Patent Application
20080257279
The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to a device for handling reptiles and more particularly relates to a strong, lightweight hook for handling various snakes including large snakes and venomous snakes.
Referring to
Some embodiments of snake hooks in the prior art include integral hook and shaft portions 12, 14 that are made from 3/16 inch metal rod. One such integral snake hook is available from Tomahawk Live Trap and is about 47 inches in length. Animal Care Equipment & Services, Inc. similarly has an integral rod snake hook that is about 4-ft. long and has a jaw opening of about 2-inches. The longer snake hooks with wider jaw openings are recommended for restraining and lifting large, heavy-bodied snakes, such as constrictors or pythons.
Referring to
The larger snake hooks are used to handle large body snakes, such as boa constrictors, pythons, etc. However, aluminum hook portions are not typically intended for supporting heavy-bodied snakes, and steel or titanium is used instead. When handling large snakes, handlers may use two larger snake hooks at the same time to pick up and move the snake. Because neonate or newborn snakes can still be venomous, use of a hook is still beneficial in handling these snakes. When used on neonates, however, the metal hooks known in the art can puncture the skin of the snake or can crush these snakes. By way of example, boa constrictors in captivity can exceed a weight of 60 pounds but usually they will not exceed 30 pounds as adults. Boa constrictors can be a length of about 6 to 10-ft. Pythons, such as an Indian python, can be about 12-ft. in length. A typical adult Indian python weighs between 70-120 pounds. The Burmese variety of python tends to be longer and heavier.
One large body venomous snake is the Gaboon Viper, which lives on the rain forest floor in the equatorial belt of Tropical Africa. The Gaboon Viper is poisonous and deadly, and its venomous bite can kill a human within 15 minutes. Gaboon Vipers can reach an average length of 1.2 meters, but they have been found as long as 2.2 meters. These animals will weigh about 7 to 10 kg. The average size of an adult is about 4 to 5 feet, being the largest viper in Africa attaining weights of over 20 kg.
When handling a larger body venomous snake, the snake hook is preferably long. Furthermore, two snake hooks are preferably used. Therefore, it is important that the hook is strong but lightweight, because the snake may itself be heavy and the ability to lift and move the snake is made more difficult by the longer length of the snake hook. In addition, the Gaboon Viper has substantially delicate ribs, which can be separated by about ¼-inches. When the Viper rests on the thin hook, the underside of the snake's body folds in a V-shape over the hook. Because of the small area of the thin hook when the snake folds over the hook, the weight of the snake will cause the vertebrae or rib to break at the point it folds on the metal hook. Thus, using conventional snake hooks formed from thin rods or flat metal plates may harm the Gaboon Viper. Furthermore, a Gaboon Viper that rests uncomfortably on a thin metal hook of the prior art will be harder to handle as the snake attempts to remove itself onto the shaft portion, which is undesirable for the handler. Therefore, a need exists for a strong and lightweight snake hook that has a broader base can be used with large venomous snakes, such as the Gaboon Viper, without injuring the vertebrae or ribs of the snake. In addition, a need exists for a strong and lightweight snake hook that is easier to handle and makes the lightweight hook more useful than the heavier metal counterparts explained above.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
This disclosure relates to a polycarbonate hook for handling snakes, which provides improved safety to both the snake being handled and to the individual handling the snake. A lightweight snake hook for handling a snake includes a shaft portion and a hook portion. The hook portion is attached to a distal end of the shaft portion. In one embodiment, for example, the shaft portion can be a hollow rod of aluminum or fiberglass, and an end of the hook portion can be attached to the hollow end with an epoxy. The hook portion has a profile for supporting the snake. The profile can be U-shaped or a ‘recurve,” S-shaped, or rectilinear. The hook portion is formed from a substantially cylindrical rod of polycarbonate bent into the profile. Preferably, solid Lexan™ polycarbonate from GE is used. The substantially cylindrical rod of polycarbonate has a diameter of about 0.5 to 1-inch. The hook portion has a jaw opening of approximately 0.5 to 3.5-inches. The polycarbonate hook portion is lightweight and strong and allows a handler to use the hook on long shafts and with large bodied snakes without adding substantial weight. Particularly indoors, cold-blooded snakes are prone to “jump” off prior art hooks or to slide up the shaft of the device towards a handler because they are uncomfortable on the cold metal hook. The polycarbonate hook provided herein has a thermal conductivity within a specific range providing a more natural “feel” to the snake. As such, the snake is inclined to wrap around the polycarbonate hook, like it would wrap around a tree branch, as opposed to sliding up the hook or attempting to jump off the hook. It can be seen when dealing with a large or venomous snake, the handlers safety is greatly increased when the snake rests comfortably on the end of the hook as opposed to sliding towards the handler or otherwise attempting to leave the hook.
