Improvements in Vermin Traps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vermin Traps.
I, JOHN OLDFIELD, of The Willows, Little Harwood, near Blackburn, in the
County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in traps for killing, or catching alive,
vermin such as rats, mice, cats, or birds, and is simple and inexpensive in construction,
and will kill, or catch several animals, or birds at one time, when
6: sprung"; is
readily "set," and baited, and less dangerous, and effective than traps heretofore
used.
According to this invention on a flat board of wood, are mounted, and free to
turn on a stud, or studs two arms, one of their ends having fixed to them two small
pins the other ends form the bait holder. Underneath the board is a strong
coiled spring of metal, or rubber, fixed to, or forming part of which, are two, or
more arms which protrude through slots in the board, and to cross pieces of which
are attached several weights, or rods of metal, or rubber, or leather, and metal, and
also a ring, or hook of metal.
The trap is "set" by turning back the protruding arms, and cross pieces, and
compressing the springs, until the ring, or hook is held between the two small pins
on the ends of the arins above mentioned, which are turned on their centres, and
brought together until the pins touch each other, and are there held by a small
clamp until the trap is "set." The opposite ends of the two arms are held apart
by placing between them the bait, around which may be set other portions of
bait, fixed to or loose on the board, and for the purpose of enticing several
animals, or birds into the trap. When the bait is in position, the clamp is removed
from the opposite ends of the arms, and the trap is "set."
When the bait between the two arms is partly or wholly removed, the ends of the
arms come together, their opposite ends opening, or separating, and releasing the
ring, or hook, and protruding arms, and cross pieces, which are then brought over
by the expansion of the spring with a smart, and rapid stroke, so that the arms,
cross pieces, and weights, or rods of metal will strike, and kill any animals or birds
at, or near the bait, and if in lien of the cross pieces, and weights a net is substituted
the animals, or birds can be taken alive.
The board is so formed, and the bait fixed that animals, or birds tempted by
same come within striking distance of either the arms, cross pieces, or one, or other
of the weights, and few escape being killed instantaneously, or if a net is used being
captured.
Dated this 15th day of May 1890.
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Central Chambers, Halifax, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vermin Traps.
I, JOHN OLDFIELD, of The Willows, Little Harwood, near Blackburn, in the
County of Lancaster, Gentleman, 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 improvements in traps for killing, or catching alive,
vermin such as rats, mice, cats, or birds, and is simple, and inexpensive in construc-
tion, and will kill, or catch several animals, or birds at one time, when "spring";

page_text: is readily
""
set and baited, and less dangerous, and more effective than traps
heretofore used.
According to this invention on a flat board of wood, are mounted, and free to
turn on a stud, or studs two arms, one of their ends having fixed to them two small
pins the other ends form the bait holder. Underneath the board is a strong
coiled spring of metal, or rubber, fixed to, or forming part of which, are two, or
more arms which protrude through slots in the board, and to cross pieces of which
are attached several weights, or rods of metal, or rubber, or leather and metal, and
also a ring, or hook of metal. The trap is "set" by turning back the protruding
arms, and cross pieces, and compressing the springs, until the ring or hook is held
between the two small pins on the ends of the arms above mentioned which are
turned on their centres, and brought together until the pins touch each other, and
are there held by a small clamp until the trap is "set." The opposite ends of the
two arms are held apart by placing between them the bait, fixed to or loose on the
board, and for the purpose of enticing several animals, or birds into the trap.
When the bait is in position, the clamp is removed from the opposite ends of the
arms, and the trap is "set."
When the bait between the two arms is partly or wholly removed, the ends of
the arms come together, their opposite ends opening, or separating, and releasing
the ring, or hook, and protruding arms, and cross pieces, which are then brought
over by the expansion of the spring with a smart and rapid stroke, so that the
arms, cross pieces, and weights, or rods of metal will strike, and kill any animals or
birds at or near the bait, and if in lieu of the cross pieces, and weights a net is
substituted, the animals or birds can be taken alive.
The board is so formed, and the bait fixed that animals, or birds tempted by
same come within striking distance of either the arms, cross pieces, or one, or
other of the weights, and few escape being killed instantaneously, or if a net is
used being captured.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention the following is a complete
description of same reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a
part of this Specification in which,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of one of my improved traps shewing the positions of the
several parts when the trap is "sprung."
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of my improved traps shewing the same
baited.
"set
,,
and
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3.
