Patent Publication Number: US-2003230025-A1

Title: Two door animal trap and cage device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to devices for live-capturing small animals and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a two door live-capture animal trap and cage device which utilizes physical features in construction for gaining the confidence of a small animal in the trap device as the animal investigates the device and prior to its capture. It also relates to such a trap and cage device which maintains the animal, once trapped and caged within the device, in a safe and humane manner until the animal can be relocated to a new habitat. It also relates to a device that allows for the safe transfer of the trapped animal from the device to a secondary holding device, which secondary holding device can safely hold a number of animals at one time within individual compartments thereby preventing the animals from accessing and harming one another until released.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Animal traps have been used by mankind for thousands of years. Early on, a trap could be a device as simple as a hole in the ground or a carefully set snare which was set along the well-traveled trail of some woodland creature. Indeed, the major incentive for such trapping was survival and sustenance in the forms of food and clothing for the early trapper. The key to the success of such early devices oftentimes was the ability of the trapper to adequately conceal the traps from the unwary animal which was intended to be trapped. Placing small, loose branches over the hole would work as would placing blades of grass around the snare, each working to conceal the trap from the animal.  
       [0003] Although the incentives of hunger and lack of clothing have, for the most part, been eliminated in the modern world, mankind still needs to capture small animals from time to time. The incentive now is more a nuisance avoidance mechanism than any other. Accordingly, the need for traps still exists in this modern age. Consistent with the notions of animal rights and preservation, however, anyone seeking to capture small animals these days is acutely aware of the need to capture them live and then to release them, unharmed, to a new habitat where they can be of little or no nuisance in their new location.  
       [0004] In the experience of this inventor, small animal traps of the modern variety tend to assume the form of a single entrance trap or even a two door trap which presents itself in a very ominous way from the animal&#39;s point of view. That is, most small animals are smart or experienced enough to know that entry into an opening from which no other apparent exit exists is probably not a good idea. Similarly, a trapping device or contraption which has too many metal parts and all s the outward appearances of a cage is probably not one that an animal will care to pass through either. In this inventor&#39;s experience, the true success of the modern trap continues to lie in the trapper&#39;s ability to conceal the truly perilous nature and danger of the device. It also lies in the trapper&#39;s ability to override any perceived or apparent danger by appealing to the animal&#39;s most basic instinct for survival, to gather and eat food. To this end, the modern trap can and should be made to look and feel like a feeding station. This effect is enhanced by sprinkling loose bait about the trap to make it appear to the animal that it is not the first of its kind to venture near the device and be successful in having a meal.  
       [0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful animal trap and cage device which has a very unassuming appearance from the viewpoint of the animal. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a trap which is easy to construct and which can be operated with a minimal number of steps. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a trap which can lure a wide variety of small animals into it by varying its size and the lure. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a device which can quickly and efficiently trap an animal and keep the animal held within the trap for transportation purposes well after the animal is trapped inside. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a device which enables the animal to survive within the device for a substantial period of time pending the relocation and release of the animal by providing it with a food and water supply and by providing means for protecting the animal from the elements. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a safe and secure means for transferring the trapped animal from the device to a secondary holding device, which secondary holding device includes a number of compartments for holding a number of animals within it. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a device and secondary holding device which effectively protects the trapper from retaliation on the part of the trapped animal by biting or scratching the trapper, or even by sticking the trapper with quills. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a device that allows for a covering for the device which protects the trapper from retaliation on the part of a trapped skunk that might be inclined to spray the trapper.