Fish length measuring device

A fish measuring device is described which has a fish support surface with a length, width and first and second ends opposite one another. A stop at the first end prevents movement of a fish lengthwise beyond the first end and at least two fish restraining members at least partially along the length of the fish support surface partially enclose or envelope an interior space with the fish support surface. A passage exists between the two fish restraining members to permit a fishing line and/or thumb and forefinger holding a fish to be brought therethrough to the stop. A live fish may be brought into the device while still hooked via the line or after being unhooked. While the fish is restrained in its movement, its length may be compared against the end of the support surface or a scale therein to determine its length.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to devices for measuring the length of game fish 
while the fish remain alive, and particularly relates to portable, 
lightweight devices for restraining and measuring fish whether or not the 
fish are still on the hook. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
As is well known, the fish and game laws of the various states regulate the 
size of the fish which may be kept by the fisherman; requiring that all 
fish under the limit be released so that they may grow to at least the 
legal size. Fish size limits are a common means for conserving fish 
resources by preventing overdepletion of fish populations, and as such, 
fish size regulations are strictly and often severely enforced. 
However, it has remained for the fishermen to determine a convenient and 
quick way to measure a live fish which does not cooperate with being 
caught and endeavors to escape, much less acquiesce to being measured. As 
has been well recognized, the use of a tape, ruler or yardstick type 
devices, while commonly available, are difficult to handle at the same 
time as a live fish. The fish typically will not remain still and extended 
for sufficient time to permit measurement and the fisherman is in danger 
of being stuck by the hook still within the fish. If the fish is unhooked 
to remove this hazard, then the fisherman is at risk of losing the fish 
during the cumbersome measuring operation. 
A number of devices have been crafted to address these problems, For 
example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,474,804 discloses a fish measure having a body 
and a pair of shoulders spaced thereon at a predetermined distance. The 
shoulders readily provide a quick visual and tactile means of judging the 
size of the fish without having to read a scale, but there is not provided 
a way of restraining the movement of the live fish which assuredly will 
not lay straight upon the ruler-like stick. 
A measuring device which is a hollow body formed of a moldable polystyrene, 
polypropylene, butyrate, etc. and open at one end is described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,259,988. At least one wall is transparent extending the full 
length of the enclosure and the fish can be judged as longer or shorter 
than the body for ready measurement. Measuring indicia may be present 
along the wall. This device appreciates and provides a mechanism for 
restraining the movement of the fish. However, in measuring the fish with 
this device one must unhook the fish first, which risks losing the fish, 
first while attempting to get it into the device and then again if it 
turns out the fish is of retainable size while attempting to get an 
unhooked fish onto a stringer or into a creel or live box. Additionally, 
since the length of the fish must usually be determined with its mouth 
closed, the fish's mouth can not be closed once it has been inserted into 
this hollow body. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,617 discloses an elongated, upwardly opening V-shaped 
trough for measuring fish. The trough has spaced apart indicia at measured 
intervals from one closed end of the trough for indicating the length of a 
fish placed in the trough. Auxiliary indicia are placed at appropriate 
distances along the trough to signify the legal limit for various species 
of fish likely to be encountered by a fisherman. While the use of labels 
such as "CRAPPIE" at 10", "BASS" at 13", "WALLEYE" at 15"etc. are easier 
to discern than memorizing the legal limits and then reading a numerical 
scale, a live fish will often not lie still in the V-shaped trough 
measuring. In attempting to restrain the fish being measured in such 
apparatus it is possible that it might be fatally injured and thus is 
wasted if it was undersized and cannot grow to the legal limit. 
A device for simultaneously holding and measuring the length of a fish is 
also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,607 which has a rectangular tray 
open at one end, the tray having a bottom, two side walls and one end wall 
and a preferably hinged lid with a releasable latch. The length of the 
tray is made equal to the minimum legal length established for the type of 
fish with which the device is to be used. The length of the lid is less 
than the length of the bottom of the tray and the lid is disposed on the 
tray with one end of the lid generally aligned with the closed end of the 
tray, such that a portion of the bottom of the tray adjacent to the open 
end is not covered by the lid. A fish is placed in the device with its 
nose against the end wall at the closed end of the tray, and the lid is 
closed to loosely retain the fish in the device. If the tail of the fish 
extends outwardly beyond the open end of the tray, the fish is of legal 
size and may be retained by the fisherman. While the inventor of this 
device appreciates the need for restraining the fish so that an accurate 
but quick measurement is obtained, the use of a tray with a hinged lid is 
again cumbersome. Despite descriptions that the apparatus can be easily 
used, it is readily seen that opening and closing the lid while inserting 
and removing the fish from the device risks injury to the fish. The use of 
a moving part (the hinge) also increases the possibility that the 
apparatus might break and additionally increases the cost of the device. 
Both devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,097,617 and 5,148,607 are also suffer from 
the relatively large and heavy and thus limited to boat use. People who 
prefer to wade fish, float fish or dock fish need a relatively small, 
lightweight, portable device that can be readily carried on one's person. 
It would be desirable to discover a device for quickly, easily and 
accurately measuring the length of fish, whether hooked or not, and in 
such a way that the fish is restrained during measurement, but which 
simultaneously exposes the fish to a minimum risk of injury by reducing 
the amount of handling required. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
light-weight device for quickly and easily measuring a fish whether or not 
it is still on the hook. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fish measuring 
device which restrains the movement of the fish while it is being measured 
so that an accurate measurement may be quickly obtained. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a fish measuring 
device which has no moving parts, may be easily manufactured, is low in 
weight and is small and portable. 
In carrying out these and other objects of the invention, there is 
provided, in one form, a fish measuring device having a fish support 
surface with a length and a first and second end. A stop exists at the 
first end to prevent movement of a fish beyond the first end. At least two 
fish restraining members are provided along the length of the fish support 
surface adapted to partially enclose an interior space with the fish 
support surface. Finally, a passage is present between the two fish 
restraining members to permit a fish to be brought into the interior space 
.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the 
various Figures. FIG. 1 shows a fish length measuring device 10 of this 
invention having a fish support surface 12 which is shown throughout as 
flat although it may have a curved contour to further accommodate the 
shape of the fish 14 to be measured. The fish support surface 12 has a 
length L and a width W shown more clearly in FIG. 2, and a first end 16 
and a second end 18. First end 16 may be bent at about a right angle to 
fish support surface 12 to form a stop 20 against which the nose of the 
fish is held. It is not critical that stop 20 be exactly at a right angle 
or 90.degree. to fish support surface 12, for example, an angle of 
45.degree. 0 to the fish support surface 12 may be suitable. However, if 
the angle of stop 16 to support surface 12 was as much as 135.degree. 
thereto, it might not effectively serve as a stop and thus an angle less 
than 135.degree. is preferred. It will also be appreciated that stop 20 
could be a separate piece from end 16 and not necessarily of one piece 
therewith. Neither should stop 20 necessarily be regarded as a flat 
surface, although this might be the most convenient shape to manufacture. 
It need only be of sufficient design to provide a bumper which contacts 
the nose of the fish 14 during measurement. 
At least two fish restraining members 22 are provided at least partway 
along the length of the fish support surface 12 to partially enclose an 
interior space 24 together with the fish support surface 12. In one 
embodiment of the invention, the fish restraining members 22 have a 
length, M, which is at least half that of the length L of the fish support 
surface 12, to adequately limit the motion of the live fish 14. In one 
embodiment, the fish restraining members 22 have a length, M, which 
substantially matches that of surface 12, L. Fish support surface 12, fish 
restraining members 22 and stop 20 may be understood as an envelope for 
fish 14 which does not completely enclose it. Indeed, the fact that fish 
support surface 12, fish restraining members 22 and stop 20 do not meet 
and do not form a closed container provides many of the device 10's 
advantages. 
In another embodiment, the fish length measuring device 10 is formed from a 
plastic sheet having a four-arm, generally cross-shaped pattern 26 as 
shown in FIG. 5. A first arm 28 may be folded at a generally right angle 
to form the stop 20, as described. Arms 30 on either side of and adjacent 
to the first arm 28 may be curved or folded in an arc toward each other 
and on the same side of the cross shape pattern 26 as the stop 20 to 
partially enclose interior space 24, and to become fish restraining 
members 22. 
In their position on the fish length measuring device 10, fish restraining 
members 22 are separated by a passage 32. Passage 32 allows a fisherman to 
hold fish 14 by the mouth with his thumb and forefinger and bring the fish 
14 into interior space 24 mouth first to stop 20; the passage 32 providing 
clearance for his fingers. Alternatively, passage 32 permits a fishing 
line 34 holding a fish 14 to be brought therethrough from the second end 
18 to the first end 16 within the interior space 24 to the stop 20, as 
seen in FIG. 1. In one embodiment of the invention, the two fish 
restraining members 22 curve back upon the fish support surface 12 and 
approach each other, but do not meet, being separated by passage 32. It 
will be appreciated that the two fish restraining members 22 need not be 
curved or arcuate in shape, although this is a convenient form when they 
are formed from four-arm, generally cross-shaped pattern 26. They may be 
rectilinear and form a conventional box-like shape or cross-section. 
However, they must have the passage 32 between them. 
Passage 32 should not have a width that is so narrow as to make it 
difficult to draw the fish 14 into the interior space 24 by means of the 
hook and line 34 or by hand. At the same time, passage 32 should not be so 
relatively wide (and, consequently, fish restraining members 22 so 
relatively narrow) that the fish 14 will escape the device 10. In one 
embodiment of the invention, it is recommended that the fish restraining 
members 22 extend about one-fourth to about one-third of the width W over 
the fish support surface 12. Referring to FIG. 2, in one form, R 
represents the width of the fish restraining members 22, and thus R is 
about 0.25 to 0.33 the amount of W. It will be understood that these 
proportions are estimates and are not critical. Indeed, R need not be the 
same proportion for each of the fish restraining members 22. Also, the 
term "about" is used which will be understood within the context of this 
application to mean .+-.15% of the values given above, meaning R may range 
from 0.21 to 0.38 times the value of W, at least in one embodiment. 
The fish restraining members 22 may be understood to have first ends 36 
near stop 20 and second ends 38 near second end 18 of fish support surface 
12. The fish length measuring device 10 may also optionally have outwardly 
flared lips 40 on the second ends 38 of fish restraining members 22 near 
the second end 18 to more easily accept a fish 14 within the interior 
cavity 24. These flared lips 40 may be readily seen in FIGS. 1-4 and 6. 
Also seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 is optional finger clearance 44 between stop 
20 and the first ends 36 of the fish restraining members 22. This 
clearance 44 permits one or more of the fisherman's fingers to have plenty 
of room to hold the fish 14's nose against stop 20 and/or to press line 34 
also against stop 20 as seen in FIG. 1. While the device 10 could be used 
without clearance 44, in which case passage 32 would run directly to stop 
20, the added space of clearance 44 more easily permits the fisherman to 
hold the fish 14 in proper position for the quick measurement. During 
manufacture of the fish length measuring device 10 from a single flat 
sheet of plastic material in a cross pattern 26 as seen in FIG. 5, folding 
up first end 16 at line Y would result in a stop 20 against or very close 
to the first ends 36 of fish restraining members 22 and finger clearance 
44 would not exist or be too small to insert a finger and thus be 
ineffective. Folding first end 16 closer to the end, say at line X as 
shown in FIG. 5, would result in a stop 20 positioned approximately as 
seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 and create the finger clearance 44. Beyond the 
necessity of inserting one or more fingers, there is no particular 
criteria for the dimension of clearance 44. In a non-limiting embodiment, 
this distance may range from 0.75 to 2", e.g. 
FIG. 2 illustrates that measuring scale indicia 42 may be present on the 
fish support surface 12 near second end 18 to provide a more accurate 
measurement, if desired. It is apparent that the total length L of the 
fish length measuring device 10 can easily be made to an exact length so 
that the fisherman need only look to see if the fish tail extends beyond 
second end 18 to be of legal size; if shorter than second end 18, then the 
fish is undersized and must be released. While a quick visual indication, 
for different fish limits a different fish length measuring device 10 
would be needed for each species. This is an acceptable alternative with 
the present device 10 which may be easily and cheaply made --and each 
device could even be color-coded or otherwise marked (such as with a 
picture or name) for the particular species. Alternatively a device could 
be sized for the largest common game fish, and the scale indicia 42 may be 
provided for shorter fish. The common critical fish limits may be 
prominently marked as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,617. The indicia distances 
could be denoted by raised or depressed marks for tactile detection. 
