Abstract:
A device for exterminating molds that is arranged to fire a projectile into a mole as the mole moves within mole tunnel. The device holds an explosive charge and a projectile and is arranged in a location about the mole tunnel. The device includes a trigger that detects the presence of a mole. When the presence of a mole is detected, the explosive charge is ignited or released forcing the projectile into the mole. The device can be self-contained or include parts for adapting a spear mole trap to include a barrel assembly including an explosive charge and a projectile, and associated structures.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention encompassed by the embodiments described in this application relates generally to a device for efficiently and effectively killing and exterminating moles that includes firing a projectile into the mole. Moles can be a nuisance by digging tunnels in lawns, golf courses, gardens, etc. in search of their main food source, worms. Moles can excavate 12-15 feet of tunnel per hour. When excavating, moles use their powerful front paws to push the dirt outward from the tunnel, which includes creating dirt piles above the ground surface that are clearly visible. The resulting mole tunnels can undermine and damage lawns, concrete slabs, driveways, pools, and even shallow foundations. Extensive mole tunnel networks can cause severe damage to a lawn requiring expensive repairs that can include tilling and replanting of an entire lawn.  
         [0002]     A plunger- or spear-type trap (or simply “spear mole trap”) is shown in  FIG. 6 . The trap shown in  FIG. 6  includes setting tee  101 , a chain  102 , a safety pin  103 , legs  104 , a trigger latch  105 , a spear plate  106 , a trigger pan lip  107 , a trigger pan  108 , spines  109 , and a spring (not numbered). To set the plunger- or spear-type trap shown in  FIG. 6 , a user makes a depression with his/her thumbs or hand in the center of an active mole tunnel. The trigger pan can be arranged ½ to 1 inch down in this depression or blockage by pushing the trigger pan downward, which can be accomplished when engaging or setting the trap. The user positions the trap over the depression with the legs straddling the tunnel. The trap is pushed into the soil until the trigger pan lays flat on top of the depression. The trigger latch is lifted and the trigger pan is pushed into the tunnel depression. The trigger latch should lie outside of the trigger pan lip. Holding the frame of the trap firmly with one hand, the second hand pulls upward on the setting tee, so that the latch slides into position inside of the pan lip, holding the plate and spikes above the tunnel.  FIG. 7  shows the trap of  FIG. 6  set in a shallow mole tunnel.  
         [0003]     A disadvantage with the plunger- or spear-type trap is the need to preset the tines or spikes. The tines or spikes can impale the user, if the trap is mishandled, or if the trap slips during setting. Further, the plunger- or spear-type trap requires a strong spring for forcing the tines or spikes downward into the mole. Accordingly, setting the trap necessitates overcoming or struggling with the strong spring. An additional disadvantage of the plunger- or spear-type trap is that it can be ineffective in killing the mole. For example, the plunger- or spear-type trap can impale a mole without immediately killing the mole. This causes the mole a great amount of suffering and cruelty prior to death.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0004]     Objectives and features of the embodiments described in this application include use of a projectile, such as a bullet or pellet, driven by an explosive force to kill a mole. The mole gun described in this application can be easy and inexpensively manufactured. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment within the scope of this patent application prior to being armed or set.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of an embodiment within the scope of this patent application in an armed or set position.  
         [0007]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are enlarged cross-sectional side views of a first representative barrel assembly in accordance with the scope of this patent application.  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a representative second barrel assembly in accordance with the scope of this patent application.  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a third representative barrel assembly in accordance with the scope of this patent application.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a plunger- or spear-type trap prior to being armed or set.  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a plunger- or spear-type trap in an armed or set position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with structures and methods that are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, and not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems with plunger- or spear-type traps are reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.  
         [0013]     Representative mole guns as described this application are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  shows a mole gun prior to being armed or set.  FIG. 2  shows a mole gun in an armed or set position. In the following descriptions, the same reference numbers have been used to identify the structures shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . Different configurations, structures or embodiments of the various elements shown in these figures can be used in other of the embodiments of the present application shown in these figures. In addition, the embodiments and aspects of the invention described in this application are described and illustrated in conjunction with various structures that are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, and not limiting in scope. In any of the various embodiments, modification or use of different structures to obtain the same functionality can be employed within the scope of the invention described herein.  
         [0014]     The device in  FIG. 1  includes a frame  10  having upper and lower sections. The frame can be made of any suitable material (i.e., metal, reinforced plastic) that has sufficient strength to support the components fixedly and slidably attached thereto as described in this application. For example, the frame can be formed from a flat elongated piece of metal into the shape shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  shows right and left legs of the frame perpendicular to each other. While other arrangements can be used, this arrangement provides a frame with stability when inserted into the ground. The lower section of the frame or the bottom ends of the frame in particular can be pointed for easier insertion into the ground.  
         [0015]     Generally, the mole gun described in this application can be inserted into the ground in the same manner as that for the plunger- or spear-type trap shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In a useful arrangement, the frame  10  can have a height approximately three times longer than its width and/or depth, although many other arrangements can also be used and adapted for different situations.  
         [0016]     A bar  15  can be arranged at a central location within the frame  10 , such as relative to its width. The bar  15  can generally extend vertically and pass through the frame, such as at a upper middle portion thereof. The bar  15  can include holes, one of which accepts one end of a safety chain and another which accepts a safety pin. The safety pin is secured to another end of the safety chain. A handle can be arranged at an upper end of the bar  15 . The handle and bar can form a T-shape. The handle eases the effort necessary when pulling the bar upward and engaging the trap. A guide plate  17  can be arranged at the bottom end of the bar  15 . The guide plate can have an opening  23  therein (i.e., hole, slot, etc.), such as at one end thereof along the lines shown at  23  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , that slides along the frame  10 .  
         [0017]     The opening  23  of the guide plate  17 , by receiving or cooperating with the frame  10  of the mole gun  1 , assists in controlling the sliding movement of the guide plate  17  and assuring that an impingement device  18  hits its target (an explosive device arranged in the barrel assembly  19 ), when the guide plate  17  moves downward. An impingement device  18 , which can be configured as or to include a firing pin, is arranged on a bottom side of the guide plate and is typically arranged on the side of the guide plate opposite the bar  15 . The barrel assembly  19  is secured to the frame  10  directly underneath the guide plate  17 , so that the impingement device  18  (i.e., firing pin) of the guide plate  10  contacts the barrel assembly  19 , when it is released from its armed or set position. The barrel assembly can be secured to the frame by using any suitable fastening devices. In the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , braces or brackets  20 ,  21  are used to secure the barrel assembly  19  to the frame  10 . Brace  14  can optionally be used to provide additional stability to the frame  10 . The braces or brackets  14 ,  20 , and  21  can be joined to the frame  10  and the barrel assembly  19  by any suitable securing devices, such as rivets  24 , screws or other. The securing devices can include welding, brazing, gluing, or any other suitable joining means. The other various elements described in these embodiments, such as joining together the trip plate  11  and the extension therefor (i.e., trip plate extension  12 ), can be joined together in a similar manner.  
         [0018]     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mole gun  1  has a trigger mechanism for triggering the explosive charge. The trigger mechanism includes a trip plate  11 , which can be generally an elongate plate, and a latch  13 . The trip plate  11  includes a trip plate actuator  22 . The mole gun described in this application can be inserted into the ground in the same manner as that for the plunger- or spear-type trap shown in  FIG. 7 . When in the armed position, such as shown in  FIG. 2 , the guide plate  17  is held in or by a notch (not numbered) provided in the upper portion of the latch  13 , and the bottom tip of the latch  13  is held by the trip plate actuator  22 . The guide plate  17  is biased or forced downward by spring  16  and/or by gravity. The downward force of the guide plate  17  against the bottom surface of the notch in the latch  13  forces the bottom tip of the latch  13  rightward and against trip plate actuator  22 . The latch  13  is held in this position by the bottom tip of the latch  13  pressing against the trip plate actuator  22 . The trip plate  11  and latch  13  are operably connected and movable relative to the frame  10  and barrel assembly  19 , so that any upward force received by the trip plate  11  (i.e., the portion of the trip plate  11  arranged above the mole tunnel) causes of the front end of the trip plate  11  to pivot upwards, while the rear end of the trip plate pivots downward. The downward movement of the rear end of the trip plate  11  causes the bottom tip (or simply “bottom”) of the latch  13  to release from the trip plate actuator  22 . When the latch  13  is released, the guide plate  17  is released and forced downward by spring  16  and/or gravity. Downward movement of the guide plate  17  causes the impingement device  18  to strike and detonate the explosive charge (i.e., bullet  22  as shown in  FIG. 5 ) forcing a projectile (i.e., bullet  22  as shown in  FIG. 5 ) out of the projectile bore  32  and into a mole.  
