US4074456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pest trap
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-10-18
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1996-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A trap containing a bait to attract rodents, insects and like pests comprising a box-shaped enclosure having a plurality of elbow configured passageways. A first open circuit powered by a voltage source is positioned within the enclosure so as to form a labyrinth of closely spaced electrical conductors which are disposed in partially surrounding relationship to the bait. The pest will detect the presence of the bait with the aid of a plurality of vents integrally formed within the walls of the enclosure. In pursuit of the bait, the pest upon entering the enclosure by means of the passageway, proceeds to trigger a tripper hingedly attached to the passageway which in turn activates a second open circuit mounted within the passageway, and thereby electrifies the retreating pest. If the pest does not retreat but proceeds toward the bait, it is electrocuted by the first open circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Wayne Tidwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M1/00; A01M1/20; A01M1/2005; A01M1/2011; A01M1/22; A01M1/223; A01M23/00; A01M23/38; A01M2200/00; A01M2200/01; A01M2200/011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A trap apparatus containing a bait to attract rodents, insects, and like pests, comprising: an enclosure; means for entry into said enclosure; a source of electricity; a first open circuit powered by said source of electricity positioned within said enclosure and disposed in surrounding relationship to the bait, whereby the pest must engage said first open circuit to reach the bait; a second open circuit mounted within the interior of said entry means; a tripper yieldably attached to said entry means; said tripper disposed for electrical activation of said second open circuit upon receiving the weight of the pest, whereby the pest must engage said second open circuit to retreat up said entry means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A trap apparatus containing a bait to attract rodents, insects, and like pests, comprising: an enclosure; means for entry into said enclosure; a source of electricity; a first open circuit powered by said source of electricity positioned within said enclosure and disposed in surrounding relationship to the bait, whereby the pest must engage said first open circuit to reach the bait; a second open circuit mounted within the interior of said entry means; a tripper yieldably attached to said entry means; said tripper disposed for electrical activation of said second open circuit upon receiving the weight of the pest, whereby the pest must engage said second open circuit to retreat up said entry means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further compromising; a safety shut-off connection disposed in circuit deactivating relationship between said source of electricity and said first and second open circuits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said second open circuit includes third and fourth electrical conductors aligned in spaced apart close proximity relationship relative to each other; said voltage source including a first and second terminal; said third conductor electrically connected to said first terminal of said source of electricity; said fourth conductor electrically connected to said tripper; said tripper having a normal position in which said tripper is electrically disengaged from said second terminal of said source of electricity and a tripped position in which said tripper is disposed in electrical interconnection with said second terminal of said source of electricity upon receiving the weight of the pest; fastener means mounted to the bottom of said enclosure and aligned for locking engagement with said tripper when said tripper is in its tripped position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said means for entry into said enclosure comprises at least one elbow shaped passageway means mounted in the wall of said enclosure for the pest to enter said enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said first open circuit including a first and second electrical wire conductor mounted on the floor of said enclosure and aligned in continuous rodent and insect killing spaced relationship relative to each other; said first conductor electrically connected to said first terminal of said source of electricity; said second conductor electrically connected to said second terminal of said source of electricity; said first and second conductors disposed in repeated wrap-around surrounding relationship relative to the centrally located bait with each successive wrap of said conductors having a smaller perimeter.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of eliminating rodents, insects, and like pests including the steps of: placing a bait within an enclosure to attract the pest into entering the enclosure; inviting the pest to enter by means of at least one non-linear shaped passageway; and activating a second open circuit in the passageway after the pest has entered the same to prevent the pest from retreating up the passageway; electrocuting the pest by placing a first open circuit in the path the pest must take in order to reach the bait.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of eliminating rodents, insects, and like pests including the steps of: placing a bait within an enclosure to attract the pest into entering the enclosure; inviting the pest to enter by means of at least one non-linear shaped passageway; and activating a second open circuit in the passageway after the pest has entered the same to prevent the pest from retreating up the passageway; electrocuting the pest by placing a first open circuit in the path the pest must take in order to reach the bait.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the method of claim 6, the step of activating a second open circuit further defined to include the steps of placing a tripper in the path of the pest exiting from the passageway, and activating a second open circuit positioned in the passageway by allowing the pest to engage the tripper.
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) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |