GB2279219A

GB2279219A - Fish landing net

Info

Publication number: GB2279219A
Application number: GB9412609A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clifford Royston Fox
Original assignee: Fox Design International Ltd
Current assignee: Fox Design International Ltd
Priority date: 1993-06-25
Filing date: 1994-06-23
Publication date: 1995-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-23
Also published as: GB9412609D0; GB2279219B

Abstract

A fish landing net comprising-two netting-material-support arms (16) which are pivotable in a common imaginary plane about respective adjacent pivot points (60 and 62). As a result they can pivot outwardly away from one another to receive a catch, and inwardly towards one another to carry the catch. <IMAGE>

Description

Fish landinq net The present invention relates to a fish landing net, for use by anglers.

In the course of fresh-water fishing, a fish is hooked and manoeuvred towards the bank of a river or lake by the skill of the angler, to a point relatively close to the bank. The angler then draws the fish into a large landing net, which can then be lifted and swung over onto dry land where the fish can be safely unhooked.

Such a landing net comprises a long handle, and two arms extending from the distal end of the handle outwardly away from one another. A netting material depends from these two arms so that it has a "V"-shaped cross section.

In the event that a large fish such as a carp or a pike is caught in such a net, it will be appreciated that there is a considerable risk of the net breaking at the handle or at the point at the far end thereof where the two arms diverge.

The present invention seeks to reduce this risk.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a fish landing net comprising two netting-material-support arms which are pivotable in a common imaginary plane about respective adjacent pivot points, so that they can pivot outwardly away from one another for receiving a catch, and inwardly towards one another for carrying the catch.

This enables the support arms to be grasped by the angler, and possibly also enables the netting material to be rolled up with the fish inside it, so that the weight of the fish is not transmitted along the handle. If the arms are releasable from the pivots, it also facilitates their removal from the rest of the net, and further assists in carrying the fish by the support arms.

Preferably, those ends of the support arms at the pivots engage or are connected to a moveable part, either directly or via members to which the arms are attached and which are pivotable about the said pivots, in such a manner that pivoting of the arms causes movement of that part.

As a result, relative movement of the two arms is in unison and is more controlled.

One form of construction of the moveable part is constituted by two component members which have respective ends pivoted to one another and which are pivoted at their other ends respectively to the two arms, either directly or via respective members to which the arms are attached and which are pivotable about the said pivots.

In another form of construction, the connection between the moveable part and the arms is via a rack-andpinion engagement, so that a swinging movement of the arms imparts a linear movement to the moveable part.

Releasable locking means may be positioned to retain the otherwise moveable part in a position in which the support arms are angularly spaced apart from one another. This enables the arms to be retained open whilst a fish is being drawn into the net, whereafter the locking means may be released and the arms drawn together so that the weight of the fish may be supported at those arms.

An advantageous spacing between the arms when they are in the open position is substantially in the range from 60 degrees to 100 degrees, preferably substantially 70 degrees.

The pivot points may be on a connecting part to which a handle as well as the two support arms are attached.

Examples of a fish landing net made in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first example of such a net; Figure 2 shows the net shown in Figure 1 in a different configuration, with parts thereof separated to facilitate landing of a fish held by the net; Figure 3 shows the net shown in Figure 1 in a further different configuration, to show how the net may be disassembled further; Figure 4 shows a front view of parts of the net shown in Figure 1 drawn on a larger scale; Figures 5 to 7 show rear, underneath and plan views respectively of the parts of the net shown in Figure 4; Figures 8 and 9 show side views of the parts of the net shown in Figure 4, from the directions VIII and IX shown in Figure 7 respectively; Figure 10 shows a further view of the parts of the net shown in Figure 4, with different positions thereof shown in dashed lines; Figure 11 shows an exploded perspective view of the parts shown in Figure 4; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a second example of such a net; Figure 12a shows an axial sectional view of a part of the net shown in Figure 12 drawn on a larger scale; Figure 13 shows a cross section, on a larger scale, of the part shown in Figure 12a in the plane indicated by the line XIII-XIII therein; Figure 14 shows a plan view of a connecting part of the net shown in Figure 12; Figure 15 shows an end view of the part shown in Figure 14; Figures 16 and 17 show a side view and an axial sectional view of the part shown in Figure 14; Figure 18 shows a further axial section view of the part shown in Figure 14, in a plane which is at right angles to that of Figure 17; and Figure 19 shows a section through the part shown in Figure 14 in the plane indicated by the line XIX-XIX shown in Figure 18.

The fish landing net shown in Figure 1 has a handle 10 in the form of a carbon fibre tube which is about five to six feet (1524mm to 1829mm) long and which has an external diameter of about 7/8 inch (22mm). An intended distal end 12 of this handle is fixedly attached to a connecting part 14. Also connected to this part are two fish net support arms 16 which extend outwardly away from the handle 10, and away from one another at an angle of about 70 degrees. Each of these arms is also made of carbon fibre tubing which is about 42 inches (1067mm) long and tapers from an exterior diameter of about 1/2 inch (13mm) at its end which is attached to the connecting part 14, to about 5/16 inch (8mm) at its intended distal end.

Each arm is therefore somewhat flexible at its distal end.

A nylon cord 18 extends across the spaced apart ends of the support arms 16, and mesh netting material 20 hangs from the arms 16 and the cord 18, in this case by having edges turned over to form sleeves through which the arms 16 and the cord 18 are threaded.

The distal end of each support arm 16 is provided with a tip in the form of a closed cylindrical cap (not shown) which is push-fitted onto the end of the arm and which is provided with a Beta (TM) light and a hole through which the cord 18 extends and by means of which that cord is attached to the arm 16. The Beta (TM) light is encapsulated in a transparent housing or slot which is connected to the tip by a dovetail joint (not shown). The housing or slot, and/or the light itself, is preferably inclined upwardly by an angle of about 20 degrees, to improve its visibility from the bank.

A further Beta (TM) light 29 may be provided on the connecting part 14. The fluorescent lighting provided by these lights then creates a triangle so that the position of the net is more readily apparent at night or in reduced lighting conditions, even when the net is under water, without the need for a torch.

The connecting part 14 is shown in greater detail in Figures 4 to 11. It is preferably made from die-cast aluminium parts for long life, but its parts could also be made from a synthetic plastics material or materials. An externally threaded shank 32 thereof is screwed into the distal end 12 of the handle 10, which is internally screwthreaded for this purpose.

The shank 32 extends downwardly from an elongate transverse main body 46 of the connecting part 14.

Two ferrules 58, which releasably receive the proximal ends of the support arms 16, are pivoted to the main body 46 by way of respective pivots 60 and 62 positioned at the ends of the main body 46 respectively.

The inner ends of the ferrules 58, on their inside exteriors, are provided with protuberances 64 formed with respective eyelets 66. These form pivot attachment points for two constituent components 68 of a moveable part 70.

Each constituent component comprises an elongate member having one end 72 pivotally connected to an associated one of the protuberances 64 by means of its eyelet 66, the other ends 76 of the components 68 being pivotally connected together by a pivot 74 which includes a knob 78 which is easily grasped between the fingers of the user.

When the ferrules 58 are splayed apart at an angle of 70 degrees, the components 68 form an obtuse angle directed towards the cord 18, and the inner ends 76 of those components abut the main body 46 within a central notch 80 formed in the upper edge of the main body 46.

This therefor acts as a locking mechanism to retain the ferrules, and consequently the support arms 16, in their splayed apart or open positions. By grasping the knob 78 and moving it towards the cord 18, the components 68 are pivoted beyond an equilibrium point in which they are in alignment with one another, whereafter the tension in the cord 18 urges the components 68 into relative positions in which they form an acute angle directed towards the handle 10 in which the ferrules 58 are substantially parallel with one another, as shown in broken lines in Figure 10. Once drawn together, the proximal ends of the arms 16 may be readily pulled out of the ferrules 58. In the event of such dismantling to facilitate the landing of a catch, it may necessary to take off the strain from the handle by holding one support arm of the net with one hand whilst supporting the other support arm of the net in the crook of the elbow, freeing the other hand to move the knob 78.

Each component 68 has cutaway portions 90 which leave edges 92 which form an obtuse angle and which are brought into adjacency with opposite edges of the other component 68 in the open and closed positions of the ferrules 58 respectively. This provides flats 94 on the two components 68 respectively which abut one another and slide over one another as the components 68 rotate relative to one another. As a result, relatively little movement is available for the toggle arrangement constituted by the components 68 in a direction perpendicular to the common plane of the arms 16, whilst reducing the total depth of the arrangement in that direction and at the same time ensuring a relatively high resistance to bending in that direction.

The netting material 20 may be conveniently wound up around the arms 16 as shown in Figure 3.

Dismantling of the net also assists cleaning thereof and removal of grit or debris.

A clip (not shown) may be provided on the outside of the main body 46. Such a clip can be used to retain the netting material in a folded up condition, to reduce the drag effect on it in high winds or under water, whilst readily releasing the netting material under the weight of a fish.

In Figures 12 to 19, which show a second example of fish landing net made in accordance with the present invention, like parts have been labelled with the same reference numerals used in Figures 1 to 11, and such parts are of the same or similar material and dimensions as in the first example.

The Beta (TM) light arrangement is shown in Figure 12a. The distal end of each support arm 16 is provided with a tip 122 in the form of a closed cylindrical cap which is push-fitted onto the end of the arm and which is provided with a Beta (TM) light 124 and a hole 126 through which the cord 18 extends and by means of which that cord is attached to the arm 16.

Further details of the each tip 122 are evident from Figure 13. Thus the Beta (TM) light is encapsulated in a transparent housing 128 which is connected to the tip 122 by a dovetail joint 130.

