GB2609416A

GB2609416A - Fish retaining apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2609416A
Application number: GB2110892.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nash Kevin; Blair Alan
Original assignee: Catchum 88 Ltd
Current assignee: Catchum 88 Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-29
Filing date: 2021-07-29
Publication date: 2023-02-08
Also published as: GB202110892D0

Abstract

A retention sling 10 for retaining a fish comprises a mesh bag 12 and a frame 36. The frame is associated with the opening of the bag and comprises buoyancy elements 26a, 26b. A closure device 24 (e.g. a zip fastener) moves between a closed position where the frame is maintained in a first configuration in which the opening of the bag is closed preventing access to the interior of the bag, and an open position where the frame is maintained in a second configuration permitting access to the interior of the bag. When the closure device is in the open position the frame is maintained in the second configuration extending around at least a part of the opening. The frame may be divided into primary and secondary support members, and the secondary support members may be segmented with a mid-connection allowing the angle between the segments to be varied. A retaining element such as a zip fastener may engage with the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration.

Description

Fish Retaining Apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a fish retaining apparatus in the form of a retaining sling or retention sling for retaining fish. In particular this invention relates to a retention sling including buoyancy elements. This invention also relates to a method of using a retention sling including buoyancy elements.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In the United Kingdom, as well as in other countries around the world, coarse fishing is a popular pastime. This generally refers to angling for fish that are not for consumption. Coarse fishing may be purely for enjoyment or may be competitive.

The sport of coarse fishing may involve competitors trying to catch the most fish or greatest weight of fish in a particular time, or it may involve the pursuit of a particular specimen, such as a particularly large fish of a given species (often referred to as specimen hunting). After catching a fish it is, therefore, common for an angler to want to weigh the fish and/or to photograph the fish. This is especially true in relation to specimen hunting.

It is known for anglers to use a weigh sling to hold a fish while the fish is weighed. In particular the weigh sling includes a pair of handles or straps configured such that the sling can be suspended from suitable weighing scales. The fish may also be picked out of the weigh sling to be held by the angler whilst a photograph of the fish is captured. Once the fish has been weighed and photographed, if desired, the fish is then released back in to the water.

It is also known to provide a buoyant retention sling or retaining sling. These retention slings include a mesh bag, a pair of support poles to which buoyancy elements are attached, and a pair of lifting handles. The support poles are -2 -connected to the bag on opposite sides of an opening of the bag. When a fish is caught an angler may place the fish in the mesh bag and seal it closed. The retention sling may then be left to float in the river or lake while the angler arranges his or her weighing scales and camera, for example. The retention sling will typically be tethered to the bank or other structure.

When the angler is ready, he or she can lift the retention sling out of the water allowing the water to drain from the mesh bag. The sling can then be suspended from the weighing scales to weigh the fish.

If the angler wishes to photograph the fish, he or she may lay the sling on the bank, open the bag and hold the fish in their arms to take a photograph. Clearly there is risk that the fish will wriggle from the angler's hands or that the angler will drop the slippery fish. To lessen the chance of injury to the fish if it falls it is known to use a mat or a cradle on the bank.

Some fishing lakes are now starting to request or mandate that anglers only photograph their fish in the water. This lessens the risk of injury to the fish as, if the fish wriggles or falls from the angler's hands, the fish will fall back into the water not onto land.

Unfortunately it is difficult to lift fish out of existing retention slings while they are floating in the water, as there is a tendency for the water to push the buoyant support poles together effectively closing the bag of the sling. Furthermore, if an angler were to lift a fish from the retention sling, it is likely that the sling would close while the fish was being held by the angler such that, if the fish fell, it would fall into the lake and swim away, depriving the angler of another opportunity to take a photograph.

Against this background it is desirable to provide an improved retention sling that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of prior art slings, whether referred to herein or otherwise. -3 -

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a retention sling for retaining a fish comprising: a mesh bag having an opening providing access to an interior of the bag; a frame associated with the opening of the mesh bag, the frame comprising a plurality of buoyancy elements; and a closure device movable between a closed position in which the opening of the bag is closed preventing access to the interior of the mesh bag and the frame is maintained in a first configuration, and an open position permitting access to the interior of the mesh bag through the opening, wherein when the closure device is in the open position the frame is maintained in a second configuration extending around at least a part of the opening.

