Abstract:
Described is a multi-roller snap ring with one or more rollers extending across a space defined by a frame and one or more rollers integrated within the frame of the snap ring. The multiple rollers reduce and mitigate the frictional wear and tear caused by a purse line being drawn through the snap ring during purse seine deployment and retrieval operations. In addition, a locking mechanism with a spring-loaded, sliding and rotating lock forming a portion of the frame and a stopper tab are disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The embodiments of the present invention relate to fishing equipment, more specifically, a multi-roller snap ring for connecting a purse line to a purse seine. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Initial reference is made to  FIG. 1  illustrating a perspective view of a fishing vessel  102  engaging in commercial fishing operation using a large fishing net such as a purse seine  104 . When the purse seine  104  is deployed, generally defining a loop encompassing a large section of water, a top edge of the purse seine  104  remains on the surface of the water by means of buoys or floatation devices  106 , while a bottom edge of the purse seine  104  is lined with chains  108  causing it to submerge as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As a result of the chains  108  along the bottom edge of the net and buoys  106  along the top edge, the purse seine  104  hangs vertically in the water thereby trapping fish within the defined loop. Besides chains  108 , other items having substantial weight may be used. 
   One known method of retrieving the purse seine  104  is facilitated by attaching purse rings  110  along the bottom edge of the purse seine  104  and running a purse line  114  through the purse rings  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , one end of the purse ring  110  is coupled to the chains  108  via a rope or strap  112 , while the purse line  114  runs through another end of the purse ring  110 . Accordingly, when the purse line  114  is pulled, it draws each of the purse rings  110  attached on the purse seine  104  together thereby effecting the retrieval process. 
   As can be imagined, the forces generated between the purse line  114  and the purse ring  110  during the retrieval operation can be significant due to the weight and size of the purse seine  104 , as well as the weight of the catch. Consequently, the tremendous frictional forces generated can cause significant wear and tear on both the purse ring  110  and the purse line  114 . Eventually, the frictional forces can translate into erosion and/or mechanical failure of the purse ring  110  and/or fraying of the purse line  114  thereby leading to costly repairs and/or replacements and possible downtime and lost revenue. 
   Thus, there exists a need for a snap ring design that significantly mitigates the frictional forces generated between the purse ring  110  and the purse line  114  thereby extending their lifetimes and reducing repair and/or replacement costs. 
   SUMMARY 
   Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is a multi-roller snap ring, comprising a frame defining a space; and three or more rollers disposed within the space, wherein at least one roller extends across the space and at least one roller is integrated within the frame. In another embodiment, the purse ring further comprises a locking mechanism forming a portion of the frame wherein the locking mechanism is operable to permit and prevent access to the space. Ideally, the locking mechanism comprises a concealed spring and a guiding pin. 
   Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a fishing vessel engaging in commercial fishing operation; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a prior art purse ring connected to a purse seine and a purse line; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a multi-roller snap ring according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of a multi-roller snap ring; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of construction of a roller on a multi-roller snap ring; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of a locking mechanism on a multi-roller snap ring; and 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate perspective views detailing a method of releasing and securing the locking mechanism, respectively. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  illustrating a perspective view of a multi-roller snap ring  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-roller snap ring  100  includes a frame  116  having two rollers  118 ,  120  extending between opposite sides of the frame  116  and two rollers  122 ,  124  integrated within the frame  116 . Ideally, the frame  116  is constructed of stainless steel. However, the frame  116  can also be constructed of carbonized steel, galvanized metal or other corrosion-resistant alloys and combinations thereof wherein the material has sufficient mechanical strength. Although the frame  116  has a substantially rounded rectangular shape, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the frame  116  can take on any polygonal shape sufficient for connecting a purse line  114  to a purse seine  104 . The multi-roller snap ring  100  also includes a locking mechanism  126  integrated with the frame  116 . The purpose and operation of the locking mechanism  126  is set forth in detail below. 
