Fish net

A fist net or the like having a removable cover comprises a loop frame, a net on the frame, an handle attached to the frame, and an elastic cover moveable from an extended position covering the loop and net to a retracted position and occupying a compacted volume adjacent to the handle. A locking means secures the cover to the apex of the loop frame, and a release mechanism in the handle releases the locking means by movement of a connecting wire joining the locking and releasing means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to fish nets, particularly nets of the type having a 
retractable elastic cover. 
2. Prior Art 
It is not uncommon for fish nets to become entangled with underbrush, 
briars and fishing line when the net is not in actual use. 
Prior art housed or retractable nets have been impractical for the reason 
that the netting frame portion must be collapsed and withdrawn into the 
handle or the like. With such devices the collapsible frame is greatly 
weakened, and there is a problem of the existence of rust and friction 
which prevents a prompt release. 
Other prior art nets, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,502, utilize a large 
rigid pan-shaped enclosure into which the complete net-frame assembly is 
retracted. Prior art devices of this type are also impractical in that the 
mechanical configuration, namely the length, suddenly changes when the 
net-frame assembly is deployed for use. The rigid pan-shaped enclosure 
also presents considerable wind and water resistance during use, as well 
as increasing the nonfunctional weight of the unit. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 619,065, 2,653,403 and 4,272,906 illustrate devices which 
have means to project over the net once a fish or animal is netted so that 
the fish has a reduced opportunity to escape. Obviously, these devices do 
not have means for retaining the net in a nondeployed state. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a fish net 
having a fixed shaped, sturdy net-frame assembly, together with a 
lightweight, retractable fabric cover. 
A further object is to have a cover design that retracts into a decreased 
volume so as to minimize the adverse effect when the netting material is 
deployed for use. 
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a fishing net 
incorporating a retractable fabric cover for the purpose of protecting the 
netting material from becoming entangled, while at the same time having a 
minimal effect on the basic net-frame assembly relative to size, weight, 
reliability, strength and application. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a design whereby neither the 
retractable cover nor the netting material will obstruct or inhibit the 
movable parts when the cover is retracted. 
An object is to provide a fishing net with a removable cover wherein the 
distance from the handle to the center of the net is fixed with the cover 
on or off. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliable and 
easily operated spring-release mechanism incorporated in the net handle. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a fish net construction 
wherein the net, namely, the net-frame, mesh netting material and handle 
portion do not collapse or change physical shape, but rather have as an 
integral part thereof a protective retaining cover which encloses the 
netting material when not in use. 
A fish net or the like having a removable cover comprises a loop frame, a 
net on the frame, a handle attached to the frame, and a cover moveable 
from an extended position covering the loop and net to a retracted 
position adjacent the handle. A locking means secures the cover to the 
apex of the loop frame, and a release mechanism in the handle releases the 
locking means by movement of a connecting wire joining the locking and 
releasing means. 
The invention utilizes an elastic cover applied to a standard netframe 
assembly with a simple release mechanism added. It can be manufactured at 
low relative cost and is reliable in use. An important consideration is 
that the cover does not alter the geometry or weaken the frame structure. 
The addition of the cover has minimal impact on weight and does not 
exhibit adverse effects during use as do earlier designs described in the 
literature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, a metal loop frame structure 1 includes a primary 
handle 2 housing an integral spring-loaded release mechanism 3 therein and 
a lock/release latch 4, all of which will be discussed in greater detail 
below. 
An elastic fabric cover 5 is securely attached to the metal frame 1 at one 
end thereof adjacent handle 2. When cover 5 is extended as seen in FIG. 1, 
it may be locked in place by a locking means including a locking ring 6. 
Referring to FIG. 2, a mesh net 7 has a weight 8 at the bottom thereof and 
is seen deployed for use with the cover 5 in its retracted position. The 
weight 8, attached to the bottom of the mesh net 7, aids in the proper 
deployment of the net. 
