GB1584513A

GB1584513A - Traps for animals

Info

Publication number: GB1584513A
Application number: GB550678A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FREIGHTWAYS HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: FREIGHTWAYS HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 1977-02-16
Filing date: 1978-02-10
Publication date: 1981-02-11
Also published as: NZ183361A; AU3336178A; FR2381441A7; DE7804503U1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TRAPS FOR ANIMALS (71) We, FREIGHTWAYS HOLD INGS LIMITED, of Eden House, Khyber Pass Road, Auckland, New Zealand, a New Zealand company, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to traps for animals and more particularly relates to the kinds of traps having jaws between which a leg, paw or other part of an animal can be gripped and trapped.

The well known and somewhat infamous "gin-trap" with spring biassed sharp serrated or toothed metal jaws which clamp together about the legs of an animal quite some distance above the paw or foot level, is the subject of legislation, some still pending, throughout the world and has gained notoriety due to the suffering caused to the animals caught thereby due to tearing of the caught animals' skin and flesh, and usually or frequently the breakage of bones of the animal.

It will be appreciated that the design of a "gin-trap" has not changed materially from time immemorial and that whilst suffering to animals may have been acceptable by past generations, in the present climate of public opinion it has become desirable to provide the public with an alternative to the "gintrap".

Also, many kinds of animals are commercially trapped for their fur and the aforementioned "gin-trap", may also on some animals damage parts of the fur and adversely affect the saleable value of the fur.

This latter disadvantage is not however a major factor as the leg or paw parts usually trapped do not commonly include useful or valuable fur and the prime object of the pres ent.invention is to provide a jaw type trap for catching animals in a humane and efficient manner to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of jaw type animal traps presently available, and in particular the disadvantages of the "gin-trap" referred to above, and reduce the likelihood of breaking the bones (e.g. leg and/ or foot bones) of animals trapped thereby, and reduce the likelihood of causing bleeding or mutilation of the animal.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to the present invention there is provided an animal trap comprising an open frame, a movable member mounted in association with said frame and adapted for movement relative thereto, a pair of jaws one of which is a fixed jaw secured to or forming part of the frame and the other of which is a movable jaw secured to or forming part of said movable member so as to be substantially oppositely aligned and parallel with the fixed jaw and slidably movable within the frame towards and away from said fixed jaw, a pressure sensitive trigger mechanism provided on the frame and being adapted to hold the movable member and movable jaw in a "set" position in spaced relationship with the fixed jaw, and a biassing means associated with the movable member and adapted to produce a substantially instantaneous closing action of the jaws from said "set" position when the trigger mechanism is actuated and to bias the jaws in a closed position thereaf ter; and the trap being further characterised by the provision on at least the movable jaw of a resilient part arranged to engage an animal on closure of the jaws.

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of trap in accordance with the present invention and shown in a "set" position with the jaws open FIGURE IA is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a modification of jaws of the trap of the present invention, FIGURE 1 B is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a further modification of the invention, and FIGURE 2 is a part broken side view of the trap of figure 1 shown in a released or "unset" condition but illustrating the trigger mechanism in broken outline in the "set" position.

In the drawings of the trap of the present invention the principal components are identified as follows - the frame is generally indicated by arrow 1, a pressure sensitive trigger member hingedly connected to the frame is indicated by the arrow 2, a movable member associated with the frame is indicated by arrow 3, a pair of jaws for the trap are generally indicated by arrows 4 and 5, and a biassing means for urging the movable member 3 towards the fixed jaw is indicated by the arrow 6. The trap may be provided with a tie means (generally indicated by arrow 7) for attachment to a fixture such as a peg or post (not shown) in the ground, or to such as a tree.

The frame 1 of the trap is of open form and includes a substantially rectangular (in plan view) closed loop part, formed for example of metal rod, a pair of parallel side members & conjoined by a rear transverse member 9 having a sleeve 10 fixed thereto, the sleeve 10 being preferably an open ended tubular member with one end 10a thereof being fixed to and medially of the frame transverse member 9 such as by welding so that the sleeve 10 extends rearwardly from the transverse member 9 with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve substantially parallel with side members 8 of the frame 1.

The movable member 3 of the trap is in the form of a shaft having one outer end part fixedly secured to the movable jaw 4 and the remainder of the shaft 3 slidably accommodated within the sleeve 10; and the biassing means comprises a compression spring which is fitted about shaft 3 and accommodated within the tubular sleeve 10 to have an inner end abutting a stop within the sleeve 10 and an outer end abutting a stop or collar at or towards the outer end of the shaft 3 or abutting the movable jaw 4 at such outer end.

Although the compression spring 6 in the arrangement shown is the preferred means by which to impel and bias the movable member or shaft 3 and movable jaw 4 towards the fixed jaw 5 it is envisaged that other arrangements may be alternatively or additionally employed and that initial impetus can be applied to or given the movable member 3 on actuation of the trigger mechanism 2 such as by employment of an explosive pellet or charge within the sleeve 10 to obtain rapid closing of the movable jaw 4. Any such arrangement would be complementary to a spring or like biassing means ensuring that a force is constantly applied to the movable member relative to the frame to retain a grip on any animal caught in the jaws 4 and 5 of the trap.

The jaws 4 and 5 of the trap can be substantially similar in form or can differ, but at least the movable jaw 4 is provided with a resilient engaging part to avoid unnecessarily injuring an animal. In the construction shown in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the fixed jaw 5 is of a hard material, e.g. metal, and is in the form of a stop located transversely between the side members 8 and said fixed jaw can be part of or permanently secured to the frame. Preferably the fixed jaw 5 has a serrated or corrugated leading edge 5a i.e. the edge directed towards the movable jaw 4. The movable jaw 4 can comprise a transverse 'U' section metal sleeve 4a which grips a strip of resilient material 4b such as resilient plastics or rubber material.It is the plastics or rubber strip 4b of the movable jaw 4 that makes contact with the limb of a trapped animal and co-operates with the serrated leading edge 5a of the fixed jaw in trapping and holding the animal against movement, but with a minimum risk of bone damage to the animal. In modifications of the invention both movable and fixed jaws 4 and 5 are similarly formed with resilient parts 4b and 5b at their leading edges. Both jaws 4 and 5 can have plain resilient parts 4b and 5b as shown in figure la or the leading edges thereof may be serrated as is illustrated in figure ib (alternatively again only the fixed jaw resilient part Sc is serrated).

In the construction of trap with fixed jaw 5 entirely of hard material the leading edge 5a is blunt and does not present a sharp cutting edge to an animal, any serrations or corrugations are rounded or squared off so that blunt gripping teeth or projections are provided to hold a trapped animal.

The movable jaw 4 is located for movement between the parallel side members 8 of the frame, and preferably has end portions 4a' apertured or recessed to locate over the side members 8 for sliding engagement therewith.

The trigger member 2 of the trap comprises a flat plate located below the jaws 4 and 5, and hinged at one end thereof to the rear transverse member of the frame 1 such as by integral hinge loops 2a formed at the inner end part of the member 2. The other or outer, end part 2b of the trigger is movable towards and away from the fixed jaw 5 but swivelling movement about the hinge connection is restricted by and between the fixed jaw 5 and a front transverse member 11 extending between down-turned extended end portions 8a of the side members 8 of the closed loop frame. The front transverse member 11 serves also as a base support for the trap.

The trigger plate member 2 is provided with an engaging portion arranged for cooperation with a catch means associated with the movable jaw and/or the movable member or shaft 3, and in the illustrated form of the invention the engaging portion 2c is formed at a medial recessed inner edge part between the hinge loops 2a and the catch means is provided by a down-turned end part 3a of the shaft 3.

The trap is set by drawing the movable member 3 and jaw 4 against the bias of spring 6 and away from the fixed jaw, and engagement of the down-turned catch part 3a of the movable member or shaft 3 with the engaging portion 2c of the trigger member 2 by pivoting of the trigger member 2 towards the fixed jaw 5.

To facilitate the trap setting the movable jaw 4 is further preferably provided with extended finger grip portions 4a" which project laterally of the frame members 8 for engagement by a trapper's fingers (the trapper placing his thumbs on the rear transverse member 9 or hinge loops 2a to draw the movable jaw rearwardly). The finger grip portions 4a" can be provided on the ends of a rod welded to the movable jaw 4.

As aforesaid the trap is set against the bias of the spring 6 and in the set position the trigger member 2 is substantially parallel to the sides 8 of the closed loop frame 1 and will be normally positioned substantially flush with the ground in a track likely to be taken by an animal. Pressure on the upper surface of the trigger member 2 from such as an animal's foot or paw will cause pivoting downwardly of the trigger member 2 and disengagement of the engaging portion 2c from the catch part 3a to permit the spring to close the movable jaw 4 of the trap onto the fixed jaw 5.

The trap can be provided with a tie means, indicated by arrow 7, so that the trap can be fixed to a fixture such as a peg in the ground, a tree, a chain ring, a fence, or a gate or other fixture. The tie means 7 can take various forms and may comprise a metal loop 12 which is pivotally located through opposite apertures 13 in the wall of the sleeve 10 at the end remote from the secured end 10a, and a swivel connection 14 fixed to the loop 12.

