Mole trap

An improved spring-activated mole trap that includes various safety features that make the mole trap safe to use by non-professionals. The mole trap includes a foot bar that enables the individual to activate the trap using his or her foot, a limiting u-shaped member that prevents the trigger arm from snapping rearward and injuring the trapper's fingers if the trap is accidentally activated while being set. The improved trap also includes a pair of handles that extend upward from the tunnel when the trap is vertically aligned in the tunnel. Using the handles, the user is able to more easily position the trap inside the tunnel. The trap further includes a wider, re-aligned trigger located closer to the soil to prevent a mole from burrowing under the trigger plate and thereby avoiding activating the trap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to animal traps and, more particularly, to animal traps with spring-activated jaws that release a trigger mechanism to kill the animal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many homeowners are troubled by moles that dig holes and tunnels across their yards. Moles are especially hard to eradicate, because they live underground and are nocturnal. Their tunnels run circuitously across the yard approximately 6 to 12 inches in depth and 4 to six inches in diameter. The mole will dig air holes every 6 to 10 feet along a tunnel. The path of the tunnel is determined by the hardness of the soil, the obstacles in the path, and the plant growth in the soil.

One common trap used to kill moles, shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,587 (Zeiger et al.), comprises two u-shaped members, pivotally joined together to form two pairs of scissor-like jaws. A coil spring mounted on a shaft extending transversely between the two unshaped members forcibly closes the two pairs of jaws. Located vertically on the trap is a pivoting trigger arm connected at one end of one of the u-shaped members. The opposite end of the trigger arm engages a pivoting trigger plate. When the trigger arm is engaged on the trigger plate, the trigger arm temporarily holds the u-shaped members in an opened or armed position. When a mole moves under or through the trap, the trigger arm is released, causing the jaws to automatically close around the animal.

In order for the trap to work properly, it must be positioned vertically in the mole's tunnel (seeFIG. 2) so that the mole contacts the trip plate when the mole moves between the jaws. Although a mole has limited intelligence, it will recognize a foreign object such as a metal trap placed in its tunnel. If the mole detects the trap, and if the soil around the trap is loose or soft, the mole will dig or burrow into the surrounding soil to avoid the trap. If the soil under and around the trap is hard or undisturbed, the mole may turn around or proceed into the tunnel and activate the trap. Thus, it is important that the trapper properly position the trap inside the tunnel without disturbing the surrounding soil.

Because these traps must be precisely placed into the tunnel in an armed state, most landowners will not use them. What is needed is an improved mole trap that is easier and safer for homeowners to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved spring-activated mole trap that is safe to use by homeowners or non-professionals.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a mole trap that enables the user to more accurately position the mole trap in the hole.

These and other objects are met by an improved spring-activated mole trap that includes a foot set bar to enable the user to use his or her foot to initially activate the trap, a limiting trigger bar that prevents the trap's jaws from snapping rearward and injuring the trapper's fingers while setting the trap or positioning the trap in the hole, a pair of handles that extend upward from the trap that enable the user to more accurately position the trap inside an existing hole or tunnel without disturbing the tunnel. The improved trap also includes a wider, re-aligned trip plate that is located closer to the soil to prevent a mole from burrowing under the trap, bypassing the clamping jaws, and thus escaping the trap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In the accompanyingFIGS. 1-7, there is shown an improved mole trap8designed to address the safety and efficacy problems associated with currently available mole traps.

The mole trap8includes two u-shaped members20,30pivotally joined together by a transversely aligned shaft12. The first u-shaped member20is disposed inside the larger second u-shaped member30. The ends of the shaft12extend through the members20,30to hold them together.

Each first and second u-shaped members20,30includes an upper arc section,21,31, respectively, and two forward extending legs23,25and two rearward extending legs33,35, respectively. Each leg23,25,33,35includes a serrated inside surface24,26and34,36, respectively. The surfaces24,34, and26,36face each other, thereby forming two parallel clamping jaws, generally referred to as9,10. The upper arc sections21,31and the legs24,25and34,35are slightly offset in alignment so that the opposing clamping jaws9,10open when the upper arc sections21,31are aligned and registered. Aligned transversely between the two legs23,25on the first u-shaped member20is a cross member28that supports the centrally located trigger45. Aligned traversely between the two legs33,35on the second u-shaped member30and opposite the cross member28is a second cross member38which acts as a contact surface for the coil spring40.

Disposed around the shaft12is a coil spring40. One leg41of the coil spring40extends downward and presses against the cross member28while the opposite leg42of the coil spring40extends downward and presses against a second cross member38. During use, the coil spring40forces the legs41,42inward thereby causing the two pairs of clamping jaws9,10to close.

A safety latch56located centrally on the upper arc portion31is also provided, which is used to hold the first and second unshaped members20,30in an aligned position, and to open clamping jaws9and10.