The primary release mechanism 3 seen generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 is 
illustrated in detail in FIG. 3 wherein the mechanism 3 mounted within the 
handle 2 comprises a piston 9 which is free to slide within the frame tube 
1 and is spring-loaded with an elongated coil spring 10 which abuts 
against a locking pin 11 inserted through the frame tubing 1 to retain the 
spring 10 within the tube. A release button 12 extends through an opening 
in a handle cover 13 and is screw threaded into the piston 9. A connecting 
wire 14 is firmly attached at one end to the piston 9 and extends through 
one side of the tubing (as seen in FIG. 4) to a primary lock/release latch 
mechanism 4 seen in detail in FIGS. 5-7. The lock/release latch mechanism 
4 is seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 as being located at the center apex of the 
tubular frame 1. 
Referring to FIG. 5, one end of the lock/release latch 4 comprises the 
connecting wire 14 extending through a support block 15 and abuts a leaf 
spring 16 abutment. The support block 15 serves as a cylinder through 
which the connection wire 14 slides and is also a rugged structural 
support to prevent the connecting wire 14 from torquing or twisting when 
subjected to forces applied to it by the elastic cover 5 when the cover is 
extended over the frame 1. The leaf spring 16 prevents a plurality of 
attachment clips 17 from sliding off the end of the wire 14 that protrudes 
from the support block 15. 
As will be seen in FIG. 7, the primary lock/release mechanism 4 with two 
cover attachment clips 17 are in place holding the cover 5 in the extended 
or closed position. As shown, the forces exerted by the stretched cover 5 
through the clip 17 are normal in direction to the section of the 
connecting wire 14 which is protruding from the support block 15. When the 
connecting wire 14 is slid to the left (as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7) by 
moving release button 12 to the right (as seen in FIG. 3), the retaining 
clips 17 slide off the end of the connecting wire 14, thus releasing the 
two sides of the elastic cover 5. The mechanical forces induced within the 
cover itself, due to the elastic nature of the fabric or by elastic bands 
sewn into the basic cover material, causes the cover to retract from 
around the net frame and into a small compact volume around the handle 
extension as seen in FIG. 2. 
A seen in FIG. 4 and in detail in FIG. 8, a smooth surface in the form of a 
slip ring 19 is wrapped around the outside edges of the tubular frame 1, 
thus providing a smooth surface upon which the cover material 5 may slide. 
The ring 19 may be fabricated from any suitable material such as plastic, 
metal or fiber which can be configured to the desired geometry of the 
tubular frame 1 and surrounding net 7. 
Replacement of the cover itself is accomplished by restretching cover 5 
over the frame 1 to the position seen in FIG. 1 snapping the two retainer 
rings 17 into position by inserting them between the end of the protruding 
connecting wire 14 and the leaf spring or abutment 16. The cover fabric 
should exhibit the characteristics of being strong, light in weight, water 
repellant, resistent to snagging and tearing, mildew resistant, and 
resistant to becoming caught or entangled in briars or underbrush. It 
should also have a low volume to strength ratio, i.e., can be "bunched" 
into a minimum volume. For the intended application, a stretch ratio of 
about 4 to 1 is desirable. This combination of properties may be achieved 
by but not limited to the usage of lightweight nylon materials having a 
built-in elastic property or a nylon fabric with elastic bands attached to 
or incorporated in the cover material. This can be accomplished wherein 
the cover material is pleated and sewn to a plurality of elastic bands. As 
the pleated cover 5 is pulled into the position seen in FIG. 1, the 
elastic bands stretch. When the cover is released, the elastic bands 
contract, pulling the cover in a pleated manner back to the position seen 
in FIG. 5. The quantity, strength and length of the elastic bands would be 
determined by the desired force pattern for the fabric cover to insure 
smooth and proper retraction. 
While an embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be 
understood that it is capable of further modifications, and this 
application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of 
the invention, following in general the principles of the invention and 
including such departures from the present disclosure as to come within 
knowledge or customary practice in the art to which the invention 
pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set 
forth and falling within the scope of the invention or the limits of the 
appended claims.