Abstract:
An electric device for killing insects and animals having a mesh surface holding assembly having at least one a conductive mesh surface, an electrical power source for providing electricity to the mesh surface, at least one light source constructed and positioned to provide backlighting on the mesh surface, an actuator for selectively initiating and ceasing supply of electrical power from the electrical source to the mesh by incorporated circuitry, and a handle assembly supporting the mesh surface assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to electric devices, and more particularly, to an electric device for killing insects and animals. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Several electric devices for killing insects and animals have been designed in the past. However, Applicant is not aware of any electric devices suggesting the novel features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is an electric device for killing insects and animals, comprising a mesh surface holding assembly having at least one a conductive mesh surface. An electrical power source provides electricity to the mesh surface. At least one light source is positioned to provide backlighting on the mesh surface. An actuator for selectively initiates and ceases supply of electrical power from the electrical source to the mesh by incorporated circuitry. A handle assembly supports the mesh surface assembly. 
     The conductive mesh surface holding assembly is a swatter assembly. In one embodiment, the mesh surface holding assembly is dependent on a multi part handle assembly configured to adjust and lock into a position imparting an obtuse angular offset between said handle assembly and said mesh surface holding assembly when measured on a front side of said device. The front side of said device is the side that provides access to said mesh surface and the obtuse angular offset. In one embodiment as an example, the angular offset is between about 179° to 135°. 
     In one embodiment, the actuator is configured with a spring to urge said actuator outward from said device and imparts a closed electrical circuit on said device when no pressure is applied. As is known in the art, push button actuators require nominal force in a particular direction sufficient to overcome the action of springs. Upon application of sufficient pressure for push button actuators, as is known in the art, said actuator completes the electrical circuit and provides electricity through said circuitry to said mesh. 
     The circuitry provides sufficient voltage through appropriately configured circuitry to kill insects, and animals such as scorpions. In one example, the voltage can be between about 1000 to 2500 V DC to said mesh. In one embodiment, the device is activated, upon proximal activation by insect or animal near or on said conductive mesh, imparts an electrical discharge between about 20-45 μC. As an example, the term “near” refers to a proximal position of an insect near the conductive mesh from between approximately about 0.1 to 15 mm, although it can be a shorter or longer distance. As an example, the includes at least one capacitor configured to between about 10-45 nF per 1000V of charge. 
     In one embodiment, the device includes at lease one light source at or near the planer surface of said conductive mesh wherein the light source is positioned within the periphery of side walls of said mesh surface holding assembly. That is to say, the light does not extend outward from the periphery from the mesh surface holding assembly. 
     In one embodiment, the mesh surface holding assembly includes a cavity between said conductive mesh surface and a rear wall of said mesh surface holding assembly preferably with at least one cavity access orifice constructed thereon. The cavity is constructed and arranged to receive insects and insect parts from insects killed by the device. The electrical power source is provided by at least one of a battery or other electrical storage component. 
     It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an electric device for killing insects and animals that kills insects by contact or proximal location. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an electric device for killing insects and animals, which may cover a large area when a user swings it around. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an electric device for killing insects and animals that is volumetrically efficient for carrying, transporting, and storage. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an electric device for killing insects and animals that can be readily assembled and disassembled without the need of any special tools. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an electric device for killing insects and animals, which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents an isometric view of an electric device for killing insects and animals. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the electronic device for killing insects and animals. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the electronic device for killing insects and animals. 
         FIG. 3A  is a close up expanded cross-section view of a hinge portion of the device for killing insects and animals. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the electronic device for killing insects and animals in an angular configuration. 
         FIG. 4A  is a close up expanded cross-section view of the hinge portion of the device for killing insects and animals. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 . The overall device  10  has swatter assembly  20  that is supported generally by handle assembly  60 . Swatter assembly  20  includes front wall  32 , first lateral wall  26 , second lateral wall  28 , top wall  22 , bottom wall  24 , and rear wall  30 . Swatter assembly  20  further includes cavity  34 . Swatter assembly  20  is formed on one face with conductive electrical mesh  158  affixed by support member  38  on rear wall  30 . A first pair of light emitting diodes (LED)  160  and a second pair of LED  162  are on swatter assembly  20 . 
