ANIMAL-TRAP

A snap trap that can be set without endangering the operator's fingers.

PatentUS 744,379

PatentedNovember 17, 1903

InventorJohn M. Mast

OfLancaster, Pennsylvania

Patent drawing sheet showing a rectangular-base animal trap with a U-shaped wire striker, coiled spring, lever-arm, and sliding treadle trigger, along with detail views of the shaft, lever hooks, and trigger variations. — click to zoom

The operator depresses a lever-arm rigid with a rotating shaft, which raises the spring-loaded U-shaped striker away from the base. A lip-hook on the treadle engages the lever-arm and holds the striker cocked, keeping the operator's hand clear of the striking area throughout. The mouse depresses the treadle; the lip-hook releases the lever-arm; the coiled spring snaps the striker down onto the mouse.

“The object of the invention is to provide means whereby traps of this class may be readily set or adjusted with absolute safety to the person attending thereto, avoiding the liability of having his fingers caught or injured by the striker when it is prematurely or accidentally freed or released.”— John M. Mast, from the specification

And the world beat a path to his door.