Patent Publication Number: US-2004040196-A1

Title: Measuring tape for use with a fishing net

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] The present application is based on, and claims priority to the Applicant&#39;s U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/407,541, entitled “Measuring Tape For Use With A Fishing Net,” filed on Aug. 30, 2002. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of equipment for sports fishing. More specifically, the present invention discloses a measuring tape for use with a fishing net.  
       [0004] 2. Statement of the Problem  
       [0005] It can be difficult, inconvenient, and awkward to measure the length of a fish after it has been caught. Many fishing spots are subject to regulations concerning the size of fish that must be returned to the water. Many fisherman also practice catch-and-release fishing in the interest of conservation, but may wish to know the length of a particular fish that has been caught. In either case, it is important to be able to measure a fish as quickly and as safely as possible and with as little handling as possible, to minimize trauma to the fish before its release.  
       [0006] The prior art in this field includes several approaches to measuring fish. For example, many fishing tackle boxes include a measurement scale. A fisherman can measure a fish by holding it adjacent to the measurement scale on the lid of the tackle box. Some fishing nets include a measurement scale on the net handle. Here again, the fish must first be removed from the net and held adjacent to the measurement scale. In addition, the maximum size of the fish that can be measured is limited by the length of the measurement scale.  
       [0007] A conventional measuring tape or ruler can also be used. However, the limitation of having only two hands typically requires two people (one to hold and one to measure), or setting the fish and the net on the ground while attempting to position the measuring tape or ruler next to the fish. This increases the amount of time that the fish remains out of water and also increases the risk of trauma to the fish. The situation is further complicated if the fish is thrashing about in the net. In addition, touching or handling fish can remove the protective film of mucous on the fish, thus causing the growth of a fungus condition which can be fatal.  
       [0008] 3. Solution to the Problem  
       [0009] The present invention addresses this problem by providing a retractable measuring tape that can be readily attached to the handle of a conventional fishing net and extended to conveniently and safely measure fish in the fishing net. The measuring tape is stored and transported on the unused section of the net handle and is always ready for use. As a result, fish can be measured and released in less time, with more efficiency, and with less contact with the fish. Its adjustable design fits virtually all nets. The present invention enables the angler to measure fish without removing them from the water. For catch and release purposes, a fish can be measured while it remains partially submerged by gently cradled with one hand under the net, thus reducing stress and handling. The angler can extend the tape measure with the other hand, thereby allowing the angler to easily measure fish without the need for assistance. Fish that are longer than the net can also be measured in the same manner. The present invention also eliminates the need for an angler to carry a separate measuring device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] This invention provides a retractable measuring tape that can attached to the handle of a fishing net adjacent to the proximal end of the net. The measuring tape can be extended to measure a fish laying in the net submerged under water. The measuring tape has opposing lateral straps that extend laterally outward to wrap around the handle of a fishing net. The ends of the straps can be removably secured together by means of Velcro® or other types of adjustable fasteners. A third strap extends perpendicular to the lateral straps through the net opening. The end of the third strap can be removably secured to the lateral straps by means of Velcro® or other types of adjustable fasteners.  
       [0011] These and other advantages, features, and objects of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed description and the drawings.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012] The present invention can be more readily understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to the handle of a fishing rod.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the device with the measuring tape  30  extended.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of the device.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device.  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a rear view of the device.  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device attached to the handle of a fishing net with the measuring tape  30  extended to measure a fish  10  in the net  20 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0020] Turning to FIG. 1, a perspective view is provided of the present invention attached to the handle  25  of a fishing net  20 . The major components are a retractable measuring tape  30 , and a number of straps  42 ,  44 , and  46  that enable the measuring tape  30  to be removably secured to the handle  25  adjacent to the proximal end of the net  20 .  
     [0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring tape  30  has a housing  35  containing a spring-loaded reel that allows the tape  30  to be manually extended to measure a fish  10  laying in the net  20 , and retracted into the housing for storage when the tape is not in use. The tape can be marked in the conventional manner in inches or centimeters. The measuring tape  30  should have a maximum length (e.g., approximately 36 inches) sufficient to measure the types of fish (e.g., trout, bass, perch, and walleye) that are commonly caught by sports fishermen and landed with a net  20 . The components of the measuring tape  30  should preferably be made of plastic or other corrosion-resistant materials to prevent rust.  
