Abstract: Trapping apparatus including a cage portion, a door portion, a door actuating portion and a door locking portion; the cage portion having a generally box shaped configuration with bottom, top, sidewall, and end sections and an end opening; the door portion being pivotally connected to the cage portion along an edge of the cage opening; the door actuating portion including a trigger section disposed within the cage portion and being pivotally connected between the sidewall sections of the cage portion along a line remote from the door portion, connecting mechanism extending from the trigger section to a point adjacent the cage opening, the connecting mechanism including a connector section extending upwardly from the trigger section to a rotatable rod member pivotally connected thereto that extends along the top section to a point adjacent the cage opening, a finger section extending from the free end of the rod member adjacent the cage opening, a finger engaging section extending substantially perpendicuarly

Abstract: A trap for animals in which an inlet door is adapted to close when the animal enters the trap enclosure. The trap will confine and restrain the animal within the enclosure until an exit door or barrier is opened by the captor. A time release is provided by utilizing an edible or chewable member which constitutes a further release barrier which keeps the animal restrained until the animal gnaws, eats or chews his way through the same, thereby giving the captor time to remove himself from the location where the trap is placed with the animal therein.

Abstract: An animal trap for use with a piece of bait to trap animals, such as mice. The trap includes a hollow body member having an access opening, a trap door movable between an open position in which the access opening is open and a closed position in which the access opening is closed, and a trigger structure for selectively holding the trap door in the open position. The trigger structure includes a bait holder to hold the piece of bait. The trigger structure allows the trap door to move to the closed position if the piece of bait is removed from the bait holder.

Abstract: An improved live animal trap consisting of an elongated cylinder having at least one open end. Gravity operated doors are disposed at each open end, the doors being movable between an opened and a closed or sealed position. A treadle for actuating a triggering mechanism is disposed approximately in the center of the trap and is operatively connected to a triggering mechanism also completely disposed within the trap. The triggering mechanism is then operatively attached to the doors. When the treadle is activated by an animal entering the trap, the triggering mechanism is displaced, releasing the gravity operated doors which then simultaneously fall into place trapping the animal.

Abstract: An animal trap especially suited for trapping rodents such as mice and other small animals, comprising a disposable, elongated container having two contiguous bottom surfaces forming an obtuse angle therebetween and a hinged door for selectively enclosing the container after the animal has entered and sprung the trap. When set, the trap rests on a first of the two bottom surfaces with the door held elevated from the container to permit an animal to enter the trap. The second of the two bottom surfaces is elevated from the underlying support surface. When the animal enters the portion of the container where the bait is positioned, the animal's weight lowers the second bottom surface and elevates the first bottom surface releasing the door and closing the container trapping the animal. The door is sealed by magnetic force and/or a latch which hooks into an aperture in the first bottom surface.

Abstract: A disposable mouse trap (10) for capturing and killing mice or other small animals. The trap (10) comprises an elongated four-sided prism-shaped enclosure (12) provided with an entry end (22) for providing access to the enclosure (12) and an end wall (24) sealing the further end of the enclosure (12). The trap (10) further comprises a trap member (28) hingedly engaged to a corresponding wall of the prism-shaped enclosure (12) such that the trap member (28) will swing toward the end wall (24) of the enclosure (12) to a set position and will swing away from such corresponding wall of the enclosure (12) to a triggered position wherein the trap member (28) is substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the prism-shaped enclosure (12). A biasing means is providing for urging the trap member (28) toward the triggered position along with a trigger member (26) for restraining the trap member in a set position against the force of the biasing means.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated animal trap comprising a trap cage having a movable closure wall which is secured in an open position by a latch mechanism connected to an actuating rod which is connected to a piston and cylinder type pneumatic actuator. The pneumatic actuator is in communication with a pressure air filled storage vessel supported on the trap cage and connected to a pilot operated control valve which is actuated to valve pressure fluid to the pneumatic actuator in response to engagement of a triggering mechanism by an animal to be captured in the trap. The storage vessel and control circuit are self contained and adapted for remote, long term unattended operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically trapping and processing rats includes a tube for delivering under suction a trapped rat together with a ball-shaped carrier into a collection tube spaced from a rat entry opening in the tube. The trapped rat is killed by a carbon dioxide gas supplied in the collection tube, and placed in a bag-shaped film which is fused and cut off. Then, the dead rat contained in the bag is discharged.

Abstract: An animal trap comprising an elongated housing having open and closed ends, a door pivotally mounted at its lower end on the housing adjacent the open end and movable between an upright closed position wherein it closes the open end and an open position wherein it is disposed within the housing in a substantially laterally extending position near the bottom of the housing. The door is biased to the closed position. A panel is pivotally connected at one end to the housing and extends generally laterally within the housing near the bottom thereof toward the closed end. An elongated pawl member is pivotally connected at one end with the adjacent end of the panel opposite to the one end thereof, and is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the housing. The pawl member has a tooth at its opposite end and is urged in an upward direction. The tooth is positioned to engage the door when it is moved to the open position to retain the door in the open position.

Abstract: A tunnel trap comprising an elongated tubular housing, a rear cover closing the housing rear end and a door pivotally mounted adjacent the front end of the housing. The door is pivotally mounted for movement between an open position permitting access to the housing interior and a closed position closing access to the housing interior from the front end. Springs bias the door towards the closed position. Latches releasably engage the door to maintain the door in an open position against the bias of the springs or in a closed position for locking the door. A trigger mechanism is coupled to the latch maintaining the door open to release such latch permitting movement of the door towards its closed position.

Abstract: A reusable or disposable rodent trap, having only two discrete parts, consisting of an unstable, tiltable enclosure, upon whose exterior surface is mounted a rotating door member with elongated side panels, which is prevented from rotating whenever the entrance side of the enclosure is downwardly inclined. Contact between the elongated door side panels, and the surface upon which the downwardly inclined enclosure rests, provides the rotational impediment. A rodent traversing the length of the enclosure to reach bait at the closed end causes the enclosure to incline upwardly, allowing the door to rotate closed by gravity. The rodent's return to the entrance end causes the enclosure to again assume a downward inclination. Since the door cannot be rotated in either direction when the enclosure is downwardly inclined, the rodent cannot open the door when proximate to it. The rodent, which will die of asphyxiation within hours, may be disposed of by simply inverting the trap.

Abstract: An animal trap wherein the housing is formed of sheet metal and the trap door is of a mesh construction wherein the animal can in no way gain access to one carrying the trap or one disposed adjacent to the trap. At the same time, the animal may be identified through the open-mesh trap door. The trap door is normally disposed in a recessed position underlying the vertical wall; and, when released by a control mechanism actuated by a trap pan, the door will automatically fall by gravity to a trap-closing position. The door is then locked in this trap-closing position by means of a latch rod which has a roughened or threaded surface which interlocks with a clip. The housing, being formed of sheet metal and being substantially imperforate, may be utilized for the purpose of destroying the animal either by drowning or gassing.

Abstract: A racoon trap is disclosed having a housing with a plate slidable along the undersurface of the top wall and pulled by a strong spring across an opening in the top wall. A latch device which holds the slide in set position uncovering the opening, is released only by raising the baited end of a trigger arm to capture only animals that lift their food to eat.

Abstract: A trapdoor for a birdhouse, particularly one constructed to attract purple martin birds, so as to trap in a compartment of the house species of undesirable birds, such as sparrows. The door includes an opening to permit the undesirable birds to enter a compartment of the birdhouse. A pivotal gate is secured to the door behind the opening and is retained by a trigger mechanism in an unblocking position above the opening. When a bird enters the compartment through the opening and alights on the trigger mechanism, the gate is released and drops by gravity across the opening to trap the bird within the compartment. The trapdoor includes structure for positively locking the gate against inadvertent pivotal trapping movement should the birdhouse or trapdoor be moved or displaced.

Abstract: The trap has a ring shaped passage with a door which, when opened, extends into the passage so that a mouse can only enter the passage in one direction. A bait trail in the passage extends around to the back side of the door where it can be pushed closed by a mouse, or released by the mouse and closed by a spring. Magnetic or spring means are disclosed for holding the door in the closed position. An attractant dispenser is provided for dispensing fresh attractant near the back side of the door when the trap is to be used.

Abstract: Urban wildlife is recovered from chimneys and similar relatively inaccessible locations by placing a cage at a point of egress, maneuvering a sound-making device to a point near the wildlife, preferably on the other side thereof, activating the sound-making device to startle the wildlife, and recovering it in the cage when it flees the noise.

Abstract: A disposable animal trap for pests, such as mice and rats, comprising pivotal top and bottom members which are spring loaded and which form a retentive enclosure when triggered. The triggering mechanism is the bait itself which is solid and preferably edible and which supports the top and bottom members in an open, animal inviting, position and which triggers the closure of the members when eaten, collapsed, or moved, to retain the pest. The spring may be integral with the top member or a common rubber band may be used as the spring. The top and bottom closure members are preferably made of a high impact molded plastic to resist the gnawing and clawing action of the animal, as well as for cost efficiency.

Abstract: A trap for capturing animals comprising a main box, step boards, doors and anchoring members. The step boards are pivotally held to the main box, and the anchoring members attached to the step boards are designed so as to keep the doors open by anchoring them. When the step boards are pressed down by the weight of an animal passing through the main box, the doors are released from the engagement with the anchoring members and caused to close the entrances to confine the animal in the main box. Since the animal trap of the invention needs no bait for capturing an animal, it may be set up without any difficulty on the running route of the animals.

Abstract: This invention relates to an animal trap comprising a system of interconnected modular units including a gate which is treadle-operated by an entering animal to snap to latched-closed position from an open position adjacent the floor of the trap. The trap includes a disabling device to permit pre-baiting. As a special feature for preventing contamination, it includes a hermetically-sealed capture module with a plastic bag liner, which may be disengaged from the system for disposal purposes. A device is also disclosed for automatically resetting the trap on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A mousetrap having a housing with a top, a bottom, and a peripheral wall to form an enclosure in which to trap a mouse. An entry port through the peripheral wall admits the mouse to one arm of the enclosure. A closure hinged near the top of the entry port can swing down to close it. The entry port is at one side of an interior partition that divides the enclosure into two arms and a bend. A hinged trigger is disposed in the other arm. A latch system includes a deflectable post, a finger connected to the trigger. The finger rests on a latching surface on the post to hold the closure open. The weight of a mouse on the trigger causes the cam to deflect the post and release the finger and closure to close the entry port, trapping the mouse inside. When the enclosure is air tight, the mouse endures a brief period of heat prostration, followed by unconsciousness, and a humane death from asphyxiation.

Abstract: A rodent trap comprised of an enclosure with a doorway, and a base plate. The enclosure is hinged to tilt bodily downwardly to close the doorway when tripped. Latching means is adapted to hold the enclosure in an open, ready, position. The enclosure is divided into two chambers, with the doorway in one and a tripping mechanism in the other. The tripping mechanism is mounted in said other chamber and linked to the latch means so that the weight of a rodent on it will release the latch means and enable the enclosure to tilt downwardly to close the doorway.

Abstract: A trap for rodents and the like, for catching them alive, comprising an enclosure of parallelepiped configuration that is open at one end and that includes a floor, an end wall at the other end of the enclosure, opposed spaced apart side walls, a top wall, and a trap door hinged at its top for closing the enclosure open end. A rat trap type device that includes the familiar spring powered striker member and flat base is mounted in the enclosure with the base secured to the floor to have its spring powered striker member swing from its set position adjacent the end wall of the enclosure toward the open end of the enclosure.

