Pest trap

Abstract

Pest trap (10) for pests, such as rats or mice, comprehensive a) a trap housing (12), b) an entrance (14) for a pest into the trap housing (12), c) a bait display (16) for a bait to attract pests, d) a trap mechanism (18), characterized in that e) the trap housing (12) is designed as a diving bell (20), wherein an air space (22) is provided in an upper section (44) of the diving bell (20) for the bait display (16).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The innovation concerns a comprehensive pest trap for pests such as rats or mice. a) a trap housing, b) an entrance for a pest into the trap housing, c) a bait display for bait to attract pests, d) a trap mechanism. Description

[0002] These pest traps are used to detect, monitor, and control rodents, especially rats and mice, which can cause significant problems in both urban and rural areas. These animals are frequently found on farms, in food processing facilities, in residential buildings, and even in sewers. Their behavior causes considerable damage to supplies, cables, building structures, and other materials. Furthermore, rats and mice pose a significant hygiene risk because they can transmit a variety of pathogens. Therefore, the use of appropriate pest traps is crucial for ensuring health protection, hygiene, and economic security.

[0003] Various types of pest traps are known in the prior art, which can essentially be divided into live traps, killing traps, and monitoring and surveillance traps.

[0004] Live traps are designed to capture an animal unharmed so that it can later be released or otherwise removed. These traps typically consist of a housing with an entrance that locks automatically once entered by the pest. Typical designs include cage or box traps with a hinged mechanism, where the bait is placed in such a way as to entice the animal to trigger the locking mechanism.

[0005] In contrast, lethal traps are designed to kill the pest immediately upon entry. The most common type is a mechanical snap trap, in which a tensioned bar is activated by a trigger mechanism, striking the animal with considerable force. Besides these classic designs, more modern variants are also known, such as electric traps that operate using high-voltage pulses, or captive bolt devices that kill the pest mechanically. Another form of lethal trap involves the use of poison baits presented in a protected bait station. However, such solutions are increasingly subject to legal restrictions, as contact between toxins and the environment is to be largely prevented.

[0006] Another important group consists of monitoring or surveillance traps. These are not primarily used for pest control, but rather for detecting an infestation and documenting pest activity. This can be achieved by using harmless baits, the gnawing of which by the animals is regularly checked. Increasingly, electronic sensors are also being used that register movements or entry into the trap housing and transmit this information digitally. Such systems allow for continuous, automated monitoring, as is particularly required under stricter legal regulations.

[0007] All known pest traps have in common that they consist of a trap housing, which the pest can access through an entrance. Inside, there is usually a bait station to attract the animal, as well as a trap mechanism that either captures the animal alive, kills it, or triggers a monitoring device. Many well-known pest traps have additional design features intended to facilitate practical use. These include, for example, devices for easier insertion and replacement of bait, elements to guide the animal toward the bait station, or mechanisms to prevent accidental triggering of the trap. In some cases, attention is also paid to a robust construction to ensure that the traps function reliably in various environments, such as stables, storage rooms, or outdoors.Furthermore, in practice it is important that the traps are designed to meet the requirements for safety and handling and are suitable for both single use and repeated use. State of the art

[0008] German patent DE 2554919 A1 describes a combined mouse and rat trap in which the bait is contained in a box-shaped container with a lid. The lid prevents birds from seeing or reaching the bait, thus avoiding the accidental capture of non-target animals. The animals are killed by a mechanism that cuts off their air supply, resulting in a relatively quiet and discreet killing process. The patent emphasizes that the trap can be used near dwellings or stables without causing undesirable side effects due to noise or visible carcasses.

[0009] German patent application DE 202017107622 U1 describes a rat trap specifically designed for use in sewer systems or manholes. The trap features a guide mechanism that allows a capture or killing element to be moved precisely up or down along a guide rail. This enables the trap to be positioned and operated even in difficult, confined installation environments. A key feature is the option to equip the trap modularly with a chute or a collection chamber. This allows either multiple animals to be caught sequentially or the carcasses to be collected directly in a chamber. The patent also describes how the trap can be securely anchored in the manhole, thus protecting it against external influences (e.g., water, currents, vandalism).

[0010] German patent DE 102004052292 A1 discloses a mousetrap that uses a simple bottle as a trapping container. The bottle neck serves as an entrance through which the mouse can enter the bottle, in the base of which the bait is placed. Lateral pins on the bottle are rotatably mounted on a bearing block, causing the bottle to tip and trap the mouse inside. The design is particularly cost-effective, easy to implement, and functions reliably even on uneven surfaces.

[0011] German patent DE 202013000126 U1 describes a collective-capture mousetrap that operates entirely without poison or electronics. The housing is a 10-liter bucket with a lid, in which a treadle plate with a one-way opening trapdoor is integrated. When the mouse steps onto the plate, the door opens and the mouse falls into a cavity from which escape is impossible. This trap is particularly suitable for field mice, has a simple design, and is conceived as a resource-saving kit system. Revelation of the innovation

[0012] The purpose of this innovation is therefore to avoid the disadvantages of the current state of the art and to create a pest trap that guarantees reliable functionality even under adverse environmental conditions and simultaneously enables the selective capture of different pest species. To this end, it is particularly important that the bait stations and trap mechanisms located inside the trap are reliably protected against the ingress of water, moisture, or dirt. Furthermore, the trap should be designed so that larger pests, such as rats, have targeted access to an upper section, while smaller pests, such as mice, cannot reach it. In addition, the construction should be simple and robust to ensure reliable operation without complex mechanics or additional components.

[0013] According to the new design, the problem is solved by using a pest trap of the type mentioned above. e) the trap housing is designed as a diving bell, with an air space in an upper section of the diving bell provided for the bait placement.

[0014] The innovation is based on the principle that the pest trap has a trap housing designed as a diving bell. A pest can enter the trap housing through the entrance, and an air chamber is provided in the upper section. The bait is placed in this air chamber, protecting it from moisture, dirt, and weathering. This has the advantage of maintaining the effectiveness of the bait over a longer period and preserving its attractiveness to the pests. This is particularly advantageous for use in sewers or similar damp environments, where standing water, splashing water, or dirt are regularly encountered. The diving bell design ensures that the bait and trap mechanisms remain functional even in these harsh environments, enabling reliable pest control.Another advantage of the new bait station is that mice or rats can enter it without having to change the surface. This means the animals walk into the trap on the same ground they are familiar with. This makes access particularly easy and intuitive for the target organisms. This significantly increases the trap's attractiveness, as the animals perceive no disruption to their familiar environment and are therefore less suspicious.

[0015] The trap mechanism is also integrated into the diving bell and benefits from its dry and protected position within the airspace. This ensures reliable triggering, regardless of external environmental influences such as rain or flooding. The diving bell design also allows the lower part of the housing to be filled with water or other liquids if necessary, without affecting the airspace and thus the bait presentation. This increases selectivity and makes it particularly difficult for smaller animals to access the bait.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the innovative pest trap, the diving bell features a removable lid that seals it airtight. This not only allows easy access to the interior for inserting or replacing bait, but also provides protection against moisture and odors, thus extending the shelf life of the bait and improving hygiene.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment of the inventive pest trap provides for at least one substantially vertical partition within the trap housing, which divides the trap housing into at least two chamber-like areas. This facilitates targeted control of the animals' movement and allows for a differentiated arrangement of baits or trap mechanisms, thereby achieving, for example, better selectivity between rats and mice.

[0018] In a particularly practical design of the innovative pest trap, the partition between a trap housing wall and / or another partition is spaced in such a way that only larger pests, such as rats, can reach the bait station in the upper section. Mice, on the other hand, are too small and unable to climb the spaced-off walls, thus preventing them from accessing the upper section. In this way, rats can be targeted specifically, while smaller animals remain excluded. This avoids false catches and reduces bait consumption.

[0019] Another advantageous feature of the new pest trap is the inclusion of a higher bait station for larger pests, such as rats, and / or a lower bait station for smaller pests, such as mice. This allows different pest species to be monitored or controlled simultaneously with a single trap, thereby reducing the need for separate traps and lowering maintenance costs.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the innovative pest trap, a substantially horizontal and water-protected surface is provided in the upper section of the diving bell. This allows for the reliable use of baits or electronic devices such as sensors even in damp or wet environments, as the surface forms a dry and protected area.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the innovative pest trap, the trap mechanism is designed as a killing device for the pest in a first chamber-like area. This ensures immediate and effective control of the animals, thereby avoiding unnecessary suffering and simultaneously creating a more hygienic environment.

[0022] Another advantageous embodiment of the novel pest trap provides that the killing device consists of a striking bolt, an electric shock mechanism, a poison bait, and / or a spring-loaded trap. This allows for flexible adaptation of the trap to different requirements or locations, for example, in areas with high hygiene standards where certain killing methods are preferred.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the innovative pest trap, mounting points for monitoring baits and / or sensors are provided. This allows the trap to be modularly equipped with monitoring elements, enabling digital recording of pest activity. This allows for early detection of infestations and facilitates targeted control.

[0024] A particularly advantageous design feature of the innovative pest trap is that the diving bell is constructed using a backflow principle, preventing water from entering the airspace even during floods. This ensures that the bait and trap mechanisms remain functional even under extreme environmental conditions and guarantees the trap's reliability regardless of its location.

[0025] Further embodiments and advantages of the inventive pest trap will become apparent from the subject matter of the dependent claims and the drawings with their accompanying descriptions. An exemplary embodiment is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The invention is not intended to be limited solely to this exemplary embodiment. Rather, embodiments are also envisioned that are now and will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art using other technical means. The aforementioned prior art shall be considered a disclosure to this application. Brief description of the drawing Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the front view of a newly designed pest trap in its open state. Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a newly designed pest trap according to Fig. 1 in the open state. Fig. Figure 3 shows a front view of the removable lid for a new type of pest trap according to the previous figures. Preferred embodiment

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a pest trap 10 for pests such as rats or mice, comprising a trap housing 12 with an entrance 14 through which a pest can enter. A bait station 16 is provided inside the trap housing 12 to attract pests. Furthermore, a trap mechanism 18 is integrated, which, depending on the design, can be configured as a killing device or a monitoring device.

[0027] The trap housing 12 is designed as a diving bell 20, with an air space 22 provided in an upper section of the diving bell 20 in which the bait station 16 can be arranged. The diving bell 20 can be closed by a removable lid 24, which seals airtight and watertight via a gasket 26. The trap housing 12 is thus formed from a housing body 25 and the removable lid 24. This ensures that the upper section remains dry even under adverse environmental conditions, allowing the bait and trap mechanisms to be protected.

[0028] The trap housing 12 is divided into several chamber-like areas I to IV by vertical partitions 28. The partitions 28 are spaced apart in such a way that only larger pests, such as rats, can reach the upper section to the bait station 16, while smaller pests, such as mice, are excluded.

[0029] In area I, the upper section contains a high-hanging monitor bait 30, a high-hanging active ingredient bait 32, and a high-hanging sensor 34, depending on the use of the pest trap 10, thus enabling selective control and detection of rats. In the lower section of the same area, a low-hanging monitor bait 36, a low-hanging active ingredient bait 38, and a low-hanging sensor 40 can be optionally arranged, so that both mice and rats are detected.

[0030] Area II forms a watertight chamber 42 in the upper section 44 of the diving bell 20. This chamber 42 is designed so that only rats can access it. Within this area II, a higher-positioned bait station 46 for rats and a trap mechanism 18 in the form of a killing device can be provided. The killing device can be a rat snap trap 48, a radio-controlled snap trap 50, a striking bolt 52, an electric shock mechanism 54, or a poison bait 55. A monitor bait 56 and a control bait 57 are also arranged at the entrance of this area II. Furthermore, a breeding box 58 can be provided. A sensor 60 serves to detect pest activity.

[0031] In area III, further bait stations 16 and trap mechanisms 18 are provided. These include a medium-height monitor bait 62, a medium-height control bait 64, a low control bait 66, and a low monitor bait 68. A trap mechanism 18 in the form of a bolt gun 70 may also be arranged. A removable element 72 allows predators to remove carcasses. Furthermore, a snap trap 74 and a radio-controlled snap trap 76 may be provided in this area.

[0032] Area IV is designed as a lower passage and contains a lower-lying bait station 78 in the form of a monitor bait and a control bait 80. A snap trap 82 and a radio-controlled snap trap 84 can also be located here. A sensor in passage 86 and a sensor in the lower passage 88 are provided for the digital detection of animal movements.

[0033] Finally, the pest trap 10 features fastening means 90, which facilitate the placement of monitor baits and / or sensors and at the same time allow stable mounting on a wall or post.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows the pest trap 10 in a perspective view, which illustrates the spatial arrangement of the individual areas, the bait displays 16 and the trap mechanisms 18.

[0035] The trap housing 12 is also recognizable in this illustration as a diving bell 20, with the upper section 44 showing the air space 22. The lid 24 with the seal 26 closes the base body 25 airtight and watertight, forming the diving bell 20. The perspective view makes the design of the watertight chamber 42, which is delimited by the partitions 28, particularly clear.

[0036] In section I, the vertically arranged attachment points for the high-hanging monitor bait 30, the high-hanging active ingredient bait 32, and the high-hanging sensor 34 are visible. Below these are the devices for attaching the low-hanging monitor bait 36, the low-hanging active ingredient bait 38, and the low-hanging sensor 40, thus illustrating their combined use for rats and mice.

[0037] In section II, the water-protected chamber 42 is shown in its spatial elevation within the upper section 44 of the diving bell 20. The monitor bait 56 and the control bait 57 at the entrance illustrate how the pests are guided into this area. Inside chamber 42, the bait station 46, positioned higher up, and the killing device in various configurations—rat snap trap 48, radio-controlled snap trap 50, striking pin 52, electric shock mechanism 54, or poison bait 55—are visible. The illustration also shows the arrangement of the incubation box 58 and the sensor 60, which detects activity in chamber 42.

[0038] Area III is in Fig. 2 is also clearly visible in detail. The medium-height monitor bait 62, the medium-height control bait 64, the low control bait 66, and the low monitor bait 68 are clearly assigned in the perspective view. The bolt gun 70 is located in the lower part of this area, with the removable element 72 providing an opening for the removal of the carcasses. Additionally, the snap trap 74 and the radio-controlled snap trap 76 are shown, which can be used optionally in this area.

[0039] Area IV, the lower passage of pest trap 10, is particularly well illustrated by the perspective view. Here, the lower bait station 78, in the form of a monitor bait, and the treatment bait 80 are located. Additionally, the snap trap 82 and the radio-controlled snap trap 84 are shown. The positioning of the sensor in passage 86 and the sensor in the lower passage 88 demonstrates the possibilities for digitally monitoring the movements of rats and mice in this area.

[0040] Finally, it clarifies Fig. 2. The fastening devices 90, with which the pest trap 10 can be attached to both a wall and a post. The perspective view makes the positioning and design of these fastening devices 90 particularly clear.

[0041] Fig.Figure 3 shows the lid 24 of the pest trap 10, which is attached to the housing base 25 of the trap housing 12 by means of screws 92, which can be loosened manually – e.g., wing or knurled screws. The lid 24 is designed in such a way that, in conjunction with the seal 26, it ensures an airtight and watertight seal against the housing base 25.

