Improvements in Combined Fish and Animal Traps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1899-Accepted, 15th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Fish and Animal Traps.
We, JACOB CARTIER, of No. 82, Elm Street, Musician, and ARTHUR GEORGE
PELLETIER, of No. 85, Main Street, Counsellor at Law, both in the City of Bidde-
ford, County of York, and State of Maine, United States of America, 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 relates to a combined fish and animal trap adapted for catching
large or small fish and also for trapping animals on land, and the invention
consists in certain novel features and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter
fully described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved fish and animal trap.
Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a central vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of one of the hook-arms and its hub and
actuating spring.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the stem of the trap.
Fig. 6 is an edge view of the same.
Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 is a detail to be referred to.
Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 5.
Fig. 11 is a detail to be referred to.
Figs. 12 and 13 are detail views illustrating modifications to be hereinafter
referred to.
In the said drawings, A represents a vertical stem or bar which supports the
operating parts of the trap, and is provided at its upper end with a detachable
sinker A to be hereafter described, at the upper end of which is a ring or eye
to which may be fastened a line 10 by which the trap is to be lowered into the
water. The lower end of the stem A is enlarged and provided with a circular
opening b, forming a ring or annulus which is recessed or rabbeted on each side
at 12 to receive two hubs each provided with a peripheral flange e, Figs. 2
and 4, and free to be rotated on a central pivot pin which passes through both
hubs, and is provided at its ends with nuts 13 to hold said hubs securely in
place within the rabbeted edges of the opening b. B, B, are a pair of spring-
actuated hook-arms bent near their upper ends to form offsets a, as shown, and
curved inward at their lower ends, where they are provided with barbs, as shown.
If desired, each of the hook-arms B may be provided with an additional, barbed
hook b', as shown in Fig. 4. Each of these hook-arms B is provided at its inner
end with an eye g through which passes the pivot pin f, said arm being securely
fastened to or connected with one of the hubs d, so as to turn therewith by being
Iropped into a square notch 15 in its flange e, as shown in Fig. 4, the eye g
being held in place by turning over thereupon the end of a flange 16 forming
LP 077

page_text: part of the hub d. This construction enables the hook-arm to be replaced by
another when accidently broken or 'injured or when an arm of different size is
required.
Around the central pivot pin f is a coiled spring 1, the opposite ends of which
are secured respectively to the hubs d, d, preferably by bending the ends of the
spring around the adjacent portions of the two hook-arms, as shown in Fig. 4,
whereby as the arms are raised into the position seen dotted in Fig. 1, the
spring will be wound up or tightened to swing them downward when released.
The hubs are each provided at the periphery with a square notch, said
notches when the arms are swung upward to set the trap, as shown dotted in
Fig. 1, being by the rotation of the hubs in opposite directions, brought into
line with each other immediately over the upper end of a vertical sliding. barbed
bait-holding tripping-bar or rod k, the upper end of which consists of a small
detachable rectangular block or piece 20 which enters the notches i, thereby
holding the armis B, B, in the raised position, shown dotted in Fig. 1, against
the resistance of the spring h, the trap being then set. The lower end of the
stem A is bored out longitudinally to form an aperture 21 to receive the sliding
bait-rod, and is provided with a vertical slot m extending into the opening b
and between the bottom of this slot and the block 20 said rod is surrounded by
a light coiled spring n which tends to force the rod k upward, and keeps the
block 20 within the notches until drawn down to spring the trap by a fish or
animal seizing the bait on the rod k, when the arms B will be released and
instantly swung down in the arc of a circle by the spring h into the position
shown in Fig. 1, the hooks or barbs entering the fish or animal to catch and hold
it securely as desired. The upper end of the bait-rod is preferably screwed
into the block 20 to enable it to be passed through the vertical guideway 21 at
the bottom of the stem A, and also to enable it to be easily removed and replaced
by another when broken, or when a different size or variety of bait-holding hook
is desired, for example a spoon bait" or one having an artificial fly attached
thereto.
