Mosquito killing system

• US 6,568,124 B1
• Filed: 01/20/1998
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tiffany Shrader
• Original Assignee: Arctic Products LLC (ARCTIC PRODUCTS)
• Inventors: Wilbanks, Alvin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROWAN, KURT C
• Application Number:
  US09/009,122
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 431/12, 431/13, 431/39
• US Class Current: 43/112
• 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 1/223 by using electrocution
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 2200/012 Flying insects

Abstract

An insect killing system optimized for mosquitoes uses multiple thermal gradients to simulate the breathing and body heat from animals, including human beings and fowl, to attract insects for subsequent electrocution. The system comprises an elongated, generally parallelepiped housing supported upon a lower base. A heating tower shrouded by the housing supports a spaced apart, generally pyramidal roof. Several slits penetrate the base to permit air entry. An internal fan draws air into the base where the air mixes with scents, pheromones, and/or moisture. Mixed air is blown into and through the heating tower. An internal baffle divides the tower interior into separate, spaced apart compartments. A lower compartment houses a heater, and an adjacent upper compartment vents warmed air to atmosphere, creating numerous separate streams of warmed air that, to an insect, emulate human breathing. The baffle restricts air flow to create a pressure differential while ensuring adequate residence time to sufficiently warm the air. Heated air traversing the upper compartment is expelled through a plurality of discharge orifices. The resulting multitude of warm air currents creates an infrared signature emulating human breathing to attract mosquitoes. Additionally, a motorized mechanism provides movement of the apparatus to create motion simulating a living creature, which provides a further attractant to mosquitoes.

Claims

1. Apparatus for killing insects, comprising:

a main body having an outer wall, an inner wall contiguous with said outer wall so as to form an air space therebetween, and an interior chamber enclosed by said inner and outer walls;

a source of heat for heating said air space between said outer and inner walls, and creating a heat gradient surrounding said outer wall, said heat gradient attracting insects to said outer wall;

an electrocution grid for providing a voltage potential difference sufficient for electrocution of insects, said electrocution grid being located within said interior chamber; and

means for directing a flow of air from an area surrounding said outer wall in the vicinity of said heat gradient into said interior chamber and through said electrocution grid, said flow of air entraining insects attracted by said heat gradient to said outer wall into said interior chamber and then into contact with said electrocution grid.

2. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said source of heat comprises a heat tube.

3. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrocution grid is mounted horizontally within said interior chamber.

4. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said air flow directing means comprises an electric fan.

5. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a removable trap located below said electrocution grid for holding insect remains from said electrocution grid.

6. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for imparting periodic motion to said main body to simulate a living creature.

7. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for imparting periodic motion comprises:

stationary support means for supporting said main body, said stationary support means including an elongated track to which said main body is attached; and

means for moving said main body back and forth along said elongated track.

8. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 7, wherein said moving means comprises a rotatable drive mechanism coupled to said main body and a motor for rotating said drive mechanism.

9. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 8, wherein said rotatable drive mechanism comprises an auger screw.

10. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a coupling mechanism for coupling said rotatable drive mechanism to said main body, and a pair of limit switches mounted adjacent to each end of said track, each for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor upon contact with said coupling mechanism.

11. Apparatus for killing insects, comprising:

a main body, including

an electrocution grid for providing a voltage potential difference sufficient for electrocution of insects, and

means for attracting insects to said electrocution grid; and

means for imparting periodic motion to said main body to simulate a living creature, whereby said main body moves from a first position to a second position different from said first position.

12. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means for imparting periodic motion comprises:

stationary support means for supporting said main body, said stationary support means including an elongated track to which said main body is attached; and

means for moving said main body back and forth along said elongated track.

13. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 12, wherein said moving means comprises a rotatable drive mechanism coupled to said main body and a motor for rotating said drive mechanism.

14. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 13, wherein said rotatable drive mechanism comprises an auger screw.

15. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a coupling mechanism for coupling said rotatable drive mechanism to said main body, and a pair of limit switches mounted adjacent to each end of said track, each for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor upon contact with said coupling mechanism.

16. Apparatus for killing insects, comprising:

a main body having an outer wall and an interior chamber enclosed by said outer wall;

a source of heat for creating a heat gradient surrounding said outer wall;

an electrocution grid for providing a voltage potential difference sufficient for electrocution of insects, said electrocution grid being located within said interior chamber;

means for directing a flow of air from an area surrounding said outer wall in the vicinity of said heat gradient into said interior chamber and through said electrocution grid; and

means for imparting periodic motion to said main body to simulate a living creature, whereby said main body moves from a first position to a second position different from said first position.

17. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 16, wherein said means for imparting periodic motion comprises:

stationary support means for supporting said main body, said stationary support means including an elongated track to which said main body is attached; and

means for moving said main body back and forth along said elongated track.

18. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 17, wherein said moving means comprises a rotatable drive mechanism coupled to said main body and a motor for rotating said drive mechanism.

19. Apparatus for killing insects as set forth in claim 18, wherein said rotatable drive mechanism comprises an auger screw.