This application is based on the provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application No. 727260, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to fishing traps and a method of using same. The invention has particular application to collapsible fishing traps and their manufacture, assembly and use.

BACKGROUND ART

A common apparatus used in commercial and recreational fishing, both for fish and for crustaceans such as crabs, is a fish trap. Such a trap consists of a basic frame structure which is covered with mesh and configured with a point of entry that allows admission of the targeted fish species but prevents or inhibit their exit.

The trap will usually include loops or similar structures to allow ropes or cables linked to buoys to be tied thereto. The buoys provide a means of identifying the approximate location of the trap and the rope or cable is used to lower and retrieve them from a fishing vessel.

In order to use these traps, they are lowered to the sea or lake bed in the body of water in which they are to be used and left for a period of time. In some instances, the traps are baited to attract the targeted fish species. After a sufficient period time has elapsed, the traps are retrieved from the sea or lake bed. A basic example of such a fish trap is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0223624. This describes a rectangular shaped, multi compartmented, fish trap.

Although relatively simple, these types of traps are typically large and unyielding to use, particularly when retrieving from the sea bed. Such traps are often largely assembled with a frame work of extrusions of metal and thus are relatively heavy. Because of the limited size of the trap, depending on the size of the desired catch, several traps may need to be deployed at once and it is time consuming to set and retrieve each one.

These sort of traps also take up a significant amount of space due to the rigid nature of the frames. Depending on the size of the fishing vessel, only a limited number of traps may be deployed at any one time. Over time, fish traps have become more complex. An example of such a trap is described in United Kingdom Patent No. 2511271. This discloses an elongate, multi compartmented, trap which concertinas upon itself. While useful, because it can replace several individual traps, it still has some disadvantages compared to conventional traps.

For example, the described trap, due to its tubular frame work, is relatively bulky and difficult to store. Furthermore, because each successive frame member rests upon its adjacent frame member when stored, this places a limitation on how long the trap can be. This in turn places constraints on the potential catch that may be achieved with the disclosed fishing trap.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible fishing trap, wherein the trap includes: a plurality of polygonal frames, a mesh connected to and covering the frames and defining one or more trapping compartments, characterised in that at least one cable links each polygonal frame, and wherein at least one polygonal frame includes a side formed from two frame members, wherein the frame members are linked such that they pivot relative to each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a collapsible fishing trap, wherein the trap includes a plurality of polygonal frames, a mesh connected to and covering the frames and defining one or more trapping compartments, at least one cable links each polygonal frame, and wherein at least one polygonal frame includes a side formed from two frame members, wherein the frame members are linked such that they pivot relative to each other, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) assembling at least one of a plurality of polygonal frames with a side formed from two frame members and linking them such that they can pivot relative to each other; b) covering the plurality of polygonal frames with a mesh; and c) linking adjacent frames with a cable.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a collapsible fishing trap, wherein the trap includes a plurality of polygonal frames, a mesh connected to and covering the frames and defining one or more trapping compartments, at least one cable links each polygonal frame, and wherein at least one polygonal frame includes a side formed from two frame members, wherein the frame members are linked such that they pivot relative to each other, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) pivoting the two frame members of the side of at least one polygonal frame to move it from a collapsed state to an erect state.

The invention is a collapsible fishing trap (and a method of its manufacture and use) and shall be referred to as such throughout the remainder of the present specification.

The collapsible fishing trap is formed from a series of frames, wherein at least some of the frames themselves are constructed from individual lengths which are linked to each other such that they can be pivoted. This is so that the individual frames can be raised and lowered when the trap is erected or collapsed in use.

This is advantageous as it means that when retrieving the trap, the relevant frame members effectively collapse upon themselves and therefore can be wound up onto conventional drums that are often used on commercial fishing boats. This also means that relatively long fishing traps can be constructed and practically used where previously the weight of such a trap would inhibit its effective use. Another advantage of the use of collapsible frames is that they take up less storage space relative to conventional, fixed frame, traps.

The collapsible fishing trap should be understood to be intended for use in catching fish, particularly demersal fish that dwell on the sea, lake or river bed on which the invention is to be used. However, this is not meant to be limiting and it is entirely possible that the fishing trap may be used to catch pelagic fish as well as reef fish, which are typically associated with coral reefs. It should also be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may also be used to catch crustaceans such as crabs or lobsters.

Reference will be made throughout the remainder of the present specification to the use of the invention for catching and trapping fish on the sea bed.

The collapsible fishing trap should be understood to be defined by a plurality of polygonal frames spatially separated from each other, a cable which links each successive polygonal frame, and a mesh which covers the frames and cable thereby defining the interior of the trap. The collapsible fishing trap effectively defines a substantially tube-like structure, which in use is laid horizontally upon the sea bed. The interior of the collapsible fishing trap may be configured with multiple compartments, each compartment defined by adjacent frames. In these embodiments, the inner space of each frame may be filled in with a mesh to define the respective ends of the compartment (the remaining sides of the compartment being defined by the covering mesh).

A portion of the mesh that covers each compartment may be configured with an entry point which permit the targeted fish species to enter the trap. Typically, the entry point is defined by entrance funnels which are tapered such that they inhibit exit from the compartment once the targeted fish species has entered. Persons skilled in the art will readily various ways to appropriately integrate the entrance funnels into the compartments.

Each frame should be understood to be a polygon, a shape of at least three sides or more. A curved frame, such as a circular shape, is not desirable for this is not easily collapsible such that it could be wound up upon a winch or drum. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the frames are substantially square or rectangular shape, and thus have four sides. However, this should not be construed as limiting and the frame may be configured with five or more sides but it should be appreciated that this may complicate manufacture.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, each side of the frame is formed with separate members.

The separate members are lengths of metal or a similarly robust material, such as toughened plastics. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate other materials from which to construct the members of the frame.

The cross-sectional profile of each of the members forming the frame may vary; for example, the members may be simply lengths of metal rods, in which as the cross-sectional profile is likely to be substantially circular. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the members could be tubular extrusions of metal and so the cross-sectional profile may be square or rectangular and thus potentially is better able to withstand being bent. In exemplary embodiments, the frame includes two substantially horizontal opposing members and two vertical members, which when erected, defining a square or rectangular shape. The horizontal members shall now be referred to as cross-beams while the vertical members shall now be referred to as uprights.

However, in embodiments of the invention where the frame has three sides, only one of these may be the upright with the other two sides being the cross-beams. Alternatively, there may be two uprights with a single cross beam.

It will be appreciated that in embodiments having four sides, when the collapsible trap is in an erect state, the opposing horizontal cross-beams form its top and bottom sides, while the uprights form the left and right sides. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the uprights are formed from two separate members. Each separate member have a first and second end, with one of these ends linked to an end of the other member via a bolt, pin, or similar mechanism that allows movement of the two members. It will be understood that the bolt, pin, or similar mechanism linking the two members of the upright effectively acts as a hinge and thus it is the two members of each upright that are the frame members that pivot relative to each other.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the two members of the upright overlap each other when in an erect state. It will be appreciated that this means that they are also offset from each other which helps ensure their relative movement in respect of each other is unhindered.

In some embodiments, one or both of the two members includes a flange or similar protrusion extending from the portion that would overlap with the other member. This acts to limit the pivotal movement by providing a stop surface.

The uprights also include a slideable sleeve, which act to the lock the two separate members of the upright together to form the unitary upright. This slideable sleeve shall now be referred to as the sleeve.

The sleeve should be understood to be a structure, such as a block or extrusion of plastics material or the like.

In some embodiments, the sleeve includes at least one channel passing therethrough forming the interior of the sleeve. The ends of the separate members are inserted into the channel, one from each side such that when assembled, a unitary upright is formed.

However, in some embodiments, the sleeve may be provided with two channels or apertures, one for each member of the upright.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, one of the members of the upright is associated with the sleeve. This should be understood to mean that in this embodiment the sleeve always, once all the components of the trap are assembled, is retained by one of the members of the upright. It is the other member of the upright that is slid in and out of the sleeve. This helps to ensure the sleeve is not lost in use.

The channels of the sleeve ideally closely approximate the diameter of the separate members where they overlap each other to ensure a snug friction fit.

To enhance the fit, in some embodiments of the invention, there may be a slight tapering or narrowing of the channels. This means that the opening of the channels, into which the ends of the separate members are inserted in order to erect the collapsible fishing trap, may be slightly larger than the interior of the channel. This could make it easier to mate the ends of the members with the sleeve when working on the deck of a fishing vessel.

Alternatively, the member into which the sleeve is slid over (also the end that is connected to the other member) may be slightly tapered such that it helps to guide the sleeve into place.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the extent of movement of the sleeve is inhibited by the bolt or pin that links the two members of the upright. In such embodiments, the sleeve may be configured with a recess or cut-out or the like which is complementary to the surface of the fastener of the upright.

It should be understood that the sleeve effectively links the two separate members into a unitary upright when the collapsible fishing trap is to be erected. By sliding the sleeve upwards or downwards along one of the individual members, such that one of the members becomes disengaged and thus is able to pivot relative to the other. This allows the two members of the upright to be pivoted such they then can be collapsed upon themselves and laid flat.

The size of the sleeve may vary but it will be appreciated that that it is sufficient to allow a reasonable portion of one, if integrated with an upright member, or both of the ends of the two separate members to be inserted therein. The greater the extent to which each member is inserted into the sleeve the more robust the upright will be when erected. While reference has been made to the sleeve being used with the uprights, in some embodiments of the invention, one or both of the cross-beams of the frame may also be configured as two separate members. These may also be used with a sleeve such as that already described.

At least one end of each member of the uprights, plus each end of the cross-beams, are provided with corner connectors. These corner connectors are configured to not only retain the individual frame members but also to allow them to pivot relative to each other as the sleeve is engaged and disengaged, such that the frame can be erected and collapsed upon appropriate articulation of the relevant members. In exemplary embodiments, the corner connectors are short lengths of hollow metal tubes (and shall be referred to as such hence forth) or the like, mounted perpendicular to the orientation of the uprights or cross-beams of the frames. However, it should be appreciated that the corner connectors could be configured from a suitably robust plastics or similar material.

In exemplary embodiments, each upright and cross-beam has corner connectors integrally formed at their respective ends. As such, the corner connectors may be formed from the same materials as their respective upright and cross-beams.

However, in some embodiments, the connector connectors may be separate to the uprights and crossbeams and instead are provided with slots, sockets or the like located into which the ends of the individual members of the frames are inserted. It should be appreciated that in these embodiments, the slots are substantially perpendicular to the length of the corner connector. In exemplary embodiments using this configuration, there are at least two slots; one for the end of one of the members of the upright and the other for one of the ends of the cross-beams. Ideally, these slots are spatially separated from each other along the length of the corner connector; this is to help reduce the overlap between the frame parts when it is in a collapsed state.

The corner connectors also serve as a means to link the cable to the frames of the collapsible fishing trap.

In exemplary embodiments, the cable runs through the interior of the metal tube of the corner connectors. It will be understood that the corner connectors are still able to move or otherwise rotate about the cable.

In some embodiments of the invention, the corner connectors may be formed from a T-shaped structures. In use, the horizontal element of the T of the upright and cross-beam abut or are at least close to each other when mounted to the cable (which, as noted below, defines a corner of the trap).

The wire rope runs through the horizontal portion of the T while the vertical portion is formed as a socket to receive the ends of the upright and cross-beams respectively. Thus, the socket is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal portion of the T. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, to lock the corner connectors relative to the cable, a portion of length of tubing or similar, which has been crimped or otherwise deformed, is positioned adjacent either side of the corner connectors. The crimping or deformation serves to clamp the tubing to the cable. The presence of the crimped tubing, which is unable to move along the cable, also prevents any horizontal movement of the corner connectors, and thus the cross-beam and/or uprights, along the cable. Without this precaution, the size of the compartments of the fishing may be inadvertently changed as it is raised and lowered.

In some embodiments of the invention, a portion of the corner connectors themselves may be deformed or otherwise configured to prevent horizontal movement along the cable but without inhibiting the ability of the corner connectors to rotate about the cable so that the trap may be collapsed or raised as required.

In some alternative embodiments of the invention, rather than crimping or deforming lengths of tubing to lock the corner connectors, plastic stops or the like may be used. These are added during manufacture of the collapsible fishing trap. Firstly, the stop is moulded onto the wire rope, then the corner connector slid on until one end abuts the stop. A second stop is then moulded to the rope approximate the other end of the connector. This arrangement has the advantage of allowing movement of the corner connector about the wire rope (but not along it) making it ideal for versions in which the ends of the respective uprights and cross-beams are inserted into sockets provided about the exterior surface of the corner connector. However, this is not meant to be limiting and persons skilled in the art will appreciate other ways in which the corner connector may be mounted to the wire rope.

