US3762093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable mousetrap
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-08
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1992-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A mousetrap including a boxlike body having an opening therein which is selectively closed by a door. Mouse constraining structure is included for holding the mouse firmly against the bottom side of the boxlike body. The mouse constraining structure is pivotally attached to the door and closing the door is effective to move the mouse constraining structure to a constrained position, and opening the door is effective to move the mouse constraining structure upward to a released position. A spring is included for urging the door closed and a triggering device is provided which has a cocked position and a tripped position. Opening the door is effective to move the triggering device to the cocked position wherein the door is held open and subsequent movement of the triggering device to the tripped position is effective to release the door, thereby allowing it to snap closed. The mouse is constrained against the bottom side of the boxlike body and in the event he is able to free himself therefrom, he is still captured within the enclosed boxlike body. One embodiment of the constraining structure is intended to deliver a lethal blow to the mouse as the door snaps closed.
Inventors
- 👤 W Rohde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:26
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M23/00; A01M23/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A disposable mousetrap comprising elongated tubular means having one of the ends thereof open and the opposite end being closed, a door for closing said open end, a pair of lugs fixedly attached to said door and projecting into the open end of said tubular means adjacent the upper side thereof, one of said lugs being provided with a detent, pivot means for pivotally attaching said lug means to said tubulaR means enabling said door to pivot about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position, mouse constraining means for holding the mouse firmly against the bottom side of said tubular means, said mouse constraining means having a constrained position and a released position and being disposed within said tubular means having one of the ends thereof terminating adjacent said closed end of said tubular means, means coupled to said constraining means and to said door for moving said mouse constraining means to said constrained position in response to closing of said door and for carrying said mouse constraining means upward to said released position in response to opening of said door, spring means for urging said door towards said closed position, and trigger means pivotally attached to said tubular means and movable to a cocked position in response to movement of said door to said open position wherein a first portion of said trigger means engages said detent for holding said door in said open position and for releasing said door in response to movement of said trigger means to a tripped position wherein said first portion of said trigger means moves away from said detent for releasing said door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A disposable mousetrap comprising elongated tubular means having one of the ends thereof open and the opposite end being closed, a door for closing said open end, a pair of lugs fixedly attached to said door and projecting into the open end of said tubular means adjacent the upper side thereof, one of said lugs being provided with a detent, pivot means for pivotally attaching said lug means to said tubulaR means enabling said door to pivot about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position, mouse constraining means for holding the mouse firmly against the bottom side of said tubular means, said mouse constraining means having a constrained position and a released position and being disposed within said tubular means having one of the ends thereof terminating adjacent said closed end of said tubular means, means coupled to said constraining means and to said door for moving said mouse constraining means to said constrained position in response to closing of said door and for carrying said mouse constraining means upward to said released position in response to opening of said door, spring means for urging said door towards said closed position, and trigger means pivotally attached to said tubular means and movable to a cocked position in response to movement of said door to said open position wherein a first portion of said trigger means engages said detent for holding said door in said open position and for releasing said door in response to movement of said trigger means to a tripped position wherein said first portion of said trigger means moves away from said detent for releasing said door.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The mousetrap of claim 4 in which said trigger means includes a second portion disposed adjacent said closed end, said trap being baited by placing bait between said closed end and said second portion of said trigger means, said second portion depending from said first portion and extending downwardly adjacent the bottom side of said tubular means, said second portion including barrier means for denying access of the bait to the mouse, said barrier means and said constraining means defining in part a channel for accommodating the mouse, said barrier means tapering downwardly at the terminus of said channel to force the mouse to engage his nose therewith in his eagerness to gain access to the bait.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mousetrap of claim 4 in which said tubular means and said door are opaque to prevent viewing the captured mouse.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |