Mechanical fly swatter "FLY-Terminator"

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fly swatter with a handle and a swatter, wherein the swatter is rotatably arranged in a range of motion between a start and end position on an end area of ​​the handle with an acceleration device, and the fly swatter further comprises antennas arranged substantially to the left and right of the range of motion of the swatter on the handle. Advantages of the fly swatter according to the invention are that no special or trained physical skills are required for successful use of the fly swatter and that unproblematic use is possible for the average consumer, and that the packaging dimensions can be optimized by means of a kit system.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fly swatter, in particular a fly swatter such as is used for killing insects.

[0002] Additionally, the invention relates to a method for killing insects and the use of the fly swatter for killing insects.

[0003] Fly swatters are known in the art, with essentially two different systems used for fly control. One system is the "normal" fly swatter, consisting primarily of a handle and a striking surface (swatter). The other system is an "electric" fly swatter, which kills flies by applying an electric current. Fly swatters are used in everyday life in private households, workplaces, and leisure activities.

[0004] A standard fly swatter consists essentially of a handle, a shaft, and a striking surface. All parts are made of the same or different materials to fulfill their specific functions and properties. An electric fly swatter, on the other hand, consists essentially of a handle, a shaft, and a current-carrying striking surface, such as a fine mesh net.

[0005] A disadvantage of conventional fly swatters is their insufficient effectiveness. Accurate use of these fly swatters requires a high degree of dexterity and speed, which older people, in particular, may not always possess. The need for this speed can be explained by the high image processing rate of insects with compound eyes, up to 250 images per second – in comparison, the human eye can only perceive about 24 images per second. This allows insects with compound eyes to detect approaching objects, such as fly swatters, very quickly and react, for example, by fleeing, thus avoiding being caught by the swatter. The disadvantage of electric fly swatters is that, for them to be killed effectively, the insects must be in simultaneous contact with both live wires.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages known in the prior art.

[0007] The above problem is solved by a fly swatter according to the invention as claimed in claim 1, a method for killing insects and the use of the fly swatter for killing insects.

[0008] Particularly preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The fly swatter according to the invention consists of a handle and a swatter. The fly swatter according to the invention is characterized in that the swatter is rotatably arranged within a range of motion between a start and end position on an end region of the handle, with an acceleration device. The fly swatter further comprises antennas arranged substantially to the left and right of the swatter's range of motion on the handle.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, a handle is understood to be a conventional handle for holding, carrying, and aligning the fly swatter, and one that allows access to trigger a release mechanism. The handle is shaped to accommodate additional elements, such as an accelerator and a release mechanism. Often, a safety loop or hand strap is also attached to the fly swatter's handle, which, for example, prevents the fly swatter from being accidentally dropped.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the swatter is designed to be round, oval, pear-shaped, rectangular, grid-shaped, angled, with combinations thereof and the like, and is in particular made of at least one material selected from a group of materials which include metal, plastic, leather, wood, combinations thereof and the like.

[0012] A swatter, as used in the present invention, is understood to be a device which can strike an insect to kill it.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the term "range of movement" refers to the action area, in particular the radius of action of the slap, especially from the starting position, after activation of the trigger mechanism, to the end position. The slap describes an arc-shaped movement from the starting position, passing between both antennas, to the end position.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the term "starting position" refers to the state of the popper before release. In the starting position, the popper is usually in a cocked or loaded state, but in particular is still locked in place by a ratchet mechanism.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the term "end position" refers to the state of the catapult after triggering and at the end of its range of motion. In the end position, the catapult is usually in a relaxed, uncharged state. "Uncharged state" refers to the state before the accelerator device is charged.

[0016] For the purposes of the present invention, an acceleration device is understood to be a device that accelerates the slap from the starting position to the end position after triggering. Elements of this acceleration device can be, for example, mechanical spring elements, elastic plastic elements, rubber bands, motors, compressed gas cartridges, or firing mechanisms.

[0017] Antennas within the meaning of the present invention are, for example, rod-shaped elements whose ends are oriented in different directions in order to deflect insects to two different points. While an insect is concentrating on these two points of orientation, it may, for example, be deflected by the striking fly swatter.

[0018] The shape of the fly swatter can be optimized for the type and characteristics, such as size and speed, of the flying insects. A grid-like design also allows for high air permeability of the swatter and reduces the air cushion that forms in front of it during acceleration after release.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the swatter, as defined in the present invention, has a flexible end piece and, in particular, a swing arm, which is rotatably arranged directly or indirectly on the end region of the handle. The swing arm, attached to the end region of the handle, allows the swatter to describe a range of motion. The usually flexible end piece of the swatter strikes an insect to kill it.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the flexible end piece is understood to be the part of the fly swatter that strikes the insect to kill it. The end piece has flexible properties, among other reasons, to prevent, for example, the insect from being completely crushed and the surface from becoming contaminated.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the swing arm is understood to be the part of the flapper which is arranged on the one hand at the end area of ​​the handle in such a way that the flapper can perform the range of motion and is connected to the end piece at the other end.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the acceleration device is connected to the swatter in such a way that the swatter is accelerated between the starting and end positions.

