IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS TO TRAPS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES FOR BIRDS AND ANIMALS, FOR THE PURPOSES OF OPENING AND CLOSING THE SAME
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Fynn and Charles Cropley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th June 1877.
SAMUEL FYNN and CHARLES CROPLEY, both of Newington, in the County of
Surrey, Electrical Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC
APPARATUS TO TRAPS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES FOR BIRDS AND ANIMALS, FOR
THE PURPOSES OF OPENING AND CLOSING THE SAME."
The object of this Invention is to effect the instantaneous opening of the traps
used in shooting matches by means of electric agency in place of the mechanical
means hitherto employed.
The traps used in these matches consist of a rectangular iron box, the several
parts of which are so hinged together, that the whole may be caused to spring open
suddenly and lie flat on the ground. This is done by means of a strong spring
which is secured to the upper part of the back of the trap, the other end being
attached to a cross piece of the ground frame.
The trap
held in the closed position by a spring bolt at the lower part of the
front which holds the parts securely together until the bolt is liberated either by
a cord or wire. Now by our improvements this bolt is liberated by means of
electrical apparatus, and the trap is instantaneously opened thereby.
The bottom of the trap is fastened to the ground frame, and at the front part
there is fitted a magneto-electric coil, the armature of which liberates the retaining
bolt the instant a current of electricity is caused to pass through the coil of wire
surrounding the soft iron core of the inagnet.
The ends of the magnetic coil are attached to binding screws, so that the battery
and operating key may be conveniently placed in the circuit. A series of five or
other convenient number of traps are arranged in a line, and the wires from the
coils are coupled up, a line wire from the battery running throughout the series.
The battery is placed in a suitable case, and between it and the traps a contact
key is arranged in the circuit and in convenient proximity to the operator.
The contact key is arranged with a number of studs or in any other convenient
manner, and so connected with the traps that they may be opened in succession.
While the key is untouched no current passes, but the moment a stud is pressed a

page_text: powerful stream of electricity is generated in the coil of the trap which is coupled
up with the stud, and the armature of the magnet is instantly attracted thereto.
The armature is so arranged in connection with the retaining bolt that this
movement liberates it, and the trap instantly springs open. In this manner each of
the traps may be opened instantaneously, and the operation repeated as often as
may be required.
The electric arrangement may be adapted to traps of various kinds.
The second part of this Invention has reference to the instantaneous closing of a
trap or other receptacle, which may be applied to various useful purposes on estates,
farms, and buildings, such as the trapping of vermin or destructive animals in
preserves, the capture of birds or animals when desired, and the giving warning
signals to a distant point when the traps are interfered with.
In this modification the magneto-electric coil is so arranged in connection with
the trap that should the bait or even the bottom or sides of the trap be touched
contact would be made, and a current of electricity would be induced from the
neighbouring battery which would attract the contiguous armature as before
described, and so liberate the retaining bolt and allow the uplifted part of the trap
to fall instantaneously and enclose whatever might be within it; and if an electric
bell or indicator were interposed in the circuit and placed in a keeper's lodge, on
contact being made an audible or visible signal would be given so as to indicate
the particular trap from which the signal had proceeded.