Weighing scales – With weigher loading or unloading means – Hand manipulatable weigher
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-04
2004-07-20
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2841)
Weighing scales
With weigher loading or unloading means
Hand manipulatable weigher
C177S177000, C033S485000, C033S511000, C033S549000, C043S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06765155
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment and more specifically to a device that allows a fisherman to measure and weight their catch to determine if they are of legal size or a throw back. The device of the present invention consists of a plastic housing, including a carrying handle. A measuring ruler is stenciled upon the horizontal face of the device and is used to measure the users catch. On the opposing rear wall is a pictorial display of game fish with information on size, and weight restrictions of different species as dictated by local authority. A weight scale is provided and housed within an end wall having an access panel. A hook chain device is also provided and consists of a hook attached to one distal end of the chain and another hook attached to the other distal end of the chain and also, stored within the weight scale compartment. One end hook of the chain device is attached to a loop on the weight scale plate. The other hook end is used to attach to the catch for purpose of weighting. Two display units are provided and will show the weight of the catch on the display windows. Two display windows make reading of the weight easy from different angles. Above the weight scale compartment, within the housing of the device, a battery compartment is provided. The batteries stored within power a night light that is provided on the opposing wall of the battery compartment. An on/off switch to engage the nightlight is provided above the sidewall display unit of the housing.
The device of the present invention can be used on shore or mounted on a boat. The device may also be provided with attachable legs, also for on shore and aboard a boat.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other weight and size devices designed to measure fish. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,851 issued to Whitehurst on Dec. 30, 1986.
Another patent was issued to Homen on Sep. 29, 1987 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,360. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,399 was issued to Christman, et al. on Jun. 26, 1990 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 16, 1991 to Parker et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,710.
Another patent was issued to Lasiter on Sep. 22, 1992 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,607. Yet another patent was issued to Kvisgaard, et al. on Jan. 12, 1993 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,227 and still yet another was issued to O'Keefe on Aug. 23, 1994 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,532.
Another patent was issued to Arey, et al. on Jun. 10, 1997 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,838. Yet another patent was issued to Campbell, et al. on Aug. 1, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,996.
Another patent was issued to Fedora on Sep. 12, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,932. Yet another patent was issued to Chat on Nov. 28, 1986 as FR Patent No. 2582190 and still yet another was issued as UK patent 2255486 on Nov. 11, 1992 to Barnett.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,851
Inventor: Wendell Whitehurst
Issued: Dec. 30, 1986
A combination fish landing net, weight scale, and length scale for use by fishermen to obtain accurate fresh weight and length measurements of a captured fish immediately after netting. A flexible mesh net is secured upon a generally circular, tubular hoop. A rigid plug secured in the interior of the hoop by a pair of screws may be removed to permit removal and replacement of a damaged net. The compressed hoop ends are secured by a rigid rivet to one end of an expansible, steel spring and fitted in coaxial relation into the interior of a rigid, phosphorescent, plastic tube. The spring is secured within the tube by a rigid pin. A pair of parallel rectangular clearance slots are cut in opposite sides of the tube. The tube is coaxially, telescopingly fitted within a rigid, elongated, tubular handle of a highly contrasting color. A rigid steel fastener passes through the handle between the clearance slots of the tube to capture the opposite end of the spring. The device can thus be assembled without tensioning of the spring. Downward movement of the highly visible intermediate tube within the handle in response to the weight of a netted fish is visible through a pair of parallel, elongated, rectangular windows on the face of the handle. Length may be measured by numerical weight scale calibrations legible on the surface of the handle between the windows. When the device is correctly assembled, the hoop rests in coplanar alignment with the rivet, the pin, the fastener, and the windows. A length scale is provided on the rear face of the handle to permit the fisherman to obtain an accurate length measurement without having to remove the fish from the net.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,360
Inventor: Manny Homen
Issued: Sep. 29, 1987
An improved weighing apparatus and method of weighing a live fish is disclosed. Here, the weighing apparatus and method has a container member having swingably coupled cover member thereabove and a guide member coupled therebelow a base member of the container. The guide member of the container is provided to allow the container to be slidably mounted thereabove a weighing scale having a capacity to provide a weight readout to nearest one-tenth of an ounce and a maximum capacity of at least 200 ounces. The weighing scale of the improved weighing apparatus of the present invention is preferably battery operated or suitable for being electrically operated, as well as being compact, portable, lightweight and easily transportable. The improved weighing apparatus and method of the present invention provides a rapid, accurate and efficient means to weigh a struggling live fish for use particularly by sports fisherman in fishing tournaments or for merchants in fishing markets.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,399
Inventor: Richard E. Christman
Issued: Jun. 26, 1990
A scale arranged and constructed of relatively small size to be hand held and portable for use in weighing relatively light articles such as fish and the like. The scale operates on a capacitance measuring concept wherein an initial capacitance between two conductive, spaced and insulated plates is measured with a change in distance between the two plates caused by a load is measured and, through a logic circuit, converted to a digital read-out. The capacitance sensor unit for the measuring of the capacitance caused by the load includes a stationary plate and a moveable plate insulated from each other with proper leads connecting the plates to the logic circuit. The entire capacitance measuring device is provided in a sandwiched arrangement to provide a small and compact unit. The logic circuitry provides for digital readout and provides automatic zeroing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,710
Inventor: Owen Parker et al.
Issued: Jul. 16, 1991
An electronic fish scale having a spring connected to a hook to which the fish or other item to be weighed is attached. Attaching the weight to the hook causes linear displacement of the spring. A rigid coupling is attached to the spring and connected to a variable resistor such that movement of the spring results in a change in the effective resistance of the variable resistor. Electronic circuitry is interconnected with the variable resistor such that a signal is generated which is indicative of the effective resistance of the variable resistor. The generated signal is sampled and processed at a microprocessor having all stored data corresponding to the weight equivalent to the variance in the variable resistor-dependent signal. A display receives a signal output from the microprocessor and displays and weight measured.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,607
Inventor: Rupert W. Lasiter
Issued: Sep. 22, 1992
A device for simultaneously holding and measuring the length of a fish, generally comprising a rectangular tray open at one end, the tray having a bottom, two side walls and one end wall, and a preferably hinged lid with a releasable latch. The length of the tray is made equal to the minimum legal length established for the type of fish with which the device is to be used. The length of the lid is less than the length of the bottom of the tray and the lid is disposed on the tray with one end of the lid g
Gibson Randy W.
Kroll Michael I.
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