The buoyancy elements of the frame provide sufficient buoyancy to allow the frame to float on or maintain its position proximate the surface of a body of water within which the retention sling is being used. Furthermore, the association of the frame with the opening of the mesh bag in turn allows at least a part of the opening of the bag to be held at or proximate the surface of the water.

Maintaining the frame in the second configuration holds the opening open allowing easy access to the interior of the bag. In this way an angler is able to easily place a fish into the interior of the bag or remove a fish from the interior of the bag while the retention sling remains floating.

The frame preferably comprises a pair of primary support members and secondary support members extending between ends of the primary support members. The primary support members are preferably connected to a part of an edge of the mesh bag surrounding the opening. The secondary support members may not be directly connected to a part of the edge of the mesh bag surrounding the opening. In this way, a configuration of the secondary support members may be changed -4 -independently of the configuration of the mesh bag.

The primary support members may be elongate. The primary support members may be rigid. Each of the primary support members may include an elongate buoyancy element.

Each of the secondary support members may be segmented or jointed. Each of the secondary support members may be at least partially flexible.

A movable corner connection may be provided between an end of each of the primary support members and a respective end of a secondary support member. The movable corner connection preferably allows the secondary support member to move with respect to the primary support member. In particular this movement may vary an angle between the primary support member and the secondary support member.

A movable mid connection may be provided along the length of the secondary support member. One or more mid connections may be provided between segments of the secondary support member. Each of the segments of the secondary support member may comprise a buoyancy element. Each of the buoyancy elements associated with the segments of the secondary support member may be elongate. The mid connections may allow each of the segments or parts of the secondary support member to move with respect to each other. In particular the mid connections may allow an angle between neighbouring segments or parts of the secondary support member to be varied.

The arrangement of the primary support members, secondary support members, corner connections and mid connections permits the frame to move between the first configuration and the second configuration.

The frame may have a substantially rectangular shape in the second configuration. -5 -

The retention sling preferably comprises a retaining element associated with or connected to the mesh bag. The retaining element is configured to engage with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration. The retaining element may engage with the secondary support member to retain the frame in the second configuration. The retaining element may be part of the closure device.

Each secondary support member may comprise a connection element. The connection element is preferably configured to engage with the retaining element. Engagement of the connection element with a respective retaining element may retain the frame in the second configuration. The connection element and the retaining element may be complementary parts of a mechanical fastener.

The connection element may comprise a toggle connected to the frame. The retaining element may comprise a loop connected to the mesh bag.

The closure device preferably comprises a zip fastener. In these embodiments the retaining element may be provided by the puller of the zip fastener.

The closure device may be in a partially closed position when the retaining element is engaged with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of using a retention sling according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising: placing the retention sling in a body of water such that the frame floats on the surface of the water; moving the frame of the retention sling from the first configuration to the second configuration to open the opening of the mesh bag; placing a fish into the interior of the mesh bag; and moving the closure device to the closed position to close the opening of the bag preventing access to the interior of the mesh bag.

The method may further comprise, with the sling remaining in the water, -6 -subsequently moving the frame of the retention sling from the first configuration to the second configuration to open the opening of the mesh bag and lifting the fish out of the mesh bag.

In embodiments in which the retention sling comprises a retaining element associated with or connected to the mesh bag, the method preferably further comprises engaging the retaining element with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration. The retaining element may be engaged with a connection element connected to the frame.

