Patent Publication Number: US-9901089-B2

Title: Animal trap

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to animal traps, and more particularly, this invention relates to at least partially subterranean, mechanical animal traps. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many different subterranean animal traps exist in the marketplace today. However, to set these traps, often times a hole must be dug down to the depth where the animals travel and/or live. Also, in some cases, the animal trap may become misaligned once it is set and the hole is covered, thereby compromising the trap&#39;s effectiveness. Moreover, there is usually no way to know if the buried trap has been sprung or not; therefore it may be required to dig up the trap periodically to check on its status. 
     Conventional traps which include poison are also highly undesirable as they can be harmful to people who may come into close proximity to it. The poison may also contaminate the ground and/or the groundwater thereby resulting in undesirable and unintended effects. Moreover, poisons can be expensive as well as unavailable to the general public, thereby making them an undesirable solution to animal control. 
     Thus, such conventional products tend to increase user interaction, thereby decreasing their effectiveness and ease of operation. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have an animal trap product which possesses a more efficient design and/or mechanical properties. 
     SUMMARY 
     An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having an upper end and a lower end; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, wherein the first and second portions are relatively positionable between a cocked position and a deployed position; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; at least two unique members extending from the lower end of the first portion; a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each of the unique members, wherein a first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the first portion, wherein each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members, the second end being opposite the first end along a longitudinal length of each of the unique members; and a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an animal trap according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a cocked side view of an animal trap according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a deployed side view of the animal trap according of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of a cocked trigger according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of a deployed trigger according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of a cocked trigger according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of a cocked trigger according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5C  is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of a deployed trigger according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial detailed side view of members with feet, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an animal trap in use, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. 
     Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. 
     It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless otherwise specified. 
     The following description discloses several preferred embodiments of an animal trap and/or related systems and methods. 
     In one general embodiment, an animal trap includes: a first portion having an upper end and a lower end; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, wherein the first and second portions are relatively positionable between a cocked position and a deployed position; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; at least two unique members extending from the lower end of the first portion; a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each of the unique members, wherein a first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the first portion, wherein each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members, the second end being opposite the first end along a longitudinal length of each of the unique members; and a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an animal trap  100  for trapping animals, in accordance with one embodiment. As an option, the present animal trap  100  may be implemented in conjunction with features from any other embodiment listed herein, such as those described with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, however, such animal trap  100  and others presented herein may be used in various applications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specifically described in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, the animal trap  100  presented herein may be used in any desired environment. Moreover, common numbering may be implemented for some and/or all of the FIGS. presented herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the animal trap  100  includes a first portion  102  having an upper and lower end  104 ,  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a cap  103  may be coupled to the upper end  104 , e.g., by a pin  105 , an adhesive, frictional coupling, etc. The cap  103  retains a biasing mechanism  114 , an example of which is described in more detail below. Of course, other approaches may be used instead of a cap and/or external biasing mechanism as shown, such as an integral flange extending around the upper end  104 , an internal biasing mechanism abutting an internal portion of the first portion, etc. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the animal trap  100  includes a second portion  108  in sliding relationship with the first portion  102 . Moreover, the first and second portions  102 ,  108  may be relatively positionable between a cocked position and a deployed position, as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively. According to various approaches, the second portion may be positioned outside the first portion, the first portion may be positioned outside the second portion, etc. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the lower end  107  of the second portion  108  may preferably be serrated to better capture an animal which may trip the trigger mechanism which is described in further detail below. In other approaches, the lower end of the second portions may be flat, a sharp edge, etc. or any other texture which would be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present description. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a sleeve member  111  may be coupled to the upper end  109  of the second portion  108 , e.g., to retain the biasing mechanism  114 . Alternative approaches may use any type of mechanism to engage or retain the biasing mechanism, such as an integral flange, a pin, an internal member in an approach where the biasing mechanism is internal, etc. 
     In another approach, the animal trap may include an indicator  113  that is visible when the first and second portions are in a deployed position. In the embodiment shown, the indicator is a colored region on the first portion. According to various approaches, the indicator may include a visibly distinct portion of the first and/or second portions, a light source, an audio source, a wireless signal which is relayed to a receiver, a flag, etc. or any other indicator which would be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present description. 
     This indicator preferably notifies a user if the trap has been deployed, even when the lower end of the second portion is submerged below the ground. Thus the relative position between the first and second portions may be discerned without removing the trap from its partially submerged location. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the animal trap  100  includes members  110  extending from the lower end  106  of the first portion  102 . Furthermore, the members  110  protrude beyond the second portion  108  when the second portion  108  and the first portion  102  are in the cocked position as shown. 
     The animal trap  100  additionally includes a bottom portion  112  e.g. a ring, a plate, etc. coupled to distal ends of the members  110 . In one approach, the bottom portion may be coupled to the lower end of the first portion. In another approach, the members may extend between the lower end of the first portion and the bottom portion, explained in detail below. Preferably, the bottom portion may be rigid or substantially inflexible such that it may retain its general shape when in the cocked and/or deployed position. 
