Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps – Self and ever set
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-28
2003-10-14
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
Self and ever set
C043S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06631582
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a low profile tilt-ramp trap.
FIGS. 5 and 6
show a typical prior art low profile tilt-ramp trap. This trap is of the type manufactured under the trademark Tin Cat® by Wood Stream Corporation, Lititz, Pa. 17543. The prior art trap is designated generally by the numeral
100
. It includes a box
102
which encloses a trap compartment
104
. Providing entrance into the trap compartment
104
is a mouse hole
106
.
Within the box
102
is a tube
108
having a tube entrance opening
110
adjacent the mouse hole
106
and having a tube exit opening
112
providing communication into the trap compartment
104
.
Within the tube
108
is a two piece tilt ramp
114
comprising a first ramp
116
and a second ramp
120
. First ramp
116
is pivoted about an axis or pin
118
and second ramp
120
is pivoted about a second pivot point or pin
122
. Second ramp
120
includes a counter weight
124
which biases the second ramp to the position shown in FIG.
5
. The first ramp
116
includes an entrance end
128
opposite from the exit end
130
. The second ramp
120
includes an entrance end
132
and an exit end
134
.
A mouse entering the trap enters through the mouse hole
106
and proceeds up the first ramp
116
while the ramp
116
is in its position shown in FIG.
5
. As the mouse proceeds to the second ramp
120
, the weight of the mouse causes the second ramp
120
to tilt to the position shown in FIG.
6
. This articulates the first ramp
120
with the second ramp
116
, and causes the exit end
130
of the first ramp
116
to swing upwardly and engage a downwardly extending flap
126
formed integrally with the tube
108
.
A mouse
138
which is poised on the second ramp
120
causes the ramp to tilt downwardly and hold the first ramp
116
against the downwardly extending flap
126
. This closes the tube to prevent any exit of the mouse
138
from the tube. The only outlet for the mouse
138
is through the tube exit opening
112
.
One disadvantage of the prior art device shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
relates to the space
136
below the exit end
134
of second ramp
120
. As several mice are accumulated in the trap compartment
104
it is possible that a mouse can enter into the space
136
. Then when a new mouse proceeds through the mouse opening
106
to rest upon the second ramp
120
, the mouse below prevents the second ramp
120
from moving downwardly. Thus the trap looses its ability to trap additional mice.
Therefore a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved low profile tilt-ramp trap.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved trap which prevents mice already within the trap from moving beneath the tilt ramp to prevent other mice from entering the trap.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved low profile tilt-ramp trap that has a transparent lid for viewing the contents of the trap.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved low profile tilt-ramp trap which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing objects may be achieved by a rodent trap comprising a box having a top wall, a bottom wall, end walls, a front wall and a rear wall enclosing a trap compartment. At least a first mouse opening is in one of the front, rear, or side walls of the box. An elongated tube is within the trap compartment. The tube has an open entrance end in communication with the first mouse opening and has an open exit end providing communication into the trap compartment. The tube has a vertical wall partially covering the exit opening of the tube for permitting a mouse to enter the trap compartment from the tube.
An elongated tilt ramp is within the tube and includes an entrance end adjacent the mouse opening of the box and an exit end adjacent the exit opening of the tube. A hinge pivotally mounts the tilt ramp within the tube for tilting movement about a hinge axis from a first position wherein the entrance end is adjacent the bottom wall of the box and the mouse opening and the exit end is elevated above the entrance end, to a second position wherein the exit end is lowered from the first position.
A flap is provided on the exit end of the tilt ramp. The flap is in covering relation over the exit opening of the tube when the tilt ramp is in its first position and is removed from covering relation over the exit opening of the tube when the tilt ramp is in its second position. A bias member is connected to the tilt ramp and biases the tilt ramp to its first position. The bias member will yield in response to the weight of a mouse adjacent the exit end of the tilt ramp to permit the tilt ramp to move to its second position. The bias member may be a weight, a spring, or any other device that raises the tilt ramp to its first position.
According to another feature of the invention, a panel partially blocks the exit opening of the entrance tube and prevents mice from moving below the exit end of the tilt ramp when the tilt ramp is in its first position.
According to another feature of the invention the flap on the exit end of tilt ramp cooperates with the panel to block the exit opening of the tube when the tilt ramp is in its first position.
According to another feature of the invention the box includes a top wall hinged to move from a closed position enclosing the trap compartment to an open position providing access to the trap compartment. The entrance tube and the tilt ramp are carried by the top wall during movement of the top wall between its open and closed positions. The top wall may be transparent to permit viewing of the contents of the trap.
REFERENCES:
patent: 376246 (1888-01-01), Kunderd
patent: 1501378 (1924-07-01), Talisman
patent: 1728701 (1929-09-01), Sholin
patent: 1828486 (1931-10-01), Bryan
patent: 1948601 (1934-02-01), Thomas
patent: 3423870 (1969-01-01), Kost
patent: 3786591 (1974-01-01), Morford
patent: 4048745 (1977-09-01), Morford
patent: 4151673 (1979-05-01), Campbell
patent: 4241531 (1980-12-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 5299380 (1994-04-01), Fornal, Sr.
patent: 3436330 (1986-01-01), None
Knuppel Harry E.
Wauson Kathy J.
Golba Tara M
Jordan Charles T.
Kness Mfg. Co., Inc.
McKee Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C.
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