In embodiments in which the closure device comprises a zip fastener and the retaining element is provided by a puller of the zip fastener, the method preferably further comprises moving the zip fastener to a partially open position, and engaging the puller of the zip fastener with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration. The puller of the zip fastener may be engaged with a toggle connected to the frame.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment described above may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and 20 embodiments also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs are used for like features, and in which: Figure 1 shows a retention sling according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a first closed configuration; Figure 2 is a further view of the retention sling of Figure 1 in the closed configuration, showing in particular a closure device of the retention sling; -7 -Figure 3 is a further view of the retention sling of Figure 1 in the closed configuration, showing in particular the shape of the mesh bag and a pair of lifting straps; Figure 4 shows the retention sling of Figure 1 in a second open configuration; Figure 5 is a further view of the retention sling of Figure 1 in an open configuration and laid flat on a surface such as the ground; Figure 6 is a detailed view of a part of the retention sling of Figure 5 showing details of the mesh bag and closure device; Figure 7 is a further view of the retention sling of Figure 1 in an open configuration and laid flat on a surface such as the ground, and with the closure device in a fully open position; and Figure 8 is a partial view of the retention sling of Figure 1 in an open configuration and laid flat on a surface such as the ground, and with the closure device in a partially closed and retained position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A retention sling 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 8.

The retention sling 10 is designed to safely and securely retain a fish, such as a carp, in the water, and to allow an angler to open the sling 10 to both remove the fish from the sling 10 and return the fish to the sling 10 with the sling 10 remaining in the water.

The retention sling, or retaining sling, 10 comprises a mesh bag 12 providing an interior space 14 in which the fish may be held. It will be appreciated that the mesh -8 -material from which the bag 12 is made allows water to drain out of the bag 12 quickly and easily when the retention sling 10 is lifted out of the water. The detailed texture of the mesh material has been omitted from Figures 1-5, 7 and 8 for clarity. Figure 6, however, illustrates the mesh material from which the bag 12 is made.

The retention sling 10 further comprises a pair of lifting straps 16. The lifting straps 16 are connected to the mesh bag 12 to allow the retention sling 10 to be lifted, for example to lift the retention sling 10 in or out of water or to weigh a fish retained in the bag 12. In this embodiment a first lifting strap 16a is connected to and extends from a first side of the mesh bag 12 and a second lifting strap 16b is connected to and extends from a second side of the mesh bag 12. As shown most clearly in Figure 3, a part of each of the lifting straps 16 that extends from the mesh bag 12 forms a lifting handle 18. A ring or eye 20 is attached to each of the lifting handles 18. In this embodiment each of the eyes 20 is made from a suitable metal material such as stainless steel. The eyes 20 are provided to allow the retention sling 10 to be hung from a hook of a set of weighing scales, for example, to enable a weight of a fish to be measured. The eyes 20 are preferably attached to the lifting handles 18 so that they remain in a fixed position relative to the lifting straps 16. This ensures that when the retention sling 10 is hung from the hook of the weighing scales, the eyes 20 are centrally positioned with respect to the retention sling 10. In this example the lifting straps 16 extend fully around and under the mesh bag 12 so that they assist in reinforcing the bag 12 and aid in supporting a fish within the bag during weighing for example. The first and second lifting straps 16a, 16b, and the lifting handles 18, may be formed by a single length of strap or webbing.

The interior space 14 of the bag 12 is accessed through an opening 22 of the bag 12. A closure device 24, which in this embodiment is in the form of a zip fastener or zipper, is disposed along edges of the bag 12 surrounding the opening 14. The closure device 24 is movable between a first, closed position, illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and a second, open position. In the closed position, the opening 22 of the bag 12 is sealed and access to the interior space 14 is prevented. In the open position, the opening 22 is at least partially open allowing access to the interior -9 -space 14. It will be appreciated that the closure device may not seal the opening 22 completely, but is configured to seal the opening 22 of the bag 12 in a manner sufficient to prevent a fish escaping from the interior space 14 when the closure device 24 is in the closed position. The closure device 24 should, ideally, be quick to open and close, be robust and be reliable.

The retention sling 10 further comprises a plurality of buoyancy elements 26. The buoyancy elements 26 are connected to a part of the edge of the bag 12 surrounding the opening 22. In this embodiment the retention sling 10 comprises a pair of primary buoyancy elements 26a. The primary buoyancy elements 26a are elongate and extend along opposite portions of the edge of the bag 12 on opposite sides of the opening 22, as shown most clearly in Figures 2, 4 and 5, such that the primary buoyancy elements 26a extend generally parallel to each other. Each of the primary buoyancy elements 26a extends between respective first and second ends 28, 30.

In this embodiment the retention sling 10 further comprises secondary buoyancy elements 26b. The secondary buoyancy elements 26b are elongate, but are significant shorter than the primary buoyancy elements 26a. For example, each of the primary buoyancy elements 26a may be between five and eight times longer than each of the secondary buoyancy elements 26b.

A first pair of secondary buoyancy elements 26b extends end to end between the first ends 28 of the primary buoyancy elements 26a. A second pair of secondary buoyancy elements 26b extends end to end between the second ends 30 of the primary buoyancy elements 26a. This is shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 7.

The secondary buoyancy elements 26b are not directly connected to the edges of the mesh bag 12 surrounding the opening 22 in the same manner as the primary buoyancy elements 26a.

A corner connection 32 is provided between a first end of each of the secondary buoyancy elements 26b and a respective end 28, 30 of the respective primary -10 -buoyancy element 26a from which the secondary buoyancy element 26b extends. Each of the corner connections 32 is flexible and is preferably in the form of a hinged or foldable connection. As such, an angle between each secondary buoyancy element 26b and the respective primary buoyancy element 26a from which the secondary buoyancy element 26b extends is able to vary between about 900 and 180°.

A mid connection 34 is provided between second ends of each of the secondary buoyancy elements 26b in each pair of secondary buoyancy elements 26b. Each of the mid connections 34 is flexible and is preferably in the form of a hinged or foldable connection. As such, an angle between the secondary buoyancy elements 26b of each pair of secondary buoyancy elements 26b is able to vary between about 0° and 180°.

The primary buoyancy elements 26a and secondary buoyancy elements 26b are part of a frame 36 of the retention sling 10. In this embodiment the frame 36 comprises a tube of material within which substantially cylindrical primary and secondary buoyancy elements 26a, 26b are disposed. The primary and secondary buoyancy elements 26a, 26b may be formed by, for example, cylindrical lengths of foam material or inflatable tubes. The primary buoyancy elements 26a and secondary buoyancy elements 26b are spaced apart within the tube of material such that the ends of the primary and secondary buoyancy elements 26a, 26b are not touching. The corner connections 32 and mid connections 34 are therefore formed by regions of the tube of material extending between the primary and secondary buoyancy elements 26a, 26b. These regions of material effectively act as living hinges. The tube of material may be sewn, or connected together in another way, to form discreet and separate sections or pockets for each of the buoyancy elements 26. This prevents movement of the buoyancy elements 26 through the tube of material.

The primary buoyancy elements 26a in this embodiment are one example of a primary support member of the frame 36. In other embodiments each of the primary support members may comprise one or more buoyancy elements connected to a primary support element. In further embodiments the primary support member may comprise a support element and no buoyancy elements. The primary support member or primary support element may be rigid. The primary support member or primary support element is preferably elongate. The primary support element may be in the form of a rod or a pole. Similarly, the secondary buoyancy elements 26b in this embodiment are one example of a secondary support member of the frame 36. In other embodiments each of the secondary support members may comprise one or more buoyancy elements connected to a secondary support element. In further embodiments the secondary support member may comprise a support element and no buoyancy elements. The secondary support member or secondary support element may be flexible or at least partially flexible. The secondary support member or secondary support element may be elongate. The secondary support element may be in the form of a jointed or segmented rod or pole.

The secondary support members extends between and connect ends of the primary support members to form a complete and continuous frame 36. Corner connections 32 are disposed between ends of the primary support members and respective ends of the secondary support members. Mid connections 34 may be provided in or along the length of the secondary support members to allow a change in configuration of the secondary support members.

Importantly, the buoyancy elements 26 provide sufficient buoyancy to allow the frame 36 to float on the surface of the body of water within which the retention sling 10 is being used. As the frame 36 is connected to a part of the edge of the bag 12 surrounding the opening 22, this in turn means that at least a part of the opening 22 of the bag 12 is held at the surface of the water by the buoyant frame 36. It will be appreciated that the frame 36 may include any suitable number and arrangement of buoyancy elements 26, disposed at any positions around the frame 36.

