US1213387A - Trap. - Google Patents

Description

R. A. LEWIS.

TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1916.

1,213,887. Patented Jan. 23,1917.

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RALPH A. LEWIS, F GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO, ASSIGNOR. 0F ONE-THIRD TO W'ILLIAM STRAIT AND ONE-THIRD T0 WALLACE N. SCALES, OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHD.

TRAP.

Application filed May 4, 1916. Serial No. 95,448.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RALPH A. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grangeville, in the county of Idaho and State of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in traps and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character which is self-set and ever-set, and it is ar object of theinvention to provide a trap of this general character with novel and improved means whereby a rocking plate is employed and provided with means for normally holding the door of the entrance open ing of the trap in open position together with a downwardly swinging platform provided with means for automatically adjusting the door of the entrance opening into open position upon downward movement of the platform.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved trap whereby certain important ad vantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully sex forth.

The novel features of the invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through a trap constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a view in top plan of the trap as herein embodied with the upstanding side walls in section; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in bottom plan of the depressible platform showing the connection of the elongated member or rod therewith; and Fig. A is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken through the rear portion of the upstanding walls and the connecting plate.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a housing of predetermined 5 dimensions and configuration having one end provided with an exit opening 2 adapted to be closed by the door 3, while the opposite end thereof is provided with the window opening 1 provided with the closure member 5 preferably of reticulated fabric.

T he top 6 of the housing 1 extends beyond one end of said housing and adjacent its opposite end the top 6 is provided with the opening 7 adapted to be normally closed by the downwardly swinging platform 8 herein disclosed as loosely engaged atone end with the rod 9 disposed transversely of the housing 1 and supported by the upstanding parallel walls 10 carried by the top 6 of the housing 1, said walls 10 being arranged ad jacent the longitudinal margins of the top 6 and in parallelism therewith.

Each of the walls 10 are substantially diamond-shape in elevation with the endsthereof at the entrance being disposed on ar upward and outward incline and the opposed faces of the walls at the entrance end thereof are provided with the cleats 11 o the like upon which the vertically swinging door 12 rests when in closed position.

As herein embodied, the upper end portion of the door 12 is pivotally engaged with the rod 14: disposed between and supported by the side walls 10. When in closed position, the free or lower edge of the door 12 rests upon the elongated member or rod 15 disposed longitudinally of the top 6 in close proximity to one of the side walls 10 and has its inner or opposite end portion operatively engaged with the platform 8, whereby it will be perceived that upon depression of the platform 8, the rod 15 will move the door 12 upwardly into open position and in which position the door 12 is normally held in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully set forth. I

As herein disclosed, a side margin of the platform 8 is returned to afford a barrel in which the adjacent end portion of the elongated member or rod 15 is extended, and said rod or elongated member 15 is provided with the transverse extension 16 underlying the door 8 and which is also positioned within a barrel 17 afforded by a returned extension of the platform 8. It is to be noted that the elongated member or rod 15 is ofiset upwardly intermediate its length, as at 18, for purposes which are believed to be clearly apparent. v

Disposed transversely of the top 6 and Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J a 23 1917 I supported by the walls is the rod 19 positioned a predetermined distance above the top 6 and with which is pivotally engaged intermediate its length the trigger plate 20, the forward portion of which adjacent one of its longitudinal sides is provided with the upstanding loop 21 adapted to underlie the door 12 when in raised position to maintain the same elevated. It is also to be noted that the wei 'ht of the loop 21 is such as to normally hold the forward portion of the trigger plate 20 depressed. As the victim enters between the walls 10 he passes by the trigger plate 20 and the weight of the victim when he reaches the inner end portion thereof will cause the rear portion of the plate to drop, whereupon the loop 21 is withdrawn from operative engagement with the door 12 and said door will drop by gravity into closed position. This movement of the trigger plate 20 causes the victim to pass upon the platform 8 which will depress under the weight of the victim and result in the victim dropping within the housing 1.

It is preferred that the upper and rear edges of the walls 10 have secured thereto the inclosing reticulated fabric 22 and to provide between the inner ends of the walls 10 the deflecting plate 23 bridging the space between said walls and having its intermediate portion outwardly bowed or arched in cross section, whereby the victim is prevented from getting a hold on the reticulated fabric and it is assured that the victim will fall within the housing 1. It is to be noted that the plate 23 is disposed on an upward and inward incline and substantially entirely overlies the opening 7 and the coacting platform 8.

It will be perceived that the elongated member or rod 15 serves to normally main tain the platform 8 in a raised or closed position and that the upward movement'of said platform is limited by the contact of said elongated member or rod with the top 6. I also find it of advantage to secure to the upper surface of the top 6 the transversely disposed strip 24 interposed between the walls 10 and positioned in close proximity to the outer ends thereof. This strip or member 2i serves to prevent a captive from elevating the door 12 in order to effect an escape.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a trap constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice.

I claim:

A trap including an inclosed housing having one end open and provided with an opening in its base, a vertically swinging door coacting with the open end of the lions-- ing, automatic means for maintaining the swinging door in an elevated position, a depressible platform normally closing the opening in the base, an elongated rod having one end portion underlying the platform, said platform having a. marginal portion returned to afford a barrel to receive said end portion of the elongated member, a portion of the elongated member immediately adjacent the platform being offset upwardly, the outer end portion of the elongated member extending beneath the swinging door and serving to elevate the same upon de pression of the platform.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. RALPH A. LElVIS.

W'itnesses Lnsmn G. SMITH, ALVIN F. TURNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing th C m i sioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

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