Abstract: An animal trap includes a first portion; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards a deployed position; members extending from the lower end of the first portion, the members protruding beyond the second portion when the first and second portions are in a cocked position, wherein the members are resiliently deformable; a bottom portion coupled to distal ends of the members; and a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position, wherein actuation of the trigger causes the release of the first and second portions from the cocked position. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rat trap (1) comprising a power supply (80) and means (3) for killing a rat and a first sensor adapted to detect the presence of a rat in the space within the reach of the killing means and where control means are arranged capable of receiving a signal from the first sensor, and being adapted for activating the killing means (3) to kill the rat when the presence of the rat is detected by the sensor according to the invention the trap further comprise a second sensor (85) for detecting light, and the control means is capable of receiving a signal from the second sensor (85) and being adapted for deactivating the killing means (3) or the first sensor for a period of time after the detection of light by the second sensor. Hereby it is possible to prevent accidents due to e.g. erroneous activation of the trap in case of ordinary localized work illumination, including e.g. also in daylight at ground level or in artificial work illumination at the bottom of a shaft.

Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.

Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.

Abstract: A mole trap has a tough plastic base with downwardly extending fixed blades. Movable plastic blades are pivotably connected to the base and urged into a sprung condition by springs. A two-segment lever extends between the base and a catch which is pivotably mounted to the base. A trigger extends through a central opening in the catch and has a post which protrudes beneath the catch where it can be actuated by the targeted mole. Operation of the trigger post causes the lever to release from its engagement with the catch so that the movable blades close on and strike the mole positioned beneath the trap. The trigger has a release tab extending from the lever, allowing convenient release from the set position, and an upwardly protruding set arm allowing trigger depression from a point exterior to the handle into its desired set configuration.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a device that blocks a mole tunnel and to a method of halting mole tunneling activity and preventing or interfering with further such activity by blocking the tunnel at point(s) along the tunnel.

Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.

Abstract: The mole trap includes a base assembly and an upper movable frame. Two vertical guide rods are attached to the base assembly and pass through the bores through the upper movable frame. Springs urge the movable frame away from the base. Two U-shaped rods are attached to the movable frame and extend under the base. An upper horizontal pin is fixed to the movable frame. A lower horizontal pin is fixed to the base. A tension link connected to the upper pin. A recess in the link receives the lower pin and holds both springs in loaded condition. A bracket with a tension link recess is pivotally mounted on the lower pin. A tension link release surface on the bracket releases the tension link when a mole sensor pivots the bracket.

Abstract: A mole trap includes a steel rod frame having parallel spaced legs adapted to penetrate the ground on opposite sides of a mole hill or tunnel. The legs are integrally connected by a handle portion and also by a stop bar, and a spike plate having depending spikes is preloaded against the stop bar by compression springs mounted on the legs. An L-shaped latch lever is pivotally supported by the stop bar and supports a trip plate adapted to contact the ground where the mole tunnel has been depressed. The spike plate and spikes are retracted upwardly against the springs to a set position by pulling a flexible strap extending from the handle portion around a roller supported by the spike plate for rotation on an eccentric axis to provide a mechanical advantage. A roller on the latch lever automatically blocks the spike plate when elevated to the set position.

Abstract: A trap apparatus includes an elongated base plate defining a trap aperture in a lower portion thereof, and a pointed bottom end. Slide grooves are defined along each side of the base plate. A trigger arm extends over the trap aperture, and is pivotally attached to move away from and toward the base plate. A slide plate is engaged in the slide grooves and slides up to a raised cocked position where the slide plate is above the trap aperture, to a lower tripped position. A bias element exerts a downward bias force on the slide plate toward the tripped position. Trip elements on the arm and slide plate engage to maintain the slide plate in the cocked position. Movement of the lower end of the trigger arm away from the base plate releases the slide plate to move to the tripped position in response to the bias force.

Abstract: A system for detecting and eliminating subterranean animals is disclosed. The system includes an infrared detector device adapted to detect animals below the ground surface from above the ground surface. A lethal event device is operatively coupled to the infrared detector device. An animal below the ground surface passing the above ground infrared detector actuates the lethal event device to eliminate the animal below the ground surface. A method for detecting subterranean animals is disclosed, as well as a method for detecting and eliminating subterranean animals.

