Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
4
HBJ/SCB
=
=
SINGLE USE HERMETICALLY SEALING ENCLOSURE-TYPE
MOUSETRAP WITH KILLING MECHANISM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
== Field of the Invention
= [0001] The present invention is related tO the field of
rodent
control and, more particularly, tO a single use mousetrap that
kills a mouse and encloses the carcass within a hermetically sealed
. disposable trap enclosure.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Present methods of capturing or disposing of rodents are
generally unsightly and unsanitary. One such method includes a
snap-trap which has a spring operated bar for instantly killing the
rodent. This type of trap includes a spring operated bar which is
released by a trigger which is baited. Because of their "snapping"
action, snap traps are dangerous to humans and pets as well as to
rodents, because they can all be struck by it. Furthermore, as mice
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
and other rodents are typically nocturnal animals such devices most
frequently capture the animals at night or during periods when
people are not around. As such, the rodent may lie in the trap for
many hours before removal and disposal. In addition to being
unsightly, such capture is unsanitary as rodents are known to carry
disease-causing fleas and lice which leave the carcass on death,
and bacteria which can spread after the animal is killed. These
drawbacks can be serious problems around food handling areas.
[0003] Another method of disposing of the rodents is by using
poisoned bait which kills the rodent, sometimes by dehydration.
The baited traps are also dangerous to Children and pets because
they may be tempted to taste the bait. Another disadvantage of this
method is that the rodent may crawl into some inaccessible area
after eating the poison and die there. This prevents disposal of
the dead rodent and can result in an unpleasant odor.
=
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the foregoing, the present invention is
directed to a single use snap-trap enclosed within .a hermetically
sealing housing. The housing has an upper housing and a lower
housing that are sealed together to define an airtight enclosure
containing the snap-trap with a mouse entry. opening. Fixedly
connected to the lower housing is a modular base component having
- 2 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
4
a specially designed structural configuration that integrates the
setting/killing and door control mechanisms of the trap.
100051 The setting/killing mechanism includes a setting/killing
assembly having a setting axle with a setting bar and a kill bar
attached thereto or integral therewith so as to rotate with said
axle in a fixed relationship, a set spring, a setting handle, a
trip latch and a bait pedal. The door control mechanism includes
a door assembly and a door opening and closing gear mechanism
.having a combined axle and lever arm coupled to a spur gear that
rotates therewith. The door assembly includes a torsional door
spring 'and a rotationally mounted door that is configured to
hermetically seal over the mouse entry opening. The door includes
a cylindrical upper part with a central bore that defines the door
rotational axis. One end of the cylindrical part is provided with
a pinion gear that is operatively engaged with the spur gear so as
to be rotated thereby. The torsional door spring is mounted on the
door rotational axis with one end applying force against the inner
surface of the door and the other end applying force against a
front edge of the modular base component.
[0006]
The setting/killing assembly is positioned in the lower
housing inside the enclosure and is movable between a kill position
and a set position by manipulation of the setting handle. The
setting handle is operatively coupled to the setting axle but is
positioned outside the enclosure. Rotation of the setting handle
- 3 -
,
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
is resisted by the set spring which is tensioned between the lower
housing and the kill bar. When the setting axle is moved to the
set position by rotation of the setting handle, the set spring is
loaded and the setting bar engages the lever arm. Further movement
of the setting bar causes the lever arm to rotate on its axle and,
in turn, rotate the spur gear and pinion gear which opens the door
against the resistance of the torsional door spring.
00071
The trip latch and bait pedal, both rotatably mounted on
the setting axle, are configured to operate together to secure the
kill and setting bars in the set position. Once set, subsequent
movement of the bait pedal by a mouse serves to release the trip
latch which, in turn, releases the set and kill bars. The kill bar
and setting bar rotate together with the setting axle under the
force of the loaded set spring to move rapidly to the kill
position. With such rotation of the setting bar, the lever arm is
released to counter-rotate on its axle, allowing the spur gear,
under the force of the tensioned door spring, to counter-rotate,
turning the pinion gear and closing the door. The door is provided
with a rubber seal that mates with a flange on the inner wall of
= the housing to hermetically seal the enclosure with the dead mouse
inside. The trap can then be disposed of safely without any
contact between the user and the carcass and any parasites and/or
pathogens associated therewith.
- 4 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a single use enclosure-type mousetrap that can be
hermetically sealed in a tripped condition in order to protect the
user from any exposure to the dead mouse.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
snap-trap enclosed within a housing that is accessible only through
a mouse access door and that is set from outside the housing.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide
a snap-trap in aceordance with the preceding objects that includes
a door opening and closing gear mechanism that automatically opens
the door when the trap is placed in the set position and that
automatically closes the door when the trap is triggered by a
mouse.
