Abstract: A cage-type animal trap has an over-center set mechanism for holding open a door for closing the trap access opening. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the door of the trap by an actuating cable. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots past its over-center position to allow movement of the cable which enables the door to move from an opened position to a closed position to trap the animal inside the trap.

Abstract: A repeating animal trap is described that humanely captures animals and allows for their safe release. In one embodiment, the animal trap includes a wire body that forms a cage. The cage includes one or more animal entrances. The one or more animal entrances are each configured such that an animal enters from outside the cage and traverses a passageway that ends about the middle of the cage. The natural instincts of the animal causes the animal to go toward the perimeter and corners of the cage to escape. The natural instinct assists in keeping the animals from finding their way back into the passageway to leave the cage. To further keep animals from leaving the cage via the passageway, a passageway door is provided for each passageway. Each door is configured with a bias and a shape that precludes the animal from opening the passageway door once inside the cage.

Abstract: The animal trap includes an enclosure for containing a number of relatively large animals. An entry path (game trail, etc.) extends from the enclosure to an automated drop gate at the entrance, or may comprise the enclosure with a gate at each end. At least one double articulated trip arm is placed along the entry path. The trip arm does not actuate the gate when moved toward the enclosure, i.e., when animals pass through the entry path from the drop gate entrance to the enclosure. However, animals passing in the opposite direction move the trip arm(s) toward the gate, causing at least one trip arm to close a circuit and drop the gate to close the trap. The trap is thus configured to capture a number of herd animals, e.g., wild pigs, passing from the gate toward the enclosure, before one of the animals turns back and trips the gate.

Abstract: A live catch animal trap has a trap floor positioned above an animal holding cage, a bait station positioned adjacent to the trap floor, and a mechanical trigger mechanism. The trap floor is rotatably moveable between a generally horizontal closed position and a downwardly inclined open position. The trap floor is normally biased toward its closed position by a return spring and/or its center of gravity location relative to its pivot point. The trigger mechanism is arranged to be tripped by an animal standing on the trap floor as the animal attempts to access the bait station. The trigger mechanism has a trip plate connected to a locking element that engages a spring-loaded latch on the trap floor. The trip plate and the locking element are arranged to automatically return the trigger mechanism to an untripped condition as the trap floor returns from its open position to its closed position.

Abstract: A large animal trap including a hollow cylindrical shell having a front end opening. A vertically slidable trap door is positioned to close the front end opening. A trigger mechanism associated with the trap door is provided so that when a bear seizes the bait located within the cylindrical shell, the trigger will allow the trap door to fall closing the front end opening. This animal trap is further provided with a pneumatic braking assembly which stops downward movement of the trap door when an object is within the front end opening. The large animal trap is further provided with structure to allow a user to raise the trap door from a location away from the trap.

Abstract: An animal trap include, a housing having an open end, a door pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position, the door including a slit therein at a lower portion of the door to form an elastic portion below the slit, a close latch provided on the housing near the open end, the close latch cooperable with the elastic portion to retain the door in the closed position by latching the elastic portion between the close latch and the door stop.

Abstract: A cage-type animal trap has an over-center set mechanism for holding open a door for closing the trap access opening. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the door of the trap by an actuating cable. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots past its over-center position to allow movement of the cable which enables the door to move from an opened position to a closed position to trap the animal inside the trap.

Abstract: A rodent management station includes a housing having a base and a lid together at least in part defining an interior space of the housing. The base has a floor panel and an upstanding wall extending up from the floor panel about at least a portion of the circumference thereof. The upstanding wall has an upper edge and at least one gutter disposed in and extending along at least a portion of the upper edge of the upstanding wall to facilitate water drainage from the upstanding wall. The lid is positionable relative to the base between a closed configuration and an opened configuration. The housing has an entry opening through which rodents enter the interior space of the housing. The rodent management station further includes least one of a trap and a bait positionable within the interior space of the housing.

Abstract: A live animal trap including an enclosure having an open end; a door for covering the forward opening; a hinge for door motions between first and second positions, the door covering the opening in the first position and opening the enclosure in the second position, the door pivoting toward the first position upon enclosure righting and upon inversion counter-pivoting to the second position; a slide shaft; a slide sleeve facilitating slide shaft motions between third and fourth positions, the slide shaft holding the door open while in the third position, the slide shaft releasing the door while in the fourth position, the slide shaft sliding toward the third position upon down tilting the enclosure and sliding toward the fourth position upon up tilting the enclosure; and having an animal contact member attached to the slide shaft's rearward rear end.

Abstract: The animal trap includes an enclosure for containing a number of relatively large animals. An entry path (game trail, etc.) extends from the enclosure to an automated drop gate at the entrance, or may comprise the enclosure with a gate at each end. At least one double articulated trip arm is placed along the entry path. The trip arm does not actuate the gate when moved toward the enclosure, i.e., when animals pass through the entry path from the drop gate entrance to the enclosure. However, animals passing in the opposite direction move the trip arm(s) toward the gate, causing at least one trip arm to close a circuit and drop the gate to close the trap. The trap is thus configured to capture a number of herd animals, e.g., wild pigs, passing from the gate toward the enclosure, before one of the animals turns back and trips the gate.

Abstract: A single use, hermetically sealing mousetrap has a housing defining an enclosure that is accessible through a rotatably mounted door controlled by a spring-loaded door opening gear mechanism. Mounted to the bottom of the housing inside the enclosure is a spring-actuated setting axle/kill bar and setting bar combination that is movable between a kill position and a set position by manipulation of a setting handle positioned outside the enclosure. When the setting axle/kill bar is moved to the set position, the door opening gear mechanism causes the door to open while tensioning a torsional door spring. A trip latch and bait pedal are configured to operate together to secure the kill and setting bars in the set position, with subsequent movement of the bait pedal by a mouse serving to release the trip latch. When the trap is thereby triggered, the kill bar moves rapidly to the kill position while releasing the door opening gear mechanism. The tensioned door spring then closes the door.

Abstract: An animal trap includes a housing having an opening, a door coupled to the housing, and a latch mechanism. The door is movable between a closed position in which the door obstructs the opening and an open position in which the opening is unobstructed. The latch mechanism is coupled to either the housing or the door and is configured to enable the door to be opened after a period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A large animal trap (especially for wild hogs) that is easily moved by a single individual and takes only ten minutes to unload and set up and walk away. It is approximately 7½? diameter across the center allowing a trapper to potentially catch a whole herd at once, but overall it is still light enough for a single individual to pick up and roll anywhere owing to its approximately circular drum shape. Overall, the trap includes 750+ welds making the trap exceedingly strong for its weight and size. The trap further includes triple offset walls to help keep all trapped animals in. In use, the trap is firmly secured to the ground by a chain and allows nothing to get out except turkeys which can fly out the escape hole in the top. It is easy, fast and fun to set the trap. A user only needs to tie the rope on the door and set the pins to engage the ground and suspend the door in the open position using the rope. A user then pours corn in and waits until the hogs come into the trap.

Abstract: A novel type of an animal trap is provided for trapping animals of different sizes. The mechanism for controlling rotative movement of the trapping means provides high sensitivity of the trap. The trap is easy and safe to use and suitable for the purpose of controlling household rodents, such as mice, rats, or the like.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a rodent proofing and entrapment system, the system comprising: a rodent proof shell; a opening disposed in the shell communicating with a rodent passage; a bridge having a proximal end disposed proximate to the first opening and a distal end disposed proximal to a trap chamber, the bridge being configured to pivot on a pivot axis; a door, engaged by the proximal end of the bridge, such that when a rodent crosses the pivot axis towards the distal end of the, the door closes; a flap depending from the distal end of the bridge excluding rodent access beneath the bridge and closing the trap chamber when the distal end of the bridge is in an upright position.

Abstract: 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 an over-center set mechanism for holding one or both doors open to allow access through the corresponding trap access openings. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the doors of the trap by an actuating member. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism.

Abstract: A humane animal trap includes an enclosure having an opening with a door disposed therein. The door is pivotable about an upper edge between open and closed positions, and is biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring. An electrical solenoid is disposed above the door and has a catch that is biased into engagement with a holding feature on the door when the door is in the open position, and is operable to disengage the catch from the holding feature in response to the receipt of an electrical trip signal. An electrical sensor disposed in the enclosure transmits a light beam between opposite sidewalls of the trap, and generates an electrical trip signal and transmits it to the solenoid when the light beam is interrupted by an animal entering the trap so as to close the door behind the animal and thereby capture it unharmed in the enclosure.