The cable should be understood to be a length of rope or the like. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the cable is a wire rope and shall now be referred to as such throughout the remainder of the present specification. The use of a cable is preferred over a rigid member such as a metal extrusion for it allows some flexibility to the collapsible trap. This is particularly important should the trap be wound upon a drum or the like as it is being retrieved from the seabed.

The wire rope passes through the corner connectors of each frame thereby forming the back bone of the collapsible fishing trap and helping ensure that it has the necessary structure and tension to stay upright when it is deployed upon the sea bed. Without the wire rope, the frames may be not able to stay fully upright for the covering mesh is usually insufficient to provide the necessary tension to do this.

In exemplary embodiments, each corner of the trap has a wire rope. However, it is possible that in some embodiments only the upper corners on the trap are provided with a wire rope. It should be appreciated that each end of the wire rope, which in use runs the length of the collapsible fishing trap, may be configured with loops to allow a buoy or winch line to be attached.

The frames are covered with a mesh; the mesh may be of any suitable material appropriate for the use to which it is intended. For example, it may be nylon or twine. However, this is not intended to be limiting any other materials that may be recognised as being appropriate may also be used.

The mesh is connected to the frames and/or wire rope via a stitching technique or other methods that persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate. For example, the inventor prefers to use twine to link the mesh although nylon or another filamentary material could just as easily be used.

The manufacture and assembly of the collapsible fishing trap lends itself to modification through the adding further compartments. The collapsible fishing trap may be supplied to the market in a range of sizes determined by the number of compartments. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the collapsible fishing trap may be sold with five compartments, with additional frames, connectors, mesh and wire rope to allow two extra compartments, one either end to be added if desired. To use the trap, the fisherman lays it out on the deck of the fishing vessel and then articulates the sleeve of the separate members of the uprights to raise them from a collapsed state to an erect state. It can then be picked up, from one end if necessary, and lowered over the side of the fishing vessel. Of course, a buoy line is secured to the trap to allow its later retrieval.

When being retrieved, the fisherman can haul in the collapsible fishing trap in its entirety before clearing the compartments of the collected catch. The uprights can then be collapsed by displacing the sleeve from one of the two members that make up each upright. This lays the trap substantially flat and it can then be rolled up and stowed away.

However, the trap could also be progressively wound up on a winch, each compartment being cleared and the sleeve being operated to disengage the members of the uprights and thereby collapsing the trap. This is particularly convenient for traps that have been configured with multiple compartments and which are thus relatively elongate.

This arrangement also favours the deployment of the trap over the front or rear of the fishing vessel; this is particularly convenient when fishing from a double-hulled vessel such as a catamaran. This is typically a more stable platform for raising or lowering traps than doing so over the side of the vessel, which is more unstable and thus dangerous for the fisherman.

It should be noted that the configuration of the trap may lend itself to partial or full automation of the setting or retrieval process in use. This has the potential to reduce risk of injury to fishermen when using the trap as well as potentially reducing the need for additional crew. The invention offers a number of advantages over existing fishing traps including:

• easy to erect and collapse as required;

• relatively compact when rolled up for storage;

• uses less metal materials compared to conventional traps; · relatively easy to add additional compartments as required; or

• at the very least, the invention offers the public a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an end view of the first frame of the embodiment of Figure 1

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one of the uprights of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 6a shows a side view of the upright of Figure 5; and

Figure 6b shows a front view of the upright of Figure 5. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention is a collapsible fishing trap (generally indicated by arrow 1) as shown in figures 1, 3 and 4. For sake of clarity, the mesh that defines the interior of the trap is not shown.

It can be seen that the collapsible fishing trap includes a plurality of four-sided frames (102a, 102b, 102c), each one spatially separated, when the trap is erected for use as shown, in a horizontal direction from its neighbouring frame.

In this embodiment, each pair of frames define a separate compartment (104a, 104b). The interior of the frame includes a mesh (not shown) to define the ends of the compartment, while the surrounding mesh (not shown in Figures 1 and 3, M in Figure 4) define the remaining sides of the compartment. Each compartment has its own entrance (106a, 106b), which permits entry of the targeted fish species (not shown).

