Abstract:
A large animal trap for humanely capturing and restraining large feral animals, particularly feral hogs, is disclosed which is field assembled from pre-manufactured modular components. Animals are enticed into the trap by an animal baiting means. A sliding gate supported and released by a sliding gate latch means and gate locking means are further disclosed, which traps the animal once triggered and prevents the animal from raising the gate. The modular components are in the shape of flat square or rectangular wire mesh panels framed by square tubing. The sizes and shapes of the modular components are especially advantageous for ease of transport to remote trapping locations. Once the individual components are placed in their proper positions to form the trap, they are joined together by fasteners, not requiring tools to secure. Said fasteners may be later removed when the user disassembles the trap.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not applicable.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
         [0003]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    (1) Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    This invention relates to the field of traps which capture and hold large feral animals without harm or injury in a field-erected cage. This invention further relates to the field of traps which capture the feral animal by the closing of a gravity-actuated downward sliding gate at the trap entrance, the door being released by a closure mechanism tripped by the animal&#39;s attempt to reach bait. The invention still further relates to the field of traps which are constructed of pre-manufactured modular components, shipped disassembled, and assembled at the point of use without tools.  
           [0006]    As suburbia expands into ever more rural areas; large animals, such as coyotes, wolves, feral hogs, and other non-game animals lose habitat and become dangerous nuisances. To trap such animals, homeowners and trappers have relied on large pre-assembled cages that occupy a large shipping volume, are costly to ship, and difficult to handle. There is a need for a trap capable of capturing large feral animals which is light weight, economical to ship, easy to assemble and disassemble without tools, and effective in capturing and detaining large animals without injury. The present invention satisfies these industry needs, among other demands.  
           [0007]    (2) Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 C.F.R. 1.97 and 1.98  
           [0008]    Animal traps exist which permit the humane capture of animals. Humane capture is especially desirable for the trapping of rodents which inhabit dwelling, such as mice or rats. Numerous types of traps have been devised which effect the capture of these and other small animals without injury (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,453,795; 2,167,291; 2,725,661; 3,975,857; 4,590,703; 4,682,440; 4,831,766; 4,926,581; 5,778,594; 5,845,432; and 5,864,982 and U.S. Pat. Appl. Nos. 20020035801; 20020066222; 20020178657; 20020184812; 20030019148; and 20030084603). However, these traps have intricate designs and are not large or strong enough to contain a large feral animal, such as a coyote, wolf, or feral hog.  
           [0009]    Consequently, a need exists for an animal trap which is both safe and effective in the humane capture of large animals, especially feral hogs, and is readily manufactured. Traps currently used to capture large feral animals are heavy, bulky, occupy a large shipping volume, and are difficult to transport to inaccessible areas. Many such traps do not break down for shipment and are essentially welded-wire cages configured around a three-dimensional frame of angle-iron or tubular metal. The present invention provides such a design having these and other advancements compared to the prior art.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Throughout the brief summary of the invention, the right and left sides are those sides as viewed from a position in front of the trap and looking toward such trap.  
           [0011]    The present invention is a trap which is a cage formed from seven (7) modular components; i.e., six (6) wire-mesh panels and one (1) frame for a sliding gate. Five (5) of the wire-mesh panels and the frame are joined together by fasteners, not requiring tools to secure, to form the trap. The frame contains the sixth (6th) wire mesh panel which, when released, slides downward thereby trapping any feral animal within the cage.  
           [0012]    The periphery of each of the six (6) wire mesh panels and one (1) sliding gate frame are in the shape of a square or rectangle, depending on its position in the cage. The periphery structures of the wire mesh panels are constructed of metal tubular stock to form frames. Wire mesh, sized by cutting to be slightly smaller than the periphery of each frame to avoid protrusion, is welded to each of the six (6) frames to form a modular component. The frame for the sliding gate is similarly constructed of metal tubular stock. Channel iron is welded to the insides of the vertical and bottom metal tubular stock forming the periphery of the sliding gate frame to create runners and bottom support for the sliding gate. All of the components are light enough so that one (1) or two (2) persons may easily move them from place-to-place and join them together with minimal assistance.  