Abstract: A single use, reusable or disposable, animal trap suitable for trapping rodents, having a stable enclosure, an unstable internal floor that tilts to dose the trap, a locking mechanism to keep trap closed, and a release for said locking mechanism, where both the locking mechanism and release mechanism are unaffected by gravity once the trap has tripped, regardless of the orientation of the trap relative to gravity. The floor of the trap tilts back and forth allowing the animal to enter and leave the trap (each time leaving the trap in the open position), until the animal enters the trap far enough such that the floor tilts to one end closing the opening in the trap where the floor is then locked into the closed (or trapped) position with the animal inside.

Abstract: An humane trap for small animals, such as cats, includes a housing having rigid bottom, top, side, front and rear end walls which cooperate to define an animal-receiving chamber, the front end wall being guided for vertical movement between opened and closed positions relative to the other housing walls. A retaining rod is axially displaceable within the chamber between a retaining position in which an end portion of the rod extends through a retaining opening contained in the second wall to maintain the same in the open position, and a released position removed from the retaining opening, whereby the second wall is displaced by gravity downwardly toward the closed position. The retaining rod is released either by a food retention plate that is engaged by the animal in the trap, or by a remotely controlled solenoid arrangement.

Abstract: A system for defense against small mammals, for example voles, for areas used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, consists of segments to be put together to form a gutter that is open towards the top, forming a type of fence. Each segment has a base plate and walls that rise laterally from this base plate. An inlet opening is provided, at least in the side wall that faces away from the area to be protected.

Abstract: An animal trap include, a housing having an open end, a door pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position, the door including a slit therein at a lower portion of the door to form an elastic portion below the slit, a close latch provided on the housing near the open end, the close latch cooperable with the elastic portion to retain the door in the closed position by latching the elastic portion between the close latch and the door stop.

Abstract: A power trigger system for cage-type animal traps includes a catch member, a movable latch and a spring operable between the catch mechanism and the latch feature to exert a force tending the latch feature toward powered disengagement from the cage door. A corresponding method of triggering a cage trap to catch an animal is provided.

Abstract: A cage type animal trap having an enclosure with an animal access opening into a vacant interior sized to receive an animal to be trapped. The access opening is closed by a door that is movable from a closed to an opened position by an actuating mechanism having a flexible actuating member with one end secured to the door and the other end releasably held by a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to move the door to the opened position by tensioning the actuating member and, in response to a trigger mechanism, to release the second end of the actuating member and allow the door to move from the opened position to the closed position thereby trapping the animal in the animal enclosure. A door lock in abutment with the outer surface of the door prevents the door from being opened by a trapped animal. A part of the actuating mechanism is in engagement with the door lock when the door is closed such that the door lock is automatically disengaged when the actuating member is tensioned.

Abstract: An animal trap for catching mice has a box-shaped housing with foundation housing and attached to it is the cover housing, capable of swiveling. Arranged in the interior of the housing, there is a triggering system designed like a seesaw with a stepping platform. The cover housing is locked in the open position with the help of mechanical restraint devices. A locking mechanism resting in the cover housing has an unlocking button for restoring the open position, as well as an operating button for the user to transfer the cover housing into closed position.

Abstract: A trap comprises an enclosure having an opening and a door for closing the opening. The door has a first portion operatively connected to the enclosure and a second portion extending into the enclosure. The second portion of the door has a surface able to support a body of an animal.

Abstract: An humane trap for small animals, such as cats, includes a housing having rigid bottom, top, side, front and rear end walls which cooperate to define an animal-receiving chamber, the front end wall being guided for vertical movement between opened and closed positions relative to the other housing walls. A retaining rod is axially displaceable within the chamber between a retaining position in which an end portion of the rod extends through a retaining opening contained in the second wall to maintain the same in the open position, and a released position removed from the retaining opening, whereby the second wall is displaced by gravity downwardly toward the closed position. The retaining rod is released either by a food retention plate that is engaged by the animal in the trap, or by a remotely controlled solenoid arrangement.

Abstract: It is provided a rodent management apparatus for exterminating a plurality of rodents comprising extermination chamber provided with exterminating means, a preservation chamber adapted to receive exterminated rodent from the extermination chamber, and at least one of a plurality of open tubes connected to the extermination chamber and adapted to guide the rodents into the extermination chamber. Plurality of rodents is guided to enter into the tubes so as to reach the extermination chamber, where they are exterminated and removed to the preservation chamber while maintained in sanitary conditions.

Abstract: A cage-type animal trap has an over-center set mechanism for holding open a door for closing the trap access opening. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the door of the trap by an actuating cable. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots past its over-center position to allow movement of the cable which enables the door to move from an opened position to a closed position to trap the animal inside the trap.

