Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/595,567, filed Jul. 15, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to fish scalers, and more particularly to a hand held fish scaler that is connected to a water source. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Fishing is a pastime widely enjoyed by many individuals; however, cleaning fish is often an unpleasant task. Removal of scales in particular is a time consuming and messy operation that requires the surface of a fish to be scraped with a scraping element many times in order to remove all of the scales and grime on the fish. As the scales and grime are removed, they tend to collect on the scraping element thereby obstructing it and rendering the scraping element ineffectual. This requires a user to rinse the scraping element with water to remove the scales and grime. Often a scraping element must be rinsed several times during the cleaning of a single fish, greatly adding to the time and effort required for fish cleaning. In addition, upon completion of scale removal the area must be cleaned up and the scales disposed of. 
   Various fish scraping devices are known that incorporate a continuous flow of water directed at or on the scraping element such that it is continuously rinsed. These devices have a tube connected to a pressurized water source and one or more tube outlets that permit water to flow over the scraping element. Examples of such devices are disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,086 to Sexton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,452 to Adcock et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,765 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,850 to Altman et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,079 to Chartrand. These devices, however, do not satisfactorily solve the above problems. Many of these devices have water outlets that are close to the scraping element and thus as scales are removed the water outlets can become increasing clogged with fish scales and grime such that little or no water can flow over the scraping element. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A fish scaler according to the present invention comprises a body having a forward scraping portion and a rearward handle portion formed continuously with one another and having a contiguous underside, a plurality of downwardly-depending teeth provided on each lateral side of the forward scraping portion, a grip area provided on the rearward handle portion for a user and a nozzle adapted to be fluidly connected to a source of pressurized water, the nozzle being located longitudinally rearwardly of the grip area. 
   According to one aspect of the invention, the forward scraping portion can have at least one grip aperture formed therein located between the teeth. The at least one grip aperture can comprise a pair of longitudinally-spaced apertures for gripping by users having differently-shaped hands or comfort positions. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, an outermost surface of the forward scraping portion can have an inwardly-extending recess which allows the user to maneuver the scraper around fins on the fish being scaled. The recess can be U-shaped and extend toward the rearward handle portion. 
   According to yet another aspect of the invention, the body can be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis to have utility for either a right-handed or a left-handed user. 
   According to still another aspect of the invention, the fish scaler can further comprise a tube interconnected with the nozzle that is adapted to be connected with a conventional source of pressurized water. The fish scaler can still further comprise an adapter fluidly interconnected at an opposite end of the tube for adapting the tube for connection to the conventional source of pressurized water. The fish scaler can still further comprise a connector having an adjustable valve for controlling the flow rate of water through the connector and into the tube. The adjustable valve can include a knob for adjustment of the adjustable valve by a user. The fish scaler can further comprise a glove wearable by a user for facilitating grasping the fish being scaled. The glove can comprise a gripping pattern on an exterior surface thereof. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, the nozzle can be directed along the underside surface of the body to direct pressurized water exiting the nozzle along the underside of the body toward the teeth on either side of the body, whereby the pressurized water cleans the teeth as the user performs a scraping action on the fish being cleaned. The nozzle can be located at a remote distance from the teeth, whereby debris from a scraping action performed by a user does not tend to clog the nozzle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a fish scaler assembly according to the present invention comprising a fish scraper, a tube, a coupling, an adapter, and a glove. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the fish scaler assembly from  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the scraper from  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the scraper from  FIG. 3  illustrating the attachment of a nozzle. 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the coupling from  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating different positions of a knob on the coupling. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective illustration of the fish scaler assembly from  FIG. 1  connected to a water source and being used to scale a fish. 
       FIG. 7   a  is a top perspective view of the scraper from  FIG. 6  illustrating the flow of water over the scraper. 
       FIG. 7   b  is a bottom perspective view of the scraper from  FIG. 6  illustrating the flow of water over the scraper. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the figures and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a fish scaler assembly  10  is illustrated comprising a fish scraper  20 , a tube  50 , a coupling  60 , an adapter  70 , and a glove  80 . It will be understood that the components of the fish scaler assembly  10  shown in the drawings are but specific examples of any of a number of suitable components which could also be used without departing from the scope of this invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the scraper  20  has an upper surface  20 A and a lower surface  20   b  which define a handle  22  and a scraping portion  24 , preferably continuously formed with one another. The scraper  20  is made of a lightweight material and can weigh only a few ounces, such as 2.5 ounces in the example shown in the drawings, which makes use of the scraper  20  easy on the user. The scraper  20  is preferably symmetrical about a longitudinal axis so that it has equal utility for a right- or left-handed user. 
   A recess  26  is formed at a forward end of the scraping portion  24 , preferably generally U-shaped and extending inwardly from the forward end thereof, such that two curved arms  28  are formed. The recess  26  allows the scraper  20  to be maneuvered around some of the harder-to-access areas of the surface to be scraped, for example, around the fins of the fish. 
