or a gravity fed bait dispenser.

4. The trap according to claim 2 wherein bait is delivered from the bait dispenser to the first end of the tunnel and/or the second end of the tunnel via a chute.

5. The trap according to claim 2 wherein the trap is mounted at up to 35 degrees to the horizontal and bait moves from the bait dispenser at the second end of the trap to the first end of the trap by gravity and/or dispersal by bird or mammals smaller than the rodent to be trapped, within the trap.

6. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel comprises a first end and a second end, wherein an entrance or opening is located towards the first end and the kill mechanism is located towards the second end.

7. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the at least one trap door forms at least part of a floor of the tunnel.

8. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the at least one trap door is pivotally attached to the trap.

9. The trap according to wherein the delayed release closure is released by activation of the kill mechanism, wherein the kill mechanism comprises a mechanical trigger.

10. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the delayed release closure is a latch or comprises a magnetic closure.

11. The trap according to claim 1, wherein once activated by the mechanical kill mechanism, the at least one trap door is opened by gravity.

12. The trap according to claim 1, wherein in use the axis of the tunnel is substantially horizontal or mounted at an angle of up to 35 degrees from the horizontal.

13. The trap according to claim 1, further comprising a setting arm for resetting the trap door from the open position to the closed position.

14. The trap according to claim 1, further comprising a mesh window at the second end of the tunnel.

15. A method of killing rodents and/or possums comprising engaging the spring-loaded strike edge of the kill mechanism of the trap according to claim 1, wherein activation of the kill mechanism kills the rodent and/or possum; and placing the trap at a distance above the ground, wherein the open position of the at least one trap door permits a killed rodent or possum to exit the trap.

16. A method of killing rodents and/or possums according to claim 15, wherein the trap is mounted on a tree.

17. A method of killing rodents and/or possums according to claim 16, wherein the rodent is a squirrel.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the rodent is a squirrel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a tunnel end view of the rodent or possum trap of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the rodent or possum trap of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a photograph of a trap according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows an alternative arrangement of a trap according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION

(6) The rodent or possum trap of the present invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

(7) FIG. 1 is a tunnel end view and FIG. 2 is a side view of the rodent or possum trap according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a photograph of a trap according to the invention mounted on a base.

(8) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rodent or possum trap (101, 201) comprises a tunnel (102) which comprises a first end (102a, 202a) and a second end (102b). An entrance or opening is located towards the first end (102a, 202a) of the tunnel, which allows an animal to enter the trap.

(9) A kill mechanism (103, 203) is located towards the second end (102b) of the tunnel (102). The kill mechanism (103, 203) is typically a Kania trap, comprising a spring-loaded strike bar (105) located on the inside of the trap and optionally additionally comprising a mechanical trigger. The kill mechanism also comprises a setting arm (210) located on the outside of the trap. When setting the trap, the setting arm (210) is moved from an unset position into a set position and may be held in the set position with a hook or a catch (not shown).

(10) The trap door is located at a floor of the tunnel and forms at least part of a floor of the tunnel (102). The trap door is pivotally attached to the trap (101, 201).

(11) The trap door comprises a first part (104a, 204a) and a second part (104b) wherein the first part and the second part are pivotally attached to the trap. The setting arm (210) may be used to reset the trap door from an open position to a closed position.

(12) A releasable closure (106) for securing the trap door in the closed position is located at a floor of the tunnel. The releasable closure (106) is released by the activated kill mechanism (103).

(13) A bait dispenser (107, 207) is located above the tunnel (102, 202) and bait can be delivered to the first end of the tunnel (102a, 202a) and/or the second end of the tunnel (102b) via a chute (108, 208) which connects the bait dispenser (107, 207) and the tunnel (102).

(14) A mesh window (109, 209) is located at the second end of the tunnel (102b) to allow an animal to view any bait within the trap (101, 201).

(15) Although a preferred embodiment has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that details of construction, choice of materials and other unimportant aspects of the construction can be varied within the scope of the invention and the claims.

(16) In FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment a trap (302) is mounted on a base (304) having an aperture below the trap through which a deceased animal may fall (not shown) via the trap door. A cut out is provided (306), which in use is placed against the trunk of a tree. The base may be held substantially horizontally by means of one or more legs below the base (304) which my rest on the ground or against the trunk of the tree. The base (304) may be held against the trunk by one or more straps or other fitments. The base may be made of any suitable material, including marine plywood.

(17) FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which a trap (402) is mounted on a inclined base (404), having an aperture below the trap through which a deceased animal may fall (not shown) via the trap door. A cut out may be provided (not shown), which in use is placed against the trunk of a tree. The base may be held substantially inclined by means of one or more legs (408) below the base (404) which my rest on the ground or against the trunk of the tree. The base (404) may be held against the trunk by one or more straps or other fitments. The base may be made of any suitable material, including marine plywood. In this embodiment a gravity fed hopper (410) may be provided. Bait may exit the trap (402), through tunnel (412). The bait may be retained on the base (404), by one or more ridges (414) on the base such as batons.