Rodent trap with modulated ceiling structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rodent trap (100) comprising a housing (101) with a passage (104), and a kill mechanism (150) within the housing adjacent to a kill zone (170) of the passage, arranged to be activated by a rodent within the kill zone. A first end of the passage forms a first opening (102) in the surface of the housing, and a second end of the passage forms a second opening (102) in the surface of the housing. The kill mechanism comprises a hammer (160) arranged to move into the kill zone when the kill mechanism is activated to strike a rodent within the kill zone. The ceiling of the passage is shaped such that a height of the ceiling at the kill zone (181) is higher than a height of the ceiling at the first and second openings (182a, 182b) in the surface of the housing.

Description

[0001] Rodent traps

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention concerns rodent traps. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention concerns impact rodent traps, for example rodent traps that kill a rodent by striking them with a hammer.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Impact rodent traps that kill a rodent by striking it with a hammer are well known. For example, WO 2021 / 133177 Al (Globalforce IP Limited) published 1 July 2021 discloses a rodent trap with a gas piston that drives a hammer.

[0006] While such rodent traps can be effective at providing a clean kill, the gas piston and associated hammer mechanism can be bulky and require a large housing for the trap. Further, a large and high-power piston can be required to provide sufficient force to reliably kill a rodent. Such traps also require a rodent to enter the housing of the trap in order to be in the required position to be cleanly killed when struck by the hammer. However, rodents can be averse to entering such a housing and moving to be in the required position, particularly when the rodent's exit from the housing is not visible when they are in the required position. This can be the case when, as in WO 2021 / 133177 Al, the trap is activated only when a rodent places its head within a shroud, in order to try to ensure the rodent's head is always in a particular position when the trap is activated.

[0007] The present invention seeks to solve or mitigate some or all of the above- mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide improved rodent traps. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a rodent trap comprising: a housing; a passage within the housing, wherein a first end of the passage forms a first opening in the surface of the housing; a kill mechanism within the housing adjacent to a kill zone of the passage, wherein the kill mechanism is arranged to be activated by a rodent within the kill zone; wherein the kill mechanism comprises: a piston comprising a piston housing and a piston shaft, wherein the piston shaft is arranged to be extended when the kill mechanism is activated; a hammer arm having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the hammer arm is mounted adjacent to the piston housing, such that the piston shaft extends away from the first end of the hammer arm; a hammer mounted on the second end of the hammer arm; and a drive arm having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the drive arm is connected to the hammer arm between the first end of the hammer arm and the second end of the hammer arm, and wherein the second end of the drive arm is connected to the piston shaft, such that when the piston shaft is extended, the hammer arm is moved by the drive arm to move the hammer into the kill zone to strike a rodent within the kill zone.

[0009] By having the hammer mounted on a hammer arm that is positioned so that the piston shaft extends away from it, the hammer arm is pulled by the drive arm when the piston shaft extends, moving the hammer into the kill zone. This allows a compact construction, as before activation of the kill mechanism the hammer, hammer arm and drive arm can all be in the same plane as the piston housing, rather than the hammer needing to be on the end of the piston shaft, so increasing the length of the kill mechanism. Further, the arrangement of the piston shaft, drive arm and hammer arm acts to efficiently transfer force and movement from piston to the hammer, so providing a high force to reliably kill a rodent without a large and high- power piston being required.

[0010] It will be appreciated that the kill mechanism may be triggered by a motion sensor, infra-red sensor, or any other sensor or combination of sensors that is triggered by a rodent within the kill zone.

[0011] The passage may be enclosed.

[0012] The drive arm may be rotatably connected to the hammer arm. The first end of the hammer arm may alternatively or additionally be rotatably mounted. However, it will be appreciated that other types of mounting may be used, for example a mounting that allows linear movement of the drive arm and / or hammer arm.

[0013] The drive arm may be connected to the piston shaft by a bar. The drive arm may be rotatably connected to the bar.

[0014] The first end of the hammer arm may be adjacent to a first side of the piston housing, and the second end of the hammer arm adjacent to a second side of the piston housing opposite the first side. This again allows a compact construction of the kill mechanism.

[0015] The rodent trap may further comprise: a second hammer arm having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the second hammer arm is mounted adjacent to the piston housing on the opposite side to the first end of the first hammer arm, and wherein the hammer mounted on the second end of the second hammer arm; and a second drive arm having a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the second drive arm is connected to the second hammer arm between the first end of the first arm and the second end of the second hammer arm, and wherein the second end of the second drive arm is connected to the piston shaft. This can provide a strong construction in which the hammer is supported and driven on both sides. If the first drive arm is connected to the piston shaft by a bar, the second drive arm may also be connected to the piston shaft by a bar. The first drive arm and the second drive arm may be connected to opposite ends of the bar. The piston may be positioned in the housing beneath the passage, such that the hammer moves into the passage from a side of the passage. By "beneath" is meant when the rodent trap is positioned on a floor for use.

[0016] The piston may be a gas piston. The gas may be compressed air. Alternatively, the gas may be carbon dioxide. Alternatively, any other desired type of piston may be used, for example an electrical piston or a spring-driven piston.

[0017] The rodent trap may further comprise a storage area adjacent to the passage, and wherein the kill mechanism is further arranged to push a rodent killed by the kill mechanism into the storage area using the hammer.

[0018] The hammer may comprise: an elongate body portion; a first striking portion for striking the head of a rodent at a first end of the elongate body portion, the first striking portion having one or more protrusions extending from the elongate body portion; and a second striking portion for striking the head of a rodent at a second end of the elongate body portion, the second striking portion having one or more protrusions extending from the elongate body portion. In this way, the hammer can impact and cleanly kill a rodent when it is travelling in different directions. If the rodent is travelling in a first direction, the first striking portion impacts the head of rodent to kill it, and the elongate body portion can impact the body of the rodent, to further ensure it is killed and / or to push it into a storage area. If on the other hand the rodent is travelling in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second striking portion impacts the head of rodent to kill it, and the elongate body portion can then again impact the body of the rodent, to further ensure it is killed and / or to push it into a storage area.

[0019] The first striking portion and the second striking portion may be symmetrical around an axis at a midpoint of the hammer between the first striking portion and the second striking portion.

[0020] The first striking portion and the second striking portion may extend the same distance from the elongate body portion.

[0021] The one or more protrusions of the first striking portion and the second striking portion may have a striking surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the length of the elongate body portion. The first striking portion may comprise three protrusions. Alternatively or additionally, the second striking portion may comprise three protrusions.

[0022] A second end of the passage may form a second opening in the surface of the housing. The ceiling of the passage may be shaped such that a height of the ceiling at the kill zone is higher than a height of the ceiling at the first and second openings in the surface of the housing. This has been found to prevent taller rodents from "haunching", so increasing the likelihood that a rodent is in the expected position when the kill mechanism is activated. This helps to ensure the rodent's head is correctly struck by the hammer, to give a reliable and clean kill.

[0023] The ceiling at the kill zone may have a first height, and the ceiling at the first and second openings in the surface of the housing may have a second height lower than the first height. The ceiling of the passage may be angled between the first height at the kill zone and the second height at the first and second openings. The ceiling in an area between the kill zone and the first opening and in an area between the kill zone and the second opening may have a third height, wherein the third height is between the first height and the second height. The ceiling of the passage may be angled between one or more of: the first height at the kill zone and the third height at the area between the kill zone and the first opening; the first height at the kill zone and the third height at the area between the kill zone end the second opening; the third height at the area between the kill zone and the first opening and the second height at the first opening; and the third height at the area between the kill zone and the second opening and the second height at the second opening.

[0024] The ceiling of the passage at the kill zone may be lower on the side of the passage adjacent to the kill mechanism, than on the side of the passage opposite the kill mechanism.

[0025] The floor of the passage at the kill may be higher than the floor of the passage at the first opening and the floor of the passage at the second opening. The floor of the passage may be curved from the first opening to the second opening.

[0026] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a rodent trap comprising: a housing; a passage within the housing, wherein a first end of the passage forms a first opening in the surface of the housing; a kill mechanism within the housing adjacent to a kill zone of the passage, wherein the kill mechanism is arranged to be activated by a rodent within the kill zone; wherein the kill mechanism comprises a hammer arranged to move into the kill zone when the kill mechanism is activated to strike a rodent within the kill zone; and wherein the hammer comprises: an elongate body portion; a first striking portion at a first end of the elongate body portion, the first striking portion having one or more protrusions extending from the elongate body portion for striking a head of a rodent within the kill zone; and a second striking portion at a second end of the elongate body portion, the second striking portion having one or more protrusions extending from the elongate body portion for striking a head of a rodent within the kill zone.

[0027] By having the hammer comprise an elongate body portion and a striking portion at each end, the hammer can impact and cleanly kill a rodent when it is travelling in different directions. If the rodent is travelling in a first direction, the first striking portion impacts the head of the rodent to kill it, and the elongate body portion can impact the body of the rodent, to further ensure it is killed and / or to push it into a storage area. If on the other hand the rodent is travelling in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second striking portion impacts the head of rodent to kill it, and the elongate body portion can then again impact the body of the rodent, to further ensure it is killed and / or to push it into a storage area.

[0028] The first striking portion and the second striking portion may be identical such that the hammer is symmetrical around an axis at a midpoint between the first striking portion and the second striking portion.

[0029] The first striking portion and the second striking portion may extend the same distance from the elongate body portion. The one or more protrusions of the first striking portion and the second striking portion may have a striking surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the length of the elongate body portion.

[0030] The first striking portion comprises three protrusions. Alternatively or additionally, the second striking portion may comprise three protrusions.

[0031] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a rodent trap comprising: a housing; a passage within the housing, wherein a first end of the passage forms a first opening in the surface of the housing, and wherein a second end of the passage forms a second opening in the surface of the housing; a kill mechanism within the housing adjacent to a kill zone of the passage, wherein the kill mechanism is arranged to be activated by a rodent within the kill zone; wherein the kill mechanism comprises a hammer arranged to move into the kill zone when the kill mechanism is activated to strike a rodent within the kill zone; wherein the ceiling of the passage is shaped such that a height of the ceiling at the kill zone is higher than a height of the ceiling at the first and second openings in the surface of the housing.

[0032] Having the ceiling of the passage shaped in such a way has been found to prevent taller rodents from "haunching", so increasing the likelihood that a rodent is in the expected position when the kill mechanism is activated. This helps to ensure the rodent's head is correctly struck by the hammer, to give a reliable and clean kill.

[0033] The ceiling at the kill zone may have a first height, and the ceiling at the first and second openings in the surface of the housing may have a second height lower than the first height. The ceiling of the passage may be angled between the first height at the kill zone and the second height at the first and second openings. The ceiling in an area between the kill zone and the first opening and in an area between the kill zone and the second opening may have a third height, wherein the third height is between the first height and the second height. The ceiling of the passage may be angled between one or more of: the first height at the kill zone and the third height at the area between the kill zone and the first opening; the first height at the kill zone and the third height at the area between the kill zone end the second opening; the third height at the area between the kill zone and the first opening and the second height at the first opening; and the third height at the area between the kill zone and the second opening and the second height at the second opening.

[0034] The ceiling of the passage at the kill zone may be lower on the side of the passage adjacent to the kill mechanism, than on the side of the passage opposite the kill mechanism.

[0035] The floor of the passage at the kill may be is higher than the floor of the passage at the first opening and the floor of the passage at the second opening. The floor of the passage may be curved from the first opening to the second opening.

[0036] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention.

[0037] Description of the Drawings

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0039] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rodent trap in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0040] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of part of the interior of the rodent trap of Figure 1; and

[0041] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the kill mechanism of the rodent trap of Figure 1;

[0042] Figure 4a shows a side view of the kill mechanism of Figure 3 before activation;

[0043] Figure 4b shows a side view of the kill mechanism of Figure 3 when activated; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the hammer of the kill mechanism of Figure 3;

[0044] Figure 6 shows a side view of the ceiling of the passage of the rodent trap of Figure 1;

[0045] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the ceiling of the passage of the rodent trap of Figure 1; and

[0046] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the ceiling and the floor of the passage of the rodent trap of Figure 1.

[0047] Detailed Description

[0048] A rodent trap in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is now described, with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, the rodent trap 100 comprises a housing 101. On a first side of the housing 101 is a first opening 102 in the housing 101. On the opposite side of the rodent trap 100 is a second opening (not shown) in the housing 101.

[0050] Figure 2 shows part of the interior of the rodent trap 100, with the housing 101 removed. The rodent trap 100 comprises a ramp 103a leading from the first opening 102 to a passage 104 through the interior of the rodent trap 100. The passage 104 has a symmetrically curved floor 105 which leads upwards from the first opening 102 and the ramp 103a to a high point at the midpoint of the passage 104, and then downwards to a ramp 103b at the second opening in the housing, on the opposite side of the rodent trap 100. The passage 104 also has a ceiling 180 (not shown in Figure 2) which is described in more detail later below.

[0051] A kill mechanism 150 is mounted within the housing 101 of the rodent trap, at the midpoint of the passage 104, forming a kill zone 170 in the middle of the passage 104 in which a rodent, if present, will be killed. The kill mechanism 150 is now described with reference to Figures 3 to 4b.

[0052] The kill mechanism 150 comprises a piston with a piston housing 151 and a piston shaft 152. The kill mechanism 150 is positioned within the housing 101 so that the piston housing 151 is positioned below and to one side of the passage 104, so that the piston shaft 152 extends towards, but below, the passage 104.

[0053] On the end of the piston shaft 152 is mounted a bar 155. The piston shaft 152 is fixed to the midpoint of the bar 155, with the bar 155 extending horizontally to either side of the piston shaft 152. On the ends of the bar 155 there are rotatably mounted a first drive arm 156a and a second drive arm 156b respectively. The first drive arm 156a and second drive arm 156b extend backwards towards the piston housing 151, in other words in the opposite direction to the direction in which the piston shaft 152 extends. The first drive arm 156a and second drive arm 156b have a bend so that they continue to extend backwards but also upwards, with the other ends of the first drive arm 156a and the second drive arm 156b being rotatably mounted on a first hammer arm 157a and a second hammer arm 157b respectively, as described in more detail below.

[0054] Each of the first hammer arm 157a and the second hammer arm 157b has a first end rotatably mounted beneath the piston housing 151. The first hammer arm 157a and the second hammer arm 157b each extend upwards past the piston housing 151 in a loose S-shape, with the second ends of the first hammer arm 157a and the second hammer arm 157b being mounted on a respective side of an elongate hammer 160, so that the hammer 160 is positioned above the piston housing 151. The hammer 160 is described in more detail later below. The first drive arm 156a and the second drive arm 156b are rotatably mounted on the first hammer arm 157a and the second hammer arm 157b respectively at a point between the ends of each of the first hammer arm 157a and the second hammer arm 157b, close to, but still a distance from, the ends on which the hammer 160 is mounted.

[0055] Figures 4a and 4b show the operation of the kill mechanism 150 when it is activated. Figures 4a and 4b also show a gas canister 159 which contains the gas which is released when the kill mechanism 150 is activated, to drive the piston shaft 152 to extend, as described below.

[0056] Figure 4a shows the kill mechanism 150 before activation. In this state, the piston shaft 152 is not extended. Consequently, the first drive arm 156a and the second drive arm 156b are in the position furthest back towards the piston housing 151, and so the first hammer arm 157a and second hammer arm 157b are also rotated so that their second ends are further backwards, such that the hammer 160 is at its furthest backward position, above the back part of the piston housing 151. This is the state of the kill mechanism 150 in Figure 2, in which it can be seen that in this state, the hammer 160 is to the side of the passage 104, with the impact surface of the hammer 160 (in other words the surface of the hammer 160 that would strike a rodent) effectively forming a part of the wall of the passage 104.

