Abstract:
A Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing is a single unit comprised of both a landing net and raised tabletop/inch incremented measuring board supported by a platform mounted atop two pontoons. Landing net access is obtained by lifting the hinged table/measuring board. The fish handling system has an adjustable multipurpose handle, when drawn taut it acts as the handle, when loosened it is used to attach the fish handling system to the float tube&#39;s D-rings using quick release clamps of preference. Thus providing a stable workstation and hands free landing net within comfortable reach of the float tube fisherman.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/582,921 filed on Jun. 28, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   U.S. PATENT REFERENCES 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               5,402,596 
               July 1993 
               Gillming 
               43/54 
             
             
                 
               3,478,463 
               November 1969 
               Ruter 
               43/55 
             
             
                 
               5,540,169 
               July 1996 
               Davis et. al. 
               43/55 
             
             
                 
               6,415,521 
               July 2002 
               Schnell 
               33/511 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED REASEARCH 
   (NOT APPLICABLE) 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING 
   (NOT APPLICABLE) 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The present invention relates specifically to sporting goods, fishing accessories and devices for float tube fishermen, and more particularly, to a floating platform especially adapted for landing, holding, and measuring big game fish, (example: bass, northern pike, muskellunge, etc.). 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Fishing accessories in the form of floating tables, floating nets, and measuring boards for fishing are known in the prior arts sporting goods. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,596 discloses a floating table shaped accessory, U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,463 discloses a floating net type of device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,169 discloses a pontoon type vessel and U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,521 discloses a fish measuring apparatus. These prior art devices require a float tube fisherman to transport, by means of towing, numerous individual devices, which are awkward to use in a float tube while fishing for big game fish by oneself. 
   Thus, while the foregoing bodies of prior art indicate it to be well to have float tube fishing accessories, the provision of a more convenient utilization of a more utile and cost effective device combining an elevated tabletop, a measuring board, and a landing net into a single unit is not contemplated. Nor does the prior art described above teach or suggest a floating fish handling system that may be easily used by an individual float tube fisherman for landing, holding, and measuring big game fish. 
   BREIF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides a floating base comprised of two pontoons kept separated and held in place by a straight pontoon support brace and a U-shaped pontoon support brace wherein the landing net is fastened to the top and running the length of the pontoons whereas the tabletop/measuring board is attached to the top surfaces of the pontoon&#39;s support braces using hinges. The device is easily attached to the fishing tube by the loosening of the adjustable multi-purpose rope handle and the then slackened rope handle is connected to the fishing tube&#39;s D-rings using two quick release fastening devices. To gain access to the landing net the float tube fisherman needs only to lift the hinged table to its full opened position. 
   The above description set forth the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features that will be described hereinafter. 
   In this respect, before explaining the preferred Embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms of phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application, the abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman which is susceptible of low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that is of durable and reliable construction, yet light in weight. 
   Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman which is short, compact and fits easily into a small vehicle. 
   Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that maintains stable buoyancy when weight is applied. 
   It is even still a further object of the present invention to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that is easy to use by one person. 
   Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that has the smallest possible amount of drag when being towed across the water&#39;s surface. 
   It is even yet still a further object of the present invention to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that may be carried easily. 
   Still yet even a further object of the present invention is to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman which is pleasing to the eye and compliments the appearance of the fisherman&#39;s float tube. 
   An even still further object of the present invention is to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman that provides a temporary resting place for a tackle box when changing fishing lures. 
   Yet even a still further object of the present invention is to provide a new fish handling system for big game tube fisherman which may be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily using only one tool (example: screwdriver). 
   These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterizes the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VEIWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings within: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective elevation view showing the first two preferred embodiments of the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing&#39;s of the present invention floating tabletop/measuring board and landing net combination. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing&#39;s pontoon assemblies. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a front view of the pontoon&#39;s straight-brace mounting assembly. 
