Fully enclosed mouse trap with guillotine killing mechanism

Abstract

An enclosure-type mouse trap having a compact footprint with a curved or U-shaped mouse pathway leading to a guillotine killing mechanism is provided. The trap has a bottom assembly, a top assembly, and a removable disposal door. The bottom assembly includes a pivoting link element operatively engaged with the top and bottom assemblies to set the trap and control the position of an entrance door that provides access to the trap interior.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A mouse trap comprising:
 a trap enclosure having an entrance opening;   an entrance door mounted adjacent the entrance opening and having an open position when the trap is set and a closed position when the trap is tripped, the entrance door being biased to the closed position;   a trigger mechanism including a trigger element associated with a catch;   a guillotine oriented substantially perpendicular to a floor of the trap enclosure and having at least a lower part extending into said trap enclosure, said guillotine configured to engage with said catch and be held above the floor when the guillotine is pulled into a set position, said guillotine including an engaging element extending outwardly from a lower end thereof;   a link element operatively coupled to said guillotine and said entrance door to open said entrance door when said guillotine is pulled to the set position, said link element configured to be engaged by said guillotine engaging element so that movement of the guillotine also moves the link element and the entrance door; and   a guillotine spring biasing said guillotine to move to a lowered position adjacent the floor when the guillotine becomes disengaged from said catch through rodent contact with the trigger element inside the trap enclosure, downward movement of the guillotine acting on the link element, through said engagement of said guillotine engaging element with the link element, to allow the entrance door to move to the closed position.   
     
     
         22 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said link element includes an opening that receives the guillotine engaging element. 
     
     
         23 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said guillotine engaging element is a peg received within the opening. 
     
     
         24 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said trap enclosure is formed by a lower housing part, an upper housing part and a disposal door, said lower housing part having side walls, a floor and a front panel, said entrance opening being formed in said front panel, said disposal door being positioned at a rear end of the trap opposite the front panel. 
     
     
         25 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein said trap further includes a bait door aperture formed in said front panel, said bait door aperture having an associated bait door. 
     
     
         26 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 25 , further comprising a central dividing structure that extends from said front panel into said trap enclosure to define, with said side walls and said disposal door, a generally U-shaped mouse pathway extending from said entrance door to said bait door through the trap enclosure. 
     
     
         27 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said central dividing structure includes a pair of parallel walls extending rearward from the front panel and defining a channel therebetween, said link element being pivotally mounted in said channel. 
     
     
         28 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said entrance door includes an arm having an outwardly projecting portion that engages with said link element. 
     
     
         29 . A mouse trap comprising:
 a trap enclosure having an entrance opening;   an entrance door mounted adjacent the entrance opening and having an open position when the trap is set and a closed position when the trap is tripped, the entrance door being biased to the closed position;   a trigger mechanism associated with a catch;   a guillotine oriented substantially perpendicular to a floor of the trap enclosure and having at least a lower part extending into said trap enclosure, said guillotine configured to engage with said catch and be held above the floor when the guillotine is pulled into a set position;   a link element operatively coupled with said guillotine and with said entrance door so that said link element opens said entrance door when said guillotine is pulled to the set position; and   a guillotine spring biasing said guillotine to move to a lowered position adjacent the floor when the guillotine becomes disengaged from said catch through rodent contact with the trigger element inside the trap enclosure, downward movement of the guillotine acting on the link element to allow the entrance door to move to the closed position.   
     
     
         30 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein said guillotine and said entrance door are engaged with said link element by respective pegs and slots that operatively couple the guillotine and the entrance door to the link element. 
     
     
         31 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein each of said entrance door and said guillotine have outwardly extending pegs that are received within respective entrance door and guillotine slots formed in the link element. 
     
     
         32 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said entrance door slot is elongated in shape and is formed in a front end of said link element. 
     
     
         33 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said guillotine slot is an elongated aperture formed rearwardly of the entrance door slot. 
     
     
         34 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein said link element pivots upon a rear end thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the link element is wholly contained within the trap enclosure. 
     
     
         36 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein said trap enclosure is formed by a lower housing part, an upper housing part and a disposal door, said lower housing part having side walls, a floor and a front panel, said entrance opening being formed in said front panel, said disposal door being positioned at a rear end of the trap opposite the front panel. 
     
     
         37 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein said trap further includes a bait door aperture formed in said front panel, said bait door aperture having an associated bait door. 
     
     
         38 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 37 , further comprising a central dividing structure that extends from said front panel into said trap enclosure to define, with said side walls and said disposal door, a generally U-shaped mouse pathway extending from said entrance door to said bait door through the trap enclosure. 
     
     
         39 . The mouse trap as set forth in  claim 38 , wherein said central dividing structure includes a pair of parallel walls extending rearward from the front panel and defining a channel therebetween, said link element being pivotally mounted in said channel.