And The World Did Not Beat A Path To His Door

4,400 attempts at a solved problem

ANIMAL TRAP

A relatively humane trap that breaks the animal's neck.

PatentUS 3,855,724
PatentedDecember 24, 1974
InventorMichael Benz
OfWilliams Lake, British Columbia
Exploded perspective drawing of a wire-frame animal trap showing two pivoting rectangular jaw frames connected by coil springs and rings, with a central bait holder and disc-shaped trigger mechanism mounted on a base bar.
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Two spring-loaded wire jaw frames pivot on a common base and are held open by a pair of triggers, one of which carries a hollow disc that rests against the tip of the other. A pivoted bait holder passes through the hollow disc and carries a plate positioned above it. When the animal pulls the bait from any direction, the holder tilts, the plate depresses the disc, and both triggers release simultaneously. The springs drive rings along the end members and the jaws snap shut on the animal's neck or torso.

“The traps are light, easily and safely handled and because they are effective in trapping animals from almost any angle of approach they meet substantially all trapper requirements. They are also relatively humane and ensure rapid killing of the trapped animal.”— Michael Benz, from the specification

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

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