Abstract: A portable electronic insect controller is provided wherein a electrified alternately polarized grid surrounds a light emitting region of a camping lantern. The grid includes a bottom and top ring spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other. Bars attached to the rings extend upward from the bottom ring and downward from the top ring in a spaced arrangement. A grid bracket includes grid posts which attach to the bottom ring and extend downward to engage a collar which extends around the outside of the lantern and is pulled securely against the lantern by buckle snap connectors. A base is provided onto which the lantern is secured and into which is housed a power source for electrification of the grid. The power supply steps up voltage from either a direct current source or alternating current source to a high enough voltage to arc across from one bar to the next when an insert enters the region between the bars.

Abstract: An insect killing device has an electrically powered light source surrounded by an electrically conductive grid, the light source and grid being enclosed within a dielectric housing having a side wall which is closed at its upper end by an impervious top and which defines an open port at its lower end. The light source and the grid are energizable by an electric AC power source external to the housing via electric circuit components located in the housing. The side wall has an array of openings through which insects attracted by the energized light source may pass to come into contact with and be electrocuted by the energized grid. The grid is supported on a dielectric carrier and is separably connected to the electric circuit components.

Abstract: An insect electrocution device comprising a lamp and an insect electrocution assembly disposed in generally surrounding relationship with at least a portion of the lamp. In particular, an insect electrocution device comprising a lamp for attracting insects and an insect electrocution assembly disposed about the lamp, the insect electrocution assembly comprising an outer apertured plate, the area of the apertures being substantially less than the remaining area of the plate, and inner electrode apparatus spaced from the outer apertured plate. There is also disclosed a combination illumination device and insect electrocution device including a lamp having peak outputs in both the UV region for insect attraction and in the visible region for effective illumination.

Abstract: An insect electrocution device comprising a lamp and an insect electrocution assembly disposed in generally surrounding relationship with at least a portion of the lamp. In particular, an insect electrocution device comprising a lamp for attracting insects and an insect electrocution assembly disposed about the lamp, the insect electrocution assembly comprising an outer apertured plate, the area of the apertures being substantially less than the remaining area of the plate, and inner electrode apparatus spaced from the outer apertured plate.

Abstract: An insect exterminator having a base sheet of electrical insulating material, a source of electrical power, a first electrical contact extending along the length of the sheet, and a second electrical contact spaced from the first contact and also extending along the length of the sheet. The first and second electrical contacts are connected to the source of electrical power, so that a circuit is completed across the contacts only through an insects body as the insect attempts to traverse the contact.

Abstract: A housing is disclosed for an insect killing assembly of the type having an elongated light source protruding downwardly from a mounting shelf. The light source is surrounded by an electrically conductive grid supported by legs depending from the lower surface of said shelf. The light source and the grid are energized by an A.C. source via circuit components including a voltage augmenting transformer carried on the top surface of the shelf. The housing includes an open-ended enclosure surrounding the insect killing assembly. The enclosure is defined by a pair of separable half-sections which are each provided with an array of holes through which insects may pass as they are attracted by the light source onto the energized grid. A removable base closes the lower end of the enclosure. A one-piece water impervious cover is detachably mounted to the upper end of the enclosure. The cover cooperates with the half sections and the mounting shelf to isolate the circuit components from external moisture.

Abstract: A power supply for an electric insect trap having an electrocution grid and a fluorescent lamp for attracting insects to the grid employs an inverter to generate a high frequency alternating voltage. The alternating voltage is applied across the primary winding of a first transformer having a secondary winding for development of a current-limited voltage for operating the lamp. Due to large inductance, the secondary winding functions as a constant current source to the lamp, so that lamps having different voltage characteristics may be used in the same circuit. A high voltage transformer has a primary driven by the limited lamp current to produce a high voltage for the electrocution grid across its secondary winding. Current limiting is achieved, in part, by providing a selected amount of flux leakage between the primary and secondary windings of the first transformer.

Abstract: An electronic insect killer has spaced electrodes adapted to be electrically contacted by bodies of insects, said electrodes surrounding fluorescent lamps which attract the insects toward the electrodes. Interconnected with the electrodes and the fluorescent lamps is a solid state inverter which provides a high AC voltage at high frequency which is rectified to provide a high DC voltage across the electrodes, as well as lower AC voltage at high frequency for energizing the lamps without ballasting.

Abstract: Apparatus for killing pests with an electrified screen. The screen has conductive weft strands woven between insulative warp strands. Insulative weft strands may be disposed between adjacent conductive weft strands. Busses are disposed in the warp having an insulative base and conductive strips on opposite sides thereof. Alternate conductive weft strands contact one of the strips and the remaining conductive weft strands contact the other strip. The screen may be mounted vertically about a field to kill insects attempting to enter. Also the screen may be employed around the home to kill pests.

