Patent Publication Number: US-2023148576-A1

Title: Clam Rake and Gauge Assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     The present invention is directed to a gauge for measuring clams and more particularly to a gauge that is removably securable to a clam rake. The present invention includes rake and gauge assembly for harvesting clams, and more particularly for conveniently and quickly measuring the size of clams harvested via the rake to ensure the clams exceed the minimum legal limit to keeping them. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Harvesting clams (i.e., marine bivalve mollusks) involves starting by looking in bays and estuaries that get plenty of tidal flow. Quahogs (i.e.,  Mercenaria mercenaria ) are commonly referred to as hard shelled clams. Clams live in a variety of conditions, including sand, mud, and even rocky areas. Clams can be harvested using a rake to probe a muddy/sandy bottom to locate and capture the clams. 
     In addition, when harvesting clams, local codes require that a clam be greater than a certain size, typically one inch, to be able to keep them. The size of a clam is referred to as hinge width which is the thickness of a quahog as measured between the convex apex of the right shell and the convex apex of the left shell. Measuring the clam&#39;s hinge width requires the use of a gauge. Typically, the gauge is handheld by the person harvesting the clams and the measurement involves reaching into the rake, picking the clam out of the rake and measuring the clam in the handheld gauge. The measuring process is tedious because of the back and forth between the rake and the handheld gauge. 
     Based on the foregoing, there is a need to an improved device for harvesting and measuring clams. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is disclosed herein a rake and gauge assembly for harvesting clams. The assembly includes a basket that has hoop shaped perimeter structure. A permeable cage is secured to the basket. The cage has an opening located at the perimeter structure. The basket has a rake secured to and extending from the perimeter structure. A shaft is secured to and extends from the perimeter structure. A gauge is secured to the shaft or the perimeter structure. The gauge is configured to measure a clam shell size. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge is in the form of a C-shaped body that has a base which extends from a first axial end to a second axial end thereof. A first leg extends from the base proximate the first end and a second leg extends from the base proximate the second end. A gap extends between the first leg and the second leg. The gap has a predetermined magnitude selected to match minimum size limitations for keeping a clam. 
     In some embodiments, a clamp extends around the shaft and is secured to the gauge. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge is adjustable. For example, a shim is secured to one of the first leg and the second leg and the shim is configured to decrease the magnitude of the gap. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge made from a plastic material or a metallic material or combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge includes a scale on the base between the first leg and the second leg. The scale has indicia of length marked thereon. 
     In some embodiments, the gap and the opening of the cage are in substantially a common direction. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge is in close proximity to the opening of the cage. 
     In some embodiments, the base of the gauge includes a groove formed therein. The groove has a shape complementary to that of the shaft. 
     In some embodiments, the clamp includes a recess that has a shape complementary to that of the shaft. 
     The present invention includes a gauge for measuring the size of a clam. The gauge includes a C-shaped body that has a base that extends from a first axial end to a second axial end, a first leg that extends from the base proximate the first end and a second leg that extends from the base proximate the second end. A gap extends between the first leg and the second leg. The gap has a predetermined magnitude selected to match minimum size limitations for keeping a clam. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge includes a clamp that is removable secured to the gauge. 
     In some embodiments, the base has a groove formed therein. The groove has a shape configured for receiving a shaft therein. 
     In some embodiments, the clamp has a recess therein which has a shape configured to receive a shaft therein. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge is adjustable. For example, a shim secured to one of the first leg and the second leg. The shim configured to decrease the magnitude of the gap. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge is made from a plastic material, PVC, a metallic material or combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the gauge has a scale on the base between the first leg and the second leg, the scale having indicia of length. 
     In some embodiments, the clamp, recess and groove are sized to receive a range of shaft sizes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is photograph of a top view of the rake and gauge assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is photograph of a side view of the rake and gauge assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is photograph of an end view of the rake and gauge assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is photograph of an end view of the rake and gauge assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is photograph of a top view of the rake and gauge assembly of the present invention shown with a clam being measured in the gauge; 
         FIG.  6    is a side cross sectional view of another embodiment of the gauge of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of another embodiment of the gauge of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a front view of another embodiment of the gauge of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a side view of the gauge of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  10    is a front view photograph of the gauge of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4    a rake and gauge assembly for harvesting clams is generally designated by the numeral  10 . The rake and gauge assembly  10  includes a basket  12  having hoop shaped perimeter structure  14  (e.g., rectangular frame). A permeable cage  16  (e.g., a receptacle of interwoven metallic wires) is secured to the basket  12 . The cage  16  has an opening  16 E at the perimeter structure  14 . The basket  12  has a rake  18  secured to and extending from the perimeter structure  14 . The rake  18  includes a plurality of prongs  18 P spaced apart from one another. 
     A shaft  20  is secured to and extends from the perimeter structure  14 . A gauge  30  (e.g. a go/no-go gauge) is secured to the shaft  20 . The gauge  30  is configured to measure the hinge width of a clam shell  60  as shown in  FIG.  5   . If the clam  60  fits through the gap G, then the clam  60  is too small and must be returned to the sea. While the gauge  30  is shown and described as being secured to the shaft  20 , the present invention is not limited in this regard as the gauge  30  may be secured to the perimeter structure  14 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  9  and  10   , the gauge  30  has a C-shaped body having a base  32 C that extends from a first axial end  32 X to a second axial end  32 Y. A first leg  32 A extends from the base  32 C proximate the first end  32 X and a second leg  32 B extends from the base  32 C proximate the second end  32   y . A gap G extends between the first leg  32 A and the second leg  32 B. The gap G has a predetermined magnitude selected to match minimum size limitations for keeping a clam. For example, in one embodiment the gap G has a magnitude of one inch. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the rake and gauge assembly  10  includes a clamp  40  that extends around the shaft  20  and is secured to the gauge  30 . The clamp has a recess  44  formed therein that has a shape complementary to that of the shaft  20 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the base  32 C of the gauge  30  has a groove  33  formed therein. The groove  33  has a shape complementary to that of the shaft  20 . The clamp  40  is secured to the base  32 C of the gauge  30  with suitable fasteners  42  such as screws such that the clamp  40  and the base  32 C of the gauge  30  removably wrap around the shaft  20 . 
     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG.  6   , the gauge  30  is adjustable. In some embodiments, the gauge  30  includes shim  37  that is removably secured to the first leg  32 A. The shim  27  has a thickness T that is configured to decrease the magnitude of the gap G to comport with local size limits for keeping clams. While the shim  37  is shown and described as being secured to the first leg  32 A, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other configurations may be employed including but not limited to the shim  37  being removably secured to the second leg  32 B alone or in addition to the shim  37  being secured to the first leg  32 A. 
     The gauge  30  is made from a corrosion resistant material that withstands immersion in saltwater brine, such as plastic, PVC and/or metallic material. In some embodiments, the gauge has a predetermined color. 
     As shown in the embodiment in  FIG.  7   , the gauge  30  includes a scale  39  on the base  32 C between the first leg  32 A and the second leg  32 B. The scale  39  has indicia of length (e.g., fractions of an inch) thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the gap G and the opening  16 E of the cage  16  are in substantially a common direction as indicated by the arrow K to facilitate quick measuring of clams  90  taken out of the cage  16  in a location proximate (e.g., within one foot of the opening  16 E) opening  16 E of the cage  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8    the gauge  30  is similar to the gauge  30  shown in  FIG.  4    with the exception that the addition of a top section  32 D which forms a closed loop type gauge. The distance between the top section  32 D and the base  32 D defines a length L for measuring a length of a mussel, for example. 
     Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.