Abstract:
An animal trap is provided which includes spring-loaded cupped members for grasping an animal. The cupped members include two sets of opposed arms which are connected in a manner so as to move in unison. The cupped members are biased to a closed position and a trigger holds the cupped members apart to allow entry by an animal. The trigger may slip, break, or be eaten through to release the cupped members. The cupped members enclose an animal when the trigger is released.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/774,713 filed on Feb. 17, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to animal control and, more particularly, to animal traps. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A variety of mouse traps are known and commonly used. These mouse traps vary from the spring loaded trap which slams a bar against an unsuspecting mouse to various live capture traps. The spring loaded bar traps have the disadvantages ranging from the releasing of fluids (for example, blood) from a dead mouse, to difficulty in setting. Blood, or any other fluid from a mouse, may present health hazards, and is visually unpleasant. Setting or resetting a spring loaded bar trap may result in accidental release of the bar and a painful impact with a finger. Further, many people are not comfortable with killing an animal, even a mouse, and object to the use of traps which kill versus capture. Other people object to the possibility of an injury which leads to a slow drawn out death. For all of these reasons, many people object to the use of a spring loaded bar trap. 
         [0006]    Live capture traps are known which lure a mouse, or other animal, into an enclosure, and prevent the exit. While these generally avoid killing the animal, they may hold an animal for a long period of time, and if unattended may result in unintended death. They also may be more costly, and less likely to be acquired. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need has arisen for an animal trap adapted to capture an animal without causing harm, injury, or death thereto in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. The development of the mouse trap fulfills this need. 
         [0008]    A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
         [0009]    The following patents disclose various animal and/or rodent traps: 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,407, issued in the name of Johnson; 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,375, issued in the name of Stroklund; 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,544, issued in the name of Leyerle et al.; 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,799, issued in the name of Vajs et al.; 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,195, issued in the name of Benson et al.; 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,391, issued in the name of Meyers et al.; 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,102, issued in the name of Marcolina; 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,081, issued in the name of Askins; 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,693, issued in the name of Splawinski; 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,181, issued in the name of Broman; 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,494, issued in the name of Johnson et al.; 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,323, issued in the name of Fasulkey et al.; 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,165, issued in the name of Swanson; 
         [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,959, issued in the name of Loeffler, 
         [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,299, issued in the name of Butera et al.; and 
         [0025]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,471, issued in the name of Draper. 
         [0026]    U.S. Patent application no. 20030014902, published in the name of Draper discloses an animal trap comprised of at least one base member for contact with the ground, at least one frame member pivotally arranged with respect to at least one base member and a release mechanism for holding, in use, at least one frame member under tension above ground. Netting is attached to at least one frame member so that when release mechanism is tripped by animal entering trap, at least one frame member pulls netting over animal as at least one frame member falls to the ground when tension is released. 
         [0027]    Internet publication advertisements featuring animal traps for the general purpose/use of capturing and/or killing various types of animals include the following: 
         [0028]    http://www.animal-traps.com; 
         [0029]    http://www.livetrap.com; 
         [0030]    http://www.doityourself.com/icat/springloadtrap; 
         [0031]    http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/ratsnap.htm; 
         [0032]    http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/traps.htm; 
         [0033]    http://lawn-and-garden.hardwarestore.com/79-504-animal-traps.aspx; 
         [0034]    http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/drilldown_pages/view_category; and 
         [0035]    http://www.enasco.com/farmandranch/ProductDetail.do?sku=C13376N. 
         [0036]    Consequently, a need has been felt for an animal trap adapted to capture an animal without causing harm, injury, or death thereto in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an animal trap having spring-loaded cupped members adapted to securely hold an animal without causing harm, injury, or death thereto. 
         [0038]    It is another object of the present invention to provide opposing cupped members which are biased to a closed position. 
         [0039]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a trigger adapted hold opposing cupped members in an opened position. 
         [0040]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustment mechanism adapted for selectively controlling the diametrical measure of displacement of the cupped members or arms in the closed position, thereby allowing user to control whether a captured animal is deprived of life or harmlessly captured. 
         [0041]    Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an animal trap is disclosed, wherein animal trap includes spring-loaded cupped members for grasping an animal, particularly a rodent, such as a mouse. The cupped members are preferably two sets of opposed arms and the arms in each set of arms are connected to move in unison. The cupped members may also be solid cups. The cupped members are biased towards a closed position and a trigger holds the cupped members apart to allow entry by an animal. The trigger may slip, break, be stepped on, or be eaten through to release the cupped members. The cupped members close around an animal when the trigger is released. 
         [0042]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an animal trap comprising opposing cupped members, a hinge for at least one of the cupped members, a spring biasing the cupped members toward a closed position, and a trigger holding the cupped members open. Releasing the trigger allows the cupped members to snap to the closed position. An adjustment mechanism provides a means for adjustably setting hinged displacement of cupped members between an opened position and a closed position. 
