Patent Application
20110162256
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a catcher for catching crabs, shrimps or the like and more particularly, to a catcher that has a net cover housing a flexible frame that is deformable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional trap for catching crabs, shrimps or the like is usually formed of a rigid cage and a net covering the cage. An accommodation in which baits can be provided is defined between the cage and the net for trapping crabs, shrimps or the like. Crabs, shrimps or the like crawl into the accommodation from doors provided at the net after the bait, are trapped. Since the cage of the aforesaid trap is an unfoldable rigid body, the conventional trap has disadvantages of occupying much stowage space and inconvenience in transportation.
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-noted circumstances. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a catcher for catching crabs, shrimps or the like, which occupies less stowage space and is portable conveniently.
To achieve the objective of the present invention, a catcher for catching crabs, shrimps or the like comprises a flexible frame deformable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, and a net cover housing the flexible frame and having an inlet tunnel with a cross-section area inwardly and gradually decreased. When the flexible frame stays at the extended configuration, the net cover is supported by the flexible in such a manner that an accommodation in which baits can be provided is formed inside the net cover. Because the flexible frame provided by the catcher of the present invention is retractable, the catcher of the present invention can be set in the retracted configuration, such that it occupies less space when it needs to be stowed and/or transported.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a catcher for catching crabs, shrimps or the like that a user can easily remove the taking out from catcher. According to this aspect, the net cover is provided with a sealable and openable access for conveniently taking out the trapped crabs, shrimps or the like therefrom.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the catcher of the present invention may further comprises a ring tab mounted to the flexible frame or the net cover, such that a number of catchers of the present invention can be simultaneously hung on a single rope by means of the ring tabs thereof for undergoing a mass catch.
Preferably, the catcher of the present invention may comprise a retainer for holding the catcher in the retracted configuration.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
The flexible frame 11 is made of a metal wire and shaped like a spring coil, such that the flexible frame 11 is deformable between an extended configuration as shown in
The net cover 13 houses the flexible frame 11 and is provided therein with an accommodation 131 in which baits can be provided when the net cover 13 is fully extended by the flexible frame 11 that stays at the extended configuration, as shown in
The zipper 15 is provided at the top periphery of the net cover 13, i.e. at the place where the net cover 13 contacts the top end edge of the flexible frame 11, such that a sealable and openable access 137 is formed at the top periphery of the net cover 13 for enabling the user to conveniently take out the crabs, shrimps or the like that crawl into the accommodation 131 of the net cover 13 from the inlet tunnels 135 and then are trapped inside the net cover 13.
The ring tab 17 is metal made, having a mount 171 mounted to the top end edge 111 of the flexible frame 11, and a ring 173 connected with the mount 171 for insertion of a rope or the like for hanging the catcher 10.
The two retainer 19 each have an end pivotally connected with the bottom end edge 113 of the flexible frame 11 and a hook portion opposite to the pivotally-connected end and hookable on the top end edge 111 of the flexible frame 11 for holding the flexible frame 11 in the retracted configuration, as shown in
It is to be noted that the retainer is embodied as, but not limited to, a hook as described above and shown in the drawings. For example, the retainer can be realized using a tying strip or the like. In addition, the number of the retainer is not limited too. One or more retainers can be used for holding the flexible frame in the retracted configuration.
As described above, because the flexible frame provided by the catcher of the present invention is retractable and extendable and can be held in the retracted configuration by the retainers, the catcher of the present invention has the advantages of occupying less stowage space and convenience in transportation, compared to the trap of prior art. In addition, the catcher is provided with a sealable and openable access for conveniently taking out the trapped crabs, shrimps or the like therefrom. Further, the ring tab enables the catcher to be hung on a rope, such that a number of catchers of the present invention can be simultaneously hung on a single rope for a mass catch.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
