Improved Vermin Trap..
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Vermin Trap..
I, FRITZ GRONEMANN, of 117, Furstenberger Strasse, Boffzen, near Furstenberg
(Weser), in the German Empire, Manufacturer, 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 the present invention is a trap for rats, mice, and other vermin,
which is characterized by absolute certainty of working. It is also merciful to
the animals caught, inasmuch as they are subjected to a comparatively easy death
by drowning.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a plan of a mouse trap, constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.
The vessel 1 is of any suitable material, such as tin plate, and has a correspond-
ing lid 2 of suitable shape placed upon it. In the construction shewn this lid is
designed octagonal, and there are arranged upon it two channels 3 and 4 crossing
one another at right angles, the point of intersection whereof corresponds approxi-
mately to the centre of the lid. Along these channels the lid is cut away, and
there are placed in these openings four tongues or strips 5, which come close
together at their ends as shewn in the drawing. The said tongues are pivoted
in the apertures, and their centre of revolution is arranged at the front, close to
the entrance of the channel, so that the longer part of the tongue projects towards
the centre. Each tongue is balanced by fixing the requisite weight 6 to the
shorter part thereof, and SO that the shorter parts have a very
slight excess of weight, and
tongues are thus held normally
in the horizontal position. It is also impossible to see from the outside
that there is any opening through the lid, and the mouse or other vermin, enticed
by a suitable bait easily enters in one of the channels, where, as soon as it has
passed a little over the pivot of one of the tongues, it is projected into the water
by the swinging of the tongue, and drowns therein.
the
The trap can be placed in various positions, for instance it may be buried so
that the lid is almost level with the surface of the earth, or there may be placed
boards or other materials around the trap, so that the vermin can climb up them,
and reach the trap.
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
The improved vermin trap, consisting essentially of a vessel 1, of any suitablo
shape and material, a lid 2 provided with two cross apertures 4, which aper-
tures are closed by the easily movable tongues 5, balanced on pivots, and placed

page_text: in close contact, one with another, for the purpose of catching and destroying the
vermin by projecting it into the water contained in the vessel after passing over
the pivot of one of the said tongues 5, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.