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a live trap and cage assembly having a base, opposing sidewalls and a central main support section. To either end of the sidewalls is a door. Each door is movable from a lower position which effectively seals the interior of the assembly from the outside and an upper position in which the assembly is completely accessible to the outside. The doors are configured so as to be quickly moveable from the upper position to the lower position upon the triggering of an event inside the assembly. The base of the assembly includes a bait reservoir or “billboard” which is situated to the exterior of the assembly, and a bait holder and release mechanism which is situated to the interior of the assembly. The bait holder is suspended within the interior of the assembly by a cable which extends downwardly from the central support of the assembly. The cable is attached to each of the opposing doors and allows full movement of each door from the upper position to the lower position. The bottommost portion of the bait holder is slidably attachable to a “trigger” bracket which allows the bait holder to be movable from one position to another. The assembly, in a preferred embodiment, is constructed such that the base and each of the opposing sidewalls are constructed such that the base and each of the opposing sidewalls are configured from a wire mesh or mesh-like material, which mesh is relatively innocuous from the view of the animal. Upon movement of the bait holder within the assembly by a lateral force applied to the bait holder by the animal, the bait holder slides out of the trigger bracket. An opening defined within the trigger bracket effectively releases the bait holder and the cable which is under tension due to the weight of each of the doors pulling on it, thereby instantaneously moving the opposing doors from the upper position to the lower position and trapping the animal within the assembly. During this rapid downward movement of the doors, the animal&#39;s reaction time is substantially diminished due to its preoccupation with the bait contained on the bait holder. Each of the opposing doors includes a horizontal portion which may also include a removable panel for providing either a clear or opaque panel for protecting the animal, once trapped, from rain and snow or from a hot sun, respectively. In the preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, a mechanism is also provided for ensuring that the doors cannot be forced open, even slightly, so as to allow the trapped animal a means for escape. In the preferred embodiment, a secondary access door is provided which allows the device to be joined to a seconday holding device whereby the animal can exit the device through the secondary access door and enter the secondary holding device. The secondary holding device incorporates a plurality of compartments such that a number of captured animals can be held within it. Once trapped or caged, the animal can be transported from its trap site to a new location in a fashion which is safe for the animal and for the trapper alike. A covering for the device may also be provided to allow for additional protection of the user when a skunk wanders into and is trapped by the device. The foregoing and other features of the device of the present invention will be further apparent from the detailed description which follows. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007]FIG. 1 is a front and top perspective view of a trap and cage device constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the doors of the device in a fully open position.  
     [0008]FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the trap end cage device shown in FIG. 1, and showing the doors of the device in a fully closed position.  
     [0009]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the trap and cage device shown in FIG. 2, and also showing the doors of the device in a fully closed position.  
     [0010]FIG. 4 is a top and left side perspective view of the trap and cage device as shown in FIG. 1, taken along line  4 - 4  thereof, showing a food reservoir used with the device which acts as a “food billboard” to wild animals and also showing the doors of the device in a fully open position.  
     [0011]FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the trap shown in FIG. 4 and showing the doors in the fully closed position.  
     [0012]FIG. 6 is a further enlarged and partially cross-sectioned front elevational view of the bait holder and trigger bracket of the trap and cage device shown in FIG. 1 and showing the device in its “untriggered” mode prior to activation by an animal.  
     [0013]FIG. 7 is another partially cross-sectioned front elevational view of the bait holder and trigger bracket shown in FIG. 6 and showing the device in its “triggered” or trap mode following activation by an animal.  
     [0014]FIG. 8 is a further enlarged rear, right side and top perspective view of the trigger bracket of the device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.  
     [0015]FIG. 9 is a further enlarged cross-sectioned right side elevational view taken along line  9 - 9  of FIG. 6 and showing further detail of the trigger bracket and bait holder shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and  8 .  
     [0016]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the trigger bracket shown in FIG. 9 and taken along line  10 - 10  thereof.  
     [0017]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a bait assembly used with the device of the present invention and showing a segment of a cob of corn.  
     [0018]FIG. 12 is a further enlarged front elevational view of the bait assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2,  4 ,  6  and  7  and showing an alternative bait, whole peanuts, which are removably attached to a bait core via springs.  
     [0019]FIG. 13 is a front, top and right side perspective view generally of the trap and cage device shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and showing a secondary holding device used in conjunction with the device.  
     [0020]FIG. 14 is a front and top perspective view of the secondary holding device shown generally in FIG. 13.  
     [0021]FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the secondary holding device shown in FIG. 14.  
     [0022]FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the secondary holding device shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.  
     [0023]FIG. 17 is a partial top and front perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1, showing the doors in the raised position, and illustrating the insertion of a panel along the horizontal portion of each door for protection of the trapped animal from the elements.  
