Breakdown collapsible mousetrap with rotating vanes
View Patent ↗A mousetrap has a shaft connected to a clip. The shaft has a cylindrical rod with a flange at its proximal end and a cantilever snap-fit stop at its distal end. A pair of tubes are rotatably held on the cylindrical rod in a longitudinally spaced arrangement between the snap-fit stop and the flange. Each of the tubes has a mating sidewall that intermeshes with the other which causes the tubes to rotate in unison on the shaft. A pair of vanes are attached to and laterally extend outward from opposite sides of each one of the tubes in a plane. The planes for the pairs of vanes are perpendicular to each other.
1 . A mousetrap for use with a bucket, comprising:
a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical rod and a flange, wherein the cylindrical rod has a rod diameter and longitudinally extends a rod length from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the flange is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical rod and extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod, and wherein the flange has a lateral width greater than the rod diameter;
a proximal tube surrounding a first portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the proximal tube extends from the proximal end of the cylindrical rod toward the distal end by a first tube length, wherein the first tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the proximal tube has a first internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the proximal tube rotates relative to the shaft;
a distal tube surrounding a second portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the distal tube extends from the distal end of the cylindrical rod toward the proximal end by a second tube length, wherein the second tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the distal tube has a second internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the proximal tube engages and rotates with the distal tube relative to the shaft;
a first pair of vanes connected to the proximal tube, wherein a first lateral centerline through the first pair of vanes is spaced a first distance from the flange; and
a second pair of vanes connected to the distal tube, wherein a second lateral centerline through the second pair of vanes is spaced a second distance from the flange, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
2 . The mousetrap of claim 1 , wherein the shaft further comprises a terminal stop located adjacent to the distal end of the cylindrical rod, wherein the terminal stop extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod beyond the second internal diameter of the distal tube and prevents the distal tube from sliding off the distal end of the cylindrical rod.
3 . The mousetrap of claim 2 , wherein the terminal stop is comprised of a cantilever snap-fit stop, wherein the cantilever snap-fit stop comprises a pair of shanks and a pair of prongs, wherein the pair of shanks connect to and extend longitudinally from opposite sides of the distal end of the cylindrical rod to a corresponding pair of free ends, and wherein the pair of prongs are connected to and extend laterally outward from the free ends of the shanks.
4 . The mousetrap of claim 3 , wherein the pair of prongs are biased apart from each other with a space therebetween in a locking position, wherein the pair of prongs extend laterally past the second internal diameter of the distal tube and are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the second internal diameter and engage a sidewall of the distal tube in the locking position, wherein the pair of prongs are forced toward each other into the space in a freeing position, and wherein the pair of prongs fit within the second internal diameter of the distal tube in the freeing position.
5 . The mousetrap of claim 1 , wherein the first pair of vanes are fixedly attached to and extend laterally outward from opposite sides of the proximal tube in a first plane, and wherein the second pair of vanes are fixedly attached to and extend laterally outward from opposite sides of the distal tube in a second plane, and wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane.
6 . The mousetrap of claim 1 , further comprising a clip fixedly connected to the shaft proximate to the flange.
7 . The mousetrap of claim 6 , further comprising an arm attaching the clip to the shaft.
8 . The mousetrap of claim 1 , wherein the proximal tube and the distal tube each comprise a mating sidewall, and wherein the mating sidewall of the proximal tube intermeshes with the mating sidewall of the distal tube.
9 . The mousetrap of claim 8 , wherein the mating sidewall is comprised of a pair of notches longitudinally recessed into a first pair of opposite sides of the tubular sidewall and a pair of tabs positioned between the pair of notches and longitudinally extending out from a second pair of opposite sides of the tubular sidewall, wherein the pair of tabs in the proximal tube extend into the pair of notches in the distal tube, and wherein the pair of tabs in the distal tube extend into the pair of notches in the proximal tube.
10 . A mousetrap for use with a bucket, comprising:
a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical rod, a flange, and a cantilever snap-fit stop, wherein the cylindrical rod has a rod diameter and longitudinally extends a rod length from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the flange is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical rod and extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod, wherein the flange has a lateral width greater than the rod diameter, wherein the cantilever snap-fit stop comprises a pair of shanks and a pair of prongs, wherein the pair of shanks connect to and extend longitudinally from opposite sides of the distal end of the cylindrical rod to a corresponding pair of free ends, and wherein the pair of prongs are connected to and extend laterally outward from the free ends of the shanks;
a first tube surrounding a first portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the first tube has a first internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the first tube rotates relative to the shaft; and
a first set of vanes connected to and extending laterally outward from the first tube.
