Abstract:
The fish sack carrier is of a fish-like shape especially designed to carry a single, large fish, such as a mature salmon, secured upon the fisherman&#39;s back in a longitudinal position with its head downward. This position comfortably distributes the weight of the fish over the fisherman&#39;s shoulder and back and allows the fisherman to use his hands to carry other equipment. A unique shoulder strap system stabilizes and balances the fish in this position, and allows the simultaneous carrying of more fish by connecting additional fish sacks to a common shoulder strap. The fish sack carrier is constructed of lightweight and durable materials, is washable after use, and can be folded into a small packet for pocket storage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to fish carrier devices, and more specifically to a fish sack used for the transport of larger fish such as salmon and steelhead by a wading or pedestrian fisherman. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     There are a number of fish carrier devices or receptacles invented for the carrying or transport of fish, particularly by the wading or pedestrian fisherman. These vary in form and method from simple cord stringers where the fish is carried by hand, to specially designed evaporative-cooled, bag shaped, receptacles or creels with an attached shoulder strap, where the fish is carried with its weight supported over the fisherman&#39;s shoulder. 
     There is no previously known bag shaped carrier device for a wading or pedestrian fisherman specially designed to efficiently and comfortably transport larger and heavier fish such as salmon or steelhead. There are several creels invented for the wading fisherman to transport smaller size fish such as stream trout. U.S. Pat. No. 2,795,889 to Garland (1957) discloses a mesh fish bag with a clip device that attaches to the belt of a wading fisherman. U.S. Pat. No. 2,555,128 to Gutshall (1951) discloses an evaporative-cooled fishing creel with a strap for carrying over one shoulder. U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,188 to Anderson (1972) discloses an evaporative-cooled fish and game receptacle with a shoulder strap. All of these inventions are similar in that they are designed to transport several smaller size fish either alive or preserved in a moisture cooled. None of these inventions is specially designed to transport large and heavy fish such as salmon in a secure, balanced, and comfortable position over sometimes long walking distances and across rugged terrain such as steep hills and fallen trees. 
     The use of fish stringers constructed of braided nylon with a ring at one end and a needle shaped point at the opposite end are commonly deployed by salmon and steelhead wading fishermen to transport their catch. The fish is carried by threading the needle end of the stringer through a passage on one side of the fish gills and mouth, and then the stringer ring, and then grasping the free end of the stringer by the hand or attaching to a stick. This carry method poses several problems: 
     (a) One fish can weigh upwards of 20 pounds and can exceed 30 inches in length. This is a difficult and strenuous method of transport especially when several fish need to be carried at once and the substantial weight imparts considerable strain on the fisherman&#39;s hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder. 
     (b) This method soils and damages the fish since the fish is dangling unbalanced by a stringer threaded through its mouth and gills and sometimes dragged along the ground when too heavy a fish is transported, or adverse walking terrain such as steep hills need to be navigated. 
     It is clear that, with the increasing popularity of fishing for larger size fish, such as salmon and steelhead, there is a need for a better method for the wading or pedestrian fisherman to comfortably and efficiently transport these large and heavy fish. 
     SUMMARY 
     A lightweight, durable, and washable personal fish carrier device with a suspension system design that provides ease of use, comfort, and economy. The fish sack carrier is designed to efficiently carry hands free a single large and heavy fish such as a salmon or steelhead in a balanced vertical position on the back of the wading or pedestrian fisherman. The unique suspension system design allows additional fish sacks to be simply connected to a single, common, shoulder strap with a minimum amount of effort. 
     OBJECT AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, the object of the fish sack carrier is to provide for the wading or pedestrian fisherman an efficient, comfortable, and affordable device for transporting larger and heavier fish such as salmon or steelhead across sometimes long distances and rugged walking terrain. Several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     (a) to provide an oblong, fish shaped enclosure to comfortably carry a single larger size fish in a vertical position with its head downward high upon the fisherman&#39;s back. This position balances, secures, and evenly distributes the weight of the fish upon the fisherman&#39;s back and shoulder. 
     (b) to provide a fish transport device that will properly support a single large fish and yet is capable of transporting additional fish by attaching a second or third fish sack to a single, common, shoulder strap. 
     (c) to provide a simple and lightweight shoulder strap design that allows a fast and easy method for lifting the fish over the shoulder, buckling, and adjusting. 
     (d) to provide a hands free fish transport device that can be carried over either shoulder and allows the fisherman to carry other objects with both free hands. 
     (e) to provide a fish transport device with one water resistant side to keep the fisherman&#39;s back clean and dry and the opposite side of mesh fabric to allow drainage, cooling, and for the sack to be immersed in water with adequate water circulation to keep the fish alive and preserved until transporting. 
     (f) to provide a fish transport device that keeps the fish clean during transport and is easily washable. 
     (g) to provide a strong, durable, and lightweight fish transport device that is foldable into a small packet that can be stored in a pocket for later use. 
     (h) to provide a carrying loop that can be used to comfortably hand carry the fish sack and can be used to lift and hold the fish enclosed in the sack over either shoulder. 
     (i) to provide a removable section of shoulder strap to allow the sack to be washed by laundering. 
     Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of the fish sack when empty and when in use. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of a second added fish sack when empty and in use. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 fish sack carrier 
                 12 
                 sack 
               
