IMPROVEMENT IN ANIMAL-TRAPS
A spring that both bends and twists at the same time.
The trap is a steel-jaw trap powered by a single spring stamped from sheet steel or bent from round wire. Two side prongs flex along their length while a cross-head twists torsionally, so one piece of steel supplies both actions. The spring is riveted to the bed-plate; when the set trap is triggered, the spring drives the jaws shut. The compound action permits the trap to be smaller and lighter than traps whose springs only bend.
“Thus, one spring has the compound torsional and flexible action of the steel of which it is composed.”— Cyrus W. Saladee, from the specification
And the world did not beat a path to his door.