Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps – Fish
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-06-19
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
Fish
C043S102000, C043S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247264
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention pertains generally to devices for trapping animals, and in particular to a sea trap which employees two cooperating jaws which carry netting or other suitable material to completely envelop marine animals. The sea trap includes a float which provides a visual signal that the trap has been closed and an animal captured.
BACKGROUND ART
Animal traps are well known in the art. These devices range from snares for birds to toothed jaw traps for four legged animals, and from sea nets to trap door housings. For example, U.S. pat. No. 4,141,172 discloses an automatic crustacean trap which includes a rigid, planar, wire base supporting a vertically tubular mount having disposed on the interior thereof a pivotally supported latch. Connected to the latch and extending to the exterior of the mount is a bait dispenser disposed to be articulated by the crustacean entering the trap for concurrent pivotal articulation of the latch. Two peripheral frame members conforming to the halves of the peripheral edge of the base are hinged in diametric alignment on the base, the free edges thereof being engaged to corresponding connecting members which at the other end attach to a collar disposed around a tubular guide telescopically attached to extend out of the free end of the mount. Disposed on the interior of the guide is a latching rod including a lip on the lower end thereof engageable by said latch, the rod engaging the collar thorough two longitudinal slots formed in the guide. To provide the necessary trapping forces each frame member is spring biased to pivot away from the base deploying a flexible mesh screen connected therebetween upon the release of the latch. Concurrently the connecting members advance the collar and the rod outwardly along the guide to articulate a float indicating a closure.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved sea trap. In a preferred embodiment the sea trap is used in a marine environment to catch marine animals such as lobsters, crayfish, crabs, fish, and the like. In this embodiment the sea trap has a preferred name of “Universal Sea Trap”. Some of the advantages of the sea trap of the present invention are:
1. Anyone can use the sea trap, kids, professionals, sport fisherman of all ages can enjoy successful lobster, crab, and other sea creature fishing.
2. The present invention may be used from a boat, from a dock or pier, from a bridge, or even from the shore.
3. The jaws of the present invention close rapidly (in less than one half second) thereby capturing even swift moving fish. This is in contrast to other types of traps which close slowly and can allow swift moving creatures to escape, particularly a fast moving fish.
4. The present invention also includes a novel signaling feature which informs the user when the trap has been closed. When the trap closes, a float is released which rises to the surface thereby alerting the user. This eliminates the need to periodically raise the trap to see if any marine animals have be caught.
5. The present invention is extremely simple to operate. First, a centrally located baitcup is loaded with the appropriate bait. Next, the sea trap is armed in a manner similar to a mousetrap. And finally, the sea trap is lowered into the water with a length of rope sufficient to reach the floor of the body of water. When the signal float appears at the surface, the trap is simply hauled in with the catch.
6. The present invention is both safe and environmentally friendly, and humanely traps the animal without inflicting harm or damage.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a sea trap includes a first jaw which pivotally cooperates with a second jaw, the jaws being movable between a horizontal open animal-receiving state and a vertical closed animal-retaining state. An animal-retaining enveloping material such as netting is connected to the jaws. When activated, a trigger mechanism causes the sea trap to spring shut with the jaws to rapidly moving from the open substantially horizontal state to the closed substantially vertical state, thereby capturing the animal within the enveloping material.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sea trap has a base with the first and second jaws being pivotally connected to the base.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first spring is connected between the first jaw and the base, and a second spring is connected between said second jaw and the base. The first and second springs urge the jaws toward the closed state. The base also carries an animal-retaining enveloping material, and a bait container.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a trigger mechanism includes a trip assembly pivotally connected to the base, and first and second retaining rods also pivotally connected to the base, wherein the first and second retaining rods are releasably connected to the trip assembly. When the sea trap is armed, the retaining rods hold the jaws in the open position. When the trip assembly is activated by the animal, the retaining rods are released, and they in turn release the jaws permitting the trap to spring shut.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a locking mechanism holds the jaws in their open state during storage or shipment. The retaining rods are also a part of the locking mechanism.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a float is captively retained by one of the jaws and associated enveloping material when the jaws are in the armed open state. The float is released and free to move to the surface of the body of water when the jaws move from the armed open state to the closed state. The appearance of the float on the surface alerts a user that the trap has closed and an animal has been captured.
While the present invention is especially useful for trapping marine animals, it can also be used to trap small land animals or even birds.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3055139 (1962-09-01), Condello
patent: 4141172 (1979-02-01), Prosol
patent: 4373288 (1983-02-01), McCrink
patent: 4393617 (1983-07-01), Charnoske
patent: 4406083 (1983-09-01), Hart
patent: 4445295 (1984-05-01), Litrico
patent: 4638588 (1987-01-01), Abadie
patent: 4831774 (1989-05-01), Gonzalez
patent: 4980989 (1991-01-01), Davis
patent: 56667 (1967-06-01), None
patent: 1043571 (1953-11-01), None
patent: 2150801 (1985-07-01), None
patent: 2178932 (1987-02-01), None
patent: 2209262 (1989-05-01), None
patent: 581407 (1958-08-01), None
Ark Darren W.
Masters Ted
LandOfFree
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