Over-the-hole mole trap

Abstract

An over-the-hole mole trap which is triggered when a mole ejects dirt from the hole. The trap comprises frame, a spear, a spring, a trigger lever and a trigger plate. The frame has two legs and two vertical guide rods above the legs. The spear is between and parallel to the legs and the guides, and is surrounded by the spring. The trigger lever pivotally depends from one of the guides. The trigger plate is pivoted on the frame below the trigger lever substantially at ground level, and has a central opening receiving the spear, and an outboard portion for retaining the lower end of the trigger lever. The spear is held cocked by a base plate thereof engaging a side notch in the trigger lever. The spear is released when the trigger plate is raised by dirt ejected from the hole, lowering the outboard portion of the trigger plate to free the trigger lever and rfelease the spear to be thrust downwardly by the spring. The outboard trigger lever retaining portion of the trigger plate can be an opening through the plate, or an upstanding lip of the plate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.