Patent ID: 8429848

Claim:
A mole trap comprising: a base having a downwardly extending blade; a pivoting blade mounted to the base for pivotable motion with respect to the base blade; a catch pivotably mounted about a first axis to the base, the first axis being located at a first end of the base; a lever comprised of a first lever segment pivotably connected to a second lever segment, wherein the first lever segment is pivotably mounted to the base, the first lever segment pivoting about a second axis located on the base, wherein the second lever segment is pivotably connected to the pivoting blade, the first axis being spaced from the second axis in a first direction; a spring which extends between the second lever segment and the base to urge the pivoting blade to close with the base blade; a catch pawl which projects upwardly from the catch; a trip pawl which projects upwardly from the catch, the trip pawl being spaced from the catch pawl in the first direction; a trigger directly and pivotably mounted to the base about a third axis, the third axis being positioned between the first axis and the second axis; portions of the second lever segment that define a downwardly extending tab; first portions of the trigger which define a trigger post which extends beneath the catch; second portions of the trigger which define a pawl-receiving surface; and third portions of the trigger which define a slot extending in the first direction and terminating adjacent the pawl-receiving surface, the slot being positioned to receive the trip pawl extending therethrough, such that when the lever is depressed towards the base, the second lever segment tab engages with the catch pawl, pivoting the catch to engage the trip pawl with the pawl-receiving surface of the trigger and to retain the trap in a set position until such time as the trigger is displaced sufficiently to dislodge the catch pawl from the pawl-receiving surface and thereby allow the spring to urge the pivoting blade towards the base blade into a sprung configuration.