     [0024]FIG. 18 is a top and front perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 11 and illustrating a covering that is used as an accessory to the device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0025] Referring now to the drawings in detail where like numbered numerals refer to like elements throughout, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the trap and cage assembly or device of the present invention, said trap and cage device being generally identified  10 . The trap and cage device  10  includes a generally U-shaped main frame member  20 . The U-shaped main frame  20  is constructed of a rigid, but bendable, wire-mesh material. Although this inventor has utilized a 1 inch square wire-mesh material, it is to be understood that any number of similar materials could be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The main frame  20  includes a horizontally planar floor  22 , a first vertically planar sidewall  24  and a second vertically planar sidewall  26 , the first and second planar sidewalls  24 ,  26  being generally parallel to one another. It is also to be understood that the main frame  20  could be manufactured from a single piece of material or the floor  22  and the sidewalls  24 ,  26  could be constructed from separate pieces of material and then assembled without deviating from the scope of the present invention. To either end of the main frame  20  is a first access opening  32  and a second access opening  34 . It is the purpose of this main frame  20  configuration to present an unassuming trap and cage body which is, for the most part, unassuming to the animal, thus creating a general sense of safety for the animal that comes across the trap and cage device  10  and is attracted to it. In the preferred embodiment, a solid floor plate  46  and a plurality of feet  48 , in the form of inverted U-shaped channels, are provided. Also in the preferred embodiment, a side access door  40  is provided, the side access door  40  being vertically moveable along door channels  42  that are integrally formed with the sidewall  24 . The function and purpose of the side access door  40  will become further apparent later in this detailed description.  
     [0026] Though intended to be generally rigid, the first and second planar sidewalls  24 ,  26  of the main frame  20  are somewhat resilient, particularly when a trapped animal is contained within the assembly  10 . In the experience of this inventor, a trapped animal can extricate itself through even the smallest opening when the animal perceives that it is in mortal danger. Accordingly, the first and second sidewalls  24 ,  26  of the main frame  20  include a first support rod  36  and a second support rod  38 , the first and second support rods  36 ,  38  being generally perpendicular to and extending between the first and second sidewalls  24 ,  26  so as to give the sidewalls  24 ,  26  additional rigidity. The first and second support rods  36 ,  38  are attachable to the first and second sidewalls  24 ,  26  by means of fasteners or may be welded into place.  
     [0027] Also extending between the first and second sidewalls  24 ,  26  of the main frame  20  is a central frame cover portion  70 . The central frame cover member  70  extends generally perpendicularly between the first and second sidewalls  24 ,  26 . The central frame cover portion  70  may be secured to the first and second sidewalls  24 ,  26  by means of fasteners (not shown) or by weldment. The central frame cover portion  70  also includes a handle  74  for ease of transport of the device  10 .  
     [0028] Extending to either side of the central frame cover portion  70  is a first L-shaped door  50  and a second L-shaped door  60 . The first and second doors  50 ,  60  are rotatably attached to the central frame cover portion  70  by means of hinges  72 . It should be noted here that the positioning of the doors  50 ,  60  in the “open” position as shown in FIG. 1 actually raises them above the sidewalls  24 ,  26 , thereby enhancing the effect for the curious animal that the device  10  is open and unthreatening. Extending upwardly from the central frame cover portion  70  is a tubular cable conduit  76 , the significance of which will become further apparent later in this detailed description. Each L-shaped door  50 ,  60  is, in essence, a mirror image of the other. The first door  50  includes a first top door portion  52  and a generally perpendicularly situated first side door portion  54 . Similarly, the second door  60  includes a second top door portion  62  and a second side door portion  64 . A pair of corner supports  56  provides rigidity between the first top door portion  52  and the first side door portion  54  of the first door  50 . See FIG. 3. Similarly, rigidity is provided by the corner supports  66  of the second door  60 . It should also be noted that the weight of the doors  50 ,  60  gives them the tendency to drop downwardly by means of gravity and move to the fully closed position as shown in FIG. 2. It should also be noted here that each door  50 ,  60  could be fabricated using other corner supports and the like, other than those shown, and still come within the scope of this invention. In fact, the doors  50 ,  60  could even be fabricated without such supports as long as each door  50 ,  60  is able to maintain its original L-shaped construction.  
     [0029] In the experience of this inventor, it is also important to preserve the well-being of the animal within the device  10  once the animal is trapped. To that end, this inventor has provided a means for protecting the animal from the heat of the sun and from rain and snow while it is contained within the device  10 . Specifically, the horizontal portion  52 ,  62  of each door  50 ,  60 , respectively, can be provided with means for slidably inserting a panel below it. See FIG. 17. As shown, the panels  150 ,  160  may be opaque for protecting the animal from the sun or may be clear for protecting the animal from rain and snow only. Each panel  150 ,  160  is insertable between a pair of opposing channels  152 ,  162  located to either edge of the top door portion  52 ,  62 , respectively. In this fashion, the doors  50 ,  60  may include, or not include, a panel  150 ,  160  as such is desired or required.  
     [0030] Further situated atop the central frame cover portion  70  is a stop assembly primary latch cable  80 . This primary latch cable  80  could be made from a metal material, a nylon material, a poly plastic material, a sheathed material or any other material having substantial tensile strength. See FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 . Each end of the primary latch cable  80  is looped and secured with a fastener  82 . The looped end of the primary cable  80  is, in turn, threaded with a secondary latch cable  90 . This secondary latch cable  80  could also be made from a metal material, a nylon material, a poly plastic material, a sheathed material or any other material having substantial tensile strength. See FIGS. 3 and 5. Affixed to each vertical door portion  54 ,  64  is a cable guide  88 . The cable guide  88 , in the preferred embodiment, is a generally U-shaped element having a pair of aligned openings (not shown) through which the secondary cable  90  is also threaded. For purposes of discussion, it is to be understood that this subassembly of the latch mechanism or latch assembly portion of the device of the present invention is identical on each door  50 ,  60 . Accordingly, the detail of this subassembly will be discussed with respect to only one door, it being understood that the opposing door includes the same subassembly. Each end of the secondary cable  90  is also looped and secured by means of a fastener  92 , but only after each end of the secondary cable  90  is threaded through one end of a latch pin  96 . See FIG. 5. The latch pin  96  is secured within a bracket  94  and is biased outwardly of the door  50 ,  60  by means of a spring  98 . This latch pin bracket and spring assembly  94 ,  96 ,  98  is duplicated at the opposite side of each door  50 ,  60  such that the pins  96  are axially aligned. A latch pin slide bracket  84  is attached at each of the upper corners of the sidewalls  24 ,  26 . Each latch pin slide  84  is biased inwardly of the device  10  such that, upon the downward movement of the doors  50 ,  60 , the latch pins  96  are urged inwardly to the point that the latch pin  96  passes the lowermost edge  86  of the slide  84  and is engaged thereby, each latch pin  96  extending fully outwardly. This prevents an animal from pushing the doors  50 ,  60  outwardly and from creating a crack or crevice between the doors  50 ,  60  and the floor  22  or sidewalls  24 ,  26  through which escape can be accomplished. In the experience of this inventor, the latch pin  96  must travel at least ¾ to 1 inch to prevent lateral movement of a sidewall  24 ,  26  from disengaging the pin  96 . It is also to be understood that other latch mechanisms could be used in the device of the present invention without deviating from the scope of the present invention.  
     [0031] In the preferred embodiment, a food reservoir, or food “billboard”  12  is provided. In fact, a pair of such food reservoirs  12  may be provided, one attached to the outer surfaces of each sidewall  24 ,  26  of the assembly  10 . The food reservoir  12  is similarly transparent and consists of a clear tubular structure having one or more end caps  14  which reservoir  12  is filled with a food substance  16  which is of interest to the animals sought to be captured. In the experience of this inventor, the food substance  16  could be corn, peanuts, seeds, or any other suitable consumable. The food reservoir contents  16  are inaccessible to the animal, but draw the animal in towards the device  10  where the truly accessible food, in the form of a bait holder assembly generally identified  130 , is observable to the animal, thereby further enticing the animal to take a closer examination of the situation and to inevitably enter into the device  10 . In this regard, the device  10  mimics a feeding station. The effect can be enhanced by sprinkling individual seed kernels or peanut shells along the device floor  22 , floor plate  46 , and even outside the device  10  and leading up to it. All of this reinforces the notion that the device  10  is safe and that other animals have recently fed from it, coming and going at will.  
     [0032] As previously disclosed, the central frame cover portion  70  includes a tubular cable conduit  76  which extends upwardly and generally perpendicularly from the central frame cover portion  70 . The conduit  76  has a conduit interior  78  through which can pass a cable  100 , the ends of which are looped through a portion of each door  50 ,  60  and secured with a fastener  102 . See FIG. 3. Under the weight of the doors  50 ,  60 , the cable  100  is held in tension. This inventor has found that a conduit  76  having a height of 6 inches provides optimum performance of the device. At this height, door action is maximized. It is also to be understood, however, that other trigger mechanisms could be used without deviating from the scope of this invention. The cable  100  is looped at the interior of the assembly  10  in such fashion that a fastener  136 , such as an S-shaped hook  136 , can be slidably attached to the cable  100 . The S-shaped hook  136  is but one part of the bait holder assembly  130  and can also take the form of an open and closing clip. The idea is that it is this hook or clip  136  which is the structure to which the other portion of the bait assembly  130  can be quickly and easily detached and reattached as such is desired or required, the precise form of slidable attachment not being a limitation of this invention. The S-shaped hook or clip  136  is attached to a downwardly extending central bolt portion  142  about which is situated a bait  160 , which is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and  11  as a longitudinal section of a cob of corn  162 . The uppermost portion of the bait  160  can be constructed such that the bait  160  breaks away from the clip  136  when the trapped animal begins to be overly aggressive with the bait  160 . In FIGS. 1, 2,  4  and  12 , the bait is a number of peanuts  166  that are held in place by use of a number of circumferentially connected springs  168 . This latter configuration is preferred by this inventor for the reason that the peanuts may be easily mounted and replenished as required. This inventor has learned from personal experience that such springs  168  may become stretched and deformed by a determined animal and that, accordingly, an alternative embodiment would be to use a rubber cord or the like (not shown). Such rubber cords may be stretched, but do not become deformed during use. It is also possible to use a wire clamp type device (also not shown) to attach peanuts, raw meat, fish, fruit or any other foodstuff to the bait  160 . The bait  160  may also be prepackaged for the convenient ease of use and replacement by the user who simply doesn&#39;t want to fuss or bother with changing the foodstuff affixed to the bait  160 . Such prepackaged bait assemblies or food cartridges would be easy to use and easy to replace as such is desired or required.  
     [0033] In any event, the central bolt portion  142  terminates in the lower portion of a threaded receiver  132 . In this fashion, the bait  160  may be removable from the bait assembly  130 . An eye bolt  134  is situated at the upper portion of the threaded receiver  132 , the eye bolt  134  being attachable to the S-shaped hook  136 . Means are provided for securing the bait  130  about the bolt portion  142  by means of various hardware items including a pair of support plates  138  and fasteners  144 . Extending at the lower most portion of the bolt portion  142  is an annular flange or slide washer  146 . In the preferred embodiment, bait assembly  130  and all parts relative to it are constructed of nonferrous materials so as to prevent rusting due to exposure to the elements. See FIGS. 8 and 9.  
     [0034] The annular flange or slide washer  146  is insertable within a slot or opening  122  which is defined within the trigger bracket, generally identified  110 . See FIG. 8. The trigger bracket  110  includes a raised central portion  112  which is supported to either side by a pair of legs  114 . It is in one of these legs  114  that the slot  122  is defined. The trigger bracket  110  is attachable to the floor  22 ,  46  of the main frame  20  by means of fasteners  152  which extend through fastener openings  116  which are defined within the bracket legs  114 . It is to be understood that while the frictional coefficient between the slide washer  146  and the bracket  110  is to be low so as to allow smooth and easy movement between the two elements, the movement should not be so low as to trigger the movement simply by wind or other natural forces which may act upon the device  10 . In the experience of this inventor, engagement of the washer  146  with the slot  122  on the order of ¼ inch is sufficient to prevent inadvertent tripping of the device  10  by such environmental forces, or even from a curious animal sending vibrations through the device  10  as it climbs over and on top of the device  10  and checks it out. See FIG. 10. It is also understood that the trigger bracket  110  could instead include a dumbbell shaped aperture (not shown) defined within the raised central portion  112  of the trigger bracket  110  and the bottommost portion of the bait  160  could instead include a ball or bulb (also not shown) slidably movable along the bracket  110  as the trip mechanism.  
     [0035] Referring now to FIG. 13, the secondary holding device, generally identified  200 , is illustrated. As shown, the secondary holding device  200  comprises a generally box-like appearance and is dimensioned somewhat similarly to the primary trap and cage device  10 . The secondary holding device  200  includes a horizontally planar top  202 , a pair of vertically planar sidewalls  204 ,  206  and a horizontally planar bottom  208  and may be formed of a single piece of material. As was true of the primary device  10 , the inventor has configured the secondary holding device  200  from a rigid, but bendable, wire-mesh material. Although this inventor has utilized a 1 inch square wire-mesh material, it is to be understood that any number of similar materials could also be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The secondary holding device  200  also includes a floor  230  and a plurality of legs  232  in the form of inverted U-shaped channels to elevate the device  200  up and off of the ground. See FIG. 14. As shown, the secondary holding device  200  may be separated into a number of animal retaining compartments  240 ,  242 ,  246 ,  248  by means of a plurality of slide doors  220 . Each slide door  220  is vertically movable along a pair of opposing door channels  224 . Each slide door  220  includes a door lip  222  for ease in grasping the door and moving it upwardly or downwardly as such is desired or required. As shown, the secondary holding device  200  could be configured to be divided into two compartments, three compartments or any other number of compartments, including compartments of different size and shape. The secondary holding device  200  also includes a pair of opposing handles  234  for transporting the device  200 .  
     [0036] In application, the trapper would locate the device  10  in an area where a “problem” animal has been actively observed. The bait  160  would be attached to the bait assembly  130 . The bait  160  of choice would depend upon the animal sought to be trapped and relocated. For squirrels, it might be a corn cob segment or peanuts attached to the bait assembly  130 . This inventor envisions an infinite variety of such baits  160 , many of which could be preassembled for ease of use by the end user. The bait assembly  130  is lowered into the vicinity of the trigger bracket  110 . The slide washer  146  of the bait assembly  130  is inserted into the slot  122  of the trigger bracket  110 . In this fashion, the cable  100  is drawn through the cable conduit  76  and down into the interior of the assembly  10  thereby raising the doors  50 ,  60 . The first and second openings  32 ,  34  of the main frame  20  are then fully accessible to the animal and then it is simply a matter of time and overcoming the animal&#39;s apprehension. It should be noted again that several bait alternatives could be available, depending upon the type of animal to be trapped. For example, a segment of a cob of corn  162  could be used as is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and  11 . Alternatively, peanuts  166  could be secured to a central core member  172  as is shown in FIGS. 1, 2,  4  and  12  by means of springs  168 , or meat, fish, apple slices or any other foodstuff to which animals are attracted could be secured to the core member  172 .  
     [0037] As the animal approaches the device  10 , the animal is drawn in by the presence of the food reservoirs  12  located to the exterior of the device  10 . Determining that it cannot access the contents  16  of the reservoirs  12 , the animal moves on only to return later for another look at the matter. As the sidewalls  24 ,  26  fade into the background, which effect may be enhanced by simply painting them green, and the animal gains confidence that this object poses little, if any, threat to the animal, the animal moves into the vicinity of either opening  32 ,  34 . This behavior can be encouraged by the placement of loose peanut shells, corn kernels, etc. about the device  10  and even on the floor  22 ,  46  of it. The animal enters the main frame  20  to check out the situation.  
     [0038] It should also be noted at this point that a very important feature of the device  10  of the present invention is the fact that the bait assembly  130  in the preferred embodiment is strategically located to one side of the main frame  20 . See FIG. 4. In this fashion, the animal&#39;s perception of threat is further minimized by the appearance of a clear path of escape through the device  10 . In the experience of this inventor, an animal may pass through the main frame  20  several times before it starts to investigate the bait assembly  130  itself.  
     [0039] When the animal finally does investigate the bait assembly  130 , the animal will move the slide washer  146  along the slot  122  by a force which has any force component in the direction of the slot alignment. See FIG. 10. As the slide washer  146  continues to be urged along by the animal&#39;s exertion of slight force  10  upon the bait assembly  130 , the slide washer  146  moves out of the slot  122  to the point that the slide washer  146  “pops out of” the slot  122 . Almost instantaneously, the cable  100 , which is under tension, moves the opposing doors  50 ,  60  from the upper position to the lower position and traps the animal within the device  10 . During this movement of the doors  50 ,  60 , the animal&#39;s reaction time is substantially diminished due to its preoccupation with the bait  160  contained on the bait assembly  130 . The presence of a bottom floor plate  46  also prevents the animal from gaining any traction it its attempt to scurry away. Also at this instant, each pin  96  has slid along the corresponding slide bracket  84  and has become engaged with the lower edge  86  of that slide bracket  84 . This action provides a locking function when the doors  50 ,  60  are in their fully closed position. This prevents the animal from pushing the doors  50 ,  60  outwardly and from creating a crack or crevice between the doors  50 ,  60  and the floor  22  or sidewalls  24 ,  26  through which escape can be accomplished.  
     [0040] Once trapped or caged, the animal can survive for some time until the trap is visited by the trapper due to the availability of a food source  160  within the device  10 . The addition of a water bottle (not shown) is also a good idea insofar as it provides an additional temptation to the animal and a water supply once it is trapped. The presence of an optional clear panel  150 ,  160  within each of the doors  50 ,  60  protects the animal from rain and snow that may fall during its brief capture. See FIG. 17. The presence of an optional opaque panel  150 ,  160  within each of the doors  50 ,  60  will protect the trapped animal from the sun during daylight hours. Also while the animal is contained, the smooth floor  22  and sidewalls  24 ,  26  of the device  10  work to prevent the animal from getting much traction within the device  10  which might otherwise work to injure the animal&#39;s feet or claws.  
     [0041] When the trap or cage device  10  is visited, the trapper can safely move the device  10  without fear of being bitten, scratched, pecked, or quilled, or whatever else an animal in that predicament can dole out. Once relocated, the side access door  40  can be opened and the animal enters his new surroundings. Alternatively, the secondary holding device  200  can be butted up against the sidewall  26  in the area of the side access door  40 . The user then elevates one or more of the slide doors  220  and the access door  40 , thereby allowing the animal to exit the device  10  and enter the secondary holding device  200 . As successive doors  220  are raised and lowered, the animal can be urged into different compartments  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246  of the secondary holding device  200  and a plurality of animals may be held at one time. The animals are prevented from having access to one another due to the solid surface of the intervening door  220 . See FIG. 16.  
     [0042] When the trapped animal is a skunk, or if the trapper simply wants to quiet the animal down during transportation to its new home, an optional covering  300  may be placed over the entire device  10 . See FIG. 18. The covering may be fabricated of a canvas or vinyl material having a top  302  and sides  306 . The top  302  of the covering  300  includes an opening  304  defined within it for accessing the device handle  74 . Although shown without the cable conduit  76  in its usual place, it too fits through the covering opening  304  and, in fact, the covering opening  304  may also have two additional slits extending away from it to accommodate a portion of the cable  100  to either side of the conduit  76 . Although not shown, the covering  300  may include a pouch along one of its sides  306  to accommodate the food reservoir or billboard  12  that is attachable to one sidewall  24  of the device  10 . The covering  300  also includes a door flap  308  for accessing the side access door  40  of the device  10 . In this fashion, the side access door  40  can still be used to allow for transfer of the animal to the secondary holding device  200  or to simply release the animal back into the wild. The door flap  308  is held in place by a Velcro® type fastener  310 ,  312  in either the closed or open position, respectively. A tray (not shown) may also be placed under the device  10  during transportation of the device in the user&#39;s vehicle to prevent soiling of the floor or seats by the animal during transport.  
     [0043] From the foregoing detailed description, it is apparent that there has been provided a new and useful animal trap and cage device which has a very unassuming appearance from the viewpoint of the animal; which is easy to to construct and which can be operated with a minimal number of steps; which can lure a wide variety of small animals into it by varying its size and the bait; which can quickly and efficiently trap an animal and keep the animal held within the trap for transportation purposes well after the animal is trapped inside; which enables the animal to survive within the device for a substantial period of time pending the relocation and release of the animal; which effectively protects the trapper from retaliation on the part of the trapped animal by biting or scratching the trapper, pecking the trapper with a sharp beak, sticking the trapper with quills, or spraying it with a foul odorant; and which allows for the easy release of the animal into the wild or into a secondary holding device where a number of animals can be accumulated for a later release of all of them.