Concept for a repeat-reset rat trap

[kahakura]

TL;DR Summary

I have a rat trap that catches only one rat. Then the trap must be reset. I need ideas how to progress the concept of automatic reset so I can catch multiple rats in one night.

I have a been using a very efficient rat trap. I catch many rats in it as it appeals to their curiosity about smells and ignorance about magnets.
It is a walk-the plank rat trap.
There are more than 30 rat trap ideas but this one is good because of its simplicity.
I got my idea from this man's youtube


I prefer it to automativcally reset after catching a rat. I want it to be a repeater rat trap.

I have 2 thoughts of how to do this.

1. Use a 4 spoke paddle wheel as the plank. A fixed magnet on the wall draws the nearest paddle to hold it in position. This complicates a nice simple trap. Still, it means each paddle acts as a plank when in horozontal position.

2. Combining the plank with a battery operated zapper strip. This still complicates a simple trap.
A rat walking across the fixed plank bridges two metal strips and jumps forward off the fixed plank.
By nature, they rats jump forward, not backward, when zapped.
Example of you tube using a zapper

Example of repeater trap.


Can you help me design a concept for the most simple, repeat rat trap, over a large drum of water?

 

[berkeman]

Summary:: I have a rat trap that catches only one rat. Then the trap must be reset. I need ideas how to progress the concept of automatic reset so I can catch multiple rats in one night.

Can you help me design a concept for the most simple, repeat rat trap

Sure, get a cat. Simple.

 

[jedishrfu]

or a flute as in the Pied Piper of Hamlin.

 

[Tom.G]

Put some weight at the back end of the tilt board so it falls back to the horizontal position when the rat falls off.

Cheers,
Tom

p.s. Oh... just stumbled across this:

 

[anorlunda]

@kahakura , what a shame you focus on rats.

"Wanted: A Better Mousetrap"

would have been one of the best PF thread titles ever.

 

[kahakura]

Thanks Tom,

Thanks for this helpful response.
It is a most simple solution, just as I had hoped.
I will adjust my trap to function like this one.
I'm not looking for any further solution as this seems to be a final fix.
Cheers.