       FIG. 3   b  is an elevation view of the pontoon&#39;s straight-brace mounting assembly. 
       FIG. 3   c  is a side view of the straight-brace&#39;s and U-brace&#39;s pontoon mounting bracket assemblies. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the U-brace assembly. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevated peripheral view of the tabletop/measuring board minus the lip board. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the tabletop/measuring board with the lip board. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the lip board end of the tabletop/measuring board. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective elevation view showing the landing net assembly. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing showing the embodiments of  FIGS. 1–8  in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional side view from the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 9  of the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing the adjustable multi-purpose handle&#39;s guy line&#39;s tied downed attachment to the U-brace&#39;s mounting brackets. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional side view from the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 9  of the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing&#39;s adjustable multi-purpose handle&#39;s guy line threaded through the eye bolt attachment to the straight-brace&#39;s mounting bracket and the sliding guy line stop. 
       FIG. 12  is an elevated perspective view demonstrating accessing of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  8 , &amp;  9  the landing net. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference now to the drawings, a new Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. 
   Turning initially to  FIGS. 1 ,  9 , &amp;  12 , there are shown the first exemplary embodiments of the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing of the invention generally designated by the reference numeral  4 . In its preferred form, the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing  4  comprises generally of two pontoons  3 , a straight pontoon mounting brace  5 , a U-brace pontoon mounting brace  6 , a movable tabletop/measuring board combination  8 , a landing net  9 , and an adjustable multi-purpose handle  10 , refer to  FIGS. 9 ,  10  &amp;  11 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the pontoons  3  uses a cylindrical thin walled PVC body  2  cut to the desired workable length and capped with matching PVC cap  1  with glue as the bonding agent. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the tabletop/measuring board  7 , after the marking of the inch increment lines  13  across the width and along the entire length of the topside of the board  7 , is attached to the table support arms  14  fitting flush at the ends and with the facing front edge of said table  7 . The table-support arms  14  should protrude past the width of the board so that the mounting holes  12  for the hinge may be made. As shown by  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , the lip board  15  is mounted perpendicular to the tabletop  7  at the zero-inch marked end of the tabletop/measuring board making the completed tabletop/measuring board  8  ready for mounting to the pontoon mounting braces  5  &amp;  6 . 
   The pontoon mounting braces  5  &amp;  6 , in theory, should be constructed of a lightweight plastic material, however, a person or persons proficient in the arts of carpentry and/or woodworking should have no problem in constructing the said braces  5  &amp;  6  from the details established in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , and  4  in the drawings section of this disclosure. 
   Now, at this time, the completed tabletop/inch incremented measuring board  8  and the pontoon mounting braces  5  &amp;  6  may be attached by a fastening device placed in and through the mounting holes  12  producing a hinged joint that keeps the two parts connected yet allowing the uninhibited movement of the said tabletop  8 . The braces  5  &amp;  6  should be overlapped at their outer edges by said table&#39;s  8  table support braces  14  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The hinged joints can comprise threaded bolts placed through holes  12  in the straight brace  5 , U-brace  6 , and table support braces  14  and which are held in place using lock washers and hex head nuts. 
   Arrange said pontoons  3  parallel with each other on a level flat surface. Next, place the completed platform assembly, the combined connected table/measuring board  8 , straight brace  5  and the U-brace  6 , atop pontoons  3  with the pontoons  3  coming to rest in the concave sections of the mounting bracket  16  of the pontoon mounting braces  5  &amp;  6 . Once this task has been completed it is time to center the tabletop/measuring board  8  with the center of the pontoons  3  refer to  FIG. 9 . 
   The mounting brackets  16  of the pontoon mounting braces  5  &amp;  6  are fastened to the pontoons  3  by two methods that reinforce each other while at the same time allowing for quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the present invention  4 . The first fastening method is a screw  17  having the appropriate length that allows the screw to pass through the mounting bracket  16  and penetrate the pontoon body  3 . This process is repeated for each of the individual mounting brackets  16  of the straight pontoon mounting brace  5  and of the U-brace&#39;s  6 . After the braces  5  &amp;  6  are fastened in place, the screw joints are reinforced by placing auxiliary straps  18 , refer to  FIGS. 9 ,  10  &amp;  11 , underneath the bottom of the pontoon  3  then wrapping the straps  18  around the exposed areas of the pontoon  3  and overtop the strapping support block  19 , refer to  FIG. 3B , of pontoon mounting braces  5  &amp;  6 . Once the strap  18  is in position, draw the strap  18  taut to firmly hold the pontoons  3  in position so not to allow movement of said pontoon  3 , refer to  FIG. 9 . This process is then repeated for each pontoon-mounting bracket  16 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the netting  9  is comprised of a fish friendly netting material  22 , brass button snaps  20 , and a mildew and ultra-violet light resistant material edging  23 . 
