Improvements in Traps for Animals.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 10th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Traps for Animals.
I, DAVID LAURIE MOFFAT, of Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills, Colony of
Victoria, Rabbit Trapper, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
-:
The object of my invention is to provide a portable device which shall more
surely and readily trap rabbits and other quadrupeds when in a wild state. I have
found by experience that the traps hitherto so used have been defective in many
particulars with the result that they have continually been in a deranged condition.
One of their chief objections was that when partially buried and hidden beneath
the surface of the earth they were very apt to become clogged or choked by the
said earth. The animal was thus always afforded a means of escape since the
falling table not being able to descend the swinging jaws did not close. A crude
subterfuge whereby this choking of the table was avoided was for each trapper to
carry square sheets of paper with him when setting his line of traps and placing
this paper in such a way that the earth could not lodge around or beneath the
falling table and thus prevent it from descending. But as can be easily understood
such a primitive method in wet weather and with some soils was practically useless..
With my device however this and other inconveniences are entirely prevented.
My invention (which applies principally to traps having two swinging jaws
operated by a spring) consists in so constructing the trap that the falling table fits
closely around the internal face of one of the jaws thereby excluding all earth.
Hitherto this table has been square, round, or of other conformation but always
EO small that the enveloping earth found easy access between the table and the
cross piece beneath it. But by so enlarging the area of this table and placing an
earth shield below it the entrance of any extraneous matter is entirely prevented.
I also make the jaws double and with inclined faces and steady the table with a
suitable guide. The hook to which the carrying chain is attached is also solid
with the sole plate thereby preventing a constant source of present inconvenience.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1895.
J. P. BAYLY,
18 Fulham Place, W., Agent for the Applicant.
COMIDELE DI POTICATION.
Improvements in Traps for Animals.
I, DAVID LAURIE MOFFAT, of Middlesex Road, Surrey Hills, Colony of
Victoria, Rabbit Trapper, 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 object of my invention is to provide a portable device which shall more
surely and readily trap rabbits and other quadrupeds, when in a wild state. I have
found by experience that the traps hitherto so used have been defective in many
> particulars with the result that they have continually been in a deranged condition.
Price RdT

page_text: One of their chief objections was that when partially buried and hidden beneath
the surface of the earth they were very apt to become clogged or choked by the
said earth. The animal was thus always afforded a means of escape since the
falling table not being able to descend the swinging jaws did not close. A crude
subterfuge whereby this choking of the table was avoided was for each trapper to
carry square sheets of paper with him when setting his line of traps and placing
this paper in such a way that the earth could not lodge around or beneath the
falling table and thus prevent it from descending. But as can be easily understood
such a primitive method in wet weather and with some sils was practically
useless. With my device-however this and other inconveniences are entirely
prevented.
'My invention (which applies principally to traps having two swinging jaws
operated by a spring) consists in so constructing the trap that the falling table fits
closely around the internal face of one of the jaws-thereby excluding all earth.
Hitherto this table has been square, round, or of other conformation but always so
small that the enveloping earth found easy access between the table and the cross
piece beneath it. But by so enlarging the area of this table and placing an earth
shield below it the entrance of any extraneous matter is entirely prevented.
I also make the jaws double and with inclined faces and steady the table with a
suitable guide. The hook to which the carrying chain is attached is also solid
with the sole plate thereby preventing a constant source of present inconvenience.
But in order that my invention may be more clearly understood I will now refer
to the accompanying sheet of drawings which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar or corresponding parts where they
occur in the several views.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the trap looking on top of it. It is
open and ready for action and the falling table with its extended surface is clearly
seen. The class of trap as illustrated well known.
Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the trap looking beneath it. The jaws
are closed and the earth shield is shewn as illustrated.
On reference to Figure 1 there is prominently seen the falling table A which is
partially removed to show the way in which it is steadied. This table with a rib
piece B beneath it is pivotted (as is well known) upon a pin C in a bracket D.
