Patent Publication Number: US-2010126426-A1

Title: Apparatus for Storing and Transporting Small Reptiles and Amphibians

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to containers for animals, and more specifically to a device for storing and transporting small amphibians to be captured and observed, primarily by children of ages 3-12. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many children enjoy observing and catching insects and small amphibians. Frog-catching is a particularly popular activity. A recent Internet search revealed several web sites devoted to the subject of catching and storing frogs. Exemplary sites, such as http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1482668, http://www.fishpondinfo.com/frog3.htm, and http://salamandercandy.wordpress.com/2007/04/25catch-frogs-release-toed-part-i/ describes the frog catching process, recommended supplies and tips. 
     For example, the site http://www.ehow.com/how — 2059662_catch-frog.html tells readers how to attract and corner a frog, capture it with bare hands, and store it in a high sided container with air holes. The site http://www.wikihow.com/Catch-a-Frog, tells readers to make a container for frog by gathering the following: a container with water (water optional); food for the frog or toad; some habitat (i.e. grass, a rock maybe, sticks); and, a lid with holes so the frog/toad can breathe. Finally, the site, http://everyfroghasastory.tripod.com/otheroptions.html warns readers to have patience because catching frogs may take hours or even days. 
     An Internet search also revealed that the search term “frog” is entered into search engines in the United States more than 2,000 times per day. The frequency of such a search, in combination with the number of sites dedicated to frog catching information, exhibits public interest pertaining to frog catching. 
     While the general method of catching frogs and small amphibians is well-known in the art, it has a number of drawbacks. Many households may not have suitable containers of the right size with lids on hand. Parents may not have the time to search for such containers, and may not want to purchase unwanted products solely for the purposes of obtaining a container which may be adapted to frog catching. This problem is compounded when there are multiple children who want to participate in frog-catching, requiring their parents to scramble for several containers. 
     Additionally, it is a safety hazard to direct children, and even adults, to poke holes into a lid with a sharp object, and adapting containers in this matter can create jagged edges and structures that pose hazards to children and the captured reptiles and amphibians. Containers may require varying degrees of force to penetrate them, and it is difficult to gauge whether enough holes or slits have been made to provide sufficient air to the frog or small amphibian. 
     It is therefore desirable to have a container of a size and shape adapted to storing and transporting frogs or other small amphibians which can be inexpensively purchased and does not requiring the piercing of air holes. 
     It is further desirable to have a container which is reusable, intended to be kept for a long a period of time and which is aesthetically appealing. 
     Minnow buckets are well known in the art, but are not adapted for use by children, with applicable dimensions and safety considerations in mind. Children require light weight containers which can be easily opened and closed, and with handles of a dimension suited to their hand size. Further, it is desirable to have a frog catching device which can be offered for sale and which meets all applicable child safety standards. 
     Additionally, retailers, resorts and educational suppliers currently do not offer containers adapted for frog catching, which can be conveniently purchased from a store or online without inconvenient preparation or adaptation by parents. 
     As defined herein a “small amphibian” or “small reptile” refers to a four-legged, cold-blooded vertebrate. Small amphibians include, but are not limited to, frogs, toads, newts and salamanders. 
     As defined herein a “frog catching” refers to the act of catching frogs, or any small amphibian which may be substituted for a frog, to engage in a variation of the activity, using methods known in the art for catching frogs and small amphibians. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for storing and transporting small reptiles and amphibians. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for storing and transporting small reptiles and amphibians which further includes an optional net member. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein is an apparatus for storing and transporting a small amphibian or small reptile which includes a light weight housing having a bottom wall and a generally cylindrical upper housing wall, a lid net member comprised of a spherical piece of die cut mesh attached to a reinforced border hem which accommodates a draw string and a selectively attached net component, wherein the draw string is run through a reinforced hem attached to netting and is adjusted to be tightened, loosened, secured and removed by a securing component such as a plastic buckle, metal loop or other structure. Various embodiments of the invention may further include a net component having a handle which is anthropometrically proportioned for grasping by a child over the age of three. Still other embodiments may include a ridge or protuberance which spans said generally cylindrical upper housing wall to add structural support and/or further secure said lid net member. 
     Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of an apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians, only some of which are depicted in the figures. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as the dimensions, size, and shape of the components, alternate but functionally similar materials from which the apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians is made, and the inclusion of additional elements are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the written description do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned in the following description. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed apparatus or manner. 