   The netting material  22  is cut to the appropriate needed dimensions by using this formula (add approximately eight-inches to the measured span between the top centers of pontoons  3  and add two-inches to the measured length of pontoons  3 ). The next cuts required by the netting material  22  are concave incisions where the netting  22  wraps around the pontoon mounting brackets  16  of said braces  5  &amp;  6 , refer to  FIG. 8 . The banding material  23  should be cut to a minimum width of two and half-inches in width. This permits a quarter-inch hemline plus a one-inch band  23  for covering the outer edges of the netting material  22 . 
   When all the required cuts are made in the netting material  22 , next fold the edges of the netting material  22  inwards towards the center one-inch. Next fold the banding material  23  evenly around the outer edges of the netting material  22  and sew in place. 
   To complete the landing net  9  install brass button snaps  20  on each side of the four concave cuts made in the netting material  22  and one snap button installed in the net&#39;s  9  centers of both length edges. 
   And now, referring to  FIG. 12 , install the landing net  9 . First lift the tabletop/measuring board to its full open position. Lay the netting  9  into the Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing  4  placing one end of the net  9  underneath the straight-brace  5  and the opposite end of the net  9  over top the U-brace  6 . Starting at one corner of the pontoon  3  attach the first snap button stud  21 , refer to  FIGS. 9 ,  10  &amp;  11 , at top center of said pontoon  3  and fasten the corner snap button  20  of the net  9  to the stud  21 . Now begin stretching the net  9  along the length of said pontoon  3  and mount the next stud  21  where the next button snap  20  alignment requires. Repeat this process for the remaining section of the pontoon  3 . Repeat the net installing process for the opposite pontoon  3  using the method described. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , the adjustable multi-purpose handle  10  comprises of a section of rope  24  of the appropriate needed thickness and length, eye bolts  25  of a proper size which allows the non-restricted movement of said rope  24 , and a guy line tensioning stop  26 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the guy line tensioning stop  26  may be constructed from a thin rectangular material of preference having the proper dimensions of length and width which in turn allows for oversized holes, in comparison with the diameter dimension of said rope  24 , at each end of said guy line&#39;s tensioning stop  26 . The oversized holes made in the guy line&#39;s tensioning stop  26  must be of a proper diameter allowing for a smooth transition of movement of the guy line&#39;s tensioning stop  26  from the carrying handle mode to the float tube attachment mode, whilst at the same time, having a dimension that will not allow a terminating knot to pass through. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 &amp; 11 , the eyebolts  25  are attached to the sides of the mounting brackets  16 . The rope  24  is threaded through one hole in the guy line stop  26  and then terminated at an eyebolt by a knot or optional attaching method of preference. The rope  24  is threaded through the eye-bolt  25  opposite the terminated eyebolt  25  then passes through the remaining hole of the guy line stop  26  and terminated by a knot or other appropriate termination method. 
   Using the various preferred embodiments of the present invention, a tube fisherman fishing for big game fish now has at his disposal a proven pliable method for safely landing, controlling and measuring big game fish. 
   The new Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fisherman  4  of the present invention is an exceptional raised floating workstation. The tabletop/inch incremented measuring board  8  is well within reach from within the fishing tube. The flat usable table surface  8  provides a place for the temporary placement of fishing equipment. 
   The new Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fisherman  4  remains stable in calm as well as rough water conditions and works in all climate conditions using the separated pontoon system  3 . 
   The use of the embodiment, the adjustable multi-purpose carrying handle  10  of the new Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fisherman  4  of the present invention is easy to use. Sliding the guy line stop  26  to the left loosens the rope  24  making it the mooring line for attachment to the fishing tubes D-rings by means of two quick release-fastening devices of preference. Sliding the guy line stop  26  to the right tightens the rope  24  and the guy line stop  26  locks the rope in place for carrying. 
   One of the first embodiments of the present invention the new Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fisherman  4 , the landing net  9 , is how quickly, easily, and with one hand operation a tube fisherman can lift the tabletop/measuring board to its full open position for direct access to the netting  9 . 
   It is apparent from above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objectives set forth by solving a tube fisherman&#39;s two main problems encountered while performing the art of fishing from a float tube, the need for a stable floating attachable work station and a hands free fish landing device. The new Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing  4  solves the problems previously mentioned by combining all solutions into one individual enterprise. 
   The new Fish Handling System For Big Game Tube Fishing  4  actual minimum dimensions that will insure the proper functioning of the unit&#39;s design concept are a total length of thirty-three inches, total width of twenty-one inches, total height of seven and five-eights inches. These dimensions give the present invention  4  the ability to be easily stored when not in use, the convenience of easy transport in smaller vehicles, optimum stability in rough water conditions and/or when weight is applied to the unit. 
   With respect to the above description, it should be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and therefore, all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended claims. 
   While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications therefore may be made without departing from the principle concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.