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For large fish and animals the construction of the detachable bait-rod and
parts cooperating therewith, may be varied, as shown in Fig. 12, in order to
enable the trap to be more easily sprung. With this construction a rod 75 is
attached to the block 20, and is provided with a fast. collar 76 against which
bears a spiral spring 77 which tends to draw down and disengage the
block 20 from the notches of the hubs d, said spring 77 being placed within
the slot m, and the rod 75 extending down through an aperture in the lower
end of the stem A into a lower slot 78 where it bears on a block 79 to which is
attached the bait rod k. Within the lower slot 78 beneath the block 79 is
placed a spiral spring 80 which is of greater strength than the spring 77,
and acts to force the block 79 and rod 75 upward against the resistance of the
spring 77, consequently overcoming the tendency of the latter to disengage the
block 20 from the notches i, and holding the trap set. Now when the bait rod k
and block 79 are pulled down by a fish or animal, which only requires sufficient
force to overcome the difference between the pressures of the two springs, it
leaves the upper spring 77 free to draw down the block 20 and spring the trap,
much less force being thus required to spring the trap than would be the case
if a single spring only was employed, as previously described.
Over the lower end of the stem A is placed a removable cap 81, the upper
end of which is provided with spring catches 82 which engage notches 83 in the
sides of the stem A. This cap covers and protects the springs and slots, and
when it is removed, the bait rod k can be easily taken out and replaced by
another, if desired.
Instead of providing the bait rod with a barbed hook, its lower end may be
formed into a spring coil 85, as shown in Fig. 13, the lower end of the rod being
bent to form a horizontal portion. 86 below the coil to hold the bait which is
also to be confined between the open coils of the spring when spread apart

page_text: for the purpose. This bait-holding device is preferably used when fishing on
the bottom, as it will not catch in grass or weeds, and spring the trap..
The bait-holding rod is preferably provided with a spirally twisted por-
tion 25 immediately above its barb or point, as shown, which is a very great
advantage as it holds the bait firmly, and prevents it from being easily pulled
off or detached when seized by a fish or animal. Another advantage is that it
gives a lifelike appearance. to a worm held by said bait-holding device.
The lower end of the stem A is provided with two projections q, q, which
extend outwardly from opposite sides of the same, and serve as stops to limit
the downward movement of the spring-actuated arms.
To enable the arms B, 13, to be easily swung up to set the trap or disengage
the hook from a fish or animal for the purpose of putting on or taking off the
bait without injury to the hands, we preferably place upon the pivot pin f out-
side each of the hubs d, a short sleeve which rotates upon said pivot pin,
said sleever being detachably connected with the adjacent hub by means of
coupling projections on the one engaging notches on the other, as shown in
Fig. 2, whereby said sleeve may be removed from the pin f when required.
s represents a Hat spring bent double, and having an aperture at its enlarged
top to enable it to fit over the stem A, each branch of said spring having an
aperture 55 at its lower end to enable it to freely slip over one of the sleeves r.
These sleeves are provided respectively with spiral ribs w, which engage notches 30,
Figs. 1 and 2, at the sides of the openings 55 of the springs, whereby as the
two branches of said spring are forced toward each other by pressure between
the thumb and finger, the sleeves will be turned in opposite directions upon
the pin f, and thus through the connections described, raise or swing up the
hook-arms B, B, against the resistance of the coiled spring to remove their
points from the fish or animal or to afford convenient access to the bait-holding
hook or rod to remove or affix the bait: The two branches of the spring » exert
force in an outward direction, and by their action on the sleeves of the hubs d
assist the spring to. swing down the arms B, B, and also tend to keep the said
arms closed together after the trap has been sprung, rendering it impossible for
the fish or animal to disengage himself therefrom by forcing them apart. This
auxiliary spring device may, however, be dispensed with where it is desired to
simplify the construction and reduce the number of parts to a minimum,
reliance being placed on the spring alone to operate the arms to catch the fish
or animal, and hold him when caught.
'
At
At the top of the stem A is preferably secured a curved semi-tubular guard-
plate which extends over the hooked ends of the spring-actuated arms B, B,
when raised, and thereby prevents them from catching in seaweed or other
substances which would interfere with their free movement when released.
each end of this guard-plate D is a sliding safety ring 26 open at the bottom to
admit the arm B when swung upward, said ring being afterward partially
rotated around said guard-plate to engage said arm and lock it to prevent pos-
sible injury to the hands from the accidental springing of the trap while
handling the same.
