ANIMAL TRAP
A walkway over a pail that collapses at a predetermined point.
A base plate with an opening sits on top of a pail, supporting a level runway that leads toward a covered bait box. Perforations in the bait box wall allow the aroma of the bait to reach the runway. The mouse walks along the runway toward the bait; when its weight passes the pivot axis, a tripping lever knocks a pair of toggle links off dead center and the runway drops, dumping the mouse through the opening into the pail. A torsion spring then returns the runway to its level position and the trap is set again.
“Wall 21 at its lower end, is provided with perforations 22 through which the aroma from the bait A therein, is adapted to exude.”— Clifford E. Streed, from the specification
And the world did not beat a path to his door.