Pest control device

[0001] The field of the invention relates generally to pest control devices and, particularly, to rodent or insect control devices where the rodent or insect is trapped or poisoned.

[0002] Controlling and catching pests, including rodents, is a continuing issue for many, especially commercial entities, particularly those involved in the food industry. This issue is particularly significant where pests, such as rodents or insects, are located, or travel, in hard to reach areas, making it difficult to set, retrieve and service traps.

[0003] Considerable art relative to trapping of rodents has been developed over the years.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,380, Fornal, Sr., Rodent Enclosure, describes an enclosure housing for capturing a live rodent unharmed having a baited enclosure chamber, a one way entrance, having an open portal, a level ramp, pivotally mounted in the entrance portal chamber of the enclosure adapted for movement between a level access position and an inwardly and downwardly tilted position to provide access and to automatically return to the level position for preventing escape.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,781, Vine, Mouse Trap, describes a trap for capturing mice or other rodents. The device includes a main body having an entrance ramp leading thereinto. A bait container is positioned within the main body to attract a mouse towards a pivotally mounted trap door. A holding compartment positioned beneath the trap door receives the mouse within a removable drawer. The drawer includes an insertable screen which permits removal of the drawer and transport of the mouse to an exterior area for release thereof.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,852, Sarff, Rotating Cylinder Rodent Trap, describes a trap for capturing rodents within a bucket. The device includes an axle having a cylinder rotatably positioned therein. A mounting assembly secures the axle across an open upper end of a container. A ramp extends from ground surface to the upper end of the container, whereby a comestible paste applied to the cylinder will lure a rodent up the ramp and onto the cylinder which rotates to deposit the rodent into the container.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,171, Hershey, Multiple-Catch Mouse Trap, describes a container with a lid having a plurality of open entrance aperture tubes combined with similar apertures possessing one way passage devices and a bait compartment to induce mice and the like to pass through the one way passage device. It is adapted for use with a variety of standard commercial containers, such as five gallon plastic buckets, oil drums, and trash cans, containing additional bait and captured mice. The one way passage device is located on the top of the container and is utilized for the purpose of preventing mice from reversing their direction and exiting the trap.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,824, Fiore, Jr., Rubber Band Powered Mousetrap, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,020, Fiore, Jr., et al, Rubber Band and Spring Powered Mousetraps, describe tunnel-type mousetraps having a central trapping mechanism powered by a rubber band or a coil spring. If a rubber band is used, it is wound between an anchor plate in the top wall of the tunnel and a striker plate that fits over the anchor plate and has end walls with trapping apertures that project downwardly through the tunnel. The rubber band urges the striker plate upwardly, and the trap is set by pushing down on the striker plate to engage a pivotal trigger carried by the anchor plate. When a mouse enters the tunnel and dislodges the trigger, the striker plate springs upwardly under the force of the rubber band traps the mouse's neck in one of the trapping apertures. The trigger may be scented to attract mice and may hold a sunflower seed as additional bait. To provide the trap with a longer shelf life, the rubber band may be replaced by a coil spring fitted between the anchor plate and the striker plate.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,354, Carnwath, Bi-Directional Tunnel Rat Trap, describes a tunnel trap for use on paths normally used by rates and has two trips operated sequentially. A rat entering either end of the tunnel activates one trip and advances into the tunnel, activating the other trip, releasing the spring driven striker. The elements of the trap are specifically proportioned to assure that regardless of which direction the rat is passing through the tunnel, it will be trapped and killed.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,274, Smith et al, Rodent Trap, describes a rodent trap for drowning a plurality of rodents and other small pests without the need for resetting the trap is disclosed. The device includes a ramp engageable to a rim of a conventional pail and a rotating body positionable horizontally within the pail. The pail is partially filled with water or a mixture of water and ethylene glycol in such manner that the rotating body is free to rotate a distance above the water or mixture line. The rotating body includes a cylindrical body rotatably mounted to a shaft in such a manner that a rodent or like pest is unable to feed upon a rodent-attracting substance such as peanut butter spread on the cylindrical body without stepping upon the cylindrical body and thereby causing the cylindrical body to rotate and force the rodent or like pest into the water or mixture water and ethylene glycol.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,623, Celestine, Rodent Trap, describes a rodent trap which includes a central housing interior into which a rodent is lured by bait and enters on a rodent entry ramp and inside which is located a rotating trap door that is operated by a high speed DC motor which is actuated by an infrared sensor positioned inside the housing. The motor is engaged to rotate the trap door and timed by a cam switch to return to a closed position and ready to operate for the entry of the next rodent. When the rodent falls through the trap door, it falls into a rodent box which is received by an insertion in the housing lower section. The entry ramp facilitates rodent entering the trap at an elevation above the rodent box located in the lower portion of the trap.

[0012] Other traps for rodents are shown in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,624, Schmidt, Mousetrap; U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,784, Oscarsson, Rodent and Small Animal Trap; U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,512, Krenzler, Mouse Trap; U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,663, Fields, Multiple Live Mouse Trap; U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,034, Robin et al, Rodent Trap; and U.S. Design Pat. No. D-382,039, Zyra, Mouse Trap With Ramp and Spinning Bait Bobbin.

[0013] The above art describes a myriad of devices intended to trap rodents and similar creatures. However, the art all assumes relatively easy access to the place where the rodents are located or are traveling. None of the art addresses the problem of placing, retrieving and maintaining traps in locations which are hard to access.

[0014] Typically, pests, including rodents and insects, prefer to keep out of sight and prefer to keep in relatively confined spaces. Such pests generally prefer to travel, for example, along the intersection of a floor, shelf, or other horizontal surface, and an adjacent wall. This makes the place most likely to intercept a pest, in order to effectively trap the pest, largely inaccessible. In a building, e.g., a warehouse, goods are likely to be placed relatively close to the walls preventing easy access to the wall. The use of shelves particularly limits the availability of access to wall/floor intersection and the positioning of articles on the shelves limits the availability of access to the proximity of the shelves and the wall. A particularly good place to trap such pests is under shelving near the back and in close proximity to the wall in front of which the shelving is placed. This is a very difficult location to place, retrieve and maintain pest traps. Additional areas which are particularly lucrative for trapping pests but which are relatively inaccessible include areas under counters and behind equipment.

[0015] Observed rodent activity in areas having food located on shelving, such as grocery stores, has been primarily on the floor under the shelving along the back wall of the shelf. In addition, the rodent activity is often under a shelf in the middle of a floor with no vertical wall nearby. It would then be desirable to create a pathway to direct the rodent activity. For the most effective results, it is preferable to have a rodent control device located in the area most frequented by the rodents. This is a particularly difficult area in which to place, service and remove a rodent control device.

[0016] In some cases, it may be necessary to remove product from the shelves and, even, partially disassemble the shelving in order to gain access to the area most frequented by the rodents.

[0017] The present invention provides a pest control device, and a method of suppressing a pest, which can be discretely and easily placed, serviced and removed from the proximity of areas where pests, including rodents and insects, are likely to frequent, including the area near the floor-wall juncture behind shelving and/or products or equipment or on the floor under shelving or counters where no vertical wall is nearby.

[0018] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a pest control device for controlling a pest having a pest suppression device having an ingress for the pest and an elongate arm having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end of the elongate arm connected to the pest suppression device communicating with the ingress and facilitating a pathway for the pest from the distal end of the elongate arm to the ingress.

[0019] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pest control device for controlling a pest having a platform allowing for mounting of a pest suppression device having at least one ingress for the pest and an elongate arm having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end of the elongate arm connected to the platform allowing communication with the ingress and facilitating a pathway for the pest from the distal end of the elongate arm to the platform in the vicinity of the ingress.

[0020] Preferably, the elongate arm articulates with respect to the pest suppression device.

[0021] Preferably, the pest control device has a generally planar surface, wherein the generally planar surface is horizontal when the pest control device is in use, wherein the elongate arm has a major axis, and wherein is the major axis of the elongate arm is positioned horizontally when the pest control device is in use.

[0022] Preferably, the pest control device has generally planar upper and lower surfaces, the generally planar upper and lower surface being horizontal when the pest control device is in use.

[0023] Preferably, the elongate arm pivots along the generally planar surface.

[0024] Preferably, the pest suppression device comprises a trap or poison.

[0025] Preferably, the pest control device has a plurality of elongate arms, each having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end of each of the plurality of elongate arms being connected to the platform allowing communication with the ingress and facilitating a pathway for the pest from the distal end of each of the plurality of elongate arms to the platform.

[0026] Preferably, the distal end of at least one of the plurality of elongate arms is extendible and retractable with respect to the pest suppression device.

[0027] Preferably, at least one of the plurality of elongate arms comprises a planar sheet mounted vertically to the pest suppression device and has a top edge and wherein the top edge of the distal end of the planar sheet has a plurality of serrations allowing the extendibility of the at least one of the of plurality of elongate arms to be extendible in a plurality of detent positions.

[0028] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of suppressing a pest, where the pest is expected to be found near a juncture between a horizontal surface and a vertical surface and where access to the juncture between the horizontal surface and the vertical surface is difficult to access. A pest control device is place on the horizontal surface distant from the juncture of the horizontal surface and the vertical surface. The pest control device has a platform allowing for mounting of a pest suppression device having at least one ingress for the pest and an elongate arm having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end of the elongate arm connected to the platform allowing communication with the ingress and facilitating a pathway for the pest from the distal end of the elongate arm to the platform in the vicinity of the ingress. The distal end of the elongate arm is moved in proximity of the juncture of the horizontal surface and the vertical surface. In this way a pathway from the juncture of the horizontal surface and the vertical surface to the pest suppression device is facilitated.

