Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1899
I, JAMES EDWARD SALUSBURY TRELAWNY, of Trelawne, Duloe, R.S.O., Cornwall,
Gentleman, 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:-
My invention relates to an improvement in traps for rabbits and has for its
object to so guard the tripping platform of the trap that when it is set for use
it will not be liable to be accidentally discharged by feathered game alighting
upon the trap, or by hounds treading thereon, so that such birds or animals will
not be caught in the trap whilst the trap will retain its effectiveness for the pur-
pose of catching rabbits. The trap itself is of the ordinary construction and the
invention consists in the provision above the tripping platform of a fixed guard
frame which will give passage to the paws of a rabbit and allow them to press upon
the tripping platform but will not allow the feet of a pheasant or the paws of
a dog to pass through and act on the platform.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the trap in the closed position
and Figure 2 a plan of the trap in the set or open position.
The trap is of the usual construction, that is to say it consists of a pair of bow-
shaped jaws A hinged at a to a base frame B and actuated in the direction of
closing by a powerful spring C, the jaws being retained in the open position when
the trap is set, by a latch D hinged at d to a post rising from the base frame,
passing over the jaw of the trap, and engaging at its free end with a notch E
at the heel end of a platform F. This platform F is pivoted at f to the base
frame B and is guarded by an open frame G so that the platform F cannot be
trodden on and depressed unless the foot of the animal be small enough to pass
through the openings of the frame G. This guard frame G is fixed horizontally
a short distance above the platform F, in which position it is rigidly held by sup
ports g which extend down and are fixed to the base frame B. The guard frame G
corresponds in size to the platform E and is preferably cut or stamped out of sheet
metal in the form of a marginal frame and cross bars, with apertures gl of such
size as to allow a rabbit's foot to pass through but not the paw of a hound or the
foot of a pheasant. It will, however, be understood that the guard frame may be
otherwise made, of wirework for example, the essential feature being that it will
only permit the feet of the animal which it is desired to catch, to press on the
tripping platform and release the trap.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
The combination with a rabbit trap, of a fixed guard frame above the trinning

page_text: platform of the trap in such position and of such form and construction as to
prevent the trap being operated except by animals such as it is intended to catch,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 15th day of February 1900
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.