Abstract:
A trap and surrounding hollow station for killing target animals. The trap includes upturned sides that prevent debris from setting off the trap. The trap includes a safety catch that permits the striker to be cocked without setting the trigger. The trap includes a downwardly moving trigger retaining a bait against the trap base with a protective shell surrounding at least part of an edible bait and resisting deformation by the trigger. The station may be a sheet of foldable material that can be formed into a hollow housing with spaced apart end and side walls. Skirts on the base can be attached to a substrate to immobilize the station.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/197,113, filed Oct. 23, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       RESERVATION OF RIGHTS 
       [0004]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limited to copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention is directed to a trap for small animals and more particularly to a killing trap for small animals. Known art may be found in U.S. Class 43, subclasses 81, 67 and 85 and in other classes and subclasses. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Known Art 
         [0008]    Professional trappers worldwide engaged in small mammal pest control, conservation and science research and the fur trapping industries have long been frustrated by the inadequacies of the commercial snap-traps available on the market. The snap-traps produced to date have essentially been designed and manufactured for domestic purposes and do not adequately stand up to the riggers of long-term field use. In many instances time consuming and costly pre-field preparation of traps, such as applying fish oil to steel components and preservatives to untreated wooden bases, needs to be undertaken before use and they generally require regular, time consuming servicing to remain operational in the field for a reasonable period of time. 
         [0009]    Many of the traditional snap-traps available are poorly constructed made from inferior quality material and do not function efficiently. Inherent flaws in the basic design of snap-traps to date create problems such as non-target by-catch issues when birds/lizards etc. are caught in traps set for pests, inciting negative public reaction to worthwhile conservation programmes. Other types of traps, such as live capture cage traps and leg-hold traps, have the disadvantage of being much more bulky and/or of heavy construction. They merely restrain rather than kill the animals and unless checked regularly at short time intervals will cause captured animals unnecessary stress and suffering. As concern for animal rights grows worldwide and international animal welfare regulations become more stringent, particularly in relation to perceived indiscriminate use of toxins and inefficient traps, the number and type of traps available for serious conservation and scientific research use or large-scale pest control operations is diminishing. 
         [0010]    Field trials of prototypes of both the traps and the protective stations that comprise the trapping system described below, confirm that the new system design has the potential to resolve most of the problems that have been a constant frustration to professional snap-trappers worldwide. By using more appropriate, durable, yet comparatively light materials for construction of the new trap design, which can easily be scaled up or down in dimension and kill capacity, this new system has the potential to produce a range of efficient, high quality, user-friendly snap-traps that can more effectively target specific groups of pests. It includes a range of lightweight but sturdy, multi-functional protective stations and trap covers for use in both terrestrial and/or arboreal situations. Trial results indicate that the stations have the potential to eliminate or significantly reduce interference and/or capture of non-target species including vulnerable birds in forest and rural environments or household pets in urban situations. Both the traps and the stations are, therefore, essential and integral components of the trapping system as a whole. 
         [0011]    Snap traps have a long history and have been most commonly used to catch rodents in domestic situations and professionally to control rats and mice in urban and rural environments. In recent years snap-traps have been used effectively to target rodents and other small mammal pests in large scale conservation trapping programmes in natural environments in New Zealand and other parts of the world. 
         [0012]    Despite a considerable variation in design, materials (wood, metal, plastic) and quality, snap-traps are generally of simple construction with a spring-loaded striker, a retainer mechanism to hold the loaded striker in position and a trigger to activate the loaded trap. Two main operational systems have evolved for snap-traps; one with a trigger that is invariably baited on the upper surface and activates the trap when an animal tugs at the bait and the other uses a lure to entice the target species to step onto a treadle which, through the weight of the animal, sets off the trap. Because both systems are activated by a downward pressure on the trigger or treadle they are relatively unstable devices and indiscriminate in what they catch. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,162 to Hallback issued on Jun. 3, 1986, is for a rodent trap with guard means that has a base with a transverse shaft secured thereto and a U-shaped jaw member that is spring loaded on the shaft. A trigger mechanism is pivotally supported on the shaft and has a catch releasably engageable with a trigger arm which holds the jaw member in spring loaded position. The trigger mechanism has a forwardly extending bait bar which holds the trigger mechanism into engagement with the spring loaded jaw member when bait is disposed under the bait bar. Guards are provided on the trigger mechanism rearwardly of the bait bar to discourage a rodent from traveling to the bait bar from the rear of the trap. This device does not provide the advantages and features of the present invention. It does not provide a bait retainer that prevents piecemeal removal of the bait nor does it provide a raised outer perimeter to prevent debris entry into the trap or accidental discharge from such materials entering the trap. 
         [0014]    Although some modern plastic snap-traps incorporate user-friendly features and are easy to use, they are often under engineered and break when subjected to the heavy impacts required to efficiently kill a rodent or other target species, especially when used in extreme hot and/or cold environments. The age old, traditional snap-traps with wire striker that have been sold in their millions undoubtedly catch rodents, but for specialist use they are awkward to operate, not user friendly and time consuming to service during routine checks. They are inefficient, will fire spontaneously or prematurely and rodents often learn how to remove bait from them without setting the trap off. Even when they do fire they will often maim an animal rather than affect a good, clean kill. Trapping results are seldom consistent which makes them unreliable when used as a tool to gather data for scientific and conservation purposes. 
         [0015]    The known art fails to address adequately all of the perceived problems in the field and an improved animal trap is needed, particularly one suitable for use with a protective station that restricts access to the trap to prevent untargeted animals from activating the trap. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention addresses the perceived need in the art discussed above. This new, integrated, snap-trapping system with multi-species capability is designed to catch and humanely kill pests ranging in size from mice to possums and feral cats or larger. The trap has several features not found in the known art. These include a reverse-baiting trigger, a wire coil bait, an automatic releasing safety-catch system, a raised outer perimeter protecting the trap from debris and possible unintended activation and an optional folding, multi-purpose station for housing the trap. 
         [0017]    The present invention includes the concept of an integrated snap-trapping system, utilizing a combination of trap sizes and protective station configurations, provides flexibility in conservation science snap-trapping procedure not available prior to this development. 
         [0018]    The present invention includes a trap and station design combined with manufacture from durable, long-lasting materials is conducive to long-term, trouble-free field use, easy replacement of parts if required and reduced timed and costs per unit during service/maintenance checks. 
         [0019]    The present invention uses a reverse-baiting trigger combined with a coil bait that provides unprecedented snap-trap stability and reliability with much reduced incidence of trap misfire and elimination of most non-target by-catch issues. 
         [0020]    The present invention uses a power to trap ratio that achieves consistent catch and humane kills and provides higher quality data for conservation and science purposes. 
         [0021]    The combination of the reverse-baiting trigger and safety-catch system creates an extremely safe, user-friendly system for such powerful snap-traps. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved animal trap. 
         [0023]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a trap that is safe to use but effective at killing animals humanely. 
         [0024]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a trap that may be easily set while a safety catch prevents trap release. 
         [0025]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a trap that requires an animal to forcefully remove bait therefrom to release the trap trigger. 
         [0026]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a trap that minimizes unintended target trap triggering. 
         [0027]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an improved animal trap showing an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention taken generally from the front thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view taken generally from the rear thereof; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  and with a bait inside a spiral wound wire under the trigger; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view thereof showing the trap deployed with a bait in an outer shell under the trigger; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an optional wax-block lure placed beneath the retainer to attract and monitor visitations of animals to sprung traps between captures; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  with an optional hood around the trigger; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view taken generally from the rear of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9  with the striker cocked and held by the safety catch; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 11  but showing the bait captivated by the trigger and the trap in the set position awaiting activation; 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 12  but showing a moved position with the bait removed from beneath the trigger and with the striker beginning to deploy; 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIGS. 12 and 13  but showing a moved position with the bait removed from beneath the trigger and with the striker deployed; 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  is a side perspective view of an improved multi-functional folding station for the animal trap showing an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention taken generally from the front thereof; 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  is a side perspective view taken generally from the rear thereof; 
           [0045]      FIG. 17  is a end elevational view thereof; 
           [0046]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the folding station unfolded and flat; 
           [0047]      FIG. 19  is a partially fragmented perspective view taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 15  with portions omitted for clarity; and, 
           [0048]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    This new, integrated, snap-trapping system  24  with multi-species capability is designed to catch and humanely kill pests ranging in size from mice to possums and feral cats or larger. The novel snap-trap preferentially used in system  24  is indicated generally by reference numeral  25  in  FIGS. 1-5 . Trap  25  is made from durable materials, incorporates a base  30  with upturned sides  32 ,  34 , a striker  35  (or killing bar), double torsion springs  36 ,  38  to power the striker  35 , two shafts  40 ,  42  (mid and rear) to support the moving components, a retainer arm  50  to hold the loaded striker  35  in position and a unique toggle trigger  60  to activate the trap  25 . 
         [0050]    The operational design of the trigger  60  works on a reverse-baiting principle, requiring a hard bait  65  to be positioned under the trigger  60  to set the trap  25 . Because the bait  65  essentially becomes a structural part of the trap  25 , this new method of baiting provides much grater stability when the device is loaded than other standard snap-traps currently available. Wire coil bait retainers  66  have been specially developed to maximize this advantage. 
         [0051]    The trap design also incorporates a safety catch system  70  that secures the striker  35  when loading and automatically releases in the latter stages of the trap setting procedure—a major advance for operator safety when setting powerfully sprung snap-traps (best seen in  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0052]    A suite of multi-purpose trap stations and/or covers of various dimension and configuration for different sized or multiple numbers of traps, bait-box inserts and/or inkpads and tracking papers will be modeled on the standard multi-functional folding-station design ( FIGS. 15-20 ). Stations can be used in both terrestrial and/or arboreal situations and are designed to exclude or deter non-target animals such as birds and domestic pets etc., from entry or access to traps and toxins, yet provide access for the target species. Field trials confirm that station prototypes are robust, stable and effective and very easy to service. 
         [0053]    Although an integrated, multi-species, snap-trap system is itself a novel concept overall, it also has several features not found in the known art. These include a reverse-baiting trigger  60 , a wire coil bait  65 , an automatic releasing safety-catch system  70  and an optional folding, multi-purpose station  100 . 
         [0054]    The reverse-baiting trigger consists of a shallow V or gull wing shaped device with one side or wing  62  longer and thicker than the other side or wing  64  and a hole through the lower central body section  63  to take the shaft  40  on which it pivots. Unlike traditional standard snap-trap triggers, which are generally spiked on top to secure the bait, this trigger  60  is entirely smooth. The trigger is positioned topside at the mid point of the shaft  40  between the two torsion springs  36 ,  38 , with the longer thicker of the two wing elements  64  facing forwards to the front  31  of the trap  25 . Extra weight causes this front wing  62  to drop to a resting position on the upper surface of the trap base  30 , raising the lighter wing  64  into the air at the rear side of the shaft  40 . During the setting operation, when the retainer is flipped forward, a hole in the end of the retainer arm passes over the raised rear wing  64  of the trigger  60  which, as it slides downwards, causes the front wing  62  to rise off the base  30 . This enables a suitable hard bait  65  to be placed between the underside of the front wing  62  and the trap base  30  (i.e. reverse-baiting). As the loaded striker  35  pressures the retainer  50  upwards beneath the rear wing  64  of the trigger  60 , it pivots the front  62  of the trigger downwards to rest firmly onto and hold the bait  65  in position. The bait  65  at this point technically becomes an added structural part of the set trap  25  and provides unequalled stability when compared to traditional top-baiting triggered snap-traps. The upper portion of the rear wing of the trigger  60 , which extends beyond the hole and over the top side of the retainer  50 , locks the loaded trapping mechanism in place until the bait  65  is removed and the trap  25  fires. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, the wire-coil bait  65  is a hollow spring-like device  66  which is filled with appropriate bait before the coil ends are folded down to encompass the bait in a protective wire casing. In another embodiment, the bait  65  uses a hard outer ring  67  into which the bait is placed. In both embodiments, since the trap  25  requires a hard bait placed beneath the trigger  60 , the outer covering (i.e. the coil  66  or shell  67 ) provides the rigidity needed to enable use of highly palatable soft baits and also provides protection to any bait used (hard or soft) that is prone to interference from smaller non-target species. 
         [0056]    The automatic releasing safety-catch system  70  makes setting the trap  25  easier and furnishes a safer and more user friendly trap which is particularly important with regards to the larger, more powerful units included in this suite of traps. The safety catch  70  consists of two bar catches  72 ,  74 , seated one each side and protruding into the trap  25  through holes in the rear side walls  32 ,  34 . The catches  72 ,  74  are attached by lugs to the front end of spring steel straps  76 ,  78  that lie flat along the outside of the trap wall and attach, either side, to the rear retainer arm shaft  42  ( FIGS. 1-5 ). As the striker bar  35  is pulled back into loaded position it passes down the angled top surface  73 ,  75  of the two catches  72 ,  74 , forcing them outwards under tension until the bar  35  has traveled completely past the catches, at which point the catches  72 ,  74  spring back into place but over the top of the bar  35 . The striker  35  is now securely restrained by the flat underside of the catches  72 ,  74  in the cocked and loaded position without the need to manually hold it in place. During the next step, the two catches  72 ,  74  are again forced outwards when the wide retainer arm  50 , which fits snugly inside the rear side walls of the trap  25  ( FIG. 11 ), is pressed down onto the trigger  60  while simultaneously inserting trigger rear wing  64  through the retainer aperture  58 . The retainer edges  52 ,  54  press and hold the catches  72 ,  74  outward and the edges  52 ,  54  rest against the flat catch edge  77 . In this position, the striker bar  35  is released upwardly until meeting the retainer bottom  56 . At this point, the striker edges are against the angled lower surface  79  of the catches  72 ,  74  and the striker  35  is in the firing position. While the retainer  50  is held in this position, the bait  65  is placed beneath the trigger  60  to set the trap  25 . When bait  65  is firmly in place under the raised front wing  62  of the trigger  60 , the trap  25  is safely set and ready to catch. 
         [0057]    In the alternative embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the trap  25  is without a safety catch system  70 . These embodiments can be preferred when weight is a consideration, such as situations where trapping gear needs to be back-packed long distances. When setting the trap  25  in both of these alternative embodiments, the striker  35  is manually held in loaded position until leverage can be applied to the retainer  50  (narrower in these embodiments) to control the tensioned striker  35 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 6  specifically, in this alternative embodiment without safety catch  70 , the trap  25  is in most other respects similar to the other embodiments and like structures are numbered similarly. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 7  specifically, in this alternative embodiment without safety catch  70 , the trap  25  is in most other respects similar to the other embodiments and like structures are numbered similarly. A difference in this embodiment is that upturned sides  32  and  34  do not extend completely to the base front  31 . This opens the trap adjacent its front end  31  to encourage the target animal to remove bait  65  toward the front  31  and to thus provide a more effective killing strike by striker  35  during trap activation. 
