Abstract:
The present invention relates to a releasing device and more particularly a releasing device used to release fish in water. Deep-water fishes such as rockfish often exhibit the effects of rapid water pressure change such as expelled gas bladder, protruded eyes when brought to the surface. The fish releasing device of the present utilizes a jaw assembly, a weight, and other components to clamp onto a fish. The device is dropped into the water which pulls the fish beneath the surface of the water and automatically releases the fish upon the opening of the clamping jaw.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application 60/858,778 filed on Nov. 13, 2006. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a releasing device and more particularly a releasing device used to release fish in water. Deep-water fishes such as rockfish often exhibit the effects of rapid water pressure change such as expelled gas bladder, protruded eyes when brought to the surface. Most of these fish die because of barotrauma if simply thrown back in the sea. Additionally, most of these fish cannot submerge on their own since their air bladders expand, their eyes are pushed out of their socket, and their stomachs out of their mouth. When thrown back, the fish is like a buoy on the surface and they can&#39;t get back down. 
         [0005]    The present invention returns the fish to deep water at speeds that safely reverse the effects of barotrauma by bringing the fish back to a depth to which the fish came. Due to the fish releasing device of the present invention, the fish&#39;s activity increases as the fish is lowered. When the gripping end of the jaw assembly is opens, the fish is free to swim away. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a releasing device and more particularly a releasing device used to release fish in water. The fish releasing device of the present invention comprises a jaw assembly, a spring, and a weight. 
         [0007]    The jaw assembly is made of two identical pieces of material cut in an S-like shape with an offset such that when the two identical pieces are assembled to form the jaw assembly, at least one end of a first S-like shape will meet an end of the second S-like shape for gripping. The gripping end of the jaw assembly may include a covering made of a soft material such as plastic or rubber to limit injuries to the fish being released. 
         [0008]    A spring is located between the non-gripping ends of the jaw assembly, wherein the spring is connected to each non-gripping end. A weight is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. On the other non-gripping end of the jaw assembly, or the end opposite the jaw assembly with the weight, an attachment mean is provided for attaching a line to the fish releasing device. 
         [0009]    In a second embodiment, the structure of the fish releasing device of the present invention is similar to the structure described in the first embodiment except that the weight is connected to a lower interior pipe prior to being connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. The end of the lower interior pipe that is not connected to the weight may be connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. 
         [0010]    The lower interior pipe may further comprise a slot and a first hole for receiving and connecting to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly with the weight. In this configuration, a non-gripping end of the jaw assembly is inserted into the slot such that the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly is aligned with the first hole on the lower interior pipe prior to insertion of the means for attachment. 
         [0011]    Alternatively, the means for attachment may be inserted into the hole on one side of the lower interior pipe, passed through the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly, through a loop at one end of the spring, and then through the hole on the other side of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, the lower interior pipe may further comprise a second hole at the end opposite the first hole to connect the weight to the lower interior pipe. 
         [0013]    In a third embodiment, the structure of the fish releasing device of the present invention is similar to the structure described in the first embodiment except attachment mean is connected to an upper interior pipe prior to being connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. The end of the upper interior pipe that is not connected to the attachment mean may be connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. 
         [0014]    The upper interior pipe may further comprise a slot and a first hole for receiving and connecting to a non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. In this configuration, a non-gripping end of the jaw assembly is inserted into the slot such that the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly is aligned with the first hole on the upper interior pipe. 
         [0015]    Alternatively, the means for attachment may be inserted into the hole on one side of the upper interior pipe, passed through the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly, through a loop at one end of the spring, and then through the hole on the other side of the upper interior pipe. 
         [0016]    The upper interior pipe may further comprise a second hole at the end opposite the first hole to connect the attachment mean to the upper interior pipe. 
         [0017]    In a fourth embodiment of the fish releasing device of the present invention, the new features in the second and third embodiments are combined with the features in the first embodiment to obtain the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment comprises a weight connected to a lower interior pipe. The end of the lower interior pipe not connected to the weight is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. On the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly opposite the one not connected to the weight, an upper interior pipe is connected to the non-gripping end. An attachment mean is connected the end of the upper interior pipe that is not connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. 
         [0018]    In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the second embodiment, the second embodiment further includes a lower swivel which connects the weight to the lower interior pipe. The end of the lower interior pipe which is not connected to the lower swivel and weight is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. 
         [0019]    In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment is modified to further include an upper swivel which connects the attachment mean to the upper interior pipe. The end of the upper interior pipe which is not connected to the upper swivel and attachment mean is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. 
         [0020]    In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the embodiments disclosed in the fifth and sixth embodiments are combined to obtain the seventh embodiment. The seventh embodiment includes a lower swivel which connects the weight to the lower interior pipe. The end of the lower interior pipe which is not connected to the lower swivel and weight is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly. The seventh embodiment further includes an upper swivel which connects the attachment mean to the upper interior pipe. The end of the upper interior pipe which is not connected to the upper swivel and attachment mean is connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly opposite the non-gripping end with the weight. 
