ELECTRONIC MOUSE TRAP MODULE

• US 20130031824A1
• Filed: 08/03/2011
• Published: 02/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rany Arlichson
• Original Assignee: Rany Arlichson
• Inventors: ARLICHSON, Rany
• Granted Patent: US 9,003,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/60
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 23/18 with pivoted closure flaps
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49817 with other than ancillary treating or assembling

Abstract

A controller for a pest trap that includes a sensor, signaler, power source and activator in a housing to be attached to and detached from a pest trap. The sensor detects an animal in the trap and directs an activator to close a door of the trap. A signal is transmitted from the signaler of the housing to indicate that the trap has been activated and the door has been closed. The signal may be collected by a remote receiver. The housing may be detached from the trap and attached to a second trap, or reset on the same trap for reuse.

Claims

1. A controller for an animal trap, said controller comprising:

a housing, said housing including;

a sensor to detect an animal;

an activator to shut an egress of said trap upon a signal from said sensor;

a signaler to issue a signal upon said shutting;

a power source to power said controller; and

a fastener to releasably attach said housing to said trap.

2. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of an infra-red sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a motion sensor, a heat sensor, and a force sensor.

3. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said activator is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a magnet, and a solenoid.

4. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a hook, a snap, a screw, a latch, a wire, a string, a VELCRO strip, and a strap.

5. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said attachment means is to attach said housing to said trap in a location on said trap wherein when said egress is in an open position, an extension of said activator engages a shutting device of said egress.

6. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said power source supplies power to said sensor, said activator, and said transmitter.

7. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises a plurality of members, each of said members is at a pre-defined distance to each other of said members, and at a predefined location relative to said sensor.

8. The controller as in claim 7, wherein said sensor is at a predefined location relative to a hole in said trap, said hole suitable to pass data sensed by said sensor.

9. The controller as in claim 7, wherein each of said members corresponds to a member on said trap.

10. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said signaler is selected from a group consisting of a light, a noise maker or an electromagnetic signal transmitter.

11. A method comprising:

attaching a housing to a first trap, said housing including a sensor, an activator a signaler and a power source;

engaging said activator with a door of said trap;

transmitting a signal from said signaler;

detaching said housing from said first trap, and

attaching said housing to a second trap.

12. The method as in claim 11, comprising extending said sensor into said trap.

13. The method as in claim 11, comprising transmitting said signal over a wireless network.

14. The method as in claim 11, wherein said attaching comprises engaging a member on said housing with a member on said trap at a predefined location on said trap.

15. The method as in claim 11, comprising re-engaging said activator with a door of said second trap.

16. A method comprising:

positioning a housing on a trap, said housing including a sensor, an activator, a signaler, a fastener and a power source;

engaging said activator with a door of said trap;

transmitting a signal from said signaler upon a sensing by said sensor of an animal in said trap; and

activating said activator to release said door of said trap.

17. The method as in claim 16, comprising transmitting said signal over a wireless network.

18. The method as in claim 16, wherein said positioning comprises engaging a fastening member on said housing with a member on said trap at a predefined location on said trap.