           [0013]    Each wire mesh panel and frame for the sliding date contains holes drilled at various points in their frames. The holes penetrate at least two (2) frames when they are joined in the proper position. When the holes in the two (2) adjoining panels are matched, the frames are joined together by adjustable clevis pins, which rigidly hold the assembly together. Each adjustable clevis pin is kept in place by a hair pin cotter.  
           [0014]    The sliding gate is fitted inside of the two (2) vertical runners of the sliding gate frame with sufficient clearance to allow it to freely slide up and down. The height of the two (2) vertical runners is approximately twice the height of the assembled cage. In this manner, the sliding gate may be raised to a point where its bottom is at the same elevation as the top of the cage and still be contained within the two (2) vertical runners.  
           [0015]    A sliding gate latch means is comprised of a trigger latch mounted on the front right of the top panel. The trigger latch is armed by raising the sliding gate until its lower frame member is slightly above the top of the trigger latch. The trigger latch is then rotated counter clockwise until it obstructs the downward movement of the sliding gate.  
           [0016]    A sliding gate locking means is formed from a pop-pin welded to the front frame piece of the top panel and to the right of the trigger latch. The pop-pin contains a spring-loaded pin, which, when in its rest position, protrudes towards the front of the cage. The front of the spring-loaded pin rides along the right vertical frame member of the sliding gate. As the sliding gate reaches its fully lowered position, the pin is no longer obstructed by the gate&#39;s vertical frame member and spring-loading causes the pin to move forward. The pin extends over the top of the sliding gate, thereby preventing the gate from being raised without first again retracting the spring-loaded pin.  
           [0017]    Assembly of the trap proceeds by placing the bottom panel on the ground, joining the side and rear panels one-by-one until these four (4) panels forming the bottom, sides and rear are joined by proper alignment and pinning. The top panel is then joined to the other four (4) panels.  
           [0018]    After the five (5) wire mesh panels forming the top, bottom, sides and rear are assembled and pinned, the frame containing the sliding gate is pinned to the structure. The gate is then raised by hand to its upper most position and the trigger latch is rotated counter clockwise until it obstructs the downward movement of the sliding gate, thereby holding the gate in its raised position.  
           [0019]    The trigger latch is connected to one end of a lanyard which is threaded through safety spring hooks causing the lanyard to pass across the inside of the trap some suitable distance from the rear. The other end of the lanyard is tied to another safety spring hook.  
           [0020]    A container or tray containing bait suitable for the animal to be trapped is placed on the floor behind the lanyard. As the animal approaches the container or tray, it encounters the lanyard and pushes it aside or rearward. The movement of the lanyard rotates the trigger latch clockwise as viewed from above causing the sliding gate to drop suddenly thereby trapping the animal.  
           [0021]    As the top horizontal frame member of the sliding gate drops below the pop-pin, the spring-loaded pin slides home towards the front of the cage and beyond this frame member. The sliding pin prevents the gate from being raised from the inside or outside by an animal with sufficient time, intelligence, strength, or dexterity to do so.  
           [0022]    Mesh with variable size openings may be used for selected areas of the trap. The panels may be constructed of many different sizes based on the size and strength of the animal to be captured. The door may be fitted with friction resistant material to further ensure smooth operation to overcome the effects of surface corrosion and adverse weather conditions. The lanyard forming the trigger cable may be constructed of any material suitable to form a flexible string or be coated to reduce friction or to resist damage by ultraviolet light, ozone, and other constituents of rain and air.  
           [0023]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description and claims when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    (1) Drawing Figures  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular large animal trap according to the invention herein shown in an erected position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a detail view of the adjustable clevis pin and hair pin cotter.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is an isometric detail view showing a section of the top panel joined to right side panel.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 shows a detail view of an adjustable clevis pin and hair pin cotter connecting two adjacent upper panels.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is an isometric detail view showing a section of the bottom panel joined to the right side panel as viewed from the ground looking up at the bottom panel.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 shows a detail view of an adjustable clevis pin, with head welded to the frame member of the bottom panel, and hair pin cotter connecting two adjacent panels.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8A is an isometric detail view showing the position of the pop-pin and trigger latch with the sliding gate elevated.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8B is an isometric detail view showing the position of the pop-pin and trigger latch after the sliding gate has fallen.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9A is a plan view of the top of the sliding gate area with the gate in its elevated position.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9B is a plan view of the top of the sliding gate area after the gate has fallen.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10A is an elevation view of the front top portion of the sliding gate with the gate in its elevated position.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 10B is an elevation view of the front top portion of the sliding gate after the gate has fallen.  
         [0038]    (2) Reference Numerals Used in Drawings  
                                               20   Trap   22   Bottom panel       24   Right side panel (as viewed   26   Left side panel (as viewed           from the front of the trap)       from the front of the trap)       28   Top panel   30   Rear panel       32   Sliding gate frame   34   Sliding gate       36   Pop-pin   38   Adjustable clevis pin       40   Hair pin cotter   42a   Safety spring hook       42b   Safety spring hook   42c   Safety spring hook       44   Lanyard   46   Square tubing (general)       48   Weld point for square   50   Hole drilled in frame for           tubing-to-square tubing       adjustable clevis pin       52   Frame (general)   54   Pan containing bait       56   Wire mesh   58   Head of 38       60   End opposite head 58 of 38   62   Holes drilled in 38       64   Weld points for 56 to 52   66   Trigger latch       68a   Square tubing reinforce-   68b   Square tubing reinforce-           ment for left side panel, 26       ment for right side panel, 24       70a   Square tubing vertical -   70b   Square tubing vertical - Right           Left (Sliding gate frame)       (Sliding gate frame)       72a   Square tubing horizontal -   72b   Square tubing horizontal -           Upper (Sliding gate frame       Lower (Sliding gate frame 32)           32)       74   Channel iron vertical   76   Channel iron horizontal           (attached to 70A and 70b)       (attached to 72b)       78   Hole in latch for lanyard   80   Weld point for 36 to 52       82   Hole in latch for adjustable   84   Hole in adjustable clevis pin           clevis pin       closest to 46       86   Weld point for 58 to 52   88   Pin protruding from pop-pin       90   Right vertical frame mem-   92   Knob of pop-pin           ber of sliding gate 34       94   Arm on trigger latch 66 for           support of sliding gate 34                  
 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]    Throughout the detailed description of this invention, the right and left sides are those side as viewed from a position in front of the trap and looking toward such trap.  
         [0040]    (1) Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0041]    The shapes of the components of the invention described herein depict the preferred embodiment. In other embodiments, the shapes of the same components may be different than those of the preferred embodiment depending on the size and strength of the animal to be captured.  
         [0042]    The trap  20  shown in FIG. 1 comprises, as most clearly seen in exploded view, FIG. 2, a rectangular wire mesh panel  22  forming the bottom, a rectangular wire mesh panel  24  forming the right side, a rectangular wire mesh panel  26  forming the left side, a rectangular wire mesh panel  28  serving as the top, a nominally square wire mesh panel  30  forming the rear, a rectangular frame  32  serving as a support for the sliding gate, and a nominally square wire mesh panel  34  forming the sliding gate. The trap further comprises, a sliding gate latch means, trigger latch  66 , for holding the sliding gate in the open position and for releasing said gate, a sliding gate locking means, pop-pin  36 , for locking the sliding gate after it has dropped to the closed position, and frame securing means, comprised of a predetermined number of adjustable clevis pins  38  with the same predetermined number of hair pin cotters  40 .  
         [0043]    The trap  20 , as shown in FIG. 1, still further comprises, a predetermined number of latch releasing support means comprised of safety spring hooks  42   a ,  42   b  and  42   c , latch releasing means comprising lanyard  44 , and an animal baiting means comprised of a bait container  54 .  