     Moreover, the bottom portion  112  may be farther from the second portion  108  when the first and second portions  102 ,  108  are in the cocked position than when in the deployed position. Preferably, the bottom portion  112  is about adjacent a lower end  107  of the second portion  108  when in the deployed position. According to the present description, “about adjacent” may most preferably signify a state in which the bottom portion and the lower end are close enough together to trap a part of an animal which may trip the trigger mechanism, explained in more detail below. According to various approaches, “about adjacent” may be perfectly adjacent, the bottom portion being recessed into the second portion, be within a range of values, etc. In one illustrative example, “about adjacent” may be within the range of about ±1 in to about ±0.1 in between the bottom portion and the lower end of the second portion; but may be more or less depending on the desired embodiment. 
     According to various approaches, the overall length of the animal trap as measured by the dimension between the furthest most ends of the animal trap in the cocked position may be between about 6 in (inch) and about 36 in, but could be higher or lower based on the desired embodiment. In other approaches, the dimension between the bottom portion  112  and the lower end  107  of the second portion when the trap is in the cocked position may be from about 1 in to about 12 in, but may be higher or lower based on the desired embodiment. 
     The animal trap  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  also includes a biasing mechanism  114 , e.g. a spring, hydraulic tube, pressurized compartment, etc. for biasing the first and second portions  102 ,  108  towards the deployed position. Thus, the biasing mechanism may bias the first and second portions towards a deployed position upon having a trigger mechanism tripped, thereby bringing the bottom portion about adjacent to the lower end of the second portion to preferably trap a part of the animal which tripped the trigger mechanism. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the biasing mechanism is sufficient to hold the trapped animal as well as deploy the animal trap fast enough to trap the animal before it is able to escape. According to various approaches, the force of the biasing mechanism may range between about 3 and about 15 pounds of force in the deployed position, but may be higher or lower based on the desired embodiment. According to one approach, the biasing mechanism may be positioned between the upper end of the first portion and an upper end of the second portion. 
     Furthermore, the animal trap  100  includes a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions  102 ,  108  in the cocked position. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the trigger mechanism in one illustrative embodiment includes portions  118 ,  119 ,  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 . Note that any type of known trigger mechanism may be adapted for use with various embodiments, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. 
     According to the present embodiment, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 2, 4-5  the trigger mechanism additionally includes a trigger  124  extending between the members  110 , wherein actuation of the trigger  124  causes the release of the second portion  102  and first portion  108  from the cocked position. Thereby the aforementioned biasing mechanism may quickly bias the first and second portions toward the deployed position. In one approach, the trigger may preferably be exposed when the first and second portions are in a cocked position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4B , the trigger mechanism is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Moreover, portions  118 ,  119 ,  120 ,  121 ,  122 , and  123  may be arranged such that a force applied to the trigger  124  about perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trigger  124 , may allow portion  118  to shift its position, thereby releasing the second portion  102  and first portion  108  from the cocked position. 
     In a preferred approach, the trigger mechanism may be self-resetting, self-actuating, self-setting, etc. when the first and second portions are moved from the deployed position to the cocked position. This may be accomplished by implementing a tab, a pivoting pin, etc., such as portion  118 , which may be activated by the relative motion between the first and second portions toward a cocked position. Thereby the trigger mechanism may be reset each time the first and second portions are slid into the cocked position. 
     In one illustrative approach, as depicted in  FIGS. 1, 4A-4B , the second portion  108  includes a first slot  130  and a second slot  132 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , a tab  134  of the portion  118  extends into the second slot  132  when the animal trap is in the cocked position, which in conjunction with a lower end of the portion  118  abutting the upper tip of the trigger  124 , locks the animal trap in the cocked position. The relative biasing of the first and second portions in the cocked position exerts a force on the tab  134  that translates into a biasing of the lower end of the portion  118  towards the trigger  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , when the trigger  124  is tripped, the lower end of the member  118  is released, which in turn retracts the tab  134  of the portion  118  from the second slot  132 , which releases the animal trap for deployment to the deployed position. 
     During deployment, the upper end  136  of the portion  118  is received in the first slot  130 . When the animal trap is moved towards the cocked position, the bottom of the first slot  130  engages the upper end  136  of the portion  118 , thereby urging the portion  118  towards a locked position, shown in  FIG. 4B . Thus, the trigger mechanism in the illustrated embodiment is considered self-resetting. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the trigger mechanism may be omnidirectional. As used herein, an omnidirectional trigger mechanism may be tripped by a force applied to the trigger  124  along any direction in a plane oriented perpendicular to a direction of movement of the first and second portions  102 ,  108  between the cocked and deployed positions, e.g., the plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trap, in the illustrate embodiment. As a result, the animal trap may be deployed such that it may have any radial orientation about its longitudinal axis without sacrificing effectiveness. This is different than conventional traps, as they usually have a one, or maybe two directional trigger, thereby requiring a specific orientation of the given trap with relation to the path of the animal in order to be effective. Thus, for the preferred embodiment, the trigger mechanism may be tripped by an animal, regardless of the radial orientation of the trap, relative to an animal. In further approaches, any type of trigger known in the art may be used, depending on the desired embodiment, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. 
     In another approach, the trigger mechanism may be trippable by actuating the trigger in a direction about parallel to the direction of movement between the cocked and deployed positions, e.g., about along the longitudinal axis of the trap. In a further approach, the trigger mechanism may be omnidirectional as well as trippable in the direction about parallel to the direction of movement between the cocked and deployed positions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , there is shown an alternate embodiment of a trigger mechanism in a cocked, engaged, and deployed position, respectively. Such an embodiment allows an animal to enter farther into the area between the bottom portion  112  and the remainder of the trap. This embodiment increases the likelihood that an animal will be securely caught by presenting more of its body to the trap. This approach also reduces the likelihood that a wary animal will partially engage the trigger but back out of the trap before tripping the trigger. The trigger mechanism may include a member having an aperture that tapers together towards a receiving portion for receiving the trigger. As depicted, the trigger  124  has a bulbous end that is slidably received in the receiving portion, preferably such that the trigger mechanism may still be omnidirectional. 
     In a preferred approach, the trigger may preferably be short enough and/or resistive enough to allow dirt being pushed by an animal through the members, to pass by the trigger without actuating it and deploying the trap. However, the trigger may preferably be long enough and/or unconstrained enough to be actuated when an animal itself contacts the trigger. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the members  110  may be preferably resiliently deformable, including metals, alloys, polycarbonates, etc. or any other material not easily chewable by an animal which would be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present description. In a preferred approach, the members may include spring steel, or like material. Preferably, the members are constructed of a corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel, etc. 
     Being resiliently deformable, the members may be able to quickly retract when the trap has been deployed without inhibiting the relative motion between the first and second portions, caused by the biasing mechanism. This may be highly desirable as to ensure that the animal is not able to escape before the first and second portions are able to reach the deployed position. 
     Resiliently deformable members are also capable of lateral expansion as the bottom member comes into contact with the base of a tunnel, hole, etc. when the trap is in the cocked position. See  FIG. 7 . This is beneficial in that the volume defined inside the members increases, thereby permitting easier entry therein to the animal. Moreover, the members bowing towards the walls of the tunnel reduces the chance that the animal will pass outside of the area between the members where the trigger resides. 
     Thus in one approach, the members may be primarily flexible along a single plane but not in the other planes e.g. by using a leaf type spring. As alluded to above, flex in the members may also increase the separation between the members as to allow an animal to pass through the members more easily. This may allow the trigger to become more exposed and thus more easily trippable by an animal. Therefore, the embodiments described and/or suggested herein may adjust to comply with each environment in which they are used. However, in yet another approach, the members may be rigid. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6 , according to one embodiment, the members  110  of the animal trap  100  may include feet  602  adjacent the bottom portion  112  such that the feet may urge the members to flex away from the trigger when engaging a surface (see the dotted outline in  FIG. 6 ), such as the bottom of a tunnel. This may preferably prevent the members from flexing toward the trigger, which may either trip the trigger or block it from being tripped. According to various approaches, the feet may be extensions of the members, material attached to the members, etc. 
     In a preferred approach, an animal trap may include at least three members extending from the lower end of the first portion and coupled to the bottom portion, but may have more or less depending on the desired embodiment. However, if an animal trap includes less than three members, then the bottom portion connected thereto may shift or pivot during use. As a result, the bottom portion may not remain generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the trap, and the trap may fail to capture an animal even when the animal actuates the trigger. However, such misalignment may be remedied to some extent by using wider members, such as wide leaf-spring type members that resist flexing out of a plane oriented perpendicular to the widest plane of the member. Thus, preferred embodiments have at least three members. Moreover, if the two members are aligned with the tunnel, the animal may simply walk around the members and miss the trigger. 
     In a further approach, the at least three members are preferably evenly spaced to ensure that the bottom member is about centered along the longitudinal axis of the animal trap. The use of three or more members may also preferably reduce dependency upon aligning any portion of the trap with the animal&#39;s path. 
     In one approach, an animal trap may include a stopping mechanism incorporated to stop the first and second portions at the deployed position. According to various approaches, the stopping mechanism may be a lip, a flange, etc. on the first portion, the second portion, and/or the bottom portion; a part of the trigger mechanism; etc. The stopping mechanism may be included to prevent wear on the other components of the animal trap during use, thereby increasing the effective lifetime of the animal trap. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an animal trap  100  is shown being used according to one approach. The animal trap  100  is partially submerged in the ground  702  such that it may intercept the path of an animal along a tunnel  704 . In a preferred approach, when the animal trap is set, the upper end may be oriented towards the sky. In a further approach, the animal trap may be oriented such that the axis between its upper and lower ends (longitudinal axis) may be about perpendicular to the plane of the ground  702  in which it is submerged. However, the axis orientation may be angled in any manner desired based on the particular situation in which used. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of an embodiment of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.