         [0060]      FIG. 8  depicts an optional wax-block lure  80  that may be used with the trap  25 . The lure  80  includes slots  82 ,  84  that permits installation over the bottom ends of springs  36 ,  38  and beneath retainer  50  and on base  30 . The lure  80  is of a purpose to attract target animals to the trap  25  and becomes a particularly useful monitoring device when distinctive chew marks are left during animal visitations to sprung traps  25  between captures. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show the trap  25  used with an optional hood  90 . The hood  90  fits around the bait  65  to restrict access thereto. In use, the animal is forced to the trap front  31  to access bait  65  and is thus positioned properly for a killing blow by striker  35  during activation. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 11-14  show the setting and activation of the trap  25 . As was discussed previously, the setting of the trap involves the movement of the striker  35  beneath the catches  72 ,  74  and the rotation of the retainer  50  down onto the striker  35  and the insertion of the trigger wing  64  through the retainer aperture  58  and the insertion of the bait  65  beneath the trigger wing  62  (as movements are generally indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 11 ). The activation of the trap  25  is shown in  FIGS. 12-14 . When the animal removes the bait  65 , the trigger wing  62  is released and moves downwardly toward the base  30 . The opposite end of the trigger (i.e. wing  64 ) moves upwardly and releases the retainer  50 , which releases the striker  35 . Striker  35  is biased toward the trap front  31  by springs  36 ,  38  and striker  35  forces retainer  50  upward and backward as the striker  35  moves upward and pivots about axle  40  to forcefully striker the animal proximate the front  31  (as the arrows generally indicate the movements in  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0063]    In use the trap  25  may be placed in the open or adjacent target locales, paths, food sources and the like. The trap  25  may also be advantageously deployed with station  100 , shown in  FIGS. 15-20 . 
         [0064]    The multi-functional protective station  100  is modeled on a flat, folding pattern which allows stations to be manufactured from a single piece of suitable light flexible material ( FIGS. 15-20  and particularly  FIG. 18 ). Alternatively, separate components made from solid sheet material can be joined by hinges to achieve the same folding advantage in a heavier version. The station  100  is a hollow shell that houses the trap  25 . The station includes end walls  102 ,  104 , a base  106 , two sides  108 ,  110  and a pivoting top  112  that may be closed and opened via lip  114 . A couple of access doors  105  permit target entry into station  100 . 
         [0065]    In the single sheet embodiment, flaps fold to form the square ended, tunnel-like station  100 . The end flaps  122 ,  124  form the end walls. Flaps  122 ,  124  are folded upwardly to a vertical position on flap  126 . Flap  126  with flaps  122 ,  124  is then rotated 90 degrees so that the edges of flaps  122   124  fit into grooves  132 ,  134  on base  130 . Flap  128  is then rotated oppositely 90 degrees so that grooves  142 ,  144  abut flaps  122  and  124  and tabs  123 ,  125  can be inserted into holes  143 ,  145  to secure flap  128  thereto. The top flap  150  is then rotated over to set on end flaps  122 ,  124 , with grooves  152 ,  154  receiving the top edges of flaps  122 ,  124 . The locking lip  160  is then rotated over so that holes  163 ,  165  receive tabs  123 ,  125  to lock the lid  150 . 
         [0066]    All that is required to assemble the folded station  100  is for a lug on the free, front edge of each end flap to be passed through a corresponding hole in the top outer corner at each end of the front-side wall, and is secured in place with any suitable rigid pin about the size of a match stick. The easy opening lid  150  that provides access into the station  100  is also secured by folding down over the top of the protruding lugs, adding extra support to an already sturdy unit. The trap  25  is constrained by seated into a recess  135  provided in the fully attached base or section of floor at one end of the station ( FIGS. 19 and 20 ), preventing forward movement of the trap  25  when bait is pulled from beneath the firm grip of the trigger. 
         [0067]    The other half of the base or floor is split down the centre to provide two flaps that fold outwards to form skirts  162 ,  164  that can be weighted or pinned to secure the station  100  securely to the substrate, be the station positioned in a building, on uneven ground or placed in a tree. Two different sized covered, entranceways  105  are created on each side in pop-up style by partial cuts across each end of the skirts  162 ,  164  and part way up the bottom of the side walls (FIGS.  15  and  17 - 20 ). These entrances  105  provide unrestricted access to the target pest species being strategically located and of a size that will prevent or massively reduce interference to traps or toxins by persistent, non-targets such as birds and household pets. Extra baffles and/or other simple accessories can be introduced to resolve specific non-target issues where problems occur (e.g. land crabs on coral atolls in the Pacific). In use, the station  100  houses the trap  25  to prevent non-target animals from accessing the trap  25  and to prevent unwanted kills. 
         [0068]    In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology has been used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.