GB2041214A - Improvements relating to baskets - Google Patents

Abstract

A basket is comprised of a plurality of elongate elements which pass through openings in a plurality of transverse members 16. The elongate elements can form a set of rings 10 to 14, with the smallest ring 10 defining the narrower open end of the basket and the largest ring 14 defining the wider open end. Alternatively the elongate elements may be comprised by a single elongate member which assumes an approximately spiral form. The elongate elements and transverse members are preferably formed of a plastics material which is resiliently flexible such as high density polyethylene. Pigments may be included in the plastics material so that a particular colour and pattern may provide a means of identification of the basket which cannot be removed by abrasion. The basket may be used as the support frame of a cloche in which case the elongate member(s) may be perforated to enable water to be sprinkled through them. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to baskets From one aspect, the present invention relates to a basket. The invention also relates to a method of producing a basket. The invention is primarily concerned with baskets intended for use as lobster pots.

A further aspect of the invention concerns a method of rendering lobster pots distinctive.

The expression "lobster pot" is used herein gener icallyto mean a basket-like structure used for catching lobsters and other creatures, for example crabs, which inhabit a similar habitat and can be caught in a similar way.

Lobster fishermen can usually recognise their own pots, by means of features which include the manner in which successive pots are connected together and the manner in which the pots are weighted. However, these features can readily be changed so that a fisherman who draws up a pot belonging to some other person can easily change the distinguishing characteristics of the pot so that it cannot be readily recognised as the property of its owner.

One object of the present invention is to render lobster pots distinctive in a manner such that the distinctive features of a pot cannot readily be changed.

Traditionally, wicker has been used in the construction of lobster pots. Various materials have been proposed as substitutes for wicker but each such substitute has one or more disadvantages. For example, pots constructed of steel which has been coated with a plastics or other water-proof material suffer from the disadvantage that if a pot is inadvertently deformed, it cannot easily be restored to its preferred shape. In published specification 1,246,909, there is disclosed a lobster pot constructed of tubes of plastics material. The main disadvantage of this material is the difficulty of forming joints between the tubes. The published specification discloses a method of joining the tube by welding but this is not entirely satisfactory as the welded joints do not have adequate strength.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction of lobster pot in which tubes of plastics material can be used and in which the joints have adequate strength.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a basket comprising a plurality of elongate elements and a plurality of transverse members, each of which extends transverse to the lengths of the elongate elements and connects the elongate elements together, wherein the transverse members are formed with openings into or through which the elongate elements extend.

The elongate elements may be separated from each other, in which case, each elongate element may be in the form of a ring.

Alternatively, the elongate elements may be comprised by a single elongate member which extends through the several openings formed in each transverse member.

The elongate elements are preferably an interference fit in the openings.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a basket wherein a plurality of transverse members are each formed with a plurality of apertures, the transverse members are arranged around an axis and spaced from each other and an elongate member is introduced successively into respective apertures of the transverse members until the elongate member encircles the axis and connects the transverse member together.

A plurality of elongate members may be used to connect the transverse members together, each elongate member being spaced from the other elongate members but connected thereto by the transverse members.

Alternatively, a single elongate member may be used, the elongate member encircling the axis a plurality of times and extending through all of the apertures of the transverse members.

There may be applied over the members of the basket a sheet of transparent or translucent plastics material to provide a cloche. The elongate member, or a part thereof may be hollow and provided with a row of small apertures to enable water to be sprayed from the elongate member onto ground within the cloche.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for rendering lobster pots distinctive wherein different pots are constructed with differently coloured members of the same form in corresponding positions.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a basket comprising a plurality of elongate elements and a plurality of transverse members each of which extends transverse to the lengths of the elongate elements and connects the elongate elements together, wherein at least two of the transverse members are differently coloured.

An example of a basket embodying the first and second aspects of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a basket, FIGURE 2 shows a partial cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and FIGURE 3 shows a partial cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

The basket shown in the accompanying drawing is intended for use as a lobster pot. Prior to such use, the basket shown would be covered by a net, the wider end of the basket closed by a floor and a funnel inserted in the narrower open end of the basket.

The basket comprises a plurality of elongate elements in the form of rings, 10 to 14. The ring 10 is considerably smaller than the other rings and defines the narrower open end of the basket. The ring 14 is the largest ring and defines the wider open end of the basket. Each ring encircles an axis 15 of the basket and the rings are spaced apart along that axis.

The rings 10 to 14 are connected together by a plurality of transverse members of identical form and one of which is indicated by the reference numeral 16. Each transverse member is of elongated curved form as shown in Figure 1. A plurality of openings are formed in the transverse member, these openings being spaced apart along the length of the transverse member and extending through the member in a direction transverse to its length.

The openings are substantially cylindrical and have respective axes which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis 15, being tangential to respective pitch circles drawn around the axis 15.

Each of the openings receives a respective one of the rings 10to 14 so that each ring extendsthrough a corresponding opening in each of the transverse members.

The longitudinal centreline of each transverse member 16 lies in a respective plane which also contains the axis 15. The transverse member has greater rigidity against bending in this plane than against bending in a manner such that opposite end portions of the transverse member move relative to a mid portion of the transverse member in the same direction approximately tangentially of the rings 10 and 14. The transverse member comprises a central web 17 which extends along the entire length of the member, is flat and lies parallel to the aforesaid plane containing the axis 15. Around each of the openings in the transverse member, there project from opposite faces of the web 17 respective bosses 18 so that the walls of each opening are defined partly by the web 17 and partly by a pair of bosses 18.Successive bosses 18 are connected along the length of the transverse member by integral flanges 19 along opposite margins of the web 17, the cross section of each transverse member at positions between successive bosses 18 has the I-shape shown in Figure 2.