         [0021]    In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, a main body is provided to house the various components of the fish releasing device. The main body may house any of the embodiments discussed above. Depending on the embodiment to be housed, main body may house the lower interior pipe, lower swivel, upper interior pipe, upper swivel, spring, and/or non-gripping ends of the jaw assembly. 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  The fish releasing device of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  Various components of the fish releasing device of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  Jaw assembly of the fish releasing device of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  Interior pipe component of the fish releasing device of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  Main body component of the fish releasing device of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  The fish releasing device of the present invention in the closed and open position. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           100  . . . Fish releasing device 
           110  . . . Jaw assembly 
           110 A . . . S-like shape 
           120  . . . Spring 
           130  . . . Weight 
           140  . . . Lower interior pipe 
           150  . . . Upper interior pipe 
           160  . . . Lower swivel 
           170  . . . Upper swivel 
           180  . . . Main body 
           200  . . . Means for attachment 
       
     
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    The present invention relates to a releasing device and more particularly a releasing device used to release fish in water. Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the fish releasing device  100  of the present invention will be discussed in more detail. In a first embodiment of the fish releasing device  100  of the present invention, the fish releasing device  100  comprises a jaw assembly  110 , a spring  120 , and a weight  130 . 
         [0040]    The jaw assembly  110  is made of two identical pieces of material cut in an S-like shape  110 A with an offset such that when the two identical pieces are assembled to form the jaw assembly  110 , at least one end of a first S-like shape  110 A will meet an end of the second S-like shape  110 A for gripping. The ends that meet for gripping are referred to as the gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  and the ends not required to meet are referred to as the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  may include a covering made of a soft material such as plastic or rubber to limit injuries to the fish being released. 
         [0041]    The S-like shapes  110 A are laid on top of each other such that a hole on the S-like shape  110 A is aligned and the tips on at least one end of the S-like shapes  110 A meet to form the gripping end on the jaw assembly  110 . The hole is ideally located near the center of each S-like shape  110 A. The other end of the S-like shapes  110 A which does not touch each other forms the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . To connect the S-like shapes  110 A for creating the jaw assembly  110 , any know means for attachment  200  may be used such as pins, screws, nuts and bolts, or rivets. The present invention uses a rivet that passes through the aligned hole when the S-like shapes  110 A are laid on top of each other. A nut and bolt may also be used and passed through the hole before the bolt is secured with a nut. Other shapes for the jaw assembly  110  may be used as long as a gripping end is formed. 
         [0042]    A spring  120  is located between the non-gripping ends of the jaw assembly  110  wherein the spring  120  is connected to each non-gripping end. The spring  120  may be connected to the non-gripping ends of the jaw assembly  110  by any means for attachment  200  known such as pins, screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, or welding. The spring  120  is connected such that each end of the spring  120  is connected to one non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . 
         [0043]    A weight  130  is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The weight  130  may be connected to a hole on the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  by tying the weight  130  to a string that is then passed through the hole and tied in place. Other means for attachment  200  of the weight  130  may be used such as pins, screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, or welding. 
         [0044]    On the other non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , or the end opposite the jaw assembly  110  with the weight  130 , an attachment mean  190  is provided for attaching a line to the fish releasing device  110 . The attachment mean  190  may be a hole located on the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . Alternatively, an attachment mean  190  such as a ring may be connected to a string which is then connected to the hole on the non-gripping end. 
         [0045]    In a second embodiment, the structure of the fish releasing device  100  of the present invention is similar to the structure described in the first embodiment except that the weight  130  is connected to a lower interior pipe  140  prior to being connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The lower interior pipe  140 , while referred to as a pipe, may be hollow or solid. The lower interior pipe  140  may also be of any shape such as a cylinder, sphere, cube, pyramid, or triangle. In this embodiment, the weight  130  is connected to the lower interior pipe  140  by any means for attachment  200  such as a pin, screw, rivet, nut and bolt, or welding. The end of the lower interior pipe  140  that is not connected to the weight  130  may be connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  by tying the lower interior pipe AAA to a string that is then tied around the non-gripping end. Other known means for attachment  200  of the lower interior pipe  140  to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  may be used such as pins, screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, or welding. Alternatively, if a hole is providing on the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , the means for attachment  200  of the lower interior pipe  140  to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  may be passed through the hole. 
