Improvements in Spring Traps for Catching Rabbits, Vermin, and other Animals.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Spring Traps for Catching Rabbits, Vermin,
and other Animals.
I JAMES ROBERTS of Reliance Works North Street Wednesfield in the County
of Stafford Trap Manufacturer do hereby declare tlie nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VERMIN TRAPS" to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of spring traps for catching
Rabbits Vermin and other animals and it is designed to simplify the repairing
of traps.
In the improved trap the usual rivet cotter or screw securing the spring to the
stock is dispensed with and there is substituted an iron or steel loop or ring by
which the spring of the trap is readily affixed or adjusted to the stock.

page_text: °
Improvements in Spring Traps for Catching Rabbits, Vermin,
and other Animals.
°
I, JAMES ROBERTS of Reliance Works, North Street, Wednesfield, in the County
of Stafford, Trap Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING TRAPS FOR CATCHING RABBITS, VERMIN AND OTHER
ANIMALS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Hereto-fore rabbit and other like traps of the ordinary construction are so made,
that the fixed end of the spring which is attached to the stock, is affixed thereto by
rivetting, cotter pins or by screw pins and nuts-These methods of attachment
become difficult and troublesome, from the fact that the spring must be attached to
the stock in a determined position relative to the jaws of the trap, otherwise the
trap will be improperly worked, in consequence of the angular movement of the.
eye, which draws together the jaws on being liberated.
By my invention, the adjustment and affixing of the spring to the stock, is
readily accomplished, by means of a loop or ring, which embraces the bent terminal
end of the spring, and the end of the stock-By. such means, the fixed or standside
end of the spring is readily attached to and adjusted to its proper position upon
the stock.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawing, the
manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rabbit or vermin trap constructed according to
my invention Figure 2 is an end view of the spring and stock part showing how
the two parts are connected together by a loop-Figure 3 is a transverse section
on the dotted lines A B figure 1-Figure 4 is a plan of a portion of the stock and
the end of the spring in section-Figure 5 shows a front view of the rectangular
loop or ring-Figure 6 is an end view and figure 7 a cross section-Figure 8
represents a trap provided with another form of spring, and figure 9 a longitudinal
section of one end and figure 10 is a plan.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the Drawing.
a is the stock of the trap with its end a slightly bent downwards-b is the
spring for closing the jaws c-The attachment or standside end of the spring is
slightly bowed and marked b² as best seen in figure 1-d is a rectangular loop or
ring, having a long opening or eye d³.
The eye d in the loop is first threaded upon the end of the spring into the bend
part, and when in this position, the turned down end a³ of the stock a is then
passed through the remaining space of the eye, and the forward end of the spring
compressed and the loop passed through the arms of the jaws, and the latter fixed
in position when the trap is complete.
The adjustment of the spring with respect to the jaws c can easily be accomplished
by moving the ring to a suitable position along the stock before the acting end of
the spring is connected with the jaws; And further, the power of the spring can

page_text: be increased or decreased within certain limits as circumstances require, by changing
the relative position of the end of the spring with respect to the loop; that is, the
nearer the loop is to the bowed or turned part, the greater will be the power, and
the nearer the loop is placed to the standside or foot end 6, the weaker the spring
becomes Or to strengthen the spring, a piece of metal or wood may be placed
under the end 6 of the spring so as to raise the said end above the face of
the stock.
In figure 8 where a flat spring is employed, the loop is preferably made broader,
and is affixed to the stock and to the terminal end of the spring by a screw pin
tapped through the top of the loop, with its terminal end impinging either upon
the spring or upon the metal of the stock.
By so constructing traps as described, they can be readily repaired or parts
replaced when broken or worn, as it oftens happens that by change of temperature
or from other causes, the spring snaps and it becomes difficult with ordinary traps
to reinsert a new spring, where in my trap, a spring can be reintroduced and
affixed by an unskilled workman.
Instead of the loop being made continuous it may have an open joint made by
the bending up of a piece of metal.
°
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
First Connecting or affixing the spring to the stock of rabbit and other like
traps by an encircling clip or loop marked with an eye or opening a², the latter
being of a size about equal to the cross section of the objects to be held, substantially
as described and illustrated in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, Also the modification
described in figures 8, 9 and 10.
Secondly Making the tail or stand side end 6* of the spring b arched or curved
for the holding and affixing of a loop or other connector in position upon the stock,
substantially as described and illustrated.
1