11 . The mousetrap of claim 10 , wherein the pair of prongs are biased apart from each other with a space therebetween in a locking position, wherein the pair of prongs extend laterally past the first internal diameter of the first tube and are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the first internal diameter and engage a sidewall of the first tube in the locking position, wherein the pair of prongs are forced toward each other into the space in a freeing position, and wherein the pair of prongs fit within the first internal diameter of the first tube in the freeing position.
12 . The mousetrap of claim 10 , further comprising a second tube and a second set of vanes, wherein the second tube surrounds a second portion of the cylindrical rod and has a second internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, wherein the second tube rotates relative to the shaft, wherein the second set of vanes are connected to and extend laterally outward from the second tube, wherein the first set of vanes are in a first plane, and wherein the second set of vanes are in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
13 . The mousetrap of claim 12 , wherein the first tube and the second tube each comprise a mating sidewall comprised of a pair of notches longitudinally extending into the sidewall and a pair of tabs longitudinally extending out from the sidewall, wherein the pair of tabs in the mating sidewall of the first tube extend into the pair of notches in the mating sidewall of the second tube, and wherein the pair of tabs in the mating sidewall of the second tube extend into the pair of notches in the mating sidewall of the first tube.
14 . The mousetrap of claim 12 , wherein a first lateral centerline through the first set of vanes is spaced a first distance from the flange, wherein a second lateral centerline through the second set of vanes is spaced a second distance from the flange, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
15 . A mousetrap for use with a bucket, comprising:
a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical rod, a flange, and a terminal stop, wherein the cylindrical rod has a rod diameter and longitudinally extends a rod length from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the flange is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical rod and extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod, wherein the flange has a lateral width greater than the rod diameter, and wherein the terminal stop is located adjacent to the distal end of the cylindrical rod;
a clip fixedly attached to the shaft proximate to the flange, wherein the clip connects to the bucket;
a tube surrounding the cylindrical rod, wherein the tube has an internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the tube rotates relative to the shaft;
a first pair of vanes connected to and extending laterally outward from the tube, wherein the first pair of vanes are situated in a first plane; and
a second pair of vanes connected to and extending laterally outward from the tube, wherein the second pair of vanes are situated in a second plane, and wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane.
16 . The mousetrap of claim 15 , wherein the tube is comprised of a proximal tube section and a distal tube section, wherein the first pair of vanes are connected to and extend laterally outward from the proximal tube section, wherein a first lateral centerline through the first pair of vanes is spaced a first distance from the flange, wherein the second pair of vanes are connected to and extend laterally outward from the distal tube section, wherein a second lateral centerline through the second pair of vanes is spaced a second distance from the flange, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
17 . The mousetrap of claim 16 , wherein the proximal tube section and the distal tube section each comprise a mating sidewall, wherein the mating sidewall is comprised of a pair of notches longitudinally extending into the sidewall and a pair of tabs positioned between the pair of notches and longitudinally extending out from the sidewall, wherein the pair of tabs in the mating sidewall of the proximal tube section extend into the pair of notches in the mating sidewall of the distal tube section, and wherein the pair of tabs in the mating sidewall of the distal tube section extend into the pair of notches in the mating sidewall of the proximal tube section.
18 . The mousetrap of claim 15 , wherein the terminal stop is a cantilever snap-fit stop, wherein the cantilever snap-fit stop comprises a pair of shanks and a pair of prongs, wherein the pair of shanks connect to and extend longitudinally from opposite sides of the distal end of the cylindrical rod to a corresponding pair of free ends, and wherein the pair of prongs are connected to and extend laterally outward from the free ends of the shanks.
19 . The mousetrap of claim 18 , wherein the pair of prongs are biased apart from each other with a space therebetween in a locking position, wherein the pair of prongs extend laterally past the internal diameter of the tube and are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the internal diameter of the tube and engage a sidewall of the distal tube section in the locking position, wherein the pair of prongs are forced toward each other into the space in a freeing position, and wherein the pair of prongs fit within the internal diameter of the tube in the freeing position.
