IMPROVEMENT IN A HUMANE TRAP FOR CATCHLING AND KILLING VERMIN AND RABBITS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Burgess of Malvern Wells in the County of
Worcester for an Invention of AN IMPROVEMENT IN A HUMANE TRAP
FOR CATCHLING AND KILLING VERMIN AND RABBITS
"AN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Burgess at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1882.
WILLIAM BURGESS of Malvern Wells in the County of Worcester
IMPROVEMENT IN A HUMANE TRAP FOR CATCHING AND KILLING VERMIN AND
RABBITS."
My Invention relates to an improved trap for catching and killing rabbits and
vermin-but which cannot catch foxes, pheasants, and poultry or injure the fingers
of the person setting it.
The trap consists of a tunnel like structure open at both ends for the entry of
the animal and fixed upon a suitable base board. Across the tunnel which is
slotted or divided transversely for the purpose, there works a double limbed frame
or jaw pivoted to the base at one side of the tunnel and operated by a spring
which, when the trap is set, is retained by a catch connected with a platform or
treadle whereon the bait is placed, the operating spring being outside and the said
platform or treadle inside the tunnel at the middle of its length. The animal can
enter at either end of the tunnel and as soon as it depresses the platforın or treadle
the catch is released and the animal is caught and killed by the spring operated
jaw or frame working across the tunnel as above described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Burgess in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th August
1882.
WILLIAM BURGESS of Malvern Wells in the County of Worcester
" AN
IMPROVEMENT IN A HUMANE TRAP FOR CATCHING AND KILLING VERMIN AND
RABBITS
"
My Invention relates to an improved trap for catching and killing rabbits and
vermin but which cannot catch foxes, pheasants, and poultry or injure the fingers
of the person setting it.
The trap consists of a tunnel like structure open at both ends for the entry of
the animal and fixed upon a suitable base board. Across the tunnel which is
slotted or divided transversely for the purpose, there works a double limbed frame
or jaw pivoted to the base at one side of the tunnel and operated by a spring
which, when the trap is set, is retained by a catch connected with a platform or
treadle whereon the bait is placed, the operating spring being outside and the said
platform or treadle inside the tunnel at the middle of its length. The animal can
enter at either end of the tunnel and as soon as it depresses the platform or treadle
the catch is released and the animal is caught and killed by the spring operated
jaw or frame working across the tunnel as above described.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation, Figure 2 is a plan, and Figure 3 is a cross
section (on line 1-1 Figure 1) of the trap.
A is the tunnel like casing of the trap made of sheet iron and fixed upon a base
plate B. CC are transverse slits in which work the two arms of a U shaped
jaw D which is pivoted at d at one side of the tunnel and extends completely across
the same, the part d' projecting beyond the opposite side to serve as the means of
setting the trap. E is an iron bar fixed within the tunnel across the slots C for
the jaw D to close against as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. F is the spring
which operates the jaw in the usual way. G is the platform or treadle situate
within the tunnel midway between the slots C. It is carried by an arm which
passes through a slot in the side of the tunnel and is pivoted at outside the
tunnel at the opposite side to the spring. This arm is provided with a notch g¹ for
engagement with a latch H pivoted at h which is adjusted across the part d' of
the jaw after it has been depressed whereby it is held down in the set position as
shown in Figure 3. is an arm projecting from the platform through a slot in
the side of the tunnel to enable the platform to be engaged with the latch H. It
will be observed that the platform only is within the trap which can be easily
set is not liable to accidental release, and can only catch animals sinall enough
to enter the tunnel which is of such size and length as to only admit rabbits and
vermin.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the

page_text: The improved trap consisting in the combination of the slotted tunnel, the jaw
working across the same, the platform within the tunnel and the setting and
operating devices substantially as shown and described for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof I the said William Burgess have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.