Abstract: Insect electrocution apparatus comprising a housing defining an outward facing direction and an inward facing direction; an inner electrode disposed within the housing; an array of composite members disposed within the housing and spaced in an outward facing direction with respect to the inner electrode, the composite members each comprising an outward facing insulative member defining a safety guard and fixed thereto an inward facing conductor, defining an outer electrode array, and means for coupling the inner electrode and the outer electrode array across a high voltage source.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in monitoring the numbers of a selected species of insect comprising one or more traps into which is put a synthesized pheromone to attract that particular insect. Each trap has a grille comprising a plurality of bars between which is applied a high voltage by means of a high voltage generator, so that when an insect of the selected species tries to enter the trap it touches adjacent bars and is electrocuted by the electric discharge between them. This discharge is detected by a discharge detector connected to the trap and the detector passes a signal to a transmitter which transmits it to a central receiver equipped with a discriminator for ignoring signals other than those from the transmitter and for passing the signals representing discharges to a pulse counter whereby a total of the number of insects trapped in a given time can be obtained at a central station without visiting each trap.

Abstract: Insect electrocution apparatus having a first wire mesh formed of perpendicularly crossed wires spaced from a second wire mesh formed of perpendicularly crossed wires. The spacing device comprises a main body portion having a length equal to the spacing distance with a pair of bosses extending axially from the opposite ends of the main body portion. Each of the bosses defines a slot which receives a wire from a respective wire mesh, and the wire meshes are retained in place with respect to the main body portion. One of the wire meshes is mounted to a chassis plate by means of a grid support formed of insulative material. The grid support is an elongated member having a first portion for connection to the grid and a second portion for connection to the chassis plate.

Abstract: An electronic insect killer has spaced electrodes adapted to be electrically contacted by bodies of insects, said electrodes surrounding fluorescent lamps which attract the insects toward the electrodes. Interconnected with the electrodes and the fluorescent lamps is a solid state inverter which provides a high AC voltage at high frequency across the electrodes, as well as lower AC voltage at high frequency for energizing the lamps without ballasting.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving flight safety in the vicinity of an airport by reducing the incidence of birds in the vicinity of the landing strip. Worm traps are disposed adjacent opposed marginal edges of the landing strip and extend longitudinally therealong and have an outer upper wall surface sloping downwardly and outwardly from the landing strip to the adjacent grassed area. The worm trap is located in a trench along the landing strip and a narrow strip between the worm trap and wall of the trench provides entry for the worms into the trench. The worm traps have an inner chamber for collecting the worms as they crawl there into through an opening adjacent the bottom of the worm trap. Means are provided within the chamber to electrocute the worms.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus for killing insects has vertically disposed, concentrically arranged mesh electrodes interconnected by suitable switching means to a source of high voltage. The electrodes are supported at their lower ends by individual insulators establishing the lower ends of the electrodes both mutually spaced from each other as well as from the surrounding apparatus enclosure parts. These insulators are located entirely outwardly of the space between the mesh electrodes so that the region below the space between the electrodes is free of obstructions such that electrocuted insects will not be able to collect on the insulators and form an electrical short.

Abstract: An insect trap of the baseboard type includes a base and a detachable cover. A high-voltage electrical potential is established between first and second electrically conductive strips secured to the base, and a third electrically conductive strip is interposed between the first and second strips. A portion of the third strip is insulated from the second strip, and a fourth conductive strip is mounted upon the insulated portion of the third strip so as to be electrically connected to the second strip. The remaining portions of the third strip are engageable with and disengageable from the second strip by means of the trap cover as to alternatively short circuit, or permit the establishment of, the high-voltage electrical potential.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically exterminating insects comprises first and second perforated electrically conductive elements supported in a mutually spaced relationship by insulators which are in turn supported on opposed top and bottom walls. A perforated side wall extends between the top and bottom walls and cooperates therewith to form a protective housing enclosing the first and second conductive elements. The top wall has an access opening therein leading to an interior chamber surrounded by the first conductive element. A carrier having at least one fluorescent light source mounted thereon is detachably mounted on the top wall with the light source protruding through the access opening into the aforesaid interior chamber. The light source and the first and second electrically conductive elements are connected to an electrical power cord by electrical components mounted on both the carrier and the top wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in monitoring the numbers of a selected species of insect comprises one or more traps into which is put a synthesized pheromone to attract that particular insect. Each trap has a grille comprising a plurality of bars between which is applied a high voltage so that when an insect of the selected species tries to enter the trap it touches adjacent bars and is electrocuted by the electric discharge between them. This discharge is detected by a discharge detector connected to the trap and the detector passes a signal to a transmitter which transmits it to a central receiver equipped with a discriminator for ignoring signals other than those from the transmitter and for passing the signals representing discharges to a pulse counter whereby a total of the number of insects trapped in a given time can be obtained at a central station without visiting each trap.

Abstract: A trap including an elongated base for mounting along the bottom of a wall at the juncture between the wall and floor. A pair of spaced-apart electrical conductors are mounted on the base, and an electrical voltage difference is provided between the conductors. The conductors may be carried by an elongated carrier secured to the base. The carrier may be a stiff strip, or it may be a tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one face and two foil strips as the conductors on the other face. The carrier may be gripping means for holding conventional wires, or the conductors, such as foil strips, may be applied directly to the base. The base may be formed with a well for catching dead insects, and the conductors may be in opposed relation above the bottom of the well. An end cap may be provided to finish off one end of the baseboard trap and furnish electric power to the trap.

