US 12,740,556 B2Granted

Gate mechanism

OwnerPeter Scott Sorenseninventor

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Abstract

A gate mechanism for a live animal trap comprising a plurality of interlocking gates, including a first gate and a second gate. The first gate descends inwardly into the cage at an angle, preferably 35°, while the second gate hangs at least partially vertical. Each of the gates comprises a pattern of arms and cutouts, thereby allowing the gates to reside on intersecting planes. The gates possess a locking mechanism such that the locking mechanism inhibits an upward force applied to the first gate from the inside of the enclosure from opening the gate mechanism and thus allowing the animal to escape. The configuration of the gate mechanism relies on gravity and therefore the trap automatically resets as soon as an animal passes through the gate mechanism, enabling the gate mechanism to be used again without needing to be physically reset.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A gate mechanism comprising:

a first gate;
and
a second gate;
wherein:
the first gate comprises:
a plurality of arms;
a pivot pin;
and
a plurality of cutouts;
the second gate comprises:
a plurality of arms;
a pivot pin;
and
a cutout;
the plurality of cutouts of the first gate are interposed between the plurality of arms of the first gate;
the plurality of arms of the first gate extend downward and rearward from the pivot pin of the first gate at an angle less than perpendicular relative to a horizontal plane;
the cutout of the second gate is interposed between the plurality of arms of the second gate;
the plurality of arms of the second gate extending vertically downward from the pivot pin of the second gate while in a closed configuration;
the pivot pin of the second gate and the pivot pin of the first gate being maintained in horizontal alignment such that the pivot pin of the second gate is offset behind the pivot pin of the first gate;
the first gate and the second gate are aligned such that the plurality of arms of the first gate is extending between and outside of the plurality of arms of the second gate in an alternating pattern, while in the closed configuration;
the plurality of arms of the second gate freely hanging within the plurality of cutouts of the first gate such that a portion of the second gate extends in front of a portion of the first gate in the closed configuration;
one of the plurality of arms of the first gate comprising a stopping mechanism wherein said stopping mechanism extends a length less than a width of the cutout of the second gate on the one of the plurality of arms of the first gate;
and
the second gate engaging with the stopping mechanism of the first gate such that the stopping mechanism of the first gate inhibits an upward force from opening the first gate while the second gate is engaged with the stopping mechanism.

21 more elements

A gate mechanism comprising:

a first gate;
and
a second gate;
wherein:
the first gate comprises:
a plurality of arms;
a first stopping mechanism;
a pivot pin;
and
a plurality of cutouts such that the plurality of cutouts are interposed between the plurality of arms;
the second gate comprises:
a plurality of arms;
a second stopping mechanism;
a body;
a pivot pin;
and
a cutout;
such that:
the plurality of arms of the second gate extends from the body of the second gate;
the cutout of the second gate is interposed between the plurality of arms of the second gate;
and
the second stopping mechanism of the second gate is positioned on the body of the second gate, adjacent to the cutout of the second gate;
the plurality of cutouts of the first gate are interposed between the plurality of arms of the first gate;
the plurality of arms of the first gate extend downward and rearward from the pivot pin of the first gate at an angle less than perpendicular relative to a horizontal plane;
the cutout of the second gate is interposed between the plurality of arms of the second gate;
the plurality of arms of the second gate extending vertically downward from the pivot pin of the second gate while in a closed configuration;
the pivot pin of the second gate and the pivot pin of the first gate being maintained in horizontal alignment such that the pivot pin of the second gate is offset behind the pivot pin of the first gate;
the first gate and the second gate are aligned such that the plurality of arms of the first gate is extending between and outside of the plurality of arms of the second gate in an alternating pattern, while in the closed configuration;
the plurality of arms of the second gate freely hanging within the plurality of cutouts of the first gate such that a lower portion of the second gate extends in front of a lower portion of the first gate in the closed configuration;
one of the plurality of arms of the first gate comprising the first stopping mechanism wherein said first stopping mechanism extends a length less than a width of the cutout of the second gate on the one of the plurality of arms of the first gate;
and
the second stopping mechanism of the second gate engaging with the first stopping mechanism of the first gate such that the engagement of the first stopping mechanism and the second stopping mechanism inhibit an upward force from opening the first gate while said first stopping mechanism and second stopping mechanism stopping mechanisms are engaged.

29 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.