         [0043]    The use of the present invention allows for the capture of an animal or rodent without causing harm, injury, or death thereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0044]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
           [0045]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an animal trap, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the animal trap illustrating the curved arms, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the animal trap illustrating opposing one-piece jaws, according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention illustrating a single hinge and an adjustable closing force; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5A  is an end view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 5C  is an end view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention showing trigger held horizontally between opposing arms; 
           [0052]      FIG. 6  an end view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention showing the arms in a closed position; and 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention showing a closure limiting screw. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
       [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an animal trap  10  is shown, according to the present invention, which includes cupped members  12  and  14  comprising two sets of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e , respectively. Each set of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  are attached to backbones  16   a  and  16   b , respectively. The backbones  16   a  and  16   b  are adjacently positioned and are preferably solid. Backbone  16   a  is adapted to cause arms  12   a - 12   e  to open or close together, and backbone  16   b  is adapted to cause arms  14   a - 14   e  to open or close together. 
         [0055]    The set of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  are hinged via hinges  18  to allow the opening and closing thereof. The hinges  18  comprise end pieces  18   a  and  18   b  between which backbone  16   a  and backbone  16   b  are hingedly mounted via pins  20 . While two hinges  18  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a single hinge may also be used. 
         [0056]    A limiting or adjustment mechanism  21  is provided, wherein adjustment mechanism is adapted to bias arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  towards a closed position. Adjustment mechanism  21  also provides a means for adjustably setting hinged displacement of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  between an opened position and a closed position. More specifically, adjustment mechanism  21  is adapted for selectively controlling a diametrical measure of displacement of the arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  in the closed position. Thus, adjustment mechanism  21  allows user to control whether captured animal is deprived of life or harmlessly captured. 
         [0057]    The adjustment mechanism  21  comprises levers  26   a  and  26   b  which are attached to backbones  16   a  and  16   b , respectively. It is envisioned that levers  26   a  and  26   b  may alternately be attached to one of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e , respectively. 
         [0058]    The adjustment mechanism  21  further comprises a spring  22  which is suitably held between levers  26   a ,  26   b , thereby facilitating cooperation of the levers  26   a ,  26   b  and spring  22  to bias the arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  towards a closed position. In this manner, the levers  26   a ,  26   b  bias the arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  into a closed position. The spring  22  is captive over a screw  24 . Screw  24  provides a means for adjustably setting hinged displacement of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  between an opened position and a closed position. More specifically, screw  24  selectively controls a diametrical measure of displacement of the arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  in the closed position. The screw  22  threadedly engages a nut  54  being mounted behind lever  26   b . The screw  22  is advanced into nut  54  in order to allow a greater diametrical measure of displacement of the arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  upon closing of the animal trap  10 , or screw  22  is withdrawn from the nut  54  to reduce the diametrical measure of displacement of the arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  upon closing of the animal trap  10 . The animal trap  10  is therefore selectively adjustable to limit injury to an animal (not shown) caught therein. 
         [0059]    A trigger  28  is shown held horizontally between opposing arms  12   c  and  14   c , but may be held between any opposing pair of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e . Each end of trigger  28  resides in a dimple  30  formed along an inner sidewall of each of the set of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  in order to provide trigger  28  with a stable position. Trigger  28  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a linearly-elongated, rigid member  31 . However, trigger  28  may be any structure configured and adapted for holding the set of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  in an opened position which is releasable when an animal is positioned between the arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a - 14   e  and causes contact or engagement therewith. Preferably, cupped members  12  and  14  are released to a closed position when trigger  28  slips, breaks, or is eaten through. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the animal trap  10   a  is provided having curved arms  12   f ,  12   g ,  14   f , and  14   g  replacing arms  12   a ,  12   e ,  14   a , and  14   e , respectively of  FIG. 1 . Arms  12   f ,  12   g ,  14   f , and  14   g  define a greater curvature than arms  12   a ,  12   e ,  14   a , and  14   e . Arms  12   f ,  12   g ,  14   f , and  14   g  are useful to prevent harm to an animal because center arms  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  14   b ,  14   c , and  14   d  require less closure space to trap an animal therebetween. 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a third embodiment of the animal trap  10   b  is provided, wherein opposing cupped members  12  and  14  are each defined of a one-piece jaw  60  and  62 , respectively. Each jaw  60 ,  62  defines an arcuate shape. Jaws  60  and  62  may be clear or opaque, or may be fabricated so as to be available in a variety of colors. 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a fourth embodiment of the animal trap  10   c  is provided, wherein trap  10  includes a single hinge  18  comprising backbones  16   a  and  16   c . The hinge  18  comprises end pieces  18   a  and  18   b  between which backbone  16   a  is hingedly mounted via a pin  20 . Backbone  16   c  is fixedly mounted between end pieces  18   a  and  18   b , adjacent to backbone  16   a . Spring  22  is mounted between lever  26   b  and an adjustable stop  32 . Spring  22  is adjusted by screw  24  in order to selectively adjust the closing force of arms  12   a - 12   e  and  14   a.    
