Abstract:
A major hoop member provides for protection of a minor hoop member and contact points between the minor hoop member and net material attached to the minor hoop member. The minor hoop member is of a significantly smaller diameter than a diameter of the major hoop member and is securely retained in close, but spaced, orientation radially inward from the major hoop member. This provides for the operational passageway through the minor hoop member which objects may be netted to be nearly as large as that available utilizing just the major hoop member. This full function feature occurs while the major hoop member protects the inner hoop member, and the contact points therealong of the net material, from coming into contact with many obstructions during use of the net device to net objects. Easy removal and replacement of the minor hoop member permits replacement of existing net material.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Generally, the invention relates to netting devices and more specifically to such netting devices which structurally provide for protection by an outer hoop member for net material secured relative to a generally rigid inner hoop member. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous types of netting devices exist to trap various objects within a net material subsequent to passage of the object through an opening of the netting device. Netting devices applicable to the present invention will typically have a handle for user manipulation of the respective device. A large class of such devices are employed to retrieve objects from bodies of water. Landing nets permit a fish caught on an assembly having a hook and line to be trapped within the net and removed from the water. This arrangement prevents the fisherman from having to place undue stress and strain on the line, the hook and the attachment between the line and the hook during removal of the fish from the water. The term fisherman, the conventionally recognized designation, as used herein refers to men, women and children who enjoy the pleasant activity of fishing and is not intended in any way to exclude anyone who enjoys the fine sport. Dip nets permit a fisherman to catch fish by manipulating the net where the fish moves through a hoop having net material attached thereabout and becomes trapped in excess net material extending away from the hoop. Landing nets and dip nets may be interchanged in usage although typically dip nets are of a sturdier construction. 
     It is conventionally known to have the net material directly attached to a hoop of a net where the hoop penetrates various of the passageways between strand material of the net about the opening of the net. This arrangement is commonly performed during assembly of the net at the time of production. Alternatively, it is conventionally known to tie the net onto the hoop of the net where a separate strand material penetrates a passageway between strand material of the net about the opening of the net and then surrounds the hoop and is tied. Often this arrangement will involve a plurality of lengths of the strand material. A variation on this arrangement involves a wrapping of the hoop by a single long length of strand material with the strand material penetrating adjacent or select passageways of the strand material of the net during travel around the hoop. 
     Netting devices applicable to the present invention often receive rough treatment during use, transport and storage. During use the hoop of the net device will often come into contact with objects or surfaces, including the bottom of the body of water. While this bottom of the body of water contact is true of landing nets, depending upon the location of the fisherman and the depth of the water, it is often true for use of dip nets, including gill nets. The term gill net refers to net devices which have net material of a configuration, including passageway sizing between cooperating strands of the net material, which permit entry of the head of the targeted fish but do not permit complete passage of the target fish through the net material of the net device. Following this passage of the head of the target fish into the net material the gills of the target fish become entangled by the net material of the net device. The net material of gill nets can be configured to trap certain types of fish of a certain size range. 
     During the catching of fish with dip nets, and particularly gill nets, the fisherman will often move the net device across the bottom of the body of water while advancing the net device toward the fish to be caught. A common use of dip nets involves the fisherman walking along the bank of the stream or river in the direction of the natural flow of the water, but faster, so that the bag of the net extends outward behind the hoop of the dip net. In this instance the fish to be caught would be moving upstream and would enter the bag of the net. In the case of gill nets the target fish would become entangled at their gills within the dip net. The fisherman often will then reposition the hoop of the net toward the bottom of the body of water and drag the hoop out of the water and up the bank of the river or stream. This action, for conventional net devices, produces a great deal of wear and stress on the net material in contact with the hoop of the conventional net device. In many conventional netting operations utilizing conventional net devices the netting material about the hoop, or the strand material used to secure the net to the hoop, may make contact with structures of the bed of the stream or river or with structures on the land. Prolonged use in this manner will often wear and damage the net or the strand material surrounding the hoop of the dip net of conventionally known net devices. 
     Often net devices will be laid upon the ground or dock or placed on the floor of a boat or of an automobile. On these occasions the hoop of the net may make contact with the surface, either along a portion of the hoop or, if placed on a flat surface, along the entire perimeter of the hoop. This results in the material surrounding the hoop being in pressure bearing contact between the surface upon which the hoop rests and the hoop itself. This contact often causes wear to this material reducing the life cycle of the material. It is common practice to place other objects on net devices during use, transport or storage causing additional pressure to be applied to the net material, or material tying the net material to the hoop, about the hoop. This increases the potential for wear to such material at contact points with the hoop. This is particularly true during transport in a vehicle where movement and vibration of the vehicle is transferred to the net device causing additional wear. 
     As can readily be seen the net material, or the strand material if the net is tied to the hoop, surrounding the hoop of conventional net devices can sustain considerable wear and tear which reduce the period of time where optimal performance will be obtained. 
     Various deficiencies exist with the conventional net devices which allow excessive wear to occur to the attached net material at contact points between the conventional net devices and the net material. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a net device which protects the contact points between the net device and the net material during routine usage while not applying any structurally induced pressure to these contact points. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of dip net devices, your applicant has devised a dip net device to retain a net material, forming a bag of the net, to contain an object within the bag of the net during removal of the object from a body of liquid. The dip net device protects the net material at contact points between the dip net device and the net material. The dip net device has a body and net retention means. The body has a handle and a major hoop member. The handle provides for user manipulation of the dip net device. The major hoop member has a first side, a second side, a passageway and an inner protection area. The passageway is through the major hoop member and extends between the first side and the second side. The inner protection area is situated within the passageway of the major hoop member and between the first side and the second side. The inner protection area has an outer closed perimeter in close proximity to the major hoop member. The net retention means retains the net material relative to the major hoop member of the body where the bag of the net extends away from the passageway of the major hoop member of the body. The net retention means has a plurality of contact points between the dip net device and the net material. Each of the contact points resides completely within the inner protection area of the major hoop member of the body and generally at the outer closed perimeter of the inner protection area of the major hoop member of the body. This provides for the contact points to be protected from many forms of contact damage which occur during routine use of the dip net device while performing netting operations. 
     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them herein disclosed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the functions specified. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide structural protection to contact points between a net device and net material attached to the net device to significantly reduce wear to the net material at these contact points. 
     Other objects include:
         a) to provide for a major hoop member of the net device to radially surround and protect a minor hoop member having the net material attached thereto.   b) to provide for the major hoop member to have a significantly larger diameter than a diameter of the minor hoop member.   c) to provide for the minor hoop member to be retained in close proximity to the major hoop member to maximize the passageway through the net device.   d) to provide for a plurality of coupling members engaging the minor hoop member to be radially distributed in secured spaced orientation on the major hoop member.   e) to provide for the coupling members to have passageways therethrough which the minor hoop member passes through to securely contain the minor hoop member relative to the major hoop member.   f) to provide for the minor hoop member to be removeably secured relative to the coupling members where easy removal of the minor hoop member may selectively occur to permit replacement of the net material when desired.   g) to provide for the removal and installation of the minor hoop member to occur utilizing an axial rotation of the freed minor hoop member relative to a center of the passageway formed by the minor hoop member.   h) to provide for individual securing of opposing ends of the minor hoop member to occur relative to a single anchoring coupling member where inward and outward movement of both ends of the minor hoop member is prevented.       

     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein; 
         FIG. 1   a  is a top plan view of a net device with net material attached. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a side elevational view of the net device and net material. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the body and handle of the net device. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a minor hoop member of the net device. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view of the net device with half of the major and minor hoop members removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial top plan view as taken from the section reference ‘ 5 ’ shown in  FIG. 2  with a corresponding portion of the minor hoop member depicted. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial top plan view as taken from the section reference ‘ 6 ’ shown in  FIG. 2  with a corresponding portion of the minor hoop member depicted. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top plan view as shown in  FIG. 5  with the coupling member shown in sectional cutaway. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial top plan view as shown in  FIG. 6  with the anchoring coupling member shown in sectional cutaway. 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a securing member. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the anchoring coupling member. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the net device, with attached net material, shown in a body of liquid during usage. 
         FIG. 12   a  through  FIG. 12   d  are top plan views of the net device depicting various orientations during removal of a net material and installation of a net material. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Many different net devices having features of the present invention are possible. The following description describes the preferred embodiment of select features of those net devices and various combinations thereof. These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive at various desired working configurations of net devices. 
     Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views. 
