An Improvement in Landing Nets.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 17th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Landing Nets.
We, THOMAS MAXWELL WITHAM, of 5, Gray's Inn Square, London, W.C.
Gentleman, and WALTER THOMAS HANCOCк, of 308, High Holborn, London,
W.C. Fishing Tackle Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
I
This invention relates to an improvement in collapsing Y-shaped landing nets
whereof the two limbs of the net frame are pivoted to the limbs of a small
Y-shaped head piece fixed to the handle so as to be adapted to be folded back
along the latter when the net is collapsed for carrying, and the invention has for
its object to provide means of automatically locking the limbs of the net frame
in the extended position so that when the frame is thrown out to the full length
it will be rigidly secured to the handle in position to support the net and cannot
fold back or collapse, even if carelessly manipulated in landing the fish.
The lockfast device of this invention consists of a pair of latches pivoted to the
limbs of the Y-shaped head piece in position to snap into corresponding catches
or recesses in the limbs of the net frame, these catches being pivoted to the
opposite ends of a cross-head carried by a stem fitted to slide in a socket in the
boss of the Y-head piece and pressed outwards by a spring which thus serves to
project both the latches outwards from the head piece into position of engagement
with the catches of the frame, the simultaneous retraction of the two catches in
order to fold the net being effected by pressing on the crosshead.
11 1
1007
A. M.&WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
A. M.&WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
An Improvement in Landing Nets.
We, THOMAS MAXWELL WITHAM of 5, Gray's Inn Square, London, W.C.
Gentleman, and WALTER THOMAS HANCOCK of 308, High Holborn, London,
W.C. Fishing Tackle Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an improvement in landing nets having the ordinary
Y-shaped net frame made collapsible by the two limbs of the net frame being
pivoted to a head piece on the handle so as to be adapted to be folded back
along the latter for carrying and the invention has for its object to provide
means of automatically locking the limbs of the net frame when in the extended
position so that they cannot fold back or collapse even if the net be presented
wrong way up or be otherwise carelessly manipulated in landing the fish.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
forming part of this Specification wherein,
Figure 1 is a face view partly in section shewing the locking device for the
pivoted ends of the net frame.
Figures 2 and 3 are detail views on an enlarged scale shewing one of the
latches in two positions.

page_text: Figures 4 and 5 are an inside face view and cross section of one of the
pivoted heel pieces or shoes of the net frame.
A is the handle, B is a Y-shaped head piece fixed thereto, and CC are the
two limbs or arms constituting the net carrying frame, the limbs C being fixed in
metallic shoes or heel pieces c which are pivoted upon studs c¹ fixed to the limbs b
of the head piece so as to admit of the limbs C being folded back alongside the
handle as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, the pivotal motion of the limbs
being limited in the direction of extension by projections 6 acting as stops to
support the limbs C in alignment with the limbs b of the head piece B.
The locking device of this invention consists of a pair of latches D pivoted at d
in slots formed in the limbs of the Y-shaped head piece B, the ends of these
latches projecting from the outer face of the limbs in position to snap into
corresponding slots or recesses d' in the inner faces of the shoes c carrying the
limbs C of the net frame, these catches being normally projected outwards by a
spring or springs. In order that the catches D may be simultaneously retracted
for the purpose of disengaging them from the catch slots d¹ and collapsing the
net, their inner ends are connected by pivots e with the opposite ends of a
cross-head E carried by a stem E¹ fitted to slide in a socket in the boss of the
Y-head piece B, the stem being pressed outwards by a spiral spring F, this
spring serving to project both the latches D outwards from the head piece B into
position of engagement with the slots d', the crosshead being provided with a
knob E by pressing on which the simultaneous retraction of the two catches in
order to fold the net is effected.
The pins d on which the latches pivot pass through longitudinal slots d² in the
latches so as to admit not only of the rectilineal motion of the cross-head being
converted into an angular motion of the latches but also of motion being imparted
to the latches in the direction of their own length, the effect being to form a
sort of toggle motion whereby the spring is caused to act with better effect as
regards the outward projection of the latches. The effect is also that for a
relatively short motion of the crosshead the latches will be projected far enough
to enter deeply into the slot d' and so make a secure connection or may
be
retracted until they are flush with the limbs when the connection is to be
broken. The latches are knee jointed with the crosshead so as to limit the outward
motion of the latter under the thrust of the spring.
In order that the latches may snap into engagement, that is to say in order
that they may engage automatically when the limbs of the net frame are swung
over on their pivots, the inner faces of the shoe portions c are bevelled as shewn
clearly at 2 in Figures 3 and 4 so that on the bevelled surfaces coming against
the latches the latter will be thereby forced back and will then snap into the
slots d'.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination, with the pivoted arms of a landing net frame such as
described, of latches pivoted as described and adapted to engage with and lock
the net frame arms in their extended position substantially as specified.
2. The combination, with the pivoted arms of a landing net frame such as
described, of latches pivoted as described and adapted to engage with and lock
the net frame arms in their extended position substantially as specified, and of a
spring actuated sliding crosshead or member common to both latches and adapted
to operate them in the manner specified.
Dated this 17th day of February 1896.
°
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents..