Patent Abstract:
A single use, hermetically sealing mousetrap has a housing defining an enclosure that is accessible through a rotatably mounted door controlled by a spring-loaded door opening gear mechanism. Mounted to the bottom of the housing inside the enclosure is a spring-actuated setting axle/kill bar and setting bar combination that is movable between a kill position and a set position by manipulation of a setting handle positioned outside the enclosure. When the setting axle/kill bar is moved to the set position, the door opening gear mechanism causes the door to open while tensioning a torsional door spring. A trip latch and bait pedal are configured to operate together to secure the kill and setting bars in the set position, with subsequent movement of the bait pedal by a mouse serving to release the trip latch. When the trap is thereby triggered, the kill bar moves rapidly to the kill position while releasing the door opening gear mechanism. The tensioned door spring then closes the door. With the door closed, the enclosure is hermetically sealed with the dead mouse inside and the trap can be disposed of without any contact between the user and the carcass along with any parasites and pathogens associated therewith.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is related to the field of rodent control and, more particularly, to a single use mousetrap that kills a mouse and encloses the carcass within a hermetically sealed disposable trap enclosure. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Present methods of capturing or disposing of rodents are generally unsightly and unsanitary. One such method includes a snap-trap which has a spring operated bar for instantly killing the rodent. This type of trap includes a spring operated bar which is released by a trigger which is baited. Because of their “snapping” action, snap traps are dangerous to humans and pets as well as to rodents, because they can all be struck by it. Furthermore, as mice and other rodents are typically nocturnal animals such devices most frequently capture the animals at night or during periods when people are not around. As such, the rodent may lie in the trap for many hours before removal and disposal. In addition to being unsightly, such capture is unsanitary as rodents are known to carry disease-causing fleas and lice which leave the carcass on death, and bacteria which can spread after the animal is killed. These drawbacks can be serious problems around food handling areas. 
     Another method of disposing of the rodents is by using poisoned bait which kills the rodent, sometimes by dehydration. The baited traps are also dangerous to children and pets because they may be tempted to taste the bait. Another disadvantage of this method is that the rodent may crawl into some inaccessible area after eating the poison and die there. This prevents disposal of the dead rodent and can result in an unpleasant odor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention is directed to a single use snap-trap enclosed within a hermetically sealing housing. The housing has an upper housing and a lower housing that are sealed together to define an airtight enclosure containing the snap-trap with a mouse entry opening. Fixedly connected to the lower housing is a modular base component having a specially designed structural configuration that integrates the setting/killing and door control mechanisms of the trap. 
     The setting/killing mechanism includes a setting/killing assembly having a setting axle with a setting bar and a kill bar attached thereto or integral therewith so as to rotate with said axle in a fixed relationship, a set spring, a setting handle, a trip latch and a bait pedal. The door control mechanism includes a door assembly and a door opening and closing gear mechanism having a combined axle and lever arm coupled to a spur gear that rotates therewith. The door assembly includes a torsional door spring and a rotationally mounted door that is configured to hermetically seal over the mouse entry opening. The door includes a cylindrical upper part with a central bore that defines the door rotational axis. One end of the cylindrical part is provided with a pinion gear that is operatively engaged with the spur gear so as to be rotated thereby. The torsional door spring is mounted on the door rotational axis with one end applying force against the inner surface of the door and the other end applying force against a front edge of the modular base component. 
     The setting/killing assembly is positioned in the lower housing inside the enclosure and is movable between a kill position and a set position by manipulation of the setting handle. The setting handle is operatively coupled to the setting axle but is positioned outside the enclosure. Rotation of the setting handle is resisted by the set spring which is tensioned between the lower housing and the kill bar. When the setting axle is moved to the set position by rotation of the setting handle, the set spring is loaded and the setting bar engages the lever arm. Further movement of the setting bar causes the lever arm to rotate on its axle and, in turn, rotate the spur gear and pinion gear which opens the door against the resistance of the torsional door spring. 
     The trip latch and bait pedal, both rotatably mounted on the setting axle, are configured to operate together to secure the kill and setting bars in the set position. Once set, subsequent movement of the bait pedal by a mouse serves to release the trip latch which, in turn, releases the set and kill bars. The kill bar and setting bar rotate together with the setting axle under the force of the loaded set spring to move rapidly to the kill position. With such rotation of the setting bar, the lever arm is released to counter-rotate on its axle, allowing the spur gear, under the force of the tensioned door spring, to counter-rotate, turning the pinion gear and closing the door. The door is provided with a rubber seal that mates with a flange on the inner wall of the housing to hermetically seal the enclosure with the dead mouse inside. The trap can then be disposed of safely without any contact between the user and the carcass and any parasites and/or pathogens associated therewith. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single use enclosure-type mousetrap that can be hermetically sealed in a tripped condition in order to protect the user from any exposure to the dead mouse. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a snap-trap enclosed within a housing that is accessible only through a mouse access door and that is set from outside the housing. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a snap-trap in accordance with the preceding objects that includes a door opening and closing gear mechanism that automatically opens the door when the trap is placed in the set position and that automatically closes the door when the trap is triggered by a mouse. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a snap-trap in accordance with the preceding objects that includes a spring-tensioned kill bar movable from a set position to a kill position to kill a mouse and simultaneously activate the door opening and closing gear mechanism to close the door and contain the carcass and any associated parasites and pathogens within the housing. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a snap-trap in accordance with the preceding objects in which the door opening and closing gear mechanism includes a lever arm/axle combination coupled to a spur gear that engages a pinion gear on the door, the setting bar when rotated to the set position engaging the lever arm to rotate the gears and open the door while tensioning a door spring. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a snap-trap in accordance with the preceding objects in which rotation of the setting bar toward the kill position when the trap is triggered releases the lever arm, allowing the gears to counter-rotate and the door to close under the door spring tension. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a rodent trap that does not constitute a risk to humans and pets in the area, is easy to use and of simple construction, humanely kills the rodent, and enables the sanitary disposal of the dead rodent. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosed snap-trap that is not complex in structure, is reliable in operation and which can be manufactured at low cost but yet efficiently kill and sealingly contain the dead mouse and associated parasites and pathogens. 
     These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hermetically sealing mousetrap in accordance with the present invention, with the upper housing shown as transparent to reveal the interior of the housing. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1  with the transparency of the upper housing removed. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2 , showing the front and right sides. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the upper housing of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  shows an interior view of the access opening of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2  as formed by upper and lower housings. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective cutaway view of the door, sealing member and access opening of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the upper portion of the access opening of  FIG. 7 , shown with the upper housing upside down. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the underside of the upper housing of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the bait plug of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2 , showing the sealing O-ring. 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the bait plug of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the bait plug of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is an upper perspective view of the lower housing of the mousetrap of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 15  is a enlarged view of a portion of the lower housing of  FIG. 14  including the lower portion of the access opening. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a through-going aperture in the lower housing of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the through-going aperture of  FIG. 16  shown with the setting axle received therein and a sealing O-ring in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the modular base component of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 19  is another perspective view of the modular base component of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the setting/killing assembly of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 21  is a top perspective view of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 , with the upper housing removed and showing the various operational components. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the outside of the setting handle of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the inside of the setting handle of  FIG. 22 . 
         FIG. 24  is a partial perspective view of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 , with the upper housing removed and showing certain of the operational components. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the trip latch of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 26  is a side cutaway view of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1  showing the trip latch as mounted therein. 
         FIG. 27A  is a top perspective view of the bait pedal of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 27B  is a bottom perspective view of the bait pedal of  FIG. 27A . 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the door of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the mousetrap components of  FIG. 21 , shown in the set position. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the lever arm/axle combination of the door opening gear mechanism of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the spur gear of the door opening gear mechanism of the mousetrap of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the position of the lever arm/axle combination of  FIG. 30  when the trap is in the set position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiment is given by way of illustration only. It is not intended that the invention be limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed to an enclosed snap-trap for rodents generally designated by reference numeral  10 . The trap includes an upper housing generally designated by reference numeral  12  and a lower housing generally designated by reference numeral  14  that are sealed together to define an enclosure generally designated by reference numeral  16 . A bait hatch  18  is formed in the upper housing  12  and is sealed with a removable bait plug  20 . Secured to the lower housing is a modular base component  22  that integrates the setting/killing and door control mechanisms of the trap. 
     The setting/killing mechanism includes a setting/killing assembly generally designated by reference numeral  24 , a setting handle  26 , a set spring  266  (see  FIG. 24 ), a trip latch  172  (see  FIG. 26 ) and a bait pedal  32 . The door control mechanism includes a rotationally mounted door assembly generally designated by reference numeral  28 , and a door opening and closing gear mechanism generally designated by reference numeral  30 . While the trap as shown in  FIG. 1  has a transparent upper housing to reveal the components inside the enclosure  16  for purposes of illustration,  FIGS. 2-5  illustrate the assembled trap in various views with the upper housing  12  of a solid material as actually embodied for use. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the upper housing  12  includes a flat front wall  34 , a flat top  36 , a rounded back wall  38 , rounded left and right sidewalls  40 ,  42  and a hole in the top  36  forming the bait hatch  18  which is closed by the bait plug  20 . The left wall  40  has a recessed area  44  that accommodates the setting handle  26  when the trap is assembled. The adjacently located vertical ribs  46  are included for aesthetic reasons and are not part of the trap functionality. 
     The front wall  34  of the upper housing  12  has a cutout generally designated by reference numeral  48  therein (see  FIG. 6 ) that forms the upper part of the door opening generally designated by reference numeral  50  (see  FIG. 1 ) when the trap is assembled. As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the cutout  48  has an inner flange or lip  52  which is the upper part of a door flange, generally designated by reference numeral  53 , that mates with a rubber seal  54  on the door  56  when the door  56  is closed. The door seal  54  is adhered to the outer surface  58  of the door and, when the door is closed, provides a hermetic seal against the mating door flange  53  as will be discussed further hereinafter. The bottom edge  60  of the upper housing  12  has a groove  62 , illustrated in  FIG. 9 , that receives a raised triangular bead  144  on the top edge  142  of the lower housing  14  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) when the upper housing  12  and lower housing  14  are mated and ultrasonically welded together during the assembly process. 
     The interior of the upper housing, as shown in  FIG. 10 , includes a dividing wall or barrier  66  that projects downwardly into the trap enclosure when the trap  10  is assembled. This barrier  66  aligns end-to-end with an upwardly projecting dividing wall  68  in the lower housing  14  (see  FIG. 14 ) which, together with the barrier  66 , divides the trap enclosure substantially down the middle longitudinally in order to direct the mouse through the enclosure to the bait. Recessed area  45  forms the upper housing component of the setting handle recessed area  44 . 
     The bait hatch  18  is preferably located near the front of the trap and includes a round through-hole  70  with a recess  72  (see  FIG. 6 ) that forms a sealing surface against which an O-ring  80  on the bait plug  20 , shown in  FIG. 11 , is seated. The round through-hole  70  has two radial cutouts  82  that receive corresponding tabs  84  on the bait plug  20 , allowing the plug to be inserted into the hole. As viewed from the lower surface shown in  FIG. 10 , the bait hatch  18  is further provided with protruding tabs  86  arranged in a clockwise direction from the cutouts  82  that prevent the bait plug  20  from being rotated counterclockwise during insertion. Located counterclockwise from the cutouts  82  are two posts  88  that serve as stops for the bait plug  20  once it has been inserted and rotated clockwise to the lock position. 
     The bait plug  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , includes a cap  90  with a handle  92  for rotating the plug during insertion and removal thereof. Attached to or integral with a lower surface  94  of the cap  90  is a cylindrical body  96  having a recess  98  therein for holding bait; preferably the bait is an adherent substance such as spreadable cheese or peanut butter. The lower surface  94  of the cap  90  forms a seating surface  100  for the O-ring  80  (not shown in  FIG. 13 ) once the plug  20  is locked into the hatch  18  and includes a plurality of small pegs  102  that locate the O-ring  90  radially around the cylindrical body  96  for proper seating and sealing. Located axially around the cylindrical body  96  are the previously noted tabs  84  that slide through the cutouts  82  in the bait hatch  18  when the plug  20  is inserted. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the lower housing  14  includes a flat bottom  104 , a flat front wall  106 , and a rounded back wall  108 . The front and back walls  106 ,  108  are joined by substantially straight left and right side walls  110 ,  112  with the left side  110  having a recessed area  114  that comes into abutment with the recessed area  45  in the upper housing  12  to receive the setting handle  26  when the trap is assembled. The lower housing recessed area  114  includes a through-going aperture  116 , shown in greater detail in  FIG. 16 , for receiving the projecting end  248  of the setting axle  220  (see  FIG. 20 ). The outside of this aperture has a rounded countersunk outer face  118  that provides a seating surface for the setting axle O-ring  120  shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     The front wall  106  has a cutout generally designated by reference numeral  122  that forms the lower part of the door opening  50  and is aligned with the cutout  48  in the upper housing  12  when the trap is assembled to complete the door opening  50 . The door cutout  122  in the lower housing  14  also has a flange or a lip  124  that, together with flange  52  to form door flange  53 , mates with the rubber seal  54  on the door  56  when the door is closed to effect a hermetic sealing of the trap enclosure  16  (see  FIG. 8 ). The inner surface  126  of the front wall  106  has associated mounting elements  128  (see  FIG. 15 ) that serve to slidingly receive tabs  208  and  210  on the modular base component  22  to interlock component  22  with the lower housing  14  in order to enhance the door seal and increase the rigidity of the trap  10 . 
     The bottom  104  of the lower housing  14  includes the previously noted upwardly projecting dividing wall  68  that serves, along with the downwardly projecting wall  66  of the upper housing  12 , to divide the trap longitudinally and guide the mouse through the enclosure  16 . A further wall  69  is preferably provided that projects inwardly from the left side  110  toward the dividing wall  68  to funnel the mouse toward the bait pedal  32 . The lower housing  14  also includes two substantially symmetrical vertical support elements  134  having concave upper surfaces  136  that support the door opening and closing gear mechanism  30 , and two low profile strips  138  that raise the setting axle/kill bar  24  off the bottom  104  and work in conjunction with features on the modular base component  22  to accommodate the setting axle  30 . Positioned on the lower housing bottom  104  are a plurality of posts  140  that provide material to be melted down during a heat staking process that secures the modular base component  22  to the lower housing  14  during assembly. The upper and lower housings  12 ,  14  are preferably made of molded plastic and are fused together using a conventional ultrasonic welding process as known by persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The top edge  142  of the lower housing  14  has a raised triangular bead  144  that mates with the groove  62  in the bottom edge  60  of the upper housing  12  for sealing of the upper housing  12  to the lower housing during the ultrasonic welding process. 
     The modular base component  22  is shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  and serves to integrate the trap setting and door opening elements within the housing and to facilitate assembly. The modular base component  22  includes a generally L-shaped base generally designated by reference numeral  146  which, as arranged in the trap when assembled and looking at the front wall  34 , can be described as having a left side generally designated by reference numeral  148  and a right side generally designated by reference numeral  150 . 
     The left side  148  of the base  146  includes a centrally located cutout  152  that divides the left side into a front part  154  and a back part  156  and is shaped to receive the setting axle  30  during assembly. On either side of the center cutout, arcuate vertical members  158  span the gap between the front and back parts  154 ,  156  formed by the center cutout  152 . These arcuate vertical members  158  have rounded cutouts  160  therein that capture the setting axle  30  after trap assembly. The back part  156  of the left side  148  includes an upwardly projecting tubular member  162  concentrically arranged with a central tubular member  161  to define an annular channel  165  within which a spring  163  is mounted (see  FIGS. 21 and 24 ). The spring  163  presses against the underside of the bait pedal  32  to assist in setting the trap as will be described more fully hereinafter. 
     The front part  154  of the left side  148  has two generally rectangular vertical planar elements  164  that extend linearly back from the front edge  166  toward the back part  156 . Aligned apertures  168  in each of these vertical planar elements  164  form a horizontal passageway that captures a metal pin  170  upon which a trip latch  172  (see  FIGS. 25 and 26 ) rotates. The end of the pin  170  rests on a support block  174  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ) that projects horizontally from the outer side of one of the vertical planar elements  164 . The trip latch  172  is further supported by its placement between the vertical planar elements  164  and an additional pair of vertically projecting arms  176  that are in linear alignment with the vertical planar elements  164 . These arms  176  also support a bridge portion  178  of the bait pedal  32  (see  FIGS. 27A and 27B ) as will be described hereinafter. 
     Two spaced vertically oriented planar members  194 ,  196  capture the door  56  and the door opening gear mechanism  30 . The outer member  194  is positioned adjacent the right edge  198  of the base and the inner member  196  is positioned inside the right edge  200  of the left side  148 . Each of these door capturing members  194 ,  196  has an aperture  202  therein to receive the door axle  204 . The inner member  196  is further provided with a large centrally located opening  206  shaped like an archway that receives the axle, generally designated by reference numeral  296 , of lever arm/axle combination, generally designated by reference numeral  300  (see  FIGS. 29 and 30 ). Each of the outer and inner members  194 ,  196  also includes interlock tabs  208 ,  210  that fit within the mounting elements  128  of the lower housing  14  to enhance the door seal and increase the rigidity of the structure. The inner member  196  also preferably includes an upper cutout  212  to allow visual alignment of the timing marks of the door opening and closing gear mechanism  30  during assembly as will be described hereinafter. 
     Spaced to the right of and generally parallel with the inner member  196  is an additional vertically oriented planar member  214  that defines space  306  therebetween. Planar member  214  also has a large centrally located opening  216  for capturing the spur gear  302  of door opening and closing gear mechanism  30  in cooperation with the inner member  196  in space  306  (see  FIG. 32 ). 
     Finally, the base  146  includes a plurality of holes  218  that are positioned to be in alignment with the plurality of posts  140  on the bottom  104  of the lower housing  14 . The posts  140  are received in the holes  218  and, when melted by a heat staking procedure during assembly, further secure the modular base component  22  to the lower housing  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the setting/killing assembly  24  includes a horizontal axle  220  coupled to or integral with a generally rectangular loop that forms the kill bar, generally designated by reference numeral  222 , and another generally rectangular loop that forms the setting bar, generally designated by reference numeral  238 . 
     The kill bar  222  is formed by two spaced, generally parallel elongated arms  224  that project perpendicularly from the setting axle  220  at their base ends  226  and are joined at their opposite ends by a horizontal bar  228  that is parallel with the setting axle  220 . With the “front” side referring to that side which contacts the pest when the trap is triggered, the arms  224  and the horizontal bar  228  of the kill bar  222  preferably include a square rib  230  on a back side to increase strength, and a pointed, triangular rib  232  on the front side to increase the effectiveness of the killing aspect of the kill bar  222  (see  FIG. 29 ). The setting/killing assembly  24  is preferably molded to include the setting axle  220  and the kill bar  222  as a single piece. 
     The setting bar  238  is preferably supported within blind central bores  236  formed in two posts  234  that protrude from the axle  220  generally perpendicularly to the kill bar loop  222  as shown in  FIG. 21 . Like the kill bar  222 , the setting bar  238  has two arms  240  joined at their distal ends by a horizontal bar  242 . The arms may be press fit into the central bores  236  or, alternatively, may be molded as a single piece with the setting axle  220  and the kill bar  222 . 
     Located centrally on the setting axle  220  between the base ends  226  of the kill bar  222  are two spaced ridges  246  that serve to locate the bait pedal  32  laterally on the setting axle  220 . The left end, generally designated by reference numeral  248 , of the axle  220  is received in the through-going aperture  116  in the recessed area  114  of the lower housing  14 . A protruding portion  250  of the left end  248  of the axle has parallel flats  252  that engage corresponding flats  253  of the cutout  262  on the inside of the setting handle  26  (see  FIG. 23 ) and an axial hole  254  to receive a fastening element, such as a screw (not shown), to secure the setting handle  26  in place during assembly. 
     The setting handle  26 , shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , is preferably formed as a single piece having a curved side  256  to fit the user&#39;s thumb to facilitate pushing the handle  26  to set the trap  10 . A through-going aperture  258  is located adjacent the lower end  260  of the handle  26  and is aligned with the axial hole  254  in the setting axle  220  to receive the fastening element that secures the handle  26  to the setting axle  220 . The back of the handle, shown in  FIG. 23 , has cutout  262  around the through-going aperture  258  that mates with the left end  248  of the setting axle  220 , as previously described. A further cutout  264  may be provided to reduce the weight and amount of material needed for the handle. 
     An upper view of the setting/killing assembly  24  in the kill position is provided in  FIG. 24 . The axle  220  is received in the through-going aperture  116  in the recessed area  114  of the lower housing  14  and in the through-going aperture  258  in the handle  26 . A set spring  266  is mounted on the axle  220  between the arcuate vertical member  158  and the inner wall  268  of the recessed area  114 . One end  265  of the spring  266  is hooked over and applies force to the kill bar and the other end  267  is held in place against the bottom  104  of the lower housing  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 , the trip latch  172  is an elongated generally planar member having an aperture  180  adjacent a first end  182  for receiving the metal pin  170  upon which the trip latch rotates, and a tripping tip  184  at an opposite second end  186 . Projecting from the trip latch upper surface  188  is a setting hook  190  that defines a recess  192  for securing the setting bar  238  when the trap  10  is in the set position as will be described further hereinafter. In the cutaway view of  FIG. 26 , the trip latch  172  is not set. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 27A and 27B , the bait pedal  32  is preferably of a single piece construction, most preferably molded polymer, and includes a weighted end  340  and a back end  342  joined by a bridge portion  178 . The bridge portion  178  has a pair of aligned bottom cutouts  344 ,  345  for snapping the bait pedal  32  onto the setting axle  220  during trap assembly, and a central cutout  346  that latches with the tripping tip  184  of the trip latch  172  when the trap is set (see  FIG. 29 ). A circular cutout  331  may also be provided in the back end  342  to reduce weight and material. The bait pedal  32  rotates freely about the setting axle  220  and is located longitudinally thereon by the ribs  246  on the setting axle which, when positioned between the cutouts  344 ,  345 , ensure that the bait pedal is lined up with the rest of the setting mechanism (see  FIGS. 20 and 27B ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 27B , the bottom of the bait pedal includes a projection  349  that, when the trap is assembled, is positioned over the tubular member  162 . The spring  163 , mounted within the annular channel  165  formed by tubular member  162  with central member  161 , receives the projection  349  in the center of the coils (see  FIG. 26 ). Engagement of the spring  163  with the projection  349  ensures proper alignment of the bait pedal  32  and also provides upward pressure against the underside of the back end  342  when the trap is being set. With this upward pressure, the trap can be set by the user while being held in any spatial orientation. 
     To set the trap, the user holds the trap with one hand while pushing the setting handle  26  down over a travel range of approximately 90 degrees until the setting bar  238  locks with the trip latch  72 . This can be visualized with reference to  FIGS. 21 and 24  from which shown position the setting handle is rotated clockwise toward the front wall  106  of the lower housing  14  until the trap is set as shown in  FIG. 29 . This handle rotation rotates the setting axle  220  and the setting bar  238  toward the front wall  106  where the horizontal bar  242  passes over the setting hook  190  and is received in the recess  192 . With the kill bar concurrently rotated upwardly off the back end  342  of the bait pedal  32  as the setting bar is rotated, the weighted end  340  of the bait pedal causes the bait pedal to rotate on the setting axis, lowering the weighted end and allowing the back end  342  to lift off of the bottom of the lower housing. In addition, the pressure of the spring  163  against the underside of the back end  342  ensures the upward positioning of the back end, once the kill bar has been lifted, regardless of the angle at which the trap is being held during the setting process. According to a preferred embodiment, when the back end is in the “upward position”, the bait pedal is substantially parallel with the bottom of the trap. 
     More particularly, when the setting bar  238  contacts and presses downwardly on the setting hook  190  of the trip latch  172 , the tripping tip  184  thereof moves upwardly through the central cutout  346 . The upward positioning of the back end  342  of the bait pedal, as maintained by the pressure of the spring  163 , allows the tripping tip  184  of the latch  172 , once the setting bar has moved into recess  192 , to catch on the back edge  347  of the cutout  346 . With the trip latch  172  thus held at both ends, the setting hook  190  being tensioned upwardly by the setting bar  238  and the tripping tip  184  caught on the edge  347  preventing the second latch end  186  from moving downwardly, the trap is set. 
     When the trap is set, force applied by the mouse when it steps on the back end  342  rotates the bait pedal sufficiently to release the tripping tip  184  from the edge  347  of the central cutout  346 , allowing the trip latch  172  to rotate on the metal pin  170  which, due to the tension of spring  266  on the setting bar  238 , raises the setting hook  190  to release the setting bar  238 . The kill bar  222  is then free to rotate rapidly from the set position shown in  FIG. 29  to the kill position shown in  FIG. 24  where the horizontal bar  228  of the kill bar  222  presses downwardly under spring tension against the back end  342  of the bait pedal  32 . 
     Concurrently with setting of the kill bar  222 , the door assembly  28  is automatically moved to an open door position by the door opening and closing gear mechanism  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 21 ,  28  and  29 , the door assembly  28  includes a door  56 , the door axle  204  and a door spring  270 . 
     The door  56  includes a cylindrical top section  272 , a flat plate  274 , and a partial pinion gear  276  on the left end (as viewed from the front of the assembled trap) of the cylindrical section  272 . The cylindrical section  272  has an axial bore  278  through which the door axle  204  extends to enable rotation of the door  56 , and a cutout  280  to accommodate the door spring  270  through which the door axle  204  also passes (see  FIGS. 21 and 29 ). Thin rings  281  are located at each end of the cylindrical section  272  for proper spacing of the door  56  between the corresponding vertically oriented planar members  194 ,  196  on the modular base component  22 . 
     The flat plate  274  has a front surface  58  for adhesion of the rubber door seal  54  (see  FIG. 8 ). The back surface  282  of the plate  274  is provided with reinforcement ribs  284  that extend in alignment with the sides of the plate and are preferably tapered from the cylindrical section  272  toward the free end  286  of the door. 
     The door seal  54  is adhered to the front surface  58  of the plate  274  and is preferably made of a rubber material. Other elastomeric materials that are sufficiently soft or compressible to form a good seal with the door flange  53  when subjected to the disclosed spring tension may also be used. When the trap is tripped and the door  56  is closed, the door seal  54  and the door flange  53  form a hermetically sealed trap for retaining the trapped (killed) pest and its related parasites and pathogens. As used herein, the terms “hermetically sealed” and “hermetic seal” are intended to mean a closed trap having a vacuum inside the trap enclosure, such as enclosure  16 , of between about 1.0 mmHg and about 25.9 mmHg. Stated another way, the seal can withstand a pressure of between at least 0.125 inches H 2 O to about 55.4 inches H 2 O. As known to those skilled in the art, these parameters can be measured using a leak and flow tester such as the SPRINT-LC manufactured by Uson LP of Houston, Tex. 
     The partial pinion gear  276 , located on the left side of the cylindrical section  272 , is configured with a plurality of teeth  288  to mesh with teeth  289  of the spur gear  302  of the door opening gear mechanism  30 . A timing mark  290  is provided on the side of the pinion gear  276  that aligns with a timing mark  292  on the door opening gear mechanism  30  (see  FIG. 26 ). During assembly in the unset position, the timing marks  290  and  292  should be side-by-side, as shown in  FIG. 26 . This alignment ensures that the spur gear  302  will rotate the pinion gear  276  to fully open the door  56  when the trap is set by rotating the setting handle  26 . 
     The door axle  204  is preferably a steel wire or rod that passes through the bore  278  of the door cylindrical section  272  and is press fit through the horizontal holes  202  in the outer and inner vertically oriented planar members  194 ,  196 . The door spring  270  is a torsional spring located around the door axle  204  and in the cutout  280  in the cylindrical section  272 . One end  333  of the spring contacts and applies force to the back side  282  of the flat plate  274  of the door (see  FIG. 21 ). The other end contacts and applies force against the inside of the front wall  34  of the upper housing above the door opening  50  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 , the door opening and closing gear mechanism  30  includes the lever arm/axle combination, generally designated by reference numeral  300 , and the spur gear  302  that works cooperatively with the partial pinion gear  276  on the door  56 . The lever arm/axle combination  300  and spur gear  302  are supported on the inner and center vertically oriented planar members  196 ,  214  of the modular base component  22 . 
     The lever arm/axle combination  300  is preferably formed as a single piece as shown in  FIG. 30  and includes a lever arm generally designated by reference numeral  294  and an axle generally designated by reference numeral  296 . The lever arm  294  has a knob  298  on the end that is engaged by right side arm  240  of the metal setting bar  238  during setting of the trap. The axle  296  has a projecting end  304  that extends through the opening  216  in the center vertically oriented planar member  214 , across the space  306  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ) between the center and inner planar members  214 ,  196 , and into the opening  206  in the inner planar member  196  where the end  304  of the axle  296  is supported on a base  308  (see  FIG. 8 ). The projecting end  304  is formed to have parallel flats  310  that mate with corresponding flats  312  on the spur gear  302  as shown in  FIG. 31 . The axle  296  is also preferably provided with a projection  314  that is received within a correspondingly shaped cutout  316  on one of the spur gear flats  312  to allow installation of the spur gear  302  in only one direction. 
     The spur gear  302  is positioned between the vertically oriented planar members  196 ,  214  of the modular base component  22  and has a central opening  320  to receive the axle  296 . The flats  312  on the spur gear  292  extend into this opening  320  as shown in  FIG. 31 . The spur gear  302  is properly mounted on the axle  296  when the axle projection  314  is received within the spur gear cutout  320 . Preferably, a small raised round feature  330  is formed on the axle flats  310  to help lock the spur gear  302  in place. As noted earlier, the spur gear  302  also includes a timing mark  292  that aligns in the unset position with the timing mark  290  on the partial pinion gear  276  of the door  56  during assembly. The position of the lever arm/axle combination  300  when assembled with the trap in a set condition is shown in  FIG. 32 . 
     As shown, with the setting of the kill bar  222 , the setting bar  238  contacts the knob  298  on the end of the lever arm/axle combination  300 , pushing the knob  298  downwardly. As the knob  298  moves downwardly, the lever arm/axle combination  300  and the spur gear  302  coupled thereto are rotated counterclockwise. The spur gear  302 , in turn, rotates the pinion gear  276  on the door  56  clockwise to open the door. 
     With the door open and the setting bar  238  held in the recess  192  of the trip latch  172 , a mouse can enter the trap  10  through the door opening  50 . Drawn by the smell of the bait and guided by the dividing walls  66 ,  68 , the mouse approaches the back end  342  of the bait pedal  32 . When the mouse steps on the bait pedal and moves the back end downwardly, the tripping tip  184  is released from the bait pedal cutout  346  and the setting hook  190  releases the setting bar  238 . The kill bar and setting bar rotate together with the setting axle under the force of the loaded set spring  266  to move rapidly to the kill position. Upon rotation of the setting bar, the knob  298  of the lever arm  294  is released and is free to move upwardly. The release allows the lever arm and axle combination  300  and the spur gear  302  to counter-rotate (in a clockwise direction). The force of the tensioned door spring  270  then actuates to close the door  56  while, at the same time, rotating the pinion gear  276  counter-clockwise which, in turn, rotates the spur gear  302 . As the door  56  closes under the force of spring  270 , the rubber seal  54  on the outside of the door mates with the door flange  53  on the inner wall of the housing to hermetically seal the enclosure  16 . The mouse, now dead, is enclosed within the housing along with any parasites and pathogens associated therewith. The trap can then be safely disposed of without exposing the user to any contact with the carcass and any pathogens associated therewith. 
     The trap as described herein is both humane, killing the mouse in typically less than 30 seconds, and safe for both persons and pets around the trap. The trap can be baited and set from outside the enclosure, although during testing it has been found that baiting is not necessary as mice are naturally curious about small dark spaces such as that created by the housing. The user never has to see the dead mouse, and the trap securely contains all bacteria, parasites, urine, feces, etc., associated with the mouse indefinitely, making the trap suitable for use in locations that may not be convenient for regular servicing. 
     While the killing mechanism described herein is a snap-trap, the present invention may also be modified to include one of several other alternative killing/incapacitating mechanisms known in the art while retaining the hermetic sealing operation of the trap. 
     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0