Abstract: An animal trap includes a frame, a striker, a biasing member, a set lever and a trigger. The frame includes an upper wall, a first side member depending from the upper wall and a second side member spaced from the first side member and depending from the upper wall. The striker mounts to at least one of the upper wall, the first side member and the second side member. The biasing member biases the striker away from the upper wall toward a direction that the side members depend from the upper wall. The set lever retains the striker toward the upper wall. The trigger operatively connects to the striker via the set lever. Movement of the trigger a predetermined distance results in movement of the trigger.

Abstract: An improved spring-activated mole trap that includes various safety features that make the mole trap safe to use by non-professionals. The mole trap includes a foot bar that enables the individual to activate the trap using his or her foot, a limiting u-shaped member that prevents the trigger arm from snapping rearward and injuring the trapper's fingers if the trap is accidentally activated while being set. The improved trap also includes a pair of handles that extend upward from the tunnel when the trap is vertically aligned in the tunnel. Using the handles, the user is able to more easily position the trap inside the tunnel. The trap further includes a wider, re-aligned trigger located closer to the soil to prevent a mole from burrowing under the trigger plate and thereby avoiding activating the trap.

Abstract: A trap for exterminating moles has a support adapted for placement on the ground to support the trap in an upright position generally above the ground. An impingement device is operatively connected to the support for motion relative to the support for capturing the mole. A barrel mounted on the support in a generally vertical position is adapted for slidably receiving a portion of the impingement device in a retracted position. An explosion chamber receives an explosive force and directs the explosive force generally downward against the portion of the impingement device received in the barrel to drive the impingement device rapidly downward to an extended position. A trigger mechanism triggers an explosion producing the explosive force.

Abstract: An animal trap (10) including a spring (16) with first and second arm members (18, 20) extending from the spring (16) to outward ends (22, 26) such that the outward ends (22, 26) are biased apart by the spring (16). A loop portion (24) is positioned on the outward end (22) of the first arm member (18) and substantially encircles the outward end (26) of the second arm member (20). A jaw portion (28) on the second arm member (20) is positioned to be biased toward a side (30) of the loop portion (24) which is opposite the first arm member (18). A trigger member (32) is movably carried on the first arm member (18) and includes a paddle portion (38) and a detent portion (36). The paddle portion (38) is positionable in substantially axial alignment with the loop portion (24) when the detent portion (36) is holding the outward end (26) of the second arm member (20) in a set position relatively adjacent the outward end (22) of the first arm member (18).

Abstract: An over-the-hole mole trap which is triggered when a mole ejects dirt from the hole. The trap comprises frame, a spear, a spring, a trigger lever and a trigger plate. The frame has two legs and two vertical guide rods above the legs. The spear is between and parallel to the legs and the guides, and is surrounded by the spring. The trigger lever pivotally depends from one of the guides. The trigger plate is pivoted on the frame below the trigger lever substantially at ground level, and has a central opening receiving the spear, and an outboard portion for retaining the lower end of the trigger lever. The spear is held cocked by a base plate thereof engaging a side notch in the trigger lever. The spear is released when the trigger plate is raised by dirt ejected from the hole, lowering the outboard portion of the trigger plate to free the trigger lever and rfelease the spear to be thrust downwardly by the spring.

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: A rodent exterminator triggered by the presence of a rodent in close proximity thereto having a spear attached thereto which impales the rodent, killing it instantly.A remote trigger actuates a solenoid to release a spring biased plunger, which is propelled into a firing pin to detonate a cartridge. Explosive gases from the cartridge actuates a plunger which has the spear attached thereto.

Abstract: An elongate hollow body of frusto conical tubular formation having a plurality of internal prongs resiliently projecting obliquely into the hollow of the body obliquely away from the larger body end, and a closure on the smaller body end, the body being constituted of longitudinal sections swingable relative to each other for opening the body to remove an occupant.

Abstract: A mole trap when properly set is first placed over the tunnel with side members on either side of the tunnel and plunger head in line with the tunnel. Downward pressure is applied until setting wings reach finished grade. Next the handle is raised until the trigger arm engages the plunger head and secures same until the trigger mechanism is activated.