Abstract:
A square-shaped locking mechanism is used to attach a device on a wire grid. The locking mechanism is slightly smaller than openings on the wire grid. The locking mechanism is passed through the grid until indents between the locking form and the cylindrical container are in the plane of the wire grid. The cylindrical container and locking mechanism are rotated 45 degrees, until the wire grid becomes trapped between the device that is being mounted and the corners of the locking device. This locks the device in place. This locking mechanism is particularly useful for securing bait containers inside fishing traps. A novel bait container is a cylinder with halves that open on hinges. The container has mechanisms that ensure that the container remains closed during use and has features to improve grip during operation.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/449,596, filed Feb. 26, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There are many mechanisms sold that are intended to secure other devices to wire grids. However, there are no inexpensive and easy to use devices that exist, for example, to quickly attach bait containers to the inside of fishing traps and other devices. 
   Current devices for attaching objects to wire grids are mainly used for shelving merchandise in retail stores. Other uses involve mounting objects to walls for display or other types of viewing. None of these methods are satisfactorily secure and/or easy to use. 
   Needs exist for improved mechanisms that attach devices to wire grids. Needs also exist for simpler and easier to use bait containers that can be attached to wire grids inside fishing traps and other similar devices. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a new grid connector, new locking mechanism and new bait container. As an example, the new locking mechanism is particularly useful for bait containers. The new grid connectors are useful for many applications and are particularly useful for holding bait containers inside fishing traps. However, the locking mechanism is also useful for traditional uses, such as hanging objects on wire grids for display. The grid connector and locking mechanisms are designed to securely hold objects to grids and, specifically, bait containers to wire grids used in the fishing industry. The new bait container is easy to use under real conditions. 
   The locking mechanism of the present invention is attached to an object that is to be attached to a grid. The locking mechanism may be an integral molded part of the object or attached by outside means. The locking mechanism is roughly square-shaped and slightly smaller than openings in a given wire grid. In order to use the locking mechanism as a grid connector, the locking mechanism passes through the openings in the wire grid and then rotated 45 degrees. During rotation step, the wire grid engages undercuts on the locking mechanism. When the wire from the wire grid engages the undercuts, the container or other device is securely attached to the wire grid via the locking mechanism. The wire from the wire grid is trapped between the locking mechanism and the container being hung. 
   The present invention is particularly useful for the fishing industry when used to secure bait containers inside fish traps or other devices. The bait container of the present invention is a novel device made of plastic or other suitable material, with openings that allow trapped animals minimal access to the enclosed bait. The bait container is cylindrical and divided into two halves. The container is opened and closed using one or more hinges located between the two halves. Preferably, three hinges are used as a set. In order to hold the two halves together during operation, protrusions on the ends of one of the halves fit under tabs on the opposite half. Additionally, a protrusion inside one half of the locking mechanism fits into a receptacle on the opposite half. Pressing inward on the ends of the container and spreading the two halves apart opens the container. Pressing the two halves together closes the container. 
   To assist the operator during use, arc-shaped grooves are placed on the ends of the cylinder to improve grip. Additionally, dimples are spaced along the outsides of the container to prevent slipping during use. 
   These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational view of the outside of the container in a fully open position. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation of one half of the container. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the opposite half of the container. 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of container in a fully opened position. 
       FIG. 5  is an opposite end view of the container in a fully open position. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a hinge. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged end view of the arc-shaped ridges on the top of the container. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged side view of the grid connector. 
       FIG. 9  is an image of the closed container. 
       FIG. 10  is an image showing the ends of the container being pressed to open the container. 
       FIG. 11  is an image showing the container partially opened around the hinges. 
       FIG. 12  is an image showing the container in the fully opened position. 
       FIG. 13  is an image showing the locking mechanism being fitted through a wire grid. 
       FIG. 14  is an image showing the container and grid connector twisted, snapped into place and secured in place on a wire grid. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention provides a new grid connector, new locking mechanism and new bait container. As an example, the new locking mechanism is particularly useful for holding bait containers inside fishing traps. However, the locking mechanism is also useful for traditional uses, such as hanging objects on wire grids for display. The grid connector and locking mechanisms are designed to securely hold objects to grids, and, specifically, bait containers to wire grids used in the fishing industry. The new bait container is easy to use under real life conditions. 
