Methods and equipment for controlling pests

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling pests includes: a housing having a channel extending from an inlet into the housing; an impact member movable through the channel; and a planar sensor spaced a predetermined distance along the channel toward the inlet from a killing rod, the planar sensor being configured to sense the presence of a pest traversing a sensing plane passing through the channel, wherein when the planar sensor indicates the presence of a pest traversing the sensing plane, the impact member is operable to be released to rapidly move through the channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the control of harmful animal populations, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for terminating and containing rodent populations without the use of toxic substances. Background Technology

[0002] Rodents, such as rats and mice, as well as other animals, are common pests in many places. Traditional attempts to control pests usually fall into two categories: trapping or poisoning them. This traditional method is unsatisfactory. In particular, the use of poison has been found to carry the risk of poisoning or killing other species that may also consume the poisoned bait or the carcasses of animals that have died from poisoning.

[0003] Furthermore, traditional rodent traps are also unsatisfactory. In particular, common rodent traps utilize a spring-loaded arm released by a catcher, which is designed to capture and typically kill the animal. One drawback of this type of trap is that it can only be used once before it needs to be inspected and reset by the user.

[0004] The applicant recognized the need to correct the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an automated rodent trap utilizing a trigger lever positioned within a chamber into which rodents are attracted by bait. The trigger lever, when rotated by a rodent, releases a valve, thereby releasing a spring-loaded killing mechanism operable to impact and kill the rodent within the chamber. An example of such a device can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0202206 by Bond et al. Disadvantageously, such a device relies on the movement of the trigger lever, which can be prone to erroneous results due to movement of the device or the presence of other objects. Furthermore, such a device allows the rodent's carcass to fall to the ground below the device, which predators can then remove and consume. However, this removal of the carcass hinders the collection of carcasses for studying the effectiveness of such a device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first embodiment, a device for controlling pests is disclosed, comprising: a housing having a channel extending from an inlet into the housing; an impact member movable through the channel; and a planar sensor spaced a predetermined distance along the channel toward the inlet from a killing rod, the planar sensor being configured to sense the presence of a pest traversing a sensing plane passing through the channel, wherein, when the planar sensor indicates the presence of a pest traversing the sensing plane, the impact member is operable to be released to rapidly move through the channel.

[0006] Planar sensors can be selected from the group consisting of infrared, ultrasonic, and laser sensors. A planar sensor can be confined to a sensing plane. The planar sensor may include a lens thereon that substantially blocks sensing except through a slot defining the sensing plane. The planar sensor may include a transmitter and a receiver. The device may also include a controller operable to move an impact member through a channel to impact a harmful animal upon receiving a signal from the planar sensor.

[0007] The channel may have a base plate and at least one wall extending around the channel. The base plate is rotatable from a horizontal position to a lowered vertical position. After the impact member strikes a pest, the base plate can be rotated to the lowered vertical position. The base plate can be released by a trapping element to lower it to the vertical position. The device may also include a reset lifter adapted to return the base plate to a horizontal position. The device may also include a collection box located below the base plate, in which pest carcasses are deposited through the base plate into the collection box.

[0008] The device may also include two planar sensors spaced apart from the opposite side of the impact member along the channel. The impact member may be configured to strike the pest when both planar sensors indicate the presence of the pest at their sensing planes. The two planar sensors may be equidistant from the impact member. Alternatively, the two planar sensors may be spaced at a distance corresponding to the distance from the nose to the neck of the target pest.

[0009] The impact member may include a substantially vertically extending rod. The impact member is movable between a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the channel. The device may also include a drive mechanism for moving the impact member between the first and second positions along the animal striking path.

[0010] The drive mechanism may include a spring. The device may also include a reset motor adapted to move the impact member to a first position.

[0011] The animal's striking path can be linear. The animal's striking path can be arc-shaped. The animal's striking path can be substantially horizontal. The animal's striking path can be substantially vertical.

[0012] The device may also include a non-movable surface opposite the first position, wherein the second position faces the non-movable surface. The path may include a substantially transparent wall. The device may also include a bait dispenser operable to release bait into the channel.

[0013] According to a first embodiment, a method for controlling pests is disclosed, comprising: providing a housing having a channel extending therefrom an entrance; sensing the presence of a pest at a sensing plane extending through the channel using a first planar sensor; and, in response to the first planar sensor detecting the presence of a pest at the sensing plane, causing an impact member to move rapidly through the channel, wherein the impact member is located at a distance from the sensing plane toward the entrance, the distance being selected as corresponding to the distance between the nose and neck of the pest.

