Abstract:
A trap for flies or other small insects or pests has an enclosure in which is normally maintained a static vacuum. A small opening, preferably with a cone-shaped corridor leading to the opening, has a closure door which when released will swing open and admit a high-velocity rush of air that will draw a fly from the corridor into the enclosure. A fly sensor, such as a motion detector or photodetector, determines the presence of a fly and relays this information to a CPU or a simply relay, which sends a signal to release a latch on the door, allowing the door to swing open. The enclosure&#39;s interior preferably includes an angled wall surface which the fly impacts at high enough speed to kill or stun the fly, and falls into a fly tray that can be pulled out for cleaning. A pest attractant such as a light or a smell attractant is included near the opening.

Description:
This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/680,423, filed May 10, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention concerns traps for flies and other small pests. 
   The following prior art has some relevance to this invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,249, 6,226,919, 6,202,343, 6,108,863, 5,669,176, 5,647,164, 5,417,009 and 5,209,010. Some of these patents disclose fans to intermittently create a flow of air, or the use of suction from vacuum cleaners, or generation of carbon dioxide as an attractant, or bottle-type traps using an outward flow of air to spread an attractant scent. None utilizes vacuum in the manner of the present invention described below. 
   One advantage of the invention is that it utilizes a static vacuum, as opposed to prior art devices using a continuous flow of air to overcome a pest. Methods of capturing pests which utilize a continuous flow of air waste electricity. My invention uses a finite amount of energy to create a static vacuum. 
   Another advantage of this invention is the speed at which it delivers its overwhelming burst of air to overcome the pest. Other patents demonstrate airflow initiated when the pest trips a sensor. This situation makes it possible for the pest to escape before enough air velocity is created. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that once the desired vacuum is achieved it remains silent until the pest is captured. Other inventions, for instance those utilizing a continuous airflow or electrifying grill, create a constant noise. 
   Another advantage of this invention is that it rids the user of the pest cleanly. The pest is efficiently captured within the cavity for easy disposal. The use of a fly swatter can leave behind debris, which can be unsightly, messy and unhealthy. 
   Another advantage is that the pests are captured and kept out of sight. Fly strips are very unsightly. 
   Another advantage of this invention is that it is non-toxic. Sprays and bait methods of pest control utilize various types of poison, which can be unknowingly ingested by humans or damage the environment. 
   Another advantage of this invention is the lack of suffering the pest must endure. It delivers its mortal blow to the pest with the speed of a fly swatter. One need not listen to the sound of a fly suspended on an electrode. 
   Another advantage of this invention is that it is designed so that it is easy to assemble, thus the components can be easily replaced if broken. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions of preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of the present fly catching device. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are interior and exterior views of a housing plate of the device. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are lateral views (with  FIG. 3A  exploded) of a fly corridor and surrounding components of the device. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are straight on and perspective views showing a cleanout area of the device. 
       FIG. 5  is a straight down view of the interior of the housing. 
       FIG. 6  is a graph depicting significant pressures and pressure ranges associated with the device. 
   

   DRAWINGS 
   List of Reference Numbers 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               10 
               Fly Catching Apparatus 
               12 
               Housing 
             
             
               14 
               Lid 
               16 
               Housing Body 
             
             
               18 
               Screws 
               19 
               Cavity 
             
             
               20 
               Lid Gasket 
               21 
               Threaded Holes 
             
             
               22 
               Gasket Seat 
               24 
               Prefabricated Holes 
             
             
               25 
               Attached Lid Position 
               26L 
               Optional Fly Block 
             
             
               26R 
               Fly Block 
               27 
               Flight Path of Pest 
             
             
               28 
               Optional Corridor Spot 
               30 
               Corridor 
             
             
               32 
               Funnel 
               34 
               Portal 
             
             
               36 
               Electromagnetic Port/Door 
               38 
               Door 
             
             
                 
               (EM Port/Door) 
             
             
               40 
               Hinge 
               42 
               Electromagnetic Port 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               (EM Port) 
             
             
               44 
               Wire 
               46 
               Light Attractant 
             
             
               48 
               Wire 
               50 
               Motion Detector 
             
             
               52 
               Wire 
               54 
               Flange 
             
             
               56 
               Passageway 
               58 
               Scent Duct 
             
             
               60 
               Scent Access 
               62 
               Scent Pore 
             
             
               64 
               Plug 
               65 
               String 
             
             
               66 
               Air Holes 
               68 
               Finger Guard 
             
             
               70 
               Threaded Protrusion 
               72 
               Gasket Seat 
             
             
               74 
               Corridor Access 
               76 
               Gasket 
             
             
               78 
               Ring Lid 
               80 
               σ (an angle) 
             
             
               90 
               Housing Plate 
               92 
               Central Processing 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Unit (CPU) 
             
             
               94 
               Pressure Sensor 
               96 
               Wire 
             
             
               98 
               Air Pump 
               100 
               Wire 
             
             
               102 
               Switch 
               104 
               Wire 
             
             
               106 
               One-Way Air Valve 
               108 
               Cord Gasket 
             
             
               110 
               Power Cord 
               112 
               Air Outlet 
             
             
               114 
               Power Plug 
               116 
               Screws 
             
             
               118 
               Prefabricated Holes 
               120 
               Housing Gasket 
             
             
               122 
               Threaded Holes 
               124 
               Housing Access 
             
             
               130 
               Cleanout Area 
               132 
               Threaded Protrusion 
             
             
               134 
               Cleanout Access 
               136 
               Tray 
             
             
               138 
               Tray Support 
               140 
               Handle 
             
             
               142 
               Cleanout Gasket 
               144 
               Cap 
             
             
               146 
               Gasket Seat 
               148 
               Fly Slide 
             
             
               150 
               Chute 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  displays a perspective view of a fly catching apparatus  10 . A housing  12  comprises a lid gasket  20  interfacing a lid  14  and a housing body  16  with a gasket seat  22 , and with a multitude of screws  18  to form an airtight seal. A multitude of prefabricated holes  24  in lid  14  and lid gasket  20  enable screws  18  to fasten to a multitude of threaded holes  21 . 
   An interior view of a housing plate  90  is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . A central processing unit (CPU)  92  is connected to a pressure sensor  94  via a wire  96 , to an air pump  98  via a wire  100  and to a switch  102  via a wire  104 . Three other leads, a wire  44 , a wire  48  and a wire  52  connect CPU  92  with components of a corridor  30  (described further below; see also  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). A one-way air valve  106  and air pump (vacuum pump)  98  are part of the same structure. A cord gasket  108  provides an airtight seal between a power cord  110  and housing plate  90 . 
     FIG. 2B  displays the exterior view of housing plate  90 . An air outlet  112  provides an exit for air evacuated by air pump  98  through one-way air valve  106 . A power plug  114  is attached to power cord  110 . A multitude of screws  116  fasten housing plate  90  to housing  12  through a multitude of prefabricated holes  118  in housing plate  90  and in a housing gasket  120  to a multitude of threaded holes  122  such that components attached to housing plate  90  rest inside housing  12  facilitated by a housing access  124  and creates an airtight seal. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B  show corridor  30  and its comprising parts. A funnel  32  is a tapering cylinder or tube originating with a portal  34  and terminating with an electromagnetic port/door  36  (EM port/door  36 ). EM port/door  36  comprises a door  38  attached by a hinge  40  to an electromagnetic port  42  comprising an electromagnet (EM port  42 ). The electromagnet may be ring-shaped (ring magnet) as shown at  42 . EM port/door  36  is attached to funnel  32  preferably by mechanical and adhesive means. The port  42  comprises an opening (not specifically shown) at the end of the funnel  32 , an opening covered by the door  38  when closed and opening the housing to atmosphere when open. As shown, the hinge  40  is arranged that the door  38  opens upwardly and inwardly of the housing. 
