ANIMAL-TRAP
The trap lies flat until it snaps into a pyramid.
Three triangular wire-netting sides hinge to a flat triangular base and lie spread on the ground, where they may be covered with leaves, sand, or sawdust so only the bait shows. The animal steps on the bait holder or pulls the bait, which releases a trigger holding a spring-pressed arm at one corner. The arm swings over and pulls flexible cords threaded through the apexes of the three sides. All three sides swing upward and inward at once, meeting at a point to form a pyramidal cage over the animal.
“The animal trap shown and described can be used for trapping various game including birds, fish and mammals, and the animals trapped are not liable to be injured, cannot escape and are protected against attack by other animals.”— Samuel Phillips Verner, from the specification
And the world did not beat a path to his door.