         [0063]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an end view of a fifth embodiment of the animal trap  10   d , and  FIG. 5B  illustrates a top view thereof. The trap  10   d  includes opposing arms  44   a  and  44   b  for securely holding an animal therebetween. The arms  44   a  and  44   b  extend upwardly into levers  40   a  and  40   b , respectively. The arms  44   a  and  44   b  are connected by hinge portions  46   a  and  46   b , respectively. A pin  42  extends through the hinge portions  46   a  and  46   b , and a spring  50  resides over the pin  42 . The spring  50  is adapted to bias the arms  44   a  and  44   b  into a closed position. A trigger  28   a  is provided and adapted for holding the arms  44   a  and  44   b  in an opened position. The trigger  28   a  is releasable when an animal is positioned between the arms  44   a  and  44   b  and contacts or engages trigger  28   a , thereby actuating arms  44   a  and  44   b  into a closed position. The trigger  28   a  defines a finger  29  and an integral, elongated stem  29   a  extending perpendicularly therefrom. Below finger  29  lies an arcuate-shaped brace  29   b  molded integral to said stem  29   a . The finger  29  of trigger  28   a  is adapted to be inserted within an aperture  70  defined through hinge portion  46   b . Opposing ends of brace  29   b  are adapted to engage an inner sidewall of arms  44   a  and  44   b , respectively. The brace  29   b  of trigger  28   a  functions to temporarily lock arms  44   a  and  44   b  in an opened position. Contact or engagement by an animal with trigger  28   a  actuates the release of finger  29  from aperture  70 , and actuates disengagement by said brace  29   b  from said opposing arms  44   a  and  44   b , thereby causing spring  50  to immediately bias arms  44   a  and  44   b  into a closed position. 
         [0064]    Alternatively, it is envisioned that trigger  28   a  may be held horizontally between opposing arms  44   a  and  44   b , as shown in  FIG. 5C . Each end of trigger  28   a  resides in a dimple  30  formed along an inner sidewall of arms  44   a  and  44   b  in order to provide trigger  28   a  with a stable position. The arms  44   a  and  44   b  are released to a closed position when trigger  28   a  slips, breaks, or is eaten through, or is engaged or contacted by an animal. 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the animal trap  10   d  showing the arms  44   a  and  44   b  in a closed position.  FIG. 7  is an end view of the animal trap  10   d  illustrating a closure limiting screw  48 . The limiting screw  48  is mounted between levers  40   a  and  40   b . Without limiting screw  48 , the arms  44   a  and  44   b  may crush an animal when biased to the closed position. The limiting screw  48  is adjustable to prevent complete closure of the arms  44   a  and  44   b , thereby resulting in arms  44   a  and  44   b  securely holding but not injuring an animal. However, limiting screw  48  is also selectively adjustable so as to allow arms  44   a  and  44   b  to be biased in such a manner that an entrapped animal therebetween may be deprived of life if desired by user. 
         [0066]    While the animal trap  10  has been described as having a coil spring  22  or  50 , the trap  10  may also utilize a leaf or “V” spring, and the spring may be fabricated of metal or plastic. In addition, while the animal trap  10  has been described in terms of a mouse trap, the trap  10  may be scaled for various animals or rodents, for example, rats, squirrels, and the like, and any trap having cupped members biased towards a closed position, and held apart by a trigger, is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. The animal trap  10  may further be used in a multiplicity of attitudes, for example, on a flat floor, horizontally on a wall, vertically on a wall, on a ceiling, on a tree limb, and the like. 
       2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
       [0067]    To use the present invention, user pulls and holds opposing cupped members  12  and  14  to an opened position and inserts trigger  28  horizontally between opposing cupped members  12  and  14 . The trigger  28  is adapted for holding the cupped members  12  and  14  in an opened position. User next withdraws the screw  22  from the nut  54  to a degree which allows the diametrical measure of displacement of the arms  12   a - 12   e  to be reduced upon closing of the animal trap  10 . In the event user desires to hold an animal within the trap  10  without causing injury or death thereto, user advances the screw  22  to a degree which allows a greater diametrical measure of displacement of the arms  12   a - 12   e  upon closing of the animal trap  10 . 
         [0068]    The use of the present invention allows for the capture of an animal or rodent without causing harm, injury, or death thereto. 
         [0069]    Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.