Humane Animal Venus Fly Trap

Abstract

An improved animal trap comprising stationary 1 and moving frames 3 attached to support blocks 2, with torsion springs 4 that in the open position enable the trap to maintain a low profile mostly parallel to the ground, thereby eliminating the requirement of existing, commercially available traps that the animal walk beneath or through an unfamiliar object to be trapped. In the electronically triggered closed position, the frames form a complete enclosure around the animal, preventing its escape without injuring or immobilizing the animal. Magnetic or other attachments 8 to the perimeter of the moving frame hold the trap together in the closed position. The sides of the trap consist of soft textile material 5 instead of metal, reducing the risk of injury to the trapped animal. A transfer tunnel 23, attached from an opening in the side of the trap to a transfer cage 26, enables a quick and safe method of removing the animal for transport.

Claims

1. An animal trap, comprising: a stationary frame, with a plurality of sides, that attaches to support blocks and forms an enclosed space on the ground, resting on all sides parallel to the ground, rotating hooks on each side of said stationary frame, a moving frame that mirrors said stationary frame and attaches to said support blocks, stationary hooks on each side of said moving frame, that attach to said rotating hooks on said stationary frame when said moving frame is set in the open position, mostly parallel to said stationary frame, torsion springs in the base of said moving frame that form joints at each end of said moving frame, enabling movement of and tension in said moving frame, an electronic system that sends signals to said rotating hooks on all sides of said stationary frame simultaneously, enabling release of said stationary hooks and rotation of said moving frame by means of said torsion springs, flexible textile material that extends on all sides from said moving frame to said stationary frame, and across the base of said stationary frame, attachments to the perimeter of said moving frame that temporarily join all sides of said moving frame together in the closed position, when said moving frame is perpendicular to said stationary frame, forming an enclosure within said moving frame, a method of removing said animal from said trap through a transfer tunnel while maintaining said moving frame in said closed position, thereby enabling all sides of said trap, when in said open position, to maintain a low profile mostly parallel to the ground, and preventing the animal from escaping, when in said closed position, without injuring or immobilizing said animal.

2. The animal trap of claim 1, wherein all sides of said stationary and moving frames are of predetermined equivalent size and strength, being constructed from any lightweight, high-strength, flexible material.

3. The animal trap of claim 1, wherein said moving frame in said closed position extends out from the perimeter of said stationary frame to the center of said trap.

4. The animal trap of claim 1, wherein said torsion springs of predetermined size and strength enable said moving frame to fold back on all sides, creating maximum tension when all sides are mostly parallel to said stationary frame, in said open position, and minimum tension when all sides are perpendicular to said stationary frame, in said closed position.

5. The animal trap of claim 1, wherein said textile material creates said enclosure, when in the trap's said closed position, of predetermined dimensions and strength for trapping animals.

6. The animal trap of claim 1, wherein said attachments to said perimeter of said moving frames are of predetermined number, composition, size, and strength for securing an animal in a trap.

7. An electronic means of rotating a plurality of sides on the moving frame of an animal trap simultaneously, comprising: a remote-control transmitter, a remote-control receiver, a plurality of servos, a master timer oscillator that provides synchronized short-trigger pulses to said servos, sending servo position command pulses to release mechanisms, whereby triggering of said remote-control transmitter forms an instantaneous enclosure around said animal, with synchronized rotation to the closed position of a plurality of sides.

8. A method of removing an animal from a closed trap through a transfer tunnel, comprising: a. constructing an opening in the side of a trap, b. attaching a sealed tunnel from said opening to the perimeter of said trap's base, with fasteners that secure the trapped animal in said tunnel when said tunnel is in its closed position, c. further extending said tunnel from said fasteners away from said trap, enabling passage of said animal through the length of said tunnel when said fasteners are unfastened, in said tunnel's open position, d. connecting said tunnel to the front of a transfer cage, thereby encouraging said animal to walk upright of its own volition from said trap to said cage without escaping.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said tunnel consists of flexible textile material sewn around said opening and attached to the front of said transfer cage.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein a predetermined number, size, and composition of fasteners attaches said tunnel to the base of said trap, enabling said tunnel to be closed when fastened and open when unfastened.

