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US 4,418,493 AGranted
Modular animal trap
OwnerCarmel T. Jordaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to an animal trap comprising a system of interconnected modular units including a gate which is treadle-operated by an entering animal to snap to latched-closed position from an open position adjacent the floor of the trap. The trap includes a disabling device to permit pre-baiting. As a special feature for preventing contamination, it includes a hermetically-sealed capture module with a plastic bag liner, which may be disengaged from the system for disposal purposes. A device is also disclosed for automatically resetting the trap on a periodic basis.
Claims10
A trapping device for capturing animals which comprises in combination:
- one or more modular units comprising a first substantially rigid hollow structure having a base portion, top and side walls, assembled to provide a continuous runway for said animals which is closed except for one or more ingress areas initially open and large enough to admit one of said animals;
- at least one gate;
- a pair of curved tracks disposed on opposite inner walls of said first rigid hollow structure;
- said gate mounted to ride to-and-fro along said tracks internally in said rigid hollow structure from said initial open position in which the principal plane of said gate is adjacent the floor of said first hollow structure near said ingress area to a closed position in which said gate is interposed transversely across said ingress area, completely closing said ingress area;
- spring-biasing means connected between said gate and a point inside said rigid hollow structure in the area in which said animal is to be confined to urge said gate from open to closed position;
- and means comprising a treadle in said rigid hollow structure in the path of an entering animal, beyond said ingress area, said treadle constructed and arranged to trigger said spring-biasing means to urge said gate to move along said tracks from said open to said closed position, for preventing said animal from escaping through said ingress area;
- wherein said first hollow structure includes in the top wall thereof a slot intermediate the ends of said structure, a first latching means including detent means disposed on the exterior of said top wall adjacent said slot, said detent means being constructed and arranged to be inaccessible to the area in which said animal is confined and to said ingress area, and said detent means responsive to operate upon impact by the leading edge of said spring-biased gate when said leading edge passes through said slot to engage and secure said gate in closed, latched position.
4 more elements
A trapping device for capturing animals which comprises in combination:
- one or more modular units comprising a first substantially rigid hollow structure assembled to provide a continuous runway for said animals which is closed except for one or more ingress areas initially open and large enough to admit one of said animals;
- at least one gate;
- a pair of curved tracks disposed on opposite inner walls of said first rigid hollow structure;
- said gate mounted to ride to-and-fro along said tracks from said initial open position in which the principal plane of said gate is adjacent the floor of said first hollow structure near said ingress area to a closed position in which said gate is interposed transversely across said ingress area, completely closing said ingress area;
- spring-biasing means connected to said gate to urge said gate from open to closed position;
- means comprising a treadle located in the path of an entering animal, beyond said ingress area, said treadle constructed and arranged to trigger said spring-biasing means to urge said gate to move along said tracks from said open to said closed position, for preventing said animal from escaping through said ingress area;
- wherein said first hollow structure includes a first latching means for including detent means for engaging and securing said gate in closed, latched position;
- said trapping device including control means for controlling the opening and closing of said detent means from an external wall of said rigid hollow structure;
- and
- wherein said control means includes a timing mechanism connected to initiate release of said first latching means including said detent means at a pre-selected interval after said gate is closed, and to initiate mechanical actuation of said gate to move against the tension of said spring to said initial open position, thereby setting said trap for reoperation.
7 more elements
A trapping device for capturing animals which comprises in combination:
- one or more modular units comprising a first substantially rigid hollow structure assembled to provide a continuous runway for said animals which is closed except for one or more ingress areas initially open and large enough to admit one of said animals;
- at least one gate;
- a pair of curved tracks disposed on opposite inner walls of said first rigid hollow structure;
- said gate mounted to ride to-and-fro along said tracks internally in said rigid hollow structure from said initial open position in which the principal plane of said gate is adjacent the floor of said first hollow structure near said ingress area to a closed position in which said gate is interposed transversely across said ingress area, completely closing said ingress area;
- spring-biasing means connected internally between said gate and a point inside said rigid hollow structure to urge said gate from open to closed position;
- and means comprising a treadle located in said rigid hollow structure in the path of an entering animal, beyond said ingress area, said treadle constructed and arranged to trigger said spring-biasing means to urge said gate to move along said tracks from said open to said closed position, for preventing said animal from escaping through said ingress area;
- said trapping device including a second latching means constructed and arranged to be set manually to lock said treadle against actuation by said entering animal, whereby said gate is maintained in open position in said rigid hollow structure to permit animals to enter and leave freely during a pre-baiting phase.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.