David A Siegel

US Patent:

43410332, Jul 27, 1982

Filed:

Jan 19, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/199111

Inventors:

David B. Siegel - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

A01M 2330

US Classification:

43 81

Abstract:

The present invention is an improved releasing and resetting mechanism for use in a rat trap which includes a rectangular shell having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides, a back and an entrance opening. The releasing and resetting mechanism includes a trapping mechanism which is pivotally attached to the top of the rectangular shell and disposed within the rectangular shell so that it is parallel to the top of the rectangular shell when the trapping mechanism is in its set position and so that the trapping mechanism contacts the bottom of the rectangular shell when it has been triggered. The releasing and resetting mechanism also includes a spring which is biased between the trapping mechanism and the top of the rectangular shell downwardly biasing the trapping mechanism toward the bottom of the rectangular shell and a plastic band with a plurality of parallelly disposed teeth which is mechanically coupled to the trapping means. The releasing and resetting mechanism further includes a securing mechanism for securing the plastic band so that the plastic band holds the trapping mechanism in its set position and a trigger mechanism for triggering the securing mechanism so that the securing mechanism releases the trapping mechanism. The securing mechanism includes a flat rectangular member which is disposed on the top of the rectangular shell outside thereof and which is resiliently biased so that one of the ends of the flat rectangular member engages the plurality of teeth of the plastic band to hold it in place.