         [0044]    Wire mesh panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and sliding gate  34 , all depicted in FIG. 2, are fabricated by similar means from similar components. As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 6, frames for each wire mesh panel and the sliding gate of predetermined shapes and sizes are constructed from structural member means comprising square tubing  46  of carbon steel joined together by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding, at points  48  to form frames  52  for the wire mesh panels and frame  32  for the sliding gate. Shapes and sizes of frames  52  for items  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  26 ,  30  and  34  and frame  32  are determined by the size and strength of the animal to be captured, which in turn establishes the overall size of trap  20 . In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, wire mesh panels,  24  and  26  are further reinforced with square tubing  68   b  and  68   a , respectively.  
         [0045]    Animal restraining means comprised of wire mesh  56  fabricated of wire with predetermined wire diameter and opening is cut to dimensions slightly smaller than the outside perimeters of each of frames  52 . The wire diameter and opening of wire mesh  56  is determined by the size and strength of the animal to be captured. The resulting sections of wire mesh  56  are laid upon their respective frames and each wire of  56  contacting the perimeter of each frame is joined to square tubing  46  at points  64  by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding electric-arc welding, shown typically in FIGS. 4, 6,  8 A,  8 B,  9 A and  9 B.  
         [0046]    Frame  32  for sliding gate  34 , shown in FIG. 2, is formed from four (4) pieces of square tubing  46 , items  70   a ,  70   b ,  72   a ,  72   b  joined together by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding electric-arc welding. Sliding gate restraining means comprised of pieces of channel iron, items  74  and  76 , of predetermined size based on the dimensions of  70   a ,  70   b , and  72   b  are joined to the insides of  70   a ,  70   b , and  72   b , by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding electric-arc welding such that the troughs of  74  and  76  face the inside of  32 . FIGS. 8A and 8B most clearly show the position of item  74  welded to  70   b.    
         [0047]    As shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined number of holes  50  of predetermined diameter are drilled through frames  52  forming  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32 . The number of holes  50  is determined by the size of wire mesh panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and sliding gate frame  32  and the strength of the animal to be captured. The diameter of each of  50  is determined by the outside diameter of adjustable clevis pin  38 , which must easily pass through hole  50 , shown in the detail views of FIGS. 5 and 7. Each hole  50  is drilled such that it penetrates two (2) adjacent frames after they are mounted in their proper positions.  
         [0048]    Wire mesh panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and sliding gate frame  32  are joined together by a predetermined number of adjustable clevis pins,  38 , which are further secured by the same number of hair pin cotters, 40. FIG. 3 shows a detail view of an adjustable clevis pin  38  and hair pin cotter  40 . One end of  38  is flattened to form a head  58 . The end opposite  60  of head  58  contains a predetermined number of holes  62  of diameter slightly larger than the predetermined diameter of hair pin cotter  40 . All of the holes  62  are drilled with the same radial angle so that they form a line of holes  62  along the length of  38 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 5 shows a detail view of a typical loose adjustable clevis pin  38  and hair pin cotter  40  joining two (2) pieces of square tubing  46 . As shown in FIG. 5, once an adjustable clevis pin  38  is in pushed home through hole  50 , hair pin cotter  40  is pushed through the hole  84  closest to the nearest  46 .  
         [0050]    As depicted in FIG. 2, bottom wire mesh panel  22  has a predetermined number of adjustable clevis pins  38  already fitted in place. The heads  58  of the number of adjustable clevis pins  38  equal to the number of holes  50  drilled in frame  52  of item  22  are joined to  52  by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding, at points  86  to the bottom of such frame, shown in detail in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a detail view of an adjustable clevis pin  38  with its head  58  joined at point  86  to the bottom of  46  forming the frame  52  of wire mesh panel  22 . As shown in FIG. 7, each adjustable clevis pin  38  is further secured by hair pin cotter  40  pushed home through hole  84  closest to the adjacent  46 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 2, 8A,  8 B,  9 A,  9 B,  10 A, and  10 B show the sliding gate locking means, pop-pin  36 . As shown in FIG. 2 and in detail in FIGS. 8A and 8B, pop-pin  36  is joined by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding, at point  80  to the front right of frame  52  forming wire mesh panel  28 . FIG. 9A, a view looking down on the sliding gate  34  in its elevated position, shows item  36  positioned so that its body-barrel does not extend beyond the outer perimeter of frame  52 .  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 9A, item  36  is further positioned so that retractable pin  88  protrudes beyond  52  and contacts the right vertical frame member  90  of sliding gate  34  when  34  is in its elevated position, being supported by arm  94  on item  66 . After sliding gate  34  has been released by  66  and fallen to its rest position, depicted in FIG. 9B, retractable pin  88  extends beyond the top of frame  52  of sliding gate  34 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 10A further depicts, in elevation view, the relative positions of pop-pin  36  and sliding gate  34  when  34  is elevated. Pop-pin  36  is mounted on top of frame  52  of wire mesh panel  28 . With the sliding gate elevated, being supported by trigger latch  66 , retractable pin  88  of item  36  contacts the approximate center of the right vertical frame member  90  of sliding gate  34 . FIG. 10B still further depicts, in elevation view, the positions of pop-pin  36 , retractable pin  88 , and sliding gate  34  after  34  has been released and fallen to its rest position.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 9B depicts the top of sliding gate  34  after the gate has fallen. In this view, retractable pin  88  is no longer restricted in its forward motion by right vertical frame member  90 . After the gate has fallen, a spring in the body of  36 , not depicted, causes retractable pin  88  to move towards the front of the trap to a position over the top of frame  52  forming sliding gate  34 . Sliding gate  34  cannot be raised until knob  92  of  36  is pulled towards the rear of the trap causing  88  to no longer obstruct sliding gate  34 . Once the gate is raised, pin  88  again contacts right vertical frame member  90  and the gate may be elevated to its armed position.  
         [0055]    As shown in FIGS. 2, 8A,  8 B,  9 A,  9 B,  1 A, and  10 B, trap  20  also comprises a sliding gate latch means, trigger latch  66 , which supports sliding gate  34  before an animal has entered trap  20 , and releases  34  after an animal has caused  66  to move in its attempt to reach the bait contained in  54 .  
         [0056]    As depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B, trigger latch  66  is mounted to the left of pop-pin  36 . It is through drilled with holes  78  and  82  of predetermined diameter and location. The diameter of hole  82  is slightly larger than the outside diameter of adjustable clevis pin  38 . The diameter of hole  78  is slightly larger than the outside diameter of lanyard  44 . Hole  82  is located on the end of  66  opposite that of hole  78 . FIGS. 8A and 8B show hole  82  in  66  located directly below that hole  50  in frame  52  of wire mesh panel  28  drilled in  52  for mounting of  66 . An adjustable clevis pin  38  is pushed upward through hole  82  in  66  and thence through hole  50  in frame  52  of  28 . Once head  58  of  38  contacts frame  52 , a hair pin cotter  40  is pushed home through hole  84  closest to the top of frame  52 .  
         [0057]    As further shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, once trigger latch  66  is secured to frame  52  of  28  by adjustable clevis pin  38  and hair pin cotter  40 , lanyard  44  is passed through  78  and tied in place. Lanyard  44  is then caused to pass through safety spring hook  42   a.    
         [0058]    (2) Further Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment for the capture of Large Feral Hogs  
         [0059]    The shape of the trap, dimensions and materials of construction of the constituent parts, and the size of the pre-manufactured modular components are indicative of the best mode of carrying out the invention for the humane capture and restraint of large feral hogs. Modular large animal traps for the humane capture and restraint of other non-game feral animals, may be formed in other shapes, by constituent parts of other dimensions and materials of construction, from pre-manufactured modular components of different sizes and still be within the scope of the specification and the claims of the invention.  
