Patent Application
20080236023
The present invention relates generally to the field of pest-trapping devices. In particular, the invention relates to an automated pest-trapping device.
Due to their size, small animals such as birds and rodents are able to easily enter and inhabit buildings while evading capture. For example, birds often enter warehouse buildings having tall ceilings to nest in the supporting structures of the building which are at a distance from normal human activity. One method currently used to trap birds located indoors uses a remote trigger to activate a net when a bird is observed to be within a trap zone. A problem with this method is that it requires that an operator constantly watch the trap to observe when a bird has entered the trap zone in order to activate the trap to catch the bird. This can be very time-consuming and utilizes valuable time that the operator could be spending on more productive activities. In an attempt to maximize the productivity of the operator, the trap may be positioned in a confined area so that the operator can also perform other activities while maintaining a watchful eye on the trap. However, birds are easily frightened and tend to avoid confined areas.
A second method currently used to trap birds uses a mechanical trigger to activate the trap when a bird is detected. These traps do not require the constant supervision of an operator and can be positioned in an unconfined, open area of a building. The mechanical trigger is typically connected to a balance holding bait, which maintains the trigger in a resting state by its weight. When a bird approaches the bait and varies the weight on the balance, the trigger is activated and a net is thrown over the bird. A problem associated with mechanical triggers is that they can be easily triggered, setting the trap off prematurely. Another concern with unattended traps is that the operator is not aware of when a bird has been trapped unless the operator frequently checks the trap, potentially allowing the bird to be trapped for an extended amount of time. Trapped birds can become easily stressed, causing harm and potentially death.
It would thus be beneficial to develop an automated pest-trapping system that allows the humane capture and release of the pest.
A pest-trapping device includes a frame, a catch mechanism sized to fully cover the frame, an actuator, and an optical sensor operatively connected to the actuator for detecting presence of a pest. The actuator moves the catch mechanism from a first position to a second position.
Base 12 of pest-trapping device 10 provides a foundation for setting bait tray 14, sensor 16, catch mechanism 18, and actuator 20 and generally includes frame 22 and plurality of wires 24. Frame 22 has first side 26a, second side 26b, third side 26c, and fourth side 26d. Wires 24 are arranged between frame 22 in two parallel arrays that intersect each other at approximately right angles. Base 12 may be formed of any material that is capable of maintaining the targeted pest within pest-trapping device 10. For example, if the targeted pest is a rodent, base 12 may be formed of metal to prevent the rodent from chewing through base 12 and escaping. In addition, depending on the targeted pest, wires 24 may be spaced apart from each other at varying distances to ensure that the pest cannot squeeze through wires 24. Generally, the larger the targeted pest, the farther apart wires 24 may be spaced from one another. For example, if the targeted pest is a small mammal such as a raccoon, wires 24 may be spaced farther apart. If the targeted pest is a bird or a small rodent, wires 24 will be spaced closer together. This may provide an economical advantage with regard to the cost of materials required for constructing pest-trapping device 10. In an exemplary embodiment, base 12 is approximately 3 feet wide by approximately 3 feet long. Although base 12 is depicted in
Bait tray 14 is positioned within base 12 and is positioned generally equally spaced from first side 26a, second side 26b, third side 26c, and fourth side 26d of frame 22 to provide a higher likelihood of catching the pest and a lower likelihood of inadvertently harming the pest. Bait tray 14 may be filled with any bait that is desirable to the targeted pest. For example, if the targeted pest is a bird, bait tray 14 may be filled with water, nuts, corn, grain, etc. In addition, although
Optical sensor 16 generally includes transmitter 28 and receiver 30. In an exemplary embodiment, optical sensor 16 is an infrared (IR) sensor. Transmitter 28 is positioned at first side 26a of frame 22 and transmits IR beam 32 towards receiver 30, which is positioned at third side 26c of frame 22 directly across from transmitter 28. Transmitter 28 and receiver 30 must be positioned relative to one another such that the area directly between them is unobstructed. It is essential that IR beam 32 can be transmitted from transmitter 28 to receiver 30 without disruption. Bait tray 14 is typically positioned between transmitter 28 and receiver 30 proximate the path of IR beam 32. However, because IR beam 32 must be able to reach receiver 30 from transmitter 28, if bait tray 14 is positioned directly in between transmitter 28 and receiver 30, IR beam 32 is transmitted at a height greater than the height of bait tray 14. Optionally, bait tray 14 may also be positioned slightly offset from transmitter 28 and receiver 30. Although transmitter 28 and receiver 30 are depicted as being positioned at the center of first side 26a and third side 26c of base 12, transmitter 28 and receiver 30 may be positioned anywhere around the perimeter of frame 22 as long as they are positioned directly across from one another to ensure that IR beam 32 can be transmitted from transmitter 28 to receiver 30.