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
     Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, one embodiment of the apparatus for storing and transporting amphibians is disclosed herein as including a general housing. The general housing might permissibly be a different height, or shape, and still be within the scope of the invention if its functionality is not materially altered. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a front view of one exemplary embodiment of apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians  100 , which comprises a generally housing  110  having a flat bottom wall  111  and generally cylindrical top wall  112 . Novel lid net member  113  is affixed to cylindrical top wall  112  by a hinge member  114 . Additionally, in the embodiment shown, handle  116  is either pivotally or non-pivotally attached to top wall  112  at points  12   a  and  12   b.  In other embodiments housing  110  may be a shape other than cylindrical such as oval, square or conical, and handle  116  may be longer, shorter, have a different configuration for grasping, or may be omitted entirely. In the embodiment shown, lid net member  113  is a contoured piece of netting may of polyester, plastic, nylon, fiber, jute or canvass which is sufficiently strong to be durable and resist tearing, stretching, deformation, mildew and water damage, and which further an reinforced border hem  13   a  through which child-safe draw string  114  is threaded, gathering reinforced border hem  13   a  in an accordion-like manner. 
     Child-safe draw string  114  is secured to housing wall  113  by a string which is knotted around bucket handle  116 , and by adjustable draw string component, which in the embodiment shown is a rigid plastic, wood, or metal member through which draw string  114  is pulled so that Novel lid net member  113  is tightened, loosened, secured and may be selectively attached or removed to upper edge of housing  110 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , net-lid attachment member  13  is attached by a unique, child-safe draw string  114 . In the embodiment shown child-safe draw string member is a pivotal mechanical hinge unit well known in the art, but in other embodiments may consist of snaps, screws, a hook and eye mechanism, or may be omitted entirely so that lid  113  is detached from cylindrical wall  112  and is molded to fit securely over cylindrical wall  112  in the manner of any container lid known in the art. In other embodiments, lid  113  may be affixed to cylindrical wall  112  by a rope or tether made of any material to prevent the lid from being lost. 
     In the embodiment shown, lid  113  is comprised of netting material  118 , set within net frame  20 . In other embodiments, but in other embodiments, lid  113  may be a screen of metal or plastic, or a traditional lid with any number, combination or configuration of apertures which effectively allows sufficient air to enter the apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians  100 . 
     In the embodiment shown, housing  110  is made of a lightweight plastic, but in other embodiments, may be made of galvanized metal provided such materials are water-resistant, non-toxic and capable of being inexpensively molded or machined. In other embodiments, housing  110  may be constructed from a recyclable material 
     In other embodiments, housing  110  may be physically adapted to facilitate stacking or storage. Housing  110  may be further adapted to permit the affixation of graphics or information, such as educational or instructional information about storing, transporting and maintaining frogs and small amphibians. Housing  110  may be further adapted for marking, writing, painting or affixing stickers to permit labeling and ornamentation. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 2  depicts a front view of and additional embodiment of apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians  100 , which comprises a generally housing  110 , which further includes catching net  210  which is an ordinary net comprised of handle portion  116  and net portion  122  commonly known in the art, but which is adapted so that handle portion  116  is of a height suited to children and further suited to be conveniently attached to apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians  100  by affixation means  230 . In the embodiment shown, affixation means  230  is a plastic brace affixed to housing  110  or singly molded with housing  110 , into which handle portion  116  securely fits. In other embodiments, affixation means  230  may be adhesive, a snap, bolt, Velcro, a hook, a string or tether, or other means which connects catching net  210  housing  110 . In other embodiments, catching net  210  may be detached but sold has part of a kit. 
     In the embodiment shown, housing  110  is made of a lightweight plastic which is food safe, but in other embodiments, may be made of galvanized metal provided such materials are water-resistant, non-toxic and capable of being inexpensively molded or machined. In other embodiments, housing  110  may be constructed from a recyclable material, or a material which is particularly durable so as to preserve housing  110  and any images affixed thereto as an heirloom or collectible item. 
     In various embodiments, housing  110  may be physically adapted to facilitate stacking or storage. Housing  110  may be further adapted to permit the affixation of graphics or information by heat screening, painting or with an adhesive. Such images may be water-resistant, heat-resistant. Additionally, housing  110  may be completely or partially fluorescent 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 2  depicts a front view of and additional embodiment of apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians  100 , which comprises a generally housing  110 , which further includes catching net  210  which is ordinary net comprised of handle portion  122  and net portion  124  commonly known in the art, but which is adapted so that handle portion  122  is of a height-suited to children and further suited to be conveniently attached to apparatus for storing and transporting small amphibians  100  by affixation means  230 , and which is anthropometrically proportioned and contoured to be grasped easily by small children. In various embodiments, handle portion  122  may include frictional components, curvature and ridges for finger placement. 
     In the embodiment shown, affixation means  230  is a plastic brace affixed to housing  110  or singly molded with housing  110 , into which handle portion  122  securely fits. In other embodiments, affixation means  230  may be adhesive, a snap, bolt, Velcro, a hook, a string or tether, or other means which connects catching net  210  housing  110 . In other embodiments, catching net  210  may be detached but sold has part of a kit.