Animal trap
An animal trap is provided that includes a plurality of posts and a net structure. The net structure is attached to the posts. The net structure has a width that extends between an upper lateral edge and a lower lateral edge, a first length that extends between a first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end at the upper lateral edge, and a second length that extends between the first and second lengthwise ends at the lower lateral edge. The net structure includes a net and an upper cord. The upper cord is attached to the net. The net structure is configurable in a set configuration having an interior trap region. In the set configuration, the net structure has a first circumference at the upper lateral edge and a second circumference at the lower lateral edge. The first circumference is greater than the second circumference.
1. A trap for trapping animals, comprising:
a flexible net structure including:
a collapsible net formed from a plurality of spaced apart flexible lines that define a plurality of openings within the net, the net having a width that extends between an upper lateral edge and a lower lateral edge, a first length that extends between a first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end at the upper lateral edge, and a second length that extends between the first lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end at the lower lateral edge; and
a flexible upper cord attached to the collapsible net at the upper lateral edge extending the first length of the net;
wherein the collapsible net is configurable in a closed configuration where the first lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end are disposed proximate each other, and the lower lateral edge defines a trap opening;
a plurality of posts configured to support the flexible upper cord and a hanging portion of the flexible net structure above a ground surface; and
a plurality of anchoring devices, each anchoring device including a mechanical fastener and an anchor stake, and each anchoring device configured for coupling at least a portion of the lower lateral edge of the net with the ground surface, the coupling configured to permit an amount of movement of the at least a portion of the lower lateral edge relative to the ground surface sufficient for animal ingress through the trap opening.
2. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the flexible net structure has a first circumference at the upper lateral edge and a second circumference at the trap opening, wherein the first circumference is larger than the second circumference.
3. The trap of claim 2 , wherein the second circumference is in the range of about 35% to 90% of the first circumference.
4. The trap of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of anchoring devices are disposed to maintain the trap opening centrally relative to the first circumference at the upper lateral edge.
5. The trap of claim 1 , wherein the upper cord has a first diameter and each of the flexible lines has a second diameter, and the first diameter is at least 150% of the second diameter, and the flexible lines and the upper cord comprise the same material.
6. A trap for trapping animals, comprising:
a flexible net structure including:
a collapsible net formed from a plurality of spaced apart flexible lines that define a plurality of openings within the net, the net having a width that extends between an upper lateral edge and a lower lateral edge, a first length that extends between a first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end at the upper lateral edge, and a second length that extends between the first lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end at the lower lateral edge; and
a flexible upper cord attached to the collapsible net at the upper lateral edge extending the first length of the net;
wherein the collapsible net is configurable in a closed configuration where the first lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end are disposed proximate each other, and the lower lateral edge defines a trap opening;
a plurality of posts configured to support the flexible upper cord and a hanging portion of the flexible net structure above a ground surface; and
a plurality of anchoring devices each configured for coupling at least a portion of the lower lateral edge of the net with the ground surface, the coupling configured to permit an amount of movement of the at least a portion of the lower lateral edge relative to the ground surface sufficient for animal ingress through the trap opening;
wherein in the closed configuration, the lower lateral edge of the net is gravitationally biased to be in contact with the ground surface; and
wherein the plurality of anchoring devices are configured to be driven into the ground surface and configured to allow the at least a portion of the lower lateral edge of the net to be lifted off of the ground surface a limited distance and to return to the ground surface by gravitational force; and
wherein each of the plurality of anchoring devices includes a mechanical fastener and an anchor stake and is configured to permit the mechanical fastener to slide along a length of the anchor stake.
7. The trap of claim 6 , wherein the flexible net structure further comprises a flexible bottom cord attached to the collapsible net at the lower lateral edge extending the second length of the net.
8. The trap of claim 6 , wherein the flexible net structure has a first circumference at the upper lateral edge and a second circumference at the trap opening, wherein the first circumference is larger than the second circumference.
9. The trap of claim 8 , wherein the second circumference is in the range of about 35% to 90% of the first circumference.
10. The trap of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of anchoring devices are disposed to maintain the trap opening centrally relative to the first circumference at the upper lateral edge.
11. The trap of claim 6 , wherein the upper cord has a first diameter and each of the flexible lines has a second diameter, and the first diameter is at least 150% of the second diameter.
12. The trap of claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of tensioning structures, each said tensioning structure of the plurality of tensioning structures configured to cause the upper cord to be pulled in a direction having an outwardly radial component, the plurality of tensioning structures collectively placing the upper cord in circumferential tension.
13. The trap of claim 6 , A trap for trapping animals, comprising:
a flexible net structure including:
a collapsible net formed from a plurality of spaced apart flexible lines that define a plurality of openings within the net, the net having a width that extends between an upper lateral edge and a lower lateral edge, a first length that extends between a first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end at the upper lateral edge, and a second length that extends between the first lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end at the lower lateral edge; and
a flexible upper cord attached to the collapsible net at the upper lateral edge extending the first length of the net;
wherein the collapsible net is configurable in a closed configuration where the first lengthwise end and the second lengthwise end are disposed proximate each other, and the lower lateral edge defines a trap opening;
a plurality of posts configured to support the flexible upper cord and a hanging portion of the flexible net structure above a ground surface; and
a plurality of anchoring devices each configured for coupling at least a portion of the lower lateral edge of the net with the ground surface, the coupling configured to permit an amount of movement of the at least a portion of the lower lateral edge relative to the ground surface sufficient for animal ingress through the trap opening;
wherein the upper cord has a first diameter and each of the flexible lines has a second diameter, and the first diameter is at least 150% of the second diameter, and the flexible lines and the upper cord comprise the same material.