Any suitable transmitter 28 and receiver 30 may be used. Factors to consider in selecting transmitter 28 and receiver 30 include, but are not limited to: operation in light and dark environments, temperature resistance, and voltage fluctuation rejection. An example of a commercially suitable transmitter 28 and receiver 30 are designated SE61E and SE61R, respectively, available from Banner Engineering Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn. Although sensor 16 is discussed as being an IR sensor, sensor 16 may be any type of optical sensor without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.
Catch mechanism 18 generally includes foldable frame 34, netting 36, and first pivot joint 38a and second pivot joint 38b (collectively referred to as pivot joints 38). Catch mechanism 18 is foldable over base 12 between a first (folded) position and a second (unfolded) position. When pest-trapping device 10 is in the open position, catch mechanism 18 is pulled back to expose a portion of base 12 and bait tray 14 and is held in this position by actuator 20. Foldable frame 34 includes first side 40a, second side 40b, third side 40c, and fourth side 40d and is approximately one half the size of frame 22 of base 12. Foldable frame 34 of catch mechanism 18 is initially positioned over frame 22 of base 12 such that first side 40a of frame 34 is aligned with first side 26a of base 12, second side 40b of foldable frame 34 is aligned with second side 26b of base 12, third side 40c of foldable frame 34 is aligned with third side 26c of base 12, and fourth side 40d of foldable frame 34 is positioned in the center of base 12 parallel with first and fourth sides 26a and 26d of base 12. Netting 36 is connected to first, second, and third sides 40a-40c of foldable frame 34 and a portion of first side 26a, a portion of third side 26c, and fourth side 26d of base 12. Netting 36 is sized to fully cover base 12 and is preferably larger than the dimensions of base 12 in order to allow a trapped pest room to move within pest-trapping device 10 when pest-trapping device 10 is in the closed position. As with wires 24 of base 12, netting 36 is made of a material designed to retain the pest within pest-trapping device 10 and will vary depending on the targeted pest.
Foldable frame 34 is connected to frame 22 of base 12 at pivot joints 38 and is movable between a first position and a second position about pivot joints 38 and fourth side 40d of foldable frame 34. First pivot joint 38a is located at the intersection of first side 40a of foldable frame 34, fourth side 40d of foldable frame 34, and first side 26a of frame 22. Second pivot joint 38b is located at the intersection of third side 40c of foldable frame 34, fourth side 40d of foldable frame 34, and second side 26b of frame 22. Thus, fourth side 40d of foldable frame 34 is pivotally connected to base 12 along the center of base 12 at pivot joints 38. In the first position, second side 40b of foldable frame 34 is aligned with fourth side 26d of frame 22. In the second position, second side 40b of foldable frame 34 is aligned with second side 26b of frame 22. To position foldable frame 34 in the first position, foldable frame 34 is pivoted about pivot joints 38 such that second side 40b of foldable frame 34 pivots away from second side 26b of frame 22 of base 12 and towards fourth side 26d of frame 22 of base 12. Although foldable frame 34 is depicted in
Actuator 20 maintains catch mechanism 18 in the folded position with second side 40b of foldable frame 34 aligned with fourth side 26d of frame 22 of base 12. Actuator 20 generally includes solenoid 42, latch mechanism 44, and first spring 46a and second spring 46b (collectively referred to as springs 46). Latch mechanism 44 is connected to fourth side 26d of frame 22 of base 12 and is engagable with solenoid 42 and maintains catch mechanism 18 in the folded position. First spring 46a is located at first pivot joint 38a and second spring 46b is located at second pivot joint 38b directly opposite first spring 46a. As foldable frame 34 pivots about pivot joints 38 to the first position, springs 46 become loaded and are held back only by latch mechanism 44.
