Trap for Flying Insects and Bugs

This invention pertains to a trap for flying insects and bugs, particularly of the relatively small varieties such as mosquitoes, sand flies, gnats, etc. which are attracted to light or light reflective materials. It may be strategically located relative to windows, glass doors, light fixtures and lamps, etc. which normally attract flying insects and bugs.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a trap for flying insects and bugs which takes advantage of their natural attraction to bright lights and light reflective materials.

Another principal object of this invention is to provide a housing, defining an interior chamber, constructed of a clear, transparent, light reflective material.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a plurality of elongated slots in the housing, including means to permit entrance of the insects and bugs into the interior chamber defined by the housing while preventing their exit therefrom.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide inwardly converging flanges along the top and bottom edges of each slot with a fabric tape material fixed therealong with inwardly converging frayed warp strands to permit the entrance of flying insects and bugs into the inner chamber while preventing their escape therefrom.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred form of flying insect and bug trap of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view through a second preferred form of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4.

With reference to the drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the various views, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, one preferred form of the present invention is indicated generally at 10, mounted in any conventional manner relative to a window or glass door 12. In the form illustrated, the housing 14 is generally triangular in cross sectional configuration, including a front wall 16 and a back wall 18, converging to a bottom edge 20. The top edges of the front and back walls 16 and 18 are interconnected by a top wall 22. Opposed end closure walls 24 and 26 complete the enclosure to define an interior chamber 28.

Front wall 16 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart slots 30, substantially along its length, the slots being preferably disposed in a parallel, longitudinal relation.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, a top ledge or flange 32 is turned inwardly from and along the length of the top edge of each slot 30 at approximately 90 degrees. A lower flange 34 is turned inwardly from and along the length of the lower edge of each slot 30 at approximately 45 degrees. Consequently, the upper and lower flanges 32 and 34 define an inwardly converging pattern in cross section.

Fabric tapes 36 and 38 are secured as by a suitable adhesive along the inner edge portions of the respective upper and lower flanges 32 and 34. Frayed warp strands 40 and 42 from tapes 36 and 38 extend inwardly beyond the inner edges of flanges 32 and 34. The tapes 36 and 38 and their associated frayed warp strands are preferably formed of nylon. Because of the inwardly converging disposition of flanges 32 and 34, the frayed warp strands converge to a point where a very narrow slit 44, in the nature of one-half mm, exists between the extended ends thereof. A highly reflective tape material such as an aluminum foil may be applied to one or both faces of the lower and/or upper flanges 32 and 34. As illustrated a reflective tape 46 is applied to the outer face of lower flange 34. The reflective tape attracts flying insects and bugs. In its preferred form the entire housing is fabricated from a clear, transparent synthetic material such as plexiglas to obtain the greatest degree of direct and reflected light.

The general shape, size, disposition of the slot structures and the number of walls provided with slot structures as above described may vary.

With particular reference to the modified form of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 50 is generally of an inverted conical configuration with a top peripheral flange 52 for fixed engagement with the attachment ring 54 of a light fixture in the same manner as conventional light fixture globes. The housing 50 is adapted for attachment to existing street lamps, outside house lights, patio lamps, etc., in a surrounding relation to the light bulbs therein.

The housing 50 is formed of a progression of angle rings 57 through 67, of symmetrically diminishing radii, spaced apart to define a generally conical configuration. Each ring includes an outer, generally vertical wall 74 and an inwardly, acutely angled flange 76. The angled flange 76 of each ring and the inner end portion of the vertical wall 74 of the next inwardly adjacent angle ring define a slot structure similar to the slots 30 and inwardly converging flanges 32 and 34 of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In like manner tapes 78 and 80 with inwardly converging frayed warp strands 82 and 84 are provided on each adjacent vertical wall 74 and angle flange 76.

The plurality of angle rings 57 through 67 are integrally interconnected by a plurality of spaced apart struts 86 as seen in FIG. 5. A cup-shaped container 88 for collecting dead insects and bugs is provided at the bottom apex of the housing 50. Preferably, the container 88 is removably slip fitted into place between the lower ends of the struts 86 or otherwise removably attached in place. Aluminum foil tape may also be applied to the angle rings 57 through 67.

A very substantial number of different shapes and sizes of housing structures 50 may be provided. For example, they may take the form of three or four sided, inverted pyramids as well as many other decorative designs without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

In use, the trap of the present invention will trap and kill flying insects and bugs drawn by a light source inwardly through a slit such as 44 in the frayed warp strands. They will in effect be "going with the grain." However, if the insects and bugs attempt to exit from the trap they will be "going against the grain," the extremely fine and flimsy frayed strands will bend and close the slit 44.