[0014] The method may further include: providing a second planar sensor spaced at the same distance from the first planar sensor from the impact member. The method may also include: providing second inlets leading to each end of the channel.

[0015] According to another embodiment, a device for controlling pests is disclosed, comprising: a housing having a channel therein, the channel having a base plate member; and an animal killing mechanism located within the path, the path having a rotatable base plate operable to rotate downward after the killing mechanism kills the pest.

[0016] The equipment may also include a collection box located below the base plate. The casing may be spaced above the ground to allow the culled pests to settle beneath it.

[0017] The animal killing mechanism may be located within the base plate. The animal killing mechanism may include an electrified plate operable to deliver a lethal charge to animals thereon.

[0018] Animal extermination mechanisms may include impactors adapted to deliver extermination blows to harmful animals within a passageway. The device may also include sensors adapted to detect the presence of a target harmful animal at a desired location within the passageway to trigger the animal extermination mechanism.

[0019] Other aspects and features of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings form part of this disclosure. The various drawings illustrate exemplary aspects, wherein similar reference numerals denote corresponding portions in the respective views.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a device for controlling harmful animals according to a first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the device, with the top cover removed.

[0023] Figure 3yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the device, in which the impactor is in the first or ready position.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the device, in which the impactor is in the second or striking position.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a top plan view of the sliding arm in the first or ready position.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a top plan view of the sliding arm in the second or striking position.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a top plan view of a rotating arm according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a partial perspective view illustrating the path of the sensor's sensing plane.

[0029] Figure 9 This is an exploded bottom view of a sensor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the control system of the equipment.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a passageway in a device for controlling harmful animals according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of an apparatus for controlling harmful animals according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Aspects of this disclosure will now be described with reference to exemplary devices, methods, and systems. Figure 1 An exemplary device for controlling pests according to a first embodiment is generally shown as 10. Device 10 includes a housing 12 having a path therethrough, as will be described more fully below. Channel 30 includes an impact member positioned to move through the path to kill the rodent before it falls into a container at the bottom of the device.

[0034] As used herein, the term "pesticide" will be understood to mean any group of animals that is expected to be controlled. In particular, the term "animal" is not intended to be restrictive, but can be used to describe any animal, including but not limited to birds, rabbits, rodents, and, by non-restrictive examples, rats, mice, squirrels, marmots, or any other animal species that are considered pesticides.

[0035] The housing 12 can be formed into any suitable shape and extends between the top 14 and bottom 16, the first side 18 and the second side 20, and the front 22 and the rear 24, respectively. The housing 12 can be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic, metal, or composite materials. The housing 12 includes... Figure 2 A passage, generally indicated by 30, extends near the front portion 22 between the first side 18 and the second side 20. This path is substantially isolated from the rest of the shell 12 to prevent rodents entering the passage 30 from entering the rest of the shell 12. Each of the first side 18 and the second side 20 includes one or more orifices or openings 32 passing through it to allow rodents to enter the passage 30. Figure 1 and Figure 2 For example, device 10 may also include a ramp or tube 34 to facilitate rodent entry into passage 30. Tube 34 may be substantially flexible to allow its open end to be located in any desired position around the device, thereby increasing the flexibility of the device's position regarding the entrance location. Although this specification contemplates the device for capturing rats, it should be understood that the device may also be used to capture other types of rodents, including but not limited to mice, squirrels, and other pests, including birds such as pigeons.

[0036] like Figure 2 For example, channel 30 is formed by top wall 42 and bottom wall 44, and front wall 46 and rear wall 48 passing through the front top of housing 12. Figure 2 For illustrative purposes, the top wall 42 and the front wall 46 are transparent, but they can have any level of opacity. In particular, it has been found that transparent top walls 42 and front walls 46 may be advantageous in reducing stress on the target animal. Furthermore, one or more of the top wall 42 or the front wall 46 may have openings through them. The top wall 42 and the front wall 46 may also form the top 14 and the front 22 of the shell 12, or may be separate from these portions forming the shell. The top wall 42 and the bottom wall 44, as well as the front wall 46 and the rear wall 48, form a channel 30 through the shell. The channel 30 is chosen to have dimensions suitable for the passage of the desired rodent. By way of a non-limiting example, for use as a rat trap, the channel 30 may have a width between 2 and 2.5 inches (51 to 64 mm) and a height between 2 and 2.5 inches (51 to 64 mm) for trapping rats; however, it should be understood that other sizes may also be used for trapping different animals. The base wall 44 forms a walking surface on which rodents walk, and is therefore formed to have sufficient strength to support the weight of the rodents. The base wall 44 may also be formed to have a relatively smooth surface to allow dead rodents to slide away into the trapping area 92, as will be described more fully below.

[0037] like Figure 2For example, the top wall 42, front wall 46, and rear wall 48 are divided into portions extending from each of the first side 18 and the second side 20 of the housing, with a general gap between these portions indicated by 49. A slidable arm 50 extends from the rear wall 48 toward the front wall 46 through the gap along a path substantially planar with the top wall 42 to a free distal end 52. An impactor 54 extends downward from the slidable arm such that, as the slidable arm 50 is slidably displaced along its longitudinal path, the impactor 54 is positioned such that... Figure 3 The example shows a position that is essentially planar with the front wall 46, moved to, for example... Figure 4 The example is located near the posterior wall at position 48. It should be understood that, in Figure 4 In the illustrated retracted position, the impactor 54 will squeeze or otherwise strike the rodent's neck against the posterior wall, thereby breaking it and killing the rodent. The posterior wall 48 may optionally include a reinforcing or reinforced portion or anvil 56 adapted to resist movement as the rodent is forced into it by the movement of the impactor 54.

[0038] like Figure 2 For example, device 10 includes sensors 60 along various sides of the channel 30 to the gap 49. Sensors 60 can be selected as any suitable type to indicate the presence of rodents or other animals approaching the sensor. In particular, the sensors may include infrared sensors to detect the body heat of rodents. Alternatively, as... Figure 11 For example, sensor 60 may include a transmitter (such as light source 126) on one side of the channel and a receiver (such as light sensor 122) on the opposite side, wherein the presence of an animal between the light source and the receiver is operable to trigger the operation of the impact member. Optionally, the light source and receiver may be on the same side of the channel to detect light reflection from a target animal. In operation, controller 100 will be configured to activate the sliding arm 50 and the impactor only when both sensors 60 indicate the presence of a rodent below them. Thus, one sensor will indicate the presence of the rodent's body, while the other will indicate the presence of the rodent's head, such that the rodent's neck is positioned between the impactor 54 and the anvil 56. It should also be understood that the sensors can also be used to indicate the direction from which the rodent entered the device by indicating which sensor 60 first detected the rodent. It will also be observed that having openings 32 at each end of the channel 30 when the distances between the sensors 60 and the sliding arm 50 are equal will allow the device to kill rodents entering the device from either direction. In fact, it has been found that positioning the sensor at a distance of 1 to 1.25 inches (25 to 32 mm) from the sliding arm is suitable for capturing rats, but it should be understood that other distances are also useful for different animals.

[0039] Although an infrared sensor has been described above, it should be understood that sensor 60 can also be selected as any other type, including motion, ultrasonic, laser, or optical sensors. In particular, sensor 60 can form an infrared curtain passing through channel 30, as in... Figure 8 The overall value is designated as 62. Specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, reference is made to... Figure 9 The sensor 60 can be selected to form a curtain 62 through the path by applying a lens 64 thereon. Specifically, the lens 64 can be selected as a known Fresnel lens. The lens may have two shielding or other side portions 66 with an opening region 68 therebetween to limit the sensing area to the curtain 62. It should be understood that Fresnel lenses are known to produce a wide dispersion pattern such that a large portion of the channel 30 will be covered by the curtain 62. Although the sensor 60 is illustrated in the top wall 42, it should be understood that it can also be located in other locations, including the rear wall 48, the bottom wall 44, or the front wall 46.

