WO1998005203A1 - Flexible net apparatus and corresponding methods - Google Patents

Flexible net apparatus and corresponding methods Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998005203A1
WO1998005203A1 PCT/US1997/013299 US9713299W WO9805203A1 WO 1998005203 A1 WO1998005203 A1 WO 1998005203A1 US 9713299 W US9713299 W US 9713299W WO 9805203 A1 WO9805203 A1 WO 9805203A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
net
resilient member
handle
net apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/013299
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Frank Mineo
Original Assignee
Frank Mineo
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Frank Mineo filed Critical Frank Mineo
Priority to AU38985/97A priority Critical patent/AU3898597A/en
Publication of WO1998005203A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998005203A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K63/00—Receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria; Terraria
    • A01K63/003—Aquaria; Terraria
    • A01K63/006—Accessories for aquaria or terraria
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K77/00—Landing-nets for fishing; Landing-spoons for fishing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a net, and more particularly, relates to a flexible net for use against surfaces of a closed underwater environment
  • Nets have been designed for various uses and purposes Nets vary in shape, size, length, attachments, materials, etc in order to maximize the ease and efficiency of catching and trapping various objects, articles, items, etc Most hand held nets
  • the netting material that is attached to the frame provide a retaining area for
  • the heads are able to pivot to different positions when they are unlocked from the handle, and they can be locked to a desired position with the use of a locking or securing mechanism (i e such as a nut, bolt, screw, etc )
  • the frames or heads are typically locked and unlocked at or near a joint or hinge located where the handle meets the
  • adjustable nets employ locking and unlocking devices (l e clamps, plates, bolts, screws, etc ) to rigidly hold the handle at an angle relative to the
  • Some nets have pivotable or detachable heads or frames relative to the handle
  • Patent No 1,391,841 to Lewis U S Patent No 886,281 to Warner, U S Patent No 2,040,714 to Smith, and U S Patent No. 3,030,725 to Sandul provide examples of such nets
  • These foldable or detachable type nets provide advantages for storing or
  • a flexible net apparatus for use in closed underwater environments that includes a frame adapted to receive and hold a net, a bendible, resilient member wherein one end of the
  • resilient member is attached to the frame, and a handle that is attached to another end
  • Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a method of making a flexible net apparatus that include the steps of providing a frame adapted to receive and hold a net, attaching one end of a bendible, resilient member to the
  • handle can be held by a user and the resilient member allows the handle to be flexed relative to the frame
  • the flexible net apparatus has a frame, one end of a bendible, resilient member attached to the frame, a handle attached to another end of the bendible, resilient member, and a
  • Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a simple, cost effective, easy-to-use flexible net apparatus that has a resilient member which allows the apparatus to bend angularly and spring back to a resting position.
  • FIG. 1 Perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • resilient member as a wave-shaped joint having at least one undulating curve
  • the resilient member is a structural shape that is
  • apparatus has a circular frame Fig 6 - Perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention flexible net apparatus showing the apparatus with a circular frame and the
  • resilient member as a coil shaped joint having at least one convolution
  • FIG. 9 Top view of the second preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus of Fig 6 Fig. 10 - Top view of the second preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus wherein the apparatus has a rectangular frame
  • the net apparatus being used to trap a target item against a horizontal surface of a closed underwater environment
  • the net apparatus being used to trap a target item against a vertical surface
  • the net apparatus 10 or 15 is particularly adapted for use in closed
  • the net apparatus 10 or 15 is similar to other nets in
  • the net apparatus also has the novel and unique feature of a bendible, resilient member 30 or 35 that allows the handle 40 to flex relative to the frame 20 or 25 This novel feature is particularly
  • Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5 show a first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus 10
  • the net apparatus 10 has a frame 20 or 25, a bendible, resilient member 30, and a
  • the frame 20 or 25 can be of any suitable shape for a net, and Figs 1 , 2, and 4 show a net apparatus 10 with a rectangular frame 20 while Fig 5 shows a net apparatus 10 with a circular frame 25
  • the handle 40 can also be of any suitable form
  • the resilient member 30 has a structural shape
  • Figs 1, 2, 4, and 5 show the net apparatus 10 with resilient member 30 having
  • FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the wave-shaped joint with undulating curves 32
  • the wave-shaped joint of resilient member 30 has one end attached to the frame 20 or 25 and has another end attached to the handle 40
  • the wave-shaped joint having undulating curves 32 provides the net apparatus 10 with the flexibility and resiliency to
  • Figs 6, 7, 9, and 10 show a second preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus 15
  • the net apparatus 15 has a frame 20 or 25, a bendible, resilient member 35, and a handle 40
  • the frame 20 or 25 can be of any suitable shape for a net, and
  • Figs 6, 7, and 9 show a net apparatus 15 with a circular frame 25 while Fig 10 shows a net apparatus 15 with a rectangular frame 20
  • the handle 40 can also be of any suitable form that allows a user to hold or grasp it
  • the resilient member 35 has a structural shape that allows the handle 40 to bend angularly relative to the frame 20 or
  • the net apparatus 15 can be in a resting position or in angular positions, which are similar to the positions shown in Figs 1 1 - 16
  • Figs 6, 7, 9, and 10 show the net apparatus 15 with resilient member 35 having
  • Fig 8 shows a close-up view of the coil shaped joint with convolutions 37
  • the coil shaped joint of resilient member 35 has one end attached to the frame 20 or 25 and has
  • apparatus 10 or 15 can be separate parts that are attached together, or they can be
  • the frame 20 or 25 can first be attached to the resilient member 30 or 35, and the handle 40 can then be attached to the resilient member 30 or 35.
  • the net apparatus 10 or 15 can be made of any suitable material that allows bending and retracting/recoiling and can be made to any suitable shape or form
  • the net apparatus 10 or 15 can be made of plastic (i e molded plastic, etc ) or metal (i e
  • wire frame material steel, etc ) that can bend, retract, or recoil and yet can also be
  • Net apparatus 10 or 15 can be formed as one integral unit by molding the frame
  • apparatus 10 or 15 is molded by providing a mold(s) of the desired frame 20 or 25, the
  • a net 50 is attached to the frame 20 or 25 of net apparatus 10 or 15 to provide a retaining area 60 as shown in Figs 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10
  • the net 50 can be attached
  • Figs 17 - 20 show that the net 50 is secured to the net apparatus 10 by the use of a net retaining frame 70
  • the net retaining frame 70 is hingedly attached to a side of frame 20 at hinges 75 as shown in Fig 17
  • the net retaining frame 70 can
  • Figs 17 - 19 show that the net 50 is secured to the net apparatus 10 by the use of pins 80 that are made integral and located along the perimeter of the net retaining frame 70 When the net retaining frame 70 is closed to
  • the net 50 is made from any suitable netting material
  • the net apparatus 10 or 15 with attached net 50 can be used in a closed underwater environment Therefore, the net apparatus 10 or 15 can be made to be used as a fish net, a swimming pool net,
  • the net apparatus 10 or 15 with attached net 50 is used to trap or catch a
  • the closed underwater environment 100 can be an aquarium,
  • the user guides the frame 20 or 25 and the net 50 to the target object, article, item, etc. to be caught or trapped.
  • the user then uses the net apparatus 10 or 15 to
  • the net apparatus 1 or 15 is positioned to initially trap or catch a target object, article, item, etc at the bottom (i.e horizontal) surface 1 17 of the closed underwater environment 100
  • the apparatus 10 or 15 is bent so that the handle 40 is relatively angular (i e possibly up to a ninety degree angle) to the frame 20 or 25
  • the resilient bending action of the net apparatus 10 or 15 ensures that the perimeter of the frame 20 or 25 is generally in
  • handle 40 pivots to positions that are more convenient for the user to grasp, use, or maneuver the net apparatus 10 or 15
  • the user applies force or pressure at the handle 40 to pivot the handle 40 relative to the frame 20 or 25 so that the handle 40 is in a
  • Fig 13 shows that the net apparatus 10 or 1 is being used to trap or catch a target object, article, item, etc. against a vertical wall or surface 1 15 of the closed
  • Fig. 14 shows that the frame 20 or 25, the net 50, and the
  • the handle 40 pivots to positions that are more convenient for the user
  • the user applies force or pressure at the handle 40 to pivot the handle 40 relative to the frame 20 or 25 so that
  • the handle 40 is in a more convenient position for the user.
  • Fig. 16 shows that the resilient member 30 or 35 springs back to its resting position after the net apparatus is completely removed from the closed
  • a user of the net apparatus 10 or 15 can trap a target object, article, item, etc. against the surface of a closed environment 100 by directing the frame 20 or 25 and attached net 50 through the water surface until the frame 20 or 25 and attached
  • net 50 hold and retain the target object, article, item, etc. and the net apparatus 10 or 15 with the target object, article, item, etc. is guided to a surface of the closed underwater environment 100.
  • the frame 20 or 25 is pressed against a surface of the closed underwater environment 100, the user is able to pivot the handle 40, as
  • the target object, article, item, etc. can be a fish or other object in an
  • a net apparatus 10 or 15 that is able to be more easily maneuvered or positioned in a closed underwater environment 100 is provided by the present
  • the net apparatus 10 or 15 is able to be easily used and maneuvered to lift

Abstract

A flexible and resilient net apparatus (10, 15) adapted for use in closed underwater environments (100). Net apparatus (10, 15) has a frame (20, 25) and a handle (40, 45). Net apparatus also has the novel and unique feature of a bendible, resilient member (30, 35) that allows the handle (40) to flex relative to the frame (20, 25). A net retaining frame (70) can be hingedly attached to frame (20, 25) wherein the net retaining frame (70) engages the frame (20, 25) to secure a net (5) between the net retaining frame (70) and the frame (20, 25).

Description

FLEXIBLE NET APPARATUS AND CORRESPONDING METHODS
Background Of The Invention
1. Fields of the Invention
The present invention relates to a net, and more particularly, relates to a flexible net for use against surfaces of a closed underwater environment
2. Discussion Of Background And Prior Art
Nets have been designed for various uses and purposes Nets vary in shape, size, length, attachments, materials, etc in order to maximize the ease and efficiency of catching and trapping various objects, articles, items, etc Most hand held nets
typically have a frame, netting material attached generally around the perimeter of the
frame, and a handle attached to the frame Aquarium or swimming pool nets are common examples of these hand held nets The netting material that is attached to the frame provide a retaining area for
catching, trapping, or holding objects, articles, and other items These nets can be
used at the surface of the water for skimming objects, articles, items, etc., or they can be used underneath the water surface to capture or trap objects, articles, items, etc that are below the water surface level These nets provide a user with the ability to reach and capture things that are at or beneath a water surface
In a closed underwater environment (i e including but not limited to aquarium, swimming pool, etc ), these nets are sometimes used to lift an object, article, item, etc out of the water by trapping the object, article, item, etc against a vertical side wall or
surface of the closed underwater environment and lifting and guiding the net with the object, article, item, etc. along the vertical side wall However, the use of these nets to trap and guide an object, article, item, etc out of the water can be very awkward or cumbersome for the user The net frame and handle are attached together to be a
generally rigid structure, and the handle is a generally straight member These rigid and straight features of these nets make it difficult and awkward for the user to
maneuver or use the handle and net structure, especially near vertical walls or surfaces
In some of these instances, the user has to adjust his/her position in order to properly maneuver or position the net, and these adjustments to the right position can be quite inconvenient, cumbersome, or even certain cases impossible
Some nets have locking adjustable frames or heads These locking frames or
heads are able to pivot to different positions when they are unlocked from the handle, and they can be locked to a desired position with the use of a locking or securing mechanism (i e such as a nut, bolt, screw, etc ) The frames or heads are typically locked and unlocked at or near a joint or hinge located where the handle meets the
frame or head of the net U S Patent 737,428 to Lindsey et al and U S Patent 956,803 to Fromm disclose examples of such nets These nets provide the ability to adjust and lock the head or frame to any operative position relative to the handle, and
this ability to adjust and lock the frame or head of the net to various angled positions provides the advantage of the net being able to trap, capture, or retain objects, articles, items, etc in a variety of positions relative to the user For example, the frame or head of such a net could be adjusted to a right angle to catch fruits or other items directly
above or could be adjusted to catch fish or other things directly below the user
However, these adjustable nets employ locking and unlocking devices (l e clamps, plates, bolts, screws, etc ) to rigidly hold the handle at an angle relative to the
head or frame of the net Therefore, the user of these nets has to unlock the handle
from the head or frame, manually adjust the handle and the head or frame to a desired angular position, and then lock the handle and the head or frame at the desired position In the event that one of these nets were used to trap an object, article, item, etc. against a vertical wall or surface under water, these nets still have the disadvantage
of not being easily maneuvered or positioned by the user since these nets are rigidly
held and locked at a point between the handle and head or frame at the desired angular position
Some nets have pivotable or detachable heads or frames relative to the handle
so that these nets can be folded or unfolded between a storage and use position U S
Patent No 1,391,841 to Lewis, U S Patent No 886,281 to Warner, U S Patent No 2,040,714 to Smith, and U S Patent No. 3,030,725 to Sandul provide examples of such nets These foldable or detachable type nets provide advantages for storing or
transporting the nets However, these nets do not in any way disclose a net that is easily maneuverable or positionable underwater, especially for trapping or lifting
objects, articles, items, etc out of a closed underwater environment
A net that is able to be more easily maneuvered or positioned in a closed
underwater environment does not presently exist, and a net that is able to be easily used and maneuvered to lift objects, articles, items, etc out of the water surface, especially by trapping or catching them against a vertical wall or surface of the closed underwater environment is desired It is an object of the present invention to
overcome the problems and limitations of the background art that has been discussed Summary of the Invention
Set forth is a brief summary of the invention in order to solve the foregoing
problems and achieve the foregoing and other objects, benefits, and advantages in
accordance with the purposes of the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein Accordingly, it is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide a flexible net apparatus for use in closed underwater environments that includes a frame adapted to receive and hold a net, a bendible, resilient member wherein one end of the
resilient member is attached to the frame, and a handle that is attached to another end
of the resilient member wherein the handle can be held by a user and the resilient member allows the handle to be flexed relative to the frame
An aspect and advantage of the present invention is to provide a flexible net
apparatus having a resilient member which is in a structural shape that allows the
apparatus to bend angularly and spring back to a resting position A further aspect and advantage of the present invention is to provide a flexible net apparatus with a resilient member having a structural shape that is a wave-shaped
joint which has at least one undulating curve
A further aspect and advantage of the present invention is to provide a flexible net apparatus with a resilient member having a structural shape that is a coil shaped joint which has at least one convolution
Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a method of making a flexible net apparatus that include the steps of providing a frame adapted to receive and hold a net, attaching one end of a bendible, resilient member to the
frame, and attaching a handle to another end of the resilient member wherein the
handle can be held by a user and the resilient member allows the handle to be flexed relative to the frame
Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a method
of making a flexible net apparatus that include the steps of providing at least one mold
that forms a frame adapted to receive and hold a net, a bendible, resilient member coupled to the frame, and a handle coupled to the resilient member wherein the handle can be held by a user and the resilient member allows the frame to flex relative to the frame, pouring material that is to be cured into the at least one mold for shaping the
frame, the resilient member, and the handle, allowing the material to cure in the at least one mold, and removing the cured material that is in the shape of the frame, the
resilient member, and the handle.
A still further object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a
method of using a flexible net apparatus in a closed underwater environment wherein the flexible net apparatus has a frame, one end of a bendible, resilient member attached to the frame, a handle attached to another end of the bendible, resilient member, and a
net that provides a retaining area attached to the frame, that include the steps of
inserting the frame and the attached net into a water surface of the closed underwater environment, guiding the frame and the net to a target item in the water surface, generally holding the target item in the retaining area of the net, trapping the target
item against a vertical surface of the closed underwater environment, bending the
resilient member so that the handle is relatively angular to the frame so that a perimeter of the frame is generally in contact with the vertical surface of the closed underwater environment and the handle is in a pivoted position that is convenient to a user of the
net apparatus, sliding the frame, the net, and the target item generally along the vertical surface of the closed underwater environment, and lifting the frame, the net, and the target item out of the water surface of the closed underwater environment and allowing the resilient member to spring back to a resting position.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a simple, cost effective, easy-to-use flexible net apparatus that has a resilient member which allows the apparatus to bend angularly and spring back to a resting position. Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 - Perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
flexible net apparatus showing the apparatus with a rectangular frame and the
resilient member as a wave-shaped joint having at least one undulating curve
Fig 2 - Side view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus of Fig 1 Fig 3 - Sectional side view of the resilient member of the first preferred embodiment
flexible net apparatus wherein the resilient member is a structural shape that is
a wave-shaped joint having at least one undulating curve Fig 4 - Top view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus of Fig 1
Fig 5 - Top view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus wherein the
apparatus has a circular frame Fig 6 - Perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention flexible net apparatus showing the apparatus with a circular frame and the
resilient member as a coil shaped joint having at least one convolution
Fig 7 - Side view of the second preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus of Fig 6 Fig 8 - Sectional side view of the resilient member of the second preferred
embodiment flexible net apparatus wherein the resilient member is a structural
shape that is a coil shaped joint having at least one convolution
Fig 9 - Top view of the second preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus of Fig 6 Fig. 10 - Top view of the second preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus wherein the apparatus has a rectangular frame
Fig 11 - Side view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus showing
the net apparatus being used to trap a target item against a horizontal surface of a closed underwater environment
Side view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus showing
the net apparatus being slid along a horizontal surface of a closed underwater environment Side view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus showing
the net apparatus being used to trap a target item against a vertical surface
of a closed underwater environment Side view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus showing the net apparatus being slid upwards along a vertical surface of a closed
underwater environment
Side view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus showing the net apparatus with the target item being brought out of the water surface
of a closed underwater environment
Side view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus showing the net apparatus removed and brought out of a closed underwater
environment Top view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus
having a net retaining frame for holding a net to the net apparatus Partial side view showing the net frame and the net retaining frame of
the net apparatus hingedly attached and in an open, net-receiving position
Partial side view showing the net frame and the net retaining frame of the net apparatus hingedly attached and in a closed, net-retaining position Fig. 20 - Perspective view of the first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus with a net retaining frame holding a net to the net apparatus
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention generally discloses a flexible and resilient net apparatus
10 or 15. The net apparatus 10 or 15 is particularly adapted for use in closed
underwater environments 100. The net apparatus 10 or 15 is similar to other nets in
that it has a frame 20 or 25 and a handle 40. However, the net apparatus also has the novel and unique feature of a bendible, resilient member 30 or 35 that allows the handle 40 to flex relative to the frame 20 or 25 This novel feature is particularly
useful in closed water environments 100, such as aquariums, swimming pools, etc., wherein the flexible, resilient member 30 or 35 can be used to help lift an object, article, item, etc. out of the water by trapping the object, article, item, etc against a horizontal surface 1 17 or a vertical side wall or surface 1 15 of the closed underwater
environment 100 and lifting and guiding the net apparatus 10 or 15 with the object,
article, item, etc along the vertical side wall or surface 1 15
Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5 show a first preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus 10
The net apparatus 10 has a frame 20 or 25, a bendible, resilient member 30, and a
handle 40. The frame 20 or 25 can be of any suitable shape for a net, and Figs 1 , 2, and 4 show a net apparatus 10 with a rectangular frame 20 while Fig 5 shows a net apparatus 10 with a circular frame 25 The handle 40 can also be of any suitable form
that allows a user to hold or grasp it The resilient member 30 has a structural shape
that allows the handle 40 to bend angularly relative to the frame 20 or 25 and to also spring back to a resting position (i e Refer to Figs 1 1 - 16) Figs 13 and 16 show the
net apparatus 10 in the resting position while Figs 14 and 15 show the net apparatus in angular positions The resilient member 30 allows the handle 40 to bend angularly (i e
to a perpendicular or almost perpendicular angle) relative to the frame 20 or 25 and
allows the handle 40 and the frame 20 or 25 to spring back to the resting position
Figs 1, 2, 4, and 5 show the net apparatus 10 with resilient member 30 having
a structural shape of a wave-shaped joint having at least one undulating curve 32 Fig
3 shows a close-up view of the wave-shaped joint with undulating curves 32 The wave-shaped joint of resilient member 30 has one end attached to the frame 20 or 25 and has another end attached to the handle 40 The wave-shaped joint having undulating curves 32 provides the net apparatus 10 with the flexibility and resiliency to
allow the handle 40 to flex relative to the frame 20 or 25 (i e Figs 1 1, 12, 14, and 15) and further allows the handle 40 and frame 20 or 25 to spring back to a resting position (i e Figs 13 and 16), which is shown as a substantially straight resting
position in the figures
Figs 6, 7, 9, and 10 show a second preferred embodiment flexible net apparatus 15 The net apparatus 15 has a frame 20 or 25, a bendible, resilient member 35, and a handle 40 The frame 20 or 25 can be of any suitable shape for a net, and
Figs 6, 7, and 9 show a net apparatus 15 with a circular frame 25 while Fig 10 shows a net apparatus 15 with a rectangular frame 20 The handle 40 can also be of any suitable form that allows a user to hold or grasp it The resilient member 35 has a structural shape that allows the handle 40 to bend angularly relative to the frame 20 or
25 and to also spring back to a resting position (i e See Figs 1 1 - 16 as similar examples) The net apparatus 15 can be in a resting position or in angular positions, which are similar to the positions shown in Figs 1 1 - 16
Figs 6, 7, 9, and 10 show the net apparatus 15 with resilient member 35 having
a structural shape of a coil shaped joint having at least one convolution 37 Fig 8 shows a close-up view of the coil shaped joint with convolutions 37 The coil shaped joint of resilient member 35 has one end attached to the frame 20 or 25 and has
another end attached to the handle 40 The coil shaped joint having convolutions 37
provides the net apparatus 15 with the flexibility and resiliency to allow the handle 40 to flex relative to the frame 20 or 25 (i.e. similar to Figs. 1 1, 12, 14, and 15) and
further allows the handle 40 and frame 20 or 25 to spring back to a resting position
(i.e. similar to Figs. 13 and 16), which is shown as a substantially straight resting position in the figures
The frame 20 or 25, the resilient member 30 or 35, and the handle 40 of net
apparatus 10 or 15 can be separate parts that are attached together, or they can be
integrally attached together as one unit For example, the frame 20 or 25 can first be attached to the resilient member 30 or 35, and the handle 40 can then be attached to the resilient member 30 or 35. Alternatively, the frame 20 or 25, the resilient member
30 or 35, and the handle 40 can be formed together as an integral unit. Net apparatus
10 or 15 can be made of any suitable material that allows bending and retracting/recoiling and can be made to any suitable shape or form For example, the net apparatus 10 or 15 can be made of plastic (i e molded plastic, etc ) or metal (i e
wire frame material, steel, etc ) that can bend, retract, or recoil and yet can also be
resilient. Net apparatus 10 or 15 can be formed as one integral unit by molding the frame
20 or 25, the resilient member 30 or 35, and the handle 40 as integral parts The net
apparatus 10 or 15 is molded by providing a mold(s) of the desired frame 20 or 25, the
resilient member 30 or 35, and the handle 40 Material (i.e. plastic or metal) to be cured is poured or injected into the mold(s), and the material is allowed to cure in the
mold(s) to form the frame 20 or 25, the resilient member 30 or 35, and the handle 40 The cured material is removed from the mold, and the cured material forms the net
apparatus 10 or 15, which has the corresponding integrally attached components
A net 50 is attached to the frame 20 or 25 of net apparatus 10 or 15 to provide a retaining area 60 as shown in Figs 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10 The net 50 can be attached
or secured to the frame 20 or 25 of net apparatus 10 or 15 in any suitable manner As
