Abstract:
A novel type of an animal trap is provided for trapping animals of different sizes. The mechanism for controlling rotative movement of the trapping means provides high sensitivity of the trap. The trap is easy and safe to use and suitable for the purpose of controlling household rodents, such as mice, rats, or the like.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to animal traps and more particularly to traps targeting animals of different sizes like mice, rats, and rodents. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Animal traps are well known in the art. The most common type of animal traps has been a snap trap with bait attached to a trigger mechanism which can lock and release a spring loaded striker to slam the animal attempting to take the bait. This type of trap has an inherent disadvantage. The trap can be difficult and dangerous to load since the trigger mechanism has to be manipulated with hand in the striking zone. It is quite often that the striker is released accidentally and hurt the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0003]    A variety of animal trap designs have been proposed to overcome aforementioned disadvantage. One type of traps comprises a base, a jaw pivotally mounted on the base, a trigger, and a spring extending between the base and the jaw. This type of traps is so arranged that, when the jaw is rotated to an open position, the tension line of the spring is slightly above the pivot axis, which maintains the jaw in the open position. The jaw can be moved by the animal taking the bait. When the displacement brings the tension line passing through the pivot axis, the trap is triggered to close. The trap may be made of sheet metal, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,138,092 to Evans, or made of molding plastic, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,544 to Leyerle, et al. This type of traps reduces the danger to the user since it is set by pressing rear end of the jaw which is outside of the striking zone. However, this type of traps has limited sensitivity because a certain animal weight is required to move the jaw to pass the pivot axis of rotation to close. Another type of traps has been designed to entrap instead of striking the animal. The trap usually comprises a casing with one or two open ends for the entrance of animals, and a trigger which actuates moving open ends to close. For the trap having two open ends constitute a through runway, a wary animal may be more apt to venture into it than into a trap having only one open end. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,348 to Chu describes an animal trap comprising a main body and two rotative doors. Each door is controlled by a latch. A trigger actuates both latches to move and causes the two doors close simultaneously. The trap can be used with or without bait when it is placed against a wall. This type of traps is safer but more complicated to use. 
         [0004]    There is still a need for a novel type of animal trap which is highly sensitive, easy to set and safe to use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a novel type of animal traps. The present invention further provides a method of using the same. 
         [0006]    The animal trap according to the present invention comprises a base, a trapping means capable of moving rotatively from an open position in which the trapping means provides an entrance for an animal to a close position in which the trapping means is closed to trap the animal. The animal trap further comprises a trigger and a novel control mechanism having at least one movable pivotal member which is capable of moving from a release position to a latch position. When the pivotal member is in the latch position, the trapping means can be held in the open position. When the pivotal member is in the release position, the trapping means moves from the open position to the close position. The trigger is operative to releasably hold the movable pivotal member in the latch position. When the trigger is released, the pivotal member moves from the latch position to the release position and subsequently the trapping means moves to close. 
         [0007]    The animal trap according to the present invention minimizes the danger to the user since the trigger setting is outside of the striking zone. The control mechanism cooperated with the trigger provides an optimal high sensitivity such that one trap may catch animals of different sizes. 
         [0008]    It is one object of the present invention to provide an animal trap with optimal high sensitivity for targeting animals of different sizes. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an animal trap that is easy and safe to use as a common household tool. 
         [0010]    It is another objective of the present invention to provide an animal trap that is inexpensive, effective, and durable. 
