| WO/1994/018825 | FISH POT |
| WO/1987/007818 | COLLAPSIBLE CRAB TRAP |
| JP2006109836 | TRAPPING TOOL |
Claim:
1 ) A minnow catcher comprised of a plastic container having a substantially cylindrical or spherical body and one inwardly facing funnel shaped end, said end having a central fish receiving opening.
2) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 1, in which said plastic container has a substantially cylindrical or spherical body which is solid.
3) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 2 in which the said solid plastic container and the said body having a solid molded handle.
4) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 3 in which the said substantially cylindrical or spherical shaped body has a removable plastic funnel shaped end.
5) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 4 has ridged threads at the smaller end to attach and remove plastic funnel shaped end.
6) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 5 in which the said substantially cylindrical or spherical shaped body has a removal plastic funnel shaped end which has ridged receiving threads to attach to the main body by a twisting motion.
7) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 6 in which the substantially cylindrical or spherical shaped body has a line attached to the molded handle with a plastic float on the opposite end of the line for ease of placement and locating.
8) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 in which the container is a substantially clear transparent plastic container. 9) A minnow catcher as claimed in claim 8 in which the material of the plastic container is acrylic.
10) A minnow catcher fabricated from clear plastic acrylic which is substantially cylindrical or spherical consisting of molded handle and attached plastic marker, means of opening catcher by removal funneled shaped end which has central fish receiving opening. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
"Minnow Catcher"
a) Field of The Invention
This invention relates to a minnow catcher, and more particularly, to a lightweight plastic minnow catcher. b) Description of Related Art
Canadian Patent CA 2276333 issued to Irene Rowley (Inventor Barry J Rowley) discloses a lightweight plastic minnow trap. This device has two funnel type entrances and perforation along these areas to allow for flow or equalization of water pressure. This device also allows for casting. There are some difficulties due to the fact the bait is allowed to escape from the many holes meant for equalization. Usually when the trap is cast it may float and drift from the intended location. No matter how the trap is removed, the water escapes from the perforations or openings before being opened and the fish removed, possibly causing shock.
Summary of the Invention
The minnow catcher of the present invention has a simple solid design. It is
cylindrical in shape with one non perforated inwardly facing funnel shaped removable end. It has a molded handle on the body allowing for ease of handling and placement. A line is attached to the handle and a marker to the line for ease of locating after placement.
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The funnel-shaped end is removed or connected by opposite attracting grooves when adjoined and twisted form a rigid but easily undone joint.
The catcher is made of preferably clear, colorless, transparent plastic. When the catcher is allowed to fill with water and placed in shallow water where small fish live, they are attracted into the catcher by soda biscuit or like bait positioned in the catcher. The fish find it difficult to escape due to the inwardly facing funnel-shaped end. The bait stays within the catcher allowing more fish to be attracted. The handle, when turned down acts as a stabilizer against movement. Although the specification and claim proceed with reference to "minnows" it will be understood that the tenn minnows used herein will include all species offish depending on the size of the catcher.
Brief Description of The Drawings
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the minnow catcher showing the removable funnel shaped end. Figure 2 is an end view of the small end of the minnow catcher shown in figure 1 showing the rigid threads. Figure 3 is a side view of the minnow catcher in figure 1 showing the attached line and plastic float. Figure 4 is a cross section of the minnow catcher in figure 1 partially cut away showing a substantially solid cylindrical or spherical container. Figure 5 is an axonometric view of the minnow catcher in figure 1 showing the attached line, marker and catcher in complete assembly. Figure.6 is a detail of the removable funnel shaped end, showing the required molded grooves for attachment and removal of this piece of the invention.
Description of The Preferred Embodiments
Referring to figures 1 to 6 of the drawings. Container 10 is substantially cylindrical or spherical solid body with molded handle 13. The removal solid inward shaped funnel end 12, has a central opening 17 located at the small funnel end. Line 18 is attached to the molded handle 13 and float 19 is attached on the opposite end of line 18. (Figure 5)
The catcher is assembled by aligning the small threaded end 16 of the solid body with the opposite ridged threads 20 of the removable funnel shaped end 12. (Figure 1) The catcher is able to be filled with bait either when the removable funnel shaped end is detached or through the openings of the funnel shaped end when the catcher is fully assembled. An embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figure 1 - 6 and is injection molded from clear, transparent plastic acrylic measures 3/32 of an inch wall thickness and is lightweight, weighing only approximately 14 ounces. It is 6 inches wide at shoulders and is 10 inches long. The molded handle is 6 inches long with a hand opening of 4.5 inches long by 1.5 inches high being knurled for ease of handling, (figure 3) The attached float (19) is cylindrical having an overall length of 6 inches with a diameter of 1.5 inches. It is has a plastic housing of a fluorescent colour with a styrofoam interior for water resistance. The line is attached at the midpoint for ease of handling. (Figure 5) All parts of the main body are made of clear transparent plastic, such as acrylic plastic, making it
virtually invisible when submerged in water.
Figure 6 shows the funnel shaped end of the invention. The removable funneled shaped end 12 is knurled 21 on the outer surface to provide for ease of handling.
The attachment to main body is by the ridged threads 20 on the funnel shaped end 12 and the ridged threads 16 on the main body (Fig, 1)
It is understood that modifications can be made in the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope and purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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