     Bag of the net as used herein refers to the strand material which extends from, or relative from, the structure of the present invention to form a variable three dimensional form which permits the passage of fluid therethrough and objects of a size up to a predetermined size therethrough. 
     Net material as used herein refers to the conventional netting material forming the bag of the net and any material utilized to secure the bag of the net to the structure of the present invention whether that securing material is part of the bag of the net or a secondary intermediate material between the bag of the net and the structure of the present invention. Net material is a workpiece with which structures of the present invention operate. 
     Hoop as used herein refers to a generally rigid material in a configuration to define a passageway as conventionally known but is not limited to being in endless contact around the passageway and is not limited to being a single continuous piece of material and is not limited to any cross section configuration of the material and is not limited to a geometric shape of the hoop including not being limited to residing on a single plane of projection. Gill nets which are to be used along a bank of a river or stream preferably will have the side of the opening which will be closest to the bottom of the river or stream during use of a generally straight configuration, or a configuration which is straighter than the remainder of the opening. This configuration of opening provides for fuller coverage of the bed of the river or stream during the netting operation. 
     A dip net device, net device,  20  retains a net material  22 . Net material  22  forms a bag of the net  24  while positioned on dip net device  20 . Bag of the net  24  contains an object  26  during removal of object  26  from a body of liquid  28  utilizing dip net device  20 . Dip net device  20  protects net material  22  at contact points  30  between dip net device  20  and net material  22 . Dip net device  20  has a body  32  and net retention means. 
     Body  32  has a handle  34  and a major hoop member, major member,  36 . Handle  34  provides for user manipulation of dip net device  20 . Body  32  of dip net device  20  preferably is at least substantially constructed from a hollow tubular material  38 . In the most preferred embodiment depicted body  32  of dip net device  20  further comprises at least one sealed cavity  40  to provide for dip net device  20  to have a buoyancy while loose in body of liquid  28 . 
     Net retention means, in a broad concept, refers to contact of net material  22  on a minor hoop member  42 . This is either provided for by having net material  22  surround minor hoop member  42  at spaced locations thereon or by having net material  22  tied, or otherwise fastened, to minor hoop member  42 . Net retention means has minor hoop member, minor member,  42  and securement means to secure minor hoop member  42  relative to major hoop member  36 . Securement means preferably is structurally provided for by a plurality of coupling members  44 . 
     Major hoop member  36  attaches relative to a distal end  46  of handle  34 . Major hoop member  36  has a first side  48 , a second side  50 , a passageway  52  and an inner protection area  54 . Major hoop member  36  defining an outer closed perimeter  56  of inner protection area  54 . Major hoop member  36  has an inner surface  58  facing directly into inner protection area  54  and an outer surface  60  positioned opposite inner surface  58 . Passageway  52  extends through major hoop member  36  between first side  48  and second side  50 . Inner protection area  54  is situated within passageway  52  of major hoop member  36  between first side  48  and second side  50 . Inner protection area  54  has outer closed perimeter  56  preferably defined by inner surface  58  of major hoop member  36 . Preferably major hoop member  36  is of a tubular configuration  62  having a generally round cross section. In the most preferred embodiment major hoop member  36  is generally constructed of hollow tubular material  38 . In the embodiment depicted in the various views both handle  34  and major hoop member  36  are formed of hollow tubular material  38 , just of different diametric measurements. 
     Handle  34  is connected to major hoop member  36  to extend therefrom away from inner protection area  54 . Handle  34  has a user manipulation end  64  and distal end  46 . Handle  34  further has an extension portion  66  and a grip portion  68 . Extension portion  66  extends away from major hoop member  36  with grip portion  68  laterally intersecting extension portion  66  generally at user manipulation end  64  of handle  34 . Grip portion  68  provides for ease of handling when one hand of the user, not shown in any of the views, is thereon and the opposing hand is on extension portion  66 . 
     Net retention means has the plurality of contact points  30  between dip net device  20  and net material  22 . Each contact point  30  resides completely within inner protection area  54  of major hoop member  36  of body  32  and generally at outer closed perimeter  56  of inner protection area  54  of major hoop member  36  of body  32 . 
     Net retention means preferably is provided for by minor hoop member  42  which is secured relative to major hoop member  36  while residing within inner protection area  54  of major hoop member  36  generally at outer closed perimeter  56  of inner protection area  54  of major hoop member  36 . Contact points  30  of the net retention means are in contact with minor hoop member  42  with a portion of net material  22  adjacent each contact point  30  passing between major hoop member  36  and minor hoop member  42 . In the most preferred embodiment contact points  30  do not pressure touch major hoop member  36  even within inner protection area  54 . 
