Year: 1899

page_text: I, MATTHIAS SLY FEATHERSTONE, of Goshen, Tulare County, California, U..A.
Innkeeper, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;-
The fly trap of this invention comprises a casing in which is journalled a hori-
zontal spindle carrying a cylinder or drum adapted to be continuously rotated by
a spring actuated train of gearing; a vertical partition extending downward so
as to lightly touch or almost touch the cylinder, this partition, with the con-
tiguous walls of the casing forming a comparatively dark chamber closed on all
sides except the top which is open and above which is a removable cage having
at the bottom a slide which is withdrawn when the cage has been placed in
position; and a hinged metal apron.
The cylinder is provided with a number of pockets in which the lure or bait is
fixed. The flies being attracted are carried round within the casing from which
they rise, attracted by the light, into the cage. When a sufficient number have
been trapped, the slide is inserted in the bottom of the cage, the cage removed
and the trapped flies disposed of.
A row of bristles is fixed in the dark chamber to dislodge any flies that may
remain on the bait before this passes from the chamber.
A sheet metal apron hinged to the partition serves by dropping down into the
bait pockets as the cylinder rotates to drive back into the chamber any flies that
20 may have remained in them.
1000

page_text: the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
1
My invention relates to improvements in automatic fly-traps; and the object is
to provide a simple, inexpensive, and effective device for this purpose.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same.
1 is the case, and 2 a horizontal cylinder, or drum fixed on a shaft 3, suitably
journaled in the case and adapted to be continuously rotated by the spring-
actuated train of gearing 4 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2.
5 is a vertical partition which extends down so as to lightly touch or almost
touch the cylinder, and this partition, with the contiguous walls of the case,
forms a comparatively dark chamber 6, closed on all sides except the top, which
is open and above which is the removable cage 7. The bottom of the cage is
provided with a removable slide 8, which is withdrawn when the cage is in position,
so as to allow an unobstructed communication between the chamber 6 and the cage.
The cylinder is formed with a series of pockets 9, in which the lure or bait
is fixed. This bait may consist of molasses, sugar, or the like substance to attract
the flies, and as the cylinder, revolves slowly the flies are carried into the cham-
ber 6, whence they arise, attracted by the light, into the cage 7, and when a
sufficient number have been trapped the slide 8 is inserted to close the cage, which
is then removed and the flies disposed of.
10 is a row of bristles fixed in the chamber 6-to dislodge the flies from the bait
before it leaves the chamber 6, should any remain...
11 is a sheet-metal apron hinged to the front side of the partition 5, so as to
rest lightly on the drum, and when the latter is revolving the lower edge of the
apron will drop down into the bait-recesses and drive back any flies that may have
remained in them.
"J
"
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:
+.
In combination, the casing formed with the chamber 6, the continuously-
rotating drum formed with the bait-recesses and extending part way into said
chamber, the partition 5, the apron 11 hinged to said partition and having its
free edge resting on the drum, and the removable cage 7, communicating with
said chamber, substantially as set forth.
1 L
1
1000
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
15, Tooks Court, London, EC., Agent for the Applicant.