GB2375939A

GB2375939A - Fish trap device

Info

Publication number: GB2375939A
Application number: GB0112707A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Henry Lilley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-25
Filing date: 2001-05-25
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-25
Also published as: GB2375939B; GB0112707D0

Abstract

The trap comprises a containment means 11 having an opening 12 provided with a closure operable between an open position in which the opening is exposed and a closed position in which the opening is closed, and releasable latch 14 which retains the closure in the open position and on release to allow movement of the closure to the closed position. In use, the trap device may be positioned on the floor of an aquarium, or may be fixed to a wall of the aquarium or in the mid-water using a bracket system (figs 6 and 7). The containment means may be made from plastic and may be transparent. The latch may be operated manually by an attached cord.

Description

TRAP DEVICE This invention relates to a trap device for trapping fish under water.

It is very common for fish to be kept in water-filled fish tanks or aquaria, both commercially, and domestically, as a hobby. Both freshwater and marine fish may be kept in aquaria, these fish often being extremely valuable, particularly rare tropical species.

Frequently, in addition to fish an aquarium will contain further flora and fauna and also pebbles and rocks etc. , these serving to provide a pleasing display and also to provide a better simulation of the natural habitat of the fish. A great deal of time and effort may be spent constructing a suitable display. Moreover, plants and animals included in the aquarium may be of considerable value.

It may be necessary from time-to-time to remove a particular fish from an aquarium. This may be required for a number of reasons, for example if there is a problem with the compatibility of that fish with other life within the aquarium. For instance, the particular fish in question may become ill, or may exhibit aggressive or predatory behaviour. Alternatively, the particular fish may have to be removed because it eats coral added to the aquarium, this being expensive to replace.

Given the often considerable value of fish housed within aquaria, if a fish does have to be removed it is desirable that its removal can be carried out efficiently and safely, without causing stress or damage to that particular

fish or to other aquarium life.

At present, a fish will typically be removed from the water within an aquarium using a net. However, there may be a number of problems associated with removal of a fish from an aquarium in this way. This method of removal may cause undue stress to that particular fish or to the other fish within the aquarium, and the fish caught in the net may be damaged during capture.

Moreover, in order to evade capture, the particular fish to be removed may hide under rocks or within coral reefs contained in the aquarium. If this occurs, it may be necessary to drain the aquarium in order to reach the particular fish. This is often difficult and time consuming, as aquaria can be large, heavy structures, holding considerable volumes of water. Furthermore, drainage may cause undue stress to other fish within the aquarium, and will often cause irreparable damage to an expensive display constructed in the aquarium. Coral displays, in particular, are easily damaged upon drainage.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the aforementioned problems.

According to the present invention therefore, there is provided a trap device for trapping a fish under water, comprising containment means having an opening provided with a closure operable between an open position in which the opening is exposed and a closed position in which the opening is

closed, and releasable latch means operative to retain said closure in the open position and on release to allow movement of the closure to the closed position.

This trap device is advantageous in that it can be used to remove a fish from an aquarium efficiently and safely, without causing undue stress or damage to that fish or other aquarium life and without the need for drainage of the aquarium.

With regard to the containment means, this may take any suitable form. Preferably however, the containment means comprises a box, most preferably a rigid box, which may be sized and/or shaped according to the size and/or type of fish to be trapped. The box is preferably a rectangular hexahedron, comprising wall, floor and roof sections, said sections preferably being joined in a water-tight manner.

Preferably, the containment means is formed from a transparent or partially transparent material. The containment means may be formed from a plastics material, for example, acrylic.

The opening may be formed in any part of the containment means, and may be sized and/or shaped according to the size and/or type of fish to be trapped.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the containment means comprises a box having three fixed wall sections immovably attached to a floor section and a roof section, such that one end

of the box remains open, said one end of the box thus comprising the opening.

The size of the opening in the containment means may be adjustable.

Said adjustment may be achieved by placing adjacent said opening at least one reducing slide, comprising a member having an aperture or recessed portion smaller than the opening, whereby a portion of the opening is covered by a portion of said at least one reducing slide, said reducing slide thereby restricting the effective size of the opening. Preferably, said at least one reducing slide is releasably engageable with said containment means.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one reducing slide is slidably engageable with the containment means, wherein the reducing slide or slides move within grooves or channels formed on or into the surface of wall sections defining the opening.

Thus, by adjusting the size of the opening, it is possible to prevent a fish of a predetermined size from entering the containment means.

With regard to the closure, this may take any suitable form and may be connected to the containment means in any manner suitable to achieve movement of sufficient rapidity of said closure through the water upon release of the latch to ensure that a fish within the containment means cannot then escape therefrom through the opening. The closure may be made from a plastics material, for example, acrylic.

Preferably, the closure comprises a door or shutter. Most preferably,

the closure comprises a door that slidably engages the containment means.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the closure moves within grooves or channels formed on or into the surface of wall sections of the containment means defining the opening.

Movement of the closure upon release of the latch means preferably occurs under gravity, the closure being made from a material more dense than the water in which the trap device is being used.

With regard to the latch means, this may be of any suitable type.

Preferably however, said latch means comprises a member moveable into and out of retaining engagement with the closure. The closure may be provided with an aperture for engagement of the latch means.

Preferably, the latch means comprises a pin or rod movable into an aperture in the closure to latch the closure in the open position such that the opening is exposed and whereby subsequent movement of said pin or rod out of said aperture releases the closure. Movement of said pin or rod is preferably a sliding movement.

Release of the closure from retention in the open position by the latch means may be triggered by a remote operating means. Said remote operating means may take any suitable form, but preferably comprises a manually operable pull device attached to the latch means, whereby a user can effect release of the latch by pulling said pull device. Conveniently, said pull device may comprise a cord or other elongate flexible element attached

via an end portion to the latch means. A spindle or the like may be provided adjacent the latch means for guidance of the sliding flexible element.

Thus, it is possible for a user to observe the trap device until the fish to be trapped enters the containment means via the opening, upon which the user can effect closure of the containment means from a remote position relative thereto, in order to trap said fish. This allows the fish to be trapped with minimum disturbance to any other aquatic life present.

The containment means may be further provided with an internal baffle. This preferably comprises at least one plate fixed within the containment means. Preferably also, the baffle is fixed within the containment means at a point distal to the opening.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the baffle comprises a first plate fixed within the containment means in substantially perpendicular arrangement relative to roof, floor and side wall sections thereof and spaced apart from said roof and floor sections, and a second, smaller plate positioned adjacent said first plate, substantially parallel thereto and closer to the aperture than said first plate, said second plate being fixed to the inner surface of the roof section of the containment means.

The baffle functions to restrict the flow of water within the containment means. This is particularly desirable when bait is used to lure a fish into the containment means. Bait can be introduced into the containment means such that it occupies a position behind the baffle when

viewed through the opening. This may be achieved using, for example, a flexible pipe to deliver the bait behind the baffle, and the baffle may therefore be provided with a cut-out, recessed portion to accommodate said pipe, thereby facilitating said delivery. The baffle restricts water flow within the containment means such that the bait can circulate within said containment means but cannot be readily washed out of the containment means by said water flow.

The trap device of the invention is ideal for use in an aquarium, and may be used by simply resting said device on the floor of the aquarium.

Conveniently however, the trap device may be releasably fixable to a wall of an aquarium, such that the trap may be positioned in the aquarium at different water depths as required. It may be desirable to fix the trap device in a position close to the surface of the water, so that once a fish has been trapped therein, said trap device may be removed from the aquarium quickly and easily, thereby minimising any disturbance within the aquarium.

Fixation of the trap device may be achieved in any suitable manner.

Preferably however, the trap device is provided with at least one suction cup operable to releasably fix said trap device to a wall of an aquarium or a similar surface. The suction cup (s) allow the trap device to be positioned and repositioned adjacent an aquarium wall as required.

However, it may further be desirable to position the trap device in a substantially central part of an aquarium, whereby fish can swim around all

sides of said trap device. Thus, the trap device may be further provided with means for mid-water fixation. Preferably, this comprises first and second corresponding brackets, these being releasably fixable to opposite walls of an aquarium, and one or more rods or poles. Most preferably, said brackets are elongate and are each provided with at least one suction cup to effect releasable fixation thereof. The brackets are fixed to opposite walls of the aquarium, with first and second ends of each rod or pole engaging corresponding slots formed in the first and second brackets respectively, whereby said rods or poles traverse the width, or length, of the aquarium and are substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to one another.