[0011] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a snap-trap in accordance with the preceding objects that
includes a spring-tensioned kill bar movable from a set position to
a kill position to kill a mouse and simultaneously activate the
door opening and closing gear mechanism to close the door and
contain the carcass and any associated parasites and pathogens
within the housing.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to
provide a snap-trap in accordance with the preceding objects in
which the door opening and closing gear mechanism includes a lever
arm/axle combination coupled to a spur gear that engages a pinion
- S -
CA 02677561 2016-02-08
gear on the door, the setting bar when rotated to the set
position engaging the lever arm to rotate the gears and open the
door while tensioning a door spring.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide
a snap-trap in accordance with the preceding objects in which
rotation of the setting bar toward the kill position when the
trap is triggered releases the lever arm, allowing the gears to
counter-rotate and the door to close under the door spring
tension.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
rodent trap that does not constitute a risk to humans and pets
in the area, is easy to use and of simple construction, humanely
kills the rodent, and enables the sanitary disposal of the dead
rodent.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to
provide an enclosed snap-trap that is not complex in structure,
is reliable in operation and which can be manufactured at low
cost but yet efficiently kill and sealingly contain the dead
mouse and associated parasites and pathogens.
[0016] These and other objects of the invention, as well as
many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more
readily apparent when reference is made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0016a] In an embodiment, a sealing mousetrap is provided. The
sealing mousetrap includes: a housing defining an enclosure to which
access is gained through an entrance opening; a rotatably mounted door
for closing the entrance opening; a door opening and closing mechanism
for rotating said door between an open position and a closed position;
a setting/killing mechanism including a setting/killing assembly
positioned inside the enclosure for killing a mouse that has entered
said housing through said entrance opening, said setting/killing
- 6 -
CA 02677561 2016-11-02
assembly having a set position and a killing position; a setting member
at least partly located outside said housing by which the
setting/killing assembly is placed in said set position from outside
the enclosure; a tripping mechanism for triggering movement of the
setting/killing assembly from the set position to the killing position;
and said door opening and closing mechanism being activated
automatically to rotate said door to the closed position by movement of
the setting/killing assembly to the killing position when the trap is
triggered.
[0016b] In an embodiment, a sealing mousetrap is provided. The
sealing mousetrap includes: a housing defining an enclosure to which
access is gained through an entrance opening; a door movable between an
open position and a hermetically sealed closed position for closing the
entrance opening; a setting/killing assembly positioned within the
enclosure and having a set position and a killing position for killing
a mouse that has entered said housing through said entrance opening; a
setting member by which the setting/killing assembly is placed in said
set position from outside the enclosure; and a door opening and closing
mechanism for moving said door between said open and closed positions
in direct response to placement of said setting/killing assembly in
said set and killing positions, respectively.
[0016c] In an embodiment, single-use mousetrap is provided. The
single-use mousetrap includes: a housing defining an enclosure to which
access is gained through an entrance; a door movable to open and close
the entrance; and a trip mechanism inside the housing having a set
position and a tripped position, said trip mechanism, when tripped by a
mouse, moving from the set position to the tripped position and
automatically closing said door over said entrance to hermetically seal
said enclosure with the mouse and associated parasites and pathogens
trapped inside, said trip mechanism including a kill bar and a setting
member coupled to a setting axle in a fixed relationship to one another
so that said kill bar and said setting member rotate with said setting
axle, said setting axle being rotatable by a user to place the trip
- 6a -
CA 02677561 2016-11-02
mechanism in the set position, said setting member being at least
partly located outside said housing.
[0016d] In an embodiment, single-use mousetrap is provided. The
single-use mousetrap includes: a housing defining an enclosure to which
access is gained through an entrance opening; a rotatably mounted door
for closing the entrance opening, said door having a rubber seal that
mates with a flange on an inside surface of the housing when the door
closes; a door opening and closing mechanism for rotating said door
between an open position and a closed position; a tripping mechanism
positioned inside the enclosure, said tripping mechanism having a set
position and a tripped position; a setting member at least partly
located outside said housing by which the tripping mechanism is placed
in said set position from outside the enclosure; and said door opening
and closing mechanism being activated automatically to rotate said door
to the closed position by movement of the tripping mechanism to the
tripped position when the trap is triggered, closure of said door and
mating said rubber seal with said flange on the housing inside surface
hermetically sealing said enclosure with the mouse and associated
pathogens and parasites trapped inside.
[0016e] In an embodiment, single-use mousetrap is provided. The
single-use mousetrap includes: a housing defining an enclosure to which
access is gained through an entrance opening; a rotatably mounted door
for closing the entrance opening; a door opening and closing mechanism
for rotating said door between an open position and a closed position;
a tripping mechanism including a mechanical killing member positioned
inside the enclosure, said tripping mechanism having a set position and
a tripped position, said mechanical killing member being spring
tensioned and, upon tripping of the tripping mechanism, is released to
move downwardly to pin a mouse against the housing in said tripped
position; a setting member at least partly located outside said housing
by which the tripping mechanism is placed in said set position from
outside the enclosure; and said door opening and closing mechanism
being activated automatically to rotate said door to the closed
- 6b -
CA 02677561 2016-11-02
position by movement of the tripping mechanism to the tripped position
when the trap is triggered, closure of said door hermetically sealing
said enclosure with the mouse and associated pathogens and parasites
trapped inside.
- 6c -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hermetically sealing
mousetrap in accordance with the present invention, with the upper
housing shown as transparent to reveal the interior of the housing.
[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mousetrap of Figure
1 with the transparency of the upper housing removed.
[0019] Figure 3 is a front view of the mousetrap of Figure 2.
[0020] Figure 4 is another perspective view of the mousetrap of
Figure 2, showing the front and right sides.
[0021] Figure 5 is a top view of the mousetrap of Figure 2.
[0022] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the upper housing of
the mousetrap of Figure 2.
[0023] Figure 7 shows an interior view of the access opening of
the mousetrap of Figure 2'as formed by upper and lower housings.
[0024] Figure 8 is a perspective cutaway view of the door,
sealing member and access opening of the mousetrap of Figure 2.
[0025] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the upper portion o'f
the access opening of Figure 7, shown with the upper housing upside
down.
[0026] Figure 10 is a view of the underside of the upper housing
of Figure 6.
[0027] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the bait plug of the
mousetrap of Figure 2, showing the sealing 0-ring.
- 7 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0028] Figure 12 is a top perspective view of the bait plug of
Figure 11.
[0029] Figure 13 is a bottom perspective view of the bait plug
of Figure 12.
[0030] Figure 14 is an upper perspeative view of the lower
housing of the mousetrap of Figure 2.
[0031] Figure 15 is a enlarged view of a portion of the lower
housing of Figure 14 including the lower portion of the access
opening.
[0032] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a through-going
aperture in the lower housing of Figure 14.
[0033] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the through-going
aperture of Figure 16 shown with the setting axle received therein
. and a sealing 0-ring in accordance with the present invention.
[0034] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the modular base
component of the mousetrap of Figure 1.
[0035] Figure 19 is another perspective view of the modular base
component of Figure 18.
[0036] Figure 20 is a perspective view of the setting/killing
assembly of the mousetrap of Figure 1.
[0037] Figure 21 is a top perspective view of the mousetrap of
Figure 1, with the upper housing removed and showing the various
operational components.
- 8 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0038] Figure 22 is a perspective view of the outside of the
setting handle of the mousetrap of Figure 1.
[0039] Figure 23 is a perspective view, of the inside of the
setting handle of Figure 22.
[0040] Figure 24 is a partial perspective view of the mousetrap
of Figure 1, with the upper housing removed and showing certain of
the operational components.
[0041] Figure 25 is a perspective view of the trip latch of the
mousetrap of Figure 1.
[0042] Figure 26 is a side cutaway view of the mousetrap of
Figure 1 showing the trip latch as mounted therein.
[0043] Figure 27A is a top perspective view of the bait pedal of
the mousetrap of Figure 1.
[0044] Figure 27B is a bottom perspective view of the bait pedal
of Figure 27A.
[0045] Figure 28 is a perspective view of the door of the
mousetrap of Figure 1.
[0046] Figure 29 is a perspective view of the mousetrap
components of Figure 21, shown in the set position.
[0047] Figure 30 is a perspective view of the lever arm/axle
combination of the door opening gear mechanism of the mousetrap of
Figure 1.
[0048] Figure 31 is a perspective view of the spur gear of the
door opening gear mechanism of the mousetrap of Figure 1.
- 9 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0049] Figure 32 is a perspective view of the position of the
lever arm/axle combination of Figure 30 when the trap is in the set
position.
=
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention
is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiment
is given by way of illustration only. It is not intended that the
invention be limited in its scope to the details of construction
and arrangement of components set forth in the following =
description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, in describing
the preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to
for the sake of clarity. It is to be understood that each specific
term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar
manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
[0051] As shown in Figure 1, the present invention is directed
to an enclosed snap-trap for rodents generally designated by
reference numeral 10. The trap includes an upper housing generally
designated by reference numeral 12 and a lower housing generally
designated by reference numeral 14 that are sealed together to
define an enclosure generally designated by reference numeral 16.
A bait hatch 18 is formed in the upper housing 12 and is sealed
with a removable bait plug 20. Secured to the lower housing is a
- 10 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
modular base component 22 that integrates the setting/killing and
door control mechanisms of the trap.
[0052] The
setting/killing mechanism includes a setting/killing
assembly generally designated by reference numeral 24, a setting
handle 26, a set spring 266 (see Figure 24), a trip latch 172 (see
Figure 26) and a bait pedal 32. The
door control mechanism
includes a rotationally mounted door assembly generally designated
by reference numeral 28, and a door opening and closing gear
mechanism generally designated by reference numeral 30. While the
trap as shown in Figure 1 has a transparent upper housing to reveal
the components inside the enclosure 16 for purposes of
illustration, Figures 2-5 illustrate the assembled trap in various
views with the upper housing 12 of a solid material as actually
embodied for use.
[0053] As
shown in Figures 2-6, the upper housing 12 includes a
flat front wall 34, a flat top 36, a rounded back wall 38, rounded
left and right sidewalls 40, 42 and a hole in the top 36 forming =
the bait hatch 18 which is closed by the bait plug 20. The left
wall 40 has a recessed area 44 that accommodates the setting handle
26 when the trap is assembled. The adjacently located vertical
ribs 46 are included for aesthetic reasons and are not part of the
trap functionality.
