Two-door cage trap with over-center set mechanism

Abstract

A cage-type animal trap with two opposed animal access openings that can operate in a one-door-opening configuration or a two-door-opening configuration. The trap has an over-center set mechanism for holding one or both doors open to allow access through the corresponding trap access openings. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the doors of the trap by an actuating member. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots past its over-center position to allow movement of the actuating member which enables one of the doors to move from an opened position to a closed position when the trap is operating in a one-door-opening configuration, and both of the doors to move from the opened positionto the closed position when the trap is operating in the two-door-opening configuration.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending US Serial No. 11 / 600,085 filed on November 16, 2006, from which priority is claimed. technical field [0002] The present invention relates to a cage-type animal trap, which is generally used for trapping small to medium-sized animals in the wild without harming the trapped animals. The trap typically includes a cage or the like constructed of wire mesh or the like, having a cage door that can be held open by a trigger mechanism until the animal is lured into the trap by a suitable pre-placed bait. until the device. After the animal enters the interior of the trap, the animal's body weight presses on the trigger mechanism and triggers the trip mechanism, which releases and closes the cage door, thereby trapping the animal inside the cage. Background technique [0003] Cage traps of the prior art have special setting and release mechanisms that typically consist of a chassis, a trigger lever, a latch, a cage doo...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] Another problem with prior art cage traps is the complexity and unreliability of the trigger or actuation mechanism used to initiate closure of the cage door

Due to the complex set-up of prior art designs, the force required to trigger the trap changes

Failure to capture animals can occur if the force required is extreme or a malfunctioning trip occurs due to lack of stability in the set position

Complicated trigger or actuation mechanisms also make it difficult to set the trap and increase the risk of misuse

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