Indicia could even be impregnated with a phosphorescent material to permit 
night reading without the use of additional light, as suggested by U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,259,988. 
FIG. 3 shows the fish length measuring device 10 from open, second end 18 
viewing through the interior space 24 all the way to stop 20. If the 
device 10 was occupied by a fish, only the tail would be seen in this 
view. It will be appreciated that flared lips 40 present a larger opening 
than the cross section of the interior space 24 to permit entry of the 
fish 14 more readily. These flared lips 40 may also be seen in side view 
FIG. 4. As mentioned, the cross-sectional shape of interior space 24 may 
be rectangular, oval or a combination of the two. 
The fish length measuring device 10 of the present invention may be made of 
any suitable material, including, but not limited to wood, metal, 
thermoplastic, thermoset plastic, etc. Polystyrene, polypropylene, 
butyrate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other common, easily workable 
thermoplastics are preferred so the device 10 may be easily made from a 
flat, four-arm, generally cross-shaped pattern 26. The device 10 may be 
transparent or opaque. It is also readily apparent that it would be 
advantageous if it were made of a waterproof material since it will 
constantly be subject to water during the measuring. Manufacturing the 
device 10 from a material which floats such as closed cell or foamed 
plastics or wood is a desirable feature to avoid losing device 10 
overboard. 
It has been determined that expanded, closed cell PVC is particularly 
suitable as it is a thermoplastic easily cut and shaped, and is buoyant. 
Sintra.RTM. PVC made by Alucobond Technologies Inc. is a brand of closed 
cell PVC. 
In other embodiments of the invention, the device 10 may be die formed or 
injection molded of molten plastic for speed of production or reduced 
costs. Other conventional manufacturing methods may also be used. 
Operation of the device is very simple, and notably easier than the prior 
art devices. Upon hooking a fish 14, the fisherman simply draws it into 
the interior space 24 of fish length measuring device 10 via line 34 or by 
thumb and forefinger in or on the mouth of the fish, by pulling it past 
second end 18 through second ends 38 (and flared lips 40, if present) 
between fish restraining members 22 and fish support surface 12 against 
stop 20. The device 10 may be oriented vertically or horizontally. The 
mouth of fish 14 is closed and pressed against stop 20, the fish tail is 
closed and the fisherman immediately turns up the device and notes if the 
fish's tail extends beyond second end 18 as shown in FIG. 1. The fisherman 
may press his thumb through passage 32 to further hold the fish still in 
position, as shown in FIG. 1. Movement of the fish 14 is restricted by 
restraining members 22 and gravity. If the critical length is met or 
exceeded, the fish is removed via the reverse direction, unhooked and 
secured on a stringer or in a creel or live box. If the fish 14 is too 
short, it is removed, unhooked (if necessary) and released. Another 
advantage of the device 10 is that the fish 14 can be put on a stringer 
while still in the device 10; through clearance 44. 
Experimental models of device 10 have been tested by various fishermen and 
received enthusiastic acceptance. As noted, device 10 may be used in 
various ways. Novices tend to keep the fish 14 on line 34 during 
measurement to ensure they keep the fish. More accomplished fisherman 
unhook the fish immediately, especially if the mouth of the species is 
weak as in crappie, and can determine in a few seconds if they have a 
keeper. 
Movement of the fish is restricted to permit ease in measuring. No moving 
parts are present to be fumbled with or to break. The device 10 may be 
readily and relatively inexpensively made from a flat, four-arm, generally 
cross-shaped pattern 26. 
Many modifications may be made in the fish length measuring device of the 
invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof which are 
defined in the accompanying claims. For example, the device could be 
provided with any number of mechanisms for securing it to boat or person, 
such as an eyelet for attachment via rope or belt; clips; snaps; loops; 
hook-and-fabric (Velcro.RTM. fastener-type), etc. Because the device 10 is 
generally small and light-weight, it is ideal for wade fishing and float 
fishing where the gear must be easily portable. The device 10 can easily 
fit in pockets also. Further it would be apparent to make the second end 
18 extendable, telescoping or retractable or otherwise be able to change 
the length of the fish support surface 12 temporarily so that different 
kinds of fish may be readily judged in length depending on which species 
is sought on a particular trip. Measuring scale indicia could also be 
provided on the fish restraining members 22 in addition to or in place of 
that on the fish support surface 12.