[0054] The
front wall 34 of the upper housing 12 has a cutout
generally designated by reference numeral 48 therein (see Figure 6)
- 11 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
that forms the upper part of the door opening generally designated
by reference numeral 50 (see Figure 1) when the trap is assembled.
As shown in Figures 7-9, the cutout 48 has an inner flange or lip
52 which is the upper part of a door flange, generally designated
by reference numeral 53, that mates with a rubber seal 54 on the
door 56 when the door-56 is closed. The door seal 54 is adhered to
the outer surface 58 of the door and, when the door is closed,
provides a hermetic seal against the mating door flange 53 as will
be discussed further hereinafter. The bottom edge 60 of the upper
housing 12 has a groove 62, illustrated in Figure 9, that receives
a raised triangular bead 144 on the top edge 142 of the lower
housing 14 (see Figures 14 and 15) when the upper housing 12 and
lower housing 14 are mated and ultrasonically welded together
during the assembly process.
[0055] The
interior of the upper housing, as shown in Figure 10,
includes a dividing wall or barrier 66 that projects downwardly
into the trap enclosure when the trap 10 is assembled. This
barrier 66 aligns end-to-end with an upwardly projecting dividing
wall 68 in the lower housing 14 (see Figure 14) which, together
with the barrier 66, divides the trap enclosure substantially down
the middle longitudinally in order to direct the mouse through the
enclosure to the bait. Recessed area 45 forms the upper housing
component of the setting handle recessed area 44.
- 12 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0056] The bait hatch 18 is preferably located near the front of
the trap and includes a round through-hole 70 with a recess 72 (see
Figure 6) that forms a sealing surface against which an 0-ring 80
on the bait plug 20, shown in Figure 11, is seated. =The round
. through-hole 70 has two radial cutouts 82 that receive
corresponding tabs 84 on the bait plug 20, allowing the plug to be
inserted into the hole. As viewed from the lower surface shown in
Figure 10, the bait hatch 18 is further provided with protruding
tabs 86 arranged. in a clockwise direction from the cutouts 82 that
= prevent the bait plug 20 from being rotated counterclockwise during
insertion. Located counterclockwise from the cutouts 82 are two
posts 88 that serve as stops for the bait plug 20 once it has been
=
inserted and rotated clockwise to the lock position.
[0057] The bait plug 20, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, includes
a cap 90 with a handle 92 for rotating the plug during insertion
and removal thereof. Attached to or integral with a lower surface
94 of the cap 90 is a cylindrical body 96 .having a recess 98
therein for holding bait; preferably the bait is an adherent
substance such as spreadable cheese or peanut butter. The lower
surface 94 of the cap 90 forms a seating surface 100 for the 0-ring
80 (not shown in Figure 13) once the plug 20 is locked into the
hatch 18 and includes a plurality of small pegs 102 that locate the
0-ring 90 radially around the cylindrical body 96 for proper
seating and sealing. Located axially around the cylindrical body
- 13 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
96 are the previously noted tabs 84 that slide through the cutouts
82 in the bait -hatch 18 when the plug 20 is inserted.
[0058] Turning to Figures 14 and 15, the lower housing 14
includes a flat bottom 104, a flat front wall 106, and a rounded
back wall 108. The front and back walls 106, 108 are joined by
substantially straight left and right side walls 110, 112 with the
left-side 110 having a recessed area 114 that comes into abutment
with the recessed area 45 in the upper housing 12 to receive the
setting handle 26 when the trap is assembled. The lower housing = .
recessed area 114 includes a through-going aperture 116, shown in
greater detail in Figure 16, for receiving, the projecting end 248
of the setting axle 220 (see Figure 20). The outside of this
aperture has a rounded countersunk outer face 118 that provides a
seating surface for the setting axle 0-ring 120 shown in Figure 17.
[0059] The front wall 106 has a cutout generally designated by
reference numeral 122 that forms the lower part of the door opening
50 and is aligned with the cutout 48 in the upper housing 12 when
the trap is assembled to complete the door opening 50. The door
cutout 122 in the lower housing 14 also has a flange or a lip 124
= that, together with flange 52 to form door flange 53, mates with
the rubber seal 54 on the door 56 when the door is closed to effect
a hermetic sealing of the trap enclosure 16 (see Figure 8). The
inner surface 126 of the front wall 106 has associated mounting
elements 128 (see Figure 15) that serve to slidingly receive tabs
- 14 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
208 and 210 on the modular base component 22 to interlock component
22 with the lower housing 14 in order to enhance the door seal and
increase the rigidity of the trap 10.