The placement of the entrances (106a, 106b) is not particularly important in terms of the assembly of the fishing trap (100). However, if the targeted fish species is a crustacean, such as lobster or crayfish, it will be appreciated that the entrance may be positioned lower down the sides of the trap to facilitate easier access.

Running along each corner of the frames (102a, 102b, 102c) is a wire rope (108a, 108b, 108c, 108d). This links the individual frames of the fishing trap (100) and helps to tension the overall fishing trap, ensuring it remains upright when on the substrate of the body of water in which it is to be used.

To assist in holding the frames upright when the trap is deployed, cross bracing (110a, 110b, 110c - only one cross-bracing element is shown in this view) between the opposing corners of the frames (102a, 102b, 102c) is utilised to ensure sufficient tension is applied. This supplements the use of the linking wire rope (108a - 108d) binding the frames together in a unitary structure. Turning now to Figure 2, an end view of the first frame (102a), it will be seen that this is made up of two opposing uprights (200a, 200b) and two opposing cross-beams (202a, 202b). The opposing corners are tensioned with cross bracing (110a). As with Figure 1, only one cross-bracing element is shown.

In this view, it will be seen that uprights (200a, 200b) of the frames taper slightly inwards from their lower ends such that they are not truly right angled. This is helpful when in a collapsed state as it minimises the overlap of the frames when resting upon each other. The configuration of the uprights that allows them to be collapsed will become apparent from the discussion in respect of Figures 5, 6a and 6b. The corner connectors (204a - 204d), through which the wire ropes (not shown in this view but corresponding to 108a to 108d in Figure 1) passes, is also apparent.

Returning to Figure 3, a bottom view of the trap, it will be appreciated the degree to which the upper (202a) and lower (202b) cross-beams are horizontally offset from each other. This is to help reduce the overlap of the respective members of the frames, which would otherwise lay atop each other and thus increase bulk, when the trap is in a collapsed state.

It will also be seen that the corner connectors (204a, 204b) of the uprights (200a, 200b) and those of the cross-beams (202a, 202b) abut each other where they are connected to the same wire rope. The corner connectors are designed to allow them to rotate about the wire rope (108a, 108b) passing therethrough as the uprights are collapsed and raised. Small lengths of tubing or plastic beads (not shown) bonded or otherwise secured to the wire rope either side of each corner connector prevents their horizontal movement along the rope.

Key to this is the manner in which the uprights, one (200a) of which is shown in Figure 5, are configured to be collapsible. In this figure, it will be seen that the upright consists of two members (500a, 500b). At one end of each member, corner connectors (204a, 204d) are provided for the wire rope (not shown in this view) to pass therethrough. These two members (500a, 500b) are linked to each other via a bolt (504a) and nut (504b). The unthreaded portion of the shaft of the bolt effectively acts as a hinge to allow pivotal movement of the two members. A pin (not shown) or the like may alternatively be used.

To lock the members together to form a unitary upright, a hollow sleeve (506) is employed. When this sleeve is in place, pivotal movement of the members (500a, 500b) is prevented.

This is better illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b, which shows the upright (200a) in a side view and front view respectively. Here, the sleeve (506) is associated with the first member (500a). In the illustrated position, the first member is able to freely be pivoted relative to the second member (500b) of the upright. This is the appropriate position to allow the upright to be collapsed. As explained in respect of Figure 3, the relative horizontal displacement of the parts, including the uprights, forming the frame allows to be collapsed into a substantially flat configuration. This favours the winding up of the fishing trap onto a drum or winch or for simply reducing the amount of space required for storage.

However, to render the upright (200a) erect in order to facilitate the raising of the fishing trap with which it is to be used, the sleeve is moved in direction D. The sleeve, being hollow, slides over the tapered end (600) of the second member (500b), thus locking the two members into a unitary upright. It will be noted that in Figure 6b, the sleeve (506) includes a cut-out (602) complementary to the nut (504b) securing the bolt (not visible in this view).

As will be appreciated, this is a relatively simple mode of operation, making it very easy to raise and lower the fishing trap of Figure 1, even when on the deck of a fishing vessel. The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above, if any, are herein incorporated by reference. Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor in any country in the world.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.