IMPROVEMENT IN ANIMAL-TRAPS.

A spring-loaded jaw catches the mouse's head against the base.

PatentUS 221,320

PatentedNovember 4, 1879

InventorJames M. Keep

OfNew York, New York

Three technical line drawings of a small spring-loaded animal trap: Fig. 1 shows the base plate, pivoted toothed jaw, coiled springs, and tripping pawl separated apart with labeled parts; Fig. 2 shows the same trap assembled but unset; Fig. 3 shows a side cross-section of the trap set, with the toothed jaw raised on a curved arc above the flat base and the pawl engaging the jaw's tail-piece. — click to zoom

Bait is attached to the front end of a tripping pawl, which engages a shoulder on the tail-piece of a pivoted jaw and holds the jaw open against two coiled springs. The mouse disturbs the bait; the pawl tips downward and releases the tail-piece. The springs snap the toothed jaw down onto the base, catching the animal's head between jaw and base.

“so that if cheese or other like article of food be attached to the front end of said pawl and the trap set, the effort of a mouse to eat from or to remove said food will spring said trap, and cause the head of the animal to be caught between said jaw and base.”— James M. Keep, from the specification

And the world did not beat a path to his door.

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