US3975857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rodent trap
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-05-12
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved rodent trap for use where sanitary conditions are required. The trap housing includes a rodent activated trip mechanism which dislodges a door prop causing the spring or weight biased door to latch shut trapping the rodent inside. Air seals are provided around the door so the rodent is caused to suffocate. A transparent inspection panel, which may be the door, is provided for allowing the user to determine whether the trapped rodent is still alive.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M. Branson
- 👤 Kermit A. Klitzke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:54
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M23/00; A01M23/16; A01M23/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A rodent trap comprising: a. a housing of predetermined longitudinal dimension defining an enclosure, the housing having a door opening in one end thereof which is oblique relative to the housing; b. a door hingedly attached to said housing adjacent said oblique opening and operable to close the opening; c. means attached to said door for normally urging said door to its closed position; d. means associated with said door and said housing for forming an air tight seal when said door is in its closed position; e. an abutment member attached to said housing; f. a door prop member having one end connected to said door and having a shoulder formed therein for normally engaging said abutment member to hold said door in its open position; g. a flat treadle platform having first and second ends disposed within the housing with the first end proximate the door opening, the treadle platform being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends above the housing floor, the second end of the treadle platform adapted to receive rodent bait; h. and a trip lever having one end connected to the treadle platform between said intermediate point and the first end thereof and having its other end disposed for engagement with said door prop member, the trip lever adapted to engage and move said door prop off said abutment member in response to pivoting of said treadle platform, whereby the door is caused to close in response to a rodent entering the trap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A rodent trap comprising: a. a housing of predetermined longitudinal dimension defining an enclosure, the housing having a door opening in one end thereof which is oblique relative to the housing; b. a door hingedly attached to said housing adjacent said oblique opening and operable to close the opening; c. means attached to said door for normally urging said door to its closed position; d. means associated with said door and said housing for forming an air tight seal when said door is in its closed position; e. an abutment member attached to said housing; f. a door prop member having one end connected to said door and having a shoulder formed therein for normally engaging said abutment member to hold said door in its open position; g. a flat treadle platform having first and second ends disposed within the housing with the first end proximate the door opening, the treadle platform being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends above the housing floor, the second end of the treadle platform adapted to receive rodent bait; h. and a trip lever having one end connected to the treadle platform between said intermediate point and the first end thereof and having its other end disposed for engagement with said door prop member, the trip lever adapted to engage and move said door prop off said abutment member in response to pivoting of said treadle platform, whereby the door is caused to close in response to a rodent entering the trap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1 wherein said means for urging said door comprises a spring for biasing said door in a closed direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1 wherein said means for urging said door comprises a weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1 further including latch means associated with said door and said housing for holding said door closed after it has closed in response to a rodent entering the trap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1 wherein said trip lever includes an eyelet on said other end, said eyelet encircling said door prop member, and wherein said other end of said door prop member includes a U-shaped catch for engaging said abutment member, whereby said door of said trap is automatically reset when it is manually opened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a transparent inspection panel for viewing the contents of the trap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rodent trap according to claim 6 wherein said transparent inspection panel is removably connected to said housing in air sealed relationship, and is removable for emptying the contents of said trap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A rodent trap according to claim 7 wherein said housing is generally rectangular in configuration, having said hinged door at one end thereof, and having said removably connected transparent inspection panel in the other end thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rodent trap according to claim 8 wherein said housing has slots near said other end for slideably receiving said transparent inspection panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a removable panel removably connected to said housing in air sealing relationship thereto, said panel being removable for emptying the contents of said trap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a rectangular top and floor and trapezoidal sides, the top being of lesser longitudinal dimension than the floor in conformance with said trapezoidal sides, and said door in its closed position defines an obtuse angle with the top and an acute angle with the floor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1, and further comprising means associated with said second end of the treadle platform for securing rodent bait thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rodent trap according to claim 1, wherein the door prop member is pivotally connected to the door member, and the trip lever is pivotally connected to the treadle platform.
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) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |