US 4,685,245 AGranted

Rodent trap

OwnerTheodore M. LaPierinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A rodent trap involving an enclosure, having at least one rodent entrance, within which a rodent-trapping member is attached to a shaft which extends through the top of the enclosure. The rodent-trapping member, which may have either a rodent-striking surface or a rodent-enclosing surface, is spring biased from a cocked position high within the enclosure to a released position. The rodent-trapping member is retained in the cocked position by means of a supported retaining pin whose inner end extends into a beveled indentation in the shaft. Release is caused by the movement of the outer end of the retaining pin into alignment with an aperature in the side of the enclosure. Movement of the outer end of the retaining pin is created by pivoting a transversely attached retaining release bar about an adjustable pivot point; such pivoting being generated through mechanical linkage by the movement of a bait holder, or in the alternative, by a hinged floor section. Rotation of a threaded member provides movement of the pivot point, allowing fine adjustment of sensitivity and compensation for wear. Locking means may be provided to retain the rodent trapping member in the released position. A sliding external door may provide bait holder access. A removable entrance extension may guide rodents into the trap from a right angle approach.

A rodent trap, comprising:

a. an enclosure, having at least one rodent entrance, a first aperature and a second aperature, formed therein;
b. a rodent-trapping member;
c. a shaft, attached perpendicularly to said rodent trapping member and extending therefrom through said first aperature formed in said enclosure;
d. said rodent-trapping member and attached shaft having two positions within said enclosure:
a cocked position and a released position, wherein said rodent-trapping member and attached shaft are biased to travel from said cocked position to said released position unless retained in said cocked position;
e. cocked position retaining means, which comprise:
(1) an indentation formed in said shaft;
(2) a retaining pin, having an outer end and an inner end, extending from its said inner end within said indentation in said shaft when in said cocked position to its said outer end in the proximity of the said second aperature formed in said enclosure;
and
(3) retaining pin supporting means, which means provide transverse support while allowing longitudinal movement of said retaining pin;
f. retaining pin releasing means, which means comprise:
(1) a retaining pin release bar, attached transversely to said retaining pin;
(2) a retaining pin release bar pivot means, which pivot means is located so as to provide a pivot point for said retaining pin release bar to pivot about, thereby causing movement of said outer end of said retaining pin;
(3) a release triggering means;
(4) mechanical linkage connecting said release triggering means to said retaining pin release bar, said mechanical linkage translating movement of said triggering means to said retaining pin release bar, which, in turn, through pivoting about said retaining pin release bar pivot means, biases said retaining pin into alignment with said second aperature of said enclosure so as to permit said outer end of the said retaining pin to exit through said second aperature of said enclosure;
said exiting of said outer end through said second aperature withdraws said inner end of said retaining pin from within said indentation of said shaft, thereby releasing said shaft and rodent-trapping member onto said rodent.

13 more elements

Abstract

Claims16