US2536281A - Minnow trap - Google Patents

Description

Jan. Z, 1951 L. E. HAMEL 2,536,281

MINNOW TRAP Filed July 3, 1947 5 SheetS-Sheet l v 3 Z J7 5 33 57x '36 3 45 3 \I LI L LV J `4v u 65 .35 J9 516 s L. E. HAMEL MINNOW TRAP 5 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed July 5, 1947 5 M* \-.AG oo we ooo ,vo oooooooo 5 ooo ooooo oooooooo oooooooo M M o o o o o o o o1 oooooooo ./w oooooooo oooooovoo oooooooo ,oooooooo o o o oo o o oo o` o o o o 0 o o o o v o o o 7 o o o o o o o o o o o o,v f o o o o o o o o /6 o o o o o o o o o ov o o o o o o o o o o o o o o Z A z W o o o o o o o ov o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 7 o 09o .o so o 5 6 o3 4 o o o o o o o o o oo o o o o o 7 o o o 2 3 o o o o o o o 3 i s L 3 f5 7 W I N VEN TOR. Hamel WW M L. E. HAMEL MINNOW TRAP Jan. 2, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 3, 1947 E. HAMEL MINNOW TRAP Jan. 2, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 3, 1947 NVENTOR. jezazlsfnz L. E. HAMEL MINNOW TRAP 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1947 GOGGQO L JQQQQ@ @A J 00.00@ o* @0000 OOO -0@ 0.* C@ o o o. 0%. 0

Patented Jan. 2, 1951 MINNOW TRAP Lewis E. Hamel, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Lewis E. Hamel Co., Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 3, 1947, Serial No. 758,778

12 Claims. l

This invention relates to a minnow trap, and has for its purpose to afford a collapsible structure made from plastic material which can be quickly and easily assembled in operative position, and which is foldable into a compact, flat package when not in use.

The invention has for a further purpose to afford a construction that is practical and convenient to use, which can be economically manufactured, and requires a minimum number of parts.

More particularly the invention has for its object to afford a structure including side walls and end walls in hinged relation and maintained in operative position by means of a transverse retaining partition that is interlocked with each one of the side walls and includes latch means for releasably holding the separable side walls in predetermined relation and maintaining all the walls firmly in operative positions.

Still another purpose of the invention is to afford an arrangement in which the hinge connections between the side and end walls and the hinge connections between adjacent end walls are integral with the side and end walls and do not require separate pintles or additional parts for maintaining the necessary hinged relationship to permit folding.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts that will appear clearly from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a View in end elevation, showing the parts in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a View in side elevation of the same, looking from right to left of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken centrally of Fig. 2, showing the transverse retaining partition in elevation interlocked with the side walls and locked to the adjacent portions of the separable side walls;

Fig. 5 is a view in end elevation showing the position of the parts when two connected side walls have been released from the remaining side walls and transverse retaining partition and folded one upon the other, previously to removing the transverse retaining partition and folding the other two side walls;

Fig. 6 is a plan View, partially broken away, showing the parts in folded or collapsed relation, with the transverse retaining partition removed;

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view on line l-l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional' view on line 8 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of the transverse retaining partition;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view on line II-II of Fig. 4, showing a latch of the transverse retaining partition in locked relation;

Fig. 12 is a similar View, showing the transverse retaining partition moved laterally with relation to the latch opening, to release the side wall when the device is to be collapsed;

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of one end of a side wall, partially broken away;

Fig. 14 is a sectional perspective view on line Ill-I4 of Fig. 13, and

Fig. 15 is a detail View in elevation showing the hinge connection between two end walls.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, I and 2 designate side walls formed of suitable plastic material pivoted together to swing outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, and to this end the walls I and 2 are provided with interengaging integral hinge knuckles 3 connected by the pintles 9 which are also preferably of plastic material. The walls I and 2 are perforated t0 permit free circulation of water to the interior of the trap, while 5 and 6 designate the other two side walls which are pivotally connected respectively to the walls I and 2 to swing inwardly in relation thereto for collapsing. The walls 5 and B are also formed of plastic material and perforated similarly to the walls I and 2, and hingedly connected thereto by means of the knuckles 'I and 6 formed integrally with the several walls and connected by means of the pintles 9 of plastic material.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be observed that the hinge knuckles 3 are formed beyond the outer edges of their supporting side walls to per. mit relative outward folding of the walls I and 2 while the knuckles 'I and 8 are formed within the outer surfaces of their supporting side walls to permit relative inward folding thereof, as will be described hereinafter. When the trap is folded or collapsed, the walls 5 and 6 fold inwardly on the walls I and 2 respectively, and the Walls l .and 2 with the Walls 5 and 6 lying atly thereagainst, are then folded outwardly to the collapsed position illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7, the end walls to be described presently folding simultaneously with the side walls. When the walls are in unfolded or operative position, they are held and locked together by a transverse retaining partition which braces and gives rigidity to the entire "assembly, Aas will i-now be described.

The transversesretaining partition is shown in Figs. 4 and 10 to 12 inclusive, and is indicated generally at II, being cut away centrally as at I2 to provide an enlarged opening for movement of water and minnows within the trap. The retaining partition II is of generally-square shape and iits snugly against theY inner. surfaces .of the side walls when the latter are in operative relationship. In order to maintain the .side walls firmly against movement, the retaining partition II is provided with interlocking means :engaging each of the side walls, preferably in the form of extensions i3 that engage openings or recesses in the side walls I, 2 and 6. The extensions i3 preierably terminate at poi-nts approximately flush with the outer surfaces of the side walls which they engage, while one edge ofthe retaining partition II is provided with an extensie-n le Athat ,projects through .the -opening in the wall 5 and exteriorly thereof to afford a handle that may be C'provided with a finger opening t5 for carrying the trap when ready for :operating yand to enable fsuspending -it in water by a suitable rope or chain.

I6 designates an opening-inthe upper portion .of the retaining partition I `I within the trap, and

from which can be suspended suitable bait El f held by a string Iz8 -for attracting minnows into the trap, and the retaining partition Il is prei- .erably cut away at its corners, as indicated at I9, to enable `its tting more. readily against the.-

side lwalls without interference. The 1meeting edges of the side walls are `preferably bevelled, .as indicated .at 2l, Fig. 4, to permita close, rigid t and to :enable more .readily-bringing the walls 5 and 6 together into locked engagement with the retaining partition Il, `as will now be described.

The retaining partition -I-I is held in more or vless'xed relation to the several walls by means .of the interlocking extensions and recesses .already described, and in order to flock the side wallsf and firmly in 'engagement with .the re- .taining partition IVI, the Ylatter is provided with latches 22 and A23 formed integral with the retaining partition l I and extending upwardlyand laterally therefrom, yas shown in Fig. l0. These latches :operate in opposite directions, the latch zzfextendimg upwardly through opening 2-4 in the sidewall 5 and-the nose of said latchextend- .ing over said side wall toward the left of Figs. .Z-,and 3 while latch 2.3 `extends laterally through opening 25 in side wall E vand the 'nose of said latch extends over the surface of -said side wall toward the Yright of Figs. 2 and u3. When the parts are assembled as in Fig. 4, latches 22 and 23 on the retaining partition lock the walls 5 and i6 and hold'thernsecurelyV aga-inst 'separat-ion,

:The openingsv 24 and 25are slightly `larger'than 'the latches 221and v2.3 so thatziatcha which 'extends exteriorlyof .the wall 6, :canbe engaged and Vpressed laterally to the'gleftrofaFi'gs. Zand 3,5there .being sufc'ient springforexibilityto :the retain-- -`ing'partition I! to'permit-this'movement, wherelupon the side wall S'is released .and can befswung fr iovmwardly and inwardly on :to the side wall '2 1n 4the manner shown in 7Fig. 15, 'the trap bei-ng preferably turned over and supported on the wall i during this operation. Then by engaging latch 22 and moving it slightly laterally of wall 5, the side wall 5 is released and can be swung away to release the central retaining partition li which can be lifted away from engagement with wall I. After the central retaining partition lI is removed, wall 5 can 'be folded inwardly on Wall I, and the walls `I and 2 then folded outwardly to bring the walls into the collapsed posi- :tion illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. To unfold the walls and assemble them in operative position, they are first positioned as illustrated in Fig. 5, and the handle portion lll of the central retain- `ing partition together with latch 22 are inserted through the openings in side wall 5, the central retaining partition II being then brought into interlocking engagement with side wall I by inserting its extension into the corresponding opening in the side wall, after which the walls 2 and .are unfolded 'and swung upwardly around the retaining partition VII from the position shown in 5 until they engage the interlocking .prof jecting portions =on the retaining partition=II. Then by pushing the'side wall 6 over latch-.23, the latter springs into engagement with the opening insaid side wall and locks it in position and the parts are securely and rigidly held against accidental displacement.

It will be understood from the foregoingdescription that the side walls and the central retaining partition :are each formed of an integral sheet of plasticmaterial, so that the structure thus far described requires only ve pieces of vplastic material in Aaddition to the plastic pins for engaging the hinge knuckles already ,de-i' scribed. In order to close the ends of the trap soY as to permit minnows to enter from either end and prevent their escape, each side Wallis provided with an end wall pivotally connected thereto for folding when collapsing and so constructed. and related as to permit the folding op-l erations alreadydescribed and -to afford a funnelshaped opening at each end of the trap when the parts are .operatively positioned.

This is preferably accomplished by providing the side walls I and 5 with end walls 21 and 28 respectively which are hingedly connected to said side walls and to each other, ysee Fig. l, as will be described presently, and the side walls 2 and yli `are similarly provided with end walls 2S and 3|, respectively, thatare hinged to the side walls and to each other, the end walls when in operative position extending inwardly of the trap at acute angles to the side walls, as shown in Figs. l to 3, and affording a generally funnel-shaped 'closure with a small square opening 32 central thereof through which minncws can-enter the trap. Each end wall consists of a generally trapezoidal integral sheet or plate of plastic material and is i connected to its supporting end wall by means kof hook-shaped integral hinge portions 33 that extend lthrough openings 3e in the connectedside wall and engage the cylindrical pintles 35 formed integral with the side wall. The hinge portions 33 are held in hinged relation to the pintles 35 by means of a locking portion or lug 35 preferably arranged intermediate thehinge portions 33 and `formed integral with the end wall, the lug rextending over the opposite surface of the side wall and engaging'the'side wall oppositely to the surface engaged by the 'hinge portions 33 'as they enter the openings '34, while '31 designates va re- .c ess or cut-away portion formed in the side wall in lalignment with the lug '3% on the end wall lto accommodate the lug when'the end wall is swung at an angle to the side Wall and permit the necessary movement of the end wall from collapsing to operative position.

Referring to "Fig, 1, it will be understood that the locking portion or lug 36 overlies the adjacent portion of the side wall to which the end Wall is connected While the hinge portions 33 underlie the integral pintles 35, so that lug 36 thus retains the end wall in proper hinged relationship and prevents accidental separation from its connected side wall. The end wall is constructed of a thin sheet of plastic material and is sunlciently flexible to permit flexing it to attach it to the connected side wall. This is accomplished by flexing the end wall along its hinged edge suinciently to position the lug 36 and hinge portions 33 against opposite surfaces of the side wall, then by sliding the end wall bodily until the hinge p0rtions 33 register with openings 34, and releasing the end wall, the hingeportions spring into the openings -34 in engagement with the pintles 35. After such assembling and release of the end wall, it assumes its normal flat relation and is held locked in hinged relation to the side Wall by means of the oppositely positioned overlying lug 35.

Each end wall is connected to its supporting side wall in this fashion, and each pair of adjacent end walls are connected in the manner illustrated in Fig. 15. Each end wall is cut away along a straight line at its inner end, as indicated at 32, to afford the square central opening when in operative position, and one end wall of the pair is provided with-an integral hook-shaped hinge portion 39 that en'ters a slot 4| in the adjacent end wall and engages a pintle 42 formed integral with the adjacent end Wall, while a locking portion or lug 43 formed integral 'with the first mentioned end wall engages the opposite surface of the adjacent'end wall and prevents separation of the hinge portion. It will be understood that in -assembling a pair of hinged end walls, the lug 43 is initially positioned against one surface of the adjacent end wall, referring to Fig. 15, and the outer portion of the end wall carrying the lug 43 is then flexed laterally to a sullicient extent to permit the hinge portion 39 to move over the opposite surface and drop into the slot 4|. When released, the end wall assumes its at position and is held in hinged relationship to the adjacent end wall, it being understood that the two connected end walls are hinged to the supporting side walls in the manner already described.

Thus when the parts are folded as shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, each pair of hinged end walls fold together between the side walls to which they are connected, assuming the positions illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. In order to accommodate the hinge portions 39 of the end walls when folded, the side walls are provided with suitable recesses or depressions 39a formed adjacent thereto to receive said hinge portions, as indicated in Fig. 9, and in order to protect the hinge knuckles when the Walls I and 2 are folded outwardly upon each other for collapsing, as shown in Fig. '7, said walls are provided on their outer surfaces with integral abutments or projections.

44, see Fig. 7, which are located opposite one another for engagement to limit movement of the lside walls when folded and prevent excess pres- 6 sitioning and holding of said walls in interlocked relation when the trap is completely assembled for operation.

While the structure has been described With reference to the particular embodiment herein shown, it is not confined to the'structural details disclosed, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or departures as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.v

I claim:

l. In a minnow trap comprising two perforate side walls of plastic material yhinged togetherl and foldable outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, a perforate 'side wall of plastic material hinged to each of the rst mentioned side walls and foldable inwardly thereon for col--y lapsing, and a transverse centrally cut-away retaining partition of plastic material removably and interlockingly engaged with said four side walls, said partition including integral exten# sions each of which engages an opening in one of said side walls to interlock therewith and permit separation of the partition from all four side walls.

2. In a minnow trap comprising. two perforate side Walls of plastic material hinged together and foldable outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, a perforate side wall of plastic material hinged to each of the rst mentioned side walls and foldable inwardly thereon for collapsing, and a transverse centrally cut-away retaining partition of plastic material removably and interlockingly engaged with said four side Walls, said partition including integral extensions each of which engages an opening in one of said side walls to interlock therewith and permit separation of the partition from all four side walls and said retaining partition having integral oppositely acting latch portions extending through openings adjacent to the meeting edges of the separable side walls and releasa-bly engaging the last mentioned side walls to lock the parts in operative position.

3. In a minnow trap comprising two perforate side Walls of plastic material hinged together and foldable outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, a perforate side wall of plastic material hinged to each of the rst mentioned side walls and foldable inwardly thereon for collapsing, atransverse centrally cut-away retaining partition of plastic material removably engaging said side walls, integral interlocking extensions on said retaining partition projecting into openings in the side walls, and integral oppositely acting latch portions on said partition extending into openings adjacent to the meeting edgesv of the separable side walls and releasably engaging the last mentioned side walls to lock the parts in operative position.

4. In a minnow trap comprising two perforate side Walls of plastic material hinged together and foldable outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, a perforate sidewall of plastic material hinged to each of the rst mentioned side walls and foldable inwardly thereon for collapsing, a transverse centrally cut-away retaining Apartition removably engaginglsaid side walls, in-

terlocking portions on said retaining partition projecting into vopenings in the side walls, and integral oppositely acting latchportions on said partition extending through ,openings adjacent to the meeting edges of theseparable side walls and releasably engaging the last mentioned side walls to lock the parts in operative position,l one o'rfsazidf-'interlocking :portions fextendingl-fthrough exteriorlym'fits side walll and having a-nger opening therein comprising a handle. l

Ina minnow trap comprising -two jperforate Lfside-walls'of plastic .material hinged-together and f'foldable `'outwafmlly :Sin relation :tol each .other for "coilapsinga 'perforate sidewall 'of plastic Vmateiifial hinged to ieach oi the nrstmentioned Iside Apwalls and foldable .inwardly vthereon for collapsing, and a transverse central-ly cnt-'away 4reta-ining partition of plastic material removably and Linterlockingly engaged kwith said side Walls, said l'partition A.including integral yextensions eachk of 'which engages' an Vopening in one Iof -said side Vto interlock 'therewith and permit fsepara- Stion'bf'the partition -from all four sidewalls, and said vretaining partition having in-tegral opposite- -ly'facting latch `rport-ions `extending through open- 'ings adjacent to` the 'meeting edges of the Sepfarable side-walls' and releasably engaging the last j mentioned Yside walls to' lock the parts inoperative `povsitioni theseparableside walls having separa- Jble interlocking portions 'at theirv meeting edges for holding them in 'predetermined Voperative relation.

