RAT-TRAP.
The rat, kept unaware it is descending, does not attempt escape.
The rat climbs onto a pivoted platform set flush in the top of a perforated box to reach bait held on a curved rod. As the rat nibbles, the bait moves downward with the tilting platform, and the rat is lowered into the receptacle. A weighted coil then returns the platform to its closed position, resetting the trap and preventing escape. A sliding door at one end of the box permits removal of the animal.
“The rat in nibbling on the bait of the segmental portion of the rod will assist in operating the trap member, as will be found, and being that the bait will tend to move at the same time the trap member lowers, the rat will be unconscious as to the fact that the trap member is lowering with him, therefore will not endeavor to escape.”— Albert R. Peterson, from the specification
And the world did not beat a path to his door.