Patent ID: 7854089
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: A01M

Abstract:
1. A vermin electrocution trap apparatus comprising: a housing containing an interior space, the interior space comprising a confined path, the path comprising at least one pivotal floor section pivotable between a vermin supporting position and a vermin discarding position; ingress means in the housing to enable vermin access to the path; bait retention means adapted to receive bait, the bait retention means disposed at a location in the housing interior spaced from the ingress means, to attract the vermin to proceed along the path to the at least one pivotable floor section; a first clamping member movable from a vermin non-engaging position to a vermin engaging position, adjacent the at least one pivotable floor section, the first clamping member comprising one or more areas wired for passage of electrical current; a carcass disposal region disposed below the at least one pivotable floor section; and sensor means adjacent the at least one pivotable floor section and adapted to detect vermin presence and sending a vermin detection signal to a control means upon detecting vermin presence; the control means adapted to actuate movement of the first clamping member from the vermin non-engaging position to the vermin engaging position in response to receiving the vermin detection signal, the vermin engaging position securing the vermin in place so that electrical current is passed through the vermin to kill the vermin, the control means subsequently actuating movement of the first clamping member from the vermin engaging position to the vermin non-engaging position and providing downward pivoting of the at least one pivotable floor section from the vermin supporting position to the vermin discarding position thereby dropping the vermin into the carcass disposal region.