     [0022] A number of flexible straps  42 ,  44 , and  46  are employed to attach the measuring tape  30  to the fishing net handle  25 . In the preferred embodiment, there are three straps  42 ,  44 , and  46  made of cloth or flexible plastic, as depicted in the orthogonal views provided in FIGS. 3 through 6. Two opposing lateral straps  42  and  44  extend laterally outward from the measuring tape  30  and wrap around the handle  25  of the fishing net  20 . The third strap  46  extends perpendicular to the lateral straps  42 ,  44  passes through the net opening adjacent to the handle  25 . This third strap  46  holds the measuring tape  30  at a position on the net handle  25  close to the proximal end of netting  27 , and prevents the measuring tape  30  from inadvertently sliding down the net handle  25 .  
     [0023] It should be expressly understood that other strap configurations could be readily substituted. For example, a single strap of material could be used to encircle the handle  25  of the fishing net  20 . Multiple sets of complementary straps could also be used. The straps can be made of an elastic or stretchable material to accommodate a wide range of handle sizes.  
     [0024] The ends of the lateral straps  42 ,  44  can be removably secured to one another by means of fasteners  43  and  45 , so that the lateral straps  42 ,  44  encircle the net handle  25 . In the preferred embodiment, these lateral strap fasteners  43 ,  45  are hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® material). However, other types of fasteners, such as snaps, adhesives, zippers, or hook-and-eye fasteners could be readily substituted.  
     [0025] Similarly, the end of the third strap  46  is removably secured by means of a fastener  47  to at least one of the lateral straps  42 ,  44 . As before, this third strap fastener  47  can be hook-and-loop material that engages a complementary patch of hook-and-loop material on the exposed surface of one of the lateral straps  42 ,  44 . Alternatively, other types of fasteners could be readily substituted. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, these fasteners  43 ,  45 , and  47  provide a degree of adjustability to accommodate a range of net handle dimensions and diameters.  
     [0026] The measuring tape  30  can be attached to the straps  42 ,  44 ,  46  by any of a variety of means, such as adhesive, snaps, rivets, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, a bar  37  extends across the back of the reel housing  35  with a small spacing between the bar  37  and rear face of the housing  35 , as shown in FIG. 6. A flexible mounting strap  48  passes through this space, and both ends of the mounting strap  48  are anchored to the lateral straps  42 ,  44 . This configuration secures the measuring tape  30  to the lateral straps  42 ,  44  but allows the measuring tape to swivel to a degree relative to the lateral straps  42 ,  44 . This is helpful in allowing the measuring tape to be extended over a wider range of angles. For example, the measuring tape can be used to measure objects that are not in the net.  
     [0027] To use the present invention, the tape measure  30  must first be attached to the handle  25  of a fishing net  20 . The angler holds the tape measure against the desired location on the net handle  25  while simultaneously wrapping the lateral straps  42 ,  44  around the net handle  25 . The angler should also exert a compressive force on the hook-and-loop fasteners  43 ,  45  to ensure a firm connection between the lateral straps  42 ,  44 . The angler then inserts the loose end of the third strap  46  through the net opening adjacent to the handle  25 . The hook-and-loop fastener  47  on the end of the third strap is then secured to outer surface of one of the lateral straps  43 ,  45  to complete the installation, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tape measure can be removed at any time by reversing this process.  
     [0028] After a fish has been caught in the net  20 , the angler gently cradles both the net  20  and fish  10  with one hand, as shown in FIG. 7. The fish  10  can be held generally parallel to the surface of the water and partially submerged to minimize trauma to the fish. The fish can then be measured by extending the tape from the reel housing  35  with the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7. For accurate measurement, the tape should extend parallel to the length of the fish  10 . The angler can determine the length of a fish by reading the markings on the tape. Thus, the angler can accurately, quickly, and conveniently measure the fish&#39;s length without assistance and with minimal contact to the fish. In most cases, the fish will fit completely within the net  20 . However, a particular large fish that extends beyond the net can still be measured by extending the tape as far as needed to reach the distal end of the fish.  
     [0029] The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention. Other arrangements or embodiments, not precisely set forth, could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention and as set forth in the following claims.