The swivel connection 14 can be provided directly with an anchor peg (not shown) or with a tension spring 15 and a nominal length of chain 16 which can be anchored as aforesaid. Spring 15 is selected to be of a suitable stiffness in relation to the strength of animals which the trap is set to catch and is incorporated to lessen the risk of the animal dislocating joints by violent pulls against the trap when the animal is caught. The swivel connection 14 allows the trap to be turned relative to its anchorage.

As aforesaid the loop 12 passes through apertures 13 in the sleeve 10 and the portion of the loop 12 which is located within the sleeve 10 serves as a stop to retain the spring 6 in the sleeve 10.

In a modified form of the trap of the present invention the shaft 3 may be arranged to extend rearwardly from the end 10a of the sleeve 10 and have an anchor ring (not shown) fixed thereto. In this case an alternative arrangement such as an internal flange or fixed projection for retaining the end of the spring 6 within the sleeve 10 would be provided. Thus a person wishing to set the trap could alternatively grip the sleeve 10 with one hand and pull on the movable member 3 by passing a finger of the other hand through the ring.

The trap of the present invention may be used for trapping animals of many kinds and sizes, and be constructed accordingly, and its use is not restricted to any particular kind of animal.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated by way of example and it will be appreciated that other variations of and modifications to the described and illustrated forms may take place without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

One modification may include the provision of an upwardly stepped main part of the pressure plate or trigger member 2 to bring the upper surface of such main part within and substantially flush with the frame upper surfaces and substantially close to the level of the ground area in which the trap is located (the area being hollowed slightly to accommodate the trap and particularly the lower parts), such main part being stepped upwardly from a point near the hinge loop portions 2a and engaging portion 2c.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An animal trap comprising an open frame, a movable member mounted in association with said frame and adapted for movement relative thereto, a pair of jaws one of which is a fixed jaw secured to or forming part of the frame and the other of which is a movable jaw secured to or forming part of said movable member so as to be substantially oppositely aligned and parallel with the fixed jaw and slidably movable within the frame towards and away from said fixed jaw, a pressure sensitive trigger mechanism provided on the frame and being adapted to hold the movable member and movable jaw in a "set" position in spaced relationship with the fixed jaw, and a biassing means associated with the movable member and adapted to produce a substantially instantaneous closing action of the jaws from said "set" position when the trigger mechanism is actuated and to bias the jaws in a closed position thereafter; and the trap being further characterised

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the trap. The trigger plate member 2 is provided with an engaging portion arranged for cooperation with a catch means associated with the movable jaw and/or the movable member or shaft 3, and in the illustrated form of the invention the engaging portion 2c is formed at a medial recessed inner edge part between the hinge loops 2a and the catch means is provided by a down-turned end part 3a of the shaft 3. The trap is set by drawing the movable member 3 and jaw 4 against the bias of spring 6 and away from the fixed jaw, and engagement of the down-turned catch part 3a of the movable member or shaft 3 with the engaging portion 2c of the trigger member 2 by pivoting of the trigger member 2 towards the fixed jaw 5. To facilitate the trap setting the movable jaw 4 is further preferably provided with extended finger grip portions 4a" which project laterally of the frame members 8 for engagement by a trapper's fingers (the trapper placing his thumbs on the rear transverse member 9 or hinge loops 2a to draw the movable jaw rearwardly). The finger grip portions 4a" can be provided on the ends of a rod welded to the movable jaw 4. As aforesaid the trap is set against the bias of the spring 6 and in the set position the trigger member 2 is substantially parallel to the sides 8 of the closed loop frame 1 and will be normally positioned substantially flush with the ground in a track likely to be taken by an animal. Pressure on the upper surface of the trigger member 2 from such as an animal's foot or paw will cause pivoting downwardly of the trigger member 2 and disengagement of the engaging portion 2c from the catch part 3a to permit the spring to close the movable jaw 4 of the trap onto the fixed jaw 5. The trap can be provided with a tie means, indicated by arrow 7, so that the trap can be fixed to a fixture such as a peg in the ground, a tree, a chain ring, a fence, or a gate or other fixture. The tie means 7 can take various forms and may comprise a metal loop 12 which is pivotally located through opposite apertures 13 in the wall of the sleeve 10 at the end remote from the secured end 10a, and a swivel connection 14 fixed to the loop 12. The swivel connection 14 can be provided directly with an anchor peg (not shown) or with a tension spring 15 and a nominal length of chain 16 which can be anchored as aforesaid. Spring 15 is selected to be of a suitable stiffness in relation to the strength of animals which the trap is set to catch and is incorporated to lessen the risk of the animal dislocating joints by violent pulls against the trap when the animal is caught. The swivel connection 14 allows the trap to be turned relative to its anchorage. As aforesaid the loop 12 passes through apertures 13 in the sleeve 10 and the portion of the loop 12 which is located within the sleeve 10 serves as a stop to retain the spring 6 in the sleeve 10. In a modified form of the trap of the present invention the shaft 3 may be arranged to extend rearwardly from the end 10a of the sleeve 10 and have an anchor ring (not shown) fixed thereto. In this case an alternative arrangement such as an internal flange or fixed projection for retaining the end of the spring 6 within the sleeve 10 would be provided. Thus a person wishing to set the trap could alternatively grip the sleeve 10 with one hand and pull on the movable member 3 by passing a finger of the other hand through the ring. The trap of the present invention may be used for trapping animals of many kinds and sizes, and be constructed accordingly, and its use is not restricted to any particular kind of animal. Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated by way of example and it will be appreciated that other variations of and modifications to the described and illustrated forms may take place without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. One modification may include the provision of an upwardly stepped main part of the pressure plate or trigger member 2 to bring the upper surface of such main part within and substantially flush with the frame upper surfaces and substantially close to the level of the ground area in which the trap is located (the area being hollowed slightly to accommodate the trap and particularly the lower parts), such main part being stepped upwardly from a point near the hinge loop portions 2a and engaging portion 2c. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An animal trap comprising an open frame, a movable member mounted in association with said frame and adapted for movement relative thereto, a pair of jaws one of which is a fixed jaw secured to or forming part of the frame and the other of which is a movable jaw secured to or forming part of said movable member so as to be substantially oppositely aligned and parallel with the fixed jaw and slidably movable within the frame towards and away from said fixed jaw, a pressure sensitive trigger mechanism provided on the frame and being adapted to hold the movable member and movable jaw in a "set" position in spaced relationship with the fixed jaw, and a biassing means associated with the movable member and adapted to produce a substantially instantaneous closing action of the jaws from said "set" position when the trigger mechanism is actuated and to bias the jaws in a closed position thereafter; and the trap being further characterised

