Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
ANIMAL TRAP
[0001] [Intentionally left blank].
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to animal traps in general, and to
net animal traps in
particular.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Feral swine are a destructive invasive species in many areas of
the world. In the
United States alone, it is estimated that two to six million feral hogs are
currently present in at
least thirty-nine states, and do millions of dollars in damage every year.
Feral swine are
prodigious breeders and in many areas have few or no natural predators.
[0006] Feral swine damage crops by consuming them or by their rooting,
trampling, and
wallowing behaviors. Field crops commonly targeted by feral swine include
sugar cane, corn,
grain sorghum, soy beans, wheat, oats, peanuts, and rice; however, they will
eat almost any crop.
Farmers may also experience damage to vegetable and fruit crops such as
lettuce, spinach,
melons, and pumpkins. Feral swine damage pasture grasses, killing desirable
plant species. The
decimation of these desirable plant species can, in turn, facilitate the
proliferation of undesired
weed species. Feral swine can also devastate orchards and vineyards by
consuming fruit, berries,
citrus, grapes, and nuts, destroy saplings and vines by roughly rubbing on the
plants with their
bodies (which they do to remove parasites from their skin), and damage large
trees by scraping
bark off with their tusks to mark territory, creating an entry point for
diseases on the tree.
[0007] Feral swine compete with native wildlife for multiple resources,
specifically food,
habitat, and water. Feral swine diets overlap with those of native wildlife,
such as bear, deer, and
turkey, which results in competition for important and limited natural food
supplies. Feral swine
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activity will often deter other species from living in an area, resulting in
competition over prime
habitat. Feral swine also prey directly on the nests, eggs, and young of
native ground nesting
birds and reptiles, including threatened or endangered species. Game birds
such as wild turkeys,
grouse, and quail are often negatively affected. Feral swine wallows are prime
mosquito habitat
which contributes to the prevalence of various mosquito-borne diseases.
Wallows can also be a
place of transmission for bacteria and parasites from feral swine to native
wildlife that come to
drink.
[0008] Feral swine are known to carry at least thirty (30) viral and
bacterial diseases and
nearly forty (40) parasites that can be transmitted to humans, pets,
livestock, and other wildlife.
Feral swine can pass pathogens in many ways; e.g., by direct contact with
feral swine or their
scat, via feed and water sources previously contaminated by feral swine, or by
eating raw,
infected feral swine meat, organs, or other tissues.
[0009] Efforts to control feral swine populations to date have been
largely ineffective.
The ability of feral swine to reproduce outpaces conventional hunting
techniques, and very often
landowners or local regulations do not permit hunting. Various traps are
known, but none of
these traps are capable of readily being used in all settings and therefore
are limited. For
example, feral swine are often present in remote areas, not easily accessible
by vehicle. Box traps
are typically large, heavy structures not easily carried, if at all, to a
remote location. Indeed, the
size and weight of box traps often not only limits where they can be utilized,
but also how many
swine may be caught therein. In some instances, box traps may be disassembled
for transport, but
then must be reassembled in the field ¨ but the overall weight of the trap
does not change. Box
traps also typically have an elaborate door mechanism that permits ingress,
but no exit, or
remotely controlled doors that require a user to monitor the trap (e.g., via
camera).
[0010] Some corral traps formed from stiff wire fencing may overcome the
shortcomings
of box traps, but they too have their own shortfalls. Although lighter than
box traps, and typically
larger than box traps, corral traps can also be prohibitively heavy and
difficult to transport. The
time required to set up stiff wire corral traps is typically significant,
often requires some amount
of environment clearance to enable the stiff wire fencing to be installed, and
may be limited to
use on flat ground areas. Like box traps, corral traps also typically utilize
elaborate door
mechanisms.
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[0011] Other efforts to control feral swine populations utilize
ingestible poisons. The use
of poisons is often frowned upon for fear that native wildlife or domestic
animals will either
directly ingest the poison or will ingest the poison from a feral pig who
earlier ingested the
poison.
[0012] What is needed is a trap system and methodology that overcomes the
shortfalls of
currently available traps, and in particular a trap system and methodology
that can be used for
animals other than feral swine.
SUMMARY
[0013] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an animal trap
net structure is
provided. The net structure includes a net and an upper cord. The net is
formed from spaced
apart orthogonal members that define openings between the members. The net has
a width that
extends between an upper lateral edge and a lower lateral edge, and a first
length that extends
between a first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end at the upper
lateral edge, and a
second length that extends between the first lengthwise end and the second
lengthwise end at the
lower lateral edge. The second length is less than the first length. The upper
cord is attached to
the net at the upper lateral edge extending the first length of the net.
[0014] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the net
structure may include a bottom cord attached to the net at the lower lateral
edge and extending
the second length of the net.
[0015] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the bottom cord
may be a weighted cord having a lead core.
[0016] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the net
structure may include a mid-cord attached to the net, the mid-cord extending
lengthwise between
the first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end, and disposed widthwise
between the upper
cord and the bottom cord.
[0017] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
wherein the net
structure includes a plurality of rib cords, each extending lengthwise between
the upper lateral
edge and the lower lateral edge, the rib cords spaced apart from one another
along the length of
the net.
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[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a trap for
trapping animals
on the ground is provided. The trap includes a plurality of posts and a net
structure. The plurality
of posts are configured to be secured in a ground surface. Each post has a
length that includes a
first lengthwise portion configured for disposal within the ground surface and
a second
lengthwise portion configured for disposal above the ground surface. The net
structure is
attached to the plurality of posts. The net structure has a width that extends
between an upper
lateral edge and a lower lateral edge, a first length that extends between a
first lengthwise end
and a second lengthwise end at the upper lateral edge, and a second length
that extends between
the first lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end at the lower lateral
edge. The second
length is less than the first length. The net structure includes a net and an
upper cord. The net is
formed from spaced apart orthogonal members defining openings between the
members. The net
extends from the upper lateral edge to the lower lateral edge, and extends
from the first
lengthwise end to the second lengthwise end. The upper cord is attached to the
net at the upper
lateral edge and extends the first length of the net. The net structure is
configurable in a set
configuration, and in the set configuration the net structure is closed
defining an interior region
of the trap. In the set configuration, the net structure has a first
circumference at the upper lateral
edge and a second circumference at the lower lateral edge. The first
circumference is greater than
the second circumference.
[0019] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
in the set
configuration the net structure has a wall portion and ground portion, and the
ground portion is
configured to reside on the ground surface.
[0020] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the ground
portion has a width and the ground portion width is about 25% - 40% of the
width of the net
structure.
[0021] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the trap may
include one or more anchoring devices for securing the lower lateral edge of
the net structure to
the ground surface. A non-limiting example of an anchoring device is an anchor
stake configured
to couple the lower lateral edge of the net structure with the ground surface.
[0022] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the net
structure may include a weighted bottom cord attached to the net at the lower
lateral edge
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extending the second length of the net structure, and the weighted bottom cord
may include a
lead core.
[0023] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the net
structure may include a mid-cord attached to the net. The mid-cord extending
lengthwise
between the first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end, and disposed
widthwise between
the upper cord and the bottom cord.
[0024] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the net
structure may include a plurality of rib cords, each rib cord extending
lengthwise between the
upper lateral edge and the lower lateral edge. The rib cords may be spaced
apart from one
another along the length of the net.
[0025] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the trap may
include a plurality of tensioning structures. Each tensioning structure may be
configured to apply
an outwardly radial force to a respective post.
[0026] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the trap may
include an upper edge panel attached to the net structure proximate the upper
lateral edge, the
upper edge panel extending radially inwardly a distance.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of
trapping an
animal is provided. The method includes: a) inserting a plurality of posts
into a ground surface,
the posts circumferentially spaced apart from one another; b) attaching a net
structure to the
plurality of posts, the net structure having a width that extends between an
upper lateral edge and
a lower lateral edge, and a first length that extends between a first
lengthwise end and a second
lengthwise end at the upper lateral edge, and a second length that extends
between the first
lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end at the lower lateral edge,
wherein second length is
less than the first length, the net structure including a net and an upper
cord, the net having
spaced apart members that define openings between the members, the net
extending from the
upper lateral edge to the lower lateral edge, and extending from the first
lengthwise end to the
second lengthwise end, and the upper cord attached to the net at the upper
lateral edge extending
the first length of the net; c) disposing the net structure in a set
configuration, and in the set
configuration: (i) the net structure is circumferentially closed defining an
interior region of the
trap; (ii) the net structure has a first circumference at the upper lateral
edge and a second
circumference at the lower lateral edge, and the first circumference is
greater than the second
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circumference; and (iii) the net structure has a wall portion disposed above
the ground surface
and therefore not in contact with the ground surface, and a ground portion
disposed in contact
with the ground surface.
[0028] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the ground
portion has a width and the ground portion width may be about 25% - 40% of the
width of the
net structure.
[0029] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the method
further including anchoring the lower lateral edge of the net structure to the
ground surface, for
example by inserting anchor stakes into the ground surface adjacent the lower
lateral edge. The
anchor stakes are configured to couple the lower lateral edge of the net
structure with the ground
surface, and configured to allow the lower lateral edge to travel vertically
up the respective
anchor stakes a distance great enough to allow an animal to pass under the net
structure and into
the interior region of the trap and to fall back to the ground surface after
the animal has passed
under the net structure and into the interior region of the trap.
[0030] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the method
further including disposing the net structure in a pre-set configuration prior
to disposing the net
structure in the set configuration, and in the pre-set configuration at least
a portion of the net
structure ground portion is held off of the ground surface thereby providing
at least one passage
into and out of the interior region of the trap.
[0031] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
wherein the net
structure further comprises a mid-cord attached to the net, extending
lengthwise between the first
lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end, and disposed widthwise between the
upper lateral
edge and a lower lateral edge. In the set configuration, the upper cord and
the mid-cord are
attached to the plurality of posts, and the net is curved radially inwardly
from the mid-cord to the
ground portion.
[0032] In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein,
the method
further including: a) providing a plurality of tensioning structures; b)
attaching the tensioning
structures to the plurality of posts; and c) applying an outwardly radial
force to a respective post
using a respective one of the tensioning structures sufficient to produce
tension in the upper cord.
[0033] The foregoing features and the operation of the present disclosure
will become
more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a present disclosure
animal trap
embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of a present disclosure animal
trap
embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a present disclosure net structure
embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 3A is a diagrammatic view of a present disclosure net
structure embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic partial view of a present disclosure net
structure
embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of a portion of a present
disclosure animal trap
embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of a portion of a present
disclosure animal trap
embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a tensioning structure hardware
embodiment,
illustrating an upper cord engaged with the hardware.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic partial view of a present disclosure net
structure
embodiment, illustrating lengthwise ends coupled together.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a tensioning structure hardware
embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates an upper corner of the net
structure looped
around a post, engaged with tensioning structure hardware.
[0045] FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates both upper corners of the net
structure looped
around a post, engaged with tensioning structure hardware.
[0046] FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates an upper edge panel
embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates an upper edge panel
embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 14 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the present
disclosure trap
having a structural ring.
[0049] FIG. 15 illustrates an anchor stake embodiment securing a lower
lateral edge of
the net structure.
[0050] FIG. 16 illustrates a plurality of anchor stakes securing the lower
lateral edge of a
net structure in a central location of the trap.
[0051] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a tool for location posts.
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[0052] FIG. 19 diagrammatically illustrates a present disclosure animal
trap in a pre-set
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an animal trap
20 according
to the present disclosure. The animal trap 20 embodiment includes a net
structure 22. Some
embodiments of the animal trap include a plurality of posts 24 as part of the
trap 20. When the
animal trap 20 is set up to trap animals (i.e., in a "set configuration"), the
net structure 22 is
configured as a closed structure that defines a trap interior region 26; i.e.,
the net structure 22 is
continuous around the circumference of the trap 20. More specifically, in the
set configuration, a
portion of the net structure 22 is in contact with the ground, and the
remainder of the net
structure 22 extends upwardly from the ground, forming a closed wall
structure. The term
"closed structure" is used herein to mean that the net structure 22 extends
continuously around
the entire perimeter of the trap 20, with no door, gate, or opening that
permits animal ingress or
egress. As will be described herein, embodiments of the present animal trap 20
may be
configured with a substantially circular structure, with the net structure 22
in the set
configuration having a first circumference at an upper lateral edge and a
second circumference at
a lower lateral edge disposed on the ground. The second circumference is
smaller than the first
circumference. In some embodiments, the vertical top of the animal trap 20 is
open.
[0054] The net structure 22 includes a net 28 and an upper cord 30. The
net structure 22
has a length extending between a first lengthwise end 32 and a second
lengthwise end 34, and a
width extending between an upper lateral edge 36 and a lower lateral edge 38.
The upper cord 30
is disposed along the upper lateral edge 36 and extends lengthwise between the
first and second
lengthwise ends 32, 34. The size and material of the upper cord 30 can vary
depending on the
application. For many applications, the upper cord 30 may comprise a polymeric
material such as
polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, aramid, or the like, and any
combination thereof
Alternatively, the upper cord 30 may comprise natural fibers such as hemp.
Generally speaking,
an upper cord 30 comprising polymeric material is preferred because of its
superior strength,
resistance to degradation, and light weight. A specific non-limiting example
of an upper cord 30
is a high-density polypropylene cord having a diameter in the range of about
0.25 inches to about
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1.0 inches (0.25 ¨ 1.0 inches; 6.35mm ¨ 25.4mm). The present disclosure is
not, however,
limited to any particular upper cord material or construction.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 3A, in some embodiments the net
structure 22 may
include a mid-cord 40 disposed in a middle region of the net 28 (i.e., between
the upper lateral
edge 36 and the lower lateral edge 38, and therefore spaced apart from the
upper cord 30),
extending lengthwise between the first and second lengthwise ends 32, 34. The
term "mid-cord-
should not be interpreted as implying that the mid-cord 40 is located at the
geometric middle
point of the width of the net 28. Typically in those embodiments that include
a mid-cord 40, the
upper cord 30 and the mid-cord 40 extend lengthwise generally parallel to one
another. The size
and material of the mid-cord 40 may be as described above for the upper cord
30. The mid-cord
is not required to be the exact same size and material as the upper cord 30,
however.
[0056] In some embodiments, the net structure 22 may include a bottom cord
42 attached
to the net 28 along the lower lateral edge 38. The size and material of the
bottom cord 42 may be
as described above for the upper cord 30. In preferred embodiments, the bottom
cord 42 may
have a weight per unit length that is greater than the weight per unit length
of the upper cord 30.
A non-limiting example of an acceptable bottom cord 42 is a weighted cord
having a lead core.
[0057] In some embodiments, the net structure 22 may include a plurality
of widthwise
extending rib cords 44 (e.g., extending widthwise between the upper lateral
edge 36 and the
lower lateral edge 38) spaced apart from one another at lengthwise positions.
A rib cord 44 may
be disposed at each lengthwise end 32, 34 of the net structure 22. The size
and material of a rib
cord 44 may be as described above for the upper cord 30. The rib cords 44 are
not required to be
the exact same size and material as the upper cord 30, however.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 3, 3A, and 4, the net 28 is a mesh structure
formed from a
plurality of flexible lines that are connected to one another in a pattern
that creates openings 46
between adjacent lines. The lines are attached to one another to one another
to fix the size of the
openings 46. The lines within the net 28 may be orthogonally arranged (e.g.,
vertically extending
lines and horizontally extending lines), but the present disclosure is not
limited to nets having
orthogonal lines. The openings 46 within the net 28 are large enough so that
the net 28 does not
substantially obstruct vision through the net 28, but small enough to prevent
the trapped animal
from escaping through the openings 46. The net 28 is configured to withstand
impacts by the
animal being trapped (as will be described below), and is preferably also
sufficiently durable to
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prevent a trapped animal from chewing or otherwise cutting through the net 28
during a period of
time in which the animal is expected to be trapped. The net 28 may comprise
polymeric
materials such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, aramid, and
the like, or
combinations thereof. Alternatively, the net 28 may comprise natural fibers
such as hemp.
Generally speaking, polymeric nets are preferred because of their superior
strength, resistance to
degradation, and light-weight. The present disclosure is not, however, limited
to any particular
net 28 material or construction. Non-limiting examples of acceptable nets 28
include some nets
of the type constructed for use as baseball nets, or golf ball nets, or in
some instances fishing
nets. For a net structure 22 configured for trapping feral swine, a net 28
comprising a twine size
in the range of #18 - #96 twine (i.e., a twine diameter range of about 1.5mm
to about 4.0mm, or
about 0.06 inches to about 0.158 inches), and having openings 46 in the range
of about 0.75
inches (19.0 mm) to about 2.0 inches (50.8 mm) is typically acceptable. The
present disclosure is
not limited to these exemplary twine diameter and opening range values. The
specific
characteristics of the net 28 may depend on the application at hand, and the
net 28 materials
being used; e.g., a net twine having a greater tensile strength may permit a
smaller diameter
twine, etc.
[0059]
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the net structure 22 may be described as having a
wall
portion 48 and a ground portion 50. In the set configuration, the wall portion
48 is disposed
above the ground and therefore not in contact with the ground. The ground
portion 50, in
contrast, is disposed in contact with the ground when the net structure 22 is
in the set
configuration. The width of the ground portion 50 of the net structure 22 is
great enough such
that when an animal in the interior region of the trap approaches the wall
portion 48, that animal
will step on the ground portion 50. The weight of the animal stepping on the
ground portion 50
as it approaches the wall portion 48 helps to anchor the net structure 22 to
the ground and
prevent the animal from escaping from the trap 20. In terms of the entire
width of the net
structure 22, the ground portion 50 is typically about 25-40% of the width of
the net structure 22.
Embodiments of the present disclosure trap 20 that are configured to trap
feral swine, for
example, typically have a net structure ground portion 50 that is about twenty-
four to about
thirty-six inches (24-36"; 610-915mm) wide when the trap 20 is in a set
configuration, and an
overall net structure width of about ninety to ninety-six inches (90-96
inches; 2280mm ¨
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2440mm). The present disclosure is not limited to any particular wall portion
48 height, and
therefore not limited to any overall net structure 22 width.
[0060] In some embodiments, the entirety of the net 28 has a uniform
configuration; e.g.,
the same twine size, material, and opening size throughout the entire net 28.
In alternative
embodiments, the net 28 may include two or more regions each having a
different net
configuration; e.g., a first net region having a first net configuration, and
a second net region
having a second net configuration, where the second net configuration is
different from the first
net configuration. For example, a net structure 22 that includes a mid-cord 40
may include a first
net configuration disposed between the mid-cord 40 and the upper lateral edge
36 / upper cord
30, and a second net configuration disposed between the mid-cord 40 and the
lower lateral edge
38 / bottom cord 42. To prevent escape by even the smallest animals (e.g.,
piglets) and/or to
facilitate ingress into the trap 20, the second net configuration (including
the ground portion 50
of the net structure) may comprise smaller openings 46 and lighter twine than
a first net
configuration that predominates the wall portion 48 of the net structure. The
smaller net openings
46 can be selected to minimize the possibility of the animal becoming
entangled in the net 28
(e.g., in terms of a feral pig, getting a hoof or a snout stuck in an opening
46).
[0061] In some embodiments the net structure 22 may include a secondary
wall portion
52 (i.e., an additional wall portion) that is attached to the net structure 22
between the upper and
lower lateral edges 36, 38 (e.g., at the mid-cord 40 if one is included), and
extends downwardly
toward the lower lateral edge 38; e.g., the secondary wall portion 52 may rest
on the net 28,
including the ground portion 50, extending widthwise to the lower lateral edge
38, and
lengthwise between the first and second lengthwise ends 32, 34 ¨ see FIG. 6.
In those
embodiments wherein the net structure 22 includes a secondary wall portion 52,
the net opening
46 size of the secondary wall portion 52 may be smaller than the net opening
46 size of the
adjacent net. In such an embodiment, the heavier twine size of the net 28
provides desirable
strength to withstand impact forces, and the lighter twine size and smaller
openings 46 of the
secondary lower wall region 52 helps avoid the animal entanglement (e.g., hoof
or snout
entanglement, etc.). Furthermore, a secondary lower wall region 52 with a
lighter twine size and
smaller openings 46 also typically possesses greater drapability and
facilitates maintaining the
ground portion 50 in contact with the ground to prevent captured feral swine
from escaping.
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[0062] The upper cord 30 (and one or more of the mid-cord 40, bottom cord
42, and rib
cords 44 where included) may be connected to the net 28 in a variety of
different ways. For
example, the upper cord 30 (and other cords 40, 42, 44 as included) may be
attached to the net 28
by sewn attachment; e.g., the net 28 may be configured with integral twines
that attach the net 28
to the upper cord 30 (e.g., see FIG. 7). A sewn connection between the cords
30, 40, 42, 44 and
the net 28 is advantageous for several reasons; e.g., it does not require any
independent fasteners,
and can often be implemented during construction of the net structure 22. The
present disclosure
is not, however, limited to a net structure 22 having cords 30, 40, 42, 44
attached to the net 28 by
sewn attachment. For example, any of the cords 30, 40, 42, 44 may be
independent of the net 28
and may be attached to the net 28 by mechanical fasteners. Still further, any
of the cords 30, 40,
42, 44 may be independent of the net 28 and weaved through the net 28 to
create the connection
there between.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5, in those trap 20 embodiments that
include posts 24,
the posts 24 are configured to support the net structure 22 above the ground,
and to be anchored
within the ground. Each post 24 may therefore be described as having a length
that includes a
first lengthwise portion 54 (for disposal within the ground when installed)
and a second
lengthwise portion 56 (for disposal above the ground when installed). The
overall length of each
post 24 is chosen so that the first lengthwise portion 54 is long enough to
securely mount the post
24 in the ground, and the second lengthwise portion 56 is long enough to hold
the net structure
22 at a height where the animal to be trapped is unable to escape over the net
structure 22. A
non-limiting example of an acceptable post 24 is a metal post possessing
sufficient mechanical
strength to support the net structure 22 during use. A specific example of an
acceptable metal
post is a commonly available T-post that may be driven into the ground. The
present disclosure
is not limited to metal posts, including metal T-posts. In some instances, an
alternative post (e.g.,
an existing tree or the like) may be used as one or more of the posts 24.
[0064] The potential for a post 24 to be dislodged from the ground (e.g.
after multiple
animal impacts, etc.) is a typically a function of factors that include the
ground condition and the
lengthwise portion of the post 24 (e.g., first lengthwise portion 54) disposed
in the ground. A
post 24 driven into compact, hard ground is less likely to be dislodged than a
post 24 driven into
soft ground. As is described herein, when the present disclosure trap 20 is in
a set configuration
it is preferable (but not required) to place the upper cord 30 of the net
structure 22 in tension. If
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the ground conditions are hard, and the posts 24 possess sufficient mechanical
strength to avoid
substantial elastic deflection, it may be possible to place the upper cord 30
in tension using the
posts 24 and net structure 22 alone.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, in some embodiments of the present
disclosure,
however, the trap 20 may include tensioning structures 58 for attachment to
one or more of the
posts 24 to facilitate placing and maintaining the upper cord 30 in tension.
In fact, the tensioning
structures 58 can be used to produce the desired tension in the upper cord 30
by pulling the cord
radially outward. To be clear, however, not every embodiment of the present
disclosure trap 20
requires tensioning structures 58. In those embodiments that do utilize
tensioning structures 58,
each respective post 24 preferably has a separate tensioning structure 58. A
tensioning structure
58 may include a cleat 60 that is securable to the ground and a tensioning
strap 62 that can be
deployed between the post 24 and the ground cleat 60. The tensioning straps 62
preferably
include a mechanism 64 that can be used to decrease the length of the
tensioning strap 62 (e.g.,
the length between the ground cleat 60 and the post 24) and thereby apply a
radially outward
force to the post 24. A variety of different type tensioning strap 62
materials may be used; e.g.,
fabric straps, rope straps, cable straps, etc. For those embodiments that
include a mechanism 64
for adjusting the length of the strap 62, a variety of different mechanisms 64
can be used; e.g.,
ratchets, cam devices, turnbuckles, etc. The present disclosure is not limited
to any particular
type of tensioning strap 62 or mechanism 64 for changing the length of a strap
(when included).
An example of hardware that may be used to connect a tensioning strap 62 to a
post 24 is shown
in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10. The hardware includes a clamp 66 and a J-hook 68. The J-
hook 68 shown
in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, includes an open hook portion 70 and a closed eye 72.
The clamp 66 may
be used to secure the open hook portion 70 to the post 24 and the tensioning
strap 62 can be
connected to the closed eye 72. This hardware configuration is a non-limiting
example of
inexpensive hardware that can be used to secure the tensioning strap 62 to the
post 24. This
hardware also provides a desirable means for securing the upper cord 30 to the
post 24. As
described below and shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the upper cord 30 may be disposed
around the
exterior of the post 24 and within the open hook portion 70 to inhibit the
upper cord 30 from
being dislodged from the post 24.
[0066] Embodiments of the present animal trap 20 are typically configured
to be
assembled as a substantially circular structure. At the top of the animal trap
20 (e.g., at the upper
13
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cord 30), the "circular structure" may in fact be closer to polygonal shape
dictated by the number
of posts 24; e.g., an animal trap 20 that has eight posts 24 may have a
substantially octagonal
shape at the upper cord 30, or one having ten posts 24 may have a
substantially decagonal shape
(as shown in FIG. 2), etc. For ease of description herein, the shape will be
referred to as a
substantially circular structure having a diameter and circumference. The
maximum diameter /
circumference of the animal trap 20 is at the upper cord 30 / upper lateral
edge 36. In the set
configuration, the net structure 22 initially extends substantially downwardly
away from the
upper cord 30, and then arcuately transitions radially inward, with the ground
portion 50
disposed on the ground, terminating at the lower lateral edge 38. As a result,
diameter /
circumference of the net structure 22 at the lower lateral edge 38 is
substantially smaller than the
diameter / circumference at the upper lateral edge 36 / upper cord 30. To
accommodate the
differences in diameter / circumference, at least a portion of the net
structure 22 (e.g., the ground
portion 50) may have a tapered configuration that produces the smaller
diameter at the lower
lateral edge 38; e.g., see FIG. 3. Alternatively, the net structure 22 may
have the same
circumferential length at the upper cord 30 and at the lower lateral edge and
portions 74 of the
ground portion 50 may be "cinched up" (e.g., folded over onto itself and
coupled with fasteners ¨
see FIG. 3A) to create a smaller diameter /circumference at the lower lateral
edge 38. The
difference in diameter / circumferential length between the upper lateral edge
36 / upper cord 30
and the lower lateral edge 38 helps to maintain the ground portion 50 of the
net structure 22 in
contact with the ground, and helps to prevent any section of the net structure
22 from being
pushed radially outward beyond the posts 24.
[0067] In those net structure 22 embodiments that include a mid-cord 40,
the diameter /
circumference of the net structure 22 at the mid-cord 40 may be less than the
diameter /
circumference of the net structure 22 at the upper cord 30. A smaller net
structure 22 diameter /
circumference at the mid-cord 40 may assist in creating an inward radial
curvature of the net
structure 22 (e.g., see FIGS. 5 and 6) that facilitates animal entry into the
trap 20 as will be
described below.
[0068] In some embodiments, the net structure 22 has independent
lengthwise ends 32,
34 that can be brought together to close the circumference of the animal trap
20. In other
embodiments, the net structure 22 may have a "closed" configuration, wherein
the net structure
22 is formed with lengthwise ends 32, 34 that are attached to one another, not
purposefully
14
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separable. An advantage of present disclosure animal traps 20 having a net
structure 22 with
independent lengthwise ends 32, 34 is that the net structure 22 can be
disposed around natural
features present where the trap 20 is being set up; e.g., a tree and/or brush
can be disposed in the
interior region 26 of the trap 20, and the trap 20 closed around them.
[0069] In those embodiments wherein the lengthwise ends 32, 34 of the net
structure 22
are independent of one another, the lengthwise ends 32, 34 of the net
structure 22 may be
attached to one another in an abutting manner to close the net structure 22
(e.g., see FIG. 8).
Alternatively, the net structure 22 may be set up with portions of the net
structure 22 adjacent the
lengthwise ends 32, 34 overlapping one another, with each lengthwise end
attached to the net
structure 22 (e.g., at a rib cord 44). The ability of the net structure 22 to
be set up with portions
of the net structure 22 overlapping one another, permits the user to alter the
diameter /
circumference of the animal trap 20.
[0070] Regardless of whether the animal trap 20 is set up so that the
lengthwise ends 32,
34 of the net structure 22 abut or overlap one another, the upper cord 30 is
configured to create a
fixed circumference. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the net
structure 22 may be
configured with a rib cord 44 disposed at each lengthwise end 32, 34 that is
connected to the
upper cord 30 (e.g., the rib cord 44 is integral with the upper cord 30),
thereby forming an upper
corner of the net structure 22. In these embodiments, the upper corner of the
net structure 22 at
each lengthwise end 32, 34 is looped around the exterior of a post 24. In
those embodiments that
use the J-hook 68 hardware, the upper corner of each lengthwise end 32, 34 may
be captured
within the open hook portion 70 of the J-hook 68 to inhibit the upper cord 30
from being
dislodged from the post 24. Alternatively, mechanical fasteners (e.g., snap
clips, carabiner clips,
clamps, or the like) may be used to attach the upper cord 30 to itself to
establish the fixed
circumference.
[0071] When the upper cord 30 is configured with a fixed circumference
and placed in
tension, the upper cord 30 gives the animal trap 20 a structural integrity
with a desirable hoop
strength. As stated above, in some instances the posts 24 may be installed in
such a fashion that
no tensioning structures 58 are required, and the upper cord 30 may be placed
in tension around
the posts 24. In other instances, tensioning structures 58 may be used to draw
the posts 24
radially outward and thereby place the upper cord 30 in tension. Regardless of
how the upper
cord 30 is tensioned, the tension produces circumferential stress (sometimes
referred to as "hoop
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stress") within the upper cord 30. The circumferential stress gives the upper
cord 30, and
therefore the net structure 22, a hoop structural integrity that resists
forces acting on the net
structure 22; e.g., radially outward forces produced by animals trapped within
the interior region
26 of the trap 20 impacting a segment of the net structure 22. Although a
portion of the net
structure 22 impacted by an animal may deflect radially outward to a limited
degree, the hoop
configuration of the net structure 22 distributes some amount of the impact
energy to the
circumferential remainder of the net structure 22.
[0072] Additional mechanical fasteners may be used to hold the remainder
of the
lengthwise ends 32, 34 of the trap 20 between the upper lateral edge 36 and
the lower lateral
edge 38 together; e.g., see FIG. 8. There are a variety of different ways in
which the lengthwise
ends 32, 34 may be held together, and the present disclosure is not,
therefore, limited to any
particular configuration for holding the lengthwise ends 32, 34 together.
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in some embodiments the animal trap
20 may
include an upper edge panel 76 that extends around the circumference of the
trap 20, and extends
a distance radially inward from the upper cord 30 to inhibit any attempt by a
trapped animal to
exit the trap 20 over the net structure 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
12, the upper edge
panel 76 is attached around the circumference of the animal trap 20 and placed
in tension. As a
result, the upper edge panel 76 resides substantially horizontal. In the
embodiment shown in FIG.
13, the upper edge panel 76 is attached around the circumference of the animal
trap 20 adjacent
the upper cord 30, and is also attached to each post 24 at a position above
the upper cord 30. As a
result, the upper edge panel 76 extends both radially inwardly and upwardly.
The embodiments
shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are provided to show non-limiting examples of how an
upper edge
panel 76 may be configured, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0074] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure that
includes a
structural ring 78 disposed at the upper lateral edge 36 of the trap. The
structural ring 78 (e.g.,
made of tubing, or a solid rod) may be used as an alternative to the upper
cord 30, with the upper
lateral edge 36 of the net structure 22 attached to the structural ring 78.
The structural ring 78
may be produced in circumferential subsections for ease of transport /
storage, and those
circumferential subsections attached to one another on-site to form the
structural ring 78.
[0075] In some embodiments, the animal trap 20 may include one or more
anchoring
devices configured for engagement with the lower lateral edge 38 and operable
to assist in
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maintaining the position of the ground portion 50 of the net structure 22. A
non-limiting example
of an anchoring device is an anchor stake 80 that can be deployed at the lower
lateral edge 38 to
assist in maintaining the position of the ground portion 50 of the net
structure 22. FIGS. 15 and
16 illustrate an example of an acceptable anchor stake 80, having a body 82
and a head 84
disposed at one end of the body 82. Mechanical fasteners (e.g., snap clips,
carabiner clips, or the
like) may be used to connect the lower lateral edge 38 to the respective
anchor stake 80. The
body 82 is configured to be received within the mechanical fastener and can be
driven into the
ground. The head 84 of each anchor stake 80 is preferably configured so that
the mechanical
fastener cannot pass over the head 84. Alternatively, the body 82 of each
anchor stake 80 can be
configured to pass through an opening 46 in the net 28, and the head 84
configured so it cannot
pass through an opening 46 in the net 28 (thereby obviating the need for
fasteners). In the
installed position, the net 28 is allowed to slide up and down the anchor
stakes 80. The anchor
stakes 80 ensure that the ground portion 50 remains positioned towards the
center of the trap
interior region 26. The present disclosure is not limited to anchor stakes 80,
and other anchoring
devices may be used alternatively. For example, the lower lateral edge 38 may
be attached to
cleat driven into the ground. A rope (or cord, cable, etc.) loosely connected
to the lower lateral
edge 38 will allow the net 28 is be pushed upwardly when the animal enters the
trap, but will
limit the travel of the lower lateral edge away from the center of the trap
20.
[0076] As is clear from above, the present disclosure animal trap 20
embodiments are
readily portable and can be transported to regions both accessible and
inaccessible by
conventional vehicles (e.g., cars, SUVs, trucks, etc.). Once a trap site is
selected, the perimeter of
the animal trap 20 may be established and the posts 24 installed in the
ground. As stated above,
in some instances a "natural" post (e.g., an existing tree or the like) may be
used as one or more
of the posts 24.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, some embodiments of the present
disclosure trap
are provided with a tool 86 for spacing the posts 24 apart from one another
and facilitating the
installation of the trap 20. The tool 86 utilizes a center stake 88 driven
into the ground at the
geometric center of the trap 20, and a measuring strap 90. The measuring strap
90 includes a
radial member 92 and a circumferential member 94. A pivot ring is disposed at
one end of the
radial member 92, and one end of the circumferential member 94 is attached to
the opposite end
of the radial member 92. To install the first post 24, the pivot ring is
disposed around the center
17
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stake 88 for pivotal movement. The radial member 92 is pulled taut radially
outward. The outer
end of the radial member 92 defines a first post 24 position. To establish a
second, adjacent post
24 position, an end of the circumferential member 94 (opposite the end
attached to the radial
member 92 is connected to the first post 24. The radial member 92 and the
circumferential
member 94 are drawn taut (now substantially "L" shaped), and the point of
attachment between
the radial member 92 and the circumferential member 94 defines the next post
24 position. This
process is repeated until all of the posts 24 are located and installed into
the ground. The post to
post spacing is typically chosen based on the application (i.e., what animal
is to be trapped), and
more specifically the post to post spacing is chosen to facilitate animal
entry, but close enough to
prevent escape.
[0078] Once the posts 24 are installed, the net structure 22 may be drawn
around the trap
circumference established by the installed posts 24, the lengthwise ends 32,
34 of the net
structure 22 attached to one another (e.g., by mechanical fasteners), and the
upper cord 30 may
be attached to the posts 24 as described above; e.g., looped around the
exterior of the respective
post 24. In those embodiments that include J-hooks 68, the upper cord 30 may
be disposed in the
open hook portion 70 of the J-hook 68 to inhibit the upper cord 30 from being
dislodged from the
post 24. If J-hooks 68 are not utilized, an alternative mechanism may be used
to maintain the
upper cord 30 at the desired position on the post 24. Once the upper cord 30
is attached to all of
the posts 24, the upper cord 30 may be drawn into tension; e.g., by using the
tensioning
structures 58 in a coordinated manner to draw the upper cord 30 of the net
structure 22 into
tension and provide the desirable hoop strength.
[0079] The lower lateral edge 38 of the net structure 22 may be
positioned centrally in
the interior of the trap 20 before or after the upper cord 30 is brought into
tension. In those
embodiments that utilize anchor stakes 80 (or other anchoring device), a
number of anchor stakes
80 adequate to centrally maintain the lower lateral edge 38 are installed, but
not so many so as to
inhibit animal ingress into the trap 20. Typically, an anchor stake 80
disposed every other post 24
works well. As stated above, mechanical fasteners (e.g., snap clips, carabiner
clips, or the like)
may be used to connect the lower lateral edge 38 to the respective anchor
stake 80. Once the
anchor stakes 80 are installed, the net 28 is allowed to slide up and down the
anchor stakes 80,
and the heads 84 of the stakes 80 prevent the net 28 from dislodging.
18
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[0080] In those embodiments that include a mid-cord 40, the mid-cord 40
may be
connected to each post 24 by a mechanical fastener (e.g., a ratchet strap; see
FIG. 8). Preferably,
the fastener is configured so that the mid-cord 40 can move lengthwise some
amount during use
of the animal trap 20 and the net structure 22 at the mid-cord 40 is therefore
not fixed to the post
24; i.e., the mid-cord 40 is able to slide some amount. Advantages of this
type of connection are
described below.
[0081] After the animal trap 20 is initially set up, the net structure 22
may be configured
in a "pre-set" configuration that allows the animals to travel under the net
structure 22 (i.e., all or
only portions of the net 28 may be held up off the ground) and therefore into
and out of the trap
20 interior region 26 without obstruction. e.g., see FIG. 19. Bait placed on
the ground in the
interior region 26 of the trap 20 will draw the animals into the trap 20. The
process of
maintaining the trap 20 in a pre-set configuration with bait disposed in the
trap 20 interior region
26 will allow the animals to become accustomed to the trap 20. In the case of
feral swine, it is
known that feral swine are intelligent animals that are very cautious around
unknown structures.
