Patent ID: 6415544
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: A01M

Abstract:
A plastic rodent trap having an upper jaw member and a lower base jaw member, the upper jaw member having integral parallel side flanges, the lower base jaw member having integral parallel side flanges, said side flanges of one of said jaw members having portions overlapping portions of the flanges of the other of said jaw members, the overlapping flange portions of one jaw member having openings therein and the flange portions of the other jaw member having integrally formed laterally extending extensions extending through said openings in the adjacent flange portions of the other jaw member to form a pivotal connection between the jaw members and defining a first pivot axis, a tension spring defining an axis of tension, the spring having a hook at one end of said spring, the hook engaging the upper jaw member and the other end of said spring having a hook which engages the lower base jaw member, the axis of tension being arranged to intersect the first pivot axis during movement of the jaw members between a set and a closed position, the improvement comprising:when the trap is in the set position portions of the upper jaw member and portions of the lower base jaw member engaging to limit pivotal movement of the upper jaw member with respect to the lower base jaw member about the first pivot axis; and a trigger pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis to the base side flanges, the trigger having a plate portion bearing against at least one depending flange of the upper jaw which extends towards the first pivot axis when the trap is in a set position, the trigger having a tongue which extends frontwardly, wherein downward motion of the tongue causes the trigger plate portion to pivot about the second pivot axis, and causing the plate portion to bear against the at least one depending flange of the upper jaw member to cause the upper jaw member to move and the axis of tension to move through the first pivot axis.