         [0046]    The lower interior pipe  140  may further comprise a slot and a first hole for receiving and connecting to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  with the weight  130 . In this configuration, a non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  is inserted into the slot such that the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  is aligned with the first hole on the lower interior pipe  140 . To attach the lower interior pipe  140  and non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , any means for attachment  200  such as a pin, screw, rivets, nut and bolt, or welding or similar means for attaching is provided. The means for attachment  200  is inserted into the hole on one side of the lower interior pipe  140 , passed through the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , and then passed through the hole on the other side lower interior pipe  140 . The means for attachment  200  may be secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0047]    Alternatively, the means for attachment  200  may be inserted into the hole on one side of the lower interior pipe  140 , passed through the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , through a loop at one end of the spring  120 , and then through the hole on the other side of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The means for attachment  200  may be secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0048]    The lower interior pipe  140  may further comprise a second hole at the end opposite the first hole, wherein the second hole is used for receiving a means for attachment  200  to connect the weight  130  to the lower interior pipe  140 . The means for attachment  200  is inserted into the hole on one side of the lower interior pipe  140 , passed through a hole in the weight  130 , and then passed through the hole on the other side of the lower interior pipe  140 . The means for attachment  200  may be secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0049]    In a third embodiment, the structure of the fish releasing device  100  of the present invention is similar to the structure described in the first embodiment except attachment mean  190  is connected to an upper interior pipe  150  prior to being connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The upper interior pipe  150 , while referred to as a pipe, may be hollow or solid. The upper interior pipe  150  may also be of any shape, such as a cylinder, sphere, cube, pyramid, or triangle. In this embodiment, the attachment mean  190  is connected to the upper interior pipe  150  by any means for attachment  200  such as a pin, screw, rivet, nut and bolt, or welding. The end of the upper interior pipe  150  that is not connected to the attachment mean  190  may be connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  by tying the upper interior pipe  150  to a string that is then tied around the non-gripping end. The upper interior pipe  150  may be attached by any means for attachment  200  to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  such as pins, screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, or welding. Alternatively, if a hole is provided on the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , the means for attachment  200  of the upper interior pipe  150  to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  may be passed through the hole. 
         [0050]    The upper interior pipe  150  may further comprise a slot and a first hole for receiving and connecting to a non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . In this configuration, a non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  is inserted into the slot such that the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  is aligned with the first hole on the upper interior pipe  150 . To attach the upper interior pipe  150  and non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , any means for attachment  200  such as a pin, screw, rivet, nut and bolt, welding or similar means for attaching is provided. The means for attachment  200  is inserted into the hole on one side of the upper interior pipe  150 , passed through the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , and then passed through the hole on the other side of the upper interior pipe  150 . The means for attachment  200  may be secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0051]    Alternatively, the means for attachment  200  may be inserted into the hole on one side of the upper interior pipe  150 , passed through the hole in the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 , through a loop at one end of the spring  120 , and then through the hole on the other side of the upper interior pipe  150 . The means for attachment  200  is secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0052]    The upper interior pipe  150  may further comprise a second hole at the end opposite the first hole, wherein the second hole is used for receiving a means for attachment  200 , to connect the attachment mean  190  to the upper interior pipe  150 . The means for attachment  200  is inserted into the hole on one side of the upper interior pipe  150 , passed through a hole in the attachment mean  190 , and then passed through the hole on the other side of the upper interior pipe  150 . The means for attachment  200  may be secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0053]    In a fourth embodiment of the fish releasing device  100  of the present invention, the new features in the second and third embodiments are combined with the features in the first embodiment to obtain the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment comprises a weight  130  connected to a lower interior pipe  140 . The end of the lower interior pipe  140  not connected to the weight  130  is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . On the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  opposite the one not connected to the weight  130 , an upper interior pipe  150  is connected to the non-gripping end. An attachment mean  190  is connected to the end of the upper interior pipe  150  that is not connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The means for attachment  200  of the various components are similar to those discussed for the first, second, and third embodiments. 
         [0054]    In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the second embodiment, the second embodiment further includes a lower swivel  160  which connects the weight  130  to the lower interior pipe  140 . The end of the lower interior pipe  140  which is not connected to the lower swivel  160  and weight  130  is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . Any means for attachment  200  for connecting the various components may be used such as those discussed in the second embodiment. 
         [0055]    If the lower interior pipe  140  comprises a second hole at the end opposite the first hole, the second hole may be used for receiving a means for attachment  200 , to connect the lower swivel  160  to the lower interior pipe  140 . The means for attachment  200  is inserted into the hole on one side of the lower interior pipe  140 , passed through a hole in the lower swivel  160 , and then passed through the hole on the other side of the lower interior pipe  140 . The means for attachment  200  may be secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0056]    In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment is modified to further include an upper swivel  170  which connects the attachment mean  190  to the upper interior pipe  150 . The end of the upper interior pipe  150  which is not connected to the upper swivel  170  and attachment mean  190  is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . Any means for attachment  200  for connecting the various components may be used such as those discussed in the third embodiment. 