Description

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the trap;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the major mechanical components of the frame of the trap;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the moving parts of the frame;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates the torsion springs in the relaxed position;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates the support block with the torsion springs in place and the ends of moving pipes;

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an overview of the remote-control embodiment of the electronic trigger and release system;

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an overview of the autonomous embodiment of the electronic trigger and release system;

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed view of the control electronics;

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed view of one of the release boxes; and

[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed view of the transfer tunnel.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0033] Ref 1 stationary PVC pipe frame component; [0034] Ref. 2 support block; [0035] Ref. 3 moving PVC pipe frame component; [0036] Ref. 4 torsion spring; [0037] Ref. 5 rip-stop fabric [0038] Ref 6 removable net floor [0039] Ref. 7 control wires [0040] Ref. 8 magnets [0041] Ref. 9 foam pipe padding [0042] Ref 10 remote-control transmitter [0043] Ref. 11 control electronics [0044] Ref 12 release mechanism [0045] Ref. 13 battery [0046] Ref 14 stationary hooks [0047] Ref. 15 pressure-sensitive electrical switch [0048] Ref. 16 remote-control receiver [0049] Ref. 17 master timer integrated circuit [0050] Ref. 18 first slave timer integrated circuit [0051] Ref. 19 second slave timer integrated circuit [0052] Ref. 20 servo motor [0053] Ref. 21 rotating hook [0054] Ref. 22 opening in rip-stop fabric [0055] Ref. 23 transfer tunnel [0056] Ref 24 snaps [0057] Ref. 25 elastic band [0058] Ref. 26 transfer cage

Detailed Description—FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9—First Embodiment

[0059] Referring now to the figures, illustrated in FIG. 1 is the first embodiment of the animal trap. It is constructed of PVC pipe 1, 3, torsion springs 4, and support blocks 2, to form a framework with stationary and moving parts. The two stationary sides of the pipe 1 form the stationary frame, which rests on the ground, rigidly attached to two support blocks 2 that hold it in place at the ends of each semi-circle, forming an approximate circle. This circle forms the floor of the trap and frames the netting 6. The upper, moving pipes 3 form the moving frame and are covered with rip-stop or similarly lightweight, tear-resistant textile material 5 that attaches to the stationary pipes 1 of the stationary frame. In the set/open position, the moving pipes 3 of the moving frame are held open, against the force of the springs 4, by stationary hooks 14 connected to rotating hooks on electromechanical release boxes 12. When the moving pipes 3 are vertically oriented, the spring 4 tension at the joints is at a minimum, just enough to hold the two sections firmly together. This is the closed position. Note that FIG. 1 depicts the trap in a partially open position for clarity. When the trap is in the set/open position, the moving pipes 3 are mostly parallel to the ground. The stationary pipes 1, moving pipes 3, and textile fabric 5 can be partially hidden under leaves or grass, and the trap is ready to operate. Bait is set in the center of the trap. When an animal enters the trap, the release mechanisms 12 with rotating hooks disengage the stationary hooks 14 on the moving frame, and the two moving pipes 3 begin to close. The springs 4 move the trap halves to the vertical (closed) position, and the animal is contained in the fabric dome, unharmed. The fabric includes zippered openings and a transfer tunnel (not shown in FIG. 1) through which the captured animal can be guided into a transfer cage for transport.

[0060] Illustrated in FIG. 2, four sections of PVC pipe 1, 3 are heat-formed into semicircular arcs with extended straight sections at the ends of the arcs for attachment to the springs 4 and support bases 2 of the frame.

[0061] Illustrated in FIG. 3, attached to the two moving pipes 3 are matching pairs of attracting magnets 8. When the trap closes, these attachments align and hold together the moving pipes 3. Also shown in FIG. 3 is optional foam padding 9 over the PVC pipe 3 that provides extra protection when trapping delicate animals.

[0062] Illustrated in FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the springs 4 in their relaxed position (closed) and in FIG. 5, installed on the support block 2 showing the right-handed and left-handed pairing of the springs for strength and balanced force. The attachments of the moving pipe sides 3 are indicated.

[0063] Illustrated in FIG. 6, the prototype embodiment is activated by a human operator. It employs a commercially available, long-range, remote-control transmitter 10 that is used to switch on the custom-built control electronics 11 and release mechanisms 12 with rotating hooks 21 described later. The electronics are powered by a battery 13.

[0064] FIG. 7 describes the control electronics box 11 with the remote-control embodiment shown. The autonomous embodiment has only the pressure switch in the circuit. Integrated circuits (ICs) 17, 18, 19 are pulse generators (timers). IC 17 is set up as a master oscillator to provide synchronized, short-trigger pulses to 18 and 19. When triggered, 18 and 19 send servo position command pulses to their respective release mechanism boxes 12. The switches shown on 18 and 19 are manual position controls used for setting the trap, i.e. open/close. IC's 18 and 19 are individually adjustable to accommodate differences in servo position response to achieve simultaneous release of the two moving frame members 3.

[0065] FIG. 8 details the release mechanism box 12, which uses a pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled servo motor 20 to rotate a hook 21. As shown, the mechanical load of the trap springs is held by the servo motor bearings. For larger traps with more spring load, the release mechanism could also be arranged with the pivot axis of the hook being supported by a separate axle that would bear the straight-line load while the servo motor only supplies torque to the hook, either by control rod or direct attachment.

