Mousetrap

An animal trap comprising:

• a base having an upper surface, a front end, a rear end, a first side edge and a second side edge;
• a jaw frame pivotally mounted on said base for pivotal movement between a cocked position and sprung position;
• spring means for biasing said jaw frame towards said sprung position;
• a catch member, wherein said base provides means for pivotally mounting said catch member thereon, said catch member being pivotable between a catch position and a release position, said catch member having means for releasibly engaging said jaw frame when said jaw frame and said catch member are in said cocked position and said catch position, respectively, said catch member being pivotable to said release position to move said engaging means out of engagement with said jaw frame;
• thereby freeing said jaw frame for movement to said sprung position;
• a trigger member pivotally mounted to said base for pivotal movement between a set position and at least one trip position, said trigger member including a trigger portion adapted for operative association with said catch member, said trigger portion being positioned for manipulating said catch member when said catch member and said trigger member are in said catch position and said set position, respectively, said trigger portion forcing said catch member to said release position whenever said trigger member moves to said trip position, thereby freeing said jaw frame from releasible engagement with said catch member to permit said jaw frame to move to said sprung position;
• and
• a handle connected to said jaw frame such that said handle is pivotable with said jaw frame between said cocked position and said sprung position, and wherein movement of the jaw frame to said sprung position orients said handle in an upright alignment whereat said handle is substantially perpendicular to said upper surface of the base, wherein a connecting member joins said jaw frame to said handle, said connecting member extending outwardly from the base, beyond said first side edge, such that the connecting member positions the handle at a remote locale spaced outwardly from the base, wherein at said locale said handle continually is positioned apart from said base as said handle pivots between said cocked position and said sprung position along an arcuate pathway, wherein said handle and said base are in offset relation such that the spring means, the catch member, and the trigger member on the base do not lie beneath said
• arcuate pathway traveled by said handle:
• further including cover means about said base, said cover means for prohibiting a human from contacting the trigger member and the catch member;
• and
• further including means for releasibly interlocking said base with said cover means;
• wherein said interlocking means includes at least one tab protruding from a side edge of said base and at least one slot located on said cover means so as to align with said tab for releasible engagement therewith.

An animal trap comprising:

• a base having an upper surface, a front end, a rear end, a first side edge and a second side edge;
• a jaw frame pivotally mounted on said base for pivotal movement between a cocked position and a sprung position;
• spring means for biasing said jaw frame towards said sprung position;
• a catch member, wherein said base provides means for pivotally mounting said catch member thereon, said catch member being pivotable between a catch position and a release position, said catch member having means for releasibly engaging said jaw frame when said jaw frame and said catch member are in said cocked position and said catch position, respectively, said catch member being pivotable to said release position to move said engaging means out of engagement with said jaw frame;
• thereby freeing said jaw frame for movement to said sprung position;
• a trigger member pivotally mounted to said base for pivotal movement between a set position and at least one trip position, said trigger member including a trigger portion adapted for operative association with said catch member, said trigger portion being positioned for manipulating said catch member when said catch member and said trigger member are in said catch position and said set position, respectively, said trigger portion forcing said catch member to said release position whenever said trigger member moves to said trip position, thereby freeing said jaw frame from releasible engagement with said catch member to permit said jaw frame to move to said sprung position;
• and
• a handle connected to said jaw frame such that said handle is pivotable with said jaw frame between said cocked position and said sprung position, and wherein movement of the jaw frame to said sprung position orients said handle in an upright alignment whereat said handle is substantially perpendicular to said upper surface of the base, wherein a connecting member joins said jaw frame to said handle, said connecting member extending outwardly from the base, beyond said first side edge, such that the connecting member positions the handle at a remote locale spaced outwardly from the base, wherein at said locale said handle continually is positioned apart from said base as said handle pivots between said cocked position and said sprung position along an arcuate pathway, wherein said handle and said base are in offset relation such that the spring means, the catch member, and the trigger member on the base do not lie beneath said arcuate pathway traveled by said handle;
• said trap in combination with bait, wherein said trigger member includes an area adapted to accommodate said bait, wherein said bait is accommodated within said bait area, and further including a removable plastic sleeve having a first end that is closed and a second end that is configured to accommodate a portion of the trigger member therein, said second end being sealed about said trigger member such that said plastic sleeve defines an enclosed volume that encompasses said bait and said bait area.