[0057] Figure 4b shows the kill mechanism 150 when it has been activated. In this state, the piston shaft 152 is extended outwards away from the piston housing 151. Consequently, the bar 155 has pulled the ends of the first drive arm 156a and the second drive arm 156b forwards away from the piston housing 151. This causes the first hammer arm 157a and the second hammer arm 157b to be rotated forwards, so that the hammer 160 is moved to its furthest forward position, above the front part of the piston housing 151. It will be appreciated that this results in the hammer 160 moving into the passage 104, and striking any rodent that is present within the kill zone 170.

[0058] In this way, the kill mechanism 150 is compactly arranged adjacent to the passage 104, with the piston shaft 152 extending underneath the passage 104 when the kill mechanism 150 is activated. The first drive arm 156a and the second drive arm 156b, and the first hammer arm 157a and second hammer arm 157b, provide an effective transfer of force from the piston shaft 152 to the hammer 160, to kill a rodent in the kill zone 170.

[0059] The hammer 160 of the kill mechanism 150 is now described in more detail, with reference to Figure 5.

[0060] The hammer 160 comprises an elongate body portion 161, which has a flat surface and is curved outwards at its ends to striking portions 162a and 162b on either end, so that the hammer 160 is roughly C-shaped. The striking portions 162a and 162b are identical, so that the hammer 160 is symmetrical about the midpoint of the elongate body portion 161. The striking portion 162a comprises three protrusions 162aa, 162ab and 162ac, with recesses between the adjacent protrusions. Each protrusion 162aa, 162ab, 162ac provides a thin striking surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the length of the elongate body portion 161. The impulse / pressure applied to the skull of the rodent is increased by reducing the contact area of the hammer 160, with the three vertical protrusions 162aa, 162ab, 162ac ensuring a vulnerable part of the rodent's skull is struck by one of the protrusions even when there are slight variations in the position of the rodent when the kill mechanism 150 is triggered.

[0061] Correspondingly, the striking portion 162b comprises three protrusions 162ba, 162bb and 162bc, with recesses between the adjacent protrusions, and each protrusion 162ba, 162bb, 162bc again providing a striking surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the length of the elongate body portion 161.

[0062] As can be seen from Figure 2 in particular, the elongate body portion 161 of the hammer 160 is positioned in the middle of the kill zone 170, with the striking portions 162a and 162b being positioned at either end of the kill zone 170, closer to the opening 102 and the other opposite opening in the housing 101 of the rodent trap 100. When the kill mechanism 150 is triggered by a rodent in the kill zone 170, if the rodent has entered via the opening 102, the head of the rodent will be positioned so that it is struck by the striking portion 162a. As the hammer 160 curves outwards at the striking portions 162a, after the head of the rodent has been impacted by the striking portion 162a, the body of the rodent will be impacted by the elongate body portion 161 of the hammer 160. In this way, the striking portion 162a can impact the head of the rodent with considerable force, cleanly killing the rodent, and subsequently the body of the rodent is pushed with the elongate body portion 161, for example into a storage area (not shown).

[0063] However, if the rodent has entered via the other opening opposite the opening 102, the head of the rodent will be positioned so that it is struck by the striking portion 162b. Again, after the head of the rodent has been impacted by the striking portion 162b, the body of the rodent will be impacted by the elongate body portion 161 of the hammer 160.

[0064] In this way, the rodent can be killed by the kill mechanism whether it has entered the trap via the first opening 102 or the other opposite opening. This allows the passage 104 of the rodent trap 100 to be open at both ends, so allowing the rodent to see their exit from the passage 104 when they are in the required position within the kill zone 170.

[0065] The ceiling 180 of the passage 104 is now described in more detail, with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

[0066] The ceiling 180 defines the upper extent of the passage 104, with the curved floor 105 defining the lower extent of the passage 104. Similarly to the floor 105, the ceiling 180 is symmetrical about the midpoint of the passage 104.

[0067] At either end, the ceiling 180 has lowest extents 183a and 183b. The ceiling 180 then has angled portions 185a and 185b that lead up to flat portions 182a and 182b, and then further angled portions 184a and 184b that lead up the centre portion 181 of the ceiling 180.

[0068] The centre portion 181 of the ceiling 180 comprises two flat portions 181a and 181b, as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8. A wider flat portion 181a spans between the angled portions 184a and 184b. The wider flat portion 181a provides the highest extent of the ceiling 180, and in the rodent trap 1 is positioned on the same side as the hammer 160. A narrower flat portion 181b, roughly half the width of the wider flat portion 181a, also spans between the angled portions 184a and 184b, and is positioned on the opposite side to the hammer 160.

[0069] In this way, the ceiling 180 provides the passage 104 with an unrestricted rectangular cross-section, so not deterring a rodent from entering the passage 104 as they can at all times see their exit from the passage 104, even when within the kill zone 170. (The positioning of the hammer 160 adjacent to the passage 104, effectively acting as part of the wall of the passage 104, also helps provide an unrestricted apparent path of travel through the passage 104 for the rodent.) However, the differences in height of the different parts of the ceiling 180 also act to prevent taller rodents "haunching", so helping ensure their heads are in the expected position when the kill mechanism 150 is activated. As can be seen from Figure 8 in particular, the different heights of the different portions of the ceiling 180 roughly mirror the curve of the floor 105, so that the vertical extent of the passage 104 is kept within a certain distance. The different heights of the wider flat portion 181a and the narrower flat portion 181b in the centre part of the ceiling 180 also act to both provide an apparent unrestricted path of travel through the passage 104 for the rodent, while at the same time giving a lower height to a side of the passage 104 to deter haunching.

[0070] While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.

[0071] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

Claims1. A rodent trap comprising: a housing; a passage within the housing, wherein a first end of the passage forms a first opening in the surface of the housing, and wherein a second end of the passage forms a second opening in the surface of the housing; a kill mechanism within the housing adjacent to a kill zone of the passage, wherein the kill mechanism is arranged to be activated by a rodent within the kill zone; wherein the kill mechanism comprises a hammer arranged to move into the kill zone when the kill mechanism is activated to strike a rodent within the kill zone; wherein the ceiling of the passage is shaped such that a height of the ceiling at the kill zone is higher than a height of the ceiling at the first and second openings in the surface of the housing.

2. A rodent trap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ceiling at the kill zone has a first height, and the ceiling at the first and second openings in the surface of the housing has a second height lower than the first height.

3. A rodent trap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ceiling of the passage is angled between the first height at the kill zone and the second height at the first and second openings.

4. A rodent trap as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ceiling in an area between the kill zone and the first opening and in an area between the kill zone and the second opening has a third height, and wherein the third height is between the first height and the second height.

5. A rodent trap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ceiling of the passage is angled between one or more of:the first height at the kill zone and the third height at the area between the kill zone and the first opening; the first height at the kill zone and the third height at the area between the kill zone end the second opening; the third height at the area between the kill zone and the first opening and the second height at the first opening; and the third height at the area between the kill zone and the second opening and the second height at the second opening.

6. A rodent trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ceiling of the passage at the kill zone is lower on the side of the passage adjacent to the kill mechanism, than on the side of the passage opposite the kill mechanism.

7. A rodent trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the floor of the passage at the kill zone is higher than the floor of the passage at the first opening and the floor of the passage at the second opening.

8. A rodent trap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the floor of the passage is curved from the first opening to the second opening.

9. A rodent trap as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a storage area adjacent to the passage, and wherein the kill mechanism is further arranged to push a rodent killed by the kill mechanism into the storage area using the hammer.

10. A rodent trap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a second end of the passage forms a second opening in the surface of the housing.

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