WO2018224111A1

WO2018224111A1 - An expandable trap for pests and a method for mounting the trap

Info

Publication number: WO2018224111A1
Application number: PCT/DK2018/050129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Preben FRITZBØGER
Original assignee: Anticimex Innovation Center A/S
Priority date: 2017-06-08
Filing date: 2018-06-08
Publication date: 2018-12-13
Also published as: DK181054B1; DK202070011A1; SE2050004A1; SE544064C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (4) for combating rats in sewer systems (1). The system (4) comprises a trap (10) with a housing (20), a combating device (30) with an adapted combating radius (BR) and a detection device for activating the combating device when a rat is detected within the combating radius. The present invention also relates to a method of removable mounting of the trap (10) inside sewer systems (1).

Description

AN EXPANDABLE TRAP FOR PESTS AND A METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE TRAP

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system for combating pests, preferably rats in the sewer system, comprising a trap with a housing and a method for removable arrangement and attachment of at least the trap housing in the sewer system after mounting therein. BACKGROUND

Today, modern society has problems with pests, particularly rats, which travel in the sewer systems of the society like paths or passages for the rats to travel along.

Pests spread disease and cause serious damage, and therefore there is a growing need for pest control. There are known ways of combating pests by deployment of poison and typically setting up of clap traps. The drawbacks of known traps are that animals that are not intended to be poisoned may consume the poison, either by eating the poison directly or by eating pests that have died due to poisoning. Other animals may get caught and die and/or be harmed in known traps instead of the pests. In certain cases, known traps cannot be used for combating several pests at once, as known traps can often only be used for combating one pest at a time, i.e. when a first pest has been caught in the trap, the trap must be deactivated, emptied manually and then be armed manually, i.e. be reactivated to be used again.

Some known traps are adapted for a certain application only, e.g. as a box with a predetermined size, e.g. of the cover and/or the entrance opening of the trap, for a certain type of pests. Moreover, a classical clap trap often has smelling bait such as food that attracts not just pests but also other animals of a corresponding size. Known traps with predetermined sizes/measures cannot be placed anywhere; their size must fit the space, where they are placed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a system and/or a trap for combating pests in sewer systems as well as a method for removable mounting of the system and/or the trap in inspection pipes of the sewer system, which solves or at least reduces the problems outlined above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system and/or traps for combating pests in sewer systems, the sizes of which are adaptable to various sizes of sewer pipes in the sewer system, in particular to inspection pipes of varying internal sizes and shapes.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for removable mounting of the system and/or the trap in inspection pipes in sewer systems, which method increases the flexibility and field of systems and/or traps for controlling pests in sewer systems.

Another further object of the invention is to provide robust and compact systems and/or traps for combating pests in sewer systems, which are simple to mount in inspection pipes of varying internal sizes and shapes in various types of sewer systems and simple to adapt to e.g. various types of sewer systems, for instance in Sweden and Denmark.

The objects of the invention are achieved by way of a system and/or a trap for combating pests as well as a method for removable mounting of the system and/or the trap in an inspection pipe in a sewer system, as defined in the corresponding independent claims, whereby preferred variants thereof are defined in corresponding dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a system for combating rats in sewer systems, which system comprises a trap with a housing, a combating device with an adapted combating radius, a detection device adapted to activate the combating device when a rat is detected within its combating radius and an electrically or mechanically actuatable attachment mechanism adapted for removable arrangement and attachment of the housing inside an inspection pipe in the sewer system after mounting therein, wherein the housing has a longitudinal axis, and the attachment mechanism is adapted to increase part of the radius of the housing relative to its longitudinal axis until the

attachment mechanism at least partly is in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe.

In one or more of the preceding/above and/or below aspects of the system/trap according to the above, an embodiment comprises an

attachment mechanism arranged for adaptable arrangement and attachment of the housing inside the inspection pipe by way of form and/or power grips. According to another aspect of the system and/or one or more of the embodiments above, the attachment mechanism comprises, at least one injectable and ejectable spike/tap adapted for form/shape and/or power grips with corresponding/complementary recess/cavity on the interior side of the inspection pipe when the attachment mechanism is at least partly in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe. According to another aspect of the system and/or one or more of the embodiments above, the attachment mechanism comprises at least one movable plate adapted for connectable and disconnectable form/shape and/or power grips with a corresponding/complementary area on the interior side of the inspection pipe when the attachment mechanism is at least partly in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe. According to yet another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above, the trap comprises poison in the form of chili. According to another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above, at least one distance meter is comprised to record/detect the location of the trap relative to the bottom of the sewer under the inspection pipe. Another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises at least a control unit adapted to control the combating device via the detection device by activating the combating device when a rat is detected within the combating radius. Yet another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises power supply for the control unit.

Another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that the power supply is in the form of a battery. Another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that the power supply is an external unit or an internal unit for the trap. Yet another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that the control unit is adapted to actuate the attachment mechanism by controlling the power supply to the same. An aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that the combating device is at least an retractable and extendable spike/spear. Yet another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that a distance spacer is adapted to define the vertical position of the trap relative to the bottom of the sewer system under the inspection pipe, such that the combating radius is optimized. Yet another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that the distance spacer is adapted for removable attachment onto the spike/spear of the combating device in extended position and that the spike and the distance spacer are adapted to each other so that the distance spacer is removed from the spike/spear in the retracted position of the spike/spear. Another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that the movable plate is arranged for adaptable retraction and extension in the direction to and from the longitudinal axis of the housing so that the radius of the housing relative to its longitudinal axis is adaptable to the internal size of the inspection pipe for sufficient abutment on the interior side. In another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above, the attachment mechanism comprises a drive device provided for adaptable retraction and extension of the attachment mechanism in the direction to and from the longitudinal axis of the housing by means of electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic and/or mechanical powering. According to yet another aspect of the system/trap and/or one or more of the embodiments above, the attachment mechanism comprises a driving device for adaptable retraction and extension of the attachment mechanism in the direction to and from the longitudinal axis of the housing by means of mechanical powering in the form of at least one toothed wheel in movable mesh with at least one toothed rack. Another aspect relates to a system and/or a trap according to one or more of the preceding/above and/or below aspects, wherein the moveable plate of the attachment mechanism is adapted for retraction and extension by means of electricity, pneumatics, mechanics and/or hydraulics. Yet another aspect relates to a system and/or a trap according to one or more of the preceding/above and/or below aspects, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises at least an expandable bag-like or displaceable piston-like part arranged on or in the trap housing, so that expansion of the same increases the radius of the housing relative to its longitudinal axis by transfer of the attachment mechanism into at least partial abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe.

Yet another aspect relates to a system and/or a trap according to one or more of the preceding/above and/or below aspects, wherein the expandable, bag-like or displaceable piston-like part of the attachment mechanism is adapted to be expanded through the filling of an incompressible or compressible medium into it for coupling of form and/or power grips between the attachment mechanism and the interior side of the inspection pipe when the attachment mechanism is at least in partial abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe.

Another aspect relates to a trap according to one or more of the

preceding/above and/or below aspects, which trap is adapted for removable mounting inside an inspection pipe in a sewer system and in terms of size/radially is adaptable to various sizes and shapes of the interior side of the inspection pipe.

Yet another aspect also relates to a method for removable mounting of a system and/or a trap for combating rats inside an inspection pipe in a sewer system comprising the steps of inserting the trap into the inspection pipe; adapting the vertical position of the trap relative to the bottom of a sewer pipe under the inspection pipe so that the combating radius of the trap is optimized; and removably attaching the trap relative/to/onto the inspection pipe. According to one or more of the preceding/above and/or below aspects of the method according to the above, an embodiment comprises that the removable attachment of the trap takes place by way of actuation of an attachment mechanism until the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe. According to another aspect of the method and/or one or more of the embodiments above, a power supply to the trap is arranged removably above the trap. According to yet another aspect of the method and/or one or more of the embodiments above, a power supply and a control unit for the trap are arranged removably above the trap. Yet another aspect of the method and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises activation of the trap. Another aspect of the method and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprises that the spike/spear of the combating device is ejected/extended and kept in this position, after which a distance spacer is mounted on the spike/spear, and the trap is subsequently inserted into the inspection pipe with the spike/spear and the distance spacer until the distance spacer is in abutment on the sewer pipe under the inspection pipe, and the spike/spear is subsequently retracted so far into the trap that the distance spacer is removable from the

spike/spear, and the trap can be armed. Another aspect of the method and/or one or more of the embodiments above comprise(s) measuring the distance to the bottom of a sewer pipe under the inspection pipe via/by means of at least a distance meter for recording/detecting the location of the trap relative to the bottom of the sewer under the inspection pipe.

Yet another aspect relates to a method for removable mounting of a system and/or a trap according to one or more of the preceding/above and/or below aspects, comprising that actuation of the attachment mechanism displaces or expands it by way of at least an electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic and/or mechanical drive device until the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show examples of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trap for pests showing, in schematic view, at least partially adaptable size/width/radius according to the invention.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view showing an external power supply and control unit adapted for operative connection to a trap for pests according to the invention. Fig. 2B is a side view of the external power supply and control unit shown in Fig. 2A. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a device for dismountable

suspension/supporting of the power supply and control unit shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the trap for pests according to Figures 1 -3 with adapted size/width/radius after mounting or during mounting in a pipe.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the trap for pests according to Figures 1 -4 during the insertion into a pipe and before adaptation of its size/width/radius in the pipe. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the trap for pests according to Figures 1 -5 after the insertion into the pipe, but before adaptation of its size/width/radius in the pipe.

Fig. 7 shows a view from above along line A-A in Fig. 4 of the trap for pests after the insertion into a pipe and during, before or after adaptation of its size/width/radius in the pipe.

Fig. 8 shows a side view along line B-B in Fig. 6 above the trap for pests after the insertion and during, before or after adaptation of its size/width/radius in the pipe.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view along line B-B in Fig. 6 of the trap for pests after insertion into the pipe and during, before or after adaptation of its size/width/radius and vertical position in the pipe. Figs. 10A-1 OD and 10F-1 OG show side views of the trap for pests according to Figs. 1 -9, where only Fig. 10A shows a first side; Fig. 10B shows a second side after it is turned 90° to the right from the view in Fig. 10A; Fig. 10C shows a third side after the trap for pests is turned 90° to the right from the view in Fig. 10B, i.e. 180° from the view in Fig. 10A; Fig. 10D shows a fourth side after the trap for pests is turned 90° to the right from the view in Fig. 10C; Fig. 10F shows the same side of the trap for pests as in Fig. 10B in a mode where no adaptation of its size/width/radius has been made, and Fig. 10G shows the same side as in Figs. 10B and 10F, but in a mode where the adaptation of the size/width/radius is being carried out or has been carried out.

Fig. 10E shows the underside of the trap for pests along line C-C in Fig. 10B, wherein the combating device is arranged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 to 10G show a system 4 and a trap 10 as well as associated cooperating parts for combating pests, particularly rats, in sewer systems 1 , which system 4/trap 10 has at least a partially adaptable size/width/radius HR, HR'. Radius HR is the smallest size/width/radius that the system/trap can have, while radius HR' is the largest size and/or width and/or radius that the system/trap can have. The system 4 is constructed in a module-like way, comprising several parts 10, 90, 100, 120 removably coupled to each other and operably cooperating. The system 4 comprises movable and fixed parts that may be a combination of connected internal parts of a larger system 4 and/or comprises at least an external separate part 90, 100 which is operably/functionally coupled by way of electricity, pneumatics and/or hydraulics and/or comprises a combination of such parts. The system 4 comprises a trap 10 with a housing 20. The housing 20 is cylindrically shaped in Figs. 1 , 4 - 6, 8 - 9 and elongated, but may be at least partly quadrangular, e.g. rectangular and/or more compact or thicker in the design with adaptable width/radius HR, HR'. The system 4 is adapted for dismountable/removable mounting in sewer pipes 3 of different sizes in sewer systems 1 . The system 4/trap 10 is adapted for removable

arrangement and attachment of the housing 20 inside sewer pipes 3, preferably an inspection pipe 2 in sewer systems, of various sizes/shapes after the removable mounting therein. The shape and size of the housing 20 are at least partially adaptable to the interior shape 2' of the inspection pipe, i.e. size, inner diameter/radius and/or shape, see i.a. Fig. 7. The trap 10 can, according to an aspect, comprise deterrent non-fatal means, e.g. chili, which may be spread as powder/vapor and/or stroboscopic light by way of suitable spots and/or high sounds by means of loudspeakers that are turned on when a rat is detected to startle the rat.

The system 4/trap 10 comprises at least one combating device 30 with an adapted or optimized combating radius BR. The combating radius BR defines the physical distance relative to the trap 10 within which one or more rats may move, be detected and neutralized, corresponding to a radius of action. The combating radius BR of the trap can be adapted to different needs, i.e. larger or smaller sewer systems and/or various selected locations in a sewer system 1 . The system 4/trap 10 comprises at least one detection device 40 adapted to activate the combating device 30 when a rat is detected via touch or non-touch detection, e.g. by way of infrared radiation (IR), within the combating radius BR. The system 4/trap 10 comprises at least one control unit 90 adapted to control the combating device 30 by way of the detection device 40 by activation of the combating device when a rat is detected within the combating radius BR. The system 4/trap comprises operably at least one power supply 100 to the control unit 90. The power supply is, according to an aspect, a battery 100. In another aspect, the power supply 100 can be an external unit or an internal unit for the trap 10. The combating device 30 is, according to a fatal aspect for the rat, at least an retractable and extendable spike/spear, preferably several spikes/spears, that crush the bones of the rat, e.g. its back, without penetrating the fur of the rat completely and without hitting the sewer pipe 3 and/or its bottom 3', see Fig. 8.

The system 4/trap 10 comprises at least an electrically or mechanically actuatable attachment mechanism 50 adapted for removable arrangement and attachment of the housing 20 inside the inspection pipe 2 in the sewer system 1 after mounting therein. The housing 20 comprises a longitudinal axis A. The attachment mechanism 50 is adapted to increase part of the radius HR of the housing relative to its longitudinal axis A until the attachment mechanism is at least partly in abutment on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe. The attachment mechanism 50 is also adapted to reduce part of the radius HR' of the housing relative to its longitudinal axis A until the attachment mechanism is not in physical abutment on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe. The attachment mechanism 50 is adapted to increase part of the smaller radius HR of the housing relative to its longitudinal axis A to a larger radius HR' after the trap 10 is inserted into the interior side of the inspection pipe, i.e. until the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe and adapted to reduce the enlarged part of the housing 20, i.e. until the larger radius HR' relative to its longitudinal axis A to a smaller radius HR, i.e. until its attachment mechanism no longer is in fixed/holding abutment on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe before removal of the trap from the inspection pipe.

According to an aspect of the system 4/trap 10, the control unit 90 is adapted to actuate the attachment mechanism 50 by way of controlling the power supply 1 00 for this or not do so for deactivation of same. Removable mounting of the system/trap 10 in the inspection pipe 2 is accomplished by the attachment mechanism 50 being capable of adaptively arranging and attaching the housing 20 within the inspection pipe by way of form/shape and/or power grips as well as releasing the housing from the interior side of the inspection pipe. This can be arranged as the attachment mechanism 50, according to an aspect, comprises at least an retractable and extendable pin/tap 60 adapted for form/power grips with corresponding recess or cavity on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe when the pin or tap 60 of the attachment mechanism, which may be spike-like, is extended radially from the smaller radius HR of the housing at a certain distance from the housing 20 to at least partial abutment on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe corresponding to the larger radius HR' of the housing. This can, in another aspect, be accomplished by way of the attachment

mechanism 50 comprising one or more moveable plates 70 adapted for connectable and disconnectable form and/or power grips with/from

corresponding or complementary areas on the interior side of the inspection pipe 2' when the fixing plate 70 is displaced from the smaller radius HR of the housing at a certain radial distance from the trap housing 20 to at least partial abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe corresponding to the larger radius HR' of the housing. The system 4/trap 10 comprises at least one distance meter 80 adapted to record or detect the location of the trap 10 relative to a bottom 3' of the sewer 3 under the inspection pipe 2. The distance meter 80 ensures that the trap housing 20 is not inserted too far into the sewer system 1 , such that, on trigging or activation of the trap 10 when a rat is detected, the spike 30 of the trap is not ejected/extended and collides with the sewer bottom 3'. This security can be achieved by the system 4/trap 10 comprising at least one distance spacer 1 10 (Figs. 1 , 4, 5) adapted to define the vertical position of the trap relative to the sewer bottom 3' under the inspection pipe 2 on mounting therein. This solution also simplifies mounting of the trap 10 and allows the combating radius BR of the trap to be optimized without manual control, e.g. measuring. Simplified mounting of the trap 10 is also accomplished by adapting the distance spacer 1 10 to be removably attached onto the spike/spear 30 of the device for pests in its ejected/extended position and the spike/spear as well as the distance spacer being adapted to each other so that the distance spacer is released from the spike/spear in its retracted position.

For the function of the attachment mechanism 50, it comprises at least one drive device 51 . The drive device 51 is designed for adaptable

retraction/extension of the attachment mechanism, i.e. one or more pins/taps 60 or one or more plates 70, in the direction to and from the longitudinal axis A of the housing by means of electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic and/or manual and/or mechanical powering. An example of mechanical powering is at least one toothed wheel in moveable mesh with at least one toothed rack, which can be driven manually or by way of a controllable electric motor. The pin/tap 60 can be extended/ejected or retracted in more or less straight outward radial direction as in Fig. 4 or be unfolded from the trap housing 20, like a camera mounting on legs, where the legs are constituted by one or more pins/taps 60 hinged at an upper end, located farthest from the combating device 30 in Fig. 1 and which is oriented/angled outwards, while the other/lower end is closer to the combating device and the distance spacer 1 10 in Fig. 1 at an angle from the housing 20 and extending in downward direction towards the lower sewer pipe 3 and subsequently "stands on'Vis supported by the lower flared end towards an edge/projection or

cavity/recess 61 of suitable height on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe. One or more plates 70 can be extended or retracted in more or less straight outward radial direction or be unfolded from the housing 20 of the trap, e.g. as a moveable wall, which sits on rigid radially oriented arms and is moved more or less straight radially from or towards the housing 20 (Figs. 4 and 7-9) or as a moveable wall, which sits on hinged, but rigid, movable as parallelograms, assembled arms and are unfolded from or towards the housing in a partially rotating/curved movement. The present invention also relates to a method for removable mounting of the trap 10 inside the inspection pipe 2 in the sewer system 1 . The method comprises to insert the trap 10 into the inspection pipe (Fig. 5), to adapt the vertical position of the trap relative to the bottom of the sewer pipe 3' under the inspection pipe so that the combating radius BR of the trap is optimized (Fig. 6), and to removably attach the trap relative to the inspection pipe 2 (Figs. 7-9). The method comprises, according to an aspect, the removable attachment of the trap 10 by way of actuation of the attachment mechanism 50 until the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side 2' of the inspection pipe (Figs. 4, 7-9). The method further comprises the aspect of arranging the control unit 90 and/or the power supply 100 to the trap 10 removably above the trap (Figs. 8). Such removable arrangement of the power supply 100 is accomplished, e.g. by way of a suspension/supporting device 120 (see Figs. 1 and 8), which suspension device 120 has a variable length by way of an adjustable mechanism 121 , which may be telescopic, preferably via a screwing, to be adapted in size/length for inspection pipes 2 of various sizes, e.g. various internal diameters. The method may further comprise placing the power supply 100 and the control unit 90 removably to the trap 10 by way of hooks or clasps 91 , which are hooked above the suspension device 120 above the trap 1 0, i.e. its housing 20 (Fig. 8). The method also comprises activating the trap 10 after mounting/arranging thereof. The method further ensures correct removable mounting and arrangement of the trap 10 by comprising ejection of the spike/spear 60 of the combating device 30 and keeping it in this position, after which the distance spacer 1 10 is mounted onto the spike (Fig. 1 ), and the trap is subsequently inserted into the inspection pipe 2 with the spear and the distance spacer (Figs. 4-6) until the distance spacer 1 10 is in abutment on the sewer pipe 3 under the inspection pipe (Fig. 6), and the spear is subsequently retracted so far back into the trap that it is possible to release the distance spacer from the spear 60 and to arm the trap (Figs. 8, 9). The method can also ensure correct removable mounting and arrangement of the trap 10 by comprising measurement of the distance to the bottom 3' of the sewer pipe under the inspection pipe 2 via/by means of at least the distance meter 80 for recording and detection of the arrangement of the trap relative to the bottom of the sewer 3' under the inspection pipe. Such measuring provides a double-check that the distance to the bottom of the sewer pipe 3' under the inspection pipe 2 for the combating device of the trap 30 is correct relative to its combating radius/distance BR. The system's and the trap's adaptable size/width/radius can be achieved by way of the attachment mechanism 50 and its drive means 51 as well as spikes or taps or pins 60 which can be

retracted/extended. Alternatively, the system's and/or the trap's adaptable size/width/radius can be achieved by way of the attachment mechanism 50 and its drive means 51 as well as the plate(s) 70, which can be

retracted/extended by way of a straight and/or inclined outwardly oriented arm(s) and/or by way of hinged parallelograms that swing out the plate(s).

The distance spacer(s) 1 10 (if more than one distance spacer is used, e.g. as pieces of pipe stacked on top of each other, for instance of paper, of the same and/or various sizes/lengths for modular and adaptable construction of a desired height of a stack/distance spacer) for the combating device of the system/trap, so that the size thereof can be adapted, e.g. regarding length and/or width to fit the trap into various types of pipes/various depths/lengths of pipes and/or other applications in addition to sewer systems.

The system's and the trap's adaptable size/width/radius can be accomplished by way of the attachment mechanism 50 and its drive means 51 as well as spikes or taps or pins 60, which can be retracted/extended by the extended parts being buoyant or hydraulically suspended, so that they can be adapted to various sizes, shapes and diameters of the interior side of the pipe 2', e.g. by being extended to abutment and until a certain abutment strength has been obtained, whereby e.g. the spears 60 in Fig. 8 is extended with various lengths adapted to the curvature/radius of the sewer bottom 3'.

Corresponding buoyant suspension can be achieved for the attachment mechanism 50 and its drive means 51 as well as the plate(s) 70, which can be retracted/extended by way of air or hydraulic fluid, e.g. in the

expandable/inflatable bag-like or piston-like part 71 in Fig. 7. In Figs. 4 and 7, the adaptation of the size/width/radius of the trap 10 relative to larger pipes 2, wherein the spike 60 and/or the plate 70 is/are extended a longer distance HR' as the trap is inserted into a larger pipe than in Figs. 8, 9 and 10G. The plate 70 and tap 60 are, according to various aspects, partially manufactured from resilient material, e.g. partially from rubber and/or partially from hard material, e.g. metal.

NOMENCLATURE

1 Sewer system

2 Inspection pipe

2' Interior side of the inspection pipe

3 Sewer pipe

3' Bottom of the sewer pipe

4 System for combating rats

10 Trap for pests/Rat trap/Trap

20 Housing/Cover for the trap

30 Combating device

40 Detector/Sensor/Detection device, which mechanically/physically or via non-touch detection records whether a pest has entered/is within the combating/operating radius of the trap

50 Attachment mechanism

51 The electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically powered drive

device/means of the attachment mechanism

60 Spear/Spike/Tap/Pin of the attachment mechanism

61 Recess/cavity for complementary form and/or power grips with the fixing spear/spike/tap/pin

70 Fixing plate of the attachment mechanism

71 Expandable/Inflatable bag-like part or piston-like part of the attachment mechanism

80 Distance meter for mechanical/physical or non-touch

recording/detection of the location of the trap relative to the bottom of the sewer/sewer pipe 3 under the inspection pipe 2/orifice of the inspection pipe

90 Control unit

91 Suspension parts/Hooks/Clasps for mounting of the control unit 100 Power supply, e.g. a battery

101 Cable between trap 10 and control unit 90 as well as power supply 100 1 10 Distance spacer

120 Elongated suspension/supporting device

121 Variable mechanism for adaptation of the length of the suspension device for various sizes of inspection pipes

A longitudinal axis for the trap housing

BR combating/operation radius for the combating unit of the trap

HR smallest radius/external measurements of the trap/trap housing

HR' largest radius/external measurements of the trap/trap housing

Claims

1 . A system (4) for combating rats in sewer systems (1 ), which system (4) comprises a trap (10) with a housing (20), a combating device (30) with an adapted combating radius (BR), a detection device (40) adapted to actuate the combating device when a rat is detected within the combating radius, characterized in that the system (4) comprises an electrically or

mechanically actuatable attachment mechanism (50) adapted for removable arrangement and attachment of the housing inside an inspection pipe (2) in the sewer system (1 ) after mounting therein, wherein the housing (20) comprises a longitudinal axis (A), and the attachment mechanism (50) is adapted to increase part of the radius of the housing (HR) relative to its longitudinal axis (A) whereby the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe (2').

2. A system (4) according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism (50) is arranged to adaptably position and attach the housing inside the inspection pipe (2) by way of form and/or power grips.

3. A system (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment mechanism (50) comprises at least one retractable and extendable spear/tap (60) adapted for form and/or power grips with corresponding/complementary recess/cavity on the interior side of the inspection pipe (2') when the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe.

4. A system (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment mechanism (50) comprises at least one movable plate (70) adapted for connectable or disconnectable form and/or power grips with a corresponding/complementary area/surface on the interior side of the inspection pipe (2') when the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side of the inspection pipe.

5. A system (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trap (10) comprises poison in the form of chili.

6. A system (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one distance meter (80) adapted to record/detect the location of the trap (10) relative to the bottom (3') of the sewer (3) under the inspection pipe (2).

7. A system (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a control unit (90) adapted to control the combating device (30) by way of the detection device (40) by actuating the combating device when a rat is detected within the combating radius (BR).

8. A system (4) according to claim 7, comprising power supply (100) for the control unit (90).

9. A system (4) according to claim 8, wherein the power supply is in the form of a battery (100).

10. A system (4) according to claim 8 or 9, where the power supply (100) is an external unit or an internal unit for the trap (10).

1 1 . A system (4) according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the control unit (90) is adapted to actuate the attachment mechanism (50) by way of controlling the power supply (100) to the same.

12. A system (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combating device (30) is at least an retractable and extendable spear.

13. A system (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a distance spacer (1 10) adapted to define the vertical position of the trap relative to the bottom (3') of the sewer system (1 ) under the inspection pipe (2), so that the combating radius of the trap (BR) is optimized.

14. A system according to claims 12 and 13, wherein the distance spacer (1 10) is adapted to be removably attached to the spike (30) of the combating device in extended position and the spear as well as the distance spacer are adapted to each other, so that the distance spacer is released from the spear in the retracted position of the spear.

15. A system according to claim 4 or any one of claims 5 to 14 when depending on claim 4, wherein the movable plate (70) of the attachment mechanism is arranged for adaptable retraction and extension in the direction to and from the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing, so that the radius of the housing (HR) relative to its longitudinal axis (A) is adaptable to the internal size of the inspection pipe for suitable abutment on its interior side (2').

16. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment mechanism (50) comprises a drive device (51 ) designed for adaptable retraction and extension of the attachment mechanism in the direction to and from the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing by way of electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic and/or mechanical powering.

17. A system according to claim 1 6, wherein the attachment mechanism (50) comprises a drive means (51 ) provided for adaptable retraction and extension of the attachment mechanism in the direction to and from the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing by means of mechanical powering in the form of at least one toothed wheel in movable mesh with at least one toothed rack.

18. A method for removable mounting of a trap (10) for combating rats within an inspection pipe (2) in a sewer system (1 ) comprising the steps of

- inserting the trap (10) in the inspection pipe (2),

- adapting the vertical position of the trap relative to the bottom (3') of a sewer pipe (3) under the inspection pipe (2) so that the combating radius (BR) of the trap is optimized, and

- removably attaching the trap onto the inspection pipe (2).

19. A method according to claim 18, comprising that

- the removable attachment of the trap (10) is carried out by way of actuating an attachment mechanism (50) until the attachment mechanism is at least partially in abutment on the interior side (2) of the inspection pipe.

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, comprising that

- a power supply (100) for the trap (10) is removably arranged above the trap.

21 . A method according to any one of claims 18-20, comprising that

- a power supply (100) and a control unit (90) for the trap (10) are removably arranged above the trap.

22. A method according to any one of claims 18-21 , comprising that

- the trap is activated (10).

23. A method for removable mounting of a trap (10) according to claim 22, comprising to extend the spear (60) of the combating device and keep it in this position, after which a distance spacer (1 10) is mounted onto the spear, and the trap (10) is subsequently inserted into the inspection pipe (2) with the spear and the distance spacer, until the distance spacer is in abutment on the sewer pipe (3) under the inspection pipe, and the spear is subsequently retracted so far back in the trap that the distance spacer is removable from the spear and arming of the trap can take place.

24. A method for removable mounting of a trap (10) according to any one of claims 18-23, comprising to

- measure the distance to the bottom (3') of a sewer pipe (3) under the inspection pipe (2) via/by means of at least a distance meter (80) for recording/detection of the location of the trap (10) relative to the bottom of the sewer under the inspection pipe.