   An ergonomically-shaped grip area  29  is provided on the handle  22  and can comprise a narrowed or inwardly-curved portion of the handle that the user may comfortably grip. The grip area  29  can also have a shape corresponding to the shape of a hand, such as integrally formed impressions for the thumb and fingers. 
   A peripheral flange  30  depends from the upper surface  20 A of both the handle  22  and the scraping portion  24  whereby it extends substantially around the perimeter of the scraper  20 , terminating at the forward recess  26  to define scraping edges at outer terminal edges of the forward end. The flange  30  has a generally smooth lower edge adjacent to the lower surface  20   b  of the handle  22 , and preferably has a serrated edge  32  adjacent to the lower surface  20   b  of the scraping portion  24  and extends forwardly to the ends of the arms  28 . The serrated edge  32  comprises a plurality of serrations or teeth  33  that are contacted with and scraped across the surface of a fish to be cleaned to remove scales, grime, and other debris therefrom. 
   In addition to the grip area, the scraper  20  can be provided with one or more apertures that allows users having differently-shaped hands to comfortably grip the scraper  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, a circular aperture  34  and a generally triangular aperture  36  are formed in the upper surface  20 A of the scraper  20 , generally in a central area of the upper surface  20 A, intermediate the ends thereof, and wherein the circular aperture  34  is located generally rearwardly of the triangular aperture  36 , both located along a longitudinal axis of the scraper  20 . The apertures  34 ,  36  are provided as an optional holding place for the user to grip the scraper  20 . The user&#39;s finger can be inserted through either of the apertures  34 ,  36  to achieve a comfortable grip on the scraper  20 . As can be seen in the drawings, the apertures  34 ,  36  are located generally forwardly of the handle  22  of the scraper  20 , in an ergonomically-comfortable location for the fingers of most users of the scraper. The longitudinal spacing of the apertures  34 ,  36  enables users having differently-sized hands to operate the scraper  20  in relative comfort. 
   A U-shaped slot  38  is formed in the flange  30  at the end of the handle  22 . Preferably, the slot  38  begins at a lower edge of the depending flange  30 , generally at a rearward end of the handle  22  and aligned with a longitudinal axis of the scraper  22 . The slot  38  opens in a generally U-shaped manner toward the upper surface  20 A of the handle  22  and terminates slightly prior to reaching the upper surface  20 A. 
   A pair of juxtaposed openings  40 ,  42  are formed in the upper surface  20 A of the handle  22 , which material making up the openings  40 ,  42  are formed downwardly through the upper surface  20 A to form opposed arms  40 A,  42 A. The arms  40 A,  42 A are preferably formed in an opposed relationship and each comprise a generally L-shaped depending flange cooperating to form a channel with, and longitudinally aligned with, the slot  38  in the flange  30 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the scraper assembly  10  also comprises a nozzle  44  comprising a first end  46  with an outlet  46 A and a second end  48  with an inlet  48 A. The outlet  46 A preferably defines a suitable configuration for the pressurized egress of water therefrom when a supply of pressurized water is supplied to the inlet  48 A. The second end  48  preferably has a series of ridges  49  thereon, adapted to receive an end of a tube, such as tube  50  described herein, in a press-fit fashion. Alternatively, the second end  48  can be fit with any suitable adapter, such as a compression clamp or threaded fitting, to make it suitable to fluidly interconnect with a pressurized water supply. 
   The tube  50  is preferably made from a flexible plastic but can be made of any suitable material. The function of the tube is simply to carry water to the inlet  48 A of the nozzle  44 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the coupling  60 , shown by example in the figures, comprises a hollow body  62  with a first end  64  that is threaded internally for attachment to a pressurized water source, such as a standard outdoor hose or spigot and a second outwardly threaded end  66  that is attached to the adapter  70 . A valve (not shown) is contained within the body  62  to control the flow of water through the coupling  60 . A knob  68  is preferably provided on the outside of the body  62  and is operably coupled to the valve such that turning the knob  68  in one direction causes the valve to open and allow water to flow through the coupling, and turning the knob  68  in the opposite direction causes the valve to close and stops the flow of water through the coupling  60 . The coupling  60 , including the body  62 , valve, and knob  68 , is preferably made of a suitable plastic material, i.e., being sufficiently rigid to withstand numerous cyclic operations and the pressures of the fluid contained therein. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , for ease of operation, the knob  68  can have a quarter-turn or a ninety degree range of motion such that when the knob  68  is in a horizontal position (Position  1 ) the valve is closed. By turning the knob  68  clockwise to a vertical position (Position  2 ) the valve is open. The volume of water flowing through the coupling  60  can be adjusted by turning the knob  68  to any position, for example to roughly 45 degrees (Position  3 ) between the horizontal position and the vertical position such that water is flowing through the coupling  60 , but not at a maximum volume. Other types of valves and modes of actuation can be employed without departing from the scope of this invention, and the substitution of other types of valves would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Markings can preferably be provided on the knob  68  that identifies the direction to rotate the knob  68  to turn the water “ON” and “OFF”. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the adapter  70  comprises a connector  72  with an inner thread that is sized to fit the second outwardly threaded end  66  on the coupling  60 . The adapter  70  further comprises a nozzle  74  that extends from the center of the connector  72 . The nozzle  74  preferably has a series of ridges  76  thereon, adapted to receive an end of the tube  50  in a press-fit fashion. Alternatively, the nozzle  74  can be fit with any suitable adapter, such as a compression clamp or threaded fitting, to make it suitable to fluidly interconnect with a pressurized water supply. 
   The glove  80  is a common knit glove with a gripping pattern  82  adhered to both sides of the glove  80 . The gripping pattern  82  allows the user to securely hold a fish without the danger of it slipping. The glove  80  can be worn on the non-scraping hand of the user to grip to fish and is patterned on both sides so that it can be worn on either the left or right hand of the user. The universal/generic glove  80 , in combination with the substantially symmetrical scraper  20  allows the fish scaler assembly  10  to be used by a left- or right-handed user. 
   The assembly of the fish scraper assembly  10  will now be described with respect to the drawings in general. The nozzle  44  is attached to the scraper  20  by placing the nozzle  44  into the U-shaped slot  38  and wrapping the arms  40 A and  42 A around the first end so that the arms  40 A,  42 A form a clamp around a portion of the nozzle  44 . The nozzle  44  is preferably arranged within the arms  40 A,  42 A when attached to the scraper  20  such that the outlet  46 A is directed along the lower surface  20   b  of the scraper  20 . The tube  50  is attached at a first end  50 A to the inlet  48 A of the nozzle  44  and at a second end  50 B to nozzle  74  on the adapter  70  which, in turn, has been attached, such as by threading on, to the end  66  of the coupling  60 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the utilization of the fish scaler assembly  10  to clean a fish  100  will now be described. First, the end  64  of the coupling  60  is attached to a water source  90 , such as an outdoor hose, spigot, or hydrant. The exemplary illustrated water source  90  is a spigot, such as is commonly located on the exterior of a house. Then, the water source  90  is turned on using a water source control  92 , allowing water to flow into the coupling. The flow of water through the assembly  10  can be adjusted to a desired volume by the knob  68 . This can also be done using the water source control  92  or a by combination of both the knob  68  and the water source control  92 . Next, the user dons the glove  80 , for example on his or her non-dominant hand and grips a fish  100  to be scaled with their gloved hand. The scraper  20  is held in their non-gloved hand, for example his or her dominant hand, such that a comfortable grip is achieved using any combination of the handle  22  and apertures  34 ,  36 . Then, the user runs the scraping portion  24  over the fish  100 , preferably in a direction opposite of the direction of scale growth, so that the serrated edges  32  remove the scales. In other words, the user preferably scrapes in a generally tail-to-head fashion on the fish  100 . The scraper  20  can be maneuvered around the fins of the fish  100  as needed using the recess  26 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , as water exits from the nozzle outlet  46 A, it will flow along the lower surface  20   b  of the scraper  20 . Immediately after it exits the nozzle  44 , it will flow in a generally narrow path along handle  22  and then along a wider path along the scraping portion  24 , where it will impinge on the serrated edges  32  where accumulation of scales and grime typically occurs. The continuous impingement of water on these edges  32  keeps the scraper  20  clean and free from debris accumulation. Also, since the nozzle outlet  46 A is far from the scraping portion  24 , it will not become clogged with debris from the fish  100 . After the fish  100  has been scaled, the spray of water from the assembly  10  can be used to rinse other things, for example, the surrounding area, other fishing equipment, the user&#39;s hands and the like. 
   The fish scaler assembly  10  presents several advantages and improvements over other fish scalers. The assembly  10  removes fish scales in a cleaner and more time efficient manner. The elements of the assembly  10 , for example, the scraper  20 , do not become clogged with fish scales or other debris and do not require interruption of the scale removal process to unclog the assembly  10 . The assembly  10  also reduces the time needed for clean-up after scale removal since the water flow can easily be directed to the users hands, other equipment and the surrounding area. Elements of the assembly  10 , such as the scraper  20  and glove  80 , are symmetrically designed so that a right- or left-handed user can employ the assembly  10 . In addition to the symmetrical design, the apertures  34 ,  36  provide alternate ways of holding the scraper  20  so that a user can achieve a comfortable grip. The adapter  70  and tube  50  allow the scraper  20  to be fluidly coupled with any standard water source, for example an outdoor hose or spigot. The outlet  46 A of the nozzle  44  directs water across the bottom surface  20 B of the scraper  20  such that the scraping portion  24  and serrated edges  32  are kept clean and free from scales and grime. The outlet  46 A is positioned at a distance from the scraping portion  24  so that the outlet  46 A will not become clogged with scales or grime. 
   While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

Technology Category: 1