     Minor hoop member  42  at least partially defining a passageway  70 . Passageway  70  defines the opening of bag of the net  24  when net material  22  is installed on net device  20 . Preferably minor hoop member  42  is of a shaft configuration  72  with a generally round cross section and is constructed of a solid rod material  74 . Minor hoop member  42  defining an inner closed perimeter  76 . Minor hoop member  42  has an inner surface  78  an outer surface  80  positioned opposite inner surface  78 . Inner surface  58  of major hoop member  36  preferably faces directly into outer surface  80  of minor hoop member  42 . Net material attaches to minor hoop member  42  at the plurality of contact points  30 . A substantial quantity of net material  22  extends away from minor hoop member  42  forming bag of the net  24 . 
     Contact points  30  are protected by major hoop member  36  during many potential contacts by outer surface  60 , first side  48  and second side  50  of major hoop member  36 .  FIG. 11  depicts a potential contact by dip net device  20  with obstruction  82  during routine usage. The protection provided by major hoop member  36  prevents damage to the portion of net material  22  secured to minor hoop member  42  at contact points  30  of dip net device  20  during such contact. 
     A plurality of closed securement passages  84  exist between major hoop member  36  and minor hoop member  42 . Net material  22  at each contact point  30  passes through a respective closed securement passages  84 . 
     The plurality of coupling members  44  are secured in spaced relationship around major hoop member  36  of dip net device  20  and extend into inner protection area  54  of major hoop member  36 . Each coupling member  44  radially engages and surrounds a portion of minor hoop member  42  of dip net device  20 . Coupling members  44  provide for minor hoop member  42  to be spaced from major hoop member  36  and to resides generally within inner protection area  54  of major hoop member  36 . 
     Each coupling member  44  has a passageway  86  therethrough. Each passageway  86  of each respective coupling member  44  is positioned generally parallel to and spaced from major hoop member  36  at a point of contact  88  between the respective coupling member  44  and major hoop member  36 . Minor hoop member  42  passing through passageway  86  of each coupling member  44 . 
     In a preferred embodiment minor hoop member  42  slidably engages coupling members  44  in a loop and is secured relative to a respective coupling member  44 . Minor hoop member  42  has a first end  90  and a second end  92  with first end  90  having a first anchoring configuration  94  thereat and second end  92  having a second anchoring configuration  96  thereat. One coupling member  44  is an anchoring coupling member  98  having locking means to secure minor hoop member  42  passing therethrough relative to anchoring coupling member  98 . Anchoring coupling member  98  has a length  100  while the remaining coupling members  44  each have a length  102 . Length  100  of anchoring coupling member  98  is significantly longer than length  102  of each remaining coupling member  44 . Anchoring coupling member  98  has a first aperture  104  therethrough and a second aperture  106  therethrough. A first securing member  108  and a second securing member  110  are provided to penetrate first aperture  104  and second aperture  106  respectively of anchoring coupling member  98 . During this penetration first securing member  108  engages first anchoring configuration  94  of minor hoop member  42  within anchoring coupling member  98  while second securing member  110  engages second anchoring configuration  96  of minor hoop member  42  within anchoring coupling member  98 . These engagements prevent significant movement of minor hoop member  42  relative to anchoring coupling member  98 . 
       FIG. 12   a  through  FIG. 12   d  depict removal of net material  22  from minor hoop member  42  and installation of net material  22  on minor hoop member  42 . Sliding minor hoop member removal means provides for opening closed securement passages  84  where net material  22  passing through each respective closed securement passage  84  may be removed and replaced. Removal of first securing member  108  and second securing member  110  to free minor hoop member  42  relative to coupling members  44  readily provides for this desire. Subsequent to such removal, minor hoop member  42  is axially displaced through the sequence of coupling members  44  until all closed securement passages  84  are assessable then net material  22  is removed. To install, or reinstall, net material  22  select passages  112  of net material  22  are threaded onto minor hoop member  42  during axial replacement through the series of coupling members  44 . Following such placement first securing member  108  and second securing member  110  are installed to again retain minor hoop member  42  relative to major hoop member  36 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.