AU2019100429A4 - A trap - Google Patents

Abstract

A trap 10 suitable for catching crabs comprising: a base frame 20, a pair of wing frames 30 connected to the base frame 20, arranged on the same side of the base frame 20 and individually pivotally rotatable around a shared axis with respect to the base frame 20, netting 50 covering the trap 10 with the exception of an opening between the pair of wing frames 30, and a line 50 with an operator end 52 and a trap end 54; characterized in that the trap end 54 of the line 50 is securely held at a secure holding point 32 to one wing frame 30 and loosely held at a loose holding point 34 to the other wing frame 30 such that when the line 50 is pulled in the direction of the operator end 52 the line 50 brings the wing frames 30 together such that the netting 40 creates an enclosure. :3 C)) was04

Description

TITLE “A TRAP” [0001]. The present innovation relates to a trap, particularly a trap suitable for 5 catching crabs.

[0002], Trapping of crabs has been a common activity for humans for centuries, whether catching them to eat or purely recreationally.

[0003]. Known in the art are flat, butterfly designs, such as United States patent 424,548 (Franklin), or essentially baskets/boxes with holes in them, such as United States patent 2,760,297 (Buyken). Both types of traps can be cast or set into water.

[0004], Often creatures such as crabs manage to escape the trap before they are caught, typically climbing through openings they entered.

[0005]. The present innovation attempts to overcome at least in part the 20 aforementioned disadvantages of previous traps.

[0006]. In accordance with one aspect of the present innovation there is provided a trap suitable for catching crabs comprising; a base frame, a pair of wing frames connected to the base frame, arranged on a same side of the base frame and 25 individually pivotally rotatable around a shared axis with respect to the base frame netting is provided covering the trap with the exception of an opening between the pair of wing frames, and a line with an operator end and a trap end.

[0007]. The trap is characterized in that the trap end of the line is securely held to one wing frame and loosely held to the other wing frame such that when the line is pulled in the direction of the operator end the line brings the wing frames together and the netting creates an enclosure.

2019100429 24 Apr 2019 [0008]. Preferably, the base frame has an enclosed shape, and the wing frames have open shapes with loose ends which, when oriented flat with loose ends touching, substantially conform to the size and shape of the base frame.

[0009]. Preferably, the wing frames have complementary shapes such that when the trap is in the closed position there are minimal openings between the wing frames, and thus the netting would fully enclose the trap.

[0010]. The present innovation will now be described, by way of example, with 10 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a trap in accordance with the present innovation in an open state.

Figure 2 is a perspective side view of the trap of Figure 1 in a half-closed state.

Figure 3 is a perspective side view of the trap of Figure 1 in a closed state.

[0011]. Referring to the Figures, there is shown a trap 10 suitable for catching crabs comprising; a base frame 20, a pair of wing frames 30 pivotally connected 20 to the base frame 20, and arranged on a same side of the base frame 20. The wing frames 30 are individually pivotally rotatable around a shared axis with respect to the base frame 20. Netting 40 covers the trap 10 with the exception of an opening between the pair of wing frames 30. Further, a line 50 with an operator end 52 and a trap end 54 extends to be in contact with the outer ends of the wing frames 25 30. The trap end 54 of the line 50 is tied to a secure holding point 32 to one wing frame 30 and the line 50 is shown passing through an eyelet (a loose holding point) 34 to the other wing frame 30 such that when the line 50 is pulled in the direction of the operator end 52 the line 50 brings the wing frames 30 together such that the netting 40 creates an enclosure.

[0012]. The wing frames 3 0 are preferably arranged to be pivoted flat against the base frame 20.

2019100429 24 Apr 2019 [0013]. The base frame 20 is preferably round in shape and the wing frames 30 are preferably round arches in shape.

[0014], Preferably, the base frame 20 is an enclosed shape, and the wing frames are open shapes with loose ends which, when oriented flat with loose ends touching, substantially conform to the size and shape of the base frame 20. For example, if the base frame 20 was a circle, both the wing frames 30 would be semi-circular arcs.

[0015]. In one embodiment of the innovation the netting 40 is a mesh. Other types of netting 40 would be considered to be appropriate if they prevent egress of crabs.

[0016]. The line may be a cable, rope, wire, cord, chain or other similar component.

[0017]. The base frame may have a round or polygonal shape.

[0018]. The trap end of the line 54 that is securely held to a wing frame 30 maybe fixed or tied to the wing frame 30, or wing frame 30 may incorporate a hole or other such structure, through which the line 50 can be fed and the trap end of the line 54 may be tied in a knot or have a chock or stop affixed. Thus, when the line 50 is retracted the line 50 is caught on the wing frame 30 and is considered 25 secured during the retraction.

[0019]. A wing frame 30 may incorporate an eyelet, hook, loop, hoop, hole or other such structure which the line is fed through and is loosely held.

[0020]. Preferably, the wing frames 30 have complementary shapes such that when the trap 10 is in the closed position there are minimal openings between the wing frames 30, and thus the netting 40 would substantially fully enclose the

2019100429 24 Apr 2019 trap.

[0021], In use, the trap 10 is lowered to the bed of a body water with the base frame 20 being on the bottom. The trap 10 is then set in an open position, as 5 shown in Figure 1, whereby the wing frames 30 are rotated as far apart from one another as they can be, thus creating a large opening in the netting 40 facing upward. The operator end 52 of the line 50 may be attached to a boat, attached to a buoy or left loose.

[0022], The trap 10 is left such that crabs may enter the trap 10. The trap 10 may be baited to encourage crabs to enter the trap 10.

[0023]. When desired by an operator, the trap 10 can be simultaneously sprung and retrieved in a single motion. The operator pulls the line 50 towards the 15 operator end 54. This causes the wing frame 30 to which the line 50 is securely held at the secure holding point 32 to raise. Preferably, the force enacted by the operator through the line would also raise the wing frame 30 to which the line 50 is loosely held at the loose holding point 34.

[0024], The wing frames 30 will then be brought together.

[0025]. Preferably, when the wing frames 30 are brought to their closest extend the opening in the netting 40 will be closed to the extent that the opening would be less than what the structure of the netting 40 permitted such that no crab which 25 could not escape the netting 40 could escape through the opening. The netting 40 will form a completely enclosed space.

[0026]. In an ideal use of the trap 10 the line 50 would be pulled so fast that the trap 10 would enclose crabs before they had the chance to escape.

[0027]. As the operator pulls the line 50 the trap 10 may also move closer to the operator and be retrieved.

2019100429 24 Apr 2019 [0028]. The innovation presents a trap 10 that has few moving parts that may be sprung simultaneous to retrieval.

[0029]. Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present innovation.

Claims (4)

1. The claims defining the innovation are as follows:

   1. A trap suitable for catching crabs comprising;

   a base frame, a pair of wing frames connected to the base frame, arranged on a same side of the base frame and individually pivotally rotatable around a shared axis with respect to the base frame, netting covering the trap with the exception of an opening between the pair of wing frames, and a line with an operator end and a trap end;

   characterized in that the trap end of the line is securely held to one wing frame and loosely held to the other wing frame such that when the line is pulled in the direction of the operator end the line brings the wing frames together such that the netting creates an enclosure.
2. 2. A trap suitable for catching crabs as per claim 1, wherein the wing frames can be pivoted flat against the base frame.
3. 3. A trap suitable for catching crabs as per claim 1, wherein the base frame is an enclosed shape, and the wing frames are open shapes with loose ends which, when oriented flat with loose ends touching, substantially conform to the size and shape of the base frame.
4. 4. A trap suitable for catching crabs as per anyone of the preceding claims,

   25 wherein the base frame is round in shape and the wing frames are complimentary round arches in shape.