TITLE

A Fish Scoop

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a scoop for handling fish. It may be used in the context of fishing but is not limited to such. In some embodiments it may be used for other fish handling applications.

BACKGROUND

When a fish is captured, for example using a hooked line or a net, it is typically pulled out of the water and may flap around on land or inside a boat making it hard to handle, for example for measuring to see whether it is of legal catch size. In the event the fish turns out to be undersize and has to be thrown back it may have injured itself and not survive or have endured unnecessary pain. It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing this problem. While this object applies to the preferred embodiment it should not be seen as a limit on the scope of the invention or the claims. The object of the invention per se is simply to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a fish scoop having:

• a pair of jaws; and

• a hinge between the jaws;

the jaws being in spaced relationship at the hinge and angled towards one another as they extend forward from the hinge so that space between the jaws is substantially more at the hinge compared with a free forward end of each jaw.

Optionally each jaw is substantially plate-like.

Optionally the scoop has permanently open sides.

Optionally the scoop incorporates a measuring scale.

Optionally the scoop has a plurality of apertures in one or both of the jaws.

Optionally the jaws define a generally V-shaped fish-holding space. Optionally the jaws are generally transparent. Optionally the jaws are not spaced at their free ends.

Optionally the jaws are biased towards one another so that free ends of the jaws can be opened by hand-force to create or increase a forward entrance into the scoop and on release will naturally tend towards one another.

Optionally the hinge is generally arc-shaped.

A method of handling a fish, comprising manipulating a scoop as above by hand so that the jaws open-up sufficiently to admit a fish into the scoop and clamp against the fish to hold it within the scoop.

Optionally the fish, when clamped, is inverted to cause it to go into a placid state while still within the scoop.

Optionally the fish is measured using the measuring scale.

Optionally a trailing portion of each jaw immediately adjacent to the hinge extends below the hinge to provide a handle for gripping and squeezing to cause the jaws to open up when desired.

Optionally the forward end of at least one of the jaws is biased towards the forward end of the other jaw.

Optionally the fish, if determined to be of legal catch size, is killed by passing a sharp object through the head of the fish via one of the apertures.

Optionally a fish within the scoop has a body length that extends out at least one side of the scoop and is determined to be of legal catch size on the basis of it being longer that the hinge. Optionally scoops as above of different sizes for different species of fish are used to determine whether fish caught are of legal size based on whether they are longer than a respective scoop designated for the corresponding species.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a front face view of a fish scoop; and

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the scoop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The fish scoop comprises a wide central hinge 1 supporting a pair of plate-like jaws 2 in spaced fashion. As shown, the jaws angle towards one another, becoming progressively closer the further upwards they extend from the hinge. The jaws 2 do not quite touch at their most forward parts 3, although in other embodiments they may do so. The effect is that there is a generally V shaped space within the jaws for holding a fish.

In the embodiment shown the hinge is simply a curved or arc shaped spine-like section of the scoop and is integral with the jaws. However such configuration is not essential.

The jaws 2 are resilient about the hinge in that if forced apart by hand at their most forward parts 3 they will move back towards one another as soon as the force is released.

Referring to figure 1 , the trailing portion of each jaw immediately adjacent to the hinge 1 extends a short distance below the hinge to provide a handle 2a for gripping and squeezing to cause the jaws to open up when desired.

One or both of the jaws has one or more measuring scales 4, 5 for determining the length of a fish held in the scoop. As also shown, each jaw has a generally triangular array of holes 6 at each end similar in shape to the tapered head of a fish.

When in use the scoop can be manipulated by hand so that a fish which has just been caught is clamped between the jaws 2 with its body lying along the hinge 1 . The scoop is then up-ended to invert the fish which, for at least many species, puts the creature into a placid state (eg a trance-like state), so that the fish can be readily measured using the scale 4. If the fish is found to be of legal catch length it can be 'ikied' (killed) by pushing a stake or other sharp object through its head via one of the holes 6.

Because there is an array of the holes 6 it is easy to find a hole nearest the desired kill point. If on the other hand the fish is under-sized then it can be released back to the water with no or minimal harm. Preferably the scoop with a fish held between the jaws 2 can be held by a fisherman with one hand, leaving the other hand free to remove a hook from the fish or to 'iki' it.

In some embodiments of the invention the jaws are generally transparent to make measuring a fish easier. In still further embodiments the scoop may have a soft lining between the jaws to help protect a fish in case it has to be thrown back into the water.

In some embodiments of the invention a fisherman may have an assortment of different sized scoops each as described above (optionally without a measuring scale). A fish can be determined to be of legal size if it's body overhangs the appropriate scoop's permanently open ends 7 (eg if too large to fit within the scoop end to end). There may thus be different sized scoops for different species of fish.

In some embodiments the scoop may have a light source or be luminescent to make it easier to use in the dark. Optionally the scoops are buoyant so that so that they are less likely to be lost if they end up in the water. They may be formed from a suitable plastic or other synthetic material. Preferably each scoop is of a one piece or unitary construction, although this is not essential.

While some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.