Patent ID: 7380368

Claim:
An animal trap, comprising: a first jaw segment having a first transverse portion transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first jaw segment, formed at a first proximal end of the first jaw segment and a spring loop disposed at a first distal end of the first jaw segment; a second jaw segment having a second transverse portion transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw segment, disposed at a second proximal end of the second jaw segment and also having a third transverse portion transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw segment, disposed at a second distal end of the second jaw segment, the second jaw segment being rotatably coupled to the first proximal end; a spring axially mounted on the longitudinal axis of the first jaw segment and secured by the spring loop, the spring providing a rotating force; a pan hinged on the third transverse portion at the second distal end, a plane in which the pan lies being disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw segment; and a trip wire having a distal end rotatably mounted on the first transverse portion and a proximal end restrained by the pan, the trip wire being released when pressure is applied to the pan causing the first jaw segment and the second jaw segment to close together.