This application is directed to a fish stringer for use by fishermen to temporarily keep recently caught fish alive in the water.
Certain fish stringers generally include an elongated needle, a tether attached to the needle and a clip for securing the needle to the belt of the fisherman. The tether may also be attached to the clip or another support number. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,859, a fish stringer includes a needle, a tether 4 and a belt mounted clip 72 for securing the needle 6. Additionally U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,587 discloses a needle 16, a tether 14 and a belt mounted clip 12. In both instances the stringer requires a needle member and a separate clip.
The requirement for a separate clip and needle is eliminated according to an embodiment of the invention. The needle is formed as an elongated clamp that is adapted to be inserted through the gills of a fish an also adapted to be releasably attached to the belt of the fisherman.
Although the present invention will be described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.
As shown in
Flat surfaces 3, 4, 6, and 7 are in contact with each other. The operation of clamp 10 is similar to that of an alligator clip, with coil spring encircling a pivot shaft that extends between pivot points 25.
Coil spring has two ends, one of which engages member 12 while the other engages member 17.
A first opening 16 for receiving the belt of a user is formed by cutouts 13, 19 formed in members 12, 17 as shown in
Members 12 and 17 terminate in needle like tips 15, 21 that are adapted to facilitate insertion of clamp 10 through the gills of the fish 35 as shown in
As shown in
A safety breakaway connection 51 may be provided in the tether in the event that a substantial force is put on the tether.
It should be recognized that these are many equivalent ways to construct the clamp of the present invention and one embodiment has been described herein.