Abstract: A rodent trap comprised of an enclosure having a hinged lid for sealing the enclosure and an automatic closing mechanism for automatically closing the lid when a rodent enters the trap. The closing mechanism is comprised of a platform in the enclosure and a latch means for latching the platform in a fixed position. The latch is connected to the lid so that weight applied to the platform trips the latch and closes the lid sealing the container and trapping the rodent inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A three-sided molded elongated hollow body consisting of opaque plastic material and defining a channelled front merging into a channelled top and a pair of channelled sides and forming a closable animal entrance, a transparent plastic trap door movably mounted on the body for controlling the animal entrance, a transparent plastic rear closure detachably connected to the top and the sides, a transparent plastic bottom detachably connected to the rear closure and to the sides to define a box-like structure, and a single wire trip engageable with the trap door and actuatable by an animal entering the body to release the trap door effecting closure of the animal entrance thereby.

Abstract: A low-cost, environmentally safe rodent trap is disclosed composed generally of a pair of coaxial telescoping cylinders including an internally actuated trigger mechanism which supports one of the cylinders at an elevated height within the other cylinder. Upon reaching the bottom of the elevated cylinder, the weight of the rodent actuates the trigger mechanism, causing the elevated cylinder to fall whereby a cap attached to the upper end of the elevated cylinder sealingly engages the other cylinder to suffocate the rodent. The cylinders are housed within a box-like platform which provides easy ingress of the rodent to the trap, ensures stability during operation, prevents viewing of the rodent carcass, and provides for marketing of the trap without additional packaging material.

Abstract: Simplified molding of a disposable plastic mousetrap is achieved by providing an elongated box and a triggerable closure hinged to the box along a hinge axis parallel to the direction of elongation. Shield means prevent access to the trigger from the exterior of the box, thereby requiring the mouse to enter the box before reaching the trigger.

Abstract: Herein described is an animal trap which is useful for trapping rodents such as mice and rats. The trap includes a trap receptacle having a substantially square trap box and a substantially square slide-in entry box which is adapted to slide into the trap box. A pair of pivot pins protrude from either side of the trap box. A base has a pair of upstanding side members. A pair of slots in the side members receive the pivot pins in the trap box to maintain the trap box in a substantially horizontal position. A ramp leads up to an entry opening in the slide-in entry box whereby opening and progresses to the rear of the trap box it causes the box to tilt to a vertical position trapping the animal therein.

Abstract: An improved animal trap in which the animal may be made to expire due to hypercapnia rather than through impact or trauma. The trap includes a generally air-tight enclosure having the shape of a hollow prismoid defined by a relatively long, rectangular, bottom wall, a relatively short rectangular wall of a width equal to that of the bottom wall, a rear wall exending perpendicularly to the bottom wall at one end edge thereof and joined to the top wall at a corresponding end edge thereof, and first and second side walls in the form of a four-sided irregular polygon, there being an obliquely extending door opening at the end of the enclosure opposite to the rear wall. A door member is provided which is pivotally mounted proximate the door opening and is biased to assume a normally closed, sealing relationship with respect to the door opening. The door is adapted to be propped open by means of a latch member.

Abstract: A disposable trap for small animals, such as mice or similar rodents, in which a pair of co-axially slideable, interfitting plastic members, namely a hollow plunger and an outer housing therefor, are biased axially towards one another by means of an axially imposed external force supplied by an elastic band, or the like, operational to move the two members toward each other. The plunger is substantially enclosed on all sides except for an animal entrance to its hollow interior and the outer housing is fully enclosed except for one end into which the plunger co-extensively fits. When the two members are axially collapsed so that the outer housing surrounds the plunger, the animal entrance is closed off to entrap an animal within the interior of the plunger. A flexible cantilever type trigger plate extends from one end of the outer housing into the trapping chamber of the plunger and suitable detent means are provided to maintain such members in their separated or extended condition.

Abstract: A trap adapted for use in the live capture of burrowing animals in a subterranean environment, the invention comprises an elongated body open at one end to allow entry of the animal, the body being formed of a continuous upper roof portion and a grill-like lower floor portion. The grill-like structure of the floor portion is adapted to be embedded in the earthen floor of the tunnel of an animal which is to be trapped, thereby providing an inducement to a tunnelling animal to enter the enclosing body of the trap due to the provision of a natural earthen floor within the trap. A spring-actuated gate is caused to close the open end of the trap body on contact by the animal with a padded trigger plate located at the opposite end of the trap, displacement of the trigger plate resulting in dislodgement of a trigger rod from a "set" position relative to the spring-actuated gate.

