Abstract:
An apparatus and method are disclosed for improved operation and functionality of a spring-loaded mousetrap. The improved mousetrap comprises two hooks in place of the standard trigger for engaging a Cheerio. Alternative embodiments comprise alligator clips. The mousetrap is baited with a Cheerio, and primed by using the Cheerio and hooks or alligator clips to hold down the locking lever of the mousetrap. When the Cheerio is nibbled by a mouse, the Cheerio breaks with tensile force applied by the primed locking lever, and the jaw snaps forward, killing the mouse.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to mousetraps, and more particularly relates to improved spring-loaded mousetraps designed to prevent mice from stealing bait from a primed mousetrap without activating the mousetrap. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Description of the Related Art 
       [0002]    Standard spring-loaded mousetraps have been known in the art since at least 1894. These spring-loaded mousetraps comprise a board, or body, with a jaw (i.e. striker), a locking lever, a spring and a trigger mounted above a body of the mousetrap. 
         [0003]    Typically, the mousetrap is baited with cheese, bread, meat, butter, peanut butter, or another edible, placed on the trigger. The mousetrap is primed by locking a locking lever over the open spring-loaded jaw, with the jaw set to snap forward on a mouse eating the bait and moving the trigger in consequence. 
         [0004]    Typical mousetrap embodiments suffer from a weakness, which is that the trigger must generally be pushed in a single lateral direction to activate the mousetrap. If a mouse approaches the bait from the wrong direction, or pushes or pulls the bait off the trigger in a forward or rearward direction, the mouse may successfully take or steal the bait without activating the trap. 
         [0005]    For this reason, traditional mousetraps are not entirely effective at killing and eradicating mice from human dwellings and other structures. What is needed is an improved spring-loaded mousetrap which activates itself anytime the bait is removed, regardless of how the removal is effectuated, and method of more effectively killing mice. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus and method for more effectively killing mice. Beneficially, such an apparatus and method would incorporate a trigger mechanism configured to activate the mousetrap no matter how the bait is removed. 
         [0007]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available mousetraps. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus and method for killing mice that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
         [0008]    The apparatus is provided with a plurality of components or modules configured to impart the necessary functionality to apparatus. The improved spring-loaded mousetrap comprises: a board with a planar top surface and planar bottom surface, the board longer in length across its longitudinal axis, the board shorter in length across the board&#39;s lateral axis; a spring-loaded jaw hingedly affixed to the center of the board with reference to the board&#39;s longitudinal axis; and a locking lever for securing the jaw in its primed position, the locking lever centrally disposed on the board with reference to the board&#39;s lateral axis, the locking lever affixed at one end to a first loop affixed to the top surface of the board, the locking lever affixed at an opposing end to a first hook. 
         [0009]    The first hook comprises a rigid hook for gripping a brittle piece of bait, the first hook fulcrumally affixed to the locking lever. The mousetrap further comprises a second loop affixed to one longitudinal end of the board, the second loop fulcrumally affixed to a second hook; and the second hook comprising a rigid hook for gripping a brittle piece of bait such that when the bait is broken or removed from the primed mousetrap, the locking lever is released and the spring-loaded jaw snaps forward on a mouse, the second hook fulcrumally affixed to the locking lever. 
         [0010]    The brittle piece of bait may comprise a Cheerio. The first hook and second hook may be formed to grip the inside of the Cheerio and pull the Cheerio with diametrically opposed tensile forces created by upward pressure on the locking lever from the jaw. 
         [0011]    A method of killing a mouse is disclosed, the steps of said method comprising: acquiring a spring-loaded mousetrap; removing the trigger from the spring-loaded mousetrap; replacing the trigger with two hooks for securing a brittle piece of bait, the two hooks comprising a first hook and second hook, the first hook fulcrumally affixed to the locking lever, the second hook fulcrumally affixed to one of the body of the mousetrap and a loop affixed to a body of the mousetrap; and baiting the mousetrap with a brittle piece of bait mounted by and between the two hooks, the two hooks applying diametrically opposed tensile forces to the brittle piece of bait when the mousetrap is primed. 
         [0012]    The steps of the method further comprise priming the mousetrap by locking a jaw of the mousetrap in an open position; waiting for a mouse to chew or remove the brittle piece of bait; and allowing the jaw to snap forward killing the mouse. 
         [0013]    Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
         [0015]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational perspective view of one embodiment of an improved mousetrap in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded top elevational perspective view of another embodiment of an improved mousetrap in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded top elevational perspective view of another embodiment of an improved mousetrap in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of an improved mousetrap in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is process flow chart of the steps of a method for killing a mouse in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0024]    The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. 
         [0025]    Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational perspective view of one embodiment of an improved mousetrap  100  in accordance with the present invention. The mousetrap  100  comprises a body  102 , a spring  104 , a locking lever  106 , a loop  108   a , a loop  108   b , a hook  110   a , a hook  110   b , a jaw  112 , and Cheerio  114 . 
         [0027]    The body  102 , the spring  104 , the locking lever  106 , the loop  108   a , the loop  108   b , and a jaw  112  are well-known to those of skill in the art, and are common components in conventional spring-loaded mousetraps. 
         [0028]    Typical spring-loaded mousetraps further comprise a trigger, which is not included in the shown embodiment. In the shown embodiment, the trigger is replaced by two hooks  110   a - b . The hooks may comprise rigid wire or cable bent or tied into position, or may alternatively comprise clasps or hook fabricated from polymers, woods, alloys or metals. 
