Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps – Imprisoning
Patent
1990-08-30
1991-11-26
Seidel, Richard K.
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
Imprisoning
43 65, 43 61, 43 67, 292107, 292129, 292DIG72, A01M 2302
Patent
active
050672711
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a trap intended for capturing mice, rats, snakes or the like alive and comprising a transparent receptacle, preferably a household jar, and a cover which is releasably engaged with the receptacle and which comprises two support legs and a pivotally mounted grating intended for closing an entrance opening of the receptacle provided in the cover; the grating being in contact with a contact face when in its closed position; the contact face being arranged so that the trapped animal is unable to open the grating and escape, wherein the connecting means of the cover intended for engagement with the connecting means of the receptacle are provided for adaptation to slightly different diameters of the connecting means of the receptacle; the cover comprises means for holding the grating in contact with the contact face.
Traps for capturing mice or rats alive are known. Accordingly, a trap of the above-mentioned type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,936. However, a trap made in accordance with this patent is associated with several drawbacks. For example, the grating may be opened from outside, whereby a captured animal may escape or be removed, e.g. by a cat. Moreover, if poison is used inside the receptacle, there is a risk of spreading the poison.
It is found that most household jars have an opening with a comparatively small number of standardized diameters being manufactured with a capacity within the range 1/2-5 liter. As the connecting means of the cover is able to adapt to slightly different dimensions for the connecting means of the receptacle, it suffices to manufacture the closure in only 2-3 sizes in order for these to be adaptable to a majority of the household jars on the market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks associated with the known traps and to provide a trap which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, simple to use and which also provides a safe and humane retention of the trapped animal. According to the present invention this object is achieved with a trap characterized in that the holding means comprise a stop latch being at the one end provided with a serrated pawl intended for engagement with a locking hook provided on the grating and a substantially U-shaped flat spring which is made integrally with the stop latch through one of the legs of the U-spring provided at the other end of the stop latch; and that the free end of the spring may exert a spring force acting substantially perpendicular to the steep side of the pawl, the locking hook being wedged in between the pawl and the free end of the spring.
Due to the use of a stop latch, a trapped animal may not be able to escape either with nor without outside assistance. When the holding means are activated, thus securing the grating and the cover in fixed mutual contact, there is no risk of spreading poison in case poison is used, in the trap. When poison is not used the destruction may easily be carried out, e.g., by means of exhaust gas from a car, provided this method is legal.
Even if an animal inside the trap performs violent movements overturning the trap or in case an animal overturns the trap from outside, the connection means will keep the cover in its place on the receptacle; and moreover, the holding means will keep the grating in its place, and accordingly a trapped animal will not be able to escape.
With the trap of the invention it is possible to obtain an especially simple and inexpensive construction and assembly of the trap as it requires the manufacture and assembly of three elements only, viz. the cover, the grating and the stop latch. Subsequently the cover will be ready for placing on the receptacle. Moreover, this trap will be very easy to use as it is possible to set the trap ready for use by activating the stop latch only in order to disengage the pawl. In this position the spring keeps the grating slightly open. When an animal has entered the trap, the grating will be locked
REFERENCES:
patent: 1138132 (1915-04-01), Marsh
patent: 1142781 (1915-06-01), Cameron
patent: 1415093 (1922-05-01), Hurley
patent: 1801821 (1931-04-01), Schiltz
patent: 2130735 (1938-09-01), Goldsmith
patent: 3984936 (1976-10-01), Camp
Hong Patty E.
Seidel Richard K.
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