Abstract: A lever is pivotally mounted in the back of a cage at the center of the lever and is balanced therein. The lever has a first end in the cage with a tray thereon for bait and a spaced opposite second end movably positioned between a first pair of spaced parallel posts supported a predetermined distance from the back of the cage. A trip rod has a length longer than the distance between the posts and rests on the lever between the posts and the cage. A cord has a first end affixed to the front bottom edge of a trap door hingedly affixed to the top of the cage at the front thereof and a spaced opposite second end affixed to the center of the trip rod. The cord is guided along the top of the cage and around the cross bar in a manner whereby the trap door is held open and when an animal depresses the front end of the lever by taking the bait, the second end of the lever moves upward and knocks the trip rod free thereby slackening the cord so that the trap door is released and closed.

Abstract: An animal trap has an elongated hollow box-like housing including side walls, a bottom wall and an end wall and an open end portion; a movable closure member is mounted on a pivot shaft in one end of the housing for pivotal movement between a closed position blocking the open end of the housing and an open position to permit the passage of a rat into the interior of the housing. A latch rod is mounted in slots in the side walls for movement between an unlatching position permitting opening movement of the closure panel and a latching position preventing movement of the closure panel from its closed position so that movement of the closure member to the open position followed by return movement to its closed position by movement of a rat into the housing causes the latch rod to move to its latching position to prevent subsequent opening of the closure member.

Abstract: A rod is rotatably mounted parallel to and above the bottom in a cage near the back. A bait tray is affixed to the rod in a manner whereby the tray is rotated by an animal taking bait therefrom. A trigger device including a plurality of linking rods couples the bait tray to the hook of a pivotally mounted door at the front of the cage in a manner whereby the door is maintained in open position next-adjacent the top in the cage by one of the linking rods when the bait tray is free from disturbance and the one of the linking rods is withdrawn from the hook of the door to close the door and seal the cage when the bait tray is rotated.

Abstract: A trap has a body having an end formed with a first opening. Rotatably mounted on the end is a closure shaped with a second opening. The closure has an open position with the openings aligned so the animal may enter the body and a closed position with the closure blocking the first opening to prevent escape. The closure is releaseably held in open position by a pin slideably mounted in the end passing through a hole in the closure. Bait in the body is connected by a cord to the pin so that when an animal attempts to carry off the bait the pin is pulled out of the hole and the closure pivots to closed position. A treadle may be mounted inside the body and connected to the cord. When an animal steps on the treadle it pivots to pull the cord away from the end to pull the pin as an alternative way to close the trap. Counterbalancing of the closure and of the treadle make the triggering of the closure very sensitive.

Abstract: This invention relates to animal traps and in particular single jaw traps which will prevent the caught animal from self injury to its leg.There have been many varieties of animal traps. The most common spring-type traps, upon being tripped will clutch the animal's paw in a strong vice-like grip having the full force of the spring behind it. This type of trap often injures the animal's leg and it causes extreme pain to the trapped beast. Very frequently the trapped animal will gnaw off its own leg in an effort to free itself from the trap, thus resulting in a maimed animal and an inhumane trapping device.

Abstract: A single use disposable animal trap particularly suited for entrapment of rodents and the like, the invention comprises a housing of dimensions only slightly greater than the site of the animal which is to be trapped, the housing having an entrance opening and a pivoting inclined plane mounted internally of the housing. An animal entering the trap biases a rear portion of the inclined plane downwardly, a forward portion of the inclined plane thereby camming a door member into place over the entrance opening. In a preferred embodiment, a shoulder-like detent formed on the inner wall of the door member abuts a forward edge portion of the inclined plane, thereby to maintain the door member in place over the entrance opening and to prevent escape of the animal from the trap.

Abstract: A disposable mousetrap comprises an elongated plastic housing having an air-tight swinging door biased toward its closed condition by a rubber band. An articulated arm extends from the door to the floor of the housing and then to a detent located near the rear of the interior of the housing. A trigger for disengaging the arm from the detent is secured to the arm at the end of the arm which is remote from the door. This structure, and particularly the articulated arm, allows all of the parts of the trap except for the rubber band to be injection molded as a unit.

Abstract: A repeating animal trap assembly comprising a capture unit and a holding unit with means releasably associating the two units. The capture unit defines a compartment having at least one entry opening and at least one exit opening. The holding unit defines an enlarged compartment having an entry opening which in the assembled relationship of the units is aligned with the exit opening of the capture unit to provide communication between the compartments in the two units. Doors are provided for the capture unit entry and exit openings with means for automatically closing the entry doors and opening the exit door when an animal is totally within the capture unit compartment. Preferably, the animal is frightened by a light flashing and passes into the holding unit compartment where further means are actuated to automatically close the exit door and open the entry doors to the capture unit compartment so that additional animals may be captured.

Abstract: An animal trap made in the form of a cage provided with a folding door at one end constructed in two approximately equal sections hinged together. The folding door is hinged at the top to a frame which has side members equipped with channels to receive and cooperate with friction-reducing roller means attached to the ends of the bottom segment of the lower folding door panel. The folding door frame is contained in a second frame to which it is hinged along one side to permit the folding door to open outwardly for the removal of a captured animal. The folding door is also equipped with a spring-loaded hinge which is offset at the center between the hinges which connect the folding door panels to accelerate the closing of the folding door and facilitate the secure locking means provided along side members of the lower panel of the folding door for holding the folding door in closed position. A trigger mechanism is hinged to a removable service door attached to the other end of the cage.

Abstract: A hollow, boxlike housing member is provided with an entrance opening for allowing a mouse to enter the interior of the housing member. Bait, such as cheese or the like, is provided on a bridge member of an electrical switch. The electrical switch is adapted so that a mouse will move the bridge member when taking the bait. When the bridge member is so moved, the electric switch will close to cause an electric motor to shut a door which blocks the entrance opening in the housing member thereby trapping the mouse within the interior of the housing member. A container which holds a quantity of poison gas producing substance is attached to the housing member. A pump is operatively coupled with the container to allow a portion of the poison gas producing substance to be introduced into the interior of the housing member to kill any mouse trapped therein.

Abstract: A rodent baiting arrangement in which modular plastic units are assembled to form an entrance and feeding station into which rodents may pass, consume poisonous bait therein, and exit. The modular units may be assembled for placement along a wall or corner of an interior room or space, while being inaccessible to children and domestic animals. The assembled modules form a housing for the rodents, with feed and water therein. The modules may have transparent top surfaces to allow inspection of the interior of the modules.

Abstract: A mouse trap incorporated within a jar lid for trapping a mouse within a jar to which the lid is attached. The mouse trap includes a trap door which is mounted for vertical sliding movement across a mouse size opening in the lid. The trap door is manually moved to elevated open position and is held for release by swinging movement of a bait holder mounted on the inside of the lid. Such movement is caused by the mouse taking the bait, which is accessible only from within the jar. The door moves down quickly by force of gravity, closes the opening and trapping the mouse within the jar.

Abstract: An improved rodent trap for use where sanitary conditions are required. The trap housing includes a rodent activated trip mechanism which dislodges a door prop causing the spring or weight biased door to latch shut trapping the rodent inside. Air seals are provided around the door so the rodent is caused to suffocate. A transparent inspection panel, which may be the door, is provided for allowing the user to determine whether the trapped rodent is still alive.

Abstract: A door device comprises a door hingedly affixed to a housing at the top of the door for covering the opening thereof. A door locking device is provided on the housing at the door and comprises a pair of parallel guide slots each formed through the housing on a corresponding side of the opening. A slide rod is slidably mounted in the slots for movement up and down on one side of the door and extend across the opening. Thus, when the door is open it supports the slide rod and when it closes, the slide rod slides down and bars the door.