An Improved Vermin Trap.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1889-Accepted, 20th July, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Vermin Trap.
WILLIAM MITCHELL 213 Essex Road Islington, London N. do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
he particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates to an Improved Vermin Trap which retains the animals after
they are caught either in the lower chamber of the trap itself or in a box or boxes
attached either to one or all four sides of the trap, the said trap and annexed boxes
being constructed in such a manner that when not in use they can be readily taken
to pieces and the several parts packed closely together for stowing away till again
required for use or for portability.
In order that my Invention may be more readily understood and explained in
detail I have hereunto annexed a sheet of Drawings on which letters of reference are
marked on corresponding parts on all the Figs. alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a section of my Improved Trap, with a box annexed thereto for retaining
the vermin when caught.
Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1.
Figs. 3 and 3a shew the form of split pin or bolt I prefer to use to connect the
several parts of the trap and box together.
Fig 36 shews the method I adopt of turning back one of the tongues, of a split pin
or bolt for the top or main platform to swivel on, the part turned back being for the
purpose of preventing the said main platform turning over too far.
Fig. 4 shews how the said trap may be constructed with a bottom case 63 for holding
the four sides in an upright position, and also for containing the several parts of which
the box and trap are composed when taken apart.
Fig. 5 is a plan of a trap, having four boxes attached, one to each of its sides, for
retaining the vermin, after being caught, the trap may be used by itself, or with one
or more boxes attached.
Fig. 6 shews a section of the cover 6 and bottom 3 of my improved trap enclosing
the various parts of which the trap is composed.
In these Figs. a, a are the sides of the trap, b is the main platform which when any
animal rushes on to to reach the bait e suspended in any suitable manner above,
assumes the position shewn by the dotted lines 2, and is caused to return to its
normal position by means of a spring or springs, the animal then falling on to the
trap doors d below the main platform into the space or chamber d below, the
grooves being recessed in each of the sides of the box for the purpose of preventing
the said trap doors d rising too high by means of a pin or bolt e fixed in the sides of
the trap doors, they are caused to return to their normal position by means of springs
attached to the pins e recessed into the sides of the box at any convenient part, being
shewn on the drawing at f. On the drawings at Figs. 1 and 2 I have shewn a sliding
door at g to enable the animals to be taken from the space d', and a sliding door g² is
also shewn on the attached box g₁ whereby the vermin may be taken from the said
attached box g*, doors g³ which only swing or open one way permit any animal that
falls into the space d¹ to pass from there into the box 9 but does not permit it to
return into space d'. The aforesaid Trap may be made any size, shape or material
the attached box I have shewn of a triangular section to allow animals to run up the
slope on to the platform b, or the said Traps may be sunk into the ground in the
runs of animals.

page_text: In Fig. 5 where a box is attached to each of the four sides of the central trap b
swinging doors as hereinbefore mentioned and shewn on Figs. 1 and 2 are fixed in
each of the sides a which permit the animals to pass from the main trap or chambers
(see Fig. 1) into either of the adjoining boxes gt, but does not allow them to return.
Fig. 6 shews how the cover band the bottom of the box 63 may be made to form a
case, in which the various parts forming the trap are compactly stowed away, the cord
or chain may be passed through the eyes of bolts and round the box or case so as to
hold the parts securely together. When the springs, trap doors &c are removed from
the interior, the box or casing may be used for other purposes.
Where possible I
prefer to use handles or knobs which can be countersunk so that the various parts
when taken apart may be packed closely together. I wish it to be understood that
when the various parts composing the box or casing are put in position and held
together by split pins or bolts a cord, chain or the like may be passed through the
"eyes" of the said bolts and then fastened so as to make the said casing or box more
rigid.
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
claim is ;-
The principle of constructing a humane Vermin Trap, the various parts of which
are held together by means of split pins, or bolts, and can readily be fixed together, or
taken apart and packed together for portability, or stowed away til again required
for use, a cord, chain or the like being passed through the "eyes" of the pins and
around the box or casing, so as to make the same more rigid, in the manner and for
the purpose as herein substantially described, and fully illustrated in the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Dated this 5th day of June 1889.
WILLIAM MITCHELL,
Applicant.