SELF SETTING ANIMAL TRAP
The captured animal resets the trap for the next animal.
The animal enters the open forward end of a perforated casing and steps on a tilting platform, which swings a trigger arm free and lets the entrance door fall shut by gravity. Finding no retreat, the animal moves rearward and steps on a resetting treadle, which through a V-shaped wire linkage swings the door back open and repositions the trigger arm. The animal then forces its way through two one-way screened gates into an imprisoning chamber, from which it cannot return. The trap is now set for the next animal.
“The animal now entrapped finding no means of retreat will pass rearwardly in the casing and will necessarily step upon the resetting treadle 19, and this treadle cooperates with the V-shaped unit 20 to swing the door 11 outwardly at the same time actuating the platform and the trigger arm to again position the curved upper end of the angular trigger arm beneath the lower edge portion of the door 11, so that said door will be set and held in an open position as indicated in Figure 2.”— Walter Young, from the specification
And the world did not beat a path to his door.