Abstract: Conventional mouse traps include a spring biased arm temporarily held open by a hold down bar, which is dislodged when a mouse releases a catch. Accordingly, a more robust vermin trap comprises: a housing; a catcher pivotally mounted on the housing, configured to be held in a set position and forced into a sprung position for trapping the vermin, and a latch. The latch comprising: an actuator, and a latching lever spring biased into the sprung position, and configured to be rotated closed in the set position. A striker mechanism is connected to the catcher for engaging the latching lever in the set position and disengaged from the latching lever in the sprung position, for moving the catcher from the set position to the sprung position. A trigger activates the actuator, thereby releasing the latching lever, and disengaging the striker mechanism from the latch, enabling the catcher to move to the sprung position to trap the vermin.

Abstract: An apparatus provides variable resistance to rotation and includes a housing having a shaft having a first portion that is rotatable in the housing and a second portion passing outwardly thereof adapted to receive the tire of a bicycle for stationary bicycle exercise. A first body in the housing is mechanically linked to the first portion of the shaft so as to be rotatable within the housing. A second body in the housing is slidably connected to the first portion of the shaft and has flat face opposed to the flat face of the first body. The second body is movable with respect to the first body to result in a variably-sized gap between the opposed faces. A spring located between the housing and the second body biases the second body toward the first body.