Each bracket has spaced-apart slots such that if two or more rods or poles are employed then these are spaced apart accordingly. Multiple slots may be provided on each bracket, thereby allowing the distance between the rods or poles engaged thereby to be adjusted.

The rods or poles provide support for the trap device, which engages said rods or poles. Preferably, the trap device is provided with at least one hooked portion to engage the rods or poles whereby said trap device hangs from the rods or poles via said at least one hooked portion. Most preferably, two hooked portions are provided and are positioned toward opposite ends of the trap device.

Thus, using the means for mid-water fixation as described above, the trap device may be positioned in virtually any area of an aquarium.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trap device of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the trap device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the trap device of Figs. 1 and 2, showing the door in the open position; Fig. 4 is an end view of the trap device of Figs. 1 to 3 fitted with a reducing slide ; Fig. 5 is a plan view of an alternative form of reducing slide ; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a means for mid-water fixation of the trap device of Figs. 1 to 4; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the trap device of Figs. 1 to 4 in use with the means for mid-water fixation of Fig. 6.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a trap device 10 comprises an openended, rectangular hexahedral box 11 having an opening 12, a door 13 (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2) and latch means 14. The trap device 10 is constructed from a transparent plastics material, such as acrylic.

The box 11 comprises side wall sections 16 and 17, an end wall section 18 and floor 19 and roof 21 sections, these being joined in a watertight manner. Grooves 22 are formed into the side wall sections 16,17 adjacent the opening 12, said grooves 22 functioning to accommodate edges of the door 13 whereby the door 13 can move by sliding within said grooves

22 in a plane substantially parallel to the end wall section 18. The side wall sections 16,17 extend beyond the roof section 21 at the open end of the box 11.

The door 13 is flat and substantially rectangular and is provided with a small spigot 23 located centrally and toward a first end of the door 13, said first end being the upper end of door 13 when in the upright position.

The spigot 23 facilitates movement of the door 15 by providing a finger-hold to a user of the device 10.

The door 13 is further provided with a small notch 24 in an edge corresponding to the lower edge of said door 13 when in the upright position. The notch 14 functions to accommodate a portion of the latch means 14, to latch the door 13 in the open position, the door 13 resting on said portion of the latch means 14 via said notch 24.

The latch means 14 comprises a slidable rod 26 movably mounted upon the exterior surface of the roof section 21 of the box 11, adjacent the opening 12. The rod 26 is substantially perpendicular to the door 13 and may be moved into and out of latching engagement with the notch 24 formed into the door 13. A guide plate 25 having an aperture is provided, said guide plate extending from the exterior surface of the roof section 21 adjacent the opening 12. The guide plate 25 functions to guide the rod 26 into and out of engagement with the notch 24 in the door 13, the rod 26 passing through the aperture in said guide plate 25. The rod 26 is generally

"L"-shaped, with an end portion 27 formed at an angle relative to the doorengaging portion of the rod 26. This facilitates operation of the latch means 14 by hand and/or provides a point for fixation of a cord or other flexible elongate element to allow remote release of the latch means 14. A spindle 28 is provided adjacent the latch means for guidance of the cord or other flexible elongate element.

A baffle 29 is present within the box 11, close to the end wall section 18. The baffle 29 comprises first 31 and second 32 plates. The first plate 31 is fixed to the side wall sections 16,17 and spaced apart from the floor 19 and roof 21 sections, and is substantially parallel to the end wall section 18. The second, smaller, plate 32 is fixed to the interior surface of the roof section 21, adjacent the first plate 31 and substantially parallel thereto, on the opposite side of the first plate 31 to the end wall section 18. The second plate 32 of the baffle 29 is sized such that it extends from the interior surface of the roof section 21 to overlap a portion of the first plate 31.

The trap device 10 is further provided with slots 33 formed into members 34,36 projecting from the exterior surface of the roof section 21 along side edges thereof. Two slots 33 are provided in each member 34, 36, these slots being formed at an angle and functioning to accommodate suction cups (not shown). Suction cups can be attached to the trap device 10 via the slots 33 to allow releasable fixation of the trap device 10 to an

aquarium wall or similar surface.