[0023] If the acceleration device is, for example, a mechanical spring element, the slap can be mounted on a transverse axis at the end of the handle and connected to the spring element in such a way that, when the acceleration device is triggered, the slap is accelerated around this transverse axis from the start and end positions.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the acceleration device has at least one acceleration element, which in particular is a spring, an elastic cord, an elastic element, a motor, a compressed gas cartridge, combinations thereof and the like.

[0025] The exemplary list of acceleration elements is not exhaustive. Any device that accelerates the slap from the starting to the final position can be used.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, a release mechanism is understood to be a mechanism by which the acceleration device is unlocked or the acceleration of the slap is triggered. These release mechanisms include, for example, push buttons, triggers, buttons, pull devices, release cords, etc.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the accelerator device and / or the swatter is locked in the starting position and can be released by means of a release mechanism. This release mechanism is, in particular, a pressure switch, a trigger, combinations thereof, and the like.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the fly swatter or parts thereof are made of at least one material selected from a group of materials comprising elastic plastics, elastomers, rubber, a composite with plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosets, and composite materials, combinations thereof, and the like. Examples of elastic plastics or elastomers are, in particular, cross-linked rubber, natural rubber (NR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), butadiene rubber (BR), and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). Examples of composites with plastics are, in particular, material combinations of the plastics listed above and below. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers are, in particular, block polymers, styrene, and polyolefins.Examples of thermoplastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyester. Examples of thermosets include Bakelite, polyester (PES), PLA, PLA+, PETG, polyurethane resins, synthetic resins, and epoxies. Examples of composite materials include combinations of metal, wood, and plastic materials, which, in specific combinations, ensure the optimal properties of the fly swatter.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the antennas have an extension length, preferably between 2 and 30 cm, particularly between 5 and 25 cm, and especially preferably in the range of approximately 10 cm, starting from the end area of ​​the handle.

[0030] The antennas are arranged, for example, on both sides of the direction of action of the slap in the end position, starting from the end area of ​​the handle.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the antennas are arranged at an angle preferably between 5 and 90 degrees, in particular between 35 and 75 degrees, and especially preferably in the range of approximately 55 degrees to each other.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the fly swatter according to the invention, the antenna ends have, in particular, end pieces which are in particular rounded, teardrop-shaped, pear-shaped, and are made of at least one material selected from a group of materials which in particular includes rubber, plastic, metal, wood, glass, combinations thereof and the like.

[0033] The term "end pieces" as used in the present invention refers to the ends attached to the antennas. These end pieces, oriented in different directions, can deflect insects from the danger posed by the fly swatter. For this purpose, the end pieces can also be designed with specific colors and shapes to serve as orientation points for insects. In one particular embodiment, the end pieces are positioned on an imaginary radius extending from the end of the handle (center point) to the flexible end piece in the swatter's end position, on both the left and right sides.

[0034] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a method for killing insects with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. In detail, the method includes targeting an insect between the antennas, whereby the insect could concentrate on the antenna ends and be distracted by the striking of the swatter. Subsequently, the acceleration device is triggered, which accelerates the swatter from the starting to the end position and ideally strikes and kills the insect during this process.

[0035] The present invention further comprises the use of the fly swatter according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for killing insects, in particular flying insects.

[0036] The main advantage of the fly swatter according to the invention is that no special or trained physical skills are required for successful use of the fly swatter and that it can be used without problems by average consumers.

[0037] Further advantages of the fly swatter according to the invention compared to the prior art may include, among others, that the packaging dimensions are optimized by a kit system and, for example, as with the use of the electric fly swatter, no power supply, especially in the form of batteries, is necessary.

[0038] The invention is explained below with reference to preferred embodiments, whereby it is pointed out that these examples include modifications and additions as would be immediately apparent to a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, these preferred embodiments do not constitute limitations of the invention in such a way that modifications and additions are within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] This shows: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of the fly swatter according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic top view of the fly swatter according to the invention

[0040] The exemplary embodiment according to Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the fly swatter 1 according to the invention, comprising a handle 2, a swatter 3 (shown in dashed lines), a movement area 4, a start 5 and end position 6, an end area 7 of the handle 2, an acceleration device 8, and antennas 9 with end pieces 13. The swatter 3 can, for example, be divided into a flexible end piece 10 and a swing arm 11. A release mechanism 12 can be located on the handle 2.

[0041] To use the fly swatter 1, the swatter 3 is moved into the starting position 5, thereby pre-tensioning the acceleration device 8, such as a mechanical spring element, and locking it in the starting position 5. After aiming at a target object, such as a flying insect, between the antennas 9 arranged on both sides with the end pieces 13, the acceleration device 8 can be triggered by means of a release mechanism 12. After triggering, the swatter 3 springs from the starting position 5 along a circular path, the range of motion 4, to the end position 6. Ideally, the swatter 3 strikes the target within the range of motion 4 and kills it.

