Electrocution animal trap with a sender
An electrically powered rodent trap which includes a surveillance system for remote surveillance of the trap so that the trap may be operated without being attended to. A rodent which enters into the trap is killed by means of electrocution electrodes. The dead rodent is automatically dispatched from the trap, e.g. by a trapdoor, into a container or reservoir beneath the trap. The number of electrocutions and possible other data is stored by an electronic system incorporated in the trap and a signal is sent out, either by request from an external unit, or automatically to an external unit. A city rodent exterminator is capable of monitoring the status of the trap from an office location and thereby effectively tend to the trap or to a series of traps.
1. An electrically powered animal trap, comprising:
a set of electrodes for electrocution of an animal, and
a device for communicating a surveillance signal between the trap and an external surveillance unit,
wherein the trap defines a chamber between an entrance and an end section thereof, the end section supports arrangement of a bait in the form of a scent source, the set of electrodes including a number of electrodes being at least three and the electrodes being arranged sequentially in the chamber, a first electrode of the at least three electrodes being connected to a second electrode of the at least three electrodes while a third electrode of the at least three electrodes being electrically isolated from the first and second electrodes, the electrocution occurs when a high-voltage potential difference between the first and third electrodes is generated, and a surface of the electrodes being rough.
2. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a bottom with an upwardly extending sidewall,
a top section, and
an exit.
3. The trap according to claim 2 , wherein a size of the entrance is adjustable.
4. The trap according to claim 3 , wherein the size of the entrance is adjustable via the device for communicating a surveillance signal.
5. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising a device for lifting up the trap.
6. The trap according to claim 5 , wherein the device for lifting includes at least one leg.
7. The trap according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one leg is adjustable in length.
8. The trap according to claim 7 , wherein an adjustment of the length of the at least one leg is actuated by pressurized gas.
9. The trap according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one leg comprises telescopic legs.
10. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising a receptacle for storing the electrocuted animals.
11. The trap according to claim 10 , wherein the receptacle and the trap are sealed.
12. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising the electronic circuit including at least one micro processor, wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to generate the high-voltage potential difference from a low voltage power source upon detection of an animal.
13. The trap according to claim 12 , wherein the animal is detected by an electronic detector connected to the electronic circuit.
14. The trap according to claim 13 , wherein the electronic detector is adapted to detect motion of an animal.
15. The trap according to claim 13 , wherein the electronic detector is adapted to detect a weight of an animal.
16. The trap according to claim 12 , wherein the high-voltage potential difference is generated in pulses.
17. The trap according to claim 16 , wherein the pulses are in the form of a sinusoidal wave, a step pulse, or a series of pulses.
18. The trap according to claim 12 , wherein the power source for generating the high-voltage potential difference is a low voltage, high capacity DC-battery.
19. The trap according to claim 12 , further comprising a battery charger.
20. The trap according to claim 12 , wherein the electronic circuit stores an identification code for the trap.
21. The trap according to claim 1 , wherein a roughness of the surface is provided by adhering metal shavings to a metal plate.
22. The trap according to claim 1 , wherein the high-voltage potential difference is generated upon detection of a leak current through the animal between the first and second electrodes.
23. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising a lever arm for detecting a presence of the animal.
24. The trap according to claim 23 , wherein the high-voltage potential difference is generated when an animal moves the lever arm.
25. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising an entrance ramp.
26. The trap according to claim 25 , wherein the ramp is made from a material selected from the group consisting of: wood, plastic, stainless steel and nickel.
27. The A trap according to claim 1 , further comprising a mount at the entrance such that an additional section can be mounted in front of the entrance.
28. The trap according to claim 27 , wherein the mount comprises an entrance tube.
29. The trap according to claim 28 , wherein the tube has at least one bend.
30. The trap according to claim 28 , wherein said tube possesses one of the following shapes: an s-form, an elbow, and a zigzag.
31. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising a power adapter that allows direct connection to an existing power network.
32. The trap according to claim 31 , wherein the power adapter is compatible with an input voltage with an AC-amplitude between about 110 to 380 V.
33. The trap according to claim 2 , wherein the exit is operated automatically upon electrocution of the animal.
34. The trap according to claim 33 , wherein the exit is actuated either electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically or by any combination of these.
35. The trap according to claim 2 , wherein the exit is a trapdoor.
36. The trap according to claim 1 , wherein the set of electrodes are shielded from water flooding from above.
37. The trap according to claim 12 , wherein the electronic circuit is embedded in a waterproof housing.
38. The trap according to claim 12 , further comprising a water-level detector adapted to send out an electronic signal when water is detected in a level above a predetermined level, and wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to react in response to an electronic signal from the water level detector by disabling the generation of the high-voltage potential difference.
39. The trap according to claim 1 , wherein the device for communicating a surveillance signal comprises a device for transmitting a wireless signal to the external surveillance unit provided with a receiver for receiving the a surveillance signal.
40. The trap according to claim 39 , wherein the wireless signal is an electromagnetic signal.
41. The trap according to claim 40 , wherein the electromagnetic signal is a radio-signal.
42. The trap according to claim 40 , wherein a frequency of the electromagnetic signal is in the range of about 2.2 to 2.8 GHz.
43. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising a receiving unit for receiving a command signal from the external unit.
44. The trap according to claim 1 , wherein the surveillance signal is only sent out upon receiving a request signal.
45. The trap according to claim 1 , further comprising a device for determining a geographical position of the trap.
46. The trap according to claim 1 , wherein the surveillance signal contains information about at least one of the following particulars:
a number of captured animals,
a condition of a battery,
a remains of the bait, a position of the trap, and/or
an identification code for the trap.
47. A trap system, comprising:
at least one trap according to claim 1 , and
at least one external unit including:
a communication device for receiving a surveillance signal from the trap and optionally, for transmitting a command signal to the trap, and
a computer processing device adapted to respond to commands provided by computer software to read a status of either a single trap or an ensemble of traps.