Patent ID: 12207630

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

In describing this invention, the word “connected” is used. By “connected” is meant that the article or structure referred to is joined, either directly, or indirectly, to another article or structure. By “indirectly joined” is meant that there may be an intervening article or structure imposed between the two articles which are “connected”. “Directly joined” means that the two articles or structures are in contact with one another or are essentially continuous with one another. By adjacent to a structure is meant that the location is near the identified structure.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

Turning now to the drawings,FIGS.1-9illustrate a line guided fish landing net apparatus, generally referenced as10, in accordance with the present invention. Line guided fish landing net apparatus10functions as a fish immobilizing device to aid in landing a large game fish onto a fishing vessel. As best seen inFIGS.1-3, line guided fish landing net apparatus10includes an elongated, rigid guide rod12. Guide rod12is preferably a tubular structure formed from a corrosion resistant material such as aluminum, PVC, plastic, carbon fiber, stainless steel, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, guide rod12has a length of approximately 3.0 feet and a diameter of ½ inch. Guide rod12has a proximal end12A and a distal end12B. A pair of fishing line quick connect clips, referenced as14are affixed to guide rod12between the proximal and distal ends,12A and12B. Each quick connect clip14defines a generally C-shaped clip body formed of a resilient material. As seen inFIG.4, each clip14has a first end14A directly joined to guide rod12and a second end14B defining a flange14C. Quick connect clips14enable fish landing net apparatus10, and particularly guide rod12to be easily coupled to the fishing line after a fish is hooked by sliding the fishing line between the outer surface of guide rod12and the second end14B of each clip14.

A pair of elongate arms20are pivotally connected to hinges16affixed to distal end12bof guide rod12. Each arm includes a proximal end20A pivotally connected to guide rod12via hinge16, and a distal end20B having a T-Lock locking mechanism22. Arms20are pivotally configurable between at least a first/stowed position, a second/deployed position, and a third/capture position. Additional structure, such as boss and detent, may be provided to provide stops at each of said first, second, and third positions.FIG.5provides a schematic illustration of a hinge16and illustrates the angular relations of an arm in each of the folded (referenced as “F”), deployed (referenced as “D”), and capture (referenced as “C”) positions. In the folded position arms20are folded substantially adjacent guide rod12in parallel relation therewith as seen inFIGS.1and2. In the deployed configuration, arms20are angularly disposed approximately 135-degrees relative to guide rod12in preparation of capturing the fish as the apparatus slides down the line. The arms move to the capture configuration when guide rod12makes contact with the fish thereby causing the arms to swing toward the fish allowing the nets to entangle the fish as more fully discussed herein below. In the capture configuration arms20are angularly disposed approximately 170-degrees to capture the fish. The positions discussed above are exemplary and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Each arm20receives a pre-rolled net tube, generally referenced as30, rotatably disposed thereon and prevented from axial removal by a T-lock mechanism22. Each net tube30includes a cylindrical main body32, and upper and lower net sections, referenced as34and38respectively, connected thereto. Net sections34and38are configurable between a rolled configuration wherein the net sections wrapped around main body32as seen inFIGS.1and2, and a deployed configuration wherein the net sections are unfurled as best illustrated inFIGS.6and7. Upper and lower net sections34and38are initially disposed on the main body32of net tube30in a rolled configuration as seen inFIGS.1and2.

Upper net section34has a lower edge connected to main body32and an upper edge having at least one floatation device36affixed thereto. Lower net section38has an upper edge connected to main body32and a plurality of weights39connected thereto. Flotation devices36and weights39function to enable deployment thereof. In one embodiment the net sections are fabricated from substantially transparent material such that it is not easily observed as it approaches the fish thereby preventing the fish from taking evasive maneuvers to avoid coming into contact therewith.

FIGS.7-9illustrate use of fish landing net apparatus. Upon hooking a fish, landing net apparatus10is connected to the fishing line beyond the tip of the rod by sliding the fishing line, referenced as “L” between guide rod12and quick-connect clips14whereby the apparatus is slidably connected to fishing line “L”. Fish landing net apparatus10is deployed by placing the apparatus in the water where drag generated by water flowing past the apparatus as the fishing boat moves forward causes the pair of opposing swing out arms20having the net tubes30disposed thereon to convert from the stowed configuration “S” to the deployed configuration “D” as illustrated inFIG.7. In addition, the upper nets34unfurl due to the buoyant force generated by flotation devices36, and the and lower nets38unfurl due to the sinking force generated by weights39. Once unfurled, nets34and38form wing-like structures. Drag causes the deployed fish landing net apparatus to travel down the fishing line until it reaches the end whereafter the increased drag forces cause the arms to move from the deployed position “D” to the capture position “C” where the top and bottom nets wrap around the fish thereby significantly diminishing its ability to thrash about so as to make it much easier to land the fish on a sport fishing vessel.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.