Improvements in Vermin Traps.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1894-Accepted, 28th July, 1894
Improvements in Vermin Traps.
1, JAMES JOHNSTONE of Penninghame Home Farm, Newton Stewart, in the
County of Wigtownshire, Scotland, Gamekeeper, 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 improvements in the construction of spring traps as usually
employed for catching hares, rabbits, birds and the like, and has for its object that,
by reason of the size of the whole, and the particular arrangement and operation of
its parts, the limb of the captive imprisoned thereby may be firmly retained without
crushing, and without laceration of the flesh thereof in the exertions of the captive
to free itself therefrom, as obtains with the forms of traps hitherto made and used
having naked metallic corrugated or toothed jaws.
1 attain the said objects by forming upon the inner surface of the jaws, (or such
parts thereof as would be called into use in retaining the captive limb) grooves or
recesses, which may be circular, semicircular, dovetail or any other shape in cross
section capable of retaining blocks of rubber rubber composition or other resilient
material when placed therein, with or without the employment of rubber solution
or other suitable cement for that purpose, the said jaws being so shaped, and
pivotted upon the base of the trap in such a manner, and the said blocks of rubber
or the like of such dimensions in cross section, as to protrude beyond the faces of
the jaws to such an extent, that these only are permitted to come in contact with,
and hold and retain the limb of the captive.
It frequently occurs in this class of trap as at present made and used, that the
open jaws of these when the trap has been set for some little time, and especially in
wet weather, become more or less coated with mud and small stones, which act as a
preventative to the perfect closing of the jaws, resulting in the imperfect or only
partial retention of the limb of the captive, which, although insufficient to retain
the animal or bird, is yet sufficient to lacerate the limb, and may be strip the flesh
therefrom, before the captive succeeds in regaining its liberty. To obviate this
and further attain the humanitarian objects of my invention, I may provide upon
cach trap a pair of pivotted plates, so shaped, that when the trap is set these fold
upon and cover the open jaws, so that the before mentioned mud and stones would
be deposited upon these, and not upon the jaws, and upon the closing of the latter
the said plates would be automatically thrown out of gear, thereby leaving the jaws
perfectly clean, and free to operate for, the purposes and in the manner hereinafter
explained.
In order to render my invention perfectly clear I have hereunto appended a sheet
of drawings, in which
usc.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved trap when the jaws are closed and not in
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation as it would appear when viewed from left to right of
the previous views.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of same when the jaws are open and the trap is set for use.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 2, while Fig. 6 is an end elevation similar
to Fig. 3, but both in relation to Fig. 4.
Figs. 7 and 8 are inside elevations of one of the jaws of my improved trap,
illustrating alternative shapes I may adopt in the construction of these, and also
showing the position of the grooves or recesses therein.

page_text: Fig. 9 is a cross section upon the line A B Fig. 7 while Fig. 10 is a like section
of Fig. 8.
Fig. 1 is a section upon the line C D of Fig. 7 while Fig. 12 is a similar section
of Fig. 8.
I carry my invention into effect by constructing of any suitable metal a base
plate A, which, when wings or covering plates are employed as hereinafter
explained, may be in the form of a cross as shewn in Figs. I and 4, the front and
bnck limbs of which would be bent to form standards B and C, and to A would be
rivetted or otherwise fixed a third standard D, the first and last of these being for
pivotally carrying the jaws E, F, while C would pivotally carry the trigger C.
The base A also carries a fourth standard II rivetted or otherwise connected
thereto, between the standards B and D, and near to the latter, and upon this is
pivotally mounted the platform J, upon which a catch is formed for engaging
the trigger G.
The Juws E and F, (whether shaped as at Fig. 7 or Fig. 8) would have pins or
projections Kupon the lower end (and preferably upon the immer surface) of their
legs, which engage with holes in the standards 13 and D, and upon the inner surface
of the horizontal portion of E and F, and in the legs of same farthest from G,
I form a groove or recess L, L' as shewn in Figs. 7 and 8, which may be of
dovetail or circular shape in cross section as shown in Figs. 9 10, 11 and 12, or of
any other form wherein the bottom of these grooves are wider than their mouths,
and into the grooves 1, I force blocks of rubber, rubber composition or other
resilient material M, which may be plain faced, or corrugated as desired and into
L similar blocks M', of such shape in cross section as to correspond with their
respective grooves, (in which they may or may not be further retained by the aid
of solution or other suitable cement,) and of such a width as to extend beyond the
faces of the jaws, and abut together when the jaws are closed as shewn at Figs. 1
and 3.
Surrounding the legs of E and nearest to G, and the standard D, I fix to A
one end of a spiral spring N, preferably but not imperatively of D shape in cross
section, the expansive tension of which operates in closing the jaws E. F
I
Upon the ends of the limbs of A, at right angles to those upon which are the
standards B and C, I form standards and as at. Figs. 3 and 6, and upon these
may, and preferably should hinge flaps or plates R and S as shown at Fig. 1, of
such shape as to cover or partly the jaws, or the rubber or the like of the jaws E
and when the trap is set as at Figs. 4 5 nud 6, in all of which the said plates R
and S are shewn by dotted outline. "A ring or its equivalent T may be fixed upon
the standard B, or any other convenient part of the trap to receive one end of a
chain or rope, and the manner of operation is as follows.
To set the trap the jaws E and F would be parted sufficiently to receive the
trigger G between them, when by depressing this the spring N would be com-
pressed, and the free end of G caused to engage with the catch of the
platforin, the trap would then be set ready for use and appear as at Figs. 4, 5
and 6, when, if desired, the flaps R and S may be folded over the jaws to protect
the rubber or the like from dirt or stones as previously stated, and shewn by dotted
outline in the last mentioned figures.
The foot or feet of the animal or bird coming upon the platform J, would release
the catch when the jawa E and F would be instantly closed by the tension of
the spring N, and the leg of the captive would be retained by and between the
blocks or L or both, and the rising of the jaws from their position in
Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 1, would throw the plates R and S outwardly as shewn in the
.latter view.
It is usual when setting this class of trap to attach one end of a rope or chain
thereto, the opposite end being connected to a peg or rod driven into the ground,
to prevent the captive from running away with the trap. For the reception of the
said rope or chain is the purpose of the ring or its equivalent T.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
clain is.
1st. In an improved trap for catching hares, rabbits, birds and the like, and
permanently retaining them without imparting undue pain and suffering thereto, or
injuring the limb held in captivity thereby, the construction and use of the herein
described apparatus and the several parts constituting the same, connected,
combined and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
shewn.
2nd. In an improved vermin trap, the combination of a base A, carrying
standards B D, pivotally holding a pair of jaws E. F formed as at Fig. 7 or Fig. 8,
and having therein dovetail, circular or other shaped grooves or recesses L L', for
receiving and holding blocks of resilient material M M', said jaws being arranged
to be closed by the tension of a spiral spring N, preferably D shaped in cross
section, and held open or apart by means of a trigger G, pivotted upon a standard C.
fixed to the base A, engaging with a catch J' of the bait or table J, pivotted upon
a standard H fixed upon A, the whole connected, combined and operating sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by the accompanying
drawings.
3rd. In combination with the improved vermin trap set forth in the preceding
claim, the application to, or the formation upon the base A thereof, of standards O, P,
pivotally carrying a pair of plates or flaps R S, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth and shewn.
100
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.