Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1895
We, SAMUEL COLLETT, of Gore, Coachbuilder, and JAMES HENRY COLLETT,
of Longbush, Engine Driver, both in Otago, in the Colony of New Zealand, 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:-
Our invention relates to rabbit traps and has for its objects providing a trap
which shall be efficient in its action; have little tendency to become choked with
earth; be easily set; simple and light in construction; and cheap to manufacture.
In carrying the objects of our invention into effect we make our traps in shape
somewhat similar to forms already in use, but with this essential difference that
whereas traps of other inventors have little or no provision against failure of action
by becoming choked with earth, our traps prevent the earth getting between the
jaws, and prevent the same choking the trap by getting beneath the releasing plate
in an appreciable degree, and in their action of seizing a rabbit free themselves from
obstructions.
In order that our invention may be most easily understood by one skilled in the
art to which it appertains we will now proceed to describe the same in detail and for
that purpose shall make reference to the accompanying drawings.
Similar letters and figures of reference indicate similar parts throughout the
several views.
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section of the trap on line A-B, Fig. 5, shewing the trap
set ready for being operated.
Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section of the trap on line C-D, Fig. 3, shewing the trap
after it has been operated.
Fig. 3, is a plan of the same.
Fig. 4, is a cross section of the trap on line E-F, Fig. 1.
Fig. 5, is a plan of the trap set ready for being operated.
The jaws (a) are made similar to traps commonly in use and are actuated by
spring (b) to which they are moveably attached by passing their ends (61) through
an eyeplate (62). Their other ends (66) are similarly passed through another
eyeplate (63), by which they are moveably attached to frame (c) of the trap. The
jaws are scalloped in the ordinary manner as shewn to give a secure grip.
Spring (b) is placed beneath the body of the trap, and within the extended
end (1) of the same it is firmly secured by rivet (c2). This spring is
furnished with two uprights (65) which form a jaw for receiving trigger (d)
with its releasing plate (e), said trigger and plate being revolvable upon pin (64).
Frame (c) we prefer to stamp out of sheet steel or make of malleable cast
iron for cheapness and shape as shewn. In Figs. 1 and 4 it will be seen that
releasing plate (e) fits within the raised portion of frame (c), entirely occupies the
space left by the opening in said frame, and thus together form a complete covering
for the lower parts of the trap and prevent earth falling beneath the releasing plate
and choking the trap.
Catch plate (f) acts also as a covering plate to prevent earth falling upon the
joint of jaws (a), and is moveably attached to frame (c) by its standard (1).
By reference to Figs. 1, 4, & 5, it will be seen that when the trap is set for
operating the extensions (2) of catch plate (f) rest upon jaws (a) and keep

page_text: trigger (d).
In Figs. 1, and 5 covering plate (g) will be seen in position covering the joint
nearest to it of the jaws (a), and that it is moveably, attached to frame (c) by its
staudard (91).
:
A hole (3) is left in frame (c) through which the end of jaws (a) may pass
as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, for closing and holding the same when released by
releasing plate (e).
A hole (c 4) is also left in frame (c) for receiving the usual chain for securing
the trap.
A twig or small stick may be inserted through hole (c5) left in frame (c) for the
purpose of preventing the releasing plate operating until desired.
The manner of operating our trap is as follows:-
Jaws (a) are opened, catch plate (f) thrown into position and releasing plate (e)
raised to retain the latter, when a small stick is inserted through hole (c 5) for
'the purpose of preventing the releasing plate being accidentally operated. Covering
plate () is then thrown over into its proper position, all as shown in Figs. 1, 4, & 5.
The trap is now laid upon the ground or in a hole in the same made to receive
it, and after the trap has been secured in position by its chain, earth or other
substance is strewn over the whole in the usual manner. The small stick in
hole (c 5) is now withdrawn when the trap is ready for operating.
".
As soon as releasing plate (e) is depressed by a rabbit treading upon the same,
catch plate (f) is set free, and jaws (a) closed by hole (c3) in frame (c) as it is
forced upward by action of spring (b). At the same time catch plate (ƒ) and
covering plate (g) are thrown back as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3.
The earth is thus thrown off the trap, and the rabbit securely held, and iu practice
we find that the whole trap springs up to seize the rabbit.
From the beforegoing description it will be seen that we provide a trap which when
set lies flat or nearly so upon the ground as shewn in Figs. I and 4, is efficient in
action as it frees itself from obstructions is provided with means for excluding earth
which would choke the trap, has no cross bars whereon earth may lodge; and in its
action effects a sure grip upon the rabbit.
'We wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details
herein before described as these may be modified in several ways without departing
from the principle of our invention.
We are aware that traps have been made with jaws actuated by springs prior to
our invention and we do not claim these broadly but
. (
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner. the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :--
1. In improvements in rabbit traps the combination with frame (c) constructed
for excluding earth and having holes (c 3 and c5) of jaws (a) spring (b) releasing
plate (e) trigger (d) catch and covering plate (f) and covering plate (9), substantially
as and for the purposes set forth herein.
2. The improvements in rabbit traps such as described herein, constructed,
arranged and operating, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and as illustrated. on the accompanying drawings.
DL
:
3:
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
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