Abstract:
A repeating animal capture and containment system includes a housing defined by a set of peripheral walls. An opening is formed in one of the peripheral walls and a removable, ramped trapping device is removably mounted within the housing and aligned with the opening in the peripheral wall. The ramped trapping device allows an animal, such as a rodent, to enter into the housing yet prevents the captured animal from exiting the housing. The housing is sized to include a containment area that communicates with the trapping device by a passageway. The containment area provides a living space for the captured animal until it can be set free. The removability of the ramped trapping device allows the device to be removed for cleaning and maintenance as needed. The system further includes features that prevent lateral and/or vertical displacement of the ramped trapping device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is generally directed to live, repeating animal traps, and more particularly, to an animal trap having a ramped type trapping device. 
         [0002]    Repeating live animal traps are well known. These animal traps are commonly used by homeowners and businesses to capture and constrain rodents within an enclosure. The traps are typically outfitted with a disposable glue board to exterminate the captured rodents. These animal traps are also preferred, and many times required, at food manufacturing facilities where the use of poisoned baits is not permitted. Conventional live, repeating animal traps have a housing defining an enlarged enclosure with one or more ramped trap devices that communicate with the interior of the enclosure via an elongated passageway. An inclined plane tilting floor member is positioned in the passageway of each trap device and is adapted to lift a door to block an entrance opening when the rodent passes beyond a pivot point thereby preventing escape from the enclosure. When the rodent exits the passageway into the enclosure, the door falls by gravity or is pulled down by a spring on the entrance end of the tilting floor to reset the trapping device and the raised end of the tilting floor prevent a of captured rodent from returning to the passageway. Disposable glue boards may also be used to prevent a captured rodent from returning to the passageway. 
         [0003]    One of the drawbacks of conventional repeating animal traps is that the ramped or inclined plane trapping assemblies are fixed or substantially fixedly attached to the housing. Repeating animal traps, including the ramped trapping assemblies, can be soiled during use and therefore must be cleaned periodically for their continued use to be desirable. Soiling of the assemblies can include dirt and debris, food, excrement from the captured animals, and the carcass of an exterminated animal. Moreover, since many repeating traps are designed to capture and contain multiple animals at one time, it is not uncommon for the traps to become heavily soiled from time to time. For use at food preparation or food handling facilities, there is an increased importance in having clean animal traps. Cleaning of conventional repeating animal traps can be problematic however as their construction typically requires the traps to be transported offsite for cleaning and servicing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is directed to an animal trap and containment system having a removable ramped trapping assembly. The repeating animal capture and containment system of the present invention includes a housing defined by a set of peripheral walls. An opening is formed in at least one of the peripheral walls and a removable, ramped trapping assembly is removably mounted within the housing and aligned with the opening in the peripheral wall. The ramped trapping assembly allows an animal, such as a rodent, to enter into the housing yet prevents the captured animal from exiting the housing. The housing is sized to include a containment area that communicates with the trapping device by a passageway. The containment area provides a living space for the captured animal until it can be set free. The removability of the ramped trapping assembly allows the device to be more readily cleaned and maintained as needed. The system further includes features that prevent lateral and/or vertical displacement of the ramped trapping device. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, posts extend from a bottom or base panel of the housing and are designed to engage the ramped trapping assembly. When engaged with the ramped trapping assembly, the posts prevent lateral movement of the ramped trapping assembly. In a further embodiment, the ramped trapping assembly includes tabs or feet that slide over the posts when the ramped trapping assembly is loaded into the housing. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a spring is provided for biasing the ramped trapping assembly against the bottom panel of the housing so as to prevent vertical displacement of the ramped trapping assembly. The spring may be formed on the underside of a cover for the housing or, alternately, may be formed on a top surface of the ramped trapping assembly. It this latter embodiment, the spring may also be used as a handle for lifting and transporting the ramped trapping assembly. 
         [0007]    It is also contemplated that lateral and/or vertical displacement of the ramped trapping assembly may be prevented by clips, brackets, and similar structures. Preferably, however, regardless of the structures used to limit movement of the ramped trapping assembly, the ramped trapping assembly can be removed from the housing in a straightforward, relatively easy and, most preferably, tool-free manner. 
         [0008]    Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
           [0010]    In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an animal trap and containment system according to the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the system of  FIG. 1  with a cover of the system in an open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a section view of the system of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a section view of the system of  FIG. 1  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial exploded view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an animal trap and containment system according to another embodiment of the present invention with the cover in an open position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of an animal trap and containment system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention with the cover in an open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an animal trap and containment system according to a further embodiment of the present invention with the cover in an open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of an animal trap and containment system according to another embodiment of the present invention with the cover in an open position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a partial exploded view of the system shown in  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a rear isometric view of a trapping assembly for use with the system shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The present invention will be described with respect to a live animal trap primarily utilized in the trapping of small rodents, such as mice and rats. However, it is understood that the present invention could be applied to other animal traps. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1-5 , an exemplary repeating animal trap and containment system  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention has a housing  12  defined by a pair of sidewalls  14 ,  16  and a pair of end walls  18 ,  20 , a bottom panel  22 , and an openable cover  24 , which collectively define an enlarged containment area, generally shown at  26 , for retaining one or more captured rodents. In a preferred embodiment, the cover  24  is coupled to one of the sidewalls, e.g., sidewall  14 , by a hinge arrangement  27  that allows the cover  24  to pivot relative to the sidewall  14 . Openings  28 ,  30  are formed in the end walls  18 ,  20 , respectively. 
         [0024]    System  10  further has a pair of ramped trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  removably mounted within the housing. The trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 , which may be of known construction, align with the openings  28 ,  30  and are designed to allow the ingress of rodents into the housing  12  yet prevent the egress of rodents out of the housing  12 . As known in the art, the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  communicate with a passageway  36  that allows a rodent that passes through the assemblies  32 ,  34  to move freely to the containment area  26 . The containment area may include food and water for feeding of the trapped rodents until the rodents can be humanely set free. The ramped trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  however prevent trapped rodents from exiting the housing  12  until a user has removed the cover  24 . It will thus be appreciated that the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  permit one-way passage of rodents to the containment area  26 . In one embodiment, the cover  24  has a window  37  that allows the containment area  26  to be inspected for the presence of a trapped rodent without moving the cover  24  to the open position shown in  FIG. 2 . It is understood that the window  37  is an optional feature and therefore not required. Moreover, the window  37  may be formed of any known transparent or translucent material, such as glass, thermoplastic, and the like. 
         [0025]    With reference also to  FIG. 4 , the trap assembly  34  has an entrance blockade  66  that is initially held in a lowered position against ramp  68 . Blockade  66  may pivot about point  70  and ramp  68  may pivot about point  72 . A counterweight  74  is mounted to or otherwise held against the underside of the ramp  68  and is operative to hold the ramp  68  in the lowered position shown in  FIG. 4 . In this position, the blockade  66  rests against the top of ramp  68 . In this lowered position, a rodent may enter the trap assembly  34  through opening  30 . As the rodent traverses along the ramp, eventually the weight of the rodent will overwhelm the bias provided by the counterweight and cause the ramp  68  to tilt about the axis defined at pivot point  72 . This movement causes the ramp to lower and expose rodent the passageway  36  defined at the opposite end of the trap assembly  34 . As the ramp begins to tile or pivot, the pivoting action will cause the blockade  66  to pivot about pivot point  70 . This action will cause the blockade to raise and effectively block rodent access out of the trapping assembly  34  through opening  30 . Moreover, it will be appreciated that when the ramp and blockade are in the reset position (shown in  FIG. 4 ), the raised ramp prevents a previously trapped rodent from gaining a foothold on the ramp and attempting to escape the trap. 
         [0026]    In contrast to conventional repeating animal trapping and containment systems, the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  of the present invention are removably secured within the housing. This removability allows the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  to be removed from the housing  12  for cleaning and other services needs when required. Of particular advantage is that the removability provided by the present invention allows on-site cleaning of the trapping assemblies. Heretofore, it was generally necessary to transport trapping and containment systems to an offsite location for cleaning. 
         [0027]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a set of posts  38  that extend outward from the bottom panel  22 . The trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  have laterally extending flanges, or feet,  40  that are adapted to slide over the posts  36 . In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, each foot  40  has a body  42  formed to have a bore  44 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 . When the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  are loaded into the housing  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the posts  38  extend through the bores  44 . In addition to properly aligning the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  with the openings  28 ,  30 , the engagement of the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  with the posts  38  prevents lateral displacement of the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  within the housing  12  such as may otherwise occur if the system  10  was kicked or otherwise moved. 
         [0028]    In addition to preventing lateral displacement of the removable trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 , the present invention further provides a mechanism to prevent vertical displacement of the assemblies  32 ,  34 . In one embodiment, leaf springs  46  are mounted to the underside  24 ( a ) of the cover  24 . As the cover  24  is pivoted or lowered to the closed position, the springs  46  engage the top of respective trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 . When the cover  24  is in the full closed position, the springs  46  are compressed by their engagement between the cover  24  and the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 , which results in the springs  46  applying a down force on the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 . It will thus be appreciated that the springs  46  allow the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  to be pressed snuggly against the bottom panel of the housing without requiring a tight fit between the cover  24  and the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 . The springs may be integrally formed with the underside of the cover  24  or mounted thereto using suitable fasteners. 
         [0029]    In an alternate embodiment, which is shown in  FIG. 6 , the springs  46  are formed on or mounted to the top surface of the removable trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 . In addition to providing the down force described above when the cover  24  is lowered into the closed position, having the springs  46  on the top surface of the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  allows the springs  46  to also function as handles for lifting and transporting the assemblies  32 ,  34 . The springs  46  may be integrally formed with the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  or mounted using suitable fasteners. 
         [0030]    It will be appreciated that other mechanisms can be used to prevent lateral and vertical displacement of the removable trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  within the housing  12 . For example, in one embodiment, which is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , brackets  48  extend upwardly from the bottom panel  22 . The brackets  48 , which may be integrally formed with the bottom panel  22  or mounted thereto using brackets or other fastening means, are spaced from sidewall  14  a sufficient distance such that a space is formed between the brackets  48  and the sidewall  14 . The trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  may be drop loaded into the space to provide a relatively snug fit of the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  within the housing  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the orientation of the brackets  48  prevents lateral movement of the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  and thus displacement of the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  if the system  10  is kicked or otherwise moved. It should be understood that in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the springs  46  could be mounted to the underside of the cover  24  or mounted to the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 , as described above. 
         [0031]    In yet a further alternate embodiment, which is shown in  FIG. 8 , the brackets  48  extend downward from the underside of the cover  24 . In this alternate embodiment, the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  are first loaded into the housing at the proper position and when the cover is lowered, the brackets  48  prevent lateral movement of the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 . It will also be appreciated that for the cover  24  to close properly, the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  must be in proper alignment with the openings  28 ,  30 , respectively. If a trapping assembly is misaligned, then a bracket would abut against the top of the trapping assembly which would prevent the cover from being pushed to its fully closed position. It is understood that in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the springs  46  could be mounted to the underside of the cover  24  or mounted to the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34 , as described above. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 9-11  show another embodiment of the animal trap and containment system  10 . In this embodiment, the trapping assemblies  32 ,  34  are each equipped with a handle  50  that lies flat against the top surface of the trapping assembly when not in use. Thus, the handles  50  do not obstruct closing of the cover when the trapping assemblies are loaded into the housing  12 . The handles  50  are free to pivot from the lowered (rest) position shown in  FIG. 9  to the raised (in use) position shown in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, it is preferred that the springs  46  that are operative to prevent vertical displacement of the trapping assemblies are mounted to the underside of the cover  24 . However, it is contemplated that the springs  46  could be mounted to the top of the trapping assemblies and the handles may be configured to clear the springs  46  when being pivoted to the raised position. The handles  50  may be secured to the trapping assembly in any known manner. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the shape or configuration of the handle shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0033]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in this embodiment of the invention, an alignment block  52  is fastened to the bottom panel  22 . Alternately, the block  52  could be integrally formed with the bottom panel  22 . The alignment block  52  generally consists of a body  54  having an inclined face  56  that slopes upward from back wall  58  to front wall  60 . The alignment block  52  is oriented so that the face  56  inclines toward the opening  30  in the end wall  20 . 
         [0034]    The alignment block  52  is received in an opening  62  defined in an alignment plate  64  formed with, or attached to, the bottom of the trap assembly  34 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . As such, when the trap assembly  34  is being loaded into place, for it to properly placed, the opening  62  must be positioned over the alignment block  52  and lowered down. 
         [0035]    It should be appreciated that for the trap assembly to work properly, the blockade end of the trap assembly must be positioned at the opening in the end wall of the containment structure. To ensure that the trap assembly is properly placed, the alignment block is positioned and the opening in the alignment plate are likewise positioned such that if the trap assembly was loaded improperly, the ramp would be pivoted to the raised position described above thereby preventing a rodent from entering the trap assembly. Moreover, the opening is preferably off center along the length of the trap assembly and therefore if an attempt was made to load the assembly in a reversed position, the trap assembly would extend over the end wall of the containment structure or housing. 
         [0036]    It is understood that while trap assembly  34  has been described, trap assembly  32  is similarly constructed and interfaces with the containment housing, i.e., base panel  22 , in a similar manner. Moreover, it is understood that trap assemblies using different types of trapping mechanisms could benefit from at least some of the principles of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.