         [0019]     The barrel assembly  19  of the mole gun described in this application can be armed by placing an explosive charge in the explosion chamber  31  and arranging a projectile in the projectile bores  32 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . For example, the projectile can be inserted into the projectile bore  32  at opening  33  and held near the opening of the projectile bore  32  by friction against the surface of the projectile bore. Alternatively, the projectile can be moved or pushed into a position anywhere along the length of the projectile bore  32  from the opening  33  to the pellet stop F, such as shown in  FIG. 3A . These procedures for arming the barrel assembly  19  can be carried out before or after arming or cocking the guide plate  17 , which is described elsewhere in this application. More than one projectile can be inserted into a respective projectile bore  32 . Generally in this application, expressions such as “loading,” “arming,” “setting,” “cocking,” etc. of the mole gun include both arming or loading the barrel assembly  19  and the setting or engaging of the trip plate  11  and the latch  13  in the set position, the latter which is shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0020]     The trip plate extension  12  provides the mole gun as described in this application with advantages over the plunger- or spear-type trap shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Many of the advantages of the trip plate extension  12  are concerned with safety. For example, the trip plate extension  12  can be used to assist in arming or cocking the mole gun. The device described in this application can be inserted into the ground in a manner similar to that for the plunger- or spear-type trap shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Thereafter, one hand of the user can be used to move the guide plate  17 /impingement device  18  into position. This can be accomplished by placing the thumb of the one hand of the user at the top of the frame  10 , pulling the guide plate  17  upward by using a squeezing or pulling action; and once in position, using the fingertips of the one hand to engage or hold the edge of the guide plate  17 /impingement device  18  in position. The other hand of their user can then lift the trip plate extension  12  and engage the trip plate actuator  22  of the trip plate  11  and the bottom tip of the latch  13 . This procedure is safer than reaching inside the mole gun (i.e., underneath the area occupied by the barrel assembly  19 ) and engaging the trip plate actuator  22  with the bottom tip of the latch  18 , where release of the guide plate  17  could cause the impinging device  18  to strike the explosive charge, thereby causing the explosive charge to explode and fire a projectile possibly into the user&#39;s hand.  
         [0021]     The trip plate extension  12  can also be used to safely disarm or uncock the mole gun. For example, if the mole gun was loaded or armed but was not fired by action of a mole or otherwise, the safety pin can be inserted into the lower hole in the bar  15  to hold in place the bar  15  and the guide plate  17  attached thereto, and then the trip plate extension  12  can be moved downward to “uncock” or disarm the mole gun by releasing the bottom tip of the latch  13  from the trip plate actuator  22 . Thereafter, the powder charge, projectiles, etc. can be safely removed; the safety pin can be removed from the bar  15 ; and the guide plate  17  returned to its released position.  
         [0022]     As explained elsewhere in this application, when adapting or modifying a plunger- or spear-type trap to the mole gun described herein, the spring can be shortened, replaced with a weaker spring, or eliminated altogether. A reduced spring tension makes it easier to lift the guide plate  17 /impingement device  18  by only using one hand.  
         [0023]     Within the embodiments described in this application, an explosive charge is fired (exploded) to discharge a projectile, i.e., pellet or pellets, or snake shot. The explosive charge can include gunpowder, which may be the most convenient. However, other explosive charges or expanding sources can be used, such as pneumatic air, compressed air, or compressed carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) for forcing the projectile out of the projectile bore of the mole gun. A pneumatic-air source compresses a tiny bit of air by action of a pump lever in order to obtain the internal pressure needed to power the projectile out the projectile bore barrel at a decent pace. A disadvantage of the pneumatic air source may be the additional structure necessary and all the time and effort needed to obtain the necessary internal pressure. A barrel assembly using compressed air or CO 2  can be powered by a reservoir of compressed air or CO 2  arranged within the barrel assembly. The reservoir can be replaceable and self-contained or can be rechargeable by a larger container. The arrangements used in airguns for pneumatic air, compressed air, or compressed carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) can be adapted and used as the explosive or expansive force in the barrel assembly described this application for forcing the projectile out of the projectile bore of the mole gun.  