Abstract: A cage-type animal trap made of wire mesh having a roof and a front end provided with an animal access opening. A door movably mounted at the front end operates in an opened position to reveal the access opening and in a closed position to block the access opening. A hand grip mounted on a rail positioned on the roof moves bi-directionally between a first position near the front end of the trap and a second position near the rear end of the trap. An actuating cable has one end secured to the bottom of the door and another end Secured to the hand grip so that when the hand grip is moved by the user from a first position with the door closed to a second position with the door opened the trap can be set by a latch mechanism which releasably holds the hand grip in its second position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for luring attack-prone, rabies-infected mammals (e.g., carnivores, bats) into restraint and/or euthanasia but not luring normal, uninfected animals.

Abstract: An apparatus for an animal trap having at least one primary trap 32 comprising a rigid grated or screened 34 housing with a front 36 and rear 38 sliding door on each end, a sensor assembly having at least one power source 40, e.g., battery pack, a heating element 42 communicating with a heated bait hanger 44 to heat the bait. A pressure-sensitive sensor pad 46 disposed beneath the hanging bait 44 activates the door closure mechanism. A laser sensor 48 is further included to detect flying prey and others that may circumvent the ground placed pressure sensor 46. A release trap 58 is provided for use as the last trap member when a plurality of trap members is used in conjunction with one another. The release trap 58 has a clear housing fabricated of Plexiglas, tempered glass or other such suitable material. The release trap 58 has an open end to connect with the trap member and a closed end with a sensor assembly 60 to close the sliding door at the open end when prey 64 is detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A method and a device for automatically detecting and signaling the presence of prey caught in a trap. The trap has inlet ports equipped with a one-way inlet mechanism such that once a rodent has passed a central point the rodent is contained within the trap. After the rodent has passed the central point, the trap is reset to the start position in order to attract additional prey. The trap is provided with a device for signaling the presence of vermin in the trap. The mechanism may be operable via a push button operated by movement of the vermin. Alternatively, means for detecting the rodent may include the use of vertical or horizontally elongated elements that are actuated by the movement of the vermin. A further embodiment includes a photocell, or a sensor, to indicate the presence of rodents. The mechanism for signaling may include lights or sound devices that can be secured to the trap or remotely activated via wired or wireless means.

Abstract: An animal trap comprises a trap body with a sliding trap door at one end. A bait holder is pivotably mounted on the top of the trap body, the top including an opening through which the bait holder is inserted into the trap body. The bait holder is connected to a trip mechanism, which includes a rod having a ball mounted thereon. The ball is positioned towards the front end of the trap, the ball being a support mechanism that balances the trap door in an open position. When an animal enters the trap and takes the bait, the bait holder is pivoted, moving the trip mechanism to upset the balance of the trap door on the rod, thereby closing the trap and retaining the animal therein.

Abstract: Repeating animal traps incorporating one or more inclined plane trap assemblies with means to preclude an animal on the tilting floor member of the trap assembly from engaging the top and/or side edges of the door member of the trap assembly in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the door member down to thereby unblock access to the entrance opening. Additional means are shown to preclude an animal within the enlarged holding chamber or enclosure of the repeating animal trap from engaging the inner end portions of the floor member in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the floor member down, enabling the animal to climb onto the floor member and then attempt to pull the door member down to escape from the trap. A barrier in the form of sharpened projections and/or an inclined ramp is provided beneath the inner end portions of the floor member to discourage an animal entering or nesting within that space when the floor member is raised in the reset position of the trap assembly.

Abstract: Repeating animal traps incorporating one or more inclined plane trap assemblies with means to preclude an animal on the tilting floor member of the trap assembly from engaging the top and/or side edges of the door member of the trap assembly in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the door member down to thereby unblock access to the entrance opening. Additional means are shown to preclude an animal within the enlarged holding chamber or enclosure of the repeating animal trap from engaging the inner end portions of the floor member in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the floor member down, enabling the animal to climb onto the floor member and then attempt to pull the door member down to escape from the trap. A barrier in the form of sharpened projections and/or an inclined ramp is provided beneath the inner end portions of the floor member to discourage an animal entering or nesting within that space when the floor member is raised in the reset position of the trap assembly.