20 . A mousetrap for use with a bucket, comprising:
a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical rod and a flange, wherein the cylindrical rod has a rod diameter and longitudinally extends a rod length from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the flange is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical rod and extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod, and wherein the flange has a lateral width greater than the rod diameter;
a proximal tube surrounding a first portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the proximal tube extends from the proximal end of the cylindrical rod toward the distal end by a first tube length, wherein the first tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the proximal tube has a first internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the proximal tube rotates relative to the shaft;
a distal tube surrounding a second portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the distal tube extends from the distal end of the cylindrical rod toward the proximal end by a second tube length, wherein the second tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the distal tube has a second internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the proximal tube engages and rotates with the distal tube relative to the shaft;
a first pair of vanes connected to the proximal tube; and
a second pair of vanes connected to the distal tube, wherein a first lateral centerline through the first pair of vanes is spaced a first distance from the flange, wherein a second lateral centerline through the second pair of vanes is spaced a second distance from the flange, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
21 . A mousetrap for use with a bucket, comprising:
a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical rod and a flange, wherein the cylindrical rod has a rod diameter and longitudinally extends a rod length from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the flange is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical rod and extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod, and wherein the flange has a lateral width greater than the rod diameter;
a proximal tube surrounding a first portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the proximal tube extends from the proximal end of the cylindrical rod toward the distal end by a first tube length, wherein the first tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the proximal tube has a first internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the proximal tube rotates relative to the shaft;
a distal tube surrounding a second portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the distal tube extends from the distal end of the cylindrical rod toward the proximal end by a second tube length, wherein the second tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the distal tube has a second internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the proximal tube engages and rotates with the distal tube relative to the shaft;
a first pair of vanes connected to the proximal tube;
a second pair of vanes connected to the distal tube; and
a clip fixedly connected to the shaft proximate to the flange.
22 . A mousetrap for use with a bucket, comprising:
a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical rod and a flange, wherein the cylindrical rod has a rod diameter and longitudinally extends a rod length from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the flange is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical rod and extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod, and wherein the flange has a lateral width greater than the rod diameter;
a proximal tube surrounding a first portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the proximal tube extends from the proximal end of the cylindrical rod toward the distal end by a first tube length and comprises a first mating sidewall, wherein the first tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the proximal tube has a first internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the proximal tube rotates relative to the shaft;
a distal tube surrounding a second portion of the cylindrical rod, wherein the distal tube extends from the distal end of the cylindrical rod toward the proximal end by a second tube length and comprises a second mating sidewall, wherein the second tube length is less than the rod length, wherein the distal tube has a second internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, and wherein the first mating sidewall of the proximal tube intermeshes and rotates with the second mating sidewall of the distal tube relative to the shaft;
a first pair of vanes connected to the proximal tube; and
a second pair of vanes connected to the distal tube.
23 . A mousetrap for use with a bucket, comprising:
a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical rod, a flange, and a terminal stop, wherein the cylindrical rod has a rod diameter and longitudinally extends a rod length from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the flange is located adjacent to the proximal end of the cylindrical rod and extends laterally outward from the cylindrical rod, wherein the flange has a lateral width greater than the rod diameter, and wherein the terminal stop is located adjacent to the distal end of the cylindrical rod;
a clip fixedly connected to the shaft proximate to the flange;
a tube surrounding the cylindrical rod, wherein the tube has an internal diameter greater than the rod diameter and less than the lateral width of the flange, wherein a first end of the tube is adjacent to the flange, wherein a second end of the tube is adjacent to the terminal stop, wherein the tube has a tube length extending from the first end to the second end, and wherein the tube rotates relative to the shaft; and
a plurality of vanes connected to and extending laterally outward from the tube, wherein the plurality of vanes are situated in a plurality of planes, and wherein the planes intersect with the tube along the tube length between the first end and the second end.
24 . The mousetrap of claim 23 , wherein the tube is comprised of a proximal tube section and a distal tube section, wherein a first one of the vanes is connected to and extends laterally outward from the proximal tube section, wherein a first lateral centerline through the first one of the vanes is spaced a first distance from the flange, wherein the second one of the vanes is connected to and extends laterally outward from the distal tube section, wherein a second lateral centerline through the second one of the vanes is spaced a second distance from the flange, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
25 . The mousetrap of claim 23 , wherein the tube is comprised of a proximal tube section and a distal tube section, wherein the proximal tube section and the distal tube section each comprise a mating sidewall, and wherein the mating sidewall of the proximal tube section intermeshes with the mating sidewall of the distal tube section.
26 . The mousetrap of claim 25 , wherein the plurality of vanes are comprised of a first pair of vanes fixedly attached to and extending laterally outward from the proximal tube section and not connected to the distal tube section, a second pair of vanes fixedly connected to and extending laterally outward from the distal tube section and not connected to the proximal tube section.
27 . The mousetrap of claim 23 wherein the terminal stop is comprised of a cantilever snap-fit stop, wherein the cantilever snap-fit stop comprises a pair of shanks and a pair of prongs, wherein the pair of shanks connect to and extend longitudinally from opposite sides of the distal end of the cylindrical rod to a corresponding pair of free ends, and wherein the pair of prongs are connected to and extend laterally outward from the free ends of the shanks.
28 . The mousetrap of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of vanes are removably connected to the tube.