US4360987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gnat trap
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-03-18
•
Granted: 1982-11-30
•
Expires: 2001-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A trap for catching and destroying small flying gnats consists of two main components, namely, top and bottom transparent chambers. The top chamber is removably mounted in a spaced relationship on the bottom chamber. The bottom wall of the top chamber is formed with a large central opening defined by an externally threaded cylindrical sleeve which is engaged within a complementary-shaped internally threaded cylindrical sleeve which surrounds a large central opening formed in the top wall of the bottom chamber. A plurality of small holes are formed in the bottom wall of the top chamber and are spaced about the large central opening. A fermenting liquid which is attractive to gnats is contained in the bottom chamber. The odor of the liquid escapes through the small holes and attracts the gnats which fly into the top chamber through the small holes where they become trapped and subsequently die and fall into the liquid in the bottom chamber. The holes are of a sufficient size to enable the gnats to enter the trap but small enough to restrict their escape therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 James Lowder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:10
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M1/00; A01M1/10; A01M1/106; A01M1/02; A01M2200/00; A01M2200/01; A01M2200/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A gnat trap including: (a) a bottom chamber having top, bottom and side walls, said bottom chamber being adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, the odor of which is attractive to gnats; (b) a top chamber having top, bottom and side walls, said top chamber being mounted on and supported by the top wall of the bottom chamber with at least a portion of said bottom wall of the top chamber being spaced from the top wall of the bottom chamber; (c) a first large opening formed generally in the center of the bottom chamber top wall and a second large opening formed in the center of the top chamber bottom wall, said large openings being in alignment with each other providing communication between said top and bottom chambers; and (d) a plurality of small holes formed in the bottom wall of the top chamber and spaced about the large opening in said bottom wall, said small holes permitting the odor of the liquid in the bottom chamber to escape from the chambers to attract gnats into said chambers through the small holes, with said small holes being of sufficient size to permit gnats to enter the top chamber yet restrict their exiting therefrom whereupon the gnats become entrpped in said chambers and subsequently die.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A gnat trap including: (a) a bottom chamber having top, bottom and side walls, said bottom chamber being adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, the odor of which is attractive to gnats; (b) a top chamber having top, bottom and side walls, said top chamber being mounted on and supported by the top wall of the bottom chamber with at least a portion of said bottom wall of the top chamber being spaced from the top wall of the bottom chamber; (c) a first large opening formed generally in the center of the bottom chamber top wall and a second large opening formed in the center of the top chamber bottom wall, said large openings being in alignment with each other providing communication between said top and bottom chambers; and (d) a plurality of small holes formed in the bottom wall of the top chamber and spaced about the large opening in said bottom wall, said small holes permitting the odor of the liquid in the bottom chamber to escape from the chambers to attract gnats into said chambers through the small holes, with said small holes being of sufficient size to permit gnats to enter the top chamber yet restrict their exiting therefrom whereupon the gnats become entrpped in said chambers and subsequently die.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 1 in which the first and second large openings are defined by cylindrical sleeves; in which one of said cylindrical sleeves is externally threaded and the other of said cylindrical sleeves is internally threaded; and in which said threaded sleeves are cooperatively engaged with each other to removably mount the top chamber on the bottom chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 1 in which the top and bottom chamber forming walls are formed of a transparent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 1 in which the small holes formed in the bottom wall of the top chamber are arranged in a circular configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 1 in which the top and bottom chambers have cylindrical configurations, the diameters of which are approximately equal to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 5 in which the top wall of the top chamber has a dome-shaped configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 5 in which the bottom wall of the bottom chamber has an outer annular area which forms a base for supporting the trap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 1 in which the top and bottom chambers are formed of a plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The gnat trap defined in claim 1 in which the bottom wall of the top chamber is spaced vertically above the top wall of the bottom chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US117489A
Cited
US128982A
Cited
US420490A
Cited
US1091550A
Cited
US1419859A
Cited
US4218842A
Cited
US4328636A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-29 | 1986-05-31 | 1986-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-29 | 1990-05-31 | 1990-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-29 | 1994-05-31 | 1994-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |