Over-Center Set Mechanism for Two-Door Cage Trap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cage-type animal traps require two hands for setting and releasing, have complex and unreliable trigger mechanisms, and often necessitate close contact with the trapped animal, leading to inconsistent capture and increased risk of malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A one-door and two-door cage trap design featuring a wire mesh enclosure with a torsion spring and over-center set mechanism, allowing for one-handed operation and reliable, consistent triggering, along with a simplified mechanism for safe setting and release, and the ability to function as either a one-door or two-door trap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art cage traps use traditional setting mechanisms with pan, trigger rod, latching device, and locking device, then the trap can capture animals, but the mechanism requires two hands for setting and releasing, and involves close contact with the trapped animal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex multi-component setting mechanism (pan, trigger rod, latching device, locking device) and replaces it with a simplified cable-and-pulley system. The cable assembly connects the door directly to a pulley mechanism that can be operated from outside the cage, eliminating the need for internal setting components and reducing the number of parts involved in the setting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cable assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the door. The cable runs through a pulley system that allows the operator to open and close the door from outside the cage, mediating the interaction between the user and the trapped animal and eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation of complex internal mechanisms.
2Reliability
If prior art cage traps use complicated trigger or actuation mechanisms, then the trap can be set, but the force required to trip the trap varies, resulting in failure to capture or false trips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical trigger system (pan, trigger rod, spring) with a simplified cable-tension-based actuation mechanism. The cable assembly maintains consistent tension that can be uniformly adjusted, replacing the variable-force spring mechanism with a more reliable and easily controllable tension system that eliminates false trips and ensures consistent triggering.
3Ease of operation
If prior art cage traps require close contact with the trapped animal for setting and releasing, then the trap can be operated, but the user is exposed to potential harm or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cable assembly as an intermediary tool that allows the operator to manipulate the door and release the animal from outside the cage. The cable acts as a remote manipulation tool, enabling the user to open the door and safely release the animal without physical contact, thereby eliminating exposure to potential harm while simplifying the release process.
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
The design enables easy, one-handed setting and release of trapped animals with consistent trigger force, reducing the risk of malfunction and ensuring humane trapping while maintaining user safety.
Implementation Method 1
A torsion spring operatively connected to a locking yoke urges the door toward its closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A cage-type animal trap with two opposed animal access openings that can operate in a one-door-opening configuration or a two-door-opening configuration. The trap has a set mechanism for holding one or both doors open to allow access through the corresponding trap access openings. The set mechanism includes a set lever that is movable from a set position to a tripped position and that is coupled to the doors of the trap by an actuating member. Upon actuation, the set lever moves from the set to the tripped position to allow movement of the actuating member which enables one of the doors to move from an opened position to a closed position when the trap is operating in a one-door-opening configuration, and both of the doors to move from the opened position to the closed position when the trap is operating in the two-door-opening configuration.