An additional guiding bracket E is attached to the cross piece F preventing any
undue side play in the table. (This side play in the present traps causing endless
inconvenience.) The table A on its falling side has rivetted to it or otherwise
attached (or integrally constructed with it) the extension ends G, G, G. These
overlap the present plates or table A the size of which is shewn in dotted lines,
and make a sand proof joint around the interior of the swinging jaw H. This
latter, as also the one on the opposite side, has two or more rows of teeth on it
as I and I'. The row or rows of teeth may be formed by rivetting or otherwise
attaching to H a serrated strip or strips of metal or when in duplicate they may
be made integral with H as shewn, being bent up as illustrated. Beneath this
swinging jaw and forming a rest for the same is an earth shield J which is
rivetted or otherwise secured to the sole plate K. This shield extends the whole
length of the jaw and not only supports it but also excludes the entrance of the
surrounding earth. At L is seen the method of forming the carrying hook which
is integral with the sole plate K. This hook which is naturally elastic at its
mouth M to admit the carrying chain is sufficiently rigid to prevent its removal,
without the application of a violent pull. The hole which is at present employed
and into which an open link chain is inserted is a source of weakness, since the
link being open is naturally weak and therefore liable to fracture.. With my
device a solid link, may be attached to or removed from the trap or a rivet end
placed in the hole shewn.
Figure 2 shows more prominently the shape of the earth shield J which is
depicted as inserted between the sole plate K and the cross piece F. If necessary

page_text: this shield may also have the two ends boxed in but under nearly all conditions.
I find that as shewn it answers its purpose most effectually. As before said the
increased area G, G, G, of the falling plate A may either be formed integrally
with the said plate or be attached to it in any well known way.
I find that by inwardly inclining the face of the inside row of teeth on the
swinging jaws H the difficulty of making a sand proof joint around the table A
is considerably diminished. In the drawing the outside row are shewn as inclined.
but either the one or the other or both may be so constructed.
The inconvenience attendant on the side play of the table A is prevented as.
shewn by the aid of a distinct guiding bracket as E. The rib piece B working
between the two cheeks of the said guiding bracket is either lengthened to engage
in such bracket or a distinct rib piece is attached to the falling table in any way
which recommends itself for simplicity.
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 I
claim is :-
1st. In traps with spring closed jaws for enfettering animals a falling table-
which is so constructed on its descending side that when ready for action there is.
made a sand proof joint with the inside face of its adjacent jaw substantially as
herein described and illustrated.
2nd. In traps with spring closed jaws for enfettering animals an earth shield.
placed beneath the falling table which by its shape and area prevents the admission
of sand, earth, or other obstructive material substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
3rd. In traps with spring closed jaws for enfettering animals the said jaws being
inclined and having rows of teeth in duplicate or triplicate substantially as herein
described and illustrated.
4th. In traps with spring closed jaws for enfettering animals, the combination
of a falling table which is so constructed on its descending side that when ready
for action there is made a sand proof joint with the inside face of its adjacent.
jaw; aad an earth shield placed beneath the falling table which by its shape and
area prevents the admission of sand, earth, or other obstructive material substantially
as herein described and illustrated.
5th. In traps with spring closed jaws for enfettering animals, the combination
of a falling table (guided by a rib piece and bracket beneath) making a sand proof"
joint with the inside face of its adjacent jaw; an earth shield placed beneath the
falling table which by its shape and area prevents the admission of sand, earth, or
other obstructive material, swinging jaws with inclined rows of teeth in duplicate
or triplicate; and a spring carrying hook integral with the sole plate as and for
the purposes herein before described and illustrated.
6th. The combination of the whole of the parts set forth upon Figures 1 and 2
of the accompanying drawings constituting my improvements in traps for-
animals."
nd 20th 1... of Inmunu 1906
J. P. BAYLY,
18 Fulham Place, W., Agent for the Applicant..