An Improved Vermin Trap.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 10th June, 1899
An Improved Vermin Trap.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM ALLEN, of 41, Hatton Garden, London, E.C., Manufac-
turing Silversmith, 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 an improved vermin trap, and is designed with the
object of providing an instantaneously killing trap of this description that can
be readily set; is simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, and highly
effective and humane in use.
And in order that this my said invention may be the more readily understood
and carried into practical effect, reference is hereby made to the accompanying
sheet of illustrative drawings, wherein;-
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of my improved trap in its set position. Fig. 2,
being a side elevational view thereof.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicate correspond-
ing parts throughout both figures, a is a plate of metal or other suitable material,
preferably of rectangular or oblong form, from which rise four vertical lugs b,
two of which are situated at the sides of such plate, and the other two about
midway between, these said lugs supporting a transverse bar c, around which are
coiled the end portions d', of a semi-circular or other wire jaw d whose free
extremities d2 abut against the plate a, the whole constituting a powerful spring
jaw of ordinary form.
To two other lugs e upon the plate a is pivotally hinged a bait-plate f provided
upon its surface with a pointed bait-receiver f¹ and at its hinged end with a ver-
tical lug the upper end f³ of which is bent at a right angle to the vertical
portion.
Loosely fitting within an opening in the horizontal portion f³ of this said lug f
is the struck-up end g of a short rod y, whose horizontal portion is supported by
lugs upon the plate a, a sliding movement being permitted to such rod g. To
a rearwardly disposed lug i upon the end of the plate a there is hinged a rod i
which is normally supported in a horizontal position by means of a bi-furcated
standard of the plate a.
The said rod in conjunction with the before mentioned rod g, form a catch,
the releasing of which springs the trap.
In operation, the rod is lifted up upon its hinge, and the spring jaw d
brought over and placed beneath such rod. The free end of the latter (which
is flattened as shewn) is then brought underneath the extremity of the rod 9 and
is maintained in that position by the resiliency of the spring jaw aforesaid, which
forces the rod upward and keeps the free end thereof tightly pressed against
the end of the rod g, and thus raises the bait-plate f slightly above the surface of
the base-plate a. In this position, the trap is set, and directly a mouse, rat, or
other vermin touches the said bait-plate or attempts to seize the bait, the plate f
is depressed, which causes the rod g to be withdrawn from above the flattened
extremity of the rod and allows the spring jaw d to spring up and come down
.

page_text: with considerable force upon the plate a in such a manner as to kill and securely
hold the mouse or the like between the bait-plate and such spring jaw.
I preferably form the lugs b, e, f, h, standard j, and bait-receiver f', by
stamping same out of the material composing the base-plate and bait-plate, and
then bending them into the required shape and position.
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-
-
CLAIMS.
1. The improved vermin trap, consisting in a base-plate having a spring-
actuated jaw a hinged bait-plate, hinged setting catch, and a sliding rod, all
arranged, combined and operating substantially as described and as illustrated.
2. In an improved vermin trap, the base-plate having vertical lugs thereon
supporting a transverse bar, around which are coiled the end portions of a wire
jaw the free ends of which abut against the said base-plate; in combination with
a hinged bait-plate having a vertical lug bent at the top into a horizontal position,
through which the struck-up end of a horizontal rod passes, such rod being slid-
ingly supported by lugs on the base-plate; and a hinged rod normally supported
by a bi-furcated standard, the free end of said rod taking underneath the free
end of the rod connected to the bait-plate, and constituting therewith a setting
catch; all arranged, combined and operating, substantially as described and as
illustrated by the drawings.
Dated this 12th day of April 1899
HUGHES & YOUNG,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for Applicant.