The polycarbonate hook described herein provides several advantages to the wellbeing of the snake being handled. For instance, the hook portion can have a larger diameter providing a broad base or resting area for the snake without adding substantial weight to the snake hook. The broad base is beneficial for snakes having delicate ribs, such as the Gaboon Viper. Venomous neonates or smaller snakes are sometimes pinned or restrained so they can be handled safely. The polycarbonate hook, as well as other designs within the contemplated range of thermal conductivity, provides a softer or more forgiving surface for pinning neonates and smaller snakes. The increased elasticity of this material is strong enough to pin a snake down, but decreases the likelihood of injury to the snake. The polycarbonate hook described herein can be used to handle a number of reptiles such as smaller komodo dragons, crocodiles and alligators. These reptiles, including snakes, are less likely to shatter teeth or fangs on the plastic hook than on the convention metal hooks.
The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.
The foregoing summary, preferred embodiments, and other aspects of subject matter of the present disclosure will be best understood with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the disclosed snake hook is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. The figures and written description are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts in any manner. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person skilled in the art by reference to particular embodiments.
Referring to
Preferably, the hook portion 52 is composed of polycarbonate and more preferably solid, Lexan® polycarbonate. As is known, polycarbonate is a lightweight plastic used in a variety of industries. Preferably, the disclosed hook portion 52 is formed from a preformed rod of extruded polycarbonate. The rod is substantially cylindrical and can have a cylindrical, hexagonal, or square cross-section. In addition, the rod can be flattened or oval in cross-section to provide additional resting area when formed in to the hook portion 52. To form the disclosed hook portion 52, a suitable length of polycarbonate rod is heated in an industrial oven at about 320-degrees Fahrenheit. The polycarbonate rod must be heated in step fashion for a number of days to insure the quality of the polycarbonate. Once sufficiently heated, the rod is bent into its desired shape using forms and allowed to cool and harden to maintain the desired shape. Of course, other techniques for forming the disclosed hook portion can be used, such as injection molding.
In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 54 is hollow and can be composed of fiberglass, graphite, acrylic, polycarbonate, aluminum or other metal, or other strong material. The shaft portion 54 can be any desirable length. However, the shaft portion 54 is preferably about 24-inches to even 50-inches in length for use with large bodied poisonous snakes, such as Gaboon Vipers and the like. The shaft portion 54 can include extensions (not shown) for supporting the snakes at different distances from the handle.
An end (not shown) of the hook portion 52 fits within a distal end 55 of the shaft portion 54 and is attached thereto. Because the snake hook or rod 50 is used to support large bodied snakes, which can weigh up to 200-lbs. or more, the attachment at the distal end 55 of the shaft portion 54 is preferably robust. Preferably, an epoxy or glue, to attach the hook portion 52 to the shaft portion 54. However, other techniques known in the art can be used, such as a bolt and nut passing through the ends of the hook 52 and shaft 54 portions or by crimping the distal end 55 of the shaft portion 54 on the end of the hook portion 52. Additionally, the connection of the hook portion 52 to the shaft portion 54 can be covered with heat shrink, electrical tape, or some other type of tape to ensure the distal end 55 of the shaft portion 54 does not splinter. Such splinters could potentially cause injures to snakes engaged on the hook.
