Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps – Fish
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-03-06
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3644)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
Fish
C043S104000, C043S100000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195931
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains generally to animal traps and more particularly to an underwater crab trap and a method of constructing same using fixed and quick-release hinges.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In 1996, the total harvest of domestic crabs reached nearly 400,000,000 pounds. This figure represents both commercial and recreational harvests. The principle method for harvesting crabs is by using baited crab traps. Because different types of crabs reside in different environments, crab traps are used in a variety of bottom conditions ranging from flat sandy bottoms to rocky, uneven bottoms with large kelp beds. In some circumstances, traps are often left unattended for several hours or longer; in other circumstances, the traps are checked and the catch harvested as often as every few minutes.
Over the years, there have been many inventions relating to crab or other underwater animal traps and their methods of construction. Such traps were normally lowered from a boat deck or other above-water surface to the floor, after being baited, and were originally made of box-like wooden frames stretched with a netting or mesh material. Updates and changes have been made to the shape, material, and operation of the crab traps with varying degrees of success. As a result of either ingenuity or marketing efforts, there are many shapes and types of crab traps in use today, including pyramidal, conical, and rectangular shapes. One of modifications is an “A”-frame or triangular prism-type with a wide bottom, an apex top, and triangular sides. The wide bottom helps to ensure that the crab trap rests securely on the ocean floor in the upright position, and the apex top helps to ensure that the crab trap can be raised through the water by its retrieval line with decreased chances of getting fouled in seaweed or other debris.
Collapsibility for ease of storage is a feature of most recreational crab traps presently in production. Furthermore, crab traps are now made of more durable materials than the original wood: they are usually of metal frames with metal wire mesh. The wires are then coated with an appropriate material to make handling easier and to prevent exposure of the metal to the water. However, at least one patented invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,525, suggests that plastic could be used for the frames and mesh.
Additionally, many recent inventions relate to the opening of the crab trap once it is underwater and ready to be used. End panels are often spring-loaded or weighted to provide positive opening. The spring-loading of a trap may be provided by a coil spring wrapped around the bottom of the side and bottom frames and effects positive opening by applying an outward bias against the end panels. Alternatively, weighted end panels use gravity to pull the panels open and keep them in the open position.
Although the above-mentioned improvements have enhanced the operation and use of crab traps, many problems remain, including difficulty and danger in removing the catch. In many instances, the trapsetter must take the catch out of the crab trap through the same openings through which the catch entered the trap. Alternatively, the crab trap may be such that the trapsetter must nearly collapse the entire trap in order to gain access to the catch. In this case, the trap no longer is retaining the catch and the possibility exists that the catch will escape.
Furthermore, the crab trap may foul in itself due to its own construction. The tips of a triangular configured trap (whether pyramidal or A-frame) many interfere with other trap components when the side panels are pulled into the closed position for retrieval of the trap. Such fouling increases the difficulty of opening the side panels for harvesting the catch.
Additionally, metal hinges used on many traps are subject to corrosion and therefore present further problems. Corroded hinges may seize and prevent not only the safe and easy operation of the crab traps but also the proper collapsing of the crab traps for stowage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an effective underwater crab trap that is easy and safe to use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a crab or other animal trap using tubular hinges to facilitate use and stowage of the invention.
The present invention is an underwater trap that is preferably convertible so that it may be used in a tended or an untended configuration, selectable at the discretion of the trapsetter, and may be readily collapsible so that it can be conveniently stowed. The present invention also relates to a trap wherein the panels that comprise the trap are rotationally linked together with tubular hinges of either fixed or quick-release type.
The trap invention comprises at least four foramenous panels, a plurality of hinges to selectively link the panels, and at least one retrieval line. The panels are preferably constructed of mesh material, each having a heavy gauge perimeter frame. The four panels are more specifically a base panel and at least three side panels rotationally linked thereto by way of hinge members. In this configuration, the trap resembles a three-sided pyramid when fully assembled as all panels have a triangular appearance. If an “A”-frame construction is desired, then four side panels (two square/rectangular side panels and two triangular end panels) are rotationally linked to the base panel, which is also square/rectangular. Similarly, if a four-sided pyramid design is desired, then the four side panels are also rotationally linked to the base panel, however, the side panels all have a triangular configuration while the base panel is generally square.
Several features of the invention relate to the hinge members used to rotationally link the side/end panels to the base panel. One feature of the invention relates to the collapsibility of the trap. By utilizing hinge members of various diameters to rotationally link selected side panels to the base panel, it is possible to completely collapse the trap so that the resulting structure is generally flat. Each panel is hinged to at least one other panel in all configurations. The means for hinging one panel to another comprises a collar or tubular member that preferably has an axially congruent or longitudinal seam or split, thereby permitting the collar member to be attachable to the perimeter frame portions of selected panels. Because a preferred embodiment has the collar member constructed from an elastic material such as plastic, the collar member is biased to retain its cylindrical or tubular form after having been manipulated to engage one or more panels. By selecting collar members having differing internal diameters, varying levels of rotational “looseness” can be achieved. Consequently, the pivot axis of one panel in relationship to another panel can be adjusted, thereby providing the ability to collapse the invention into a relatively flat structure as will be further detailed below.
Another feature of the invention is also directed to the hinge members. Certain hinge members are of the quick release type. These hinge members have two portions, namely an inner collar coaxially nested in an outer collar. Thus, the inner collar has an internal diameter defining an open cylinder wherein the perimeter frame portions of a selected pair of panels will reside, and an outer diameter that defines a peripheral surface. The outer collar has an internal diameter defining an open cylinder that is generally greater than the outer diameter of the inner collar. Consequently, the inner collar closely resides in the open cylinder of the outer collar. Both the inner and outer collars have an axially congruent or longitudinal slot formed in their wall. Therefore, when the two slots are aligned, radial access to the open cylinder of the inner collar can be achieved.
These and other features of the invention will become apparent from inspection of the accompanying drawings and review of the following description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 530156 (1894-12-01
Graybeal Jackson Haley LLP
Nelson Judith A.
Poon Peter M.
The Danielson Company, Inc.
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