[0042] The screws 92 are arranged along the circumference of the cover 24, ensuring uniform pressure on the seal 26 when tightened. This creates a permanent seal, preventing water or moisture from penetrating the interior of the diving bell 20 and the air space 22. The removable fastening with the screws 92 allows the cover 24 to be opened at any time for inserting bait 16, replacing the trap mechanism 18, or performing maintenance work inside the trap housing 12. After closing and tightening the screws 92, the cover 24, in conjunction with the seal 26, once again ensures an airtight and watertight seal, thus guaranteeing the continued functionality of the pest trap 10 even under adverse environmental conditions. Reference symbol list 10 pest traps 12 trap housings 14 Entrance 16 bait display 18 Trap mechanism 20 diving bell 22 Airspace 24 lids 26 Seal 28 partition walls 30 high-hanging monitor lures 32 high-hanging bait 34 high-mounted sensor 36 low-hanging monitor lures 38 low-hanging bait 40 low-hanging sensor 42 water-resistant chambers 44 upper section of the diving bell 46 higher bait displays (rats) 48 rat traps 50 radio-controlled traps 52 firing pins 54 Electric shock mechanism 55 poisoned baits 56 monitor baits at the entrance of Chamber II 57 bait stations at the entrance of chamber II 58 incubators 60 Sensor in Chamber II 62 medium-height monitor lures 64 medium-height control baits 66 low control bait 68 low monitor lures 70 bolt gun 72 removable element 74 Snap Traps in Area III 76 radio traps in area III 78 lower bait deployment (monitor bait) 80 lower-lying control bait 82 Snap Traps in Area IV 84 radio traps in area IV 86 Sensor in the aisle 88 Sensor in the lower gear 90 Fasteners 92 screws QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 2554919 A1

[0008] DE 202017107622 U1

[0009] DE 102004052292 A1

[0010] DE 202013000126 U1

[0011]

Claims

[1] Pest trap (10) for pests, such as rats or mice, comprising a) a trap housing (12), b) an entrance (14) for a pest into the trap housing (12), c) a bait display (16) for a bait to attract pests, d) a trap mechanism (18), characterized by , that e) the trap housing (12) is designed as a diving bell (20), wherein an air space (22) is provided in an upper section (44) of the diving bell (20) for the bait display (16). [2] Pest trap (10) for pests according to claim 1, characterized by , that the diving bell (20) has a removable lid (24) which seals the diving bell (20) airtight via a seal (26). [3] Pest trap (10) for pests according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that within the trap housing (12) at least one substantially vertical partition (28) is provided which divides the trap housing (12) into at least two chamber-like areas. [4] Pest trap (10) for pests according to claim 3, characterized by , that the partition (28) is spaced apart from a trap housing wall of the housing base body (25) and / or another partition (28) in such a way that only larger pests, such as rats, can enter an upper section (44) to the bait display (16). [5] Pest trap (10) for pests according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that a higher bait station (46) is provided for larger pests, such as rats, and / or a lower bait station (78, 80) for smaller pests, such as mice. [6] Pest trap (10) for pests according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that a substantially horizontal and water-protected surface is provided in the trap housing (12), which is located in the upper section (44) of the diving bell (20). [7] Pest trap (10) for pests according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that in a first chamber-like area (42) the trap mechanism (18) is designed as a killing device. [8] Pest trap (10) for pests according to claim 7, characterized by , that the killing device is formed by a firing pin (52), an electric shock mechanism (54), a poison bait (55) and / or a spring trap (74). [9] Pest trap (10) for pests according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that a fastening device (90) is provided for the placement of monitor lures (30, 36, 56, 62, 68, 78) and / or sensors (34, 40, 60, 86, 88). [10] Pest trap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that the diving bell (20) is designed by a backflow principle in such a way that even in the event of flooding, water is prevented from entering the air space (22).

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