         [0057]    If the upper interior pipe  150  comprises a second hole at the end opposite the first hole, the second hole may be used for receiving a means for attachment  200 , to connect the upper swivel  170  to the upper interior pipe  150 . The means for attachment  200  is inserted into the hole on one side of the upper interior pipe  150 , passed through a hole in the upper swivel  170 , and then passed through the hole on the other side of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The means for attachment  200  may be secured into place to prevent it from slipping out of the holes. 
         [0058]    In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the embodiments disclosed in the fifth and sixth embodiments are combined to obtain the seventh embodiment. The seventh embodiment includes a lower swivel  160  which connects the weight  130  to the lower interior pipe  140 . The end of the lower interior pipe  140  which is not connected to the lower swivel  160  and weight  130  is connected to one of the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110 . The seventh embodiment further includes an upper swivel  170  which connects the attachment mean  190  to the upper interior pipe  150 . The end of the upper interior pipe  150  which is not connected to the upper swivel  170  and attachment mean  190  is connected to the non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  opposite the non-gripping end with the weight  130 . Any known means for attachment  200  for connecting the various components may be used such as those discussed in the second and third embodiment. 
         [0059]    In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, a main body  180  is provided to house the various components of the fish releasing device  100 . The main body  180  may house any of the embodiments discussed above. Depending on the embodiment to be housed, main body  180  may house the lower interior pipe  140 , lower swivel  160 , upper interior pipe  150 , upper swivel  170 , spring  120 , and/or non-gripping ends of the jaw assembly  110 . Main body  180  is hollow and may be cylindrical. However, it may be of any shape as long as it is of sufficient size to house the components of the fish releasing device  100 . Main body  180  may further comprise at least one opening for receiving the non-gripping ends of the jaw assembly  110 . There may also be holes in the main body  180  for allowing the passing through of means for attachment  200  to connect the various components. 
         [0060]    To assemble the fish releasing device  100  with a main body  180 , the lower interior pipe  140  is slid into the main body  180  until a hole in the lower interior pipe  140  lines up with the hole in the main body  180 . The slot on the lower interior pipe  140  is also aligned with the opening in the main body  180  for receiving the non-gripping ends of the jaw assembly  110 . A means for attachment  200  is inserted into the aligned hole and driven in approximately ⅓ of the way through. A spring  120  is inserted into the main body  180  until the lower loop on the spring  120  is over the means for attachment  200 . The lower non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  is inserted until all the holes and lower loop on the spring  120  are aligned. The means for attachment  200  is then driven until it is flushed with the inside of the main body FFF. The lower interior pipe  140  is moved to make sure the lower interior pipe  140  freely slides inside the main body  180 . 
         [0061]    The upper interior pipe  150  is then inserted from the top end of the main body  180 . The lower interior pipe  140  and jaw assembly  110  may be moved down if necessary prior to inserting the upper interior pipe  150 . The hole and slot on the upper interior pipe  150  are aligned with the hole and opening on the main body  180 , respectively. A means for attachment  200 , such as a pin, is inserted through the hole in the main body  180  approximately ⅓ of the way. A hook tool is used to reach down the inside of the main body  180  to grab the top loop end of the spring  120  and place it over the means for attachment  200 . The non-gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  is slid into the opening in the main body  180  and aligned with the means for attachment  200  and holes. The means for attachment  200  is driven until it is flush with the main body  180 . 
         [0062]    Ideally, the hole in the main body  180  should be larger than the means for attachment  200  and the hole on the other components of the fish releasing device  100 . The hole on the other components of the fish releasing device  100  should be large enough to receive the means for attachment  200  without allowing it to pass completely through. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , operation of the fish releasing device is discussed. To use the fish releasing device  100 , the fish to be returned is removed from the fishing hook or net. The fish releasing device  100  is attached to a line prior to lowering of the fish and fish releasing device  100  into the water. The weight  130  on the fish releasing device  100  is supported which causes the jaw assembly  110  to remain in the open position. The mouth of the fish is placed between the opened gripping ends of the jaw assembly  110 . Support to the weight  130  is released. This clamps the gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  of the fish releasing device  100  to the fish to be released. 
         [0064]    Once clamped onto the fish, the fish releasing device  100  and fish is lowered into the water until the gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  of the fish releasing device  100  opens to release the fish. The gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  automatically opens when the tension caused by the weight  130  on the jaw assembly  110  is diminished. This can occur when the weight  130  hits a surface in the ocean, such as the bottom of the ocean. When the weight hits a surface, the lower interior pipe  140  will travel up towards the top because of the spring  120 . This will open the gripping end of the jaw assembly  110  since they are no longer held closed by the weight  130  but pulled open by the spring  120 . The fish is therefore freed. 
         [0065]    All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0066]    While specific systems and methods have been disclosed in the preceding description, it should be understood that these specifics have been given for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the present invention and that many variations thereof will become apparent to those who are versed in the art.