Insect attracting and capturing apparatus

• US 5,255,468 A
• Filed: 07/26/1991
• Issued: 10/26/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bug-Vac Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bugvac USA Incorporated
• Inventors: Cheshire, Joseph M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowan, Kurt C.
• Application Number:
  US07/736,235
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 43/112, 43/113, 43/139
• US Class Current: 43/113
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/023 Attracting insects by the simulation of a living being, i.e. emission of carbon dioxide, heat, sound waves or vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/06 Catching insects by using a suction effect A01M3/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/08 Attracting and catching insects by using combined illumination or colours and suction effects
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/223 by using electrocution

Abstract

An insect attracting and capturing apparatus particularly suitable for capturing and killing mosquitoes. The apparatus has a light source for attracting insects. A fan establishes an air current into an insect receiving opening, and establishes turbulent air flows in the vicinity of the apparatus. An air flow directing flange directs air into the insect receiving opening and into the fan. The insect receiving opening leads to a narrow channel that directs air into the fan. Insects having an upward flight reflex to sensed changes in air flow direction and/or velocity will detect the air flow created by the fan, fly upwardly, and be captured in the air flow. An electrified grid is provided inside the passageway for electrocuting admitted insects. The position of the electrified grid inside the channel and in the inward air flow muffles sound from electrocution of insects. One embodiment uses ultraviolet light as an attractant, and another embodiment uses light, heat and motion to attract insects. The apparatus has the appearance of a conventional outdoor lighting fixture, and therefore is aesthetically attractive and relatively quiet compared to conventional insect electrocution devices.

Claims

1. An insect attracting and capturing apparatus, comprising:

a body;

a light source for attracting insects to the vicinity of said body;

means defining an insect-receiving opening in said body, said opening having an upper edge and a lower edge, said opening extending into the interior of said body;

a plate positioned above said light source for defining said lower edge of said opening;

a fan positioned within said body operative for creating an air flow outside said body in the vicinity of said opening and for drawing air in through said opening; and

air flow directing means affixed to said body proximate to said upper edge and extending outwardly from said body to an outer rim, for capturing upwardly flying insects in said air flow and directing said insects into said opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising insect electrocution means positioned between said air flow directing means and said plate.

3. An electric insect killer, comprising:

a housing;

a circular light source for attracting insects;

said housing including an upper portion above said light source and a lower portion below said light source;

an insect receiving means for admitting insects into said housing;

a slot between said light source and said upper portion, said slot constituting said insect receiving means;

a plate above said light source for defining the lower edge of said slot;

a flange between said light source and said upper portion of said housing, said flange defining the upper edge of said slot and extending outwardly of said housing adjacent to said slot;

electric grid means located between said flange and said plate for killing insects admitted into said housing;

a fan within said housing for establishing a first, outwardly flowing air current generally axially within said housing; and

air flow directing means responsive to said first air current for generating a second, inwardly flowing air current exteriorly of said housing generally radially to said housing, said second air current being sufficient to pull insects that are in said second air current into said housing.

4. An electric insect killer as in claim 3, further comprising a transformer within said upper portion of said housing, said transformer providing power for electrifying said electric grid means and for lighting said light source.

5. An electric insect killer comprising:

a housing including an attractant portion for attracting insects;

a circular light source in said attractant portion, said light source emitting light for attracting insects;

an insect receiving portion for admitting insects into said housing;

said housing including an upper portion above said attractant portion, and a lower portion below said attractant portion;

a flange between said attractant portion and said upper portion of said housing;

a slot between said attractant portion and said upper portion, said slot constituting said insect receiving portion,

said flange defining the upper edge of said slot and extending beyond said housing adjacent to said slot;

a plate above said light source for defining the lower edge of said slot;

electric grid means for killing insects, said electric grid being located between said flange and said plate;

fan means within said housing for establishing a first air current generally axially of said housing, said first air current causing a second air current exteriorly of said housing perpendicular to said housing,

said second air current being sufficient to pull weak flying insects that are in said second air current into said housing.

6. An electric insect killer as in claim 5, said fan means being within said lower portion of said housing, said first current of air being directed from said fan means downwardly through said lower portion, said second current of air being directed through said slot and into said fan means.

7. A combination outdoor lighting fixture and insect attracting and capturing apparatus, comprising:

a generally cylindrical body;

an annular light emitting means in said body for attracting insects to the vicinity of said body and for emitting light for illumination;

an annular insect receiving opening positioned on said body;

a fan mounted within said body for generating a flow of air into said insect receiving opening;

an annular flange on said body positioned for protecting said insect receiving opening and said light emitting means from rain and for directing air downwardly and outwardly of said body;

said insect receiving opening extending into a channel having a substantially uniform height extending from said insect-receiving opening to a position immediately above said fan;

a plate above said annular light emitting means for defining a lower surface of said channel;

said annular flange comprising a substantially continuous surface extending from an outer rim to said position immediately above said fan and defining at least one surface of said channel such that insects drawn into said opening are directed to the intake of said fan; and

electrocution means positioned in said channel between said flange and said plate for electrocuting insects passing through said channel.

8. An insect attracting and capturing apparatus, comprising:

a body;

means for attracting insects to the vicinity of said body;

means defining an insect-receiving opening in said body, said opening having an upper edge and a lower edge, said opening extending into the interior of said body, said opening being positioned above said attracting means;

a fan positioned within said body operative for creating an air flow outside said body in the vicinity of said opening and for drawing air in through said opening; and

air flow directing means affixed to said body proximate to said upper edge and extending outwardly from said body to an outer rim, for capturing upwardly flying insects in said air flow and directing said insects into said opening.

9. An electric insect killer, comprising:

a housing;

means for attracting insects positioned to emit exteriorly of said housing;

an insect receiving means positioned above said attracting means, for admitting insects into said housing;

electric grid means for killing insects admitted into said housing;

a fan within said housing for establishing a first, outwardly flowing air current generally axially within said housing; and

air flow directing means responsive to said first air current for generating a second, inwardly flowing air current exteriorly of said housing generally radially to said housing, said second air current being sufficient to pull insects that are in said second air current into said housing.

10. An electric insect killer comprising:

a housing including an attractant portion for attracting insects;

an insect receiving portion positioned above said attractant portion for admitting insects into said housing;

electric grid means for killing insects;

fan means within said housing for establishing a first air current generally axially of said housing, said first air current causing a second air current exteriorly of said housing perpendicular to said housing,

said second air current being sufficient to pull weak flying insects that are in said second air current into said housing.

11. A combination outdoor lighting fixture and insect attracting and capturing apparatus, comprising:

a generally cylindrical body;

an annular light emitting means in said body for attracting insects to the vicinity of said body and for emitting light for illumination;

an annular insect receiving opening positioned on said body above said light emitting means;

a fan mounted within said body for generating a flow of air into said insect receiving opening; and

an annular flange on said body positioned for protecting said insect receiving opening and said light emitting means from rain and for directing air downwardly and outwardly of said body.

12. An insect attracting and capturing apparatus, comprising:

a body;

insect attracting means positioned to emit exteriorly of said body for attracting insects to the vicinity of said body;

an insect receiving opening positioned above said insect attracting means; and

a fan mounted within said body for generating a flow of air into said insect receiving opening at a predetermined velocity within a predetermined range from said insect receiving opening sufficient to entrain small weak flying insects,

whereby insects attracted to said insect attracting means that possess a defensive upward flight reflex in response to air currents will be captured in said flow of air into said insect receiving opening.