Sliding Animal Trap with Removable End Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aboveground animal traps are difficult to set due to complex and sensitive triggering mechanisms, often triggering accidentally when bait is applied, and they may use harmful poisons that are expensive and undesirable for public use, increasing user interaction and decreasing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An animal trap design featuring a first and second portion in sliding relationship with a biasing mechanism, a trigger mechanism for locking and deploying, and a removable end unit with unique members and a bottom portion, allowing for efficient and safe operation without the need for poisons, with an omnidirectional trigger mechanism and resilient deformable members for secure capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional aboveground traps use complex and sensitive triggering mechanisms, then the trap can detect animal presence, but the trap becomes difficult to set and may trigger accidentally when bait is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is divided into separate components including a first portion and a second portion that can be independently positioned and secured. The trigger mechanism is separated from the baiting process, allowing the trap to be set without accidentally triggering it. The second portion can be manually positioned and secured independently of the trigger mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap incorporates a self-latching mechanism where the second portion automatically secures to the first portion when deployed, reducing the need for complex manual adjustment. The trigger mechanism is designed to remain dormant until activated by animal weight, eliminating the need for delicate manual triggering during setup.
2Reliability
If poison is used in conventional traps, then animal control effectiveness is improved, but safety hazards and environmental contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces harmful poison-based methods with a mechanical capture system that uses physical force and confinement. The trap achieves animal control through mechanical means (spring-loaded closure, securing mechanisms) rather than chemical harm, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap uses a mechanical, reusable design that eliminates the need for expensive and hazardous poisons. The device can be deployed multiple times without degrading in effectiveness, providing a safe, economical alternative to single-use poison-based solutions.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional traps require significant user interaction for setup and baiting, then the trap can be properly configured, but the effectiveness decreases due to increased triggering risk
Solution Approach 1:
The trap design separates the setup process from the triggering mechanism. The first and second portions can be independently positioned and secured during setup, while the trigger mechanism remains dormant. This segmentation allows proper configuration without risking accidental activation, maintaining both ease of manufacture and reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the trap design uses fixed components, then manufacturing is simplified, but repair and component replacement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is designed with segmented, modular components including a removable end unit with unique members that can be detached and replaced independently. This modular design maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling easy repair and component replacement, as damaged parts can be swapped without replacing the entire trap.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable end unit design allows individual components to be discarded and replaced as needed. The unique members and bottom portion can be recovered and reused, facilitating maintenance and repair while keeping the overall trap structure intact and functional.
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 enhances ease of operation and safety by reducing user interaction, ensuring effective trapping without poisons, and allowing for easy replacement of damaged components, thereby increasing the trap's effectiveness and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position
Implementation Method 2
a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position
Data Source
AI summary
An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having upper and a lower ends; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, the first and second portions being relatively positionable between cocked and deployed positions; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position; and an end unit removably coupled to the lower end of the first portion. The end unit includes: a base; at least two unique members extending from a bottom end of the base; and a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each of the unique members. A first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the base, while each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members.