FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method to trap vermin. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Vermin including rats, rodents and the like will cause damage to their surroundings and bring in potential diseases. They are keen to live in walls, below the floors or in the ceilings of dwellings. Rats will eat human food as well as wood, paper, cloth and books, etc. They also will chew on the insulation around wires which causes a real threat of fire. Moreover, rats have been known to spread serious diseases, for instance, Black Death which killed millions of people across Europe in the 14 ^th century. Even now, rats are the major source of diseases in some of developing countries. Accordingly, it has long been a goal to eliminate rats or at least control their population.

[0003] In the prior art, poison baits were used. Whist somewhat effective the rodent after eating the bait usually is able to move to their hideout where they die leading to unwanted smells in areas hard to reach.

[0004] The object of this invention is to resolve the above drawbacks in the prior art or provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In an aspect of the invention there is provided a vermin trap comprising:

an inlet set through an entrance of the trap, a curved floor within the trap that can move between two positions, in the first position allowing the vermin to enter partially into the trap, the floor moving into the second position due to the weight of the vermin and enabling the vermin to enter into the rest of the trap, wherein when the vermin steps off the curved floor into the trap, the floor moves back into the first position preventing the vermin from exiting the trap through the inlet.

[0006] In preference the trap includes a window at the end of the trap to entice the vermin to enter the trap. [0007] In reference the trap further includes a landing platform, which is horizontally adjacent to the curved flow when in the second position.

[0008] In preference the rap further comprises a finger flange which protrudes down from the roof of the trap enough the end of the curved floor when in the first position.

[0009] In preference the trap further comprises a false exist chamber horizontally attached to the trap.

[0010] In preference the end of the curved floor covers a funnel when in the second position and uncovers it when in the first position causing the vermin to fall into the funnel.

[0011] In preference the funnel includes a drop door which opens under the weight of the vermin causing them to drop into a secure containment chamber.

[0012] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[001S] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0014] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional outline of the apparatus embodying the invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus which is installed in a wall according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure S is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus which is installed in a wall according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged drawing of the finger flange according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 is a top view of the apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the outline of the apparatus embodying the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0021] Referring to Fig 1, it is a three-dimensional outline of the apparatus embodying the invention. There are two separate key components of the present invention, one is trap 200, which is used for trapping rats, and the other is a tongue 100, set through the entrance of the trap which forms an inlet inducing a rat to enter the trap 200.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, there is an elongated rectangular entrance chamber 210 which is designed to fit in a wall, a fence or barriers whereas the tongue 100 is resting on the bottom side of the trap 200 or on the floor. The elongated rectangular entrance chamber 210 contains tongue 100.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, there is also a false exit chamber 250 which can induce a rat to enter the trap thinking that the trap leads to somewhere. A funnel 260 with a drop door 262 leads to a rat falling out of the trap into a secure area.

[0024] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, when the apparatus provided by the present invention is installed, it is positioned to extend horizontally through a hole in the wall. The size of the diameter of the hole is bigger than the cross section of a rodent. A tongue 100 extends into the trap. It can be located fully inside the trap 200 or extend partially outside the trap 200. As illustrated in Figure 2, the tongue 100 is left partly outside the trap 200. Inside the trap the tongue curves upwards in its resting position. The tongue 100 is used as a one-way inlet, for enticing vermin to enter the trap 200.

[0025] The trap 200 has a trapping chamber 220 including an enticement window 221, which induces a rat going further into the trap until is completely contained in the trap 200.

[0026] The curve of the tongue 100 forms a see-saw structure with a fulcrum 110. It indicates that the tongue 100 acts like a seesaw. The original state of the tongue 100 is in a closed position. When a rat walks along the outwards part of the tongue 100 in relation to the wall, the tongue 100 will not be swung until the rat arrives the fulcrum 110. When the rat walks on the inwards part of the tongue 100 in relation to the wall, the tongue 100 will slowly move downwards into the trap to be in an open position.

[0027] The trap 200 of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a landing platform 230, which is horizontally adjacent to the tongue 100 when it is in a fully opened position. A fully opened position means when a rat rests on the most far edge of the tongue 100, due to the seesaw structure of the tongue 100, it will be seesawed by the rat's weight against gravity in relation to the fulcrum 110. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the landing platform 230 is the ground of the trapping chamber 220.

[0028] The trap 200 of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a finger flange 240 which protrudes down from the roof of the trapping chamber 220 enough to hide the end of the tongue 100 when it is in a closed position.

[0029] The trap 200 of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a false exist chamber 250 horizontally attached to the trap 200, which leads vermin going further into the trap until they are no longer on the tongue which then swings upwards trapping the rodent.

[0030] The trap 200 of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a funnel 260. The funnel 260 is formed by a steep ramp 261 which begins from the edge of the landing platform 230 and slopes down away from it, and an opposite sloping ramp 261 across from it which is attached and extends down and away from the floor of an elongated rectangular entrance chamber 210 . The distance between the top of each ramp 261 is a vermin's body length. This equal and opposite ramp 261 is slightly steeper and begins under the point where the tongue 100 begins to curve upwards. The two ramps slope down to form the funnel 260.