[0042] The exemplary embodiment according to Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of the fly swatter 1 according to the invention, comprising a handle 2, a swatter 3, an end region 7 of the handle 2, an acceleration device 8, and antennas 9 with end pieces 13. The swatter 3 can, for example, be divided into a flexible end piece 10 and a swing arm 11. A release mechanism 12 can be located on the handle 2.

[0043] The representation according to Fig.Figure 2 shows a top view of the fly swatter according to the invention, clearly showing the arrangement of the antennae 9 with their respective end pieces 13. The end pieces 13 serve as orientation points for insects to deflect them from the snapping swatter 3. The ideal arrangement of the end pieces 13 is clearly visible, extending along an imaginary radius from the end region 7 of the handle 2 as the center point to the area of ​​the flexible end piece 10 in the end position 6 of the swatter 3, to the left and right of the swatter 3. The extension length of the antennae 9 from the end region 7 of the handle 2 is preferably in the range between 2 and 30 cm. Fig.Figure 1 shows the side view of the fly swatter according to the invention, in which the movement range 4 of the swatter 3 is clearly visible. Before the triggering mechanism 12 is activated, the swatter 3 is in the starting position 5 and is accelerated to the end position 6 after activation.

[0044] The state of the art refers to ......

[0045] In contrast, the ....

[0046] Quality criterion of the test series for the.

[0047] With the fly swatter according to the invention .....

[0048] A comparison is described in more detail below with reference to table values....

[0049] Table 1 is a comparison of fly swatters that are 30% improved compared to the state of the art. Table 1: Success rate of fly swatters. Parameter: Overview of fly swatters Conventional fly swatter Electric fly swatter Inventive fly swatter Hit rate 60% 15% 90%

Claims

[1] Fly swatter (1) with a handle (2) and a swatter (3), characterized by , that the fly swatter (3) is rotatably arranged in a range of motion (4) between a start (5) and end position (6) on an end area (7) of the handle (2) with an acceleration device (8) and the fly swatter (1) furthermore has antennas (9) arranged substantially to the left and right of the range of motion (4) of the fly swatter (3) on the handle (2). [2] Fly swatter according to claim 1 characterized by , that the slap (3) is in a particular embodiment round, oval, pear-shaped, rectangular, grid-shaped, angled, combinations thereof and the like, and in particular is made of at least one material selected from a group of materials which includes metal, plastic, leather, wood, combinations thereof and the like. [3] fly swatter one of the previous claims characterized by, that the paddle (3) has a flexible end piece (10) and in particular a swing arm (11) which is rotatably arranged directly or indirectly on the end area (7) of the handle (2). [4] Fly swatter according to any of the preceding claims characterized by , that the acceleration device (8) is connected to the slap (3) in such a way that the slap (3) is accelerated between the start (5) and end position (6). [5] Fly swatter according to any of the preceding claims characterized by , that the acceleration device (8) comprises at least one acceleration element, which is in particular a spring, an elastic cord, an elastic element, a motor, a compressed gas cartridge, combinations thereof and the like. [6] Fly swatter according to any of the preceding claims characterized by, that the acceleration device (8) and / or the flapper (3) is locked in the starting position (5) and can be released by means of a release mechanism (12) and that this release mechanism (12) is in particular a pressure switch, a trigger, combinations thereof and the like. [7] Fly swatter according to any of the preceding claims characterized bythat the fly swatter or parts thereof is made of at least one material selected from a group of materials comprising elastic plastics, elastomers, such as in particular cross-linked rubber, natural rubber (NR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), butadiene rubber (BR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), rubber, a composite with plastics, in particular thermoplastic elastomers, such as in particular block polymers, styrene, polyolefins, thermoplastics such as in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, thermosets such as in particular Bakelite, polyester (PES), polyurethane resins, synthetic resins, epoxies, composite materials, combinations thereof and the like. [8] Fly swatter according to any of the preceding claims characterized bythat the antennas (9) extending from the end area (7) of the handle (2) have a length preferably between 2 and 30 cm, in particular between 5 and 25 cm, and especially preferably in the range of approximately 10 cm. [9] Fly swatter according to any of the preceding claims characterized by that the antennas (9) are arranged at an angle preferably between 5 and 90 degrees, in particular between 35 and 75 degrees, and particularly preferably in the range of approximately 55 degrees to each other. [10] Fly swatter according to any of the preceding claims characterized by , that the antenna (9) ends in particular have end pieces (13) which are in particular rounded, teardrop-shaped, pear-shaped, and are made of at least one material selected from a group of materials which in particular includes rubber, plastic, metal, wood, glass, combinations thereof and the like. [11] Method for killing insects with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized by , that the targeting of an insect between the antennas (9) and the killing after triggering the acceleration device (8) takes place with the impact of the swatter (3) on the insect. [12] Use of the fly swatter according to any one of claims 1 to 11, for killing insects, in particular flying insects.

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