Improvements in Animal Traps.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Dec., 1886.
Specification Accepted, 28th Jan., 1887.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Animal Traps.
I, EDWARD SEYMOUR HOTCHKISS, residing at 274 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport, in
the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, in the United States of America,
gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in the construction
of animal traps and has for its object to provide an exceedingly powerful and effective
trap and at the same time to render the setting of the trap perfectly automatic and
absolutely free from any danger, and with these ends in view my invention consists in
the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter fully set forth and
then specifically designated by the claims.
In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may more
fully understand its construction and operation I will proceed to describe the same in
detail referring by letter to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this
specification in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective showing the relative position of the several parts when the
trap is not set.
Fig. 2 a similar view showing the relative position of the several parts when the trap
is set, and
Fig. 3 a view in perspective showing the trap folded and the manner of setting the
same.
Similar letters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.
My improved trap is composed of two sections A, B hinged together one within the
other by means of a pintle C. D is a bow made preferably from spring wire the inner
portions of which are formed into coil springs E. These springs in their proper
assembled position surround the pintle and their free ends F, abut against the section A,
which causes the bow to lie flat in its normal position against the section B. It will
thus be readily understood that the action of the spring will strongly resist the folding
of the sections.

page_text: G is the bait trigger pivoted to the section A., between cars, H, which project from
said sections.
This trigger is adapted to swing freely from its pivotal point and hangs vertically
in its normal position. The upper extremity of the trigger is formed into a hook, 1,
which latter and the further extremity of the bow are both equidistant from the pintle
so that it is obvious that when the sections are folded the bow and hook will engage as
will be presently explained.
In setting the trap, the sections A, B, are folded together against the resistance of
the spring thereby causing the bow to engage with the hook as seen at Fig. 3, and to
be securely held thereby against the resistance of the spring when the sections are
unfolded as seen at Fig. 2.
The bait is placed on the lower extremity of the trigger and any pull or disturbance
of the trigger will cause the hook to release the bow when the latter will descend with
great force.
In traps of this description especially designed for the extermination of rats, the
force with which the bow descends is sufficient to kill the rat outright.
By the use of my improvement the greatest objection to animal traps is done
away with, namely the difficulty experienced in setting them as well as the danger
attendant thereon.
I am aware that animal traps have been made in two sections hinged together
and adapted to fold against the action of a spring, and therefore do not wish to
be understood as laying claim to any such construction broadly but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:
1. In an animal trap of the character described, a bait trigger pivoted to the upright
section and having at its upper extremity a hook adapted when the sections are folded,
to automatically engage with the bow and hold the same against its spring action,
substantially as set forth.
2. In an animal trap, the two sections one upright and the other horizontal hinged
together by a pintle, in combination with a coil spring around said pintle and having
formed integral therewith an outwardly projecting bow, said bow and the free ends of
the spring bearing against the horizontal and upright respectively and the bait trigger
pivoted between cars projecting from the upright section and having its upper
extremity formed into a hook, said hook and the further extremity of the bow being
both equi-listant from the pintle whereby, when the sections are folded said hook and
bow will engage, substantially as shown and specified.
3. In an animal trap the combination with a spring actuated bow, of a pivoted bait
trigger having its upper extremity formed into a hook adapted to automatically engage
with said bow and hold the same against its spring action, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
EDWARD SEYMOUR HUTCHKISS.
By Jensen & Son,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.