Abstract: An electrical grill assembly for use in a device for electrically exterminating insects, comprising inner and outer generally cylindrical metal grill members which are held in a coaxial mutually spaced relationship by insulator spacers interposed therebetween. The insulator spacers are structurally interlocked with the grill members at least partially by means of oppositely extending protrusions which are integrally formed on the spacers and which are received in radially aligned openings in opposed portions of the grill members.

Abstract: An electrical detecting circuit using an S.C.R. or an integrated circuit and low voltage detects when an insect bridges a pair of electrodes whereupon entrapping means are activated. The entrapping means can be a trapdoor in the top of a container or an arrangement for applying higher voltage to said electrodes and/or additional electrodes to shock the insect dislodging it into a trap receptacle from which it cannot exit. One series of embodiments are adapted to trap crawling insects while another embodiment is adapted to trap flying insects. The trap works efficiently on cockroaches as well as other insects.

Abstract: An electrical insect killing apparatus includes a killing unit having a light source for attracting insects surrounded at least in part by electrodes for electrocuting such insects, and a perforate enclosure for the killing unit detachably joined at one end to a switch housing a light source having a removable cover and housing a switch for interrupting the flow of electricity to the killing unit. The cover and the perforate enclosure co-act to close the switch when both are joined to the apparatus. However, detachment of either from the apparatus opens the switch.

Abstract: Insect electrocution device providing:A surface array composed of an arrangement of spaced first electrodes; andA sheet electrode disposed on a surface spaced from the surface array;The first electrodes being maintained at a first potential;The sheet electrode being maintained at a second potential differing from the first potential.The spacing between the first electrodes is greater than the spacing between the sheet electrode and the first electrodes.

Abstract: A trap containing a bait to attract rodents, insects and like pests comprising a box-shaped enclosure having a plurality of elbow configured passageways. A first open circuit powered by a voltage source is positioned within the enclosure so as to form a labyrinth of closely spaced electrical conductors which are disposed in partially surrounding relationship to the bait. The pest will detect the presence of the bait with the aid of a plurality of vents integrally formed within the walls of the enclosure. In pursuit of the bait, the pest upon entering the enclosure by means of the passageway, proceeds to trigger a tripper hingedly attached to the passageway which in turn activates a second open circuit mounted within the passageway, and thereby electrifies the retreating pest. If the pest does not retreat but proceeds toward the bait, it is electrocuted by the first open circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, an apparatus for electrocuting insects, particularly flies, includes an open-topped but otherwise enclosed structure, a grid horizontally disposed near the top of said structure, said grid has a plurality of closely spaced pairs of conductor wires charged to a moderately high potential difference, means for producing over a prolonged period a dry odor that is highly attractive to flies and the like, and means for supplying the odor to, and releasing the odor in, a region within the structure below the grid.

Abstract: A trap for flying insects adapted for corner mounting has black-light fluorescent tubes adjacent opposite sides of an electrocution grid within a housing and diffusing reflective panels are positioned behind the fluorescent tubes to reflect rays of light beyond the light sources and through an open side of the housing. A translucent diffusing panel extending across the open side of the housing has gridded openings on opposite sides thereof. Insects attracted to the light approach the light source where they will encounter the electrocution grid or may land upon the translucent panel, from which they may also crawl through the gridded openings.

Abstract: An electrical insect killer connectable to a source of domestic alternating current and having a condenser chargeable from the current source through a current pulse transformer. The condenser plates are connected to a grid, the conductive elements of which are spaced apart a distance to be short circuited by an insect. The insect is electrocuted by discharge of the condenser.

Abstract: A double-barrelled pistol for simultaneously projecting two, continuous, parallel streams of conductive fluid. The streams of fluid are held at different electric potentials so that when they impact a target in the form of live prey, such as birds, insects, and the like, an electric circuit is completed causing a current of variable intensity to pass through the prey, either killing or stunning it.

Abstract: An insect electrocution device comprising a cage having a high voltage applied thereto and an insect attractant light disposed therein. The insect attractant light is disposed in an arrangement comprising a ring-like, outwardly-facing parabolic reflector and an insect attractant light source disposed substantially within the focus of the reflector. Plural arrangements are used to substantially fill the cage and provide the visual effect of a single band of light of uniform intensity emanating from the entire length thereof.

Abstract: An attractant such as an ultra-violet light is reflected from the trap and insects are thereby attracted and fly through a surrounding mesh to inside the trap. They are then stimulated by a high frequency electro-static field generated by an electronic unit within the trap, to fly towards an electrocuting grid. When an insect enters the grid, a high voltage short duration arc is struck which rapidly heats and dehydrates the insect thus killing same. This can be accomplished either with or without actual contact of the insect across the grid. The arc dissipates a fixed charge generated by the unit so that continuous arcing does not occur. Because of the dehydration effect, the insects drop from the grid and do not stick thereto. The electronic circuit is designed so that if a relatively large insect enters the grid, and the dehydration is not completed by the arc, dielectric heating will occur as a result of the moisture remaining thus completing the dehydration process.