Improvements in or relating to Traps for Moles and other Vermin.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Traps for Moles and other Vermin.
A communication from LOUIS EDMOND MOUROT, Engineer, of Trignac (Loire
Inferieure) France,
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to a trap for moles and other vermin which is sunk
in the ground across the path holes or burrows of said animals.
The trap consists of a metallic or other box provided with spikes with which to
fix it in the ground, in which box a plate is so arranged as to be movable up and
down like a piston and is pressed downwards by the action of a spring. This piston
is provided on its under side with, say, three spikes, of which the central spike
is adapted to engage with a trigger located underneath the piston when the trap
is set.
The animal passing beneath or through the trap cannot avoid pressing against
the trigger with the result that the spikes, driven by the spring will be released
and in descending impale it..
In the accompanying drawing:-
Figure 1 is a vertical section on the line A B Figure 3,
Figure 2 is a vertical section at right angles on the line C D Figure 3,
And Figure 3 is a top view of the device.
The dotted lines indicate the position of the component parts of the trap when
not set. a is a box provided with spikes b which are sunk into the ground over
the spot where the hole or burrow has been found; at its lower end the box is
provided with a plug or bar d or the like with two eye bolts or rings e on
which the trigger f is suspended.
The plate g
is provided with preferably three spikes or needles and above
may be arranged a plate i against which a spiral spring ; presses its other end
pressing against the top cover of the case.
A. bent bar k or rod serves to set the trap, which is done by drawing up the plate g
by means of the bark thereby compressing the spiral spring, until the central
spike or needle rests on the trigger f.
On the animal passing under the trap it will brush against the trigger moving
it in either of the directions indicated in Figure 2 in consequence of which the
central spike will slip off the trigger and be driven with the other spikes by the
spiral spring downwards into the animal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A trap for moles and other vermin comprising a casing provided with a piston

page_text: plate actuated by a spiral spring movable up and down the said casing; which
piston plate is provided with spikes on its under side one of which can be so set
on a trigger below the casing that the animal by pressing against said trigger
will cause the release of the spikes which will thereupon be forced downwards
by the spring substantially as described.
2. The complete trap for moles and other vermin substantially as described
or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of February 1899.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.