Pivotally attached to the upper arc portion31of the second u-shaped member30is a trigger rod52. The trigger rod52includes an eyelet53, which surrounds the member30and enables the trigger rod52to rotate freely therearound. The trigger rod52has a sufficient length so that the tip of the trigger rod52touches the upper trigger plate46located on the improved trigger mechanism45discussed further below. Formed on the distal end of the upper trigger plate46is an upward extending lip49which, when the mole trap8is armed, is engaged by the trigger rod52.

During normal use, the upper arc sections21,31of the first and second unshaped members20,30, respectively, are manually forced together into an aligned position, and the clamping jaws9,10are opened. The safety latch56is then used to hold the two u-shaped are members21,31in an aligned position to open the two pairs of clamping jaws9,10. The trigger rod support plate44is then rotated on the cross member28so that the tip of the trigger rod52engages the extending lip49. The mole trap8may then be positioned vertically in the mole's tunnel90, shown in FIG.2.

The first improvement to the mole trap8includes the limiting means for the trigger rod52that prevents the trigger rod52from snapping rearward and injuring the trapper's fingers while arming or setting the mole trap8. The limiting means for the trigger rod52is a u-shaped member60attached to the upper arc31of the second u-shaped member30. The u-shaped member60extends forward and prevents the trigger rod52from rotating upward more than approximately 45 degrees, thus protecting the trapper's hands and fingers placed on the member30if the safety latch56and the trigger rod52are accidentally released.

The second improvement is a pair of handles70,80that extend upward from opposite sides of the mole trap8. During use, the handles70,80enable the mole trap8to be held safely with two hands. The handles70,80are longitudinally aligned with the second u-shaped member30so that the mole trap8may be held vertically, and forced into the tunnel90as shown in FIG.2. The handles70,80also have sufficient length so that if the mole trap8is accidentally activated, the trapper's hands and fingers will not be injured. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, each handle70,80includes a long longitudinally aligned member72,82, respectively, attached at one end to the outer edges of the second u-shaped member30. Formed integrally on the distal end of each longitudinally aligned member72,82is a rearward extending member73,83, respectively, which act as gripping surfaces. Each handle70,80may also include a support member74,84that extends diagonally outward from the central axis of the upper arc portion31to the longitudinally aligned member72,82, respectively, to provide support when positioning the mole trap8in the tunnel90.

The third embodiment of the mole trap8includes an improved trigger mechanism45designed to prevent the mole from moving under or around the mole trap8, bypassing activating the mole trap8when placed it inside the tunnel90. The improved trigger mechanism45includes a z-shaped plate46with an upper trigger plate46and a lower trigger plate47. As shown inFIG. 2, the lower trigger plate47is offset and extends below the longitudinal axis of the upper trigger plate46thereby disposing it closer to the soil in the bottom of the tunnel90. In the prior art, the trigger plate47′, shown by phantom lines, is straight, thereby creating a larger escape route for a mole. The improved trigger plate47is wider and positioned closer to the soil so that the mole must contact the trigger plate48when moving between the two pairs of clamping jaws9,10.

The fourth improvement is shown inFIGS. 3-6and includes a foot bar100. As shown inFIGS. 3-4, the foot bar90includes an elongated bar91with a v-shaped notch92formed on its distal end. Integrally formed on its opposite end is a short, perpendicularly aligned leg93that attaches to a perpendicularly aligned base plate94. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, during use, the trapper places the mole trap8on the ground98, then disposes the foot bar100on one side of the mole trap8, so that the notch92on the elongated bar90is placed against the notch22on the first u-shaped member20. The trapper then places his or her foot96on the foot bar100and steps downward to align the upper arc sections21,31. The safety latch56is then used to hold the arc sections to21,31together.

During use, the trapper selects an improved mole trap8and places it on a firm surface so that the first u-shaped member20extends upward and above the second u-shaped member30. The foot bar100is then selected and used to activate the trap8. The trigger rod52is then positioned to engage the trigger plate48, and the safety latch56is then used to hold the arc portions21,31of the u-shaped members20,30, respectively, together. The user may lift his foot96and remove the foot bar100.

Next, the trapper selects an air hole made by the mole. The top layer of dirt around the air hole may be removed to provide access to the tunnel90. The trapper then grabs the two handles70,80with both hands and positions the trap8vertically so that the clamping jaws9,10are facing downward, then forces it firmly downward into the soil. Because the sides of the tunnel90must not be disturbed, considerable force must used to force the mole trap8into the tunnel90. The mole trap8must be vertically and centrally aligned inside the tunnel90so that a mole moving longitudinally inside the tunnel90passes between the two clamping jaws9,10transversely aligned in the tunnel90. Small rocks may be placed in the sides of the tunnel90and under the trigger plate48to discourage the mole from detecting and digging around or under the mole trap8. Once properly positioned inside the tunnel90, the safety latch56is removed, and the mole trap8is now ready to operate.

In compliance with the statute, the invention, described herein, has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprise only the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.