Abstract: A portable electrical mouse trap that has a housing in the shape of a cat to which a handle is attached. An interior cavity of the mouse trap contains a primary motion sensor near its entrance, a retractable primary gate, a reservoir of a fragrance that smells like fresh cheese, a secondary motion sensor near an entrance to the collection chamber, a retractable secondary gate and a vacuum source. The primary motion sensor and secondary motion sensor detect the presence of a mouse inside the interior cavity. The primary gate automatically opens when activated by the primary motion sensor and the secondary gate automatically opens when activated by the secondary motion sensor. A vacuum tube connects the vacuum source and collection chamber. The vacuum source sucks the mouse fully into the collection chamber and thereby suffocates it. A speaker informs a user when the collection chamber is full.

Abstract: A box trap formed of a bottom panel, a left panel, a right panel, an actuating frame, a linking rod, a front panel, a rear panel, and a top panel that are pivotally coupled to one another and fastened tight with screws and nuts such that the box trap is detachable.

Abstract: A pest trap monitoring system is disclosed comprising a housing, a holding chamber within the housing, access means for allowing a pest to enter the holding chamber, an actuatable member for actuation by the pest when accessing the holding chamber having an actuated disposition enabling access by the pest to the holding chamber and an unactuated disposition trapping the pest in the holding chamber, sensing means responsive to a transition of the actuatable member from the unactuated disposition to the actuated disposition and for generating a first electronic signal in response thereto, and transmitting means in electronic communication with the sensing means for receiving the first electronic signal from the sensing means and for transmitting a second electronic signal to a receiving means remote from the transmitting means indicating a transition of the actuatable member from the unactuated disposition to the actuated disposition.

Abstract: An electric or electronic animal trap wherein the housing includes a pair of spaced electrodes or charge plates in a killing chamber intermediate the trap entrance and a source of bait. Interposed in the pathway to the electrodes is at least one diverter which discourages a target animal from reversing direction before it is electrocuted. In one embodiment, juxtaposed to the entrance are at least two diverter members angularly offset relative to each other to define a maze-like path to lead a target animal to the charge plates for electrocution while discouraging reversal of direction and protecting against direct access to the charge plates through the entrance opening by children, pets or non-target species.

Abstract: An arrangement for displaying the state of a plurality of animal traps is disclosed. Each trap senses the position of a movable trapping portion such as a trap door or jaw and rf transmits the state of the movable portion. A display unit receives the rf transmissions from the traps and identifies and displays the then current state of each trap. The rf signals may be periodically sent from the traps and/or they may be sent in response to a change in state of the movable portion.

Abstract: A large animal trap for humanely capturing and restraining large feral animals, particularly feral hogs, is disclosed which is field assembled from pre-manufactured modular components. Animals are enticed into the trap by an animal baiting means. A sliding gate supported and released by a sliding gate latch means and gate locking means are further disclosed, which traps the animal once triggered and prevents the animal from raising the gate. The modular components are in the shape of flat square or rectangular wire mesh panels framed by square tubing. The sizes and in the shape of the modular components are especially advantageous for ease of transport to remote trapping locations. Once the individual components are placed in their proper positions to form the trap, they are joined together by fasteners, not requiring tools to secure. Said fasteners may be later removed when the user disassembles the trap.

Abstract: A large animal trap for humanely capturing and restraining large feral animals, particularly feral hogs, is disclosed which is field assembled from pre-manufactured modular components. Animals are enticed into the trap by an animal baiting means. A sliding gate supported and released by a sliding gate latch means and gate locking means are further disclosed, which traps the animal once triggered and prevents the animal from raising the gate. The modular components are in the shape of flat square or rectangular wire mesh panels framed by square tubing. The sizes and shapes of the modular components are especially advantageous for ease of transport to remote trapping locations. Once the individual components are placed in their proper positions to form the trap, they are joined together by fasteners, not requiring tools to secure. Said fasteners may be later removed when the user disassembles the trap.

Abstract: A bait station and method for introducing a bait composition to vertebrate pests which inhabit underground burrows or tunnels. The bait station includes a housing with one or more openings in the side walls for the pests to enter and feed on the bait composition. A vertical tube can be used to add bait composition to the station through an aperture in the top surface of the station.