         [0011]    Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, detailed description of the preferred embodiments and from the illustrative drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment having a movable housing. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the trap of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside of the wall portion of the trap of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the movable pivotal member showing the pin portion and the base portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the trap of  FIG. 1 , showing the movable housing in the close position and the movable pivotal member in the release position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the trap of  FIG. 1 , showing the movable housing in the open position and the movable pivotal member latched in the latch position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment having a striker. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment having two movable pivotal members. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the trigger pedal of the trap of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9B  is a fragmentary schematic side view of the trap of  FIG. 8 , showing the position of the pin portion when the movable pivotal member is in the release position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9C  is a fragmentary schematic side view of the trap of  FIG. 8 , showing the displacement of the arm of the trapping means when the movable pivotal member moves to the latch position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment having two movable housings. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the trap of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside of the wall portion of the trap of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken on line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 10 , showing the movable pivotal member in the release position and the pedal lift member in the normal position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 13 , showing the movable pivotal member in the latch position and the pedal lift member in the lift position when the trap is being set. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the trap of  FIG. 10 , showing the movable housing in the close position and the movable pivotal member in the release position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a front view of the trap of  FIG. 10 , showing the movable housing in the open position and the movable pivotal member latched in the latch position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Referring to drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIG. 1  illustrates a first preferred embodiment having a housing  20  as trapping means. Housing  20  cooperates with a base  10  and a top cover plate  30  to form a complete enclosure. As shown in detail in  FIG. 2 , base  10  comprises a platform portion  12 , side wall portions  40  and  50 , and a rear wall portion  14  having a forwardly horizontally extending portion  16  with a threaded opening  18 . Housing  20  comprises a top portion  22 , a forward wall portion, side wall portions  24   a  and  24   b  with rearwardly extending arms  26   a  and  26   b , respectively. Top portion  22  may tilt forwardly downwardly at an angle of approximately 30° relative to base  10 . Cover plate  30  comprises an opening  32 , a side recess  34 , and an upwardly rearwardly extending grip portion  36  which cooperates with a grip portion  28  disposed on the rear edge of top portion  22  to facilitate manipulation. Cover plate  30  is removably mounted on extending portion  16  by a fasting screw  38  passing through opening  32  and threadedly screwing on opening  18 . Housing  20  fits between side wall portions  40  and  50  with the rear edge of top portion  22  slightly over the forward edge of cover plate  30 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , side wall portion  40  comprises a tilted top extending portion  42  which inclines inwardly at an angle of approximately 45° relative to side wall portion  40 . Extending portion  42  comprises a pair of spaced pivot lugs  44  having transversally aligned pivot openings  46 . Side wall portion  40  further comprises a vertical slot  48  and a rectangular opening  52 . Arm  26   a  of housing  20  comprises a round rear end having an oblique slot  54 . Arm  26   a  is movably mounted on side wall portion  40  with a movable pivotal member  60 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , movable pivotal member  60  comprising a base portion  62  and a pin portion  64 . Base portion  62  comprises a rectangular opening  66  near the top and a horizontal groove  68  at the front side edge. Pin portion  64  comprises a smooth shank portion and a threaded end portion. Pin portion  64  extends through vertical slot  48  of wall portion  40  and oblique slot  54  of arm  26   a  and is fastened with a threaded lock nut  74 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the inside of wall portion  40  comprises horizontal flanges  76  and  78  disposed below and above vertical slot  48  to prevent arm  26   a  from moving upwardly and downwardly. Wall portion  40  further comprises multiple restricting members  88  laterally embracing base portion  62  such that pivotal member  60  can only move upwardly and downwardly. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , side wall portion  50  comprises a round opening  56 . Arm  26   b  of housing  20  comprises a round rear end having a round opening  58 . Arm  26   b  is movably mounted on side wall portion  50  by a pivot pin  80  comprising a knob end portion and a pin portion  84 . Pin portion  84  comprises a smooth shank portion and a threaded end portion. Pin portion  84  extends through opening  56  and opening  58  and is fastened with another threaded lock nut  74 . 
         [0033]    Pivotal member  60  may move vertically between a release position in which pin portion  64  engages with the upper end of vertical slot  48  and a latch position in which pin portion  64  engages with the lower end of vertical slot  48 . When pivotal member  60  is in the release position, pin portions  64  and  84  are transversally aligned and forming a pivot axis such that housing  20  can be rotated from a close position to an open position. When housing  20  is rotated to the open position, the upper edge of arm  26   a  is engaged with the forward side edge of inwardly extending portion  42  and the rotative movement is stopped. In this situation, slots  54  and  48  are superposed completely and permit pin portion  64  to move downwardly such that pivotal member  60  can move from the release position to the latch position. When pivotal member  60  is in the latch position, pin portions  64  and  84  are nonaligned and the rotative movement of housing  20  is hindered. 
