Abstract:
A combination fishing net and weight scale with length measuring ruler. The weight scale components are incorporated at a distal end of the handle of the fishing net opposite the end incorporating the net basket. A fish may be retained in the net basket and the distal end of the handle is held up to allow the major portion of the handle and the fishing net basket to extend downward under gravity. The weight of the fish is shown on an indicator positioned in the end (movable) component of the handle that shows through an aligned aperture on the main (fixed) handle component. An internally fixed spring extends between the movable component and the fixed component of the handle. Alternately, a solid state electronic scale may be used in the same position. A length measuring device may be positioned along the length of the handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to accessories useful in conjunction with the outdoor activity of fishing. The present invention relates more specifically to hand held fishing nets that incorporate measurement devices for weighing fish that are caught and optionally measurement devices for determining their length. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The activity of fishing has for a long time been characterized as an outdoor sporting activity instead of the more basic sustenance activity that it previously had been characterized as going back into ancient history. The sport of fishing typically involves the catching of a fish with a fishing rod and reel configured with fishing line and one or more fish hooks. The sport typically involves either the retention of the fish (for consumption) or the release of the fish back into the water. In any event, the sport of fishing has as one of its primary characteristics, the measurement of the size of the fish being caught. This is the case whether the fish is being retained for consumption or in cases of catch and release. In almost every instance of fishing, therefore, it becomes important to measure the weight and/or the length of the fish being caught. 
     This process of measuring the size of the fish that is caught is relevant for two purposes. First, the size of the fish is often considered to be the measure of the success of the participant in the sporting event. Second, and often more importantly, the size of the fish is the determining factor in whether or not the participant is allowed by law to retain the fish once caught. Fishing, and retaining various species of fish, is often restricted according to the size of the fish wherein too small (and sometimes too large) fish are often prohibited from being retained. It is therefore very important in the outdoor activity of fishing to be able to measure the weight and/or the length of the fish being caught. 
     As indicated above, fish are typically caught in the outdoor activity through the use of a fishing rod and reel configured with a fishing line and a hook. When a fish is caught on a hook, the fish is typically reeled in to a point near the fisherman, where it is removed from the water. In most cases it is preferable to remove the fish from the water using a fishing net rather than to pull it directly from the water with only the fishing line and hook. A common accessory associated with the outdoor activity of fishing is therefore a hand held fishing net. There are many varieties of such nets but most include a longitudinal handle attached to an oval or circular loop from which is suspended a flexible woven net basket. 
     In order to carry out the requirements of weighing a fish and measuring its length a variety of accessories have also been developed. The most commonly used accessory for the purpose of weighing a fish is a fishing weight scale of the type that generally involves a spring-loaded linear-movable scale to which the fish is hooked, either directly onto a metal hook on the end of the scale, or indirectly by looping a stringer line through the fish and over the scale end hook. In either case, the linear spring scale is held up by the fisherman and the fish is allowed to dangle below the scale causing movement of the scale indicator and allowing for an eyesight measurement of the weight of the fish. Such weighing, however, will typically require the removal of the fish from the hook and the subsequent placement of a stringer line through the fish or the appropriate placement of the scale hook on the fish. In either case, there are significant additional steps that the fisherman must take in order to remove the fish from the fishing net and to then place and position the fish in conjunction with the scale for weight measurement. 
     Measuring the length of a fish that has been caught is somewhat easier in standard practice insofar as the hook and line need not be immediately removed from the fish. It is frequently necessary, however, to carry the fish away from the water to a point on the ground, on a table, or on the top of a tackle box or an ice chest, to make an accurate measurement of its length using a tape measure or a ruler. It is not uncommon for ruled measurements to be printed or formed (etched or molded) into the surfaces of various large implements, such as ice chests, coolers, fishing tackle boxes, and the like. 
     In any event, it is a problem in the existing art to easily measure the weight and length of a fish that has been caught without taking many additional steps to remove the fish from the fishing line and hook and positioning it in conjunction with the fishing scale and/or the length measuring ruler. It would be desirable to have a device to measure the weight of a fish, and in a similar manner measure its length, that did not require the many intermediate steps that not only require additional time, but also damage the health of the fish. It would be desirable if such weight and length measurements could be made immediately after removing the fish from the water, anticipating that the next action might be to release the catch back into the water as unharmed as possible. 
     Efforts have been made in the past to incorporate both weight measuring devices and length measuring devices into or onto the structures of typical fishing nets. Some very complicated structures have been developed that incorporate weight scales into the handles of fishing nets, while other devices have designed length measuring rulers into the handles or into the net components of the fishing nets. In every instance, however, these devices tend to be overly complex and therefore not very rugged when used in the outdoor environment. Most notably, weight scales that have been incorporated into fishing nets are frequently positioned in such a manner that they are likely to be immersed in water and as such are likely to rust or otherwise degrade over time as a result of such exposure. Other efforts in the past have significantly compromised the integrity and the strength of the fishing net (specifically the handle component) in an effort to incorporate the weight scale or the length measuring devices into the overall structure of the fishing net. 
     There is therefore a need to provide a simple yet durable weight measuring device integral with a fishing net accessory, such that a caught fish may be easily weighed while still positioned in the net. It would be desirable if such a combination device could be constructed so as to not sacrifice the durability of the handle of the fishing net during ordinary use (as a net). It would further be desirable if a length measuring device (a ruler) were likewise readily available in conjunction with the fishing net so as to provide a measure of the length of the fish without the need to remove it to a separate location. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In fulfillment of the above and further objectives, the present invention therefore provides an integrated combination fishing net and weight scale device with optional length measuring ruler. The combination fishing net includes a weight measuring scale incorporated into the handle of the fishing net at a point less exposed to water during standard use of the net. The weight scale components are incorporated at a distal end of the fishing net handle opposite the end incorporating the net basket. The use of the weight measuring components of the fishing net involves leaving the fish in the fishing net basket and holding the distal end of the handle to allow the major portion of the handle and the fishing net basket to extend under gravity below the point of support. In this manner, the weight of the fish within the fishing net basket is shown on a small indicator positioned on the end (movable) component of the handle that shows through an aligned aperture on the main (fixed) handle component. The movable end component of the handle moves telescopically with respect to the fixed handle component. The weight measuring assembly preferably incorporates an internally fixed spring extending between the movable component and the fixed component of the handle. An indicator is placed on the movable section of the handle with all components of the weight scale internally positioned within the handle and generally sealed within its interior. Alternate to the tension spring embodiment, a solid state digital scale could be incorporated into the handle in the same position near the movable end component of the handle. A length measuring device in the form of imprinted or engraved markings along the length of the handle (the non-movable portion of the handle) could be incorporated so as to provide a readily available means for measuring the length of the fish. The length scale would preferably extend from the point of attachment between the longitudinal section of the handle of the fishing net and the circular basket section such that the fish might be retained within the net basket and flipped over to extend along the handle for measurement. Further variations and embodiments of the invention as described are anticipated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the combination fishing net and weight scale apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed side plan view of the handle end component of the combination fishing net of the present invention showing the weight scale components incorporated therein. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the same section of the fishing net handle of the present invention as shown in an exterior view in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the handle components of the combination fishing net of the present invention taken along section line A-A′ shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view showing the components appropriate for implementation of a digital weight scale device into the handle components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the handle of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the incorporation of a length measuring scale positioned on the non-movable section of the fishing net handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is made first to  FIG. 1  for a description of the combination fishing net and weight scale of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , weight scale net  10  is shown in a perspective view illustrating the primary components of the combination device. As one objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and rugged device, the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  incorporates most of the same elements associated with a standard fishing net. Weight scale net  10  includes net handle  12  which extends to attach to and hold net basket rim  14 . Net basket  16  is a mesh fabric, as is typical for such fishing nets, which is attached to net basket rim  14  and provides the net opening and volume sufficient to handle most types of fish caught in fresh water environments or the smaller to medium sized fish caught in salt water environments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the size and structure of net basket rim  14  and net basket  16  are subject to the particular fishing environment and may be scaled up or down accordingly without modifying the essential features of the present invention. 
     The functional components of the present invention are entirely incorporated into net handle  12  at an end opposite that of net basket  16 . The components that are externally exposed in this view include handle grip  18 , scale hanger  20 , and weight scale readout  22 . Handle grip  18  is a cushioned grip configured to be the primary grasping point for normal use of the fishing net by the user. Handle grip  18  covers a portion of the distal end of net handle  12  that is rigidly fixed with respect to net basket  16 . As a result, the handling of weight scale net  10  by way of handle grip  18  delivers little or no stress upon any of the moveable (weight scale) components of the device. This placement of handle grip  18  facilitates one objective of the present invention to provide a rugged device that is not subject to stress other than when the device is specifically being used as a weight scale to weigh a fish contained in net basket  16 . 
     Scale hanger  20  shown in  FIG. 1  represents the movable component of the weight scale assembly associated with net handle  12  which, as described in more detail below, is attached to a sleeve that moves longitudinally (telescopically) within the end of net handle  12 . Weight scale readout  22  represents the components (analog or digital) that allow the user to read the weight of the fish in the net basket  16  when the weight scale net  10  is utilized for such purpose. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2 and 3  for a more detailed description of the functional components of the present invention and the manner in which they allow the user to weigh a fish retained in the net basket by grasping and suspending the device by scale hanger  20  instead of handle grip  18 . Oriented in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , the user may lift the device by scale hanger  20  while the fish is contained within the net basket (not seen in this view) and thereby determine the weight of the fish from weight scale readout  22 .  FIG. 2  is an external view of the distal end of net handle  12  showing the basic components of the present invention. These components include handle grip  18  as described above, as well as scale hanger  20 , which is movable in conjunction with inner sleeve  24  within the tubular structure of outer sleeve  28 . Inner sleeve  24  includes, at an appropriate location on its outer surface, scale indicia  32  which, when inner sleeve  24  is positioned appropriately within outer sleeve  28 , is viewable through scale aperture  30  in outer sleeve  28 . 
     In order to utilize the weight scale features of the present invention, the user grips the scale hanger  20  by means of hanger handle aperture  26  and allows the weight of the weight scale net and the fish contained within the net basket to be supported entirely by the weight scale components. The manner in which this occurs is described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 3 . By grasping scale hanger  20  the user may then easily view the weight of the fish (calibrated to offset the empty weight of the net) on weight scale readout  22 . 
       FIG. 3  represents a cross-sectional view of the distal end section of net handle  12  showing the internal components of the system of the present invention. In this view, the lower portion of scale hanger  20  is just visible at the top of the diagram. Scale hanger  20  is attached to and moves in conjunction with inner sleeve  24 . Inner sleeve  24  has an outer diameter closely configured to the inner diameter of outer sleeve  28  and may slide telescopically within the confines of outer sleeve  28 . Handle grip  18  surrounds one end of outer sleeve  28  leaving open the end into which inner sleeve  24  is inserted as shown above in  FIG. 2 . 
     The essential weight measuring component of the preferred embodiment of the assembly of the present invention is scale spring  34  which is configured in both size and strength according to the range of weight measurements that may typically be encountered in conjunction with small to medium sized fish. The scale spring  34  may be any of a number of springs structured according to typical double hook hanging fish scales that are already on the market. A first end of scale spring  34  is connected to fixed spring pin  40  which extends diametrically through outer sleeve  28  at a position below the travel extent of inner sleeve  24 . Fixed spring pin  40  thereby provides the fixed end of scale spring  34  while the movable end of scale spring  34  is retained within inner sleeve  24  by means of sliding spring pin  36 . 
     Sliding spring pin  36 , once fixed in an end of inner sleeve  24 , moves with inner sleeve  24  within the confines of outer sleeve  28  by means of slide channels  38   a  and  38   b . These slide channels  38   a  and  38   b  not only provide the channel guides for movement of inner sleeve  24  within outer sleeve  28 , but also prevent the rotation of inner sleeve  24  with respect to outer sleeve  28  thereby maintaining the orientation of scale indicia  32  within scale aperture  30  (shown in dashed outline form in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The structure of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  may be assembled by first positioning scale spring  34  and sliding spring pin  36  onto inner sleeve  24  before the assembly is inserted into outer sleeve  28 . Once these three components are assembled, and scale spring  34  is hanging loose from the initial assembly, the components may be inserted into outer sleeve  28  to a point at which scale spring  34  is positioned adjacent pre-drilled apertures in outer sleeve  28  that allow the insertion and fixing of fixed spring pin  40  there through. In this manner, inner sleeve  24  is retained within outer sleeve  28  but is moveable to the fullest extent of scale spring  34 . This movement is reflected by the movement of scale indicia  32  which, when read against a reference point on outer sleeve  28 , provides an indication of the weight of the fish being held in the fishing net. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4  which provides a lateral cross-sectional view taken along section line A-A′ shown in  FIG. 3 . This view in  FIG. 4  shows the preferred cylindrical structure of inner sleeve  24  and outer sleeve  28 . The view also shows the placement and diametrical positioning of slide channels  38   a  and  38   b  and the manner in which they retain sliding spring pin  36 . Scale spring  34  is positioned by means of an end eyelet onto sliding spring pin  36 , the ends of which ride within slide channels  38   a  and  38   b . Also shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  is scale indicia  32  positioned on an outer surface of inner sleeve  24  in an orientation that allows it to be read through scale aperture  30  cut into the wall of outer sleeve  28  in an appropriate position. As described above, the assembly shown in  FIG. 4  prevents the rotation of inner sleeve  24  with respect to outer sleeve  28  and as a result maintains the orientation of scale indicia  32  so as to be visible through scale aperture  30 . 
     Reference is next made to  FIG. 5  for an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the mechanical scale spring structure described above is replaced with a solid state digital weight scale device. Most of the structures of the net handle in this embodiment are similar to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention with the solid state scale device essentially replacing the scale spring shown above. In the partial cross-sectional view shown in  FIG. 5 , alternate net handle  42  is shown to comprise inner sleeve  54  and outer sleeve  58 . Weight scale readout  52  positioned on outer sleeve  58  includes solid state scale  60 , as well as digital display  62 . Solid state scale  60  is fixed onto outer sleeve  58  by means of fixed scale pins (screws)  70  that allow the assembly and disassembly of the device by means of the removal of digital display  62  to expose the components of solid state scale  60 . When assembled, fixed scale pins  70  position and fix the solid state scale with respect to outer sleeve  58 . 
     Internally, at one end of solid state scale  60 , is positioned scale eyelet  64  which extends to attach to moveable pin  66 . Whereas solid state scales of the type shown and utilized herein do not require significant travel in order for accurate measurements to be made, moveable pin  66  may be retained in a much smaller set of slide channels  68   a  and  68   b . Only a very small amount of travel is required for solid state scale  60  to operate in the manner that allows accurate readout through digital display  62 . 
     Assembly of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  may preferably be carried out in a manner distinct from that shown above with respect to the scale spring structure of  FIG. 3 . Assembly in this case would initially involve the placement of the solid state scale  60  within outer sleeve  58  and the subsequent insertion of inner sleeve  54  to a point where moveable pin  66  is inserted into the assembly at pin insertion aperture  56 . This allows moveable pin  66  to be directed fully into inner sleeve  54  engaging scale eyelet  64  and thereby engaging at its ends slide channels  68   a  and  68   b . Pin insertion aperture  56  may then be covered to prevent the unintended removal of moveable pin  66 . Operation of the alternate embodiment is the same as the first preferred embodiment wherein the user grasps the scale hanger  20  and suspends the balance of the fishing net (with the fish in the net) below the hanger allowing for a reading of the weight of the fish (with the scale properly zeroed) on the display. 
     Reference is finally made to  FIG. 6  for a description of an optional fish length measurement component of the present invention. In this view, wherein weight scale net  10  is flipped over from the view shown in  FIG. 1  to expose a ruled measure scale  80  placed along the net handle  12 . This ruled scale  80  may be imprinted, etched, or molded into the exterior surface of net handle  12  with a zero point positioned at the junction between net handle  12  and net basket rim  14 . In this manner, fish  76  (shown in dashed outline form) may be placed along net handle  12  with its tail (or nose) positioned against fixed zero stop  78 . Stop  78  may simply be a plate that extends up from the point of attachment between net handle  12  and net basket rim  14 . 
     Once the fish  76  is placed along ruled scale  80 , sliding end marker  82  may be slid into contact with the nose (or tail) of fish  76  so that the fish may then be removed for the length measurement to be read from the scale as marked by the sliding end marker  82 . End marker  82  may simply be a sliding semi-resilient plastic or foam ring that is tight enough to stay put when slid to a position on the net handle  12 , but loose enough to be easily slid into place by hand while the fish is in position for length measurement. As indicated above, it may be preferable to keep the fish within the confines of net basket  16  as it is positioned on ruled scale  80 . Net basket  16  is typically (preferably) deep enough and flexible enough that it may be allowed to fall back onto the handle of the net where the fish inside the net may then be aligned for length measurement on ruled scale  80  and stretched to its full length. Both the weight measurement and the length measurement may then be carried out without removing the fish from the net. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided by way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications of the present invention that might accommodate specific types of fishing nets or specific types of fishing (fresh water vs. salt water, for example). Variations on the specific sizes, shapes, and weight ranges for weight scale assembly components are also anticipated as long as they retain the functionality associated with the internal handle configuration described herein. Embodiments that provide for alternate weight (force) measuring components are also anticipated. Such modifications, as to component thickness, diameter, composition, component assembly, and force ranges, where such modifications are coincidental to the type of fishing net or type of fishing involved, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.