Patent Publication Number: US-2010115824-A1

Title: Rodent Snap Action Trap

Description:
The present application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/103,661 filed on Oct. 8, 2008, entitled “Improved Rodent Snap Action Trap.” 
    
    
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of rodent traps and more particularly to an improved rodent snap action trap. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional snap action rodent traps typically include a trigger, commonly in the form of a flat metal plate, which when depressed, causes the release of a spring-loaded trap arm which strikes and thereby traps the rodent. The trigger plate usually has a bait mounted on the trigger plate with the expectation that when the rodent attempts to seize the bait, it will cause sufficient depression of the trigger to release the spring-loaded snap arm to strike and trap the rodent. 
     Recently, it has been found that rodents have learned to lightly snare the bait from the trigger plate, i.e., without applying sufficient force to the trigger plate to cause release of the spring-loaded trap arm to trap the rodent. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a rodent snap action trap which prevents a rodent from removing the bait without activating the trap. 
     The present invention contemplates modifying the trigger plate on a conventional rodent snap trap to prevent the rodent from ensnaring the bait from the trigger plate without causing sufficient depression of the trigger plate to produce snap action trapping of the rodent. This is accomplished by coating the trigger plate with a thin layer of adhesive sufficient to snag the rodent&#39;s paw to prevent easy disengagement from the trigger plate. Thus, when the rodent&#39;s paw touches the trigger plate, it will become ensnared by the glue layer on the trigger plate. This adhesive layer will momentarily hold the rodent in place while the trap is set off. Further, this will cause the rodent to try to effect extrication from the glue layer which will usually cause the rodent to place greater force on the trigger plate by its entrapped paw and any other body elements which the rodent employs in an attempt to effect extrication thereby ensuring prompt actuation of the trigger mechanism and entrapment of the rodent. The invention will increase the efficacy of the trap by reducing the number of “runaway” rodents, i.e., rodents which seize the bait without setting off the trap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of a trigger plate of an improved rodent snap action trap with the trigger plate shown removed from the conventional portions of the snap action trap and with the release paper shown removed. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION\ 
     With reference to the drawings, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  an improved rodent snap action trap  10  which features an improved trigger plate  12 . In  FIG. 1 , the trigger plate  12  has been removed from the conventional portions of the trap and with the trigger plate  12  shown removed from the axle  14  of the trap  10 . The features of construction of the trap  10  which have not been illustrated are conventional in nature. 
     The trigger plate  12  has a tray portion  16  with an upturned lip or upturned flange portions  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  forming an open trough or open container  28 . The lip portions  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  project upwardly from a base  30 . An upwardly projecting support portion  32  includes a through bore  34  with a narrow opening  36 . 
     The narrow opening  36  allows the trigger plate  12  to be snapped onto the axle  38  of a snap action rodent trap  10 . The trigger plate  12  is thus pivotally mounted on axle  38 . 
     The trough  28  is filled with a non-drying adhesive  40  which is covered by a layer of release paper  42 . The release paper  42  is removed prior to use. During use, bait  46  is placed on the adhesive layer  40 . 
     The support portion engages catch portion  50  of the conventional snap action trap  10 . 
     When a rodent&#39;s paw touches the trigger plate  12  it will become ensnared by the adhesive later  40 . Movement of the rodent causes the flange portion  42  to release a catch portion  44  of the conventional snap action trap and sets off the trap. 
     The foregoing specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth in the specification herein are for illustrative purposes only. Various deviations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention, without departing from a main theme thereof.