The connecting part 14 for this example of net is shown in greater detail in Figures 14 to 19. It is preferably made from die-cast aluminium parts for long life, but its parts could also be made from a synthetic plastics material or materials. An outer tubular portion 132 thereof receives the distal end 12 of the handle 10.

That portion has a longitudinally extending slot 134 cut into it from its open handle receiving end. This enables operation of release means to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

A flexible lever portion 136 of the connecting part 14 extends over the slot 134, and is formed on its inner surface with a stud 138.

An inner tubular portion 140 of the connecting part 14 extends coaxially inside the outer tubular portion 132 and is provided with a circular aperture 142 in registration with the stud 138. The handle 10 also has a circular aperture 144 formed in its wall at its distal end 12 such that when the handle is fully inserted into the tubular portion 132, with the correct alignment of its aperture 144, the latter is also in registration with the stud 138, and therefore also with the aperture 142 in the inner tubular portion 140. The handle 10 is bonded at its distal end 12 to the connecting part 14 in this position.

The outer tubular portion 132 is attached to, and the inner tubular portion 140 is integral with, a main body 146 of the connecting part 14. A moveable part 148 is positioned within the main body 146 along the axis thereof, and slidingly engages interior surfaces of the main body 146 so that it can move to and fro along that axis. The moveable part has a skirt 150 with a circular aperture 152 through which extends a spigot 154. The latter is attached to one end of a U-shaped spring 156 in the interior of the skirt 50 in such a manner that it is urged outwardly to protrude from the aperture 152. When the moveable part is at a forward end of its travel, the apertures 142 and 152 are in alignment with one another, and also with the aperture 144 of the handle 10.

The inner ends of the ferrules 58 are provided with teeth 164 which intermesh with teeth 166 formed on a forward end of the moveable part 148, so that the engagement between each ferrule 58 and the moveable part 148 is in the form of a rack-and-pinion engagement, and so that a swinging of the ferrules 58 away from one another results in a linear movement of the moveable part 148 in a forward direction, and a swinging movement of the ferrules 58 towards one another results in a rearward linear movement of the moveable part 148.

When the ferrules 58 are splayed apart at an angle of 90 degrees, the moveable part 148 is at the forward end of its travel as a result of which the engagement of the apertures 142, 144 and 152 by the spigot 154 also acts as a locking mechanism to retain the ferrules, and consequently the support arms 16, in their splayed apart or open positions. Conversely, removal of the spigot 154 from those apertures by depression of the lever portion 136 enables the support arms 16 to be drawn together. Once drawn together the proximal ends of the arms 16 may be readily pulled out of the ferrules 58.

The clip to retain the netting material is shown labelled 168 in Figure 5.

Numerous variations and modifications to the illustrated net will readily occur to the reader without taking the net outside the scope of the present invention.

For example, instead of having the connecting part 14 removably attached to the handle 10 in the example shown in Figures 1 to 11, it may be permanently bonded or otherwise permanently fixed thereto. The arms 16 may be made of glass fibre, plastics composites, aluminium composites or other material, instead of carbon fibre. Instead of bonding the handle 10 to the connecting part 14 in the example of Figures 12 to 19, it may be slid into the tubular portion 132 and held there releasably by the spigot 154.

Claims

1. A fish landing net comprising two netting-material-support arms which are pivotable in a common imaginary plane about respective adjacent pivot points, so that they can pivot outwardly away from one another for receiving a catch, and inwardly towards one another for carrying the catch.

2. A fish landing net according to claim 1, in which the arms are releasable from the pivots.

3. A fish landing net according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which those ends of the support arms at the pivots engage or are connected to a moveable part, either directly or via members to which the arms are attached and which are pivotable about the said pivots, in such a manner that pivoting of the arms causes movement of that part.

4. A fish landing net according to claim 3, in which the moveable part is constituted by two component members which have respective ends pivoted to one another and which are pivoted at their other ends respectively to the two arms, either directly or via respective members to which the arms are attached and which are pivotable about the said pivots.

5. A fish landing net according to claim 3, in which the connection between the moveable part and the arms is via a rack-and-pinion engagement, so that a swinging movement of the arms imparts a linear movement to the moveable part.

6. A fish landing net according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which releasable locking means are positioned to retain the otherwise moveable part in a position in which the support arms are angularly spaced apart from one another, whereby the arms can be retained open whilst a fish is being drawn into the net, whereafter the locking means can be released and the arms drawn together so that the weight of the fish can be supported at those arms.

7. A fish landing net according to any preceding claim, in which the spacing between the arms when they are in the open position is substantially in the range from 60 degrees to 100 degrees.

8. A fish landing net according to claim 7, in which the spacing between the arms when they are in the open position is substantially 70 degrees.

9. A fish landing net according to claim 7, in which the spacing between the arms when they are in the open position is substantially 90 degrees.

10. A fish landing net according to any preceding claim, in which the pivot points are on a connecting part to which a handle as well as the two support arms are attached.

11. A fish landing net substantially as illustrated in and described with reference to Figures 1 to 11 or with reference to Figures 12 to 19 of the accompanying drawings.