Two pairs of parallel hooked portions 35 are provided adjacent the end wall section 18 and the guide plate 25. A pair of hooked portions 35 is therefore present at each end of the box 11, and these allow the trap device 10 to engage means for mid-water fixation thereof. The hooked portions 35 may therefore be omitted if fixation of the trap device 10 in the mid-water of an aquarium is not required.

Further grooves 37 are formed into the side wall sections 16,17 adjacent the grooves 22 within which the door 13 slides. These further grooves 37 can accommodate edges of a reducing slide 38, as shown in Fig.

4. The reducing slide 28 is a flat, substantially rectangular member having an aperture 39 smaller than the opening 12, such that the effective size of the opening may be reduced to the size of said aperture 39 by introducing the reducing slide 38 into the further grooves 37.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative form of reducing slide 38, having a cutout, recessed portion 41 rather than the aperture 39 as shown in Fig. 4.

The further grooves 37 may be sized to accommodate a plurality of reducing slides 38.

Fig. 6 shows means for mid-water fixation of the trap device 10 of Figs. 1 to 4, comprising an elongate bracket 42 and a rod 43, two brackets 42 and two rods 43 being used to secure the trap device 10 in the midwater of an aquarium. The bracket 42 is provided with slots 44,46 formed

at angles into end portions thereof, two slots being present at each end portion. The innermost slots 44 accommodate suction cups (not shown) whereas the outermost slots 46 engage an end of a rod 43.

Fig. 7 shows a trap device 10 fixed in the mid-water of an aquarium 48 using the means for mid-water fixation of Fig. 6. Two brackets 42 are fixed at corresponding positions on opposite side walls of the aquarium 48, fixation being achieved using suction cups. Two rods 43 are held generally horizontally and parallel to one another between the brackets 42, ends of the rods engaging outermost slots 46 of the brackets 42. The trap device 10 is suspended in a generally upright position from the rods 43 by the hooked portions 35 provided at each end of the box 11.

In use, the trap device 10 is positioned as desired in an aquarium, such that the box 11 is substantially upright. The door 13 is first moved upwards into the open position by sliding within the grooves 22, such that the opening 12 is exposed, movement being facilitated by the spigot 23. The door 13 is latched in this open position using the latch means 14, the rod 26 being moved to engage the notch 24 in the door 13.

Bait used to lure fish into the trap device 10 may be introduced into the box 11, preferably into the space between the end wall 18 and the baffle 29. This may be achieved using, for instance, an elongate flexible pipe.

The size of the opening 12 may be reduced by positioning one or more reducing slides 38 within the further grooves 37. This allows a user of the

trap device 10 to exclude fish of a certain size, i. e. larger than the aperture 39 or recessed portion 41 of said reducing slide 38, from entering the box

11.

The trap device 10 is thus set, and the user observes the trap device 10 until the fish to be trapped enters the box 11, said fish being visible through the transparent sections of said box 11. The trap device 10 may be left in the aquarium for some time in order to allow fish within said aquarium to become accustomed to entering the box 11. In this respect, the use of bait to lure fish into the box 11 is helpful, since the fish may often come to associate the box 11 as a source of food, encouraging said fish to enter.

Once a fish to be trapped has entered the box 11, the latch means 14 is released, preferably using remote operating means such as a cord or other flexible elongate element attached at a first end to the end portion 27 of the rod 26, a second end being held by the user and pulled to effect said release. The rod 26 is made to slide out of latching engagement with notch 24 of the door 13, and the door 13 then falls rapidly through the water under gravity to close the opening 12.

Thus, the fish is trapped within the box 11 and cannot escape.

The trap device 10 containing the fish may then be removed from the aquarium, and the fish may be transferred to another container by releasing and moving the door 13 back into the open position to allow the fish to swim out of the box via the opening 12. The device 10 is preferably

inverted during transfer, to prevent water spillage from the opening 12.