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As discussed in the background section of the present disclosure, snake hooks in the prior art have hook portions made of aluminum, steel, and titanium, and these metal hooks are formed from metal rods having ⅜-inch diameter. Such a thin rod for the hook portion can be undesirable for use with some snakes, such as neonates or the Gaboon Viper due to their ribs. In addition, large bodied snakes weighing as much as 200-lbs. need a hook with a broad base, which the thin rod of the prior art hooks do not provide. As also noted above, the metal hooks in the prior art are also formed from flat metal, which can have a thickness of about 3/16-inch. These flat metal hooks can also be undesirable for use with some snakes, such as neonates or the Gaboon Viper due to their ribs.
In contrast, the rod forming the hook portion 52 of the present invention has a diameter of about ¼-inch to 3-inches for the hook portion 52. The diameter of the hook portion 52 as well as the length of the shaft 54 may be selected based on the size and nature of the snake to be handled. The larger diameter polycarbonate rod provides a broad base or resting area on the hook portion 52 for supporting large bodied snakes and overcomes the undesired effects of the thinner, metal hooks in the prior art on the anatomy of the snakes. The smaller diameter polycarbonate rod for the hook portion 52 is best suited for smaller neonate snakes to eliminate possible injury that metal can do to the delicate skeletal structure and skin of the newborn snakes. For example, metal hooks known in the art can puncture or crush these animals. Because newborn snakes can still be venomous, use of a hook is still beneficial. When using the disclosed polycarbonate hook portion 52 formed from a smaller diameter rod, a handler can maintain a safe distance, but the flexibility of the rod will insure the snake will not get accidentally injured. The resting area provided by the present hook is defined by both the diameter of the polycarbonate rod formed into the hook and the curvature or profile which the rod is formed into. It should be appreciated that polycarbonate provides a light means for producing a larger diameter rod. As described above, an increase in the diameter of the polycarbonate rod increases the surface area available to a snake.
As discussed in the background section of the present disclosure, snake hooks in the prior art for use with large bodied snakes have metal hook portions weighing as much as 12-lbs. These heavy metal hooks in the prior art are attached to rods having lengths as long as 24-inches or even 54-inches, for example, which further amplifies their weight to a handler using them. Any addition weight caused by the prior art snake hooks makes handling large bodied snakes more difficult. Furthermore, when handling large bodied snakes and especially poisonous snakes, a handler may use two snake hooks with one in each hand. Thus, the heavy metal hooks in the prior art also make handling a snake with two hooks by a handler more difficult.
In contrast, the disclosed hook portion 52 composed of polycarbonate or another material having similar characteristics is lightweight and can weigh about 2-lbs. or less depending on its size. Such a lightweight hook portion 52 does not add substantial weight and allows a handler to easily use one or more of the snake hooks 50. Thus, the polycarbonate hook portion 52 has a minimal weight but is very strong.
In addition, the disclosed hook portion 52 is beneficial for use with Gaboon Vipers as opposed to the metal hooks with small diameters of the prior art that get between the Viper's ribs and break them. Because of the venomousness of the Gaboon Viper as well as its 2-inch fangs, the disclosed hook portion 52 can be especially useful because the disclosed hook portion 52 is lightweight and enables handlers to move the snake at a distance without endangering the snake. Because the resting area is greater on the disclosed hook portion 52, the Viper will be more relaxed and comfortable on the hook 52.
For example, if a Viper is uncomfortable on a thin, metal hook of the prior art, the snake will attempt to gain a more comfortable position and move itself from the uncomfortable hook onto the shaft. By contrast,
It should be appreciated embodiments of the present invention envision snake hooks of various sizes and shafts of various lengths. Those familiar with handling snakes could select the appropriate hook to handle a snake of a particular length and weight. It is further envisioned different hooks could be formed with various profiles. That is, hooks roughly the same in size could be formed in slightly different shapes to accommodate different snakes. For example, while two hooks may be of roughly the same size, one may have a larger resting area than the other in order to accommodate wider bodied snakes.
It should further be appreciated, the present hook can be used to handle a number of reptiles, including, but not limited to, smaller komodo dragons, alligators, and crocodiles. The present hook increases the safety of these reptiles because they are less likely to shatter teeth or fangs if and when they strike at the hook.
Referring to
In
The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/161,197 (filed on Jul. 26, 2005), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/591,733 (filed Jul. 28, 2004), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60591733 | Jul 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11161197 | Jul 2005 | US |
| Child | 12214326 | US |