As shown in Figures 2 and 6, in this embodiment a part of the closure device 24 is disposed proximate the primary buoyancy elements 26a and extends along the -12 -length of the primary buoyancy elements 26a. When the closure device 24 is closed, a gap between the primary buoyancy elements 26a is closed. The primary buoyancy elements 26a are therefore pulled together and extend generally parallel to each other with the closure device 24 between them, as shown most clearly in Figure 2.

To enable the primary buoyancy elements 26a to lie in close proximity to each other, in this first closed configuration of the frame 36, the secondary buoyancy elements 26b extend from the ends 28, 30 of the primary buoyancy elements 26a such that the angle at each of the corner connections 32 is between 160° and 180°, and is preferably about 1800.

More generally, when the frame 36 is in the closed configuration the primary support members lie adjacent each other and the secondary support members are in a collapsed or folded configuration, which allows a gap between the primary support members to be reduced or minimised.

When the closure device 24 is opened the gap between the primary buoyancy elements 26a may be increased or enlarged. As the primary buoyancy elements 26a are connected to edges of the opening 22 of the mesh bag 12, this causes the bag 12 to open permitting access to the interior space 14 of the bag 12. The primary buoyancy elements 26a are maintained or held in this open configuration by the secondary buoyancy elements 26b that extend between the ends 28, 30 of the primary buoyancy elements 26a. In particular, an angle at each of the corner connections 32 and at each of the mid connections 34 changes so that the secondary buoyancy elements 26b extend between the spaced apart ends 28, 30 of the primary buoyancy elements 26a.

In this embodiment, when the frame 36 is in the open configuration the frame 36 forms a generally or substantially rectangular shape.

More generally, when the frame 36 is in the open configuration, the secondary support members are in an extended configuration to maintain a gap between the primary support members.

-13 -To maintain the open configuration of the sling 10 and to prevent the secondary support members or secondary buoyancy elements 26b returning to their collapsed configuration, the secondary support members are preferably engaged with a 5 retaining element 40 connected to the mesh bag 12.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 8, in this embodiment a connection element 42 in the form of a toggle is attached to the secondary buoyancy elements 26b. In particular, the toggle 42 is disposed at or proximate the mid connection 34. The retaining element 40 is provided by the puller 44 of the zipper 24. In particular, the puller 44 includes an aperture 46 through which the toggle 42 is inserted to engage the toggle 42 with the puller 44. By engaging the toggle 42 with the puller 44 the secondary buoyancy elements 26b are directly connected to the mesh bag 12 by the toggle 42 and puller 44. This holds the secondary buoyancy elements 26b in their extended configuration and maintains the frame 36 in its open configuration.

In use, an angler preferably floats the retention sling 10 in a body of water such as a lake, stream or river. The sling 10 is preferably tethered to the bank or another structure by a suitable line. The bag 12 may initially be floating in the open configuration permitting easy and quick access to the interior 14 of the bag 12. When the angler catches a fish, he or she preferably places it in the interior 14 of the bag 12 and then closes the bag 12 using the closure device 24 (e.g. zipper). The fish may be safely retained within the bag 12 in the water. If the angler wishes to weigh the fish the retention sling 10 can be lifted from the water in its closed configuration and the lifting straps 16 and eyes 20 may be used to suspend the retention sling 10 from a suitable set of scales.

If the angler wishes to pose for a photograph with the fish, he or she may open the closure device 24 while the retention sling 10 remains floating in the water. By engaging the connection element 42 with the retaining element 40 the angler can retain the frame 36 and the retention sling 10 in the open configuration with the sling 10 remaining floating in the water and with the opening 22 of the bag 12 at the -14 -surface of the water. The fish may then be easily lifted out of the bag 12 through the opening 22. Furthermore, because the frame 36 and retention sling 10 are held in the open configuration the angler may lift the fish out of the sling 10 and hold the fish above the opening 22. If the fish falls from the angler's hands the fish is likely to fall back into the interior space 14 of the bag 12. The angler will, therefore, have a further chance to photograph the fish.

To release a fish from the retention sling 10 back into the water the opening 22 of the bag 12 preferably extends down sides of the bag 12 towards a base region of the bag 12. Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 7, the closure device 24 extends for the full length of the opening 22. As such, in this embodiment, the zipper 24 extends, at both ends, in a direction away from the frame 36 and towards the base region of the bag 12. To allow a fish to swim out of the retention sling 10 while the sling 10 is floating, the zipper 24 may be fully opened so that the opening 22 extends below the level of the frame 36 and therefore below the surface of the water. The retention sling 10 is then in a release configuration.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that in the present embodiment the closure 24 is partially closed when the puller 44 is attached to the toggle 42. In this position the bag 12 is not open below the level of the frame 36 when the frame 36 is floating on the surface of the water. This allows the opening 22 of the bag 12 to be maintained in an open position at the surface of the water but not below the surface, minimising the chances of the fish swimming out of the bag 12 when the retention sling 10 is in the open configuration.

When the closure device 24 is in the form of a zipper it is advantageous to engage a part of the puller 44 with the secondary support member of the frame 36 as this assists in retaining the zipper 24 in the partially closed position. In embodiments in which the closure device 24 is of another form, for example discrete snap fasteners positioned at intervals along the opening 22, it will be understood that the retaining element 40 may be separate from the closure device. The retaining element 40may, for example, be in the form of a loop of material or cord attached to a part of the -15 -mesh bag 12, and through which the toggle 42 may be secured.

It will be appreciated that an angler may carry or transport the retention sling 10 between fishing lakes and store the retention sling 10 in a suitable location such as at home. It is therefore desirable to minimise the size and weight of the retention sling 10 for transportation and storage.

As described above, by forming the frame 36 from a plurality of elongate buoyancy elements 26, the weight of the frame 36 and the sling 10 may be minimised.

It is also desirable if a length or largest dimension of the frame 36 may be minimised. To achieve this, in the illustrated embodiment, the corner connections 32 are configured to allow the secondary buoyancy elements 26b to fold over an end portion of each of the primary buoyancy elements 26a, as shown most clearly in Figure 3. In this transportation configuration an overall length or longest dimension of the frame 36 is preferably not significantly greater than a length of the primary buoyancy elements 26a.

The frame 36 may be maintained in this transportation configuration by engaging a first coupling element 50 disposed on the secondary buoyancy element 26b with a second coupling element 52 disposed on the primary buoyancy element 26a. In this embodiment the first and second coupling elements 50, 52 are in the form of regions or patches of hook and loop material.

In other embodiments the first coupling element 50 disposed on the secondary support member and the second coupling element 52 disposed on the primary support member may be of any suitable form.

The retention sling of the present invention therefore advantageously comprises a buoyant frame that may be maintained in an open configuration. This permits a fish to be easily removed from and placed into an interior space of a bag of the retention sling while the retention sling remains floating in the water.

-16 -While the above embodiment described a particular arrangement and selection of features of the retention sling, it will be understood that these features may be varied or arranged differently in other embodiments while still providing the same function 5 described above.

For example, in the above embodiment the bag 12 was fully made from a mesh material to allow for fast drainage; however, in other embodiments it may be desirable to include one or more panels of a different material.

Although in the above embodiment the closure device 24 was in the form of a zipper, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the closure device may be of any other suitable form. Generally the closure device 24 will comprise a mechanical fastener. The closure device 24 may include a magnetic fastener, a hook and loop fastener, snap fastener, or similar. As the closure device may not fully seal the opening 22, as described above, the closure device may include fasteners spaced apart around the opening 22.

The buoyancy elements in other embodiments of the retention sling may be arranged differently to those of the above embodiment. For example, each of the primary buoyancy elements described above may be replaced with two or more smaller buoyancy elements. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the frame may not include secondary buoyancy elements, and first and second ends of the primary buoyancy elements may be connected together using an alternative connection member, as long as the frame performs its function of keeping the retention sling floating in water as described above.

Although in the above embodiment the retaining element was provided by the aperture of the puller of the zipper and the connection element was in the form of a toggle attached to the secondary buoyancy elements, in other embodiments the retaining element and the connection element may be of any suitable form. The retaining element may be provided by a part of the closure device, as above, but -17 -alternatively may be disposed on or attached directly to a part of the mesh bag. The retaining element and connection element may form complementary parts of a mechanical fastener such as a snap fastener, a button and loop or aperture, a magnetic fastener, or a hook and loop fastener.