[0066] FIG. 9 details the transfer tunnel 23, which connects an opening 22 in the side of the trap to a transfer cage 26 outside the trap. The transfer tunnel is closed with snaps 24. It is fitted on one end with elastic 25, which forms a tight seal around the front of the transfer cage 26.

[0067] Operation

[0068] In the first embodiment of the Humane Animal “Venus Fly” Trap, the trap is transported to the location where animal-trapping is desired. A flat section of ground is selected. The trap FIG. 1 is placed on the ground. The control electronics FIG. 6 are switched on and re-set. The moving frame 3 of the trap is pressed nearly parallel to the ground, in the open position. The stationary hooks 14 of the moving frame 3 are attached to the rotating hooks 21 of the stationary frame 1. The trap is set in the open position. The textile fabric 5 is pushed to the perimeter of the stationary 1 and moving frames 3, creating maximum open space within the trap. Leaves or grass are scattered across the stationary and moving frames and piled atop the control electronics, enabling partial camouflage of the trap. Bait is placed in the center of the trap.

[0069] The trapper moves far away from the trap, out of sight of the target animal but in good position for monitoring the trap. Then the trapper waits for the target animal to arrive. When the animal enters the trap and begins eating, the trapper presses the remote-control transmitter 10, which sends servo position command pulses 18, 19 to their respective release mechanism boxes 12. This triggers the rotating hooks 21 on the stationary frame 1 to release the stationary hooks 14 on the moving frame 3. Magnets 8 on the perimeter of the moving frame 3 join up, snapping the trap closed. The animal is trapped. The trapper waits for the animal to calm down. Then the trapper attaches the transfer cage 26 to the transfer tunnel 23. The transfer tunnel 23 is formed by an opening in the side of the trap 22 that is covered with soft fabric and extends to the perimeter of the trap's base. It can be fastened to the base with snaps 24. On the other side of the snaps, the tunnel leads away from the trap and can be secured to the front of a transfer cage with an elastic band 25. From the inside of the trap, the transfer tunnel creates the appearance to the animal of a possible escape route. Once the tunnel is connected to the transfer cage, the trapper unsnaps the tunnel and lifts the fabric. The animal mistakes this temporary movement on the side of the trap for the creation of an opening through which it can escape and is quickly lured into the transfer cage. A clear sliding door on the back end of a two-door transfer cage can further enhance the appearance to the trapped animal of an escape route through the transfer tunnel. Once inside the transfer cage, the trapper closes and locks the front sliding door on the cage. The animal is ready for transport.

FIG. 10—Alternative Embodiment

[0070] In another embodiment, FIG. 10, a pressure-sensitive electrical switch 15 can be placed inside the trap, and the trigger will be activated by the weight of the animal itself without human intervention. The control electronics are the same for both embodiments. The pressure plate switch could simply replace the remote-controlled switch in the circuit with a plug-in connection similar to an ear phone jack. Other sensor/switch technologies can also be employed as the situation warrants.

Advantages of Alternative Embodiment

[0071] A pressure-sensitive electrical switch in place of a remote-control transmitter enables an animal to be trapped without requiring the trap to be continuously monitored by a human. This can be advantageous when the daily routine of the target animal is unknown. Additionally, a pressure-sensitive electrical switch enables trappers to trap animals in pitch dark or in locations where the trapper's view of the trap is otherwise obstructed.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0072] Thus, the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the Humane Animal “Venus Fly” Trap offers a way to trap animals with numerous significant advantages over existing traps: [0073] It enables all sides of the trap to rest in an open position that is low-profile, being nearly parallel to the ground, so that the animal is not required to walk through a cage or beneath an unfamiliar metal structure to enter the trap and access the bait. [0074] It enables the trap, when in the set/open position, to be partially camouflaged in leaves, grass, or other natural materials, thus further enticing the animal to let down its guard and enter the trap. [0075] In can be triggered remotely by a human, giving trappers control over which animals are trapped and when. [0076] It allows the trapped animal to remain upright with all four feet on the ground and provides ample space for moving about inside the trap, thereby reducing the type of extreme panic behavior in the animal that can lead to injury. [0077] It offers further protection to the trapped animal, with sides composed of flexible lightweight fabric, rather than metal, and foam padding around the moving frame. [0078] It enables a quick and safe method for removing the animal from the trap, through a custom-built transfer tunnel.

[0079] This disclosure describes the concept and a design of the trap. A specific embodiment that has been built and successfully tested is described in detail as an example only. Other variations are expected. The size of the trap will be built to match the size of the animal being trapped and will vary accordingly. Therefore, no dimensions are provided. Specific choices of materials and components, (e.g. PVC pipe, fabric, torsion springs, remote-control transmitter/receiver, electronics, release hooks and servo motors) are not critical to the concept; any number of alternative materials and components, and combinations thereof, are possible.