An Improved Appliance for use in Capturing or Destroying Mice.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd July, 1390-Accepted, 9th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL
ON.
An Improved Appliance for use in Capturing or Destroying Mice.
I, JOHN NICHOLAS STRONG, of 28 Stanwell Road, Penarth, in the County of
Glamorgan, Ship Broker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists in a simple appliance designed for use as a means of
assisting to capture or to destroy mice.
The appliance consists of a board or metal plate forked at one end which is
preferably reduced in width. Between the limbs of the fork and hinged thereto is a
platform towards the outer end of which is a spike, hook or other device for receiving
and retaining a piece of cheese or other bait. The platform is so hinged to the limbs
of the fork that the weight of the part inside the hinges, that is to say, between the
hinges and the main board or plate, is slightly in excess of the part beyond carrying
the bait, that is to say, of that part which is outermost.
Accordingly, the platform normally lies level or flush with the main board or
plate.
The appliance is, when set, placed upon a shelf or table and so adjusted that the
hinged platform slightly overhangs the edge of such shelf or table.
Consequently, when a mouse approaching the bait proceeds beyond the hinge, the
platform, yielding to the weight, tilts and tips the mouse off at the outer end. If it
be desired to destroy the mouse so tipped off the platform, a bucket or other vessel
containing water is placed below the platform and receives the mouse.
If it be
desired to capture the mouse alive a suitable empty receptacle is placed for that
purpose.
The platform is prevented from tilting beyond the necessary limit by a guard rod
or bar extending across from one limb of the fork to the other below the platform.
After tilting, the platform returns to its normal position still retaining the bait and
is thus automatically re-set.
The sides of the platform are preferably bevelled to prevent obstruction to the free
movement thereof between the limbs of the fork.
June 1800
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol Bank Buildings, Bristol, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Appliance for use in Capturing or Destroying Mice.
1, JOHN NICHOLAS STRONG, of 28 Stanwell Road, Penarth, in the County of
Glamorgan, Ship Broker, 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 :-
This invention consists in a simple appliance designed for use as a means of
assisting to capture or to destroy mice.
The appliance consists of a board or metal plate forked at one end which is
preferably reduced in width.
Between the limbs of the fork and hinged thereto is a platform towards the outer
end of which is a spike, book or other device for receiving and retaining a piece of
cheese or other bait. The platform is so hinged to the limbs of the fork .that the
weight of the part inside the hinges, that is to say, between the hinges and the main
board or plate, is slightly in excess of the part beyond carrying the bait, that is to
say, of that part which is outermost.
Accordingly, the platform normally lies level or flush with the main board or
plate.

page_text: The appliance is, when set, placed upon a shelf or table and so adjusted that the
hinged platform slightly overhangs the edge of such shelf or table.
Consequently, when a mouse approaching the bait proceeds beyond the hinge, the
platform, yielding to the weight, tilts and tips the mouse off at the outer end.
If it be desired to destroy the mouse so tipped off the platform, a bucket or other
vessel containing water is placed below the platform and receives the mouse.
If it be desired to capture the mouse alive a suitable empty receptacle is placed for
that purpose.
The platform is prevented from tilting beyond the necessary limit by a guard rod
or bar extending across from one limb of the fork to the other below the platform.
After tilting, the platform returns to its normal position still retaining the bait and
is thus automatically re-set.
The sides of the platform are preferably bevelled to prevent obstruction to the free
movement thereof between the limbs of the fork.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings, Fig. 1 thereon
represents a plan of my improved tip for use in destroying or capturing mice.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the underside and Fig. 3 is a side view showing the platform as
tipped or tilted.
The appliance consists of a board or plate a, constituting what may conveniently be
termed a frame, and a platform 6 hinged to the limbs of the fork in which the frame
at one end terminates.
Towards the outer end of the platform is a pair of spikes on which is spitted the
baite which may be a piece of cheese or other suitable substance.
Instead of spikes for holding the bait, a hook or hooks or a clip or other device may
be employed.
The hinges of the platform bare so situated that the weight of that part of the
platform which is in rear of the hinges, that is to say between the hinges and the body
of the frame is in excess of the baited part and the bait it carries. Accordingly, the
platform normally lies in a horizontal plane and having its surface level with the
surface of the frame a.
The appliance is set by placing it on a shelf or table d, or other like support, and so
adjusted thereon that the hinges overhang the edge of the support.
Consequently, when a mouse approaching the bait proceeds beyond the hinges, the
platform b, yielding to the weight, is tilted, as shown at, Fig. 3, and the mouse is.
thereby shot or precipitated off the platform. If it be desired to destroy the mouse so
tipped off the platform, a bucket or other vessel containing water is placed below the
platform and receives the mouse. If it be desired to capture the mouse alive a
suitable empty receptacle is placed for that purpose. Below the platform bis a guard
wire or rod e extending across the limbs of the fork. This guard prevents the platform
from tipping beyond the necessary limit. After tilting, the platform returns with the
bait to its normal position and is thus automatically re-set.
In the modification shown at Figs. 4 and 5 the guard e consists of a bar of wood as
a substitute for the metal rod shown at Figs. 2 and 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to. be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
An improved appliance for use in destroying or capturing mice, consisting of a
frame a forked at one end and fitted at the forked end with a platform & for receiving
the bait, said platform being hinged to the frame and so adjusted on its hinges as
normally to lie in a horizontal plane and having its surface level with the surface of
the frame, but which yields to the weight of a mouse which in approaching the bait
proceeds outwards beyond the hinges, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 2nd day of July 1890.
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