In other embodiments the secondary support members may be maintained in their extended configuration by latch elements provided on the secondary support members. For example, each secondary support member may comprise at least two segments joined at a mid connection. Each of the two segments may include complementary latch elements (for example mechanical fasteners) which may be engaged with each other when the secondary support member is extended. In other embodiments the corner connections and mid connections may comprise a torsion hinge or stay hinge.

Other modifications and variations not explicitly disclosed above may also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

-18 -CLAIMS1. A retention sling for retaining a fish comprising: a mesh bag having an opening providing access to an interior of the bag; a frame associated with the opening of the mesh bag, the frame comprising a plurality of buoyancy elements; and a closure device movable between a closed position in which the opening of the bag is closed preventing access to the interior of the mesh bag and the frame is maintained in a first configuration, and an open position permitting access to the interior of the mesh bag through the opening, wherein when the closure device is in the open position the frame is maintained in a second configuration extending around at least a part of the opening.
2. A retention sling according to Claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pair of primary support members and secondary support members extending between ends of the primary support members.
3. A retention sling according to Claim 2, wherein the primary support members 20 are connected to a part of an edge of the mesh bag surrounding the opening.
4. A retention sling according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the primary support members are elongate
5. A retention sling according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the primary support members includes an elongate buoyancy element.
6. A retention sling according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein each of the secondary support members is segmented.
7. A retention sling according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein a movable corner connection is disposed between an end of each of the primary support -19 -members and a respective end of a secondary support member, the movable corner connection allowing an angle between the primary support member and the secondary support member to be varied.
8. A retention sling according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein a movable mid connection is provided along the length of the secondary support member, the mid connection allowing an angle between neighbouring parts of the secondary support member to be varied.
9. A retention sling according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame has a substantially rectangular shape in the second configuration.
10. A retention sling according to any preceding claim, further comprising a retaining element associated with or connected to the mesh bag, the retaining element being configured to engage with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration.
11. A retention sling according to Claim 10, wherein the retaining element is a part of the closure device.
12. A retention sling according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein each secondary support member comprises a connection element configured to engage with the retaining element to retain the frame in the second configuration.
13. A retention sling as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the connection element and the retaining element are complementary parts of a mechanical fastener.
14. A retention sling as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the connection element comprises a toggle connected to the frame.
15. A retention sling according to any one of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the retaining element comprises a loop connected to the mesh bag.
16. A retention sling according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure device comprises a zip fastener.
17. A retention sling according to Claim 16, when dependent on Claim 10, wherein the retaining element is provided by a puller of the zip fastener.
18. A retention sling according to Claim 17, wherein the closure device is in a partially closed position when the retaining element is engaged with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration.
19. A method of using a retention sling according to any one of Claims 1 to 18, the method comprising: placing the retention sling in a body of water such that the frame floats on the surface of the water; moving the frame of the retention sling from the first configuration to the second configuration to open the opening of the mesh bag; placing a fish into the interior of the mesh bag; and moving the closure device to the closed position to close the opening of the 20 bag preventing access to the interior of the mesh bag, thereby moving the frame of the retention sling from the second configuration to the first configuration.
20. A method according to Claim 19 further comprising: with the sling remaining in the water, subsequently moving the frame of the retention sling from the first configuration to the second configuration to open the opening of the mesh bag, and lifting the fish out of the mesh bag.
21. A method according to Claim 19 or Claim 20, when dependent on Claim 10, further comprising: engaging the retaining element with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration
22. A method according to Claim 21, wherein the retaining element is engaged with a connection element connected to the frame.
23. A method according to Claim 19 or Claim 20, when dependent on Claim 17, further comprising: moving the zip fastener to a partially open position; and engaging the puller of the zip fastener with a part of the frame to retain the frame in the second configuration.
24. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the puller of the zip fastener is engaged with a toggle connected to the frame.