     In one embodiment, handle assembly  60  includes handle  100  and actuating extension  70 . Swatter assembly  20  is generally supported on actuating extension  70  by an acceptable means. In one embodiment, handle  100  has lateral walls  106  and  108 , rear wall  110 , and front wall  112 ; and actuating extension  70  has an end  72 , a first lateral wall  76 , second lateral wall  78 , rear wall  80 , and front wall  82 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3, 3A, 4 and 4A , one embodiment provides actuating extension  70  configured with a ball and socket hinge type configuration in order that device  10  is configured to impart an angular offset  180  as best seen in  FIG. 4 . Handle  100  is incorporated with elongated knuckle  116  on neck  114  that is formed to mate with elongated socket  84  of actuating extension  70 . Screw  90  is positioned in hole  86  and is positioned to contact elongated knuckle  116  at threaded aperture  117 . As is known in the art, screw  90  will tighten into place, and by virtue of exertion of inward tension on elongated knuckle  116 , will lock the assembly into a position as desired. The desired position is any one of an approximately vertical position as best seen in  FIG. 3  or a selected angular offset as best shown in  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, screw  90  is inserted into hole  88  to impart a configuration as in  FIG. 3  that does not have an angular offset. Actuating extension  70  is formed with angled wall  92  that provides a gap between angled wall  92  and end  102  of actuating extension  70  wherein the gap provides a configuration that allows for actuating extension  70  to be positioned in an angular offset configuration as best demonstrated in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B . Actuating extension  70  further has end  74  that positions near end  102  of handle  100 , as best seen in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 4A . 
     Handle  100  is configured with end  102  and end  104 . In one embodiment, handle  100  has disposed there on a grip section  118 . Handle  100  further houses electrical system  150  including actuation switch, also referred to as actuator,  152 , battery  154 , and electrical wires  156  that are constructed and arranged to provide electrical power to device  10 . Battery  154  is contained within handle  100  and accessible through removable battery cover  120 . 
     A user will be supplied with device  10  of the present invention. The user will then decide if device  10  will be used in a strictly linear configuration as demonstrated in  FIG. 3  or if any type of angular offset  180  such as that shown in  FIG. 4  is desired. In a preferred embodiment, angular offset  180  ranges from about 179° to 135° as the obtuse angle demonstrated in  FIG. 4 . If an angular offset is desired the user will use adjusting screw  90  position device can according to the desired angular offset and reinsert and tighten screw  90  in order to apply tension to elongated knuckle  116  and secure the device into a desired configuration. The user will then activate the electrical components of the device through actuating switch  152 . The electrical components provide an electrical charge to electrical mesh  158  that is constructed and arranged to electrocute insects and/or animals upon contact. 
     LED lights  162  are configured to be with in the periphery of swatter assembly  20  so as not to protrude beyond the periphery. The positioning of LED lights  162  is demonstrated in each of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . This configuration provides that LED lights  162  do not interfere with the use of device  10 . LED lights  160  are constructed and arranged to provide back lighting through electrical mesh  158  in order that a user can ascertain whether any insect or other animal is present on electrical mesh  158  during use. For example, if a user has doubt as to whether a particular insect has been electrocuted on electrical mesh  158 , LED lights  160  provide backlights to electrical mesh  158  and the presence of an insect or part there of will indicate to a user that the insect has been electrocuted. 
     It is further contemplated that any one or both of LED lights  160  or LED lights  162  may further serve the function of attracting insects and/or animals to be electrocuted by device  10  while in use. In this configuration, any one or both of her LED lights  160  or LED lights  162  are configured with a luminous and/or light wavelength material known to attract insects. 
     In one embodiment, actuation switch  152  is constructed and arranged with an internal spring that urges actuation switch  152  outward from handle  100  into an “off” position. A user will have to apply continual pressure on actuation switch  152  in order to continue electrical power supply to device  10 . When a user releases actuation switch  152  the internal spring formation will urge actuation switch  152  outward disrupt the actuated electrical connection and cease power supply to device  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the device is configured with a circuit is having an electronic oscillator, a step-up transformer and a voltage multiplier. 
     In one embodiment, electrical mesh  158  is electrically charged to a voltage of between about 1000 and 2500 V DC. When the electrically conductive body of an insect approaches the surface, the insect body nearly bridges the gap between electrodes (i.e. individual electrical mesh  158  strands), a spark jumps through the insect&#39;s body. A capacitor attached to electrical mesh  158  discharges during the spark, and this initial discharge typically either stuns or kills the insect. 
     The present invention is configured to electrical safety standards for humans. As an example, the safe configuration includes, but is not limited to a limit on the charge stored in the capacitor; and a discharge of less than 45 μC (micro coulombs). By way of non-limiting example, as is known in the art, a capacitor of a 1000 V is less than 45 nF (nano faraday). Additionally, in one embodiment, there is a limit on the current after the initial discharge of 0.1 to about 5 mA. 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.