         [0024]     The barrel assemblies, such as shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B , and  4 , can be constructed to separately hold an explosive charge and projectile. In an alternative arrangement, such as shown in  FIG. 5 , the explosive charge and the projectile can be combined together, such as in a bullet  24 . A representative barrel assembly is shown in  FIG. 3A  and can be made of metal or other suitable material capable of withstanding the explosive charge detonated in the explosion chamber  31 . The barrel assembly shown in  FIG. 3A  can be joined to the frame  10  by vertical bracket  20  and horizontal bracket  21 . The barrel assembly shown in  FIG. 3A  includes an explosion chamber  31  that receives an explosive charge. The explosion chamber can have a stepped configuration, such as shown in  FIG. 3B , for holding an explosive charge. For example, explosion chamber  31  can be designed accept an explosive charge for nailers, such as those sold by Remington.  
         [0025]     An exemplary embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3B , where the diameter of the upper bore “D” can be 0.224, 0.231, or 0.246 inches or other, and that of the lower bore “B” can be slightly smaller than D, such as 0.156 or 0.208 inches or other. The lower bore B can have a bore or diameter smaller than that of the upper bore D for holding an explosive charge therein. The depth of the upper bore “C” (i.e., the length from the upper surface of the barrel assembly to the top of the stepped portion  34 ) can be 0.230, 0.320, or 0.625 inches or other. The depth “E” (i.e., the length from the top of the stepped portion  34  to the bottom of the lower bore) can be 0.240 inches. In other arrangements, the stepped or tapered bore  34 , as identified by dimension E in  FIG. 3B , is not included and can be eliminated altogether. In such arrangements, the upper bore of the explosion chamber such as that defined by dimensions C and D, and the stepped or tapered bore such as that defined by dimensions B and E need not be present. In these arrangements, the projectile bore  32  is contiguous with and/or communicates directly with the explosion chamber  31 .  
         [0026]     The dimensions and configurations of the explosion chamber  31  can be adapted and modified to accept or hold any kind of explosive charge or bullet. Other diameters can be used for the upper bore D and the lower bore B, and other lengths can be used for the depth C of the upper bore and the depth E of the stepped portion  34 . Such diameters and lengths can be adapted to different sized explosive charges and projectiles. For example, Remington brand is one brand of blank powder charge. These charges are the type used with nail guns or drivers used to drive anchors into concrete and steel. Another type of charge is the primer charge used in reloading shotgun shells. These primers are available from Winchester, Remington, Federal and CCI. Some designations for this type of primer are  209 ,  209 M,  209 P and  209 A, depending on the manufacturer.  
         [0027]     In the arrangements shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B , and  4 , a reduced diameter portion is provided in the projectile bores  32 . This reduced diameter portion is called a pellet stop F and can be located anywhere along the length of the projectile bore  32 . In  FIGS. 3A, 3B , and  4 , a pellet stop F is provided at the end of the projectile bore  32  adjacent the explosion chamber  31  at the powder charge end of the barrel. The pellet stop F can have smaller than the diameter bore of the projectile bore  32 . For example, for a 0.177 pellet, the projectile bore  32  for the pellet can be approximately 0.177, and the bore or diameter for the pellet stop can be approximately 0.156. Of course, other diameters can be used for the projectile bore and pellet stop to accommodate different sized projectiles, such as those discussed elsewhere in this application. A purpose of the pellet stop is to hold the projectile or pellet in place when the mole gun is in the armed or cocked position, while permitting the force resulting from detonation of the explosive charge, which is held in the explosion chamber  31  and detonated by the impingement device  18 , to force the projectile out of the projectile bore with sufficient velocity for killing a mole.  
         [0028]     The projectile bores  32  can be made of a size that accepts any caliber bullet or pellet, including those made by Crossman, Beeman, and Daisy. A representative caliber bullet or pellet is 0.17 or 0.22 caliber. The dimensions and configurations of the projectile bores  32  and pellet stops F can be adapted and modified to accept or hold any kind of projectile. Representative pellets that can be used in the mole gun described in this application include those for pellet guns and rifles that are available from several manufacturers. The manufacturers include Beemon, Gamo, Eun Jin, Daisy, and RWS. Bullets used to reload rifle cartridges and also be used. The calibers therefore can include 0.17 and 0.22 made by, for example, Homady, Winchester, CCI, Speer and Sierra. In addition, round ball buckshot pellets, for shot shell reloading, in various sizes (i.e., sized to match projectile bore  32 ) can be used in the mole gun of this application.  
         [0029]     The effectiveness of the mole gun described in this application can be increased by including more than one projectile bore for firing multiple pellets with a single explosive charge. The effectiveness of the mole gun described in this application can be also increased by spacing the projectile bores  32  apart as shown in  FIG. 4  or by arranging the projectile bores  32  to angle outwardly from a center top portion of the barrel assembly towards the side of the barrel assembly as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 5 . These embodiments permit the projectiles exiting from the projectile bores  32  to penetrate a wider or longer section of the mole tunnel, thereby reducing the chances for the mole to escape being shot.  
         [0030]     In the barrel assembly embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a pellet or other projectile can be inserted into the ends  33  of the projectile bores  32  and pushed or otherwise moved along the projectile bore  22  to rest on the pellet stop, which can be arranged adjacent the explosion chamber  31 . These ends  33  of the projectile bore  32  can have a diameter, shape, and/or configuration for holding a pellet of any shape or size therein, as discussed elsewhere in this application. The explosion chamber(s)  31  or the projectile bore  32  in the barrel assemblies in accordance with this application, such as those shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , can have a shape adapted to receive a bullet or shotgun shell. In such an arrangement, the explosion chamber(s)  31  or the projectile bore  32  are configured, so the lead or front portion of the bullet or cylindrical shell shot fits snugly therein. The casing of the bullet or cap of the shotgun shell is arranged to breach or span the diameter of the top of the explosion chamber or projectile bore. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a bullet  24  is mounted on the upper end of the projectile bore  32 , in such a manner. Bullet casings and shotgun caps normally include at least a portion with a larger diameter than the bullet or shell body. The embodiments of the present application include resting the casing of the bullet or cap of the shotgun shell, as well as the casing of an explosive charge, outside the explosion chamber or projectile bore. In this manner, when the impingement device  18  strikes the casing of the bullet, the cap of the shotgun shell, or explosive charge; the gunpowder or other explosive or expansive material contained therein explodes forcing the bullet, shot, or pellet out of the end  33  of the projectile bore  32 .  
         [0031]     A spring  16  is arranged around the bar  15  and can be coaxial therewith. While a spring is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , any type of biasing means can be used for generating a downward movement of the guide plate  17  from the armed position to the released position, even rubber bands. The biasing means should provide sufficient downward force to the guide plate  17 , when released from the armed or set position, to cause an explosion by the guide plate (or impingement device  18  arranged thereon) impinging an explosive device arranged in the barrel assembly  19 .  
         [0032]     In another embodiment, the spring  16  is provided that has sufficient force, so that the impingement device  18  or firing pin will ignite or detonate the explosive charge. In other embodiments, the spring can be eliminated, where the weight of the guide plate  17 , itself, or other force, is sufficient for igniting or detonating the explosive charge.  
         [0033]     In a typical embodiment of the present application, the spring  16  forces the guide plate  17  downward, so that the impingement device  18  impacts the explosive charge contained in the explosion chamber  31  or projectile bore  32 . The impact of the impingement device  18 , such as a firing pin, with the explosive charge creates an explosion that generates downward force acting against the projectiles arranged within the projectile bores  32  (or fires bullet  24 ). The explosion occurs rapidly and forcefully to fire the bullet or projectile, so the mole has insufficient time to retreat in the tunnel and escape being shot.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment described herein, a plunger- or spear-type trap can be adapted or modified into a mole gun in accordance with the discussions of this application. An embodiment of the present application includes parts and/or instructions, provided separately from a plunger- or spear-type trap, for adapting or modifying a plunger- or spear-type trap to a mole gun as described herein. These parts can include any of a barrel assembly  19 , an impingement device  18 , an extension plate  12 , and appropriate fasteners and supports  20 ,  21  for securing these parts to a plunger- or spear-type trap. A plunger- or spear-type trap can be modified into a mole gun by removing or shortening the spikes or tines contained therein. For example, viewing the device shown in  FIG. 6 , the spines  109  can be removed or shortened. Shortened spines are shown on the guide plate  17  in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, a barrel assembly  19  and supports therefor  20 ,  21  in accordance with the discussions of this application can be arranged between the legs  104 . Thereafter, an impingement device (i.e., firing pin)  18  can be arranged on the spear plate  106 . Such a modification can be arranged as shown in  FIG. 2  of the present application. When adapting or modifying a plunger- or spear-type trap, the spring can be shortened, replaced with a weaker spring, or eliminated altogether.  
         [0035]     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the mole gun described in this application, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.