     FIG. 1  shows a bait container  11  in a fully open position. The bait container  11  is made of molded plastic or other material suitable for use in aquatic environments. The cylindrical bait container  11  is divided into two roughly equal halves  13 ,  15 . Each half  13 ,  15  has a top surface  17 , bottom surface  19  and a side surface  21 . The cylindrical container  11  may have sharp or rounded edges  23 . 
   The two halves  13 ,  15  are covered with one or more openings  25 . Preferably, the one or more openings are rows of symmetrical rectangular openings  25 . The openings  25  pass entirely though the walls of the side surfaces  21 . These rows of openings  25  allow limited access by trapped fish to bait enclosed in the bait container  11 , not allowing trapped animals to consume all of the bait. 
   The two halves  13 ,  15  of the bait container  11  open 180-degrees from a fully closed position to a fully open position with the assistance of one or more hinges  27 . Preferably, three hinges  27  are used. The hinges  27  are made of vertical bars  29 , on half  13  of the cylindrical container, that lock into half circle depressions  31 , on the opposite half  15  of the cylindrical container. 
   When fully closed, the bait container  11  of the present invention is held closed by multiple mechanisms. Two identical mechanisms are located on opposite ends  17 ,  19  of the cylindrical bait container  11 . Molded protrusions  33  are located on both ends  17 ,  19  of one half of the cylinder  15 . The molded protrusions  33  extend away from the center of the bait trap  11 , starting from edges  35 ,  37  of the top  17  and bottom  19  surfaces, respectively, of the half cylinder  15 . Molded tabs  39  extend away from the center of the bait trap  11 , starting from edges  35 ,  37  of the opposite half cylinder  13 . When the two halves  13 ,  15  are brought together, the molded protrusions  33  on side  15  slide underneath the molded tabs  39  on the opposite side  13  of the bait container  11 . Once the molded protrusions  33  are completely under the tabs  39 , the highest point of the protrusions  33  pop up behind the tabs  39 . This secures the two halves  13 ,  15  together. 
   Another mechanism to lock the two halves  13 ,  15  together is a grid connector locking mechanism  41 . The locking mechanism  41  is generally square in shape, when viewed from above a top surface  43 . In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism  41  is attached to the bait container  11  along the split between the two halves  13 ,  15 . Thus, the locking mechanism is split into two equal halves  45 ,  47  along the same division as the cylinder halves  13 ,  15 . The square-shape of the locking mechanism  41  should be slightly smaller than the openings of a wire grid where the bait container  11  is to be placed. When the cylinder  11  is held vertically, the locking mechanism  41  is aligned with the corners  49  of the square facing up, down and to either side. The locking mechanism  41  is split into halves  45 ,  47  from the top to bottom corner  49 . The locking mechanism  41  is attached to the halves  13 ,  15  of the bait trap  11  by a base  51 . 
   Other features of the present invention include means for improving grip. Concentric ridges  53  may be included on the top  17  and bottom  19  surface of a half  15  of the cylinder  11 . These ridges  53  provide the user with more control when opening and closing the bait trap  11  under wet conditions. Other features that improve grip are dimples  55  placed strategically around the side  21  of the bait trap  11 . Additionally, hangers  57  may be added in order to facilitate storage of the bait container  11  when not in use. The hangers  57  allow the device  11  to be hung from hooks. These features may be molded into the bait container  11  itself of attached by outside means. 
   Operation of the bait basket  11  involves opening and closing of the two halves  13 ,  15 . To separate the two halves  13 ,  15  of the bait container  11 , both ends  17 ,  19  of one half  15  of the bait container  11  are pressed toward the center of the bait container  11 . At the same time the two halves  13 ,  15  are separated. By pressing in on the ends  17 ,  19  of half  15 , the molded protrusions  33  are depressed under the tabs  39 , allowing the protrusions  33  to swing out from under the tabs  39 . Once the protrusions  33  are free of the tabs  39 , the user can release pressure on the ends  17 ,  19 . To close the bait basket  11 , the process is reversed. The halves  13 ,  15  are pressed towards each other until the edges  59  of each half  13 ,  15  meet. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  show half of the fully opened bait container  11  from both sides, looking at the locking mechanism  41 . The locking mechanism  41  is generally hollow. Inside the hollow locking mechanism  41 , a protrusion  61  on one half  13  of the cylinder  11  fits tightly into a receptacle  63  on the other half  15  of the container  11 . The meeting of the protrusion  61  and receptacle  63  aligns the two halves  13 ,  15  of the locking mechanism  45 ,  47  and further secures the two halves  13 ,  15  of the cylinder  11  together. The hinges  27  are shown with only the half circle depressions  31 . The half circle depressions  31  include ends  63  and central casings  65  for each hinge  27 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  show a fully opened bait container  11  when looking at the ends  17 ,  19 . The arc-shaped grooves  53  are shown on cylinder half  15  along with protrusion  33 . On the other cylinder half  13 , the tab  39  is shown as well as the protrusion  61 . Other features visible in this view are undercuts  67  located below the top surface  43  of the locking mechanisms  41  and above the side surface  21  of the cylinder halves  13 ,  15 . The locking mechanisms  41  may also have indentations  69  due to the molding of protrusions  61 . 
   It is also possible to have another method of securing the two halves  13 ,  15  together. This includes molded protrusions  71  and corresponding depressions  73  located on the edges  59  of each half  13 ,  15 . As the halves  13 ,  15  are brought together, the protrusions  71  fit into the corresponding depressions  73  to further secure the device  11  closed. 
     FIG. 6  is a close up view of one of the hinges  27 . Generally, a set of three hinges  27  connects the bait container halves  13 ,  15  to each other. One edge  75  of a U-shaped, large outer semi-cylinder section  31  of the hinge  9  is connected along an edge  21  of one half  13  of the cylinder  11 . A smaller, inner semi-cylindrical section  77  of the opposite side of the hinge  27  is connected by end lugs  79  to a complementary edge  21  of the other half  15  of the cylinder. An outer edge  81  of outer semi-cylindrical section  65  has an inward and outward extending lip  83  to hold this inner hinge element  77  in the outer hinge element  65 . The outward extension of the lip  83  engages the surface of side  13 , between the lugs  79 , to prevent excessive opening of the sides  13 ,  15 . The cylindrical section  77  of the hinge  27  snaps into the u-shaped section  65  of the hinge  27 . When the hinge  27  is complete, it allows for rotation of the bait container halves  13 ,  15  from a fully closed position through 180 degrees to the fully open position. 
     FIG. 7  is a close up view of the top of one half  5  of the bait container  1 . The arc-shaped grooves  53 , used for improved handling, are shown. Also shown is the protrusion  33 , with an extended section  85  that fits under the tab  39 . Pressing on a center section  87  and pulling the two halves  13 ,  15  apart, close the bait trap  11 . 
     FIG. 8  is a side view of the locking mechanism  41 . Half of the locking mechanism  47  is shown. Undercuts  67  are shown where a wire grid is engaged during the locking procedure. 
     FIGS. 9 through 14  are diagrams showing the operation of the bait container  11 .  FIG. 9  shows the bait container  11  in the fully closed position.  FIG. 10  shows the operator pressing the ends of the cylinder  11  to slide the protrusions  33  under the tabs  39 .  FIG. 11  shows the bait container  11  with the hinges  27  opening.  FIG. 12  shows the bait container  11  with the hinges  27  fully opened. 
     FIG. 13  shows the bait container with the locking mechanism  41  protruding through the wire grid. The square locking mechanism  41  is slightly smaller than the wire grid openings. The bait container  11  can be mounted on either a vertical or horizontal grid depending on the intended use. Once the locking mechanism is completely through the wire grid, the bait container  11  is rotated 45 degrees to lock the device  11  in place. This rotation allows the undercuts  67  to be engaged around the wire grid.  FIG. 14  shows the final position of the bait container  11  when it is secured to the wire grid. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.