   CPU  92  is connected to EM port  42  via wire  44 , to an electric light attractant  46  via wire  48  and to a motion detector  50  via wire  52 . The motion detector  50  serves as a fly sensor and could take other forms as noted below. A flange  54  is an extension of the outside of funnel  32 . A passageway  56  is that area inside funnel  32  from portal  34  to EM port/door  36 . A scent duct  58  is a chamber which runs parallel to passageway  56  within funnel  32  originating at a scent access  60  and terminating with a scent pore  62 . A plug  64  fits scent access  60  and has a string  65  attached. 
   On funnel  32 , proximate portal  34 , are a series of air holes  66 . A finger guard  68  spans portal  34 . Finger guard  68  is a safety feature which acts to keep fingers out of passageway  56  and air holes  66  are a safety feature which allows air to pass by if someone decided to cup his hand over portal  34  and somehow trigger it. 
     FIG. 3A  shows the relationship of corridor  30  to the surrounding components. Projecting from housing  12  is a threaded protrusion  70 , which terminates with a corridor gasket seat  72  and encloses a corridor access  74 . As corridor  30  is inserted into corridor access  74 , flange  54  presses a gasket  76  to gasket seat  72  and forms an airtight seal as a female-threaded ring lid  78  is screwed onto threaded protrusion  70 . 
   An angle σ  80  denotes that EM port/door  36  preferably is slightly angled to funnel  32 , such that when door  38  hinges inwardly open, gravity alone would bring it back into contact with EM port  42 . 
     FIGS. 4A  and B show a straight on view and an exploded lateral view of a cleanout area  130  (denoted by a dash-dot line in  FIG. 1 ), respectively. From  FIG. 4B  we can see that a threaded protrusion  132 , extending from housing  12 , encloses a cleanout access  134 . Cleanout access  134  allows for a tray  136 , supported by a tray support  138  to slide in and out with the aid of a handle  140 . A cleanout gasket  142  fits into a cap  144  (threads not in drawing), which when screwed to threaded protrusion  132  provides an airtight seal as gasket  142  is squeezed to a cleanout gasket seat  146 . 
   In  FIG. 4A  we can see that tray support  138  starts just above the top outside edge of tray  136  and encompasses it such that it would be locked in place when cap  144  is attached. 
   As the horizontal inside portion of tray support  138  terminates and begins ascending, a fly slide  148  begins.  FIG. 5  affords a straight down view of the interior of housing  12 . The fly slide  148  is not shown in  FIG. 1  for clarity in regard to other elements, but its outline is shown on the back wall of the housing in dashed lines at  148  in  FIG. 1 . The four interior walls of housing  12  comprise fly slide  148 , which originates at gasket seat  22  and converges as it deepens terminating to form an opening or a chute  150 . Anything that falls within housing  12  would meet fly slide  148  and fall into tray  136  or would fall into tray  136  unobstructed. 
   Housing body  16 , along with the proper attachment of lid  14 , corridor  30 , housing plate  90  and cap  144  create an airtight cavity  19  in the housing&#39;s interior (airtight when EM port  42  is energized). 
   The internal pressure of cavity  19  plays a key role as CPU  92  coordinates the events which will lead to the capture of a fly. Three pressure ranges, which shall be called high, adequate and low are significant to this invention. These three pressure ranges are divided by two distinct pressure readings, optimal and sub-optimal.  FIG. 6  displays how these pressure ranges and reading are related. 
   Adequate is that range of negative pressure between, but not including, optimal and sub-optimal. All pressure readings within the range of adequate shall elicit no effect on the workings of this invention. That is, while the pressure reading is in the range of adequate, CPU  92  will not prompt any action to take place. 
   High is a range of pressure readings of optimal and greater in negative pressure. Low is that range of pressures that begin at sub-optimal and include readings of higher positive pressures. The range between high and low (adequate) is arbitrary and left to the manufacturer. 
   Likewise, pinpointing the exact values for optimal and sub-optimal is not pertinent to this description. These pressure values in effect represent a certain volume of air evacuated from cavity  19 . These volumes will depend in large part on the geometry of funnel  32  and the exact location of motion detector  50  (addressed further in alternate embodiments). In general, higher vacuum will be required as evacuated volume of the enclosure is made smaller, in order to produce reliably the rush of air required (in velocity and volume) to pull a fly into the interior. 