[0060]
The bottom 104 of the lower housing 14 includes the
previously noted upwardly projecting dividing wall 68 that serves,
along with the downwardly projecting wall 66 of the upper housing
12, to divide the trap longitudinally and guide the mouse through
the enclosure 16. A further wall 69 is preferably provided that
projects inwardly from the left side 110 toward the dividing wall
68 to funnel the mouse toward the bait pedal 32. The lower housing
14 also includes two substantially symmetrical vertical support
elements 134 having concave upper surfaces 136 that support the
door opening and closing gear mechanism 30, and two low profile
strips 138 that raise the setting axle/kill bar 24 off the bottom
104 and work in conjunction with features on the modular base
component 22 to accommodate the setting axle 30. Positioned on the
lower housing bottom 104 are a plurality of posts 140 that provide
material to be melted down during a heat staking process that
secures the modular base component 22 to the lower housing 14
= during assembly. The upper and lower housings 12, 14 are
preferably made of molded plastic and are fused together using a
conventional ultrasonic welding process as known by persons of
ordinary skill in the art.
- 15 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0061] The
top edge 142 of the lower housing 14 has a raised
triangular bead 144 that mates with the groove 62 in the bottom
edge 60 of the upper housing 12 for sealing of the upper housing 12
to the lower housing during the ultrasonic welding process:
[0062] The
modular base component 22 is shown in Figures 18 and
19 and serves to integrate the trap setting and door opening
elements within the housing and to facilitate assembly. The
modular base component 22 includes a generally L-shaped base
generally designated by reference numeral 146 which, as arranged in
the trap when assembled and looking at the front wall 34, can be
described as having a left side generally designated by reference
numeral 148 and a right side generally designated by reference
numeral 150.
[0063] The
left side 148 of the base 146 includes a centrally
located cutout 152 that divides the left side into a front part 154
and a back part 156 and is shaped to receive the setting axle 30
during assembly. On either side of the center cutout, arcuate
vertical members 158 span the gap between the front and back parts
154,. 156 formed by the center cutout 152. These arcuate vertical
members 158 have rounded cutouts 160 therein that capture the
setting axle 30 after trap assembly. The back part 156 of the left
side 148 includes an upwardly projecting tubular member 162
concentrically arranged with a central tubular member 161 to define
an annular channel 165 within which a spring 163 is mounted (see
- 16 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
Figures 21 and 24). The spring 163 presses against the underside
of the bait pedal 32 to assist in setting the trap as will be
described more Dilly hereinafter.
[0064]
The front part 154 of the left side 148 has two generally
= rectangular vertical planar elements 164 that extend linearly back
from the front edge 166 toward the back part 156.
Aligned
apertures 168 in each of these vertical planar elements 164 form a
horizontal passageway that captures a metal pin 170 upon which a
trip latch 172 (see Figures 25 and 26) rotates. The end of the pin
170 rests on a support block 174 (see Figures 18 and 19) that
projects horizontally from the outer side of one of the vertical
planar elements 164. The trip latch 172 is further supported by
its placement between the vertical planar elements 164 and an
additional pair of vertically projecting arms 176 that are in
linear alignment with the vertical planar elements 164. These arms
176 also support a bridge portion 178 of the bait pedal 32 (see
Figures 27A and 27B) as will be described hereinafter.
[0065]
=Two spaced vertically oriented planar members 194, 196
capture the door 56 and the door opening gear mechanism 30. The
outer member 194 is positioned adjacent the right edge 198 of the
base and the inner member 196 is positioned inside the right edge
200 of the left side 148. Each of these door capturing members
194, 196 has an aperture 202 therein to receive the door axle 204.
The inner member 196 is further provided with a large centrally
- 17 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
located opening 206 shaped like an archway that receives the axle,
generally designated by reference numeral 296, of lever arm/axle
combination, generally designated by reference numeral 300 (see
Figures 29 and 30). Each of the outer and inner members 194, 196
also includes interlock tabs 208, 210 that fit within the :mounting
elements 128 of the lower housing 14 to enhance the door seal and
increase the rigidity of the structure. The inner member 196 also
preferably includes an upper cutout 212 to allow visual alignment
of the timing marks of the door opening and closing gear mechanism
30 during assembly as will be described hereinafter.
[0066] Spaced to the right of and generally .parallel with the
inner member 196 is an additional vertically oriented planar member
214 that defines space 306 therebetween. Planar member 214 also
has a large centrally located opening 216 for capturing the spur
gear 302 of door opening and closing gear mechanism 30 in
cooperation with the inner member 196 in space 306 (see Figure 32).
[0067] Finally, the base 146 includes a plurality of holes 218
that are positioned to be in alignment with the plurality of posts
140 on the bottom 104 of the lower housing 14. The posts 140 are
received in the holes 218 and, when melted by a heat staking
procedure during assembly, further secure the modular base
component 22 to the lower housing 14.
[0068] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the setting/killing
assembly 24 includes a horizontal axle 220 coupled to or integral
- 18 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
with a generally rectangular loop that forms the kill bar,
generally designated by reference numeral 222, and another
generally rectangular loop that forms the setting bar, generally
designated by reference numeral 238.
[0069] The kill bar 222 is formed by two spaced, generally
parallel elongated arms 224 that project perpendicularly from the
setting axle 220 at their base ends 226 and are joined at their
opposite ends by a horizontal bar 228 that is parallel with the
setting axle 220. With the "front" side referring to that side
which contacts the pest when the trap is triggered, the arms 224
and the horizontal bar 228 of the kill bar 222 preferably include
a square rib 230 on a back side to increase strength, and a
pointed, triangular rib 232 =on the front side to increase the
effectiveness of the killing aspect of the kill bar 222 (see Figure
29). The setting/killing assembly 24 is preferably molded to
include the setting axle 220 and the kill bar 222 as a single
piece. =
[0070] The setting bar 238 is preferably supported within blind
central bores 236 formed in two posts 234 that protrude from the
axle 220 generally perpendicularly to the kill bar loop 222 as
shown in Figure 21. Like the kill bar 222, the setting bar 238 has
two arms 240 joined at their distal ends by a horizontal bar 242.
The arms may be press fit into the central bores 236 or,
- 19 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
alternatively, may be molded as a single piece with the setting
axle 220 and the kill bar 222.
[0071]
Located centrally on the setting axle 220 between the
base ends 226 of the kill bar 222 are two spaced ridges 246 that
serve to locate the bait pedal 32 laterally on the setting axle -
220. The left end, generally designated by reference numeral 248,
of the axle 220 is received in the through-going aperture 116 in
the recessed area 114 of the lower housing 14. A
protruding
portion 250 of the left end 248 of the axle has parallel flats 252
that engage corresponding flats 253 of the cutout 262 on the inside
Of the setting handle 26 (see Figure .23) and an axial hole 254 to
receive a fastening element, such as a screw (not shown), to secure
the setting handle 26 in place during assembly.
[0072] The
setting handle 26, shown in Figures 22 and 23, is
preferably formed as a single piece having a curved side 256 to fit
the user's thumb to facilitate pushing the handle 26 to set the
trap 10. A through-going aperture 258 is located adjacent the
lower end 260 of the handle 26 and is aligned with the axial hole
254 in the setting axle 220 to receive the fastening element that
secures the handle 26 to the setting axle 220. The back of the
handle, shown in Figure 23, has cutout 262 around the through-going
aperture 258 that mates with the left end 248 of the setting axle
220, as previously described. A further cutout 264 may be provided
to reduce the weight and amount of material needed for the handle.
- 20 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0073] An upper view of the setting/killing assembly 24 in the
kill position is provided in Figure 24. The axle 220 is received
in the through-going aperture 116 in the 'recessed area 114 of the
lower housing 14 and in the through-going aperture 258 in the
handle 26. A set spring 266 is mounted on the axle 220 between the
arcuate vertical member 158 and the inner wall 268 of the recessed
area 114. One end 265 of the spring 266 is hooked over and applies
force to the kill bar and the other end 267 is held in place
.
against the bottom 104 of the lower housing 14.
[0074] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the trip latch 172 is an
elongated generally planar member having an aperture 180 adjacent
a first end 182 for receiving the metal pin 170 upon which the trip
latch rotates, and a tripping tip 184 at an opposite second end
186. Projecting from the trip latch upper surface 188 is a setting
hook 190 that defines a recess 192 for securing the setting bar 238
when the trap 10 is in the set position as will be described
further hereinafter. In the cutaway view of' Figure 26, the trip
latch 172 is not set.
[0075] As shown in, Figures 27A and 27B, the bait pedal 32 is
preferably of a single piece construction, most preferably molded
polymer, and includes a weighted end 340 and a back end 342 joined
by a bridge portion 178. The bridge portion 178 has a pair of
aligned bottom cutouts 344, 345 for snapping the bait pedal 32 onto
the setting axle 220 during trap assembly, and a central cutout 346
- 21 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
that latches with the tripping tip 184 of the trip latch 172 when
the trap is set (see Figure 29). A circular cutout 331 may also be
provided in the back end 342 to reduce weight and material. The
bait pedal 32 rotates freely about the setting axle 220 and is
located longitudinally thereon by the ribs 246 on the setting axle
which, when positioned between the cutouts 344, 345, ensure that
the bait pedal is lined up with the rest of the setting mechanism
(see Figures 20 and 27B).
[0076] As shown in Figure 27B, the bottom of the bait pedal
includes a projection 349 that, when:the trap is assembled, is
positioned over the tubular member 162. The spring 163, mounted
within the annular channel 165 formed by tubular member 162 with
central member 161, receives the projection 349 in the center of
the coils (see Figure 26). Engagement of the spring 163 with the
= projection 349 ensures proper alignment of the bait pedal 32 and
also provides upward pressure against the underside of the back end
342 when the trap is being set. With this upward pressure, the
trap can be set by the user while being held in any spatial
orientation.