Pre-setting the trap 20 often greatly improves the number of animals that can
be caught in a
single setting simply by improving the confidence of the animals relative to
the trap 20. Pre-
setting is not required, however, for the present disclosure animal trap 20 to
work effectively.
[0082] Once the operator is ready to capture animals, some amount of bait
is disposed in
the interior region 26 of the trap 20 and the net structure 22 is closed
(e.g., the lengthwise ends
32, 34 of the net structure 22 attached to one another, and the ground portion
50 secured to the
ground; i.e., the set configuration). As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, in
this set configuration,
at least a portion of the wall portion 48 curves radially inwardly and
eventually contacts the
ground. The inward radial curvature of the wall portion 48 is understood to
facilitate animal
entry into the trap 20. The collapsible, flexible, and lightweight nature of
the net structure 22
allows animals to work their way under the net structure 22 with minimal
resistance, past the
lower lateral edge 38 of the net structure 22, to access the bait. Feral
swine, in particular,
naturally root with their snouts, and this rooting behavior will naturally
raise some of the wall
portion 48 and the ground portion 50, thereby providing access to the interior
region 26 of the
animal trap 20. Once the animal has traveled completely under the net
structure 22, gravity
causes the net structure 22 to fall back to the ground and the animal is
trapped. In contrast to
solid cage traps or corral traps formed from stiff wire fencing that only
permit ingress through a
19
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particular door structure, the present disclosure trap 20 allows an animal to
enter the trap 20 at
any circumferential position of the trap 20. This aspect is believed to
increase the confidence of
the animals being trapped and consequently the yield of the trap 20.
[0083] As can be seen from the description above, some present disclosure
animal trap
20 embodiments ¨ once set up - do not require any human intervention. This is
in direct contrast
to corral or box trap systems that require an operator to actuate the trap
door to trap the animals.
[0084] Once the animals are trapped, it is not uncommon for the animals
to attempt to
escape the trap 20. As indicated above, these attempts often take the form of
charging the net
structure 22 or attempting to chew through the net structure 22. The hoop
strength of the animal
trap 20 created by tensioning the upper cord 30 (or using a structural ring
78) inhibits the trapped
animals from knocking down any portion of the trap 20. In the case of feral
swine, the impacts
are typically in the wall portion 48 of the net structure 22. In those
embodiments that include a
mid-cord 40, the tensioning of the mid-cord 40 may be less than that of the
upper cord 30, and
the fasteners connecting the mid-cord 40 to the posts 24 allow the mid-cord 40
to slide/travel
circumferentially to some degree. As a result, the portion of the net
structure 22 impacted by the
animal deflects radially outwardly and dissipates at least a part of the
impact energy. In addition,
however, the mid-cord 40 which extends the entire circumference of the trap 20
also distributes
some amount of the impact energy to posts 24 beyond the impact area. Hence,
the posts 24
collectively operate to maintain the structural integrity of the trap 20; not
just the posts 24
adjacent the impact region. In addition, as the animal approaches the net
structure 22, the animal
will likely step on the ground portion 50 and their weight will help to anchor
the net structure 22
to the ground.
[0085] The height of the net structure 22 above the ground is typically
great enough so
that the animal has no chance of jumping over the wall of the trap 20. In the
case of a trap 20
configured to catch feral swine, a wall height of four to eight feet (i.e., 4-
8 ft.; 122-244 cm) is
typically sufficient. However, as stated above, some embodiments of the
present disclosure may
include an upper edge panel 76 that extends radially inwardly to increase the
difficulty of escape
over the wall of the animal trap 20.
[0086] Alternative embodiments of the present disclosure animal trap 20
can be
configured to be selectively actuable by an operator. For example, some trap
20 embodiments
may include one or more actuating devices that hold at least a portion of the
net structure 22 off
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the ground and thereby allow unimpeded access into the interior of the trap.
Once a sufficient
number of animals are located in the interior region 26 of the trap 20, the
actuating devices may
be actuated by the operator and the net structure 22 released, allowing it to
fall to the ground.
The present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of actuating
device.
[0087] The present disclosure animal trap 20 is substantially lighter
than known animal
traps configured to trap similar animals. Known feral swine traps are
typically made of wood
and/or metal and often weigh hundreds of pounds, and are difficult to
transport. The present
disclosure animal trap 20 is a small fraction of the weight and can be
compactly packaged for
easy storage or transport. The present disclosure animal trap 20 is
substantially less expensive
than known animal traps configured to trap similar animals. The net structure
22 of the present
disclosure animal trap 20 can enclose a substantial trap area at a much lower
cost than solid
member cage traps or hardwire corral traps, and does not require an intricate
actuable door
assembly. The present disclosure animal trap 20 is substantially more
versatile than known
animal traps configured to trap similar animals. The present disclosure animal
trap 20 does not
require the trap area to be cleared, and can be used on sloped ground. In
fact, the ability of the
present animal trap 20 to be used in a vegetated area likely will improve the
effectiveness of the
trap 20 since the setting is more "natural" and the trap 20 less apparent to
the animals being
trapped.
[0088] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error
associated with
measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at
the time of filing
the application.
[0089] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
As used herein,
the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural
forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the
terms "comprises"
and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of
stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or
addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element
components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0090] Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be
expressly
identified herein as being inventive or forming part of a disclosure, such
identification is not
21
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intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts,
and features that
are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as
part of a specific
disclosure, the disclosures instead being set forth in the appended claims.
Descriptions of
exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as
being required in all
cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as
required or necessary unless
expressly so stated. The words used in the claims have their full ordinary
meanings and are not
limited in any way by the description of the embodiments in the specification
unless specifically
indicated otherwise.
[0091] What is claimed is:
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