Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a net buoy for fishing gear or the like, comprising a plastic buoy body which is equipped with a fastening ear, where the buoy body is internally limited in a first chamber in the form of a buoyancy chamber which ensures the buoyancy of the net buoy, and a second chamber in the form of a storage chamber.

Background of the invention

Fishing gear standing in the sea or lying on the bottom of the sea is normally equipped with a buoy that floats in or near the surface. The fishing gear can be nets or traps.

A problem with such fishing gear is ghost fishing, i.e., currents, bad weather and often temperature differences mean that the fisherman cannot find the fishing gear or because transmitters stop working or drift too far away.

Description of prior art

Automatic Identification System or Automatic Identification System, abbreviated AIS, has been developed as an anti-collision aid for shipping, but which at the same time gives public authorities an overview of ship traffic in different waters. Vessels that have AIS equipment on board send out and exchange information about their identity, position, speed, course, etc. over frequencies on the VHF band. AIS is also used by maritime traffic centres to keep track of ship traffic within their areas of responsibility.

AIS tracking devices that are attached to fishing gear are also known, where most have a "flashlight" shaped plastic body that houses the electronics. For example, CN21 1532423 U shows a device in the form of a cylindrical and shell-shaped watertight container with a screw cap, and which houses circuit boards (PCB boards) with electronics for sending tracking signals. A magnetic switch is used to turn the device on or off.

GB 2550980 A describes a buoy that incorporates AIS receivers/transmitters, for tracking fishing nets. To enable tracking of the buoy, the buoy can be equipped with a GPS receiver and a transmitter. WO 2014/165927 A1 shows a tracking buoy particularly for use in tracking oil spills and the like. The buoy includes a GPS tracking device unit which is housed in a lid in the upper part of the buoy. The lid with the GPS tracking device is mounted on a mounting plate that covers a hollow section in the body.

WO 2019/147781 A1 shows a follower buoy with a GPS tracking unit which, together with a main buoy, is used to recover lost fishing equipment.

Objects of the present invention

It is an object of the invention to produce a net buoy with an AIS tracking unit, so that ghost fishing, in particular, can be avoided.

With the invention, an AIS tracking unit is produced integrated in a waterproof net buoy for marking equipment within, among other things, the fishing industry.

In brief, the invention consists of placing an AIS tracking transmitter inside a cylindershaped cavity in a net buoy and then screwing on a tight lid at the top. This is to protect the tracking transmitter from weather and wind and at the same time prevent it from being lost.

It is at least an object to provide an alternative design of a buoy for fishing equipment which includes an AIS tracking unit, and which is set up to protect the AIS tracking unit.

Summary of the invention

The above-mentioned objects are achieved with a net buoy for fishing gear, comprising a plastic buoy body which is equipped with a fastening ear, where the buoy body is internally limited in a first chamber in the form of a buoyancy chamber which ensures the buoyancy of the net buoy, and a second chamber in the form of a storage chamber. The first buoyancy chamber encloses the second storage chamber, and the second storage chamber is air-filled having an internally, open elongated shape with side wall(s) and a bottom as a boundary to the surrounding first buoyancy chamber, and the second storage chamber has an internal, circular cylindrical shape extending from an opening on an outer side of the buoy body and into the buoy body. The second storage chamber’s opening can be closed, and the second storage chamber is set up to receive an AIS tracking unit. The first buoyancy chamber can be completely or partially filled with foam, where the first buoyancy chamber is, for example, filled with polyurethane foam.

Alternatively, the first buoyancy chamber can be completely or partially filled with gas, such as air.

The second storage chamber preferably has an internal, circular-cylindrical shape that extends from the opening on the outside of the buoy body.

Furthermore, the opening on the outside of the buoy body can be located opposite the attachment ear.

The second storage chamber can extend along a central axis of the buoy body.

The buoy body can be provided with a watertight lid covering the closable opening of the second storage chamber.

Furthermore, the buoy body can be rotationally moulded in plastic. More specifically, the buoy body can be rotationally moulded in a piece of soft PVC plastic.

The second storage chamber is set up to receive a complete AIS tracking unit, preferably equipped with at least a GPS module, antenna and battery.

Description of figures

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show a net buoy according to the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 show a section of the net buoy according to the invention, respectively with and without an AIS tracking unit.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The invention is described as a net buoy 10, but mooring buoys or other types of buoys are also covered by the invention.

Most net buoys are designed as a soft PVC plastic buoy that prevents damage in the event of a collision but can also be moulded in hard plastic. This also applies to the net buoy according to the invention. A net buoy 10 according to the invention can be rotationally moulded.

The net buoy comprises a buoy body 12 as buoyancy body and which is equipped with a fastening ear 14 for attachment of a line or the like that runs to the fishing gear.

The buoy body 12 is designed with the desired diameter and height (length) and comprises a first chamber or body in the form of a buoyancy chamber 16 which provides buoyancy. The first buoyancy chamber 16 can be completely or partially filled with foam, where the foam used is polyurethane foam or PUR foam with open cells. PUR foam with open cells has a soft and airy structure. PUR foam is a two- component foam that is formed when two liquid components mix and expand.

Alternatively, the first buoyancy chamber 16 can be completely or partially filled with gas, such as air.

The buoy body 12 is preferably equipped with a closable screw opening (not shown) or valve for supplying and evacuating air to and from the first air-fillable buoyancy chamber 16, and which provides the desired buoyancy. This opening can also be used for the supply of foam.

The buoy body 12 is further equipped with a second chamber in the form of a storage chamber 18 which is set up to contain an AIS tracking unit 20. This is preferably a complete AIS tracking unit 20 with GPS module, antenna and batteries, so that, for example, a user can remove an "old" and insert a "new" AIS tracking unit 20 which is charged.

The second storage chamber 18 extends inward into the buoy body 12 and is at least partially surrounded by the first buoyancy chamber 16. Preferably, the first buoyancy chamber 16 completely surrounds the second storage chamber 18. The second storage chamber 18 has a length and a width/diameter that is adapted for receiving a complete AIS tracking unit 20.

The second storage chamber 18 is bound against the first buoyancy chamber 16 by a partition or side wall 24 and a bottom 26 and can have a circular, cylindrical shape that extends inwards into the buoy body 12, preferably along the central axis of the buoy body 12. An opening 28 for the second storage chamber 18 is equipped with a lid 22 which can be screwed in and out of the opening 28 in the buoy body 12. The opening 28 on the outside of the buoy body 12 is located opposite the fastening ear 14 on the other side of the net buoy 10. The second storage chamber 18 is naturally filled with air due to the opening and closing of the opening 28 using, for example, the lid 22 and can also be described as an air-filled chamber but has the primary task of housing the AIS tracking unit 20.