An Improved Game and Vermin Trap, equally applicable for Catching Larger Animals.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Game and Vermin Trap, equally applicable for
Catching Larger Animals.
1, JOHN DAVIDSON, of Holkham, in the County of Norfolk, Chief Clerk to
the Earl of Leicester, K.G. do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"An improved game and vermin trap equally applicable for catching larger
animals," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
For this purpose the body of the trap is formed of four rectangular plates
suspended on a frame on pivots fixed to the plates; these pivots revolve in eyes
drilled in angle-iron or other metal screwed to the frame in such a position that a
margin equal to about one-fourth of the entire width of the piate from the axial
line outwardly is left to receive the requisite weight to keep the plates in a
horizontal position, this weighted portion of the plate resting upon the countersunk
part of the frame. By this means each plate has an independent rotary motion on
its own axis.
Two pieces of angle-iron with eyes are screwed on each outer side of the frame
centrally to support the pivots of a metal rod, to the underside of which rod at one
end, and to the upper side at the other end, strips or bars of metal are respectively
rivetted, that on the upper side forming with a hooked end a latch, which catches
on the upper edge of a blade of iron, or other material, turned up at right angles
from the entrance plates, holding them immoveable, while that on the under side
of the rod resting upon the face of the inner plates acts, when these plates are
depressed, as a lever to the latch. By this adjustment a double-action arrangement
for releasing and resetting the plates is obtained, as the inner plates under slight
pressure act as effective levers to raise instantly both metal rod attachments and
free the entrance plates from the control of the latches, thereby permitting a
simultaneous rotation of all the plates and causing whatever may be passing over
them to fall into a receptacle beneath.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawing more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
a and a represent the four rectangular plates which form the body of the trap,
designated respectively entrance and inner plates, suspended in a frame b on pivots c
fixed to the plates a and a' which revolve in eyes below the surface of the frame b
in metal angles and bars d screwed to the frame. About one-fourth of the entire
width of the plates a and a' from the axial line outwardly is weighted to keep the
plates in a normal horizontal position and rests upon the countersunk portion of the
frame E.
Two pieces of angle iron with eyes fare screwed on each side of the frame b to
support the pivots of a metal rod G to which two strips or bars of metal or other
material are rivetted H and H', that on the upper side H forming with a hooked
end a latch 1 which catches on the upper edge of a blade of iron or other material J
turned up at right angles from the entrance plates a, while that on the underside H

page_text: rests on the inner plate a' and acts as a lever to the latch I when the inner plates
are depressed.
The action of the trap is as follows:-Birds or animals attracted by bait placed
in a wire or other enclosure at the further end of the plates a¹ pass over the
entrance plates a which are held stedfast by the latch I until they reach the inner
plates a² which their weight depresses and by means of the lever H immediately
raises the latch 1 thereby releasing the entrance plates a which instantaneously
revolve and precipitate birds or animals into a receptacle below. This receptacle
may either contain water, or have a subway, with a falling door opening outwards,
leading from it into a cage or other enclosure from which they can be taken
alive.
On both sides of the plates a cap or other cover may be placed to protect the
bearings of the trap and form a gangway to the feeding box.
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. A game and vermin trap consisting of a body formed of four, (or any less or
greater number of), rectangular or other shaped plates and a suspended on pivots
in a frame b, each plate rotating independently on its own axis, all in a manner
substantially as herein shewn and described and for the purpose stated.
2. A. game and vermiu trap consisting of a body formed of four (or any less or
greater number of) rectangular or other shaped plates a and a¹ suspended on pivots
in a frame in which the entrance plates a are held immoveable until the inner
plates a¹ are depressed all in a manner substantially as herein shewn and described
and for the purpose stated.
3. A game and vermin trap consisting of a body formed of four (or any less or
greater number of) rectangular or other shaped plates a and a¹ suspended on pivots
in a frame b in which a metal rod G with its lever and latch attachments becomes
the means of releasing and resetting the plates automatically all in a manner
substantially as herein shewn and described and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 18th day of November 1896.
JOHN DAVIDSON.