Removable Pest Control Mounting Bracket for Hard-to-Reach Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pest control devices are difficult to position in inaccessible or hard-to-reach areas within buildings, such as attics, behind walls, or under floors, limiting their effectiveness in controlling pest populations.

Innovation Solution

A pest control device mounting system featuring a mounting bracket with a circumferential portal and a removably attachable plug that closes the portal, allowing easy installation and removal of pest control devices in challenging locations, and an elongate member for accessing hard-to-reach areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pest control devices are positioned in inaccessible areas (attics, behind walls, under floors), then pest control effectiveness is improved, but device accessibility for installation and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoiddevice accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate components: a mounting bracket that remains installed in the inaccessible area, and a removable plug that can be easily attached and detached. This segmentation allows the mounting structure to be permanently positioned in hard-to-reach locations while the functional component (plug with pest control device) remains accessible for installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary element installed in the inaccessible area, providing a mounting interface that extends accessibility to the removable plug. This intermediary structure bridges the gap between the inaccessible mounting location and the accessible device replacement operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pest control devices are installed in hard-to-reach locations, then pest control coverage is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest control coverageVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the mounting bracket from the plug component, the system simplifies installation. The mounting bracket can be installed once in the inaccessible area, and subsequent pest control devices are easily installed by simply attaching removable plugs, reducing overall installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is installed in advance in the inaccessible area, preparing the mounting interface before the actual pest control device (plug) is attached. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent device installation and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If removable plugs are used to accommodate pest control devices, then device maintainability is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice maintainabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the permanent mounting structure from the removable functional component. The simple mounting bracket with portal provides a basic interface, while the removable plug encapsulates the pest control device, enabling easy maintenance without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket with portal and flange portion serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling removable plug attachment, and facilitating device maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3793355B1Pest control device mounting system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ECOLAB USA INC
  • EP3793355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method and apparatus for a pest control device mounting system configured for mounting pest control devices in a building and using them to control pests. The pest control device mounting system including a mounting bracket, which may have a circumferential portion defining a portal. In some examples, the mounting bracket includes a flange portion suitable for attaching to the perimeter of a cavity in a building surface. The pest control device mounting system including a plug configured to be removably attached to the mounting bracket and to substantially close the portal when attached to the mounting bracket, wherein the plug is configured to accommodate a pest control device.