[0031] The trap 200 of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a drop door 262 which can be closed or opened by the weight of a rat. When the rat is in the funnel 260 it then falls through the drop door 262 which opens due to the weight of the rat and automatically closes due to a counterweight. Thus, the rat exits the trapping chamber to a secure container from which they can be collected, or drops into a bucket of water and the like where the animal drowns.

[0032] If using a live catch facility, it must take the vermin away from the trap as the smell of it may inhibit other animals entering the trap. A bucket of water is the best option as it reduces the smell and allows whole families to be trapped.

[0033] The apparatus provided by the present invention does not need any bait in terms of food or smell for vermin, but relies on the natural curiosity of a rodent to explore their surrounding areas. The enticing window further assists in guiding the rodent into the trap. In addition the false exist chamber 250 also induces rats going to make sure that they are completely contained in the trapping chamber 220. In addition, funnel 260 is set at the bottom of the trap 200 and drops the rat into say a bucket of water from which they cannot escape.

[0034] The curve of the tongue 100 forms a see-saw structure with a fulcrum 110 or a hinge set beneath and connected to the tongue 100 at the position between the flattened end 111 and the curved end 112. It indicates that the tongue 100 can be swung like a seesaw using the fulcrum 110. The original state of the tongue 100 is in a closed position. When a rat walks along the flattened end 111 of the tongue 100, the tongue 100 will not be swung until the rat arrives the fulcrum 110. When the rat walks on the curved end 112 of the tongue 100, the weight of the rat lifts the flattened end 111 which means the tongue 100 will be swung. At this stage, the tongue 100 is in an opened position. The open angle will become bigger and bigger along with the rat walking forward more and more into the trap because the curved end 112 is depressed down by the weight of the rat. When the rat stops at the most left edge of the tongue 100, the tongue 100 will be in a fully opened position as the dash line illustrated in figure 3. It means the rat can step off the tongue 100 and step onto the landing platform 230, thus into the chamber 220. The trapping chamber 220 may be large enough to accommodate four or five large animals.

[0035] The trap 200 further comprises a finger flange 240 which protrudes down from the roof of the trapping chamber 220 enough to hide the end of the tongue 100 when it is in a closed position preventing the rat from grabbing the end of the tongue and swinging it into the closed position.

[0036] An enticement window 221 induces a rat going further. Then the rat can enter chamber 220. As the rat turns around its tail will no longer be in with tongue 100 which is weighted down and consequently swings back up to the closed position. The rat is then trapped.

[0037] False exist chamber 250 horizontally attached to the trapping chamber 220, can lead the rat or other vermin further into the trap if it does not turn around. It ensures that the rat enters the trapping chamber 220 completely and is trapped by the apparatus of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged drawing of the finger flange. As it is illustrated, a finger flange 240 protrudes down from the roof of the trapping chamber 220 enough to hide the end of the tongue 100 when it is in a closed position. It indicates that if a rat completely enters in the trapping chamber 220, it is unable to step onto or grab the tongue 100 because it is behind the finger flange 240 which cannot be seen by the rat.

[0039] A drop door 262 at the bottom of the funnel 260 is also detailed shown in figure 4. It can be closed or opened against the weight of a rat. When the rat is funnelled to the bottom of the ramps 261 and falls through the drop door 262 which opens due to the weight of the rat and automatically closes due to a counterweight.

[0040] Figure 5 is a top view of the apparatus. As shown in figure 5, the false exit chamber 250 is horizontally attached to the trapping chamber 220. It can lead a rat or other vermin going further into the trap.

[0041] Referring to Figure 6, it shows the bottom of the apparatus with the drop door 262. Normally the apparatus is installed in a wall in order to trap rats, the bottom of which should be facing to the ground. When a rat is funnelled to the bottom of the ramps 261 and falls through the drop door, it will drop through the drop door 262.

[0042] According to an implementation embodiment of the present invention, it provides a method to trap vermin. It comprises an inlet enticing vermin to go into the trap; an enticement window to induce vermin going further into the trap so that the vermin enters the trap completely. Furthermore, the floor of the apparatus curves slowly upwards to form a see-saw structure with a fulcrum or a hinge or a point, and the method comprises an original state of the inlet is a closed position and when the floor is seesawed by the vermin, the inlet will be in an opened position.

[0043] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides an apparatus and method of trap of vermin without using a bait. Additionally, it can catch the vermin using a false exit chamber.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0044] The drawings include the following integers.

100 a tongue 110 a fulcrum

111 the flattened end 112 the curved end

210 a rectangular entrance chamber

220 a trapping chamber

221 an enticement window 230 landing platform

240 a finger flange 250 a false exit chamber

260 a funnel

261 a steep ramp

262 a drop door

[0045] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0046] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.