Improvements in Animal Traps.
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Animal Traps. 0
I WILLIAM DAVID TRICK Bryn Road Swansea Glamorganshire Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists in an improved form of trap more particularly, suitable for.
catching rats, mice, field vermin and other like animals; the advantages I obtain:
by means of my improvements are as follows:-
1st. The bait whether solid 'such as meat, cheese, or consisting of meal, is always i
in sight, and the animal has an unobstructed entry to the trap on all sides, and on.
or about the floor level.
2nd. When entrapped the animal cannot mutilate itself, and is instantly released'
by withdrawing a false bottom.
3rd. The setting of the trap is extremely delicate, no springs are employed, and
it is perfectly self locking.
My invention is constructed as follows:-
A ring or rim formed of tin or other suitable thin' metal is fitted with a cross
bar and two uprights preferably formed of wire, these uprights pass through holes
made in the perforated cap or cover to which they act as guides. On the top and
attached to the cap or cover is a bridge formed of wire or the like which is poised
when the trap is set, upon the point of a thin wire delicately mounted upon the
crossbar; this wire terminates within the cage in a hook or pan for holding, the
bait. A false bottom made of thin metal is preferably hinged to one of the uprights
and fastened by a hook or by like means to 'the other; .this, forms the false.bottom.
before referred to. The locking mechanism consists of a piece of wire of Teshape,
one end of which is pivoted to the crossbar, the head or T shaped part being
downwards. To set the trap the T shaped piece is turned up, and the cap or cover
raised, the bridge piece attached to the cover being poised upon the point of the.
wire terminating in the bait hook or pan before referred to, if this be moved in any:
direction in the smallest degree, the cap or cover is released, and falls by gravity,.
the T shaped wire following it, and when vertical forming a strut between the cap..
or cover and the crossbar thus locking the trap.
Dated November 9th 1895.
J
FRANCIS M. ROGERS; · ·
Agent.
I, WILLIAM DAVID TRICK, Bryn Road, Swansea, Glamorganshire Gentleman,
do hereby déclare 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 consists in an improved form of trap, more particularly, suitable for
catching rats, mice, field vermin, and other like animals; the advantages I:obtain
by means of my improvements are as follows:-
:-
1st. The bait whether solid such as meat, cheese, or consisting of meal is always
Price 8d.]

page_text: in sight, and the animal has an unobstructed entry to the trap on all sides and on
or about the floor level.
2nd. When entrapped the animal cannot mutilate itself and is instantly released
by withdrawing a false bottom.
3rd. The setting of the trap is extremely delicate, no springs are employed and
it is perfectly self locking.
My invention is constructed as follows:-
A ring or rim formed of tin or other suitable thin metal is fitted with a cross
bar and two uprights preferably formed of wire, these uprights pass through holes
made in the perforated cap or cover to which they act as guides. On the top
and attached to the cap or cover is a bridge formed of wire or the like which
is poised when the trap is set upon the point of a thin wire delicately mounted
upon the cross har, this wire terminates within the cage in a hook or pan for
holding the bait. A false bottom made of thin metal preferably hinged to
one of the uprights and fastened by a hook or by like means to the other, this,
forms the false bottom before referred to.
The locking mechanism consists of a piece of wire of T shape one end of which
is pivoted to the cross bar, the head or T shaped part being downwards. To set
the trap the T shaped piece is turned up and the cap or cover raised, the bridge
piece attached to the cover being poised upon the point of the wire terminating
in the bait hook or pan before referred to, if this be moved in any direction in the
smallest degree the cap or cover is released and falls by gravity, the T shaped wire
following it and when vertical forming a strut between the cap or cover and the
cross bar thus locking the trap.
The construction and operation of my invention will be more completely
understood reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which :---
Fig. 1, is an elevational view shewing the position of the interacting parts when
the trap is set.
Fig. 2, is an elevational view on line A. B. Fig. 3, of a trap shewing the position
of the interacting parts when the trap is unset and the animal is entrapped.
Fig. 3, is a plan.
Fig. 4, is a plan shewing one of the uprights passing through a guide mounted
on the outside of the cap or cover.
Fig. 5, is a plan of cruciform base.
In the drawing 1,
a ring preferably formed of thin metal such as sheet iron
tinned or otherwise, the ring however may be replaced by a cruciform or like
Buitable base formed of wire or thin plate see Fig. 5, which while being as close as
possible to the floor line shall offer the least obstruction possible to the animal
entering. Into this ringed or other base is fitted and secured by soldering or like
means a piece of wire which when bent as shewn forms the uprights 2, 2. and
cross bar 3. The uprights and cross bar may however be formed of separate
pieces of metal if desired and united by riveting or otherwise. The upright
bars pass through two holes, formed in the perforated cap or cover 5, to which
they act as guides or they may pass through short tubular pieces 4' secured as by
soldering to the outside of cap see Fig. 4.
On the top of the cap or cover 5, is secured by soldering, riveting or like
means a bridge 6, usually formed of thin wire bent to the shape shewn in Fig. 1,
this bridge when the trap is set is poised upon the point of a thin wire 7, which
is delicately hinged or mounted by bending round the cross bar 3, as shewn, the
lower end taking the form of a hook, pan, or the like 8, upon which is placed
the bait. A false bottom 9, is hinged pivoted or otherwise suitably mounted
upon one of the uprights 2 and when the animal is entrapped is fastened by a
hook 10, or the like to the other.
When the trap is set this false bottom is usually turned into the position shewn
in Fig. 3, to enable the animal to enter at as nearly the floor line as possible.
The locking mechanism consists of a piece of wire 11, one end of which is
pivoted or hinged to the cross bar as by bending or twisting it round the same as

page_text: shewn, the other being formed of T shape and when the trap is set occupying
the position indicated in Fig. 1. I may vary the shape of the locking mechanism.
to that shewn in dotted lines in Figs. 2, 3, this consists of an L shaped piece of
wire formed in a loop and hinged or pivoted on the cross bar.
To set the trap the cover 5, is raised, the bridge piece 6 being poised upon the
top of the bait hook 7, the T or L shaped locking mechanism as the case may be
taking the horizontal position shewn in Fig. 1, and the false bottom 9, being.
turned back as see Fig. 3, if the bait hook is moved in the smallest degree in
any direction by the animal nibbling the bait or by contact, the cover falls by
gravity, the locking mechanism assuming the vertical position see Fig. 2, thus.
forming a strut between the cross bar 3, and the top of the cover 5, and.
preventing its being lifted by the entrapped animal. The false bottom is now
turned in so as to cover the ringed cruciform or other base and locked.
It will be seen that in a trap constructed in accordance with my invention the.
bait is always in sight and the animal has an unobstructed entry on all sides at.
practically the floor level, such a trap can be set for catching field vermin without.
disturbing or interfering with the grass which thus presents an unbroken and
natural floor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an animal trap the suspended cover of which falls by gravity the particular
combination of interacting parts arranged and operating as herein described for the
purposes set forth.
2. In an animal trap the combination of a perforated cover 5, sliding upon
uprights 2, secured to the base 1, and poised by means of bridge 6, upon bait hook 7,
hinged or pivoted to the cross bar 3, the locking device 11 thereon, and the false:
bottom 9, mounted and operating in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 5th day of August 1896.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
21 Finsbury Pavement, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant..