US Patent 11457623 Rodent trap having a pivoting hammer

A rodent kill trap in some embodiments includes at least a handle, first and second legs that are at least one of fixedly coupled with or integral with the handle, first and second parallel crossmembers coupled with and extending between the first and second legs, a trigger rotatably coupled with the first crossmember, the trigger including at least a length of the trigger extending away from the first crossmember, a hammer rotatably coupled with the second crossmember, and a sear as part of the trigger configured for being braced against the hammer in a cocked position in which the hammer is rotated about the second crossmember in opposition to a bias mechanism and wherein if the length of the trigger member is engaged by a rodent the sear is configured to be dislodged from the hammer thereby releasing the hammer to rotate in an arc to strike the rodent.