[0040] Turn now Figure 5 and Figure 6 An example is illustrated of a retraction mechanism 70 for a sliding arm 50. Specifically, the sliding arm 50 may be supported by one or more, preferably at least two, supports 72 and 74. The supports may include bushings or linear bearings to allow free sliding of the sliding arm 50. Figure 5 and Figure 6 For example, a support 72 may be integrated into the front wall 46 or the anvil 56. The sliding arm 50 includes a notch 76 that cooperates with a release pin 78. The release pin 78 can be retracted via a solenoid 80 to retract upon receiving a signal from a control system, as will be described more fully below. The sliding arm 50 includes a spring 82 extending from the sliding arm 50 to the support 74 or another fixed element in the device. When the release pin 78 retracts via the solenoid 80, the spring 82 rapidly retracts the sliding arm 50 to bring the impactor 54 toward the anvil 56, thereby striking the neck of the rodent therein.

[0041] Once retracted, the control system activates motor 108 connected to reset arm 84. Figure 5 and Figure 6 (Not shown in the image). The reset arm 84 includes a wheel 86 or other support surface at its distal end. The reset arm along... Figure 6 The entire assembly rotates in the direction indicated by 88 to contact the extension 90 or other parts of the sliding arm 50, so as to push it back. Figure 5 The initial position is shown, and then the release pin 78 re-engages in the notch 76, preparing the sliding arm for another movement.

[0042] Return to Figures 2 to 4The bottom wall 44 of channel 30 can be hinged to housing 12, allowing it to rotate downwards when the rodent has been killed by impactor 54. As illustrated, the bottom wall may include a tab 55 extending upwards from the bottom wall at a position where impactor 54 is not allowed to rotate when the sliding arm 50 is held in its initial position. When the sliding arm 50 is released by release pin 78, impactor 54 is pulled back from tab 55, allowing tab and bottom wall 44 to rotate downwards, as... Figure 4 For example, when the sliding arm 50 returns to its initial position, the impactor 54 then pushes the tab 55 and thus also pushes the bottom wall 44 back to its initial position, thereby reforming the channel 30. The capture area 92, located below the bottom wall 44, is configured to capture and hold the rodent's carcass for further study and processing. The capture area 92 can be formed as a drawer 94 for easy removal. Alternatively, as... Figure 12 For example, the shell 12 may be provided with at least one leg so that the shell is spaced above the ground, allowing the culled animal to settle on the ground below the shell, thereby allowing other animals and scavengers to eat and / or remove the carcass.

[0043] Turn now Figure 10An example is illustrated of a controller 100 for operating a device. The controller 100 includes a processor adapted to control the operation of various components and to store and transmit information that may be recorded by the device as described below. More generally, in this specification including the claims, the term "processor" is intended to broadly encompass any type of device or combination of devices capable of performing the functions described herein, including (but not limited to) other types of microprocessors, microcontrollers, other integrated circuits, other types of circuits or combinations of circuits, logic gates or gate arrays, or any kind of programmable device, for example, alone or in combination with other such devices, for example, located in the same location or far from each other. Further types of processors will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this specification, and any substitution of such other types of processor circuitry is considered not to depart from the scope of this disclosure. In particular, the processor 102 communicates with sensors 60 and solenoid 80 and motor 108 to control their operation when the two sensors 60 detect the presence of a rodent passing through their respective curtains 62. The control system may also include a battery 104 that provides power to various components and a network connection 106, such as a radio transmitter, Ethernet adapter, etc., for providing communication between the processor 102 and one or more remote computers or users. The control system may include one or more additional sensors 110 adapted to sense one or more conditions and transmit them to the processor 102, including but not limited to time of day, temperature, humidity, and air pressure. It should be understood that this information may be recorded by the processor along with records of the individual captured rodents to provide additional details regarding the effectiveness and timing of placement, and other data on device operation, for scientific and research purposes.

[0044] Although the sliding arm 50 has been described above, it should be understood that other types of movement for impactors can be utilized. For example... Figure 7 For example, a rotating arm 120 with a pivot point around axis 124 can be used. The rotating arm 120 will include a spring, such as a tension spring or a rotational spring, to pull the impactor 54 toward the anvil 56. Alternatively, the impactor 54 can also be rapidly moved toward the anvil 56 by any other means, including a solenoid, etc. In some embodiments, by way of non-limiting example, the impactor and / or anvil can be shaped to include a ridge or other suitable shape to concentrate the force thus applied or to align with each other, thereby providing an increased spinal separation force to the target animal. Figure 2For example, device 10 may include a lure 112 located anywhere within the device to lure rodents into channel 30. Specifically, an opening 114 may be provided from the lure into channel 30 to attract rodents into the path. Examples of suitable lure materials are well known in the art. The lure may optionally be a solid lure type dispensed into the channel by an auger, or it may be a liquid or gel type dispensed by a pump, such as a peristaltic pump, in a non-limiting example manner. Device 10 may also include more than one lure 112 module, which may be selectively covered or uncovered by processor 102 to change or vary between one or more different types of lures.

[0045] Although the passage 30 is illustrated as having a substantially uniform cross-section, it should be understood that the path can be configured to have a greater width near the first side 18 and the second side 20. Alternatively, for rodents that prefer smaller spaces, bristles or other flexible members may extend from one or more sides of the passage 30 to provide the appearance of a smaller path without obstructing the passage of larger rodents.

[0046] Optional and reference Figure 12 According to another embodiment, a pest control device 200 is provided. The pest control device 200 includes a housing 202 having at least one channel 204 formed therein. As illustrated, the channel 204 may extend from inlets 206 at each end of the channel 204, but may also extend only from one side. The channel 204 includes a rotatable base plate 208 having at least one electric shock delivery pad 210. The electric shock delivery pad 210 may be connected to a power source, such as a power outlet, battery, or capacitor, in a non-limiting example, to be operable to deliver a killing charge to the target animal. Figure 12 For example, the electric shock delivery pads 210 can be optionally arranged in pairs, such that when both pads are stepped on, the charge is delivered to the animal, and the pads can be arranged longitudinally or laterally within the channel. The base plate 208 can be configured to descend after the lethal charge has been delivered to the animal, similar to what has been described above. Figure 12 For example, the shell 202 may be spaced above the ground by legs 212, etc., so as to allow dead animals to be deposited below the shell 202, or the shell may optionally include a container suitable for receiving and storing dead animals.

[0047] Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, these embodiments should be considered merely illustrative and not limiting of this disclosure as interpreted in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for controlling harmful animals, comprising: A housing having a channel extending from an inlet into the housing, the channel having a front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall; An impact member is movable through the channel from a first position adjacent to the front wall to a second position adjacent to the rear wall. The impact member has a slidable arm extending from the rear wall and having a free distal end with an impactor. When the impact member is in the first position, the impactor extends downward from the free distal end of the slidable arm at the front wall. An anvil, the anvil being positioned on the rear wall, and the impactor being capable of impacting the anvil; A retractable mechanism having a first support member and a second support member, the first support member being integrated into the rear wall, and a spring connecting the second support member and the sliding arm; A planar sensor, positioned at a predetermined distance from the impact member along the channel toward the entrance, is configured to sense the presence of the harmful animal passing through a sensing plane in the form of a curtain that passes perpendicularly through the channel at the predetermined distance from the impact member. The retraction mechanism further includes a release pin for restricting and releasing the slidable arm, and the slidable arm further includes a notch for receiving the release pin. The bottom wall of the channel is hinged to the housing, and the bottom wall includes a tab extending upward from a predetermined position, at which the impactor prevents rotation of the bottom wall when the slidable arm is held in its initial position. When the planar sensor indicates that the pest has crossed the sensing plane, the release pin is released from the notch, the impact member is operable to be released to move rapidly through the channel from the first position adjacent to the front wall toward the second position and the anvil, and the impactor allows the tab and the bottom wall to rotate.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The planar sensor includes a lens thereon, the lens comprising two shielded side portions and an opening region between the two shielded side portions to limit the sensing of the harmful animal.

3. The device of claim 1 further includes a controller operable to move the impact member through the channel to impact the pest when a signal is received from the planar sensor.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second planar sensor, the second planar sensor being spaced apart along the channel on the opposite side of the impact member from the side of the impact member on which the planar sensor is located.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein, The impact member is configured to impact the harmful animal when both the planar sensor and the second planar sensor indicate the presence of the harmful animal at their sensing planes.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein, The planar sensor and the second planar sensor are spaced equidistant from the impact member.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, The planar sensor and the second planar sensor are separated from the impact member by the equidistant distance, which corresponds to the distance from the nose to the neck of the target pest.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The retraction mechanism also includes the release pin connected to the solenoid.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a reset arm for moving the impact member from the second position back to the first position.

10. The device according to claim 9 further includes a reset motor connected to the reset arm.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein, The reset arm also includes a wheel.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The passageway includes substantially transparent walls.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a bait dispenser operable to dispense bait into the channel.

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