   The critical measurement within the scope of this pressure scenario is that of sub-optimal. Sub-optimal represents the least amount of evacuated air necessary to capture a fly, taking all variables into account. 
   The user may opt to bait the device by placing an olfactory attractant into scent duct  58  prior to use or while the invention is in operation to further entice a fly into passageway  56 . 
   The operation of this invention and the first situation finds the user plugging power plug  114  into an outlet and turning switch  102  to the on position (i.e. first time use, fly trap device was moved, etc). CPU  92  becomes charged and simultaneously energizes both EM port  42  (which makes cavity  19  now airtight) and pressure sensor  94 . 
   Energized or activated, EM port  42  forms a bond with door  38 , which shall be stronger than the force of optimal vacuum (optimal representing the greatest negative pressure which will pull upon the door). EM port  42  is constantly charged and its current only interrupted when motion detector  50  is tripped (more below, including variations). 
   Pressure sensor  94  is relentlessly reading the internal pressure of cavity  19  and CPU  92  is continually checking this reading. Naturally, in this case the initial reading will be the same as the pressure in the room, below sub-optimal or in the low vacuum/too-high pressure range. Thus, CPU  92  engages pump  98 , which begins to evacuate air from cavity  19 . 
   When enough air has been evacuated from cavity  19  so that the reading of optimal is attained, CPU  92  disengages air pump  98  and activates motion detector  50  and light attractant  46 . The invention is now ready to catch a fly. Ideally no further air evacuation will be needed until a fly is caught, unless some air leakage occurs into the housing. 
   Because of the sensory attractants (or light attractant or some other reason), a fly passes through portal  34  and enters into passageway  56 . As the fly nears EM port/door  36  it will come close to and trigger motion detector  50 , which alerts CPU  92 . 
   This message prompts CPU  92  to momentarily interrupt the current to EM port  42 , acting as a fly response means, and preferably also to disable motion detector  50  as well as light attractant  46 . 
   With this momentary loss of power to EM port  42 , door  38  succumbs to the negative pressure within cavity  19  and rapidly flips inwardly open on its hinges. Air rushes in through passageway  56  to equalize the pressure of cavity  19  with that pressure surrounding the invention and carries the fly in with it. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1 , a series of arrows represent the final flight path of the fly. The dotted lines at  25  represent the inverted triangular shape of the bottom of lid  14 , as it would rest after attachment. A fly block  26 R ( FIG. 1 ) represents a spot on lid  14  which lines up with the center of passageway  56 . As the fly hurls into cavity  19 , it will ricochet off a spot proximate to fly block  26 R and end up in tray  136 . 
   This brings us to the other situation, that of the trap&#39;s resetting itself after capturing a fly. At this point motion detector  50  and light attractant  46  preferably have been disabled and power to EM port/door  42  is now re-established along with its bond to door  38 . CPU  92  finds the enclosure pressure once again to be low vacuum (too-high pressure) and the above-described process begins again. Note that the pressure sensor could be independently connected to the vacuum pump and not to a CPU, if desired. 
   ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS 
   Alternately this invention may be adapted and used to catch other pests such as mosquitoes, rodents or just about whatever bugs you in the realm of small animals. The word “fly” as used herein should be understood to include all such pests. 
   Multiple Corridors Referring back to  FIG. 1 , an “X” on the wall of housing  12 , opposite corridor  30 , marks an optional corridor spot  28 , the center of which would line up with a fly block  26 L. This is a possible location for a second corridor  30 . 
   The complication which arises with the addition of a second corridor system (or greater multitude) is that of two flies simultaneously triggering the trap at two different corridors. The solution is a more advanced processor capable of differentiating the corridor and establishing a hierarchy whereby it would be constantly checking them in order such that only one corridor would in effect be active at any one given time. Furthermore, if one motion detector was triggered the corresponding EM port would react as described above and all motion detector and light attractants would be disabled until optimal was once again attained while maintaining the current to the rest of the EM port/door systems. Other arrangements can be implemented as well, such as simultaneous opening of two EM ports when two flies are present, division of the housing space into separate vacuum compartments (which could be with a single vacuum pump and one or more valves), etc. 
   The invention may be sold as a kit without the housing. A person may convert a 55-gallon barrel or any such object which can be made airtight into a fly catching trap. 
   Alternate sources of power (solar, battery, hand pump, etc.) may be utilized. 
   The apparatus may be designed to take on any desired shape. 
   The apparatus could be made with a carry handle. 
   The device may be produced in a color(s) which may be proven to attract the intended pest. 
   The fly block could be a flat surface instead of angled and may be eliminated altogether. It also could be incorporated into the corridor (or funnel). 
   The invention may be equipped with an external pressure gauge for visual reading. 
   Instead of having a string attached to the scent plug the end of the plug could be have a knob (oversized), it could have a screw-in design or some other convenient way of attachment. 
   With the use of superior engineering or a material more malleable than hard plastic the need for gaskets may be eliminated. 
   The pest removal tray may be eliminated. 
   The lid and other attachments to the housing body may be attached via other methods (snap devices, etc.). 
   The fly may come to rest in some kind of disposable bag or device such that the user need not see the remains to dispose of them. 
   Novelties such as a fly counter, or the playing of a melody upon the capture of a fly or any other indicator of capture may be incorporated. 
   An added safety feature may include a wire running inside of the finger guard, which would disable the invention should it be cut or broken. 
   The device could be designed such that it would fail to operate if the lid were not attached. 
   The invention may be designed without any pest attractants. 
   Heat (beyond that created by the light source) may also be incorporated as an attractant to entice a fly to enter the passageway. If a light source is used, it is advantageously a source producing a particular wavelength of light to which flies are attracted. 
   Alternate means of attaching the EM port to the funnel are possible (heat, screws, etc.). The EM port may be made part of the funnel. 
   The interior portion of funnel  32  may be coated with a substance that will reduce the friction coefficient. 
   The size and shape of the funnel may vary along with the position of the components. 
   It is not necessary to angle the EM port/door to the funnel. 
   The device may be equipped with a spring or utilize some other method to aid in closing the door. 
   The fly sensor  50  may be infrared, photo-sensor (photodetector), or radar or other fly presence sensor. 
   At the moment a fly is detected and power to the magnet at the EM port is interrupted, it is not necessary to disable power to the electric light attractment and the motion detector, since these elements will have no effect at this point. However, it is desirable to momentarily disable power to these elements, as well as the vacuum pump or pressure sensor, to conserve energy. Switching off the light gives a visual indication of a trapping event. 
   The CPU could be replaced by a simpler device such as a relay or other switch that interrupts power to the door closing device (or powers it in the case of a motor) when the sensor determines a fly is present. The vacuum pump or pressure sensor can similarly be disabled momentarily, although this is not absolutely necessary. The door preferably is open for a very short time, a fraction of a second, and the pump will not start to create any vacuum or air flow at the door opening prior to i.e. closing of the door. Note also that the pump in this device could operate continuously, although this is generally not desirable because of economy of operation, noise and vibration. 
   The ring magnet at the EM port could be a different form of magnet, such as a bar electromagnet, coupled with an effective gasket around the port, although the ring shaped magnet is preferred. The magnet could be built into or onto the door, thus comprising a part of the door. Also, another form of door latch and release could be utilized, such as a very small electric motor producing no discernable vibration. The door can be held and operated by any electromagnetic means, which includes a magnet, a solenoid, a motor or other electromagnetic device. A solenoid could withdraw a latch by direct or indirect mechanical connection, so as to release the door, then re-engage the latch when the door falls back to the closed position; a wedging action can be included. In the case of a motor, after the air rush which draws in the fly, the motor could again be energized upon door closure to re-latch the door tightly. The term “latch” is intended to include any form of device to hold the door closed. 
   The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.