Mole Trap Scissors Mechanism with Surface Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical mole traps require careful handling to avoid inadvertent triggering, making them difficult to set and release without risking accidental activation, and they lack a mechanism for subterranean application.
Innovation Solution
A mole trap with a plastic construction featuring a scissors-like mechanism with pivoting blades and a trigger system that allows for hands-free setting and release, using springs to close the blades upon mole detection, and a design that allows placement over a mole runway without direct user interaction with the blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional scissors trap with metal blades is used, then trapping effectiveness is improved, but handling difficulty and risk of inadvertent triggering increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, durable metal blades with inexpensive plastic blades that are sufficient for the application. The plastic material allows for a lighter, more manageable device that can be easily inserted into the ground and handled without the weight and complexity of metal construction, thereby reducing handling difficulty while maintaining trapping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional trigger mechanism by placing the trigger pawl above the ground surface rather than below it. This allows the trigger to be accessed and actuated from the surface, eliminating the need for users to reach into the ground cavity and manually handle the blade mechanism, thus reducing the risk of inadvertent triggering while maintaining reliability.
2Force
If powerful spring mechanism is used to close blades, then trapping force is improved, but device complexity and handling care requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring mechanism from the traditional scissor trap configuration and integrates it into a simplified lever-based system. The spring is positioned to directly actuate the blade closure through a lever arm, eliminating the need for complex multi-component spring assemblies and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sufficient trapping force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic lever mechanism that converts the stored spring energy into controlled blade motion. The lever arm pivots to transfer force from the spring to the blades in a controlled manner, providing powerful trapping action while keeping the mechanism simple and manageable. The dynamic design allows the spring to be easily engaged and disengaged without complex handling procedures.
3Ease of operation
If trigger mechanism accessed from above is used, then ease of setting is improved, but adaptability to subterranean application decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal trigger mechanism that can be accessed from the surface while maintaining compatibility with subterranean mole runways. The trigger pawl is positioned above ground but still effectively actuates the blade mechanism when a mole interacts with the runway, providing both ease of setting and adaptability to the subterranean environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary lever mechanism that bridges the gap between the surface-accessible trigger and the subterranean blade mechanism. The lever arm acts as a mediator, transmitting the trigger action from the surface down to the blades in the ground cavity, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and subterranean applicability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and effective trapping of moles underground without requiring manual handling, ensuring the trap is set and released without user intervention, providing a reliable and user-friendly solution for mole control.
Implementation Method 1
Two springs extend between the second lever segment and the base to urge the pivoting blades to close with the fixed blades
Data Source
AI summary
A mole trap has a tough plastic base with downwardly extending fixed blades. Movable plastic blades are pivotably connected to the base and urged into a sprung condition by springs. A two-segment lever extends between the base and a catch which is pivotably mounted to the base. A trigger extends through a central opening in the catch and has a post which protrudes beneath the catch where it can be actuated by the targeted mole. Operation of the trigger post causes the lever to release from its engagement with the catch so that the movable blades close on and strike the mole positioned beneath the trap. The trigger has a release tab extending from the lever, allowing convenient release from the set position, and an upwardly protruding set arm allowing trigger depression from a point exterior to the handle into its desired set configuration.