As previously mentioned, arm 48 extends from loop 52 to solenoid 42, which is movable between a first position and a second position. Solenoid 42 includes support structure 58 and retractable element 60. Support structure 58 stabilizes retractable element 60 to solenoid 42 and in combination with retractable element 60, functions to retain second side 40b of foldable frame 34 to fourth side 26d of frame 12 when solenoid 42 is in the first position. Second end 56 of arm 48 is engagable with retractable element 60 of solenoid 42 and is pinned under retractable element 60 when solenoid 42 is in the first position. With second end 56 of arm 48 engaged with retractable element 60, foldable frame 34 is maintained in the folded position. When actuator 20 is triggered, solenoid 42 moves to the second position, retracting retractable element 60 inward towards solenoid 42 and releasing second end 56 of arm 48 (
Pest-trapping device 10 may also optionally include a notification system 62 for sending a signal to a remote location when catch mechanism 18 has been triggered. For example, notification system 62 may send a message through a cellular network or paging system. Notification system 62 minimizes the time a trapped pest spends in pest-trapping device 10, allowing for quicker release and improving the humane feature of trapping live animals.
When an obstruction, such as a pest, comes into the path of transmitter 28 and receiver 30, IR beam 32 breaks and cannot reach receiver 30. When IR beam 32 is broken, receiver 30 is “switched” off and closes relay coil 66 such that there is no longer any current going from receiver 30 to relay coil 66. Because no current is reaching relay coil 66, relay coil 66 closes, closing relay contact 68. When relay contact 68 is closed, current is allowed to flow to solenoid 42. As the current reaches solenoid 42, solenoid 42 becomes energized and drives retractable element 60 inward to release second end 56 of arm 48. This allows first end 54 of arm 48 to pivot about hook 50 and loop 52, releasing second side 40b of foldable frame 34 of catch mechanism 18 from base 12. Springs 46 drive second side 40b of foldable frame 34 away from fourth side 26d of frame 22 and towards second side 26b of frame 22. The electrical components of pest-trapping device 10 may be powered by either a power outlet or a battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical components used are a 12 VDC relay, a 12 VDC solenoid, and a 12 VDC transformer. Although relay coil 66 is discussed as initially being open when IR beam 32 reaches receiver 30, relay coil 66 may also be normally closed when IR beam 32 reaches receiver 30 without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. Likewise, although relay contact 68 is discussed as initially being normally closed, relay contact 68 may also be normally open with solenoid 42 receiving power to remain in the first position and breaking off power to solenoid 42 when IR beam 32 is disrupted without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.
In operation, pest-trapping device 10 is initially positioned in the first, open position by pivoting foldable frame 34 about pivots 38 and loading springs 46. In the open position, second side 40b of foldable frame 34 of catch mechanism 18 is positioned over fourth side 26d of frame 22 of base 12. Pest-trapping device 10 is maintained in this position by latch mechanism 44 of actuator 20. Once pest-trapping device 10 in the first position, bait tray 14 is filled with bait and positioned on base 12. Infrared (IR) beam 32 is then transmitted from transmitter 28 to receiver 30 at least partially over bait tray 14 or proximate bait tray 14. As long as receiver 30 detects IR beam 32, relay 64 maintains solenoid 42, and actuator 20, in the first position. When IR beam 32 is disrupted, solenoid 42 is powered on and retracts retractable element 60 of latch mechanism 44. The retraction of retractable element 60 disengages second end 56 of arm 48 from solenoid 42 and triggers springs 46 of actuator 20. Springs 46 drive catch mechanism 18 to the unfolded position with netting 36 covering base 12. Optionally, a signal may be sent to a remote location upon disruption of IR beam 32 by notification system 62 to inform an operator that catch mechanism 18 of pest-trapping device 10 has been activated.
In operation, the second embodiment of pest-trapping device 100 functions the same as the first embodiment of pest-trapping device 10. Catch mechanism 102 includes foldable frame 104 that is movable between an open position and a closed position (shown in
The pest-trapping device traps pests humanely and without the need of an operator continuously monitoring the pest-trapping device. The pest-trapping device generally includes a base, an optical sensor, a catch mechanism, and an actuator. The optical sensor transmits an optical beam over the base and replaces the need for a mechanical trigger. When the beam is disrupted, it triggers the actuator, which normally holds the catch mechanism in an open position. The catch mechanism is movable between a first (open) position and a second (closed) position. In the first position, the pest-trapping device exposes bait used to lure a pest. When the pest enters the base and disrupts the optical beam, the pest-trapping device moves to the second position and traps the pest within the catch mechanism. A notification system may be operatively connected to the pest-trapping device to send notification to an operator once the catch mechanism has been triggered. The pest may be released after it has been caught.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