[0077] To set the trap, the user holds the trap with one hand
while pushing the setting handle 26 down over a travel range of
approximately 90 degrees until the setting bar 238 locks with the
trip latch 72. This can be visualized with reference to Figures 21
and 24 from which shown position the setting handle is rotated
- 22 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
clockwise toward the front wall 106 of the lower housing 14 until
the trap is set as shown in Figure 29. This handle rotation
rotates the setting axle 220 and the setting bar 238 toward the
front wall 106 where the horizontal bar 242 passes over the setting
hook 190 and is received in the recess 192. With the kill bar
concurrently rotated upwardly ofT the back end 342 of the bait
pedal 32 as the setting'bar is rotated, the weighted end 30 of the
bait pedal causes the bait pedal to rotate on the setting axis,
lowering the weighted end and allowing the back en&342 to lift off
of the bottom of the lower housing. In addition, the pressure of
the spring 163 against the underside of the back end 342 ensures
= the upward positioning of the back end, once the kill bar has been
lifted, regardless of the angle at which the trap is being held
= during the setting process. According to a preferred embodiment,
when the back end is in the "upward position", .the bait pedal is
substantially parallel with the bottom of the trap.
. [0078]
More particularly, when the setting bar 238 contacts and
=
presses downwardly on the setting hook 190 of the trip latch 172,
.the tripping tip 184 thereof moves upwardly through the central.
cutout 346. The upward positioning of the back end 342 of the bait
pedal, as maintained by the pressure of the spring 163, allows the
tripping tip 184 of the latch 172, once the setting bar has moved
into recess 192, to catch on the back edge 347 of the cutout 346.
With the trip latch 172 thus held at both ends, the setting hook
- 23 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
190 being tensioned upwardly by the setting bar 238 and the
tripping tip 184 caught on the edge 347 preventing the second latch
end 186 from moving downwardly, the trap is set.
[0079] When the trap is set, force applied by the mouse when it
steps on the back end 342 rotates the bait pedal sufficiently to
release the tripping tip 184 from the edge 347 of the central=
cutout 346-, allowing the trip latch 172 to rotate on the metal pin
170 whichi due to the tension of spring 266 on the setting bar 238,
raises the setting hook 190 to release the setting bar 238. The
kill bar 222 is then free to rotate rapidly from the set position
shown in Figure 29 to the kill position shown in Figure 24 where
the horizontal bar 228 of the kill bar 222 presses downwardly under
spring tension against the back end 342 of the bait pedal 32.
- [0080] Concurrently with setting of the kill bar 222,. the door
assembly 28 is automatically moved to an open door position by the
door opening and closing gear mechanism 30. As shown in Figures
21, 28 and 29, the door assembly 28 includes a door 56, the door
axle 204 and a door spring 270.
[0081] The door 56 includes a cylindrical top section 272, a
flat plate 274, and a.partial pinion gear 276 on the left end (as
viewed from the front of the assembled trap) of the cylindrical
section 272. The cylindrical section 272 has an axial bore 278
through which the door axle 204 extends to enable rotation of the
door 56, and a cutout 280 to accommodate the door spring 270
- 24 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
through which the door axle 204 also passes (see Figures 21 and
29). Thin rings 281 are located at each end of the cylindrical
section 272 for proper spacing of the door 56 between the
corresponding vertically oriented planar members 194, 196 on the .
modular base component 22.
[0082] The flat plate 274 has a front surface 58 for adhesion of
the rubber door seal 54 (see Figure 8). The back surface 282 of
the plate 274 is provided with reinforcement ribs 284 that extend
in alignment with the sides of the plate and are preferably tapered
from the cylindrical section 272 toward the free end 286 of the
door.
[0083] The door seal 54 is adhered to the front surface 58 of
the plate 274 and is preferably made of a rubber material. Other
elastomeric materials that are sufficiently soft or compressible to
form a good seal with the door flange 53 when subjected to the
disclosed spring tension may also be used. When the. trap is
tripped and the door 56 is closed, the door seal 54 and the door
flange 53 form a hermetically sealed trap for retaining the trapped
(killed) pest and its related parasites and pathogens. As used
herein, the term e "hermetically sealed" and "hermetic seal" are
intended to mean a closed trap having a vacuum inside the trap
enclosure, such as enclosure 16, of between about 1.0 mmHg and
about 25.9 mmHg. Stated another way, the seal can withstand a
pressure of between at least 0.125 inches H20 to about 55.4 inches
- 25 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
. H20. As known to those skilled in the art, these parameters can be
measured using a leak and flow, tester such as the SPRINT-LC
manufactured by Uson LP of Houston, Texas.
[0084]
The partial pinion gear 276, located on the left side of
the cylindrical section 272, is configured with a plurality of
teeth 288 to mesh with teeth 289 of the spur gear 302 of the door
opening gear mechanism 30. A timing mark 290 is pi-ovided on the
side of the pinion gear 276 that aligns with a timing mark 292. on
the door opening gear mechanism 30 (see Figure 26).
During
assembly in the unset position, the timing marks 290 and 292 should
be side-by-side, as shown in Figure 26. This alignment ensures
that the spur gear 302 will rotate the pinion gear 276 to fully
open the door 56 when the trap is set by rotating the setting
handle 26.
[0085]
The door axle 204 is preferably a steel wire or rod that
passes through the bore 278 of the door cylindrical section 272 and
is press fit through the horizontal holes 202 in the outer and
inner vertically oriented planar members 194, 196. The door spring
270 is a torsional spring located around the door axle 204 and in
the cutout 280 in the cylindrical section 272. One end 333 of the
spring contacts and applies force to the back side 282 of the flat
plate 274 of the door (see Figure 21). The other end contacts and
applies force against the inside of the front wall 34 of the upper
housing above the door opening 50 (see Figure 1).