f In a lminnow trap comprising two periorate 'sidewalls *of :plastic material hinged-together `fanti 1-foldabl-eoutwardly in relation to eachother .for collapsing., a perforate side Wall of plastic 'material hinged to each of the first mentioned :side --Walls "and :foldable inwardly thereon for collapsing, transverse centrally cut-away retainfingpartition' of plastic material removably -en-- ga-ging :said sidewalls, interlocking extensions on :said retaining partition projecting into open- "ings in the -side walls, AVand integral oppositely acting-latch --portions 'extending Athrough Vopen.- yings adjacent' tor the meeting edges of the separable `sidewalls and releasaloly engaging thelast mentioned "".vallsto lock the parts vin operative position, the separable .side walls having separable 'interlocking 4portions at their meeting edges for holding themin predetermined operative re.;-

lation. l

7. Ina `rninnow "trap comprising two pe-rforate 'sidewalls of plastic material hinged together and fol'dable "outwardly Ain relation to each other for collapsing, aperforate side wall of plastic material hinged to each iof the ilrst mentioned side walls `and foldable inwardly thereon for collapsing, a transverse centrally cut-away retaining A1 oartition removably engaging'said side walls, in-

ter-locking vportions on said retaining partition vprojectingy into-'openings in the side Walls, 'and integral oppositely acting latch portions extend- .fing through openings adjacent to the meeting edges oi the separable side wallsV and releasably engaging vthe last mentioned 'walls to lock the par-ts in operative position, the separable side Walls having interengaging .portions at their :meeting edges for holding them in predetermined operative'relation, one --of said interlocking portions extending through and exteriorly of its side walland having a iinger opening therein com-- Tprising a handle. v

8.-A`min-now .trap comprising two periorate .side walls of plasticmaterial .hinged together and .toldable .outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, a perforate side Wall .of plastic "material hinged to each of the rst mentioned .side walls and foldable inwardly .-thereon.'for colla'psing,v and end walls of plastic material and lgfenerally trapezoidal in shape hinged to lthe vends o'f each sidewall, each end'wall having .a pair of 'spaced integral hook-shaped lhinge portions extending through. epeningsfin .the vadl'ftellt side wall and dengagingpintlesgintegral therewith and an Vintermediate 'integral locking v,portion engaging the opposite surface of sa-idside-Wall between ,thehinge :portions and preventing separation of the side-and end walls, the'end wall on'each vin lward-lyfolding sidewall :and onfthe adjacent out? Wardly folding side lwall y:being hinged' together :along one side'edge 'to afford with the other fend walls 1a funnel-shaped inlet when in operative position, yone-of Ysaid :hinged end walls having Een integral hook-shaped hinge rportion extending through ian opening lin the adjacent end wall and engaging a` pintle f integral therewith and `emintegral Vlockingv portion engaging thevoppesite--isurface of thev adjacent end 'Wall to .prevent vtheir separation.

9. A .minnow trap lcomprising twol `Ype11i rate side walls of plasticmaterial hingedtcgether and pfoldable.- outwardly in relation -t'oeaclfi other vf or collapsing, and a perforate si'de lwall of plas? tic material 'hinged to ueachfof -theirst :mene tioned-'side walls and oldable `inwardly thereon for collapsing, '-a transverse centrally Y:citt-away Yretaining vpartitionremovably and interl'ockingly engaged" with fsaid Lside .'wails, 7end Awalls of plastic material and generally trapezoidal in shape hinged-rto the ends fof reach fside-'Wallf-'eachfnd Wall having a pair-of'spaced integral hook-shaped hinge yportions extending throughfopeningswin the adjacent side wall and engaging pintles llin- 1.tegral therewith and an"inter'rne'dia'te integral locking iportionfengaging the yopposite.surface 'of said side wall between said `hir-ige':portionsfand :preventing separation of the side'and end Walls, thev end wall on each inwardly folding ysidewall 'and on the adjacent' outwardly folding side Wall being 'hinged together along "one "side edge "to -aiord with theoth'er'end 4'walls 'af-nnel-shaped :inlet lfwhenin' Voperative tpositio'n, Vvone 'of said hingedendwalls having an integral hook-Shaped hinge' 4portion extending Vthrough an opening in the vadj acent rend wall and 'engagingaY apintle fintytegral therewith and nan :integral locking portion A'el'iga'ging ftheoppositesurf ace o'f theiadjacent-end Walrlto prevent :their separation. 4