The transverse members 16 and the rings 10 to 14 are preferably formed of plastics material which is resiliently flexible. High density polyethylene is a suitable material, especially if the polyethylene comprises additives to improve its strength at low temperatures, particularly in the case of the transverse members. Each transverse member is conveniently formed from a length of extruded tube by passing the tube through appropriate openings of the transverse members and then butt welding the free ends of the tube together. Longitudinal movementofthe rings 10to 14 relative to the transverse members is restrained by friction, the rings being an interference fit in the openings of the transverse members. Additionally, or alternatively, securing means may be provided for securing the rings against longitudinal movement relative to the transverse members.Such securing means may comprise pins which are driven in a direction away from the axis 15 through the wall of an opening in the transverse member into the associated ring.

The transverse members 16 are preferablycol- oured, which expression is used herein to include pigmentation by white or black pigments. One or more appropriate pigments are included in the plastics material from which the transverse members are moulded. Thus, the colouring cannot be changed or removed by abrasion of the surface of the transverse members. Each lobster pot preferably includes transverse members of different colours. By varying the colours and relative positions of the coloured transverse members, pots having a large number of different appearances can be produced. A group of pots having common ownership would all have the same appearance and groups of pots of different ownerships would have different appearances.If a record is maintained of the ownership which corresponds to each appearance or colour code, persons other than the owners can readily establish the ownership of a pot.

In the particular example of pot illustrated, there are six transverse members spaced equally around the axis 15. The number of transverse members may be varied to provide further variations of appearance and to alterthe mechanical character of the pot. If required, the rings 10 to 14 also may be coloured for identification purposes.

The pot illustrated in the drawing may be modified by substituting for the separate rings 10 to 14 a single elongate member which extends through all of the openings of the transverse members 16 and there by assumes an approximately spiral form. The free ends of the single elongate member may be secured by welding or in any other convenient man nerto the same or to respective transverse members 16.

In a further alternative arrangement, there is substituted for each of the rings 10 to 14 a number of elongate elements equal to the number of transverse members. Each elongate element is fitted between an adjacent pair of transverse members. The elongate members substituted for one ring may be aligned end-to-end so that they lie approximately in a common plane. Alternatively, the elongate elements which are substituted for a ring may be offset relative to each other longitudinally of the transverse member.

The lobster pot illustrated in the accompanying drawing is circular, as viewed in plane. The invention may also be applied to a lobster pot which is rectangular, as viewed in plan. In the latter case, the transverse members would be arranged in pairs to form arches spaced from each other along the pot, the elongate elements being rectilinear and parallel to each other and extending through aligned apertures in transverse members along the other side of the pot.

A basket of rectangular shape, as viewed in plan and as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, may be provided with a cover of flexible transparent or translucent plastics material to provide a cloche. One or more of the elongate elements would be hollow and provided with a row of small apertures through which water could be sprayed onto the ground within the cloche.

The elongate elements or member may be provided with one or more external ribs or protrusions for engagement in complementary recesses in the transverse members to restrain rotation of the elongate member or tube relative to the transverse members about the axis of the elongate element or member.

Priorto use as lobster pots the baskets described earlier would normally be fitted with bottoms, covering nets and weights. The baskets may be sold without bottoms, the user fitting a bottom of the material which he prefers. The user would also fit a funnel in an open end of the pot and cover the pot with net.

Claims (15)

1. A basket comprising a plurality of elongate elements and a plurality of transverse members, each of which extends transverse to the length of the elongate elements and connects the elongate elements together, wherein the transverse members are formed with openings into orthrough which the elongate elements extend.

2. A basket according to claim 1 wherein the elongate elements are spaced apart from each other.

3. A basket according to claim 2 wherein each elongate element is in the form of a ring.

4. A basket according to claim 1 wherein the elongate elements are comprised by a single elongate member which extends through the several openings formed in each transverse member.

5. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate elements are an interference fit in the openings.

6. A method of producing a basket wherein a plurality of transverse members are each formed with a plurality of apertures, the transverse members are arranged around an axis and spaced from each other and an elongate member is introduced successively into respective apertures of the transverse members until the elongate member encircles the axes and connects the transverse members together.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein a plurality of elongate members are used to connect the transverse members together.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein each elongate member is spaced from the other elongate members but connected thereto by the transverse members.

9. A method according to claim 6 wherein a single elongate member is used.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the elongate member encircles the axis a plurality of times and extends through all of the apertures of the transverse members.

11. A method according to claim 6 wherein a sheet of transparent or translucent plastics material is applied over the members of the basket to provide a cloche.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the elongate member, or a part thereof, is hollow and is provided with a row of small apertures to enable water to be sprayed from the elongate member onto ground within the cloche.

13. A method for rendering lobster pots distinctive wherein different pots are constructed with differently coloured members of the same form in cor responding positions.

14. Abasketcomprising apluralityofelongate elements and a plurality of transverse members each of which extends transverse to the lengths of the elongate members and connects the elongate elements together, wherein at least two of the transverse members are differently coloured.

15. A basket substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.