Escape-proof repeating animal trap

Abstract

Repeating animal traps incorporating one or more inclined plane trap assemblies with means to preclude an animal on the tilting floor member of the trap assembly from engaging the top and/or side edges of the door member of the trap assembly in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the door member down to thereby unblock access to the entrance opening. Additional means are shown to preclude an animal within the enlarged holding chamber or enclosure of the repeating animal trap from engaging the inner end portions of the floor member in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the floor member down, enabling the animal to climb onto the floor member and then attempt to pull the door member down to escape from the trap. A barrier in the form of sharpened projections and/or an inclined ramp is provided beneath the inner end portions of the floor member to discourage an animal entering or nesting within that space when the floor member is raised in the reset position of the trap assembly. The barrier can include an inclined ramp whereby the space between the floor member and the ramp is decreased as an additional animal enters the trap assembly, to push an animal beneath the tilting floor member back into the enclosure. A plastic version of the repeating animal trap assembly enables thermoforming of many of the structural elements into the housing cover. Catches are also provided to selectively secure a glue board to the cover of the repeating animal trap to capture an animal attempting to bypass the entrance openings of the trap by running over the trap housing.