An Improved Animal Trap.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 15th July, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Animal Trap.
I, HENRY DUKE MAWLE, of Westfield, near Battle, in the County of Sussex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of an improved trap for catching
vermin, and other small animals and birds.
In carrying out my invention I make the body of the trap of suitable size and
shape and of wood, metal or wirework according to the purpose for which the trap
is to be used.
To an opening in the front of the trap I provide a door hinged at the top and
adapted to be held open by a pivotted hook connected by means of links, chains or
cords and a bell crank lever to a rocking or pivotted platform.
By this arrangement if an animal enters the trap and steps on to the platform,
this latter will be depressed or rocked and will thereby release the hinged door
which will fall and close the opening to the trap.
Dated the 18th day of December 1890.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
.
SPECIFICATION.
COMPLETE
An Improved Animal Trap.
HENRY DUKE MAWLE, Westfield, near Battle in the County of Sussex,
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 :-
This invention relates to the construction of an improved trap for catching
vermin and other small animals and birds.
In carrying out my invention, I make the body of the trap of suitable size and
shape, and of wood, metal, or wire-work, or a combination of same, according to the
purpose for which the trap is to be used.
In the annexed drawings the side of the trap to which the mechanism is attached
is marked S, the top and end when made of wire-work R. R., but these parts may
be made of other materials if desired. To an opening in front or at end of the trap,
see drawing Fig. 1., I provide a door A hinged or pivotted at or near the top as
at B and adapted to be held open by a hook C, pivotted to side of trap at H and
the end of which hook may be carried outside the trap to facilitate the setting of
same. This book is connected by means of links, a chain, cord, or a rod D and a
crank lever E to another set of links, a chain, cord, or a rod D' to a rocking, or
pivotted platform F, upon or over which the bait P may be placed or suspended,
and which platform is pivotted or hinged at M., the links, chain, cord, or rod D'
being pivotted or attached to the platform F at O. By this arrangement if an
animal enters the trap and steps upon or touches the platform F, this latter will be
depressed or rocked and will thereby release the hinged door A which will fall and
close the opening to the trap as in Fig. 2. The trap can also be made with two
doors and a clear open run from end to end, so that the doors will both be closed by
the weight of any creature stepping upon or touching the platform, the parts being
indicated as follows in Fig. 3: A. A' the doors hinged or pivotted at B. B'; the
hooks C. C¹, being pivotted at H. H', the links, chains, cords or rods D. D',

page_text: connecting the hooks C. C', to the crank levers E. E', and these latter connected
by the links, chain, cord, or rod D2, to the platform Fat the point O. In the
double trap I arrange that the platform F be pivotted or hinged either to the
bottom or side of trap as at M. Fig. 4, which is a transverse section of the trap;
F being the platform, D2, the connection between the same and the cranks E..E!,.
the action being the same as in the single trap, so that an animal touching the
platform F.(see Fig. 3) causes both doors to close as the hooks C. C', are simul-
taneously acted upon by the parts D, D', D², E, and E': When required I place
bait either upon or suspended over the platform F in double trap. As it may be
necessary to prevent the animal crossing the platform F of double trap at the side
where hinged or pivotted, 1 place a screen or other obstacle T Fig.-4 either upon.
the platform at that part or attach the same to the side of the trap, so that while it
prevents an animal crossing at the pivotted side it does not interfere with the clear
run through the trap.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is :-
1. A trap for vermin and other small animals and birds, having an entrance at
one or both ends, made substantially as described.
2. A trap for animals having a hinged or pivotted door or doors constructed to
close the entrance or entrances thereto as described.
3. A trap for animals having a pivotted or hinged platform connected by means
of links, chains, cords, or rods, and a crank lever or levers; to a pivotted hook or
hooks, constructed to hold open or release and so close the door or doors as set forth
in the foregoing Specification.
4. A trap for animals constructed so that-the-creature-touching or-stepping upon
the moveable platform causes the door or doors to close the entrance or entrances
to the trap as described and so-preventing its escape:
Dated the 15th day of July 1891.
A. G. PRITCHARD,
Agent for Applicant.