Abstract: Repeating animal traps incorporating one or more inclined plane trap assemblies with means to preclude an animal on the tilting floor member of the trap assembly from engaging the top and/or side edges of the door member of the trap assembly in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the door member down to thereby unblock access to the entrance opening. Additional means are shown to preclude an animal within the enlarged holding chamber or enclosure of the repeating animal trap from engaging the inner end portions of the floor member in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the floor member down, enabling the animal to climb onto the floor member and then attempt to pull the door member down to escape from the trap. A barrier in the form of sharpened projections and/or an inclined ramp is provided beneath the inner end portions of the floor member to discourage an animal entering or nesting within that space when the floor member is raised in the reset position of the trap assembly.

Abstract: An animal trap for capturing small animals, such as rodents, and birds and a method for using the trap. The trap includes a chamber having side walls, an entrance, and a perforated end wall opposite the entrance; a first platform adjacent the entrance pivotally mounted to the side walls, the first platform providing a path from the entrance; a second platform located away from the entrance pivotally mounted to the side walls and having a first end extending beneath the first platform; and means for holding the first and second platforms in an essentially horizontal position; wherein when an animal passes through the entrance and contacts the second platform, the second platform pivotally deflects and pivotally deflects the second platform wherein the first platform obstructs the entrance and the animal is captured. The means for holding the two platforms in an essentially horizontal position may be a rod or bar which engages part of the trap housing.

Abstract: A live trap and cage assembly has a base, opposing sidewalls and a central main support section. To either end of the sidewalls is a door. Each door is movable from an upper position to a lower position. The doors are configured so as to be quickly moveable from the upper position to the lower position upon the triggering of an event inside the assembly. The base of the assembly includes a bait reservoir or “billboard” which is situated to the exterior of the assembly, and a bait bolder and release mechanism which is situated to the interior of the assembly. The bait holder is suspended within the interior of the assembly by a cable which to extends downwardly from the central support of the assembly. The cable is attached to each of the opposing doors and allows full movement of each door from the upper position to the lower position. The bottommost portion of the bait holder is slidably attachable to a “trigger” bracket.

Abstract: A live trap and cage assembly has a base, opposing sidewalls and a central main support section. To either end of the sidewalls is a door. Each door is movable from an upper position to a lower position. The doors are configured so as to be quickly moveable from the upper position to the lower position upon the triggering of an event inside the assembly. The base of the assembly includes a bait reservoir or “billboard” which is situated to the exterior of the assembly, and a bait holder and release mechanism which is situated to the interior of the assembly. The bait holder is suspended within the interior of the assembly by a cable which extends downwardly from the central support of the assembly. The cable is attached to each of the opposing doors and allows full movement of each door from the upper position to the lower position. The bottommost portion of the bait holder is slidably attachable to a “trigger” bracket.

Abstract: A reporting system for collecting, communicating and analyzing information from a plurality of pest monitoring locations is disclosed. The monitored locations include activity sensing pest devices. These devices can include traps and/or passive and active monitoring devices not having a trapping or killing functionality. While traps may constitute the majority of activity sensing pest devices in a given pest control program, devices which only monitor pest activity may be preferred in some locations and applications. The system includes automatic reporting from the plurality of activity sensing pest devices and also includes physical inspection data. Preferably an automatic real-time communication system is used, with the preferred communication system being a radio-frequency (RF) or other over-the-air system. However, hardwired systems, use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as an interim data carrier, and other technologies may also be employed.

Abstract: Repeating animal traps incorporating one or more inclined plane trap assemblies with means to preclude an animal on the tilting floor member of the trap assembly from engaging the top and/or side edges of the door member of the trap assembly in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the door member down to thereby unblock access to the entrance opening. Additional means are shown to preclude an animal within the enlarged holding chamber or enclosure of the repeating animal trap from engaging the inner end portions of the floor member in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the floor member down, enabling the animal to climb onto the floor member and then attempt to pull the door member down to escape from the trap. A barrier in the form of sharpened projections and/or an inclined ramp is provided beneath the inner end portions of the floor member to discourage an animal entering or nesting within that space when the floor member is raised in the reset position of the trap assembly.

Abstract: A door lock mechanism for an animal trap, an animal trap, and a method of capturing animals, typically, rodents and small animals. The door locking mechanism, trap and method employ a gravity-driven door and lock used for a door having a ledge and two bars that are pivotally mounted above the door. When activated by a release mechanism, the door and bars pivotally deflect whereby the bars engage the ledge on the closed door and prevent the door from being opened. The door lock mechanism may be used on any size and shape trap, but one typical trap for which the mechanism can be used is disclosed. A trap entrance arrangement having a conduit for leading animals to the entrance of a trap, that can be used with or without the disclosed door lock mechanism, is also provided.