Year: 1897

page_text: I, WILLIAM TELL KEEFER, of Bedford, County of Lawrence, Indiana, U.S.A.,
Inventor, 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:-
The trap for animals, such as rats and mice, for instance, of this invention is
shewn in the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 being a perspective view of the same
and Fig. 2 a horizontal section.
1 is the body of the trap constructed of any suitable material and open at one
end as at 2. 3 a short partition placed in the open end of the box or trap body
and forming two openings 4, 5, through which the animals pass in entering the
trap. 6 are two wings secured to the partition and extending obliquely into the
openings so as to form narrow passages 7, 8, at or near the centre of the trap body.
These wings are provided at their inner ends with teeth or spurs 9 to prevent
escape from the trap, and for convenience the wings are formed of a single piece
of metal bent at the middle and there secured to the partition 3 by any suitable
ineans.
10 are two doors provided on opposite sides of the trap and adapted to be
opened when it is desired to place bait in the bait holders 11 which are formed
of wire staples extending across the door openings to form a cage 12 is a door
at the back of the trap for the withdrawal of the trapped animals. 13 a metallic
strip secured to the rear end of the partition 3 by nails or other convenient means.
The wings 6 are so arranged that a small space is left between their top and
bottom edges and the upper and lower inside surfaces of the trap body. The
wings have sufficient spring to be readily pushed on one side by an animal as it
enters and to return to their normal position after the animal has passed into the
trap.
If found desirable tin strips may be placed in the corners of the rear portion of
the trap to prevent the animals from gnawing the wood of which the trap is pre-
ferably constructed.
It will be observed that a number of animals can enter the trap, the same being
of the "
ever set" variety, and when trapped they can be seen by animals on the
outside of the trap and induce others to enter it.

page_text: 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 1
claim is:-
1. An animal trap comprising a suitable box having one end open, a short
partition extending across said opening, wings formed with spurs or teeth on
their inner ends, secured to said partition and extending at angles obliquely
towards the rear of the box, means for securing the bait opposite the openings
formed by the partition, doors located at the sides of the box through which the
trap is baited, and a door or doors provided in the rear end or in the sides of the
box for removing animals from the trap, substantially as described and shewn.
2. An animal trap comprising a suitable box having one end open, a short par-
tition extending across said opening, wings formed with spurs or teeth on their
inner ends, secured to said partition and having their upper and lower edges
approximating the upper and lower innef sides of the box, said wings extending
obliquely towards the rear of the box, doors formed in the sides of the box, bait
cages opposite said doors, and a door or doors for removing animals from the trap,
substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 20th day of Plecomber 1897
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
"