by the provision on at least the movable jaw of a resilient part arranged to engage an animal on closure of the jaws.

2. An animal trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient part of the movable jaw has a plain leading edge arranged to engage an animal.

3. An animal trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient part of the movable jaw has a serrated leading edge arranged to engage an animal.

4. An animal trap as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the fixed jaw is entirely of a hard material.

5. An animal trap as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fixed jaw has a blunt serrated or corrugated leading edge arranged to engage an animal.

6. An animal trap as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the fixed jaw has an inner resilient part with a plain leading edge arranged to engage an animal.

7. An animal trap as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the fixed jaw has an inner resilient part with a serrated or corrugated leading edge arranged to engage an animal.

8. An animal trap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame is of substantiallly rectangular form when viewed in plan, with parallel side members between which the movable jaw is located and movable conjoined by a rear transverse member and the fixed jaw extending transversely between the side members, the side members for movement towards and away from the rear transverse member and the fixed jaw.

9. An animal trap as claimed in claim 8 wherein the movable jaw has apertured or recessed end portions in sliding engagement with the frame side members.

10. An animal trap as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the movable jaw has extended end parts projecting beyond the frame side members to provide finger grip portions for use in drawing the movable jaw rearwardly towards the rear transverse member in setting the trap.

11. An animal trap as claimed in claim 8, claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the movable member is a shaft secured to and extending rearwardly from the movable jaw for slidable location within a tubular sleeve secured to and extending rearwardly from the frame rear transverse member, the biassing means comprising a compression spring located about said shaft and within said sleeve.

12. An animal trap as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 inclusive wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a plate member underlying the frame and having one end portion hingedly mounted at the frame rear transverse member and the other end portion hingedly movable towards and away from the fixed jaw, said plate member having a portion arranged for engagement with a catch means provided on the movable member when the plate member is raised and the movable member and attached movable jaw are moved away from the fixed jaw to the "set" position.

13. An animal trap as claimed in claim 12 wherein the catch means is a down-turned end portion of the movable member at the movable jaw and the plate member engaging portion is a medial recessed inner edge por tidn formed between hinge loops of the plate member, the hinge loops being located about the frame rear transverse member.

14. An animal trap as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the frame has a front transverse member conjoining down-turned extended end portions of the side members at the fixed jaw, the plate member being hingeably movable between the front transverse member and the fixed jaw.

15. An animal trap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the trap is provided with an anchor or tie means including a swivel connection.

16. An animal trap as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the trap is provided with an anchor or tie means including a tension spring.

17. An animal trap arranged and constructed and operated substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.