Improvements in and in connection with Animal Traps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 6th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Animal Traps.
I, JOHN EDWARD ELLIS, London Road, Guildford, Retired Farmer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention for improvements in and in connection with animal traps relates
more particularly to that class of trap used for rats rabbits, hares and similar
animals, in which the jaws are released by pressure upon a treadle plate upon
which the animal treads, and has for its object to keep earth and mud from
clogging up the treadle plate and preventing its action.
The treadle plate is arranged in a suitable framing so that it is supported
somewhat above ground level. When trodden upon, the treadle plate is depressed
slightly within the said framing but is still quite clear of the ground.
It will thus be seen that earth and mud cannot get underneath the treadle plate
and prevent its action.
The treadle plate is in its upper position when the jaws are secured out of
action, but when trodden upon the treadle plate is depressed and the jaws released
when they at once close under the action of the spring, and grasp the animal by
the leg.
Date : 92nd dox of Toby 1898
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in and in connection with Animal Traps.
I, JOHN EDWARD ELLIS, of London Road, Guildford, Retired Farmer, 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 for improvements in and in connection with animal traps relates
more particularly to that class of trap used for rats, rabbits, hares and similar
animals, in which the jaws are released by pressure upon a treadle plate upon
which the animal treads, and has for its object to keep earth and mud from
clogging up the treadle plate and preventing its action.
The treadle plate is arranged in a suitable framing so that it is supported
somewhat above ground level. When trodden upon, the treadle plate is depressed
slightly within the said framing but is still quite clear of the ground.
It will thus be seen that earth and mud cannot get underneath the treadle plate
its action

page_text: The treadle plate is in its upper position when the jaws are secured out of
action, but when trodden upon the treadle plate is depressed and the jaws released
when they at once close under the action of the spring and grasp the animal by
the leg.
In order that this invention may be more clearly described reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings on which-
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation showing a trap constructed according to this
invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan.
The base A is provided with upward projections a¹ adapted to receive the
pivots of the jaws B C having serrated edges. A spring D is attached to the
base A at a and its looped end D¹ engages with the jaws B C so that they are
caused to meet as shown in Fig. 1. The framing E is mounted on the base A and
the treadle plate F is pivoted at f. It will be seen that the treadle plate F is
thus mounted above ground level. The catch piece G pivoted at g is adapted to
engage with the notch f¹ so that when the jaw B is turned down (see Fig. 2) it is
held thereby and the treadle plate F is returned in its uppermost position. When
however the plate is trodden on, it is depressed within the framing E but is still
quite clear of the ground. The notch f¹ is thus caused to release the catch G
and the jaws B C close together under the influence of the spring D and grasp the
animal by the leg.
It will therefore be seen that earth and mud cannot get underneath the treadle
plate F so as to interfere with its proper action.
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
(1) In animal traps in which the jaws are caused to close when released by
pressure upon a treadle plate, mounting the said treadle plate within a suitable fram-
ing so that it is raised somewhat above ground level, and even when depressed is
still quite clear of the ground, the said framing also preventing earth and mud
from getting underneath the treadle plate to interfere with its proper action,
substantially as described.
(2) In an animal trap, the combination with the base A, jaws B C, spring D.
treadle plate F, and catch piece G of the framing E whereby the treadle plate F
is raised somewhat above ground level and even when depressed is still quite clear
of the ground, the said framing E also preventing earth and mud from getting
underneath the treadle plate F to interfere with its proper action substantially as
described with. reference to the drawings.
Dated this 31st day of August 1898
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.