According to this my said invention on a flat board of wood 6 are mounted and
free to turn on their fulcrum studs or pins 1. 1 two arms 2. 2. one of their ends 3. 3.
having fixed to them two small round headed pins or screws 4. 4. The other, and
opposite ends 5. 5 of the arms 2. 2. are the bait holders. Underneath the board 6.
or covered by a cap 7 secured to the board 6. is a strong spring 8 coiled round a
spindle 9 and to each end of the spindle 9 is fixed a metal arm 10. 10. the arms
being connected by cross pieces 11. 11. to which are attached several weights or
rods of metal leather or rubber or a combination of these as at 12. 12 and also
a metal ring, or hook 13.
The rods 12. 12. of metal or rubber form flails for striking and killing animals or
birds in the trap.
The arms 10. 10 and the cross pieces 11. 11. form a grid, to which the flails 12. 12.
are attached, and to "set" the trap the above parts are turned back to the position
shewn by Figs. 3 and 4 thereby compressing the spiral spring 8, the ring or hook 13
is held between the round headed screws or pins 4. 4. on the ends 3. 3. of the
arms 2. 2. the latter being turned on their fulcrum studs or pins 1. 1. until the
screws, or pins 4. 4. touch each other, and are held in this position by the clamp
and pin 14 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The opposite ends 5. 5 of the arms 2. 2 are forced
and held apart by placing the bait 15 between them when the clamp 14 is turned
back and the trap is ready or "set."

page_text: When the bait 15 is wholly or partly removed from between the ends 5. 5 of the
arins 2. 2 the spring 8 pulls the ring, or hook 13 from between the pins or
screws 4 4 and the expansion of the spring 8 causes the grid 10. 11. and flails 12.
to turn smartly into the position shewn by Figs. 1 and 2 by a rapid movement, and
the grid or flails, will strike and kill any animal, or bird, which is at or near the
bait 15.
Figs. 3 and 4 shew a form of trap in which only one arm 2 is employed and
slots 2 2ª being formed in the arm through which are passed screws or studs a
longitudinal motion is thus allowed to the said arm 2. Stop pieces, 16. 16 are
fixed to the board 6. and on one stop piece is the round headed screw or pin 4
corresponding to the screw or pin 4 on the end 3 of the arm 2, and the other end 5
of the arm 2 with the stop piece 16 forms the bait holder.
These Figs. 3 and 4 also shew the spiral spring 8 applied at each end of the
spindle 9 the latter being received in a recess or hollow 9a formed in the board 6
and the spiral springs 8 are also received in recesses 8ª formed in the board one end of
each spring 8 being fixed to the board 6 and the other end of each is fixed to a pin or
stud 11ª at or near each end of the spindle 9 so that when the latter is turned or
makes a part revolution in "setting" the trap the springs 8. 8 are, by the spindle 9
carrying the pins or studs 11" making a part revolution, expanded, and when the
trap is sprung the springs 8. 8. contracting turn the spindle 9 in the opposite
direction and operate the grid and flails as hereinbefore described.
The traps may be constructed with the arms 2. 2. received in recesses in
the board 6. or may be placed on the under side of such board if desired.
One, two or more of the traps may be placed on one board and the latter placed
on the ground, or fastened against a wall or in other position and any bait used,
which it is thought may tempt the animal or bird for which the trap is used.
When it is desired to catch animals or birds alive, the arms 10. 10 are made
lighter, and the cross pieces 11. 11 and flails 12 dispensed with, and in lieu thereof
a net is carried by the arms 10. 10. the trap being
< set and operating in the
manner above described.
,,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be employed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The general construction combination and arrangement of parts constituting
my improvements in traps as and for the purpose herein set forth, and substantially
as illustrated by the annexed drawings.
2. The arms 2. 2. pins or screws 4. 4. hook or ring 13 arms 10. 10. (forming
part of the grid or carrying a net) spring or springs 8, and spindle 9 all in com-
bination as and for the purpose herein fully described and substantially as illustrated
by Figs. 1 and 2 the annexed drawings.
3. The arm 2, stop pieces 16. 16 pins or screws 4 4, hook or ring 13 arms 10. 10
(forming part of the grid, or carrying a net) spring or springs 8 and spindle 9 all
n combination, as and for the purpose herein fully described and substantially as
¡llustrated by Figs. 3 and 4 of the annexed drawings.
Dated this 12th day of February 1891.
By his Agent,
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Central Chambers, Halifax.