[0029] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of suppressing a pest, where there is an opening between a horizontal surface and a bottom of a shelf, the shelf having a front edge and a rear edge. The method includes placing a pest control device on the horizontal surface at a position underneath the shelf and positioned between the front edge and rear edge. The pest control device has a platform allowing for mounting of a press suppression device having at least one ingress for the pest and an elongate arm having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end of the elongate arm connected to the platform allowing communication with the ingress and facilitating a pathway for the pest from the distal end of the elongate arm of the platform in the vicinity of the ingress. The distal end is moved to a position between the front edge and rear edge when the pest control device is placed, whereby a pathway from under the shelf to the pest control device is created.

[0030] The foregoing advantages, construction and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pest control device of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a platform used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a pin used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an elongate arm used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred use of the pest control device of the present invention; and

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the pest control device of the present invention.

[0037] In FIG. 1, pest control device 10 comprises an upper platform 12 and a lower platform 14 held spaced apart by pins 16, one pin 16 located at each corner of the upper platform 12 and lower platform 14. The area between upper platform 12 and lower platform 14 forms an area adapted for the placement of a pest suppression device 18.

[0038] Elongate arms 20 are attached to pins 16 at each of the corners of upper platform 12 and lower platform 14. In one embodiment, pins 16 have a slot 22 through which the distal end 26 of elongate arm 20 is inserted. This allows elongate arm 20 to slide back and forth through slot 22 either extend distal end 26 of elongate arm 20 further from platforms 12 and 14 or to retract distal end 26 of elongate arm 20 to be closer to platforms 12 and 14. Preferably, the top edge of elongate arm 20 has a serrated edge 28 which, while still allowing elongate arm 20 to slide through slot 22, provides detent positions for elongate arm 20.

[0039] Pins 16 inserted through holes 30 in upper platform 12 and lower platform 14 allow pins 16 to pivot allowing elongates arms 20 to also articulate along the plane of the major surface of upper platform 12 and lower platform 14.

[0040] Pest suppression device 18 may be any of a wide variety of commercially available suppression devices, including traps and poison. Traps may be any of a variety of single or multiple catch traps and may be rodent or insect traps depending on the desired use of pest control device 10. In one preferred embodiment, pest suppression device may be any of a variety of glue pads capturing any pest, including a rodent or insect, to come into contact with the glue pad. Pest suppression device 18 may also be an integral component of the pest control device 10.

[0041] In FIG. 2, lower platform 14 is shown in top planar view. Holes 30 are formed in lower platform 14 to allow pins 16 (FIG. 1) to be inserted. Detents 32 are formed in the proximity of holes 30 which allow elongates arms 20, when inserted through pins 16, to be positioned in a plurality of detent positions. One or more tabs 34 may be formed in lower platform 14 to allow for pest suppression device 18 to be affixed to lower platform 14. While particular dimensions of lower platform 14 are not important, other than being large enough to house or secure pest suppression device 18 and small enough to allow pest control device to be placed where it is to be used. In one preferred embodiment, lower platform 14 is sized to accommodate a pest suppression device of approximately 10.5 inches (26.6 centimeters) by 7 inches (17.8 centimeters).

[0042] While not explicitly shown in a separate view, upper platform 12 may be similar to lower platform 14. It should be recognized that detents 32 and tabs 34 need not necessarily be formed into both lower platform 14 and into upper platform 12. Rather, these features, if desired, may be formed into either of lower platform 14 or upper platform 12, or both. Also, detents 32 may be formed in one the elements and the tabs 34 formed in the other. Any combination is permissible, e.g., detents 32 for one elongate arm 20 may be formed in one element and detents 32 for another elongate arm 20 be formed in the other.

[0043] Pin 16 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Pin 16 may be formed from a plastic material and could be sized to fit in holes 30 of upper platform 12 and/or lower platform 14. In a preferred embodiment, pin 16 has a head 36, a shank consisting of two prongs 38 forming slot 22. Two prongs 38 are tapered to allow pins 16 to be more easily inserted through holes 30.

[0044] As mentioned above, the distal end 26 can be inserted through slot 22 in pin 16. Serrated edge 28 allows elongate arm to have a plurality of detent positions depending on the distance that proximate end 24 in inserted through slot 22. In a preferred embodiment, guide lines 40 are marked on the side of elongate arm 20 for use a guide in determining the distance which elongate arm 20 is inserted through slot 22. A slight lower tip 42 may be formed at the distal end 26 of elongate arm to allow distal end 26 of elongate arm to rest on the same horizontal surface on which lower platform 14 is placed.

[0045] While shown as a planar element in FIG. 4, elongate arm 20 could be formed from many other shapes including U-shapes and boxes, which still facilitate a pathway for the pest to be controlled from distal end 26 of elongate arm 20 to proximate end 24 of elongate and, ultimately, to pest suppression device 18.

[0046] The components of the pest control device 10 could be constructed from any of a variety of materials including, but not limited to plastic, cardboard and metal.

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates one possible use of pest control device 10. Shelving (44 and 46) is shown positioned on the floor 48 adjacent a vertical wall 50. Items 52 are normally stocked on shelving 44. In a typical environment, there is some space, but not a great deal of space, between shelving 44 and floor 48. Since pests, particularly rodents, are known to prefer to locate and travel in an out of the way space such as the juncture 54 between floor 48 and wall 50 and since shelving 44 and/or items 52 prevent easy access to juncture 54, it is difficult to set place, service and retrieve a prior art pest control device from this location.

[0048] However, pest control device 10 of the present invention may readily be placed, serviced and retrieved from this location. One of elongate arms 20 of pest control device 10 may be adjusted (extended and/or pivoted) so that the distal end 26 of that elongate arm 20 is in the area of juncture 54 when pest control device 10 is place under shelving 44. Alternatively, elongate arm 20 may already be in an acceptable position. Once elongate arm 20 is positioned in an acceptable manner, pest control device 10 may easily be placed under shelving 44, if desired, and with distal end 26 of elongated arm 20 in the area of juncture 54.

[0049] Positioned in this manner, at least one of the elongate arms 20 facilitates a pathway from the area of juncture 54, where pests are commonly known to frequent, to the area of the pest suppression device 18 which doesn't have to be positioned proximate to juncture 54 but, rather, may be positioned nearer to the front of shelving 44 allowing for easier access.

[0050] As can be seen, pest control device 10 can be easily inserted into a difficult to access location, e.g., under shelving. The adjustability of elongate arms 20 allow elongate arms 20 to be extended or retracted and pivoted about the horizontal plane so that distal end 26 of at least one of the elongate arms may be positioned in the area most frequented, e.g., juncture 54, by the pests to be controlled.

[0051] While pest control device 10 is illustrated as having four elongate arms 20, it is to be recognized and understood that, in alternative embodiments, pest control device 10 may be constructed of only one elongate arm 20, or other numbers of elongate arms as may be desired. In a preferred embodiment, pest control device 10 has a plurality of elongate arms 20, which allows distal end 26 of at least one the elongate arms 20 to be placed in the area where the pests to be controlled are most likely to frequent or to travel through. At the same time, another of the plurality of elongate arms 20 may be used as a handle by the person installing pest control device 10 to place pest control device 10 and, as a consequence, the proper placement of distal end 26 another of the plurality of elongate arms 20. This allows a great deal of flexibility and ease of placing, servicing and removing pest control device 10.

[0052] While FIG. 5 has been described with use next to a wall 50, it is understood the present invention may be used when the shelving is on the floor, away from a wall 50. In such instances, the pest control device 10 creates a pathway under the shelving in the middle of a floor which discourages a pest from wandering out from under the shelving into public view, but rather directs a pest to suppression device 18. The pest control device is placed either under one shelf approximately in the middle of that shelf, or in the instances where two shelves are placed back-to-back, the pest control device 10 would be placed preferably in the middle of the two shelves. It is, of course, understood that the exact location as to where underneath the shelves the pest control device 10 is located is variable, but proximate the middle of the single shelf or the middle of the combined shelving shelves is preferred. The distal end 26 of at least one of the elongate arms 20 extends from the platform 14 and provides for a pathway into the pest control device 10. The other distal ends 26 of the other arms 20, if utilized, may also be used to create additional pathways into the pest control device 10. Alternately, as previously described, the elongate arms 20 may also be used as a handle to position the pest control device 10 under the shelving, preferably between the front edge and rear edge of the shelving.

[0053] It is anticipated that pest control device will most likely be placed on a horizontal surface. However, other placements are contemplated. As an example, pest control device may be placed on an inclined surface where desired, or may be placed on a vertical surface (with proper attachment) in appropriate circumstances.

[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of pest control device 10. In this embodiment, elongate arms 20 are connected directly to pest suppression device 18. In an example, pest control device 18 is a glue pad having a support surface 56 and a pad of glue 58. In this embodiment, elongate arms are shown coupled to pest suppression device 18 in a manner similar to the coupling of elongate arms 20 to pest control device 10 using pins 16. It is recognized that alternative means of attachment are also contemplated. Also, it is to be recognized and understood that while the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 shows a pest control device 10 with four elongate arms 20 that other embodiments in which only one or another number of elongate arms is envisioned.

[0055] Thus, there has been shown and described a novel pest control device and a novel method of suppressing a pest. It is to be recognized and understood that various changes, modifications and adjustments may be made to the above described invention without departing from the scope of the claims.