Patent ID: 6766609
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A combined fish scale and catch-and-release device, said device for weighing a fish and for holding the lip of a fish while removing the fishhook from the fish, said device comprising, in combination:an elongated body having a longitudinal axis therethrough, said elongated body, in turn, comprising: a catch-and-release handle at one end thereof; a central bore coaxial with said longitudinal axis, said central bore being open at both ends; a fixed pivot in said end of said bore opposite said catch-and-release handle; a pair of C-shaped jaws, each attached at one end thereof to said fixed pivot and rotatable thereabout between a closed position with the unattached end of said jaws meeting and an open position for accepting the lip of a fish; a crank and slider assembly in said central bore and attached at one end to said pair of C-shaped jaws, said crank and slider assembly opening said C-shaped jaws upon forward movement and locking said C-shaped jaws upon rearward movement, and, when aligned with the longitudinal axis of said elongated body defining a null position; said crank and slider assembly, when beyond the null position in one direction transmitting the spring force against opening of the device, and, when beyond the null position in the other direction, transmitting the spring force toward locking of the device; a fish scale mounted in said catch-and-release handle, in turn, comprising: a scale with markings in units of weight; a scale stem attached to said catch-and-release handle; a scale spring mounted about said scale stem and having a length proportional to the weight depending therefrom; and, an indicator arrayed against said scale translating said length of said scale spring into weight.