Ok, here is a Conibear trap:
The mechanism is much like the old school leg traps in that the springs have high mechanical advantage once tripped but very high speed when set. The wire jaws accelerate very fast since they are lightweight. To set, each spring is compressed, then the safety hooks hold it compressed. The thin wire wye is part of the trigger, the other part links the jaws together. When the animal touches the thin wire trigger, it causes the sear to jump off the other jaw.
In a bucket set, two notches are cut in the top of a 5 gallon plastic bucket so the springs extend out, the jaws are right at the mouth of the bucket. Bait is placed in the bottom of the bucket to draw the raccoon in.
I also use the square buckets that horse wormer comes in, these are shallow and fit the trap well. And having horses, I have plenty. I also lucked out after finding two of the Conibear 220s at my local scrap dealer. Got both for $5. They are $15 @ Bass Pro, if they still sell them. Or online, where they also sell setting pliers. I use brake spring pliers but that is far from ideal.