- 26 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0086] As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the door opening and
closing gear mechanism 30 includes the lever arm/axle combination,
generally designated by reference numeral 300, and the spur gear
302 that works cooperatively with the partial pinion gear 276 on
the door 56. The lever arm/axle combination 300 and spur gear 302
are supported on the inner and center vertically oriented planar
members 196, 214 of the modular base component 22.
[0087] The lever arm/axle combination 300 is preferably formed
as a single piece as shown in Figure 30 and includes a lever arm
generally designated by reference numeral 294 and an axle generally
designated by reference numeral 296. The lever arm 294 has a knob
298 on the end that is engaged by right side arm 240 of the metal
setting bar 238 during setting of the trap. The axle 296 has a
projecting end 304 that extends through the opening 216 in the
center vertically oriented planar member 214, across the space 306
(see Figures 18 and 19) between the center and inner planar members
214, 196, and into the opening 206 in the inner planar member 196
where the end 304 of the axle 296 is supported on a base 308 (see
Figure 8). The projecting end 304 is formed to have parallel flats
310 that mate with corresponding flats 312 on the spur gear 302 as
shown in Figure 31. The axle 296 is also preferably provided with
a projection 314 that is received within a correspondingly shaped
cutout 316 on one of the spur gear flats 312 to allow installation
of the spur gear 302 in only one direction.
- 27 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
[0088] The spur gear 302 is positioned between the vertically
oriented planar members 196, 214 of the modular base component 22
and has a central opening 320 to receive the axle 296. The flats
312 on the spur gear 292 extend into this opening 320 as shown in
Figure 31. The spur gear 302 is properly mounted on the axle 296
when the axle projection 314 is received within the spur gear
cutout 320. Preferably, a small raised round feature 330 is formed
on the axle-flats 310 to help lock the spur gear 302 in place. As
noted earlier, the spur gear 302 also includes a timing mark 292
that aligns in the unset position with the timing mark 290 on the
partial pinion gear 276 of the door 56 during assembly. The
position of the lever arm/axle combination 300 when assembled with
the trap in a set condition is shown in Figure 32.
[0089] As shown, with the setting of the kill bar 222, the
setting bar 238 contacts the knob 298 on the end of the lever
arm/axle combination 300, pushing the knob 298 downwardly. As the
knob 298 moves downwardly, the lever arm/axle combination 300 and
= the spur gear 302 coupled thereto are rotated counterclockwise.
The spur gear 302, in turn, rotates the pinion gear 276 on the door
56 clockwise to open the door.
[0090] With the door open and the setting bar 238 held in the
recess 192 of the trip latch 172, a mouse can enter the trap 10
through the door opening 50. Drawn by the smell of the bait and
guided by the dividing walls 66, 68, the mouse approaches the back
- 28 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
end 342 of the bait .pedal 32. When the mouse steps on the bait
pedal and moves the back end downwardly, the tripping tip 184 is
released from the bait pedal cutout 346 and the setting hook 190
releases the setting bar 238. The kill bar and setting bar rotate
together with the setting axle under the force of the loaded set
spring 266 to move rapidly to the kill position. Upon rotation of
the setting bar, the knob 298 of the lever arm 294 is released and
is free to move upwardly. The release allows the lever arm and
axle combination 300 and the spur gear 302 to counter-rotate (in a
clockwise direction). The force of the tensioned door spring 270
then actuates to close, the door 56 while, at the' same time,
rotating the pinion gear 276 counter-clockwise which, in turn,
rotates the spur gear 302. As the door 56 closes under the.force
of spring 270, the rubber seal 54 on the outside of the door mates
with the door flange 53 on the inner wall of the housing to
hermetically seal the enclosure 16.. The mouse, now dead, is
enclosed within the housing along with any parasites and pathogens
associated therewith. The trap can then be safely disposed of
without exposing the user to any contact with the carcass and any
pathogens associated therewith.
[0091] The
trap as described herein is both humane, killing the
mouse in typically less than 30 seconds, and safe for both persons
and pets around the trap. The trap can be baited and set from
outside the enclosure, although during testing it has been found
- 29 -
CA 02677561 2009-09-03
that baiting is not necessary as mice are naturally curious about
small dark spaces such as that created by the housing. The user
never has to see the dead mouse, and the trap securely contains all
bacteria, parasites, urine, feces, etc., associated with the mouse
indefinitely, making the trap suitable for use in locations that
may not be convenient for regular servicing.
[0092]
While the killing mechanism described herein is a snap-
trap, the present invention may also be modified to include one of
. several other alternative killing/incapacitating mechanisms known
in the art while retaining the hermetic sealing operation of the
= trap.
[0093].
The foregoing descriptions and. drawings should be
considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes
and is not limited by =the dimensions of the preferred embodiment.
Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit
the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact
construction and operation shown and described.
Rather, all
suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling
within the scope of the invention.
- 30 -
