Abstract:
A humane animal trap includes an enclosure having an opening with a door disposed therein. The door is pivotable about an upper edge between open and closed positions, and is biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring. A transfer arm is disposed along a side of the enclosure and has a catch that is biased into engagement with the door when the door is in the open position and a trip release is engaged with the transfer arm. The transfer arm is operable to rotate the catch away from the entry door in response to disengagement of the trip release. A mechanical sensor is disposed in the enclosure and includes a trip pad coupled to the trip release. The mechanical sensor disengages the trip release from the transfer arm when an animal enters the trap, thereby closing the door behind the animal and capturing it unharmed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This disclosure relates to traps for animals, in general, and in particular, to “humane or “catch-and-release” animal traps that are actuated by relatively simple mechanisms. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventional traps typically inflict pain or even death on the animals falling prey to them. More recently, however, a variety of so-called “humane,” “live” or “catch-and-release” animal traps have been developed that have as an object the capture of various types of animals, without harming or killing them, with a view to releasing the trapped animals later at another location where they are no longer a nuisance, or at which it is desirable to establish or reestablish a population of that species. 
         [0005]    Humane traps typically include an open-ended enclosure having an internal arrangement for holding a type of bait that is selected to lure a particular type of target animal into the enclosure, and at least one entry door that can be set in an open position to enable the animal to enter the enclosure so as to approach the bait, and a “trip” mechanism that causes the entry door to close rapidly behind the animal and thereby trap the animal in the enclosure. 
         [0006]    The trip mechanism of the trap may be entirely mechanical in nature, such as those described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,237 to B. Plucknett; U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,560 to D. Lafforthun; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,327 to K. Stoico et al. Alternatively, the trip mechanism may be entirely electrical in nature, such as described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,767 to J. 
         [0007]    Schade; U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,340 to J. Nieves; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,623 to W. Celestine, and may include multiple trip sensor types, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,472 to J. Kelly. 
         [0008]    Conventional mechanical trip mechanisms are typically prone to wear and corrosion from exposure to the elements, which can adversely affect their sensitivity and/or speed of operation, and hence, reliability. More reliable mechanisms have, in the past, been more expensive and complex to implement reliably in an animal trap that may be subject to rugged outdoor environments, and are often heavier and less portable due to additional material design requirements. 
         [0009]    Therefore, a need exists for a humane animal trap that is light in weight, inexpensive to fabricate, simple to set and use, and sufficiently robust to withstand long term use in rugged outdoor environments. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In accordance with the present disclosure, a novel humane animal trap for small to medium sized animals is provided that incorporates a relatively simple mechanical trip mechanism operating in conjunction with a mechanical spring-biased entry door, and which is light in weight, inexpensive to fabricate, simple to set and use, and sufficiently robust to withstand extended use in rugged outdoor environments. 
         [0011]    In one exemplary embodiment, the humane animal trap comprises an elongated enclosure having an entry opening at a front end thereof. An entry door is disposed within the entry opening and pivotable about an upper hinge thereof between an entry closed position, in which the entry opening is blocked or closed, and an entry open position disposed above and spaced apart from a floor of the enclosure such that the trap is open to the entry of a target animal therein. A mechanical spring biases the entry door toward the closed position, and is further operable to lock the entry door in the closed position and against the escape of the trapped animal until intentionally released by the user. 
         [0012]    A transfer arm may be disposed along a side of the enclosure. The transfer arm may have a catch that is biased into engagement with a bottom surface of the entry door when the entry door is disposed in the entry open position and/or a trip release is engaged with the transfer arm, so as to hold the door in the open position. The transfer arm is operable to rotate the catch from the bottom surface of the entry door in response to disengagement of the trip release, so as to release the door from the open position. 
         [0013]    A sensor is disposed in the enclosure for sensing the presence of an animal in the enclosure, and includes a trip pad in the interior of the enclosure and coupled to the trip release. The sensor is operable to disengage the trip release from the transfer arm when an animal enters the trap, so that the entry door quickly closes behind the animal and traps it in the enclosure. 
         [0014]    These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments set forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front and right side perspective view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a right side elevation close up view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a right side elevation close up view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a rear and left side perspective view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in a closed position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a front and right side perspective view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a right side elevation close up view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a right side elevation close up view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a top plan close up view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a left side elevation view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of a humane animal trap in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the trap disposed in an open position; 
       
    
    
       [0031]    Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    An exemplary embodiment of a humane, or “live,” animal trap  100  in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated in the front and right side perspective view of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in the several views of the figures, animal trap  100  comprises an elongated enclosure  107  having a generally rectangular cross-section, front and rear ends, a generally flat floor  108   a,  upstanding and generally parallel right and left sidewails  109   a  and  109   b  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ), a top wall  108   b,  a handle  105 , an entry opening  104  located at the front end thereof, and a rear wall  103  located at the rear end thereof. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, enclosure  107  may incorporate a wire mesh construction (e.g., including wire mesh walls  101 ). For example, enclosure  107  may be implemented as first and second sheets of wire mesh, for example, where the first relatively large wire mesh sheet can be bent (e.g., using three right-angle bends) into the rectangular shape shown in  FIG. 1 , the second relatively small wire mesh sheet can be placed at a rear end of enclosure  107 , and one or more joiners  102  may be used to join (e.g., crimp, weld, fasten, or otherwise adhere, for example) the ends of the first sheet and the first sheet to the second to form the general shape of enclosure  107 . Subsequently, enclosure  107  (e.g., and various other portions of trap  100 ) may be dip-coated, anodized, powder-coated, or otherwise sealed against environmental corrosion. Such embodiments may be manufactured quickly and inexpensively yet be reliable and robust when used outdoors over long periods of time. In other embodiments, enclosure  107  may be formed of a molded plastic, e.g., polypropylene, for additional user protection and/or a rugged resistance to corrosion resulting from extended exposure to the elements. In an alternative, more robust embodiment, the enclosure  107  may be formed from a fiber, e.g., fiberglass, reinforced epoxy resin that is laid up in the form of partially cured sections or panels in a set of conformal molds and then assembled together during the final curing of the resin. 
         [0034]    As illustrated in, e.g.,  FIGS. 1-2 ,  5 , and  9 - 10 , an animal sensor  117  may be disposed in a rear end portion of enclosure  107 . In one embodiment, animal sensor  117  may include three primary parts: a trip release  114  coupled to a trip pad  110  and held substantially in a vertical alignment by a retainer  115 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-10  and  14 - 15 , when activated, i.e., when trap  100  is “set,” animal sensor  117  engages with transfer arm  120  to retain entry door  140  in an open position. When trip pad  110  is pressed downwards, for example, by an animal entering a rear portion of trap  100 , animal sensor  117  disengages with transfer arm  120  to allow entry door  140  to close, as described in more detail below. 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , trip pad  110  may be located toward the rear end portion of enclosure  107  so as to enable a target animal (not illustrated) to enter into the trap  100  completely before animal sensor  117  is tripped or “triggered.” The animal may be lured into entry opening  104  of trap  100  and toward the rear end thereof by an appropriate type of bait disposed in a holder (not illustrated) placed at the rear end of the trap. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 - 4  and  12 , a generally rectangular entry door  140  may be disposed within entry opening  104  of enclosure  107 . Entry door  140  may be coupled to enclosure  107  by means of a sleeve hinge  141  formed from and/or attached to an upper edge of entry door  140  so as to allow entry door  140  to pivot about the upper edge between an “entry closed” position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in which a lower edge of entry door  140  is disposed in forceful contact with floor  108   a  of enclosure  107 , whereby entry door  140  substantially blocks entry opening  104 , and an “entry open” position, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , in which entry door  140  is disposed above and spaced apart from floor  108   a.  As shown in  FIG. 4 , entry door may include one or more reinforcement features, such as rolled edges  143 , that prevent entry door  140  from buckling under stress from spring  148  and/or an animal attempting to force its way out of trap  100 , for example. Notably, each of the sleeve hinges described herein may act simultaneously as hinges and as reinforcement features. 
         [0037]    A mechanical spring  148  is used to bias entry door  140  toward the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the embodiments generally illustrated in the figures, spring  148  includes a U-shaped torsion spring  144 , coupled to cross-bar  150  and having legs  145 ,  146  acting on cross-bar  149  and a top surface of entry door  140 , that actuates mechanical spring  148 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , torsion spring  144  may be substantially retained in position, and or spring  148  within a particular range of flex, by retainer  147 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, mechanical spring  148  may include a pair of lower arms  142  sleeve hinged (e.g., lower arms/sleeve hinges  142 ) to a lower edge of the entry door  140 , and an upper arm  151  disposed in sliding contact with top wall  108   b  of enclosure  107  and retained within enclosure  107  by at least stops  152 . Spring  148  may be arranged so as to bias entry door  140  to the closed position and to lock it in that position by a wedging action by pressing against top wall  108   b  of enclosure  107  (e.g., and against stops  152 ) so as to prevent the escape of an animal from trap  100 . Entry door  140  may be “unlocked” from the closed position by pressing rearwardly on upper arm  151  of spring  148  to enable door  140  to pivot to the open position illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  14 . Notably, although spring  148  quickly and securely closes entry opening  104 , the action used to close entry door  140  may push an animal forward into the trap, towards rear wall  103 , as entry door  140  is closing, thereby reducing a risk of harming and/or suffocating the animal when the trap is triggered. As will be appreciated, although a torsional spring  144 / 148  is shown and described as the entry door  140  biasing mechanism of the embodiment  100 , other types of door closing and locking mechanisms may be used in its stead. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  and  8 - 12 , a trigger transfer mechanism, e.g., a transfer arm  120 , is rotatably coupled to a right side  109   a  of enclosure  107  by fulcrum straps  121 ,  122 , and is adapted to engage animal sensor  117  with sleeve member  124  and entry door  140  with catch  126 . In some embodiments, sleeve member  124  may be implemented as a metal, plastic, or ceramic cylinder that is press-fit, welded, and/or otherwise adhered to an end of transfer arm  120 . In other embodiments, sleeve member  124  may be formed from transfer arm  120  through, for example, drilling an end of transfer arm  120 . Transfer arm  120  includes a moveable, e.g., rotating shaft with catch  126  disposed at a front end thereof (e.g., after bend  125 ) that is biased into engagement with, for example, a side and/or bottom surface of entry door  140  when the door is disposed in the open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . In some embodiments, spring  148  is adapted to bias entry door  140 , and thereby catch  126 , downward so that, through action of at least bend  125  and fulcrum strap  122 , transfer arm  120  experiences a counter-clockwise torque (e.g., as viewed from a front of trap  100 ), which is transferred to sleeve member  124  through action of at least bend  123  and fulcrum strap  121 . The transferred counter-clockwise torque generates a binding and/or friction force between sleeve member  124  and tip  116  of trip release  114  (e.g., received by circular orifice  127  of sleeve member  124 , which is adapted to receive the shape and a length of tip  116  of trip release  114 ) that is sufficient to counteract non-animal mechanical forces acting on animal sensor  117 , such as gravity, wind, and other environmental forces, for example. 
         [0040]    In one or more of the embodiments illustrated in the figures, in the open position of the entry door  140 , catch  126  extends slightly outside entry opening  104  and engages the bottom surface of entry door  140  to prevent its closing. When animal sensor  117  disengages from sleeve member  124 , transfer arm  120  rotates and catch  126  rotates out of engagement with entry door  140 , allowing the door to close rapidly in response to the urging of spring  148 . 
         [0041]    To “set,” or “arm,” entry door  140  of the trap  100 , upper arm  151  of spring  148  is pressed rearwardly to unlock the door, as described above, and the door is then raised toward its open or “set” position, illustrated in FIGS.  9  and  11 - 16 . As the door approaches catch  126 , sleeve member  124  is rotated counter-clockwise, which causes catch  126  to rotate to the disengaged position relative to entry door  140 . When entry door  140  is then further raised above the level of the catch, sleeve member  124  may be rotated clockwise to a vertical/down position, which allows catch  126  to rotate to the door-engaging position (e.g., see  FIG. 9 ). Next, trip release  114  may be raised vertically, as allowed by retainer  115 , to engage tip  116  and sleeve member orifice  127 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . As noted above, once engaged, trip release  114  and sleeve member  124  may fixed relative to each other by a friction force generated by a torque applied by spring  148  through transfer arm  120 . Trap  100  is then set to trap any animal that enters into the trap and presses against trip pad  110  of animal sensor  117  located toward the rear end of enclosure  107 , as described above. As those of skill in the art will appreciate, other mechanisms by which transfer arm  120  engages entry door  140  and releases it in favor of the biasing spring  148  can be implemented, and accordingly, the particular trip mechanism described and illustrated herein should be understood as being only exemplary thereof, and not in any limiting sense. 
         [0042]    For example, as shown in FIGS.  10  and  14 - 16 , trip pad  110  may be implemented with sleeve hinge  111  coupling trip pad  110  to floor  108   a  of enclosure  107 , which is situated closer to entry opening  104  than sleeve hinge  112  coupling trip pad  110  to trip release  114  for actuation of trip release  114  (e.g., through action of bend  113  in trip release  114 ). In other embodiments, trip pad  110  may be disposed on one of side walls  109   a,    109   b  and/or top wall  108   b,  for example, to reduce a risk of vegetation poking through wire walls  101  of floor  108   a  and preventing trip pad  110  from rotating down against floor  108   a  and triggering trip release  114 , as described above. It is understood that one or more of the sleeve hinges described herein, including sleeve hinges  111 ,  112 , may be formed from an associated component (e.g., trip pad  110 ), such as through a molding, press arid/or bend process, for example, thereby eliminating cost and complexity by not requiring additional materials and/or components, particularly where the hinges are engaged with an already existing portion of enclosure  107 , such as the wires forming wire walls  101 . However, in other embodiments, one or more sleeve hinges may be implemented with additional materials, components, bearings, coatings, inserts, and other hinge components, for example. 
         [0043]    As illustrated in, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 7 , enclosure  107  may further include a handle  105  and a handle guard  106  adapted to protect a user&#39;s hand from bites or scrapes when transporting a trapped animal. In some embodiments, handle  105  may be a simple, coated wire handle to reduce overall cost. In other embodiments, trap  100  may include a planar, generally rectangular exit door (e.g., in place of rear wall  103 ) that is slidably disposed between the end of enclosure  107  and a plurality of right-angled flanges located at one or more rear edges of enclosure  107 , and that is movable up and down between an “exit closed” position, in which the exit door blocks an exit opening at the rear end of the enclosure  107 , and an “exit open” position, which renders the exit opening of the enclosure wide open, to permit an animal contained in the trap to be easily released therefrom, for example, into a holding pen, a cage, or a loading chute. The exit door may include a plurality of openings (e.g., similar to the openings between wires of wire walls  101 ) to provide trap ventilation, and a gripping flange disposed at an upper end thereof to enable the door to be easily and safely gripped with the fingers for raising and lowering of the exit door. In related embodiments, trap  100  may further comprise a latching mechanism disposed on the enclosure  107  and adapted to latch an exit door in a closed position to prevent the escape of an animal from the trap. 
         [0044]    The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure, For example, the above embodiments have described a transfer arm with a specific orientation and number of bends, catches, and/or sleeve members. However, transfer arms with other orientations, shapes, bends, and number and/or types of catches and/or sleeve members are also suitable to achieve advantages of the present invention. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.