GB2482906A - Spider catcher - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for containing and removing spiders, insects and other small creatures, comprises a containment chamber 101 of a size sufficient to house a spider or other small creature, a slidably removable base 102 for the containment chamber characterised by a series of foam strips 203 on its underside and an elongated handle 103 extending from the roof of the containment chamber. The foam on the underside of the base is adapted to compress when placed on an uneven surface, forming an even surface for the base and ensuring there are no gaps through which the creature may escape before containment.

Description

Patent Application of Michael Dance for A device for containing and removing spiders, insects and other small creatures

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to devices for containing and removing small creatures, such as spiders and insects.

[2] Spiders and other small creatures are often found in homes, offices and other inhabited buildings. For those suffering arachnophobia, a fear of spiders, or other zoophobias, this is a significant problem. The presence of such creatures induces fear, anxiety and panic amongst sufferers, sometimes leading to acute panic attacks.

[3] Zoophobias are amongst the most common phobias around the world. Arachnophobia specifically is very common. In the USA, for example, as many as 50% of women and 10% of men report at least mild arachnophobia. For sufferers, it is important to remove spiders and other small creatures wherever they are found in the buildings they inhabit.

[4] One commonplace method of removing small creatures involves placing a glass or tumbler over the top of the creature. A sheet of paper or cardboard is then slid beneath the tumbler, trapping the creature between the sheet and the tumbler. The sheet and tumbler may then be lifted, containing the creature, and taken outside for removal.

[5] This makeshift method has many disadvantages. In many instances where a spider or other small creature is spotted, the necessary items are not easily accessible. When a creature is spotted, it is vital to act quickly to remove it before it runs away. If the necessary items are not quickly and easily available, the creature is often left to run away, leaving the phobic with feelings of fear and anxiety. Furthermore, the use of a tumbler requires that the creature is on an entirely even surface such that the tumbler can effectively enclose the creature. Without uneven ground, gaps may be created between the tumbler and the ground through which the creature may escape.

[6] A number of devices to aid in the containment and removal of small creatures are known in the art. GB2294858 to Allatt discloses a small container with a slidably removable base. The container is placed over the creature and the base slid into the bottom of the container, trapping the creature in much the same way as the tumbler and sheet of paper. Though this does help to ensure that the necessary items for containment are quickly accessible, it does not solve the issue of containing small creatures positioned on uneven ground. Furthermore, as it does not comprise a handle, the user must come into very close contact with the creature to contain and remove it, which is not practical for those suffering zoophobias.

[7] GB2258991 to King discloses a similar containment device, with a handle extending from a container with a slidable base. However, the base is completely flat and must lie perpendicular to the surface upon which the creature is positioned. Once again, it does not provide a solution for containing small creatures positioned on uneven ground.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[8] It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen for a containment and removal device for small creatures that makes it possible to contain creatures positioned on uneven ground. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a device.

[9] To this end, disclosed is a device for containing and removing spiders, insects and other small creatures, comprising: a containment chamber of a size sufficient to house a spider or other small creature; a slidably removable base for the containment chamber characterised by a series of foam strips on its underside; an elongated handle extending from the roof of the containment chamber.

[10] The foam on the underside of the base is adapted to compress when placed on an uneven surface, forming an even surface for the base and ensuring there are no gaps through which the creature may escape before containment.

[11] An advantage of the present invention is that it enables users to contain and remove small creatures positioned on uneven ground, rather than simply those positioned on even ground. This makes the removal of spiders and other creatures much easier and less stressful for those suffering zoophobias such as arachnophobia.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [12] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [13] Figure one shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[14] Figure two shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[15] Figure three shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with an attached handle extension.

Detailed Description of an Exnbodiment

[16] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figures 1 to 3 in which like numerals refer to like components, a device for containing and removing spider, insects and other small creatures is disclosed, comprising: a containment chamber 101 of a size sufficient to house a spider or other small creature; a slidably removable base 102 for the containment chamber 101 characterised by a series of foam strips 203 on its underside; an elongated handle 103 extending from the roof of the containment chamber 101.

[17] The containment chamber 101 is shown in the drawings as being shaped as a square pyramid, with an open base anda flat roof rather than a peak. However, the chamber 101 may be formed in any shape as required. Whichever shape is used, the chamber 101 should be of a size sufficient to contain a small creature such as a spider or insect.

[18] The containment chamber 101 should be formed of a rigid, durable and lightweight material. It is suggested that this material is a plastic, such as polycarbonate, though any suitable material known in the art may be used. Ideally, the containment chamber material is transparent, so that the user can visually ensure the creature is contained. However, as zoophobia sufferers do not like to see these small creatures, the chamber 101 may also be frosted such that only a blurred outline of the creature may be seen.

[19] At the open base of the square pyramid, two edges comprise sliding tracks 201. Each sliding track 201 is an elongated aperture extending the length of the edge. The tracks 201 may be formed into the square pyramid, or formed in a separate piece and then attached to the base of the square pyramid by any means known in the art.

[20] The slidably removable base 102 is shown as a flat, square sheet of the same dimensions as the open base of the square pyramid containment chamber 101, to entirely enclose the chamber. However, as the shape of the chamber 101 may vary the shape of the removable base may also vary accordingly. It is ideally formed of a durable, rigid, lightweight material, perhaps the same material as is used to form the containment chamber 101.

[21] Two edges of the base 102 comprise elongated protrusions 202 adapted to slide into the sliding tracks 201 of the containment chamber 101. One end of each protrusion 202 may comprise a small bump' detail, to create an audible click' noise when the removable base 102 has been fully slid into the sliding tracks 201. This gives greater peace of mind for the user that the creature is correctly and securely contained.

[22] The removable base 102 may also comprise a handle 104 on one edge, though ideally not an edge comprising an elongated protrusion 202 for the sliding tracks 201. This handle 104 allows the user to easily slide the removable base 102 in and out of position, secured in the sliding tracks 201 of the containment chamber 101.

[23] On the underside of the removable base 102, there are a number of foam pieces 203. The drawings show the foam pieces 203 as being a number of elongated strips, running along each edge of the base 102, though any arrangement may be used as required. The foam 203 may be attached to the removable base by an adhesive, or any other suitable means known in the art 102.

[24] The foam 203 itself is ideally a solid foam of a density suitable to compress when the base 102 is laid on an uneven surface, essentially creating an even surface for the containment of creatures. No gaps should be present between the base 102 and the surface upon which the creature is positioned.

[25] An elongated handle 103 extends from the flat roof of the containment chamber 101. The handle 103 is shown in the drawings as being tubular in shape, and of a size suitable to be held in a single hand. The handle 103 is ideally formed of a durable, rigid, lightweight material, and may be formed of the same material as the containment chamber 101 or removable base 102.

[26] The handle 103 is shown in the drawings as being attached to the containment chamber 101 using a snap-fit mechanism. Apertures 204 in the roof of the containment chamber 101 receive protrusions 205 at one end of the elongated handle 103, holding the two together. However, the handle 103 may be attached by any means known in the art.

[27] The end of the handle 103 not to be attached to the containment chamber 101 may be hollow, and comprise an internal thread 105. A selection of handle attachments 301 may thus be provided, in varying lengths and styles, to further ease the process of containing and removing small creatures.

For example, an extra long handle may be provided. The handle attachments 301 should have an external thread at the end to be connected to the elongated handle 103, such that the two parts may be screwed together.

[28] In this way, and holding the handle 103, the user may place the containment chamber 101 on top of the creature to be contained, trapping it inside. The slidably removable base 102 is then slid into position, with its elongated protrusion 202 held within the sliding tracks 201. The foam pieces 203 on the underside of the base 102 allow this to happen on uneven surfaces, with no gaps created through which the creature may escape. The creature is thus trapped between the removable base 102 and the containment chamber 101. Using the handle 104, the entire device is taken outside, or to another suitable place, and the removable base 102 slid out of position. The creature is thus freed in an appropriate place, away from a zoophobia sufferer.

Claims (6)

1. Claims l.A device for containing and removing spiders, insects and other small creatures, comprising: a containment chamber of a size sufficient to house a spider or other small creature; a slidably removable base for said containment chamber characterised by a series of foam strips on its underside; an elongated handle extending from the roof of said containment chamber.
2. 2. The device of the preceding claim where said containment chamber is formed of polycarbonate.
3. 3. The device of any preceding claim where said containment chamber is transparent.
4. 4. The device of the preceding claim where said containment chamber is frosted.
5. 5. The device of any preceding claim where said foam strips are formed of a solid foam.
6. 6. The device of any preceding claim where said elongated handle is adapted to receive a handle attachment.