Audio signal for spring-loaded rodent traps
First Claim
1. A rodent trap with an audio signaling device, comprising:
- (a) a base member;
(b) a trapping mechanism mounted to said base member, said trapping mechanism comprising;
(i) a jaw member;
(ii) at least one biasing member to provide a torsional force on said jaw member;
(iii) a jaw retaining member to hold said jaw member under said torsional force in a cocked position; and
(iv) a trigger member connected to said jaw retaining member wherein upon being triggered by the application of a triggering force to said trigger member, said trigger member releases said jaw retaining member such that said jaw member is driven by torsional force from its cocked position to trap a rodent;
(c) said audio signaling device mounted to top of said base, comprising;
(i) a switch mechanism having at least two electrical contacts configured to move in response to said trapping mechanism having left said cocked position at which time a change in conductive state of said switch mechanism takes place, wherein the current being switched by said switch mechanism is not conducted through said jaw member;
wherein said switch mechanism do not come in contact with said jaw member when said trapping mechanism has left said cocked position;
(ii) a power source for providing power to said audio signaling device;
(iii) an electronic audio source which produces sound when said switch detects that said jaw member has left said cocked position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An audio signaling device designed for mounting on spring-loaded rodent traps. The device audibly signals when its associated trap has been triggered. Upon reliable detection of triggering, an audio signal is emitted as an initial audio tone sequence followed by an audio beacon mode; wherein operation alternates between long periods of very low-power silent operation and short audio tone sequences. The device may be reliably attached to traps of various sizes and designs, while the power provided by the battery powers it for extended periods. Additionally the signaling device can be programmed to generate unique audio tunes while being easily manufactured from low-cost parts.
43 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A rodent trap with an audio signaling device, comprising:
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(a) a base member; (b) a trapping mechanism mounted to said base member, said trapping mechanism comprising; (i) a jaw member; (ii) at least one biasing member to provide a torsional force on said jaw member; (iii) a jaw retaining member to hold said jaw member under said torsional force in a cocked position; and (iv) a trigger member connected to said jaw retaining member wherein upon being triggered by the application of a triggering force to said trigger member, said trigger member releases said jaw retaining member such that said jaw member is driven by torsional force from its cocked position to trap a rodent; (c) said audio signaling device mounted to top of said base, comprising; (i) a switch mechanism having at least two electrical contacts configured to move in response to said trapping mechanism having left said cocked position at which time a change in conductive state of said switch mechanism takes place, wherein the current being switched by said switch mechanism is not conducted through said jaw member;
wherein said switch mechanism do not come in contact with said jaw member when said trapping mechanism has left said cocked position;(ii) a power source for providing power to said audio signaling device; (iii) an electronic audio source which produces sound when said switch detects that said jaw member has left said cocked position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing an audio signal when a spring-loaded rodent trap has been triggered, wherein said rodent trap comprises a base member upon which is mounted a trapping mechanism which includes, a jaw member, a jaw member retainer, a trigger member, at least one spring member to provide a torsional spring force to said jaw member, and an audio signaling device, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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(a) fastening said audio signaling device to said base of said trap generally opposite the mounting location of said trigger member; (b) holding electrical contacts of said audio signaling device in an open non-conducting state by interposing a portion of said trapping mechanism between contact leaves of said contacts when said trapping mechanism is in said cocked state; (c) generating audio sound or audio tones when said audio signaling device receives an electrical signal from said contacts when said trap leaves said cocked position as sensed by the electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An audio signaling device for attachment to a rodent trap;
- said rodent trap comprising a base on which is mounted a spring loaded jaw member, jaw retaining member, trigger member, and to which on said base is attached said audio signaling device which comprises;
(a) electrical contacts of a switch mechanism which is configured to detect movement of the trapping mechanism when said trapping mechanism leaves said cocked position, wherein said electrical contacts do not comprise any portion of said jaw member;
wherein said switch mechanism do not come in contact with said jaw member when said trapping mechanism has left said cocked position;(b) a power source for providing power to said audio signaling device; (c) an electronic circuit capable of generating timed sequences of electrical signals in response to said electrical contacts detecting when said trapping mechanism leaves said cocked position; and (d) an audio conversion device for converting said electronic signals into audio signals for the production of sound and audio tones. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- said rodent trap comprising a base on which is mounted a spring loaded jaw member, jaw retaining member, trigger member, and to which on said base is attached said audio signaling device which comprises;
Specification