               
                 14 
                 suspension system 
                 16 
                 lower shoulder strap 
               
               
                 18 
                 upper shoulder strap 
                 20 
                 stitching 
               
               
                 22 
                 sack fabric 
                 24 
                 mesh fabric 
               
               
                 26 
                 sack bottom end 
                 28 
                 sack top opening 
               
               
                 30 
                 cinch strap 
                 32 
                 connector ring 
               
               
                 34 
                 hook and loop fabric 
                 36 
                 strap 
               
               
                 38 
                 carry loop 
                 40 
                 shoulder pad 
               
               
                 42 
                 female buckle end 
                 44 
                 lift loop 
               
               
                 46 
                 snap clip 
                 48 
                 male buckle end 
               
               
                 50 
                 strap adjuster 
                 52 
                 tie ring 
               
               
                 54 
                 lateral cord 
                 56 
                 snap clip 
               
               
                 58 
                 additional fish sack 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 - 4 —Main Embodiment 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown  FIG. 1 . A fish sack carrier  10  is generally comprised of a sack  12  and a suspension system  14 . Suspension system  14  includes a lower shoulder strap  16 , upper shoulder strap  18 , and lateral cord  54 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the invention in use. 
     Sack  12  is constructed of a lightweight, durable, and water-resistant fabric  22 , such as nylon or polyester, forming the back and part of the front side of sack  12 . Fabric  22  is rigidly attached, on the front side of sack  12 , to a narrow, longitudinal, section of water-resistant, durable, fabric mesh  24 , such as nylon or polyester, with stitching  20 . Stitching  20  forms a closed sack bottom end  26  and a hem at sack top opening  28 . A cinch strap  30  and a plastic connector ring  32   a  are attached together by stitching  20  to one side of sack  12  near the longitudinal center of sack  12 . Cinch strap  30  threads through a second plastic connector ring  32   b  and encircles completely around the circumference of sack  12  and threads through connector ring  32   a . Cinch strap  30  is 25 mm wide polypropylene webbing material and has a sewn section of hook and loop fastener fabric  34  for securing its tag end by pressing it onto the main length of cinch strap  30 . 
     Upper shoulder strap  18  consists of a 40 mm wide strap  36 , of a material such as heavyweight polypropylene, loosely threaded through the hem at the sack top opening  28 . Both free ends of strap  36  exits the hem at the backside and center of top opening  28 . One free end is sewn onto the main length of strap  36  to form a hand carry loop  38 . The other free end of strap  36  threads through a shoulder pad  40 , and then a plastic side-release female buckle end  42  and is folded back onto its main length and sewn at the same point as the other free end to form a lift loop  44 . 
     Lower shoulder strap  16  consists of a 40 mm wide webbing, of a material such as heavyweight polypropylene, removeably attached to connector ring  32   a  with a plastic snap clip  46  sewn to the one free end of lower shoulder strap  16 . A plastic strap adjuster  50  provides lower shoulder strap  16  length adjustments. The top free end of lower shoulder strap  16  threads through male buckle ends  48   b  and  48   c  and terminates by threading to male buckle end  48   a . A plastic tie ring  52  is sewn to lower shoulder strap  16  between strap adjuster  50  and male buckle end  48   c.    
     One free end of a 5 mm, nylon, lateral cord  54  is removably attached to connector ring  32   b  with a plastic snap clip  56 . 
     To provide for the transport of several fish, up to two additional fish sacks  58  can be connected to male buckle ends  48   b  and  48   c  already provided on common lower shoulder strap  16 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  show an additional fish sack  58  comprised of a sack  12  and upper shoulder strap  18 . Connector rings  32   a  and  32   b  are included on the additional fish sack  58  to provide for fastening and securing of all sacks  12  together with a common lateral cord  54 . 
     Operation— FIGS. 1-4   
       FIG. 1  shows fish sack carrier  10  in its open position ready for use. Lower shoulder strap  16  is attached to either connector ring  32   a  or  32   b  depending on which shoulder the fisherman prefers to carry the fish. Lateral cord  54  is attached to the connector ring  32   a  or  32   b  that is on the opposite side of sack  12  and lower shoulder strap  16 . 
     Fish sack carrier  10  is used by inserting a fish head first into top opening  28  of sack  12 . Cinch strap  30  is pulled snug around the girth of the fish and the tag end of cinch strap  30  is secured with the hook and loop fabric  34  to its main length. The user then closes top opening  28  of sack  12  by pulling and drawing upper shoulder strap  18 . Shoulder pad  40  is adjusted to position by sliding along strap  36  toward sack top opening  28  exposing lift loop  44 . Fish sack carrier  10  is now ready to be lifted upon the fisherman&#39;s shoulder. 
       FIG. 2  shows fish sack carrier  10  in use. The fisherman inserts his hand through lift loop  44  and lifts fish sack carrier  10  over the shoulder positioning upper shoulder strap  18  on top of the shoulder with water-resistant sack fabric  22  against the fisherman&#39;s back and mesh fabric  24  outward. While continuing to hold lift loop  44  with one hand, the user reaches around his back with his other hand to grasp and connect lower shoulder strap  16  to upper shoulder strap  18  by inserting male buckle end  48   a  into female buckle end  42 . The user pulls the tag end of lower shoulder strap  16  protruding from the bottom side of strap adjuster  50  to tighten fish sack carrier  10  to their back, shoulder, and chest. Lastly, the fisherman reaches around the opposite side of their body from lower shoulder strap  16  and grasps lateral cord  54  pulling it around their side and chest to attach with a knot to tie ring  52 . This secures fish sack carrier  10  upon the fisherman&#39;s back for transporting. 
     It is possible to insert additional fish into the same sack  12  if the fish are in combination smaller in girth than sack  12 . A fish with a length longer than sack  12  can be carried with its tail extended outside top opening  28  of sack  12 . Smaller fish can be carried using this method by drawing sack top opening  28  tightly around the fish tail. This keeps the fish weight as high up the back of the fisherman as possible, thus better stabilizing the fish and improving comfort. 
       FIG. 3  shows an additional fish sack  58  that can be used to transport several fish simultaneously. A second and third fish sack  58  can be carried by connecting to male buckle ends  48   b  and  48   c  provided on the common lower shoulder strap  16 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fisherman wearing two fish sacks. To carry the second fish sack  58 , the user lifts the second fish sack  58  upon the same shoulder as fish sack carrier  10 . The female buckle end  42  on second fish sack  58  connects to second additional male buckle end  48   b  on lower shoulder strap  16 . A third fish sack  58  can be installed using this same method and connecting to third male buckle end  48   c  on lower shoulder strap  16 . The user then threads lateral cord  54  through connector rings  32   a  and  32   b  on additional fish sack  58  before attaching lateral cord  54  to tie ring  52 . This secures the fish for transport. 
     Sack  12  has a mesh fabric  24  front for cooling of the fish and draining of fluids. Fish sack carrier  10  can be immersed in water to keep the fish preserved. Mesh fabric  24  allows water circulation in sack  12 . Lateral cord  54  can be used to tie and secure fish sack  12  in the water. 
     After use, sack  12  can be cleaned by rinsing with water or machine-washing after removing lower strap  16 . 
     Fish sack carrier  10  can be folded or rolled up into a small, convenient, pocket size packet for storage and later use. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that this invention provides for the wading or pedestrian fisherman a lightweight, durable, fish carrier device that can be easily operated and managed to comfortably and simultaneously transport one or several larger size fish such as salmon or steelhead, leaving both hands free to carry other objects. Furthermore, the fish sack carrier has the additional advantages in that:
         It permits a wide selection of materials to minimize the overall pack weight and to provide fish sack carriers of various quality and durability.   It permits a wide selection of fabric and fastener color combinations.   It permits several sack sizes to be manufactured tailored to the size or type of fish being sought. For instance, a slightly smaller sack could be produced for less mature salmon or steelhead.   It permits the fish sack to be carried comfortably by hand with the carry loop integral to the upper shoulder strap, or held by hand with the fish sack over either shoulder with the lifting loop also integral to the upper shoulder strap.   It permits the fish sack to be immersed in water to preserve the fish while continuing to fish. The lateral cord can be used as a stringer to tie to an object such as a log to secure the fish.       

     While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, a sack of the same general shape could be designed with a slightly different suspension system, to position the sack horizontally instead of vertically on the fisherman&#39;s back. This sack could be enlarged in height to allow transport of several fish stacked horizontally in the same sack. Additionally, a vertical positioned sack could be manufactured to provide for carrying several fish by enlarging the width of the sack and attaching a narrow strip of fabric on the inside of the sack and parallel to the entire length of the sack. This creates separate vertical cells, or partitions, each of which would enclose one fish. Cinch straps attached at predetermined locations on the outside of the sack and threaded through the sack could also be used to create the separate cells. Several other means are possible for creating the partitions in this sack design. 
     Considerable modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the principals of the invention. For example, additional cinch straps could be sewn at points along the length of the sack that would encircle the girth of the fish further stabilizing the fish in a vertical position. The upper shoulder strap could be removably attached to the sack and the section of strap passing through the sack top hem could be changed to a different construction such as rope. In addition, the size, color, and material of the straps, fasteners, and lateral cord could be changed. The selection and amount of fasteners could be changed. For example, the snap clips and connector rings could be made of metal or plastic. The lateral cord snap clip could be deleted and the cord tied directly to the sack connector ring to reduce cost. Deleting the interlocking buckles and snap clips could create a simpler, cheaper, one-piece shoulder strap. The sack seams could be adhesively bonded instead of sewn if vinyl surfaced fabric were utilized. Finally, a small area of the backside of the sack could be of mesh fabric to improve water circulation when the fish sack carrier is placed in the water, or, the mesh material could be deleted entirely. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.