Improvements in and relating to Animal Traps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1899-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Animal Traps.
1, ARCHIBALD MENZIES, of 8, Cambridge Street, in the County of the City of
Glasgow, Mason, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement in writing reference being made to the accom-
panying drawings:-
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in and relating
to animal traps of the spring jaw variety and has for its object the simplifying
of the construction of the releasing trigger appliances at same time rendering
these more efficient, also the providing of means for setting the traps and for
catching animals alive, or for killing same at once when caught by the spring
jaws.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have here-
unto appended one sheet of illustrative drawings in which Figure 1 is a side view
partly in section of a spring jaw trap fitted with my improved trigger appliance
also showing my improved method and appliances for pressing down the spring
while the trap is being set, while Figure 2 is a cross section and Figure is
a plan of same. Figures 4 and 4 show a modified form of the trigger appliance.
Figure 5 is a side view also broken away showing another modification. Figure 6
illustrates a baiting arrangement. Figure 7 illustrates a construction whereby
the trap is rendered more sensitive and effective. Figure 8 is an end view
illustrating a form of spring jaw trap for catching animals alive, and Figure 9
illustrates an appliance for killing the animal caught in the trap.
Referring to these drawings:-
Figures 1, 2, and 3, illustrate an ordinary spring jaw trap fitted with my improved
trigger appliances and setting appliances. The sole plate A, spring B, jaws C,
studs D, D, and bait plate E are all much of an ordinary construction. The
trigger F secured to the bait plate E, according to my improvements is formed
with a point f which when the trap is set enters between two squares or pro-
jections e formed one on the end of each jaw to hold them down. The point f
of the trigger is preferably bevelled except at its upper part so as to make it
act more sensitively. The trigger may be fulcrumed as shown or on a pin
carried in lugs projecting from the stud D and it and the squares c may be fitted
at the other end of the jaws if desired. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, G is a
lever for holding down the spring while the trap is being set by inserting the
point in a small hole d in the stud D and by leverage pressing down the spring B
when the trap may be safely set or the usual securing ring B₁ be moved into
position for holding down the spring, and this lever may be of any con-
venient shape or may be formed as part of a rabbit spade. Figure 4 illustrates
a construction whereby the same form of trigger may be made to hold down the
spring by means of a projection 6 formed on the spring B within its loops,
a notch being formed in the stud D to receive the projection b when the spring
is lowered to set the trap. As shown in Figure 4 the trigger is fulcrumed on

page_text: the outside of the stud D) and a stop f¹ is provided to retain the bait plate E
at its proper level when the trap is set. The projection 6 may be made broader
than shown and of a shape to hold down the jaws.
Figure 5, illustrates an arrangement in which the squares c are formed on the
ends of the pivots of the jaws C outside of the stud 1) the point f of the trigger F
being turned down in this case to pass between the squares e and hold the jaws
open in a manner similar to that described in reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3.
Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement for ensuring release of the trigger when
bait is used on the bait plate. In this case a hook e is employed to which the
bait is attached and which is secured to a cord el passing over the pulley a on
the sole plate A, so that when an animal pulls at the bait the plate E is pulled
down and the trigger F released from the squares c.
Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement for rendering a trap more sensitive and
efficient particularly in frosty weather when the trigger is apt to be frost bound.
The trigger F is in this case furnished with a lever F and the bait plate E
jointed to the stud D₁ is fitted with a projection E to press upon the end of the
lever when the bait plate E is depressed whereby the leverage to release the
trigger is greatly increased.
Figure 8 is an end view illustrating the construction of a spring jaw trap for
catching animals alive.
In this case the jaws C, C, are preferably square shaped and made large enough
to pass over the animal without injuring it and are pivotted to studs D, D¹, in
a similar manner to the other varieties described, the spring and trigger arrange-
ments being also similar. A series of light springs H preferably of ribbon steel
are connected to the jaws C, C, and have their other ends fitted to slide in trans-
verse guides A attached to the sole plate A. When the trap is set and the
jaws C, C, are open these springs H, will lie flat in their guides A¹ but when the
trap is sprung they will be drawn up along with the jaws and assume the curved
form shown in the drawings. The ends of the trap are closed by duplex wires
fitted to telescope or alter in length by means of the loops formed on them and
secured by one end to the studs D and D¹, both ends of the trap being fitted
alike. The duplex wires have loops on their outer ends through which the
springs H pass and by which they are free to slide on the springs. Small con-
meeting links or loops are fitted between the wires so that when the jaws close
they are all pulled up so as to form a close end through which the animal cannot
escape. Otherwise one part of the duplex wire may be made as a tube for the
other part to slide in.
Figure 9 illustrates a trap fitted with an appliance for killing the animal
caught in the trap and which consists of a wire I formed as a spring 1' in its
centre part and secured by its ends to the projections A2 formed on or secured
to the soleplate A. This wire is passed through holes in one of the jaws C
so that when the jaw rises when the trigger is released the wire is carried up along
with it and at the same time the loop is shortened so as to press with great force
on the back of the animal caught, the spring part I accomodating the loop to
different sizes of animals.
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
First. In animal traps of the spring jaw variety the construction and arrange-
ment of the trigger and devices for holding the jaws open, substantially as
herein described in reference to the accompanying drawings more particularly
Figures 1 to 3.
Second. In animal traps of the spring jaw variety the construction and arrange-
ment of the trigger and devices for holding open the jaws substantially as herein
described and shown in Figures 4 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Third. In animal traps of the spring jaw variety the construction and arrange-

page_text: ment of the trigger and devices for holding open the jaws substantially as herein
described and shown in Figure 5, of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In animal traps of the spring jaw variety the arrangement of hook
and cord connected to the bait plate substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and shown in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. In animal traps of the spring jaw variety the construction and use of
the duplex lever arrangement for releasing the trigger substantially as herein
described and shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. The method and appliances for use in setting the trap substantially as
herein described and illustrated by Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
Seventh. The construction of animal traps of the spring jaw variety fitted
and arranged substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illus-
trated by Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. In animal traps of the spring jaw variety the fitting of same with a
wire loop for the purpose of killing the animal caught substantially as herein
described and illustrated by Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 1st July 1000.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
9y, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
9y, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.