US1188756A - Trapping device. - Google Patents

Description

T. J. GENTRY.

TRAPPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION man FEB- I8. 1916- l ,1 88,756 Patented June 27, 1.916.

Witnesses I nventor Attorneys.

THOMAS J. GENTBY, OF SCARBRO, WEST VIRGINIA.

TRAPPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

7 Application filed February 18, 1916. Serial No. 79,162.

7 '0 all "whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS J. GENTRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scarbro, in the county of Fayette and State of lVest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Trapping Device, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to trapping devices, and aims to provide a novel and improved apparatus for automatically shooting game, although the apparatus can be used for various purposes, such as for protection or the like, a gun, being fired when a switch is operated by the presence of an intruder.

It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the nature indicated embodying a fire arm or gun of any suitable sort and means whereby it is fired automatically when an animal or intruder accidentally sets the device off. The apparatus can be used for shooting game, for scaring ofi or shooting intruders, and the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved attachment for a fire'arm, whereby the fire arm can be operated electrically from a distant point, for the purposes above noted, the attachment being simple and inexpensive in construction as well as serving its office in a practical and efficient manner.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of thednvention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus, the electrical circuit being illustrated diagrammatically. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the fire arm attachment. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. a is a side elevation illustrating a modification.

In carrying out the invention, there is employed any suitable fire arm or gun 1, the trigger of which is designated at 2. The barrel of the gun 1 is preferably supported by a rod or spindle 3 which can be driven into the ground, and the stock of the fire arm is supported by one or two adjustable I legs 4 which can also be driven into the ground. The fire arm can thus be supported above the ground at a suitable point, and can be aimed at the desired point.

The operating attachment for the fire arm includes a tubular casing 5 having one end open and its other end closed, and said casing is attached underneath of the stock of the fire arm 1 by means of a pair of suitable clamps 6, with the open end of the cas ing 5 adjacent the trigger 2. Fitted within casing 5 is a solenoid 7 having the longitudinally movable core 8 therein terminating short of the rear end of the solenoid and projecting from the forward end'of the core toward the closed end of the casing 5. Attached to the rear end of the core'8 IS a nonmagnetic tip 9 projecting out of the rear end of the solenoid and arranged to engage the trigger 2. The forward end of the core 8 has a magnetic disklike head 10 movable within the casing 5 adjacent the closed end thereof, and a coiled spiral spring 11 is disposed or confined between the solenoid 7 and head 10 tonormally retract the core 8 and its tip 9. At tached to the inner or forward end of the solenoid 7 is a pair of longitudinally 'projecting parallel fingers 12 for guiding the head 10, said head having a pair of notches 13 engaging said fingers 12, and the head being supported slidably by the fingers, to reduce the friction, whereby the core will slide easily.

The solenoid 7 is interposed'in an electrical circuit 14 including the battery or source of electrical energy 15, and the terminals of the circuit are attached to contacts 16. One contact is carried by a base 17 and the other is carried by a treadle 18 carried by a leaf spring 19 secured upon one end of the base 17. The spring 19 normally lifts the treadle 19 so that the contacts 16 are separated, for opening the circuit.

In operation, the fire arm 1 is placed at a suitable distance from the switch, and the switch including the contacts 16 and allied parts, is preferably placed adjacent a tree or other object T, from which is hung suitable bait B, whereby an animal in attempting to get the bait B will'step upon the treadle 18. The fire arm is cocked, and the conductors or wires of the circuit are preferably concealed by leaves or the like.

WVhen an animal steps upon the treadle 18, so that the contacts 16 are brought together, the circuit 14 is closed, thus energizing the solenoid 7 and this pulls the core 8 by a sharp movement into the solenoid, thus to project the tip 9. The tip 9 strikes the trigger 2-and sets the fire arm oil", the fire arm being so directed that the animal; which treads upon the treadle 18' will be shot. As soon as the treadle l8 rises, to open the circuit, the solenoid in being denergized will release the core and said core will return to initial position under the influence of the spring 11.

The present apparatus provides desirable means for trapping or shooting game, but it can also be used as a means of protection against intruders, since the switclrcan' be so concealed that an intruder will step upon it, to thereby automatically fire the fire arm, whether it be used for shooting the intruder or simply scaring him.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 1, the fire arm 1' is supported in the same manner as the fire arm 1 abovedescribed, and in this form, a spark plug 5 is screwed into the breech end of the barrel, and is interposed in the electrical circuit 4, whereby when P this circuit is closed, a spark will be produced within the barrel for igniting the charge.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a fire arm having a trigger, of an attachment applied to said head and the fire arm including a solenoid and a core, the core being arranged to engage the trigger when the solenoidis energized, and an electrical circuit including said solenoid and a switch remote from the fire arm.

2. In an apparatus of the character deretracting the core.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination wlth a the arm hav- 111 a tri er of a firin attachment for the D b 7 ti fire arm embodying a tubular casing attached to the fire arm and having an open end adjacent the trigger, a solenoid fitted in said casing, a core working in the solenoid and liaving a non-magnetic tip projecting from the solenoid to engage the trig-- ger, the other end of the core having a head within the casing, a coiled spring between solenoid, the solenoid having fingers projecting from one end thereof upon which said head is slidable.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. GENTRY. lVitnesses:

R. L. PARKER, PHILOMENA A. .ROCKELLI.

Ooplcl of this patent may be obtained for five. cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O.

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