Actuator

An actuator for a rotating frame animal trap having two similar frames pivotally connected to each other. The actuator comprises two arms spring biased at one end and each terminating in a ring at the other. The rings have the dimensions so that the actuator can be mounted on the trap to encircle adjacent ends of both frames of the trap. On release of the trap, the actuator can rapidly and forcefully effect a rotation of the trap to its closed position. A rigid joint is formed in one arm of the actuator. The joint is breakable to separate the one arm by application of a force to the spring biased end of the actuator. The actuator does not affect the position of the set trap and is simple in construction.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to an actuator for a rotating frame animal trap. 
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
Humane animal traps are being used increasingly in trapping. There is 
public outcry against the use of leg hold traps which operate by holding 
the animal until the animal dies of starvation or exposure. On the 
contrary humane traps, such as the rotating frame traps, are designed to 
kill the animal within a short time and, in the ideal, instantly. 
The rotating frame animal trap has two similar frames, each having 
jaw-forming sides that lie in a common plane. There are ends extending 
between the jaw-forming sides to support the jaws. The ends each have a 
central portion in which the frames are pivotally connected through 
adjacent ends for rotation about a common axis between set and closed 
positions. The outer portions on each side of the central portion extend 
to the jaw. The traps are provided with trigger means for releasably 
maintaining the trap in the set position. Each trap has at least one 
actuator which is capable of rapidly and forcefully effecting the 
necessary rotation. The actuator has two arms spring-biased at one end so 
that the other end, which terminates in rings encircling adjacent ends of 
both frames on opposite sides of the common axis, would, if unobstructed 
move apart so a distance substantially greater than the length of the 
frame ends. The effect of the arrangement is that when the trigger is 
released the frames rotate rapidly about the common axis and the 
jaw-forming sides vigorously strike the body of the animal that has 
released the trap. In the ideal the jaw forming sides strike the animal 
with a vigorous blow at some vital part, for example the heart or the 
lungs, causing instant death. 
All rotating frame animal traps, particularly the larger ones, are capable 
of exerting a powerful grip. There have been instances where trappers have 
had both hands caught in the trap and have died of exposure. One approach 
to this problem has been the incorporation of safety devices to prevent 
inadvertent movement of the trap from the set to the closed position. 
Another approach has been to ensure that the trap, when closed, can be 
released, usually by manipulation of the actuator. This last approach has 
been adopted, for example, in my Canadian Pat. No. 975170 issued Sept. 30, 
1975 in which an actuator for a rotating frame trap has a ring at one end 
of the coil spring of the actuator provided with an opening through which 
the adjacent ends of the frame, about which the ring is normally disposed, 
can pass when the actuator is swivelled around the frame to a 
predetermined position. The effect of this is to remove the actuator bias 
from the jaws of the trap. A removable keeper is used to close the gap and 
prevent inadvertent removal of the frame ends through the gap. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
The present invention seeks to provide a further simple solution of 
stopping the applied force of an actuator on a closed, rotating frame 
trap. In addition, in certain circumstances the actuator described and 
claimed in my above patent can prevent a trap in the open, set position 
resting properly on the ground. The actuator can not be swivelled to a 
position perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the trap because the 
keeper hits the frame before that position is reached. It is thus 
necessary with certain of the traps according to the above patent to sink 
the actuator in snow or earth to prevent the trap being too conspicuous. 
This sinking of the trap tends to prevent the actuator expanding properly. 
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention is in an actuator for 
a rotating frame trap, having two similar frames pivotally connected to 
each other, the actuator comprising two arms spring bias at one end and 
each terminating in a ring at the other, the rings having dimensions so 
that the actuator can be mounted on the trap to encircle adjacent ends of 
both frames of the trap, whereby, on release of the trap, the actuator can 
rapidly and forcefully effect a rotation of the trap to its closed 
position and is the improvement comprising a rigid joint formed in one arm 
of the actuator, said joint being breakable to separate the arm by 
application of a force to the spring biased end of the actuator. 
In a preferred embodiment the rigid joint is made up of two mutually 
engageable U-sections in the arm. Preferably the actuator is made of round 
wire stock and each U-section has legs spaced from each other by an amount 
slightly smaller than the diameter of the round stock. This is a cheap but 
effective method of ensuring a rigid joint. Desirably the open ends of the 
U-sections are flared outwardly facilitating engagement of the separate 
parts of the arm.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The drawing shows an animal trap having two similar frames 2 each having 
jaw forming sides 4 and ends 6 extending between the jaw forming sides 4 
to support the jaws. The ends 6 have a central portion 8 in which the 
frames 2 are pivotly connected by rivots 10. The frames thus rotate about 
a common axis defined by the rivots 10. This rotation is between a set 
position as illustrated in the drawing and a closed position in which the 
jaw forming sides 4 are capable of trapping an animal between them. In 
this closed position the ends 6 have rotated through approximately 90 
degrees from the position shown in the drawing. 
The trap is provided with a trigger means to releasably maintain the trap 
in the set position. However, the trigger means do not form a part of this 
invention. Any conventional trigger means may be used and, in order to 
simplify the drawing, the trigger means are not shown. 
The trap is provided with an actuator 12 that comprises a first arm 14 and 
the second arm 16. At one end of the arm 14 and 16 there is a coil spring 
18. At the ends of the arms 14 and 16 remote from the coil 18 there are 
rings 20 and 22 respectively encircling adjacent ends 6 of the frames 2. 
Arm 14 of the actuator 12 is formed with a rigid joint 24. The joint 24 is 
made up of U-sections 26-see particularly the dotted line showing 
U-section 26 after the rigid joint 24 has been broken. As indicated in the 
FIGURE each U-Section 26 has legs spaced apart from each other by an 
amount slightly smaller than the diameter of the round stock from which 
the actuator 12 is made. The U-Sections 26 are flared outwardly at the 
open end 28, which is a simple means of facilitating engagement of the two 
parts of the arm 14. 
In use the invention functions as follows. If the trap is closed on the 
hands of the trapper then, clearly, he cannot use his hands to open the 
trap. However, by simply turning the trap on its side and striking the 
coil spring 18 on the ground, joint 24 can be broken and the force applied 
by the coil spring 18 thus not transmitted through the frames 2. The 
trapper can then simply remove his hands from the trap. simple resetting 
of the joint 24 is all that is required to make the trap useful again. 
The actuator of the present invention may be made of the conventional steel 
used in rotating frame traps. 
The actuator of the present invention is a simple and efficient saftey 
device for rotating frame animal traps. It is easy to make, effective as a 
means of removing the force applied by the coil spring 18 and yet can be 
easily made up, once the joint has been broken, to provide a useful trap.