   The frame  116  of the multi-roller snap ring  100  defines a first space  128  through which a purse line  114  can be drawn, while a rope or strap  112  for coupling the multi-roller snap ring  100  to a purse seine  104  can be drawn through a second space  130 . Alternatively, the rope or strap  112  can be drawn through a third space  132 . As described above, when the purse line  114  is pulled during the retrieval of the purse seine  104 , frictional forces are generated between the purse line  114  and the frame  116 , more specifically, frictional forces are generated between the purse line  114  and elements defining the first space  128 . In this instance, the purse line  114  readily makes physical contact with the rollers  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  as well as the body of the frame  116 , including locking mechanism  126 . One of the advantages of the presently disclosed multi-roller snap ring  100  is realized as the purse line  114  moves about within the first space  128 , especially near the corners of the first space  128  as indicated by arrows  134 . Because of the multiple rollers  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , frictional forces that would normally cause the frame  116  to deteriorate over time can now be substantially reduced or mitigated. 
   Although the previous embodiment utilizes four rollers  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  and defines three spaces  126 ,  128 ,  130 , it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that three, five, six or more rollers can be used and one, two, four or more spaces can be defined within the multi-roller snap ring  100  as necessary. In addition, the exterior of the locking mechanism  126  can be formed to include a roller assembly or an anti-frictional element (not shown). 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 4  illustrating an exploded perspective view of the multi-roller snap ring  100 . The first roller  118  can be extended across the space  128  from opposite sides of the frame  116  by initially providing apertures or openings  136  through the body of the frame  116  such that the first roller  118  is supported by a first axle or shaft  138 . The openings  136  can be formed by drilling or milling through the frame  116  or by other known methods, and subsequently wedged or sealed after the first shaft  138  has been inserted through a first opening  136 , coupled to, or inserted through, the first roller  118  and inserted into the second opening  136 . Ideally, the wedge or seal of the openings  136  is removable to allow for repairs or replacements. The first roller  118  and the first shaft  138  can be constructed of the same or similar material used to construct the frame  116 . Therefore, ideally, the first roller  118  and the first shaft  138  are constructed of stainless steel. 
   The second roller  124  can be integrated within the frame  116  by initially creating a notch  125  within a portion of the frame  116 . In place, the second roller  124  is supported by a second shaft  140  extending across the notch  125  and held in place at opposite ends thereof. Like the openings  136 , the notch  125  can be drilled or milled or formed by other known methods. Likewise, the second roller  124  and the second shaft  140  can be constructed of the same or similar material used to construct the frame  116 . The second shaft  140  further includes a small aperture  141  to facilitate its removal using a tool as illustrated in the figure. 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrating a perspective view of integrating the third roller  122  for the multi-roller snap ring  110 . As shown, a notch  149  is initially created within a portion of the frame  116  by known methods. In order to insert the third shaft  148  for supporting the third roller  122 , an opening  151  is formed within a protrusion tab  150 . The protrusion tab  150  facilitates releasing and securing the locking mechanism  126  as set forth in more detail below. The third shaft  148  is then inserted through the opening  151  and the third roller  122  thereby providing support for the third roller  122 . The third shaft  148  then extends through the entire length of the aperture  149 . To secure or fasten the third shaft  148  to the protrusion tab  150 , a coil or ring  152  can be utilized. Alternatively, the third shaft  148  can be securely coupled to the protrusion tab  150  by other known fastening methods. Like the other rollers and shafts, the third roller  122  and the third shaft  148  can also be constructed of the same or similar material used to construct the frame  116 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the fourth roller  120  can be extended across the space  128  from opposite sides of the frame  116  in a manner similar to that used to extend first roller  118  by initially providing openings  121  through the frame  116  and supporting the fourth roller  120  with a fourth shaft  142 . As illustrated, at one end  146  of the opening  121 , the fourth shaft  142  and the second shaft  140  can be shaped to complement or interact with each other as needed. After the fourth roller  120  has been coupled to the fourth shaft  142 , another end  144  of the opening  121  can be capped or wedged with a sealing ring and a hammer. Ideally, the cap is removable allowing for repairs and/or replacements. Like above, the fourth roller  120  and the fourth shaft  142  can be constructed of the same or similar material used to construct the frame  116 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the rollers  118 ,  122 ,  124  can be cylindrical or contain a central indentation forming a bowtie or hour glass shaped cylinder as best illustrated by the fourth roller  120 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the four rollers  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  can be any type of roller or roller assembly as well as other forms of anti-frictional means for providing the frictional relief generated between the purse line  114  and the multi-roller snap ring  110 . 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 6  illustrating a perspective view of the locking mechanism  126  of the multi-roller snap ring  110 . The locking mechanism  126  includes a cylindrical element  158  for providing access to the first space  128 . The cylindrical element  158  is adapted to receive a spring  156  and a guiding channel  152 , along with a guide pin  154 . The guide pin  154  is positioned within the guiding channel  152  and extends through the cylindrical element  158 . The guide pin  154  is adapted for sliding movement throughout the guiding channel  152  via rotational  164  and axial  166  movements of the cylindrical element  158 . The cylindrical element  158  further includes a cavity  160  for receiving the protrusion tab  150  (best illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 7A ). To limit access to the first space  128 , the protrusion tab  150  is received and retained by the cavity  160 . To provide access to the first space  128 , the protrusion tab  150  is released from the cavity  160 . The protrusion tab  150  functions as a gate keeper/tab. The guiding channel  152  can be pivotably secured to the frame  116  via a pivot pin  162  that extends through a slot in the frame  116  to form a pivoting arm. The guiding channel  152  can also be pivotably secured to the frame  116  by other known methods. 
   In operation, to release the locking mechanism  126  and provide access to the first space  128 , the guide pin  154  is moved from a first position  153  to a second position  155 , which can be accomplished by first rotating  164  the cylindrical element  158  thereby moving the guide pin  154  out of the first position  153  and into the guiding channel  152 . Next, axial forces  166  are applied to the cylindrical element  158  thus compressing the spring  156  and forcing the guide pin  154  along the length of the guiding channel  152 . A subsequent rotational movement  164  of the cylindrical element  158  moves the guide pin  154  currently situated in the guiding channel  152  into the second position  155  thereby releasing the locking mechanism  126  as best illustrated in  FIG. 7A . Once the guide pin  154  has been moved into the second position  155 , the cavity  160  no longer retains the protrusion tab  150 . Accordingly, the cylindrical element  158  can be moved freely thus providing access to the first space  128 . One way of dictating the direction and magnitude of tiling or rotating the cylindrical element  158  is to integrate a stopper tab  147  on the body of the frame  116 . In doing so, the stopper tab  147  determines and limits where access to the first space  128  will be made available and by what amount. 
   Performing the procedure as previously described in reverse secures the locking mechanism  126  to the frame  116  and limits access to the first space  128 . Specifically, moving the guide pin  154  from the second position  155  to the first position  153  is accomplished by rotating  164  the cylindrical element  158  thus moving the guide pin  154  out of the second position  155  and into the guiding channel  152 . Next, axial forces  166  can be applied on the cylindrical element  158  thus releasing the compression exerted on the spring  156  and forcing the guide pin  154  along the length of the guiding channel  152 . A subsequent rotational movement  164  of the cylindrical element  158  moves the guide pin  154  currently situated in the guiding channel  152  into the first position  153  thereby securing the locking mechanism  126  as best illustrated in  FIG. 7B . Once the guide pin  154  has been moved into the first position  153 , the cavity  160  is now in position to receive and retain the protrusion tab  150  which is subsequently hidden within the cavity  160 . Accordingly, the combination of rotational  164  and axial  166  movements of the cylindrical element  158  prevent accidental or undesired access to the first space  128 . Furthermore, as the locking mechanism  126  is secured to limit access to the first space  128 , the stopper tab  147  prevents the cylindrical element  158  from over-rotating or over-extending. An additional benefit of the presently disclosed locking mechanism  126  is further realized since the spring  156 , the guiding channel  152  and major portions of the guide pin  154  reside within the cylindrical element  158  thereby minimizing their exposure to corrosive seawater and other environmental hazards. Ideally, the spring  156 , the guiding channel  152 , the guide pin  154 , and the cylindrical element  158  are constructed of stainless steel. However, other known corrosion resistant alloys and materials can also be utilized. 
   Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.