         [0060]    For the capture of large feral hogs, frames  52  of items  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  34  and sliding gate frame  32  are constructed of square tubing  46  which is nominally 25.4 mm (1 inch)×25.4 mm (1 inch) with an approximate 3.17 mm ({fraction (1/8)} inch) wall thickness. The nominal outer dimensions of frames  52  forming bottom panel  22  and top panel  28  are about 2,362.2 mm (93 inches) long by 1,193.8 mm (47 inches) wide; of frames  52  forming right side panel  24  and left side panel  26  are approximately 2,362.2 mm (93 inches) long by 914.4 mm (36 inches) high; of frame  52  forming rear panel  30  is about 1,143 mm (45 inches) wide by 914.4 mm (36 inches) high; of frame  52  forming sliding gate panel  34  is approximately 1,130.3 mm (44.5 inches) wide by 927.1 mm (36.5 inches) high; and of sliding gate frame  32  is about 1,917.7 mm (75.5 inches) high by 1,193.8 mm (47 inches) wide.  
         [0061]    Wire mesh  56  selected for the capture of large feral hogs has nominal 152.4 mm (6 inch)×152.4 mm (6 inch) openings with wire of about 3.2 mm ({fraction (1/8)} inch) diameter or 6 gauge. Wire mesh of equivalent dimension and material of construction may be substituted.  
         [0062]    Further, for the capture and restraint of feral hogs, holes  50  drilled through each of  52  forming items  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and frame  32  have a nominal diameter of 10.3 mm ({fraction (13/32)} inch). The proximate location and number of the holes is shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0063]    Still further, adjustable clevis pin  38 , depicted in detail in FIG. 3, has an overall length from point  58  to point  60  of nominally 76.2 mm (3 inches) by about 7.94 mm ({fraction (5/16)} inch) diameter. It contains seven (7) holes  62  along its length, each hole  62  is about 3.18 mm ({fraction (1/8)} inch) in diameter. Hair pin cotter  40  is formed from wire with a diameter of about 1.83 mm (0.072 inch) and has an overall length of about 30.18 mm (1.2 inches). Adjustable clevis pin  38 , with matching hair pin cotter  40 , are available as part numbers ADJ-34 and HAIR-4, respectively, from Pivot Point, Inc., P.O. Box 488, Hustisford, Wis., 53034. Adjustable clevis pin  38  and hair pin cotter  40  of equivalent dimensions and materials of construction may be substituted.  
         [0064]    Pop-pin  36  is available as part number P185E from Kamparts, Inc., 1311 Wanamaker Ave., Ontario, CA 91761. Pop-pin  36  of equivalent dimension and material of construction may be substituted.  
         [0065]    Channel iron  74  and  76  have nominal dimensions of 38.1 mm (1.5 inch) by 19.1 mm ({fraction (3/4)} inch) by 3.2 mm ({fraction (1/8)} inch) and lengths of about 1,879.6 mm (74 inches) for 74 and approximately 1,143 mm (45 inches) for 76.  
         [0066]    Safety spring hooks  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c , each have a metal shank of nominal diameter 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) by about 63.5 mm (2.5 inch) overall length. Said safety spring hooks are available as item number 701422 from Aubuchon Hardware, 95 Aubuchon Drive, Westminster Mass. 01473. Safety spring hook, 42a,  42   b ,  42   c , of equivalent dimension and material of construction may be substituted.  
         [0067]    Lanyard  44  is available from Frank W. Winne &amp; Son, Inc., 44 North Front Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, as #4 Diamond braided polyester cord. Lanyard  44  of equivalent dimension and material of construction may be substituted.  
         [0068]    Trigger latch  66  and arm  94  are formed from bar stock of carbon steel nominally 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) by 12.7 mm (0.5 inch). Arm  94  is joined to latch  66  by is joined by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding to form the assembly. Holes  78  and  82  drilled in latch  66  are nominally 10.3 mm ({fraction (13/32)} inch) in diameter.  
         [0069]    (3) Assembly of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0070]    The assembly procedure of the preferred embodiment may be envisioned by reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. All wire mesh panels,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  34  are positioned so that wire mesh  56  is on the outside of trap  20 .  
         [0071]    Following FIG. 2, item  22  is placed on the ground with ends  60  of the adjustable clevis pins  38  pointing upward. Hair pin cotters  40  are removed. Item  30  is aligned with the rear of  22  so that ends  60  of  38  in  22  pass upward through holes  50  in  30 . Hair pin cotters  40  are then inserted into each of holes  84  closest to the inside of the bottom of frame  52  forming  30 .  
         [0072]    Further following FIG. 2, items  24  and  26  are aligned with the sides  22  so that ends  60  of  38  in  22  pass upward through holes  50  in  24  and  26 . Hair pin cotters  40  are then inserted into each of holes  84  closest to the inside of the bottom of frames  52  forming  24  and  26 . Additional adjustable clevis pins  38  are inserted through frames  52  of  24  and  30  and  26  and  30  and secured with an equal number of hair pin cotters  40 .  
         [0073]    Still further following FIG. 2, item  28  is positioned with the tops of frames  52  forming  24 ,  26 , and  30  so that holes  50  in each of the adjoining frames are aligned. Adjustable clevis pins  38  are then inserted though frames  52  of  24  and  28 ,  26  and  28 , and  28  and  30  and secured with an equal number of  40 .  
         [0074]    Sliding gate  34  is slid into frame  32 . Item  32  is then positioned against frames  52  of  22 ,  24 , and  26  so that holes  50  in frames  32  and  24  and  32  and  26  are aligned. Adjustable clevis pins  38  are inserted through frame  32  and frames  52  of  24  and  26  and secured with an equal number of  40 .  
         [0075]    As shown in FIG. 8A, sliding gate  34  is raised above trigger latch  66  and  66  is rotated counter clockwise looking downward until arm  94  on trigger latch  66  supports  34 . As depicted in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIGS. 8A and 8B, lanyard  44  is passed through hole  78  in  66  and tied in place and then passed through safety spring hooks  42   a  and  42   b . Lanyard  44  is then passed across the inside of the trap  20  in front of the pan containing bait  54  and tied to  42   c.    
         [0076]    The assembler then leaves the area to avoid disturbing any feral animal that might be enticed by  54 .  
         [0077]    A feral animal, enticed by  54 , enters trap  20 , pushes  44  thereby causing  66  to rotate clockwise. As  66  rotates clockwise, arm  94  slides out from under  34  and  34  drops to its rest position.  
         [0078]    As shown in FIGS. 9B and 10B, when frame  52  of  34  passes below retractable pin  88  of  36 , pin  88  moves towards the front of the cage and beyond the top of upper  34 . Pin  88  prevents sliding gate  34  from being raised from the inside or outside by an animal with sufficient time, intelligence, strength, or dexterity.  
         [0079]    The assembler may then use any appropriate means to further restrain the captured feral animal prior to its removal from the trap.  
         [0080]    Once the captured animal is removed from 20, 20 is disassembled by reversing the procedures previously described for assembly.  
         [0081]    (4) First Modification of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0082]    Square tubing  46  may be fabricated of other metals other than carbon steel, but still joined together by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding. Such other metals are comprised of aluminum, magnesium, nickel, titanium, and the stainless steels.  
         [0083]    Wire mesh  56  may be fabricated of other metals which may be joined to  46  by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding.  
         [0084]    (5) Second Modification of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0085]    Square tubing  46  may be fabricated of square solid bar stock. The solid bar stock may be fabricated of any metal which may be joined together by joining means comprised of any one or more of the electric-arc or beam welding methods; i.e., electron beam welding, flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, resistance spot welding, or shielded metal arc welding. Such other metals are comprised of aluminum, magnesium, nickel, titanium, and the stainless steels.  
         [0086]    (6) Third Modification of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0087]    Individual pieces of bar stock, not depicted, of predetermined length, diameter, and spacing may be substituted for wire mesh  56 . The diameter of the bar stock is determined by the size and strength of the animal to be captured. The length of the bar stock is determined by the frames  52  forming  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  34 .  
         [0088]    (7) Fourth Modification of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0089]    Adjustable clevis pin  38  with hair pin cotter  40  are substituted by thumb screw fasteners with finger nuts. Such fasteners may be secured without the use of hand tools.  
         [0090]    (8) Other Modifications of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0091]    While only the preferred embodiment of the invention and specific modifications thereto have been described herein in detail, the invention is not limited thereby, and other modifications can be made within the scope of the attached claims.