Patent Publication Number: US-2018035653-A1

Title: Spring-Loaded Crabbing Device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/372,041 filed on Aug. 8, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a spring-loaded crabbing device. More specifically, the present invention provides an elongated shaft pivotally connected to a pair of spring loaded gripping jaws configured to catch animals, such as crabs. 
     Crab gigging is a fun and exciting leisure activity and hobby. Traditional crab gigging, however, has the problem of fatally harming the crab. As a result, gigged crabs die and start to spoil rapidly, preventing them from being placed safely back in the water or requiring the crab to be cleaned immediately after being caught for safe consumption. Alternatively, if captured unharmed, crabs can be kept alive until cleaning time is convenient. 
     Another problem is that different crab species have varying regulations on size with penalties that can attach for violations of gigging undersized crabs. Certain crabs cannot be gigged and only allow for the claws to be harvested with the crab being returned back to the water. There is too much of a risk for many people that a visual assessment will be inaccurate and a citation will result when gigging. In order to address these concerns, the present invention provides a crabbing device having spring-loaded jaws for catching a crab without causing harm to the animal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of crabbing devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a spring-loaded crabbing device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when attempting to safely capture crabs without harming them. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and spring-loaded device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-loaded crabbing device comprising an elongated shaft having two gripping jaws hingedly connected to each other and attached to an end thereon, wherein the gripping jaws define an interior volume when aligned in a closed position. 
     It is another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-loaded crabbing device that is extendable telescopically. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-loaded crabbing device wherein the gripping jaw structures are made of rigid lattice pattern to allow for water flow. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-loaded crabbing device wherein the gripping jaws have outer perimeters substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-loaded crabbing device wherein lighting strips are attached to the outer perimeter, illuminating the edges of the device. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in an opened position as well as an inset close-up view of an end of the spring-loaded crabbing device in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  shows front view of the two rigid members comprising the triggering mechanism. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in use. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in a closed position. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in an open position. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the spring-loaded crabbing device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for catching crabs in water. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in a closed position. The spring-loaded crabbing device  11  comprises an elongated shaft  12  whereon a first gripping jaw  17  and a second gripping jaw  18  are attached to an end thereon. The elongated shaft  12  comprises a first rod  23  and a second rod  24  telescopically connected to one another. In alternate embodiments, the elongated shaft  12  is composed of a single rod. In other embodiments, the elongated shaft  12  is composed of two or more rods telescopically connected to one another. 
     The first gripping jaw  17  and the second gripping jaw  18  are each defined by a support structure  15  having an outer perimeter  16  and interior volume. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  15  comprises a lattice design to allow water to flow therethrough while providing rigidity to the jaws  17 ,  18 . The support structures  15  each comprise a sidewall extending from the outer perimeter  16  of each jaw  17 ,  18  and terminate at a central portion forming the base of each jaw  17 ,  18 , wherein the base is opposite the outer perimeter  16 . The gripping jaws  17 ,  18  are movable between a closed and an open position for securing and receiving a crab therein, respectively. In the closed position, the outer perimeters  16  of each gripping jaw  17 ,  18  are aligned and rest flush against each other defining an interior volume therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer perimeters  16  comprise preferably a rectangular shape with rounded corners. However, in other embodiments, the outer perimeter  16  can be any suitable shape. 
     Handles  13  extend outward from opposite sides of the spring pivot connection  22  and are attached to the gripping jaws  17 ,  18  adjacent to the point where they connect to the elongated shaft  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handles  13  comprise planer coverings that encompass the protruding ends of the spring pivot connection  22 . When the distal ends  25  of the handles  13  are squeezed toward each other, the force overcomes the bias of the spring pivot connection  22  towards the closed position, such that the handles  13  allow the jaws  17 ,  18  to move to the open position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in an opened position as well as an inset close-up view of an end of the spring-loaded crabbing device in an open position and a front view of the two rigid members comprising the triggering mechanism, respectively. The first gripping jaw  17  and the second gripping jaw  18  are attached via a spring pivot connection  22  along one edge of the outer perimeters  16  and connected to the elongated shaft  12 . The handles  13  operate to control the gripping jaws  17  and  18  which is biased toward the closed position by the spring pivot connection  22 . An opened position is defined when the outer perimeters  16  of the first gripping jaw  17  and the second gripping jaw  18  are separated from each other along the edges opposite the springe pivot connection  22 . 
     A triggering mechanism  20  is connected to both the first gripping jaw  17  and the second gripping jaw  18  and keeps jaws  17 ,  18  supported in the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the triggering mechanism  20  is composed of two rigid members  26 ,  27  that are each attached to one of the gripping jaws  17 ,  18  and are removably affixable to each other. The proximal ends  138 ,  139  of each rigid member  26 ,  27  of the triggering mechanism  20  are attached to the support structure  15 , along the perimeter  16  of a respective gripping jaw  17 ,  18  opposite the spring pivot connection  22 . Each rigid member  26 ,  27  of the triggering mechanism  20  is pivotally attached to the support structure  15  so as to allow for radial movement toward the interior volume or spring pivot connection  22 . 
     The gripping jaws  16 ,  17  are supported in an open configuration by the triggering mechanism  20  when the two rigid members  26 ,  27  are removably affixed to one another at the distal ends thereof. The hinged connections  21  of the proximal ends  138 ,  139  of the rigid members  26 ,  27  allows for the triggering mechanism  20  to collapse in an inward direction toward the interior volume. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the rigid members  26 ,  27  of the triggering mechanism  20  comprise a continuous bar designed to interlock with the other. The first rigid member  26  comprises two sides  130 ,  131  running in parallel from the hinged connections  21  and joined by a first crossbar  128  at the distal end  140  thereof, forming a U-shape. 
     The second rigid member  27  comprises two sides  132 ,  133  running in parallel from the hinged connections  21  forming a first bend  134  that extends orthogonally inward toward one another at the distal end  129  thereof. The distal end  129  of the second rigid member  27  extends perpendicularly to the two sides  132 ,  133  before forming a second orthogonally downward bend  135  toward the outer perimeter  16  Finally, the second rigid member  27  ends with the two sides each bending outward at an acute angle  136  towards the distal end  129  of the bar and away from the hinged connections  21  before joining with a second crossbar  137 , wherein the second crossbar  137  of the second rigid member  27  is perpendicular to the two sides  132 ,  133 . 
     The second rigid member  27  forms a notch between the crossbar  137 , the acute angle bend  136 , and the distal end  129  of the second rigid member  27  for the first rigid member  26  to be received. The crossbar  137  and distal end  129  of the second rigid member  27  do not allow the triggering mechanism  20  to release outward but does allow the rigid members  26 ,  27  to fully collapse toward the interior volume so that the gripping jaws  17 ,  18  can align in a closed position. The triggering mechanism  20  is calibrated to a sensitivity that allows for the rigid members  26 ,  27  to collapse upon contact with a solid object, such as a crab, and not when positioned through the force of water resistance in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the rods of the first and second rigid members  26 ,  27  are composed of a rigid metal. In alternate embodiments, any suitable rigid material is used to form the rods. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the device comprises Illumination strips  28  disposed on the outer perimeter  16  of each gripping jaw  17 ,  18  so as to provide for increased visibility when crabbing at night or in dark waters. The illumination strips  28  in one embodiment comprises tubing wherein a light source is disposed therein, the light source being an LED. In some embodiments, an internal power source is positioned within the tubing. In other embodiments, the illumination strips  28  are replaceable once the power source is depleted. In alternate embodiments, the illumination strips  28  can be composed of photoluminescent material. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in use and a side view of an embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in a closed position, respectively. When in an opened position, contact with the triggering mechanism  20  will cause the two rigid members  26 ,  27  to collapse pivotally inward. When the triggering mechanism  20  collapses, the spring pivot connection  22  forces the gripping jaws  17  and  18  to align in a closed position with the outer perimeters  16  resting flush against each other. The rigid lattice design support structure  15  of the first gripping jaw  17  and second gripping jaw  18  define an interior volume when in a closed position for securing the crab  61  therein. 
     In operation, the gripping jaws  17 ,  18  of the spring-loaded crabbing device are opened with the handles by moving the distal end of the handles toward one another. The gripping jaws  17 ,  18  remain in an open position by setting the triggering mechanism  20  in place between the two gripping jaws such that the two rigid members  26 ,  27  are linearly aligned with each other. When the triggering mechanism  20  is set, the two rigid members  26 ,  27  are held together in tension by the spring pivot connection  22 . When the triggering mechanism  20  is contacted, the rigid members  26 ,  27  collapse inward into the interior volume. The crabbing device is used in water or on land where the triggering mechanism  20  comes into contact with a crab  61  or other animal thereby releasing the triggering mechanism and allowing the gripping jaws  17 ,  18  to shut in a closed position around the crab  61  or animal. The crab  61  or animal can then be retrieved from the defined volume inside the closed gripping jaws  17 ,  18  via the handles  13 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the spring-loaded crabbing device in an opened position and in use, respectively. In an alternate embodiment, the triggering mechanism  115  comprises a single rod  119  axially connected to a first gripping jaw  117  while having a notched configuration  120  on the distal end of the rod  119 . The notched configuration  120  is formed through an L-shaped cutout  121  on the distal end of the single rod  119  on the side facing away from the interior volume when in an opened position. The L-shaped cutout  121  of the notched configuration  120  allows the rod  119  to latch onto the upper and interior edge of the outer perimeter  114  of the second gripping jaw  118  to maintain an open position. 
     In the alternate embodiment, the second gripping jaw  118  comprises a channel  116  larger than the width of the triggering mechanism  115  extending from the spring pivot connection  122  to the outer perimeter  114  on the opposite side of the second gripping jaw  118 . The channel  116  allows for the single rod  119  triggering mechanism  115  to pass through after being contacted with enough force to dislodge the notched configuration  120  from the outer perimeter  114 . After being contacted, the triggering mechanism  115  releases inward and passes through the channel  116  allowing for the gripping jaws  117  and  118  to shut in a closed position wherein the outer perimeters  114  rest flush against one another defining an interior volume. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to 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 one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.