Patent Application
20210368756
This application claims priority to a U.S. Design patent application No. 29/735,953, titled “BAIT NET CASTING DEVICE DESIGN, with Attorney Docket No. HAJKOOlUSD, filed May 26, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention generally relates to catching sea species. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bait net casting device for catching sea species.
It is known that bait nets or cast nets are commonly used in the fishing industry to catch sea species such as baitfish, shrimp, etc. The bait nets are used by fishermen wading into a body of water, standing on a shore, or from a boat. Conventional bait nets include a net having a round circumference when it is thrown. The net includes a weighted line or lead line disposed at the periphery of the net. The lead line receives weights circumferentially spaced in relation to another at the end. The lead line together with the weights cause the net to sink in the water. Further, the net includes a large number of drawstrings, often called as brails or braille lines. The drawstrings extend diametrically across the net in which one end attach to the lead line and other end attach at the center of the net. The center of net then connects to a rope that the user holds or connects to a variety of devices to cast the net.
The conventional bait nets present several problems. For example, the drawstrings get tangled easily in the net and prevent the net from fully extending during use. Further, if a drawstring breaks, then it takes considerable time to replace the drawstring.
Several attempts have been made in the past to address the above problem. Once such an example is disclosed in a granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,724, entitled, “Fish Landing Net Apparatus” (“the '724 patent”). The '724 discloses a fish landing net apparatus for facilitating landing of a fish without losing the net. The fish landing net apparatus includes a housing having a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall defines an interior space. The housing is designed for securing to the user. A reel assembly is positioned within the interior space of the housing. A cable member extends from the housing. The cable member is coupled to the reel assembly whereby the reel assembly is for winding the cable member back into the interior space of the housing when the cable member has been extended from the housing. A landing member is coupled to the cable member opposite the reel assembly. The reel assembly draws the landing member back towards the housing when the user releases the landing member. The landing member is designed for facilitating retrieval of the fish when the user has reeled in the fish.
Another example is disclosed in a United States Publication No. 20050039372, entitled “Cast Net with Elastic Wrist Cuff” (“the '372 Publication”). The '372 Publication discloses a cast net having a circular net portion the circumference of which is defined by a lead line. The cast net having a throw line one end of which is attached to the center of the net portion. The other end of the throw line comprises a flexible cuff which is adapted to be slipped over a human hand and engages a human wrist. The flexible cuff allows the throw line to disengage the human wrist by slipping over the hand. This disengagement can be effected simply and quickly in an emergency situation. The flexible cuff further adds a degree of comfort to the throwing process as it does not bind the wrist of the user.
Yet another example is disclosed in a Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013208070, entitled “Handle with Winding Mechanism and Sweetfish Scooping Net” (“the '070 Publication”). The '070 Publication discloses a tool including a handle serving as a grip for a worker to a working functional part and a winding mechanism fixed to the handle, wherein the winding mechanism is a handle with a winding mechanism, which can draw and take up the string. Further, the tool includes a sheath body having an internal space for storing the handle, wherein the end of the string drawn out from the winding mechanism is fixed to the sheath body. When the tool is a sweetfish scooping net, preferably the sheath body has a mesh structure.
Yet another example is disclosed in a granted U.S. Pat. No. 8,272,158, entitled, “Fishing Net Release Device” (“the '158 patent”). The '158 patent discloses a device that assists in the holding and releasing of a cast net when thrown for fishing. The device replaces the traditional practice of holding the edge of a casting net in a fisherman's mouth while throwing. The device is made of a section of synthetic cord wherein each end of the cord is attached to the outward leg of a clip mechanism, thus forming a loop configuration. The loop is then placed around the fisherman's neck with the clip mechanism hanging in a downward configuration. The cast net is then prepared to throw but instead of placing the edge of the net in the mouth, it is secured within the jaws of the clip. The net is then cast and as the net travels away from the fisherman, it pulls away from the clip resulting in a perfect cast.
Although the above-discussed devices present different ways to overcome the problems associated with the drawstrings, they have few problems. For example, the devices are directly connected to the user or fisherman. As such, they limit the user from throwing the net at a faraway distance. Further, they are difficult to install and uninstall. Furthermore, they are not easy to carry around.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a bait net casting device for catching sea species, the bait net casting device that suspends from the user and is easy to operate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bait net casting device that avoids the drawback of known devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bait net casting device that connects to a user easily and allows him/her to cast the net.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bait net casting device that connects to the user's waist belt and includes a retractable cord connecting the net.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bait net casting device that is free from tangling of ropes and provides an easy way to cast the net.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bait net casting device that connects to the user around his waist and allows the user to use both hands to throw the net farther and more accurately.
In order to achieve one or more objects, the present invention provides a bait net casting device for catching sea species. The bait net casting device includes a housing having a reel with a retractable tension cord. The housing includes an opening at the top and forms a handle for holding the bait net casting device when not in use.
The housing includes a curved extended section having a hole facing downwards. The cord extends from the housing through the hole. The cord connects to cables via a connector. The cables connect to connecting rings. The connecting rings connect to line strands that connect to a disk. The line strands draw through a line coupler. The disk includes apertures for receiving a net. The net includes a lead line at its circumference. The lead line includes weights circumferentially spaced in relation to another.
A user draws a belt through the opening to connect and suspend the housing from the belt. Alternatively, the user draws any other object through the opening at the housing to connect the housing to any structure. The net casts pulling the cord from the reel. Further, the cord retracts into the housing pulling back and closing the net.
The user stands on a shore, wades into a body of the water or stands on a boat for using the bait net casting device. The user grasps the net along the lead line with one hand and holds the disk with the other hand. The user twists to generate momentum to throw the net into the water. The user rotates in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction such that the motion opens the net wide open in a plane just above and parallel to the surface of water before falling into the water. Here, the cord extends from the reel and increases its length allowing the user to throw the net at a distance from him/her. Upon throwing the net, the weights force the net to fall through the water until the net reaches desired depth. Subsequently, the user pulls the cord towards him/her to harvest the sea species. Pulling the cord causes the cables, the line strands, the line coupler and the net to follow. Here, the cord, the cables, and the line strands act as a throw line in a typical bait net casting device. As the user pulls the cord, the net and/or the weights close, preventing the sea species from escaping the net.
After completion of catching the sea species, the reel causes the cord to retrieve into the housing where the cord winds up the reel due to tension and brings the bait net casting device to its default position.
In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the bait net casting device connects to the user's waist at all times. As such, the bait net casting device cannot be lost while wading in shallow water or in a boat.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the bait net casting device allows the user to hold the net with both hands without having to worry about it slipping away or falling off the boat. This allows the user to use full body motion and throw the net much farther and more accurately.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the bait net casting device can be deployed instantly to cast the net without having to worry about losing it in the process thereby reducing the time taken from spotting the sea species to catching them. The bait net casting device is foldable and allows for easy storage and transport.
Features and advantages of the invention hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. As will be realised, the invention disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
Before the present features and working principle of a bait net casting device is described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular system as described, since it may vary within the specification indicated. Various features of a bait net casting device might be provided by introducing variations within the components/subcomponents disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which will be limited only by the appended claims. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
It should be understood that the present invention describes a bait net casting device for catching sea species. The bait net casting device includes a housing having a reel with a retractable tension cord. The housing includes an opening at the top and forms a handle for holding the bait net casting device when not in use. The bait net casting device includes line strands connecting the cord via connecting rings at one end and a disk at another end. The bait net casting device includes a line coupler drawn through the line strands. The line coupler travels along the length of the line strands. The bait net casting device includes a net connecting the disk. The net includes a lead line at its circumference. The lead line includes weights circumferentially spaced in relation to another. A user draws a belt through the opening to connect and suspend the housing from the belt. The net casts pulling the cord from the reel. Further, the cord retracts into the housing pulling back and closing the net.
Various features and embodiments of the bait net casting device for catching sea species are explained in conjunction with the description of
The present invention discloses a bait net casting device for catching sea species.
Referring to
Bait net casting device 12 presents actuator 32. In one embodiment, bait net casting device 12 provides extended section 34 extending from walls of housing 22, as shown in
Further, cord 38 connects to connector 40. Connector 40 receives cord 38 at one end and connects to cables 42. In one example, cables 42 help to release or ease the tension formed on cord 38 during its use. Cables 42 connect to connecting rings or fastening means 44, as shown in
Disk 50 provides a material made of plastic or treated metal. Disk 50 is made of a durable material that is resistant to water-induced corrosion. Disk 50 comes in a flat or tubular configuration. Disk 50 includes apertures (not shown) for receiving net 52 using a variety of connecting mechanisms. In one example, the uppermost end of net 52 draws through the apertures at disk 50 and a knot is tied to secure net 52 to disk 50. Here, disk 50 locates centrally with respect to net 52 and serves as an attachment point for net 52. A person skilled in the art understands that net 52 releasably connects to disk 50. Net 52 comes with different mesh sizes depending on the need. For example, net 52 has a mesh size such as ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, ½ inch, and ⅝ inch to prevent escape of the captured sea species such as fish, shrimps, etc. Net 52 presents lead line 54. Lead line 54 indicates a rope that extends around the perimeter edge of net 52. Further, lead line 54 includes weights 56. Weights 56 come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the need. Weights 56 position at equal or varied distance from one another depending on the need. When bait net casting device 12 is thrown in water 20, weights 56 help to sink lead line 54 portion of net 52 faster than disk 50 portion of net 52. In one example, user 14 adjusts the weight and size of weights 56 at one side/edge of net 52 to sink net 52 faster at that side.
Now, referring to
Upon throwing net 52, weights 56 force net 52 to fall through the water 20 until net 52 reaches desired depth. User 14 leaves net 52 in water 20 for desired time period to catch sea species such as fish, shrimps, etc. Once ready, user 14 pulls cord 38 towards him to harvest the sea species, as shown in
After use, user 14 removes belt 16 through opening 28 to separate housing 22. Subsequently, user 14 folds net 52, cables 42, and line strands 46 for easy storage and transport.
Based on the above, it is evident that the presently disclosed bait net casting device provides an opening to connect the housing having a retractable cord to the user's waist belt. The cord easily extends and retracts into the housing thereby allowing the user to operate with minimum space. The bait net casting device connects to the user around his waist and allows the user to use both hands to throw the net farther and more accurately. Further, the bait net casting device is free from tangling of ropes and provides an easy way to cast the net. The bait net casting device can be deployed instantly to cast the net without having to worry about losing it in the process thereby reducing the time taken from spotting the sea species to catching them.
A person skilled in the art appreciates that the bait net casting device may come in a variety of sizes depending on the need and comfort of the patient. Further, the user selects the size of the bait net casting device depending on the need. Further, different materials in addition to or instead of materials described herein may also be used and such implementations may be construed to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed bait net casting device.
In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and invention disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29735953 | May 2020 | US |
| Child | 17384122 | US |