Each of the hubs.d is provided at its edge with ratchet-teeth 27, and around
the stem A is loosely fitted a slide 28, Figs. 2, 3 and 11, which is held up near
the top of the stem by the hook-arms B when in their raised position, said slide
being provided with two projections 58 which when the slide drops down by
its own weight on the release of the hook-arms B, engage the ratchet-teeth 27
en the hubs, and thus prevent said arms from being opened or forced apart by
the fish in its efforts to escape. If desired, a light spiral spring may be employed
to force down the slide 28 into engagement with the ratchet-teeth 27.
The upper end 45 of the stem A is provided with a head or enlargement 60
which enters the sinker A¹, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This sinker consists of
a spherical piece of metal 31 provided with a recess 32 in which is fitted a spiral
spring 33. Around the piece 31 fits a wire frame 34 provided with an eye at

page_text: the top to which is fastened the fish line 10, a vertical portion 35 which enters
the part 31, which is free to turn axially thereon, and two branches which extend
down outside the part 31 and alongside a tube 37, to a flange at the bottom of
which they are riveted at 36. This tube 37 extends into the bottom of the
recess 32, and is supported in place by said wire frame. Within the tube 37
is placed a small cylindrical block 39 provided with lugs 40 which extend
through slots 41 in the opposite sides of the tube 37, and in the bottom of the
spherical part 31 are formed slots or notches 42, Fig. 3, which by turning said
part 31 axially on the vertical portion 35 of the frame 34, may be brought into
Îine to register with the slots 41 of the tube 37 to permit of an upward move-
ment of the block 39.
Immediately under the block 39 is placed a second cylindrical block a² resting
on a lip or flange at the bottom of the tube 37, and having a longitudinal
aperture 43 for the reception of the upper portion 45 of the stem A provided
with the head 60 which when the portion 45 is forced up through the aper-
ture 43, is brought into contact with and raises the block 39 against the resistance
of the spring 33, the lugs 40 of the block 39 then passing out of the slots in
the tube 37 and up into the slots 42 of the part 31 previously rotated to bring
them opposite to the slots 41. The stem A is now turned axially a quarter of a
revolution, causing the lateral projections of the head 60 to be brought over a
transverse groove 48 in the upper end of the block a³, Figs. 3 and 9, when by
releasing the sinker, the spring 33 acting on the block 39, will cause the head 60
to enter the groove 48, which thus prevents it from being drawn out of the
sinker, the lugs of the block 39 having been by this movement caused to again
pass down into the slot 41 of the tube 37. The part 31 is now turned on its axis
to carry its slots 42 out of register with the slots 41, which will prevent the
block 39 from being raised by any upward pressure on the stem A, and conse-
quently the parts will be locked securely in place, it being then impossible to
withdraw the stem A from the sinker A until the part 31 has again been
rotated to bring its slots 42 into line with the slots of the tube 37, when the
head 60 can be raised out of the groove 48, and the stem A rotated into a
position to allow said head to be drawn down out of the aperture 43 of the
block a². The above construction allows the sinker A¹ with the fish line attached
to be easily removed from the stem A, or replaced thereon when required, and
will save much time hitherto wasted in tying and untying the piece of catgut
or fine wire which is usually fastened to the upper portion of a fish hook.
Instead of making the spherical part 31 of metal, it may be made of cork
or other flotative material to adapt it to act as a float to keep the trap on the
surface of the water instead of serving as a sinker, as previously described, and
the top of the stem 45 is provided with a hole or eye to enable the fish line to
be attached thereto when the trap is to be used without the sinker or float.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. A fish and animal trap comprising a central stem or support, a pair of
spring-actuated arms provided with hooks, and secured to hubs provided with
peripheral notches, and arranged to rotate in opposite directions on a pivot pin
or support at the lower end of said central stem as said arms are swung upward
and downward, and the vertically sliding bait-holding rod and tripping bar
adapted to enter the peripheral notches of said hubs when brought into line
therewith, whereby the spring-actuated arms are held in a raised position when
the trap is set, substantially as described.
2. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with a central stem having an
annular enlargement at its lower end recessed or rabbeted on each side, of a
pair of hubs mounted on a pivot pin and provided with peripheral notches, said
hubs fitting within the rabbeted edges of the said annular enlargement, and

page_text: carrying a pair of spring-actuated arms provided with hooks or barbs, and a
spring-actuated bait-holding rod and tripping bar sliding within the lower end
of the central stem, and adapted to enter the notches in said hubs when brought
into line therewith to hold the hook arms in a raised position, and release the
same to spring the trap when drawn down by the seizing of the bait, and suit-
able stops projecting from the lower end of the stem to limit the movement of
the hook-arms when released, substantially as described.
3. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the central stem or
support, of the hubs carrying the hook-arms and rotating in opposite directions
upon a pivot pin, a single spring coiled around the pivot pin, and having its ends
connected with said hubs to simultaneously rotate the same in opposite directions
to swing the hook-arms downward, and a bait-holding tripping-bar engaging
said hubs to hold the hook-arms in a raised position when the trap is set, sub-
stantially as described.
4. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the central stem or
support, of the spring-actuated hook-arms secured to notched hubs rotating on
a pivot pin, said hubs having connected therewith sleeves encircling said pivot
pin, and having spiral ribs, a pair of spring-arms secured at their upper ends to
the central stem, and fitting over the said sleeves, and provided with slots for
receiving said spiral ribs, whereby the hook-arms may be raised by pressing
said spring-arms towards each other, and a sliding bait-holding tripping device
adapted to engage said hubs, and hold the spring-actuated hook-arms in a raised
position when the trap is set, substantially as described.
5. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the spring-actuated hook-
arms and their notched hubs, of a vertically sliding bait-holding rod provided
at its upper end with a detachable block or piece adapted to engage and hold
said hubs when the said hook-arms are swung upward to set the trap, substan-
tially as described.
6. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the central stem or sup-
port, of the spring-actuated hook-arms and their notched hubs, the bait-holding
tripping-bar sliding in a guide at the lower end of said central stem, and having
a detachable block or piece adapted to enter the notches of the hubs and hold
the same when the hook-arms are swung upward, and a spiral spring encircling
the bait-holding rod, and tending to force the same upward to keep it engaged
with the hubs, substantially as described.
7. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the central stem or
support, of the spring-actuated hook-arms and their hubs, the block 20, rod 75,
block 79, bait-holding rod k, and the springs 77 and 80 of different degrees of
strength, and acting on the bait rod in opposite directions, all operating sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the stem A and the spring-
actuated hook-arms and their hubs, the latter provided with ratchet-teeth, of
the slide 28 adapted to move freely on said steni, and provided with projections
adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth of the hubs to lock the hook-arms when
swung down, said slide being supported near the upper end of the stem by said
hook-arms when raised to set the trap, substantially as described.
9. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the stem, the spring-
actuated hook-arms and the curved guard-plate D), of the sliding safety rings
open at the bottom to admit the hook-arms B when raised, and adapted to be
partially rotated on said guard-plate to catch and lock said arms, substantially
as described.
10. In a fish and animal trap, a bait-holding rod and tripping-bar provided
at its lower end with a spiral bait-holding coil 85 and with a lower horizontally
extending portion SG located beneath said coil, substantially as described.
11. In a fish and animal trap, the combination with the stem A provided at
its upper end with a head 60, of the sinker A¹ consisting of the rotary portion 31
provided with a recess 32 and slots 42 and the spring 33, the wire frame 34, the

page_text: tube 37 secured thereto, and having slots 41, the block 39 with its lugs 40, and
the lower block having an aperture 43 for the passage of the upper portion 45
of the stem A, and having at its upper end a transverse groove 48 for the
reception of the head 60, said rotary portion 31 when turned to carry its slots 42
out of line with the slots 41 of the tube 37 serving to lock the sinker to the
stem A, substantially as described.
Total : 10h low of War 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.