An Improved Animal Trap.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Animal Trap.
We, MARTIN S. MILLER and JOHN KELLAND, of Pittsburg, County of Allegheny,
Pennsylvania, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
Same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Our invention relates to an improvement in animal-traps; and it consists in two
sweeps, the one arranged at an angle with the other, a means for revolving the said
sweeps and holding the same stationary, and a trip or treadle to set the said sweeps in
motion, together with certain other details of construction and combination of parts,
as will be fully described hereinafter.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of our improved
animal-trap, which is constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is a plan
view of the same. Fig 3 is a plan view of the trip mechanism.
To put our invention into practice we provide a base-plate a, and secure thereon
two frames b, arranged at each end of the plate a and parallel to each other. Secured
near the centre of one of these frames is a small gear-wheel c, operated by a coil-
spring d, placed between the frame 6 and the said wheel. This gear-wheel c is
mounted on a sleeve i, having a small ratchet e integral therewith, and the said
sleeve i held in position on a stud g by means of a screw. The coil-spring d at the
rear of the toothed wheel c is attached by a screw to the frame b and to the said
sleeve i in such a manner that when tension is placed on the spring d by winding, the
said toothed wheel c will rapidly revolve. A pawl j, attached to the gear-wheel c,
engages with the ratchet-wheel e by means of a light spring k and locks the said
sleeve i to the wheel c in one direction, after the manner of clock-works. Arranged at
each side of this toothed wheel c and meshing with the same are two small spur-wheels,
each of which have proper bearings in the frames b, and each attached separately to
shafts m.
Each of these shafts m is provided with a series of parallel bars n, o, the
one series set in a manner that will admit the same to pass between the other without
interfering. These two sets of bars or sweeps n, o, when at rest are at right angles
to each other, the one o in a vertical position, closing an open-fronted box or cage p,
in which the rats or other animals are thrown by the trap. Arranged over an
opening in the base-plate a is a trip-plater, hinged at one side by a rod s, and held
level or flush with the top of the plate a by a light coil-spring u, suitably arranged
about one end of the said rod s. The other end of this rod s is formed into an
upwardly-projecting crank.t. adapted to move vertically when the trip-plate is
depressed. Arranged above this last-described crank in a horizontal position is a
bar v, having a notch w formed on its under side, which engages with a staple .,
attached to the frame b. This bar is attached by a cranky to a vertical flap z,
placed in front of the lower extremities of the vertical sweep o, and hinged in that
position in a manner that when the said flap z is released the same allows the vertical
sweep o to revolve once about its axis, and in so turning permits the other sweep n
also to make a full turn. A spring a', attached to the bar v and to the frame b, will
re-engage the notch w with the staple by drawing the bar back, thereby elevating
the flap, and prevent the sweeps from making a second turn or revolution until the
trip-plate is again depressed.
In operation the spring d is wound by applying a suitable key to the square end of
the sleeve i. Suitable "bait" is placed beneath the trip-plate r, the scent of which
attracts the animals onto the same. When the slightest pressure or weight is placed
on the trip-plater, the same is depressed, thereby elevating the crank t, which lifts
the notch w out of the staple a, releases the flap z, which permits the two sweeps n, o,
to turn once about their axes, and thereby sweep the animal into the box p. The

page_text: Spring a, recovering the bar e, engages the notch w with the staple a and stops the
motion of the sweeps n, o, by the one o coming in contact with the flap z, and the
trap is again in position for another animal.
It is obvious that any number of animals may be trapped by this device, as the
sweeps are always stopped in the same position and animals caught until the spring
has unwound itself.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. In an animal-trap, substantially as described, the combination of a shaft having
a series of arms, which are arranged in a vertical position when the shaft is at rest,
another shaft having a series of arms which lie in a horizontal position and at right
angles to the arms on the other shaft, a common driving mechanism geared to both
shafts to simultaneously rotate the same, and a trip mechanism for controlling the
driving mechanism and arresting the shafts when they have each made one complete
revolution, as and for the purpose described.
2. In an animal-trap, the combination of the parallel shafts each having a series of
arms which are arranged substantially as described, a common driving mechanism
geared to both shafts, a trip-plate having a crank-arm, a sliding notched bar adapted
to be lifted by said crank-arin, a pivoted detent which engages the arms on one shaft
and operates to arrest the motion thereof and of the other shaft, and a spring for
impelling the notched bar in a direction to release the deient from the arms as the
trip-plate is depressed, substantially as described.
3. In an animal-trap, the combination of a shaft having a series of arms which aro
arranged in a vertical position when the shaft is at rest, another shaft having its arms
arranged when the shaft is at rest in a horizontal position and at right angles to the
arms on the first-mentioned shaft, said arms being arranged out of line with each
other, a spring-controlled driving-wheel geared to both shafts for simultaneously
rotating the same in opposite directions, a pivoted detent or flap which engages the
arms on one shaft, an endwise movable notched bar linked to said detent or flap, and
a-pivoted trip-plate having an arm which impinges against the bar to raise the latter
as the trip-plate is depressed, as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 28th day of July 1890.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.