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US 5,815,982 AGranted
Automatic insect trap using infrared beam of radiation
OwnerJohn E. Garretsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatic insect trap having a gathering chamber removably attached to the top surface of a disposable retention chamber. The gathering chamber includes a bounded passage with an infrared beam of radiation thereacross. The insect interrupts the beam to activate a sweep panel that moves along the passageway to urge the insect to an opening in the retention chamber.
Claims21
An automatic insect trap for placement upon an insect retention chamber, said trap comprising:
- a) a bounded gathering chamber having a top member and a base member and having a front wall and side walls extending therebetween, said front wall containing an entry opening to admit insects, said base member containing an exit opening for the passage of insects into an underlying retention chamber;
- b) a pair of curved walls located in said gathering chamber and spaced to form an arcuate passageway, one of said curved walls terminating at the front wall and the other of said curved walls terminating at a side wall proximate to the entry opening, said curved walls extending to the exit opening in the base member;
- c) a movable sweep dimensioned to fit between said curved walls for movement between the front wall and the exit opening;
- d) drive means operatively connected to the movable sweep for moving the sweep along the passageway;
- and
- e) means for establishing a beam of radiation across the passageway and providing an actuating signal to the drive means upon interruption of the beam whereby the sweep is caused to urge an insect to the exit opening.
3 more elements
An automatic trap for insects which comprises:
- a) a retention chamber having a front wall and a top surface, said top surface having an opening therein;
- b) a bounded passageway located on the top surface of the retention chamber, said passageway including a pair of spaced arcuate walls extending between an entry port and an exit port, said exit port being located adjacent to the opening in the top surface;
- c) means for removably attaching the bounded passageway to the retention chamber;
- d) a moveable sweep positioned in the passageway adjacent to the entry port for movement therealong;
- e) drive means coupled to the sweep for moving said sweep in an arcuate path along the passageway, and
- f) means for establishing a beam of radiation across the bounded passageway, the interruption of the beam actuating the drive means whereby the sweep urges insects through the exit port to the retention chamber.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.