         [0034]    A tension spring  90  with two hooked ends is provided. One end hooks on a shaft  92  disposed on the inside of wall portion  24   a  of housing  20 . Another end hooks on a shaft  94  disposed on the inside of wall portion  40 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Housing  20  can be rotatively moved from the close position to the open position by grasping grip portion  36  and pulling grip portion  28  upwardly rearwardly against spring tension force. The extent of rotation of housing  20  is approximately 30°. For the tension line of spring  90  is below the pivot axis defined by pin portions  64  and  84 , spring  90  exerts a closing force on housing  20 .  FIG. 5  illustrates movable pivotal member  60  in the release position and housing  20  closes by the spring tension force. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a trigger pedal member  100  comprises a forward platform portion, a rear portion, and a side upwardly extending portion with a latching member  102  which extends laterally outwardly therefrom and protrudes through opening  52 . Trigger pedal member  100  comprises a pair of spaced pivot lugs  104  having transversally aligned pivot openings  106 . Base  10  comprises a pair of spaced pivot lugs  108  having transversally aligned pivot openings  112 . A pivotal shaft  98  extends through pivot openings  112  and  106  such that trigger pedal member  100  may tilt forwardly or rearwardly on base  10 . The balance of the forward portion and the rear portion is so arranged that trigger pedal member  100  tends to tilt rearwardly with the forward platform portion raised. When pivotal member  60  is in the latch position, latching member  102  falls into groove  68  such that pivotal member  60  is latched. 
         [0036]    A locking mechanism is integrated with the trigger mechanism to prevent a trapped animal from forcefully raising housing  20  from inside. The locking mechanism comprises a locking member  110  having an upper portion  114 , a vertical middle portion, and a horizontal lower lock portion  116  extending horizontally outwardly. Upper portion  114  extends upwardly outwardly at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the middle portion of locking member  110 . Upper portion  114  comprises a pair of spaced pivot lugs with transversally aligned openings  118 . The top end of upper portion  114  extends through opening  66  and serves as a press handle  120 . 
         [0037]    In the assembling of the trigger mechanism and locking mechanism, a pivotal shaft  122  extends through pivot openings  46  and  118 , and a torsion spring  124 . Torsion spring  124  exerts a force on press handle  120  to move pivotal member  60  upwardly and turns lock portion  116  protruding outwardly until lock portion  116  engages with the inside surface of wall portion  40 . In this situation, protruded lock portion  116  hinders arm  26   a  from moving upwardly such that housing  20  is locked in the close position. When press handle  120  is pressed to turn a distance between the upper edge and the lower edge of opening  66 , locking portion  116  turns inwardly towards the space defined by recess  34  of cover plate  30 . Arm  26   a  is unlocked and housing  20  can be rotated. When housing  20  rotates to the open position, press handle  120  can be further pressed downwardly against the lower edge of opening  66  to push pivotal member  60  to the latch position. 
         [0038]    Bait may be placed on the platform portion of trigger pedal member  100  accessed by opening housing  20  or by removing cover plate  30 . 
         [0039]    To set the trap, press handle  120  is pressed against the force of torsion spring  124  to unlock housing  20 . Then housing  20  is rotated upwardly while press handle  120  is continuously pressed. When housing  20  is rotated to open position, slot  48  and slot  54  are superposed completely such that pivotal member  60  can be pressed to move downwardly. When pivotal member  60  moves to the latch position in which said pin portion  64  has passed over the tension line of spring  90 , trigger pedal member  100  tilts rearwardly and latching member  102  falls into downwardly shifted groove  68  and pivotal member  60  is latched in the latch position when the pressure is released. In this situation, pin portion  64  is below the tension line such that tension spring  90  exerts a turning force in the opposite direction on arm  26   a  of housing  20  and in fact helps hold housing  20  in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The positioning of the tension line above pin portion  64  and nonalignment of pin portions  64  and  84  retain housing  20  in the open position. 
         [0040]    When a targeted animal steps on the forward portion of trigger pedal member  100 , latching member  102  moves forwardly out of groove  68  such that pivotal member  60  is released and pulled upwardly by torsion spring force exerted on press handle  120 . Pivotal member  60  moves upwardly from the latch position to the release position and pin portion  64  passes over the tension line, causing housing  20  to close. When the upper edge of arm  26   a  rotates downwardly to the close position, the horizontal lock portion  116  protrudes outwardly and locks housing  20  in the close position. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  illustrates a second preferred embodiment in which a striker  220  is employed as trapping means to slam the animal. Striker  220  is movably mounted on a base  210 . Base  210  comprises a platform portion  212 , side wall portions  240  and  250 , and a rear wall portion  214  with an extending grip portion  216 . Striker  220  comprises a striker bar  218 , side portions  224   a  and  224   b  with rearwardly extending arms  226   a  and  226   b , respectively, and a transversal top portion  222  which connects side portions  224   a  and  224   b . The upper edge of striker bar  218 , the forward edges of side portions  224   a  and  224   b , and the forward edge of top portion  222  form a forward opening  234 . Striking teeth  236  may be formed along the lower edges of striker bar  218  and side portions  224   a  and  224   b . Striker  220  fits between side wall portions  240  and  250 . The components disposed on side wall portions  240  and  250  are structurally the same as those disposed on side walls  40  and  50 , respectively, as described in detail in the first preferred embodiment. And the components disposed on side portions  224   a  and  224   b  are structurally the same as those disposed on side wall portions  24   a  and  24   b , respectively, as described in detail in the first preferred embodiment. The arrangements of the trigger mechanism and the locking mechanism are the same as those described in the first preferred embodiment so that they are omitted. 
         [0042]    In use, bait can be placed on trigger pedal member  100  accessed through forward opening  234 . Press handle  120  is pressed to unlock striker  220 . Then striker  220  is rotated upwardly by gripping transversal top portion  222  and grip portion  216  by hand. When striker  220  is rotated to the open position, pivotal member  60  is pressed to move downwardly to the latch position and then latched by latching member  102 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8-9C  illustrates a third preferred embodiment in which a pivotal member  60   b  and pivotal member  60  work together to control rotative movement of a striker  320 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a base  310  comprises a platform portion  312 , side wall portions  340  and  350 , and a rear wall portion  314  with an extending grip portion  316 . The components disposed on side wall portions  340  and  350  are structurally the same as those disposed on side wall portion  240  as described in the second preferred embodiment. The components disposed on side wall portions  340  and  350  are symmetrically arranged. Striker  320  comprises a striker bar  318 , side portions  324   a  and  324   b  with rearwardly extending arms  326   a  and  326   b , respectively, and a transversal top portion  322 . Like extending arm  24   a  described in the first preferred embodiment, extending arm  326   a  comprises a round rear end having oblique slot  54 . Similar to extending arm  326   a , extending arm  326   b  comprises a round rear end having an oblique slot  354 . Striker  320  fits between side wall portions  340  and  350 . Like pivotal member  60 , pivotal member  60   b  comprises pin base  62   b  and pin portion  64   b . Arm  326   a  is mounted on side wall portion  340  by pivotal member  60  and arm  326   b  is mounted on side wall portions  350  by pivotal member  60   b . One side view of the trap is a mirror image of the other side view, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Pin portions  64  and  64   b  form a pivot axis upon which striker  320  rotates. The components of the trigger mechanism and the locking mechanism on each side are structurally the same as described previously and are symmetrically arranged. As shown in  FIG. 9A , a trigger pedal member  300  comprises a pair of side upright extending portions having latching members  102  on each side and protruding horizontally outwardly. Trigger pedal member  300  is tiltedly mounted on base  310  and operative to simultaneously hold pivotal members  60  and  60   b  in the latch position or simultaneously release pivotal members  60  and  60   b  to move from the latch position to the release position. Tension spring  90  is hooked between side wall portion  340  and side portion  324   a . Another tension spring  90   b  may be hooked between side wall portion  350  and side portion  324   b , as shown in  FIG. 8 . When pivotal members  60  and  60   b  are in the release position, the tension line is below the pivot axis formed by pin portions  64  and  64   b  such that tension springs  90  and  90   b  always pull striker  320  downwardly to the close position. 
         [0044]    When striker  320  is in open position, oblique slots  54  and  354  are completely superposed with vertical slots  54  on each side, respectively, such that pivotal members  60  and  60   b  can be moved from the release position to the latch position. When pivotal members  60  and  60   b  are in the latch position while striker  320  is in open position, the tension line is just above the pivot axis formed by pin portions  64  and  64   b . In this situation, tension springs  90  and  90   b  pull striker  320  upwardly and maintains striker  320  in the open position. When pivotal members  60  and  60   b  move from the latch position to the release position, the pivot axis passes over the tension line, causing striker  320  to close. 
         [0045]    It should be understood that because the pivotal members on both side are symmetrically arranged, the trigger mechanism of this trap can be set without loading trapping means. First, both press handles  120  and  120   b  are forcefully pressed to force pivotal members  60  and  60   b  moving downwardly. When pin portions  64  and  64   b  are forced to move along vertical slots  48  on side wall portions  340  and  350 , respectively, the wedge effect on the edges of oblique slots  54  and  354  forces arms  326   a  and  326   b  to displace forwardly until pin portions  64  and  64   b  engage with the lower ends of vertical slots  48  and then pivotal members  60  and  60   b  are latched in the latch position.  FIG. 9B  illustrates the position of pin portion  64  when movable pivotal member  60  is in the release position. The arrow head indicates the direction of movement of pin portion  64 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates the position of pin portion  64  and the displacement of arm  326   a  when movable pivotal member  60  moves to the latch position. The arrow head indicates the direction of displacement of arm  326   a . On the opposite side, the change of the position of pin portion  64   b  is the same as that of pin portion  64  as shown in  FIG. 9B  and  FIG. 9C . When pivotal members  60  and  60   b  is latched in the latch position the trap can be placed in a desired position. Finally striker  320  can be rotated upwardly to the open position. 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment in which two rotative housings  420  and  20  are employed as trapping means. Housings  420  and  20  are symmetrically mounted on a base  410  and cooperate with base  410  and a top cover plate  430  to form a complete enclosure. As shown in detail in  FIG. 11 , base  410  comprises a platform portion  412 , a forward side wall portion  440 , and a rear side wall portion  450 . Forward side wall portion  440  comprises a tilted extending portion  442  which inclines rearwardly inwardly at an angle of approximately 45° relative to forward side wall portion  440 . Rear side wall portion  450  comprises a forwardly horizontally extending portion  416  with a threaded opening  418 . Cover plate  430  comprises an opening  432  near the rear edge and two spaced recesses  434  at the forward edge. As described in the first preferred embodiment, housing  20  comprises the top portion, the side wall portion, forward side wall portion  24   a  with inwardly extending arm  26   a , and rear side wall portion  24   b  with inwardly extending arm  26   b . Similar to housing  20 , housing  420  comprises a top portion, a side wall portion, a forward side wall portion  424   a  with an inwardly extending arm  426   a , and a rear side wall portion  424   b  with an inwardly extending arm  426   b . The top portions of housings  20  and  420  may tilt laterally downwardly at an angle of approximately 30° relative to base  410 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Housings  20  and  420  fit between wall portions  440  and  450  with arms  26   a  and  26   b  partially crossing over arms  426   a  and  426   b , respectively. Cover plate  430  is mounted on extending portion  416  by fasting screw  38  passing through opening  432  and threadedly screwing on opening  418 . The side edges of cover plate  430  are under the inner edges of the top portions of housings  20  and  420 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , forward side wall portion  440  comprises vertical slot  48 . Arm  26   a  comprises the round end having oblique slot  54 . Arm  426   a  comprises a round end having an oblique slot  454 . A pivotal member  60   a  comprises pin portion  64   a  and a base portion  62   a  which has rectangular opening  66  near the top and a rectangular opening  468  near the bottom. Pin portion  64   a  comprises a shank portion and a threaded end portion. Pin portion  64   a  extends through vertical slot  48  and oblique slots  54  and  454  and is fastened with threaded lock nut  74 . Thus arms  26   a  and  426   a  are coaxially movably mounted on forward side wall portion  440 . Forward wall portion  440  further comprises multiple restricting members  88  laterally embracing base portion  62   a  such that pivotal member  60   a  can only move upwardly and downwardly. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the inside of forward side wall portion  440  comprises horizontal flanges  76  and  78  disposed below and above vertical slot  48  to prevent arms  26   a  and  426   a  from moving upwardly and downwardly. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , rear side wall portion  450  comprises round opening  56 . Arm  26   b  comprises the round end having round opening  58 . Arm  426   b  comprises a round end having a round opening  458 . Pin portion  84  of pivot pin  80  extends through opening  56  and openings  58  and  458  and is fastened with another threaded lock nut  74 . Thus arms  26   b  and  426   b  are coaxially movably mounted on rear side wall portion  450 . 
         [0049]    Like pivotal member  60 , pivotal member  60   a  may move vertically between a release position in which pin portion  64   a  engages with the upper end of vertical slot  48  and a latch position in which pin portion  64   a  engages with the lower end of vertical slot  48 . When pivotal member  60   a  is in the release position, pin portions  64   a  and  84  are transversally aligned and forming a pivot axis such that housings  20  and  420  can pivotally rotate from a close position to an open position. When housings  20  and  420  are rotated to the open position, the rotative movements are stopped because the upper edges of arms  26   a  and  426   a  are engaged with corresponding side edges of inwardly tilted extending portion  442  of side wall portion  440 , respectively. In this situation, both slots  54  and  454  are completely superposed with slot  48  and permit pivotal member  60   a  to move from the release position to the latch position. When pivotal member  60   a  moves to the latch position, pin portions  64   a  and  84  are nonaligned such that the rotative movements of housings  20  and  420  are hindered. 
         [0050]    Tension spring  90  with two hooked ends is provided. One end hooks on shaft  92  disposed on the inside of wall portion  24   a  of housing  20 . Another end hooks on a shaft  492  disposed on the inside of wall portion  424   a  of housing  420 . Housings  20  and  420  can be rotated from the close position to the open position by pulling grip portion  28  disposed on the top portion of housing  20  and a grip portion  428  disposed on the top portion of housing  420  upwardly inwardly against the tension force of spring  90 . The extent of rotation of housings  20  and  420  may be approximately 30°. For the tension line of the spring is still below the pivot axis formed by pin portions  64   a  and  84  when housings  20  and  420  are in the open position, spring  90  exerts a closing force on both housings  20  and  420 . 
         [0051]    Extending portion  442  comprises a pair of spaced pivot lugs  444  having transversally aligned pivot openings  446 . Forward wall portion  440  further comprises an opening  498  sized for receiving a trigger pedal member  500  and a pedal lift member  520 . Trigger pedal member  500  comprises a rear platform portion, a forward upright portion  502 , and a pair of spaced pivot lugs  504  having transversally aligned pivot openings  506 . Upright portion  502  comprises a horizontal latching member  510  extending forwardly. Pedal lift member  520  comprises a forward portion  526 , two side portions  528 , and a pair of transversally aligned pivot openings  532 . Each side portion  528  has a downwardly extending portion  534  with an opening  536 . A pivotal shaft  522  passes through the center of an elastic means in the form of a rubber roller  538  and openings  536  such that rubber roller  538  is placed between extending portions  534 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , on the inside of forward wall portion  440  a pair of spaced pivot lugs  508  having transversally aligned pivot openings  512  are disposed on the side edges of opening  498 . Another pivotal shaft  522  extends through pivot openings  512  and  506  such that trigger pedal member  500  may tilt on lugs  508  with upright portion  502  substantially fitting into the space of opening  498 . The positioning of latching member  510  is so arranged that it will protrude forwardly outwardly into opening  468  of pivotal member  60   a  while the rear platform portion of trigger pedal member  500  is raised. As shown in  FIG. 12 , on the inside of forward wall portion  440 , a pair of spaced pivot lugs  524  having transversally aligned pivot openings  514  are disposed on the side edges of opening  498  above lugs  508 . Another pivotal shaft  522  extends through pivot openings  514  and  532  such that pedal lift member  520  is pivotally mounted on forward wall portion  440  with rubber roller  538  displaced behind upright portion  502 . Pedal lift member can rotate from a normal position to a lift position. In the normal position, pedal lift member  520  tilts forwardly by gravity with forward portion  526  lowered and rubber roller  538  away from the inside surface of upright portion  502 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . In the lift position, pedal lift member  520  is tilted with forward portion  526  raised and rubber roller  538  engaged with the inside surface of upright portion  502  and pushing latching member  510  protruding forwardly into opening  468 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , locking member  540  comprises a tilted top portion  542 , a vertical middle portion  544 , and two side bottom portions  546  extending horizontally forwardly. Top portion  542  extends upwardly forwardly at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the middle portion  544 . Top portion  542  comprises a pair of spaced pivot lugs with transversally aligned openings  548 . The end of top portion  542  extends through opening  66  and serves as press handle  120 . 
         [0054]    In the assembling of locking member  540 , another pivotal shaft  522  extends through a torsion spring  554  and pivot openings  446  and  548 . Torsion spring  554  exerts a force on handle  120  to move pivotal member  60   a  upwardly and turns bottom portions  546  forwardly until bottom portions  546  engage with the inside surface of forward wall portion  440 . In this situation, bottom portions  546  hinder arms  26   a  and  426   a  from moving upwardly such that housings  20  and  420  are locked in the close position. When press handle  120  is moved to a distance between the upper edge and the lower edge of opening  66 , bottom portions  546  turn into the spaces defined by recesses  434 , respectively. Arms  26   a  and  426   a  can move upwardly and housings  20  and  420  are unlocked. When housings  20  and  420  are rotated to the open position, press handle  120  can be further pressed against the lower edge of opening  66  and pivotal member  60   a  is pressed downwardly to the latch position and then latched by latching member  510 . 
         [0055]    To set the trap, press handle  120  and pedal lift member  520  are grasped by one hand and grip portions  28  and  428  are grasped by other hand. First, press handle  120  is pressed downwardly against torsion spring force to unlock arms  26   a  and  426   a . Then housings  20  and  420  are pulled upwardly inwardly to the open position. Then press handle  120  is continuously pressed to push pivotal member  60   a  to the latch position until latching member  510  protrudes forwardly into opening  468 . When press handle  120  and pedal lift member  520  are released, pivotal member  60   a  is latched by latching member  510  which remains in opening  468 . In this situation, pin portion  64   a  is below the tension line such that spring  90  exerts a turning force in the opposite direction on arms  26   a  and  426   a  of housings  20  and  420  and in fact helps hold housings  20  and  420  in the open position.  FIG. 15  illustrates housings  20  and  420  are pulled in the close position by spring  90  when movable pivotal member  60   a  is in the release position.  FIG. 16  illustrates housings  20  and  420  are held in the open position when movable pivotal member  60   a  is latched in the latch position. 
         [0056]    Bait may be placed on the platform portion of trigger pedal member  500 . Cover plate  430  may be temporarily removed for placing the bait. Since this trap may be placed along the edges of a wall to leave a runway for rodents, the trap can be used without the bait. 
         [0057]    The size of the trap may be of any desired length, width, and height, according to the size of the largest targeted animals. 
         [0058]    It is contemplated that, except springs, the parts of the trap can be made of common materials such as sheet metal, plastic, or other hard materials. The number of parts can be reduced if the trap is formed integrally of molding plastics, or like materials. The housings and the cover may be in part transparent, or with multiple peek openings, or made of wire meshes such that the entrapped animal can be conveniently checked. 
         [0059]    It should be understood that, with use of the mechanism for controlling the movement of the trapping means described herein, various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.