It will be appreciated that with this trap device it is possible to trap a fish within the aquarium safely and efficiently, without causing undue harm or stress to that fish or any other aquarium life.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A trap device for trapping a fish under water, comprising containment means having an opening provided with a closure operable between an open position in which the opening is exposed and a closed position in which the opening is closed, and releasable latch means operative to retain said closure in the open position and on release to allow movement of the closure to the closed position.
2. A trap device according to claim 1, wherein the containment means comprises a box.
3. A trap device according to claim 2, wherein the box is a rigid rectangular hexahedron, comprising wall, floor and roof sections.
4. A trap device according to claim 3, wherein the box has three fixed wall sections immovably attached to a floor section and a roof section such that one end of the box remains open.
5. A trap device according to either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the wall, floor and roof sections are joined in a water-tight manner.
6. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the containment means is formed from a transparent or partially transparent material.
7. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the containment means is formed from a plastics material.
8. A trap device according to claim 7, wherein the plastics material is acrylic.

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9. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the size of the opening is adjustable.
10. A trap device according to claim 9, wherein adjustment of the size of the opening is achieved by means of at least one reducing slide comprising a member having an aperture or recessed portion smaller than the opening, the at least one reducing slide being placed adjacent the opening, whereby a portion of the opening is covered by a portion of said at least one reducing slide.
11. A trap device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one reducing slide is releasably engagable with the containment means.
12. A trap device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one reducing slide slides within grooves formed on or into at least one surface of the containment means.
13. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure comprises a door.
14. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure slidably engages the containment means.
15. A trap device according to claim 14, wherein the closure slides within grooves formed on or into at least one surface of the containment means.
16. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure is formed from a plastics material.

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17. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein movement of the closure upon release of the latch means occurs under gravity.
18. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch means comprises a member moveable into and out of retaining engagement with the closure.
19. A trap device according to claim 18, wherein the member is slidably movable relative to the closure.
20. A trap device according to either of claims 18 or 19, wherein the member is a rod or pin.
21. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure is provided with an aperture for retaining engagement of the latch means.
22. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the trap device further comprises a remote operating means operable to trigger the release of the closure from retention in the open position by the latch means.
23. A trap device according to claim 22, wherein the remote operating means comprises a manually operable pull device attached to the latch means, whereby a user can effect release of the latch by pulling said pull device.
24. A trap device according to claim 23, wherein the pull device comprises an elongate flexible element attached via an end portion to the latch means.

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25. A trap device according to claim 24, wherein a spindle is provided adjacent the latch means for guidance of the elongate flexible element.
26. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the containment means is provided with an internal baffle.
27. A trap device according to claim 26, wherein the internal baffle is fixed within the containment means at a point distal to the opening.
28. A trap device according to either of claims 26 or 27, wherein the internal baffle comprises at least one plate fixed within the containment means.
29. A trap device according to any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the containment means comprises a box and the baffle comprises a first plate fixed within the box in substantially perpendicular arrangement relative to floor, roof and side wall sections thereof and spaced apart from said floor and roof sections, and a second, smaller plate positioned adjacent the first plate, substantially parallel thereto and closer to the opening than said first plate, the second plate being fixed to an inner surface of the roof section of the box.
30. A trap device according to any of claims 26 to 29, wherein the baffle has a cut-out portion to accommodate a flexible pipe used to deliver bait behind the baffle.
31. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the trap device is releasably fixable to a wall of an aquarium.

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32. A trap device according to claim 31, wherein the trap device is provided with at least one suction cup operable to releasably fix the trap device to the wall.
33. A trap device according to any of claims 1 to 30, wherein the trap device is provided with a means for fixation in the mid-water of an aquarium.
34. A trap device according to claim 33, wherein the means for fixation in the mid-water of an aquarium comprises first and second brackets releasably fixable to opposite walls of the aquarium and one or more rods or poles, first and second ends of the rods or poles being engageable with the first and second brackets respectively.
35. A trap device according to claim 34, wherein each bracket is elongate and is provided with at least one suction cup operable to releasably fix the bracket to the wall.
36. A trap device according to either of claims 34 or 35, wherein the trap device is provided with at least one hooked portion to engage the rods or poles, whereby the trap device is suspended from the rods or poles via the at least one hooked portion.
37. A trap device according to claim 36, wherein two hooked portions are provided, these being positioned toward opposite ends of the trap device.

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38. A trap device according to any preceding claim, wherein the trap device further comprises a pipe for delivery of bait into the containment means.
39. A trap device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.