110. A `minnovv trap comprising two V'perfo'fat-e 'si'de walls vof plastic material hinged ftog'ether and 'foldable 'outwardly in relation toeach' other for collapsing, 'and va perforate-'side wall fof-plasticmaterial-hinged to each of the rst mentioned side walls and foldabl'e inwardly thereon' forfcollansing, a tra'risvensev centrally -cut-awayretaining partition removably 4and interlockingly"engaged withsaid :side walls, 'said retaining wall Thaiiing 'integral vop'positely acting .latch portions extend.- Ying through openings adjacent. Yto tl'ie meeting edges of the inwardly folding side wallsfand'rfe- -leasably engaging the last .mentioned walls "to lock the fparts in operative position, end walls-of plastic material 'and generally trapezoidal in shape hinged to the ends of each side wall, each end wall having "a pair `of spaced integral V7hookishaped vhingeportions extending through 'openiings yin the adjacent side wall and engaging .pintlesv integraltherew-ith andran intermediate integral locking portion `engaging the YOpposite `surface of the .side wallbetween said hinge portions and preventing separation -of the Yside-and end walls, vthe Vend Wall `on each .inwardly vfolding side `wall and on Athe vadjacent 4outwardly dfolding sidejwallbeing hinged together to aord with .the otherend walls a funnel-shaped .inlet when in operative position,..one of said4 end wallsihavng an integralhook-shaped -liinge portion extend-,-

ing through an opening in the adjacent end wall and engaging a pintle integral therewith and an integral locking portion engaging the opposite surface of the adjacent end wall to prevent their separation.

11. A minnow trap comprising two perforate side walls of plastic material hinged together and foldable outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, and a perforate side wall of plastic material hinged to each of the iirst mentioned side walls and foldable inwardly thereon for collapsing, a transverse centrally cut-away retaining partition removably engaging said side walls, interlocking portions on said retaining partition projecting into openings in each of the side walls, integral oppositely acting latch portions extending through openings adjacent to the meeting edges of the inwardly folding side walls and releasably engaging the last mentioned walls to lock the parts in operative position, end walls of plastic material and generally trapezoidal in shape hinged to the ends of each side wall, each end wall having a pair of spaced integral hookshaped hinge portions extending through openings in the adjacent side wall and engaging pintles integral therewith and an intermediate integral locking portion engaging the opposite surface of the side wall between said hinge portions and preventing separation of the side and end walls, the end wall on each inwardly folding side wall and on the adjacent outwardly folding side wall being hinged together to afford with the other end walls a funnel-shaped inlet when in operative position, one of said end walls having an integral hook-shaped hinge portion extending through an opening in the adjacent end wall and engaging a pintle integral therewith and an integral locking portion engaging the opposite surface of the adjacent end wall to prevent their separation.

12. A minnow trap comprising two perforate side walls of plastic material hinged together and foldable outwardly in relation to each other for collapsing, and a perforate side wall of plastic material hinged to each of the first mentioned side walls and foldable inwardly thereon I lo for collapsing, a transverse centrally cut-away retaining partition removably engaging said side walls, interlocking portions on said retaining partition projecting into openings in each of the side walls, integral oppositely acting latch portions extending through openings adjacent to the meeting edges of the inwardly folding side walls and releasably engaging the last mentioned walls to lock the parts in operative position, end walls of plastic material and generally trapezoidal in shape hinged to the ends of each side wall, each end wall having a pair of spaced integral hookshaped hinge portions extending through openings in the adjacent side wall and engaging pintles integral therewith and an intermediate integral locking portion engaging the opposite surface of the side wall between said hinge portions and preventing separation of the side and end walls, the end wall on each inwardly folding side wall and on the adjacent outwardly folding side wall being hinged together to afford with the other end walls a funnel-shaped inlet when in operative position, one of said end walls having an integral hook-shaped hinge portion extending through an opening in the adjacent end wall and engaging a pintle integral therewith and an integral locking portion engaging the opposite surface of the adjacent end wall to prevent their separation, one of said interlocking portions eX- tending through and exteriorly of its side wall and having a finger opening therein comprising a handle.

LEWIS E. HAMEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 639,833 Simpson et al. Dec, 26, 1899 1,258,086 Bennett Mar, 5, 1918 1,306,136 Carpenter et al. June 10, 1919 1,464,391 Orban Aug. 7, 1923 1,638,238 Brautigan et a1. Aug. 9, 1927

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