         [0029]    The hook  110   a  is affixed in U-joint like fashion to the locking lever  106 . 
         [0030]    The hook  110   b  is affixed in U-joint like fashion to the loop  108   b . In alternative embodiments, the hook  110   b  is affixed to the body  102 . 
         [0031]    The shown embodiment comprises a traditional mousetrap with the hooks  110   a - b  and the loop  108  added in place of the trigger. 
         [0032]    The loop  108   b  is affixed to one end of the mousetrap  100  on the top planar surface of the mousetrap  100 . 
         [0033]    The body  102  comprises a planar board made of wood, metals or polymers, and serves as a frame or chassis for the other mechanical components of the mousetrap  100 . 
         [0034]    The mousetrap  100  is primed by forcing the spring-loaded jaw  112  into its open position as shown, and locking the locking lever  106  across the jaw  112  such that the locking lever  106  is only released when the Cheerio  114  is broken or removed. 
         [0035]    The mousetrap  100  is baited by mounting the Cheerio  114  between the hooks  110   a - b . In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of brittle pieces of bait may be substituted for the Cheerio, including Fritos, dog food, chips, pretzels, dryed cheese, meat, and other edibles. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded top elevational perspective view of another embodiment of an improved mousetrap  200  in accordance with the present invention. The mousetrap  200  comprises a body  102 , a spring  104 , a locking lever  106 , a loop  108   b , a hook  110   a , a hook  110   b , and Cheerio  114 . 
         [0037]    Each of the shown components are substantially described above in relation to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    As shown, the hooks  110   a - b  may comprise stiff wire, from gauge  50  to  2 , twisted, tied or bent into shape. 
         [0039]    The spring-loaded jaw  112  is hingedly affixed to the center of the body  102  with reference to the body&#39;s  102  longitudinal axis, which the axis traversing the body  102  from the loop  108   a  to the loop  108   b.    
         [0040]    The locking lever  106  for securing the jaw  112  in its primed position, the locking lever  106  centrally disposed on the body  102  with reference to the body&#39;s  102  lateral axis, which is the axis traversing the body  102  parallel to the spring  104 , or orthogonal to the direction of tensile force applied to the Cheerio  114 . 
         [0041]    The locking lever  106  is affixed at one end to the first loop  108   a  and affixed to the top surface of the body  102 . The locking lever  106  is affixed at an opposing end to the first hook  110   a.    
         [0042]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded top elevational perspective view of another embodiment of an improved mousetrap  250  in accordance with the present invention. The mousetrap  200  comprises a body  102 , a spring  104 , a locking lever  106 , an alligator clip  152   a , and an alligator clip  152   b.    
         [0043]    The body  102 , spring  104 , and locking lever  106  are all substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-2A . 
         [0044]    In the shown embodiment, a brittle piece of bait is secured with alligator clips  152   a - b  instead of hooks  110   a - b . The alligator clips  152   a —are secured to the components of the mousetrap  250  in the same fashion as the hooks  110   a - b.    
         [0045]    In still further embodiments of the present invention, the mousetrap  250  may comprise other types of clips, including binder clips, jubilee clips, cloths pins, butterfly clutches, or evens screws, bolts, buckles, rubber bands, cage nuts, and the like. 
         [0046]    In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the brittle piece of bait is held within a clamp (not shown) by compressive forces, such that when the brittle piece of bait is removed, the clamp collapses and the mousetrap  250  is sprung. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of an improved mousetrap  300  in accordance with the present invention. The mousetrap  300  comprises a body  102 , a spring  104 , a locking lever  106 , a loop  108   a , a loop  108   b , a hook  110   a , a hook  110   b , a jaw  112 , and Cheerio  114 . 
         [0048]    Each of the shown components are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         [0049]    Configured as shown, there is no way for the Cheerio  114  to be removed from the mousetrap  300  without activating the primed mousetrap  300 . Even if the Cheerio is nibbled, but not entirely removed, the nibbling will weaken the Cheerio  114  such that the tensile forces being applied by the hooks  110   a - b  to the Cheerio  114  result in its breakage and consequent activation of the mousetrap  300 . 
         [0050]    The method  400  begins with acquiring  402  a traditional spring-loaded mousetrap from a manufacturer, retailer or supplier. The mousetrap may be missing the trigger, or may be manufactured with hooks  110   a - b.    
         [0051]    The method  400  progresses by removing  404  the trigger from the spring-loaded mousetrap if the mousetrap has a trigger. 
         [0052]    The method  400  progresses by replacing  406  the trigger with two hooks  110   a - b  for securing a brittle piece of bait, the two hooks  110   a - b  comprising a first hook and second hook, the first hook fulcrumally affixed to the locking lever, the second hook fulcrumally affixed to one of the body of the mousetrap and a loop affixed to a body of the mousetrap. 
         [0053]    The method  400  progresses by baiting  408  the mousetrap with a brittle piece of bait  114  mounted by and between the two hooks  110   a - b , the two hooks  110   a - b  applying diametrically opposed tensile forces to the brittle piece of bait  114  when the mousetrap is primed. 
         [0054]    The method  400  progresses with priming  410  the mousetrap by locking a jaw  112  of the mousetrap in an open position. Next, the method  400  progresses with waiting  412  for a mouse to chew or remove the brittle piece of bait  114 , and finally the method  400  concludes with allowing  414  the jaw  112  to snap forward killing the mouse. 
         [0055]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.