an example, Figs 17 - 20 show that the net 50 is secured to the net apparatus 10 by the use of a net retaining frame 70 The net retaining frame 70 is hingedly attached to a side of frame 20 at hinges 75 as shown in Fig 17 The net retaining frame 70 can
swing to an open position as shown in Fig 18 A net 50 is placed over and within the
frame 20 so that a net retaining area 60 is provided (i e see Fig 20) and the edges of the net 50 lay over the outer perimeter of the net frame 20 The net retaining frame 70 can then swing to a closed position as shown in Fig 19 The net 50 is secured or
sandwiched between the net retaining frame 70 and the net frame 20 in any suitable manner as shown in Fig 20 Figs 17 - 19 show that the net 50 is secured to the net apparatus 10 by the use of pins 80 that are made integral and located along the perimeter of the net retaining frame 70 When the net retaining frame 70 is closed to
secure or sandwich the net 50 between the net retaining frame 70 and frame 20, these pins 80 engage and lock/snap into corresponding holes 90 that are located along the perimenter of the frame 20 (i e see Figs 17 and 19)
The net 50 is made from any suitable netting material The net apparatus 10 or
15 with attached net 50 can be used in a closed underwater environment Therefore, the net apparatus 10 or 15 can be made to be used as a fish net, a swimming pool net,
etc or any other suitable applications that is in a closed underwater environment
The net apparatus 10 or 15 with attached net 50 is used to trap or catch a
target object, article, item, etc , particularly in a closed underwater environment 100 As stated earlier, the closed underwater environment 100 can be an aquarium,
swimming pool, etc The user inserts at least the frame 20 or 25 and the attached net
50 into and underneath the water surface 1 10 of the closed underwater environment
100. The user guides the frame 20 or 25 and the net 50 to the target object, article, item, etc. to be caught or trapped. The user then uses the net apparatus 10 or 15 to
hold and retain the target object, article, item, etc within the retaining area 60 of the
net 50
In Figs. 1 1 and 12, the net apparatus 1 or 15 is positioned to initially trap or catch a target object, article, item, etc at the bottom (i.e horizontal) surface 1 17 of the closed underwater environment 100 The resilient member 30 or 35 of the net
apparatus 10 or 15 is bent so that the handle 40 is relatively angular (i e possibly up to a ninety degree angle) to the frame 20 or 25 The resilient bending action of the net apparatus 10 or 15 ensures that the perimeter of the frame 20 or 25 is generally in
contact with the bottom (i e. horizontal) surface 1 17 as shown in Figs 1 1 and 12. Fig.
12 shows that the frame 20 or 25, the net 50, and the target object, article, item, etc held within the retaining area 60 of the net apparatus 10 or 15 is slid along the bottom (i e horizontal) surface 1 17 of the closed underwater environment 100 As the user
slides the net apparatus 10 or 15 along the bottom (i e horizontal) surface 1 17, the
handle 40 pivots to positions that are more convenient for the user to grasp, use, or maneuver the net apparatus 10 or 15 The user applies force or pressure at the handle 40 to pivot the handle 40 relative to the frame 20 or 25 so that the handle 40 is in a
more convenient position for the user
Fig 13 shows that the net apparatus 10 or 1 is being used to trap or catch a target object, article, item, etc. against a vertical wall or surface 1 15 of the closed
underwater environment 100 The user then guides and brings the net apparatus 10 or 15 with trapped target object, article, item, etc. upwardly and outwardly from the closed underwater environment 100. As the user brings the net apparatus 10 or 15
upwardly and outwardly, the resilient member 30 or 35 is bent so that the handle 40 is
relatively angular to the frame 20 or 25. The resilient bending action of the net apparatus 10 or 15 ensures that the perimeter of the frame 20 or 25 is generally in contact with the vertical wall or surface
1 15 as shown in Figs. 14. Fig. 14 shows that the frame 20 or 25, the net 50, and the
target object, article, item, etc. held within the retaining area 60 of the net apparatus 10 or 15 is slid along the vertical wall or surface 1 15 of the closed underwater environment 100 As the user slides the net apparatus 10 or 15 along the vertical wall
or surface 1 15, the handle 40 pivots to positions that are more convenient for the user
to grasp, use, or maneuver the net apparatus 10 or 15. The user applies force or pressure at the handle 40 to pivot the handle 40 relative to the frame 20 or 25 so that
the handle 40 is in a more convenient position for the user.
In Figs. 15 and 16. the frame 20 or 25, the net 50, and the target object, article,
item, etc. is lifted out of and above the water surface 120 of the closed underwater environment 100. Fig. 16 shows that the resilient member 30 or 35 springs back to its resting position after the net apparatus is completely removed from the closed
underwater environment 100. Therefore, a user of the net apparatus 10 or 15 can trap a target object, article, item, etc. against the surface of a closed environment 100 by directing the frame 20 or 25 and attached net 50 through the water surface until the frame 20 or 25 and attached
net 50 hold and retain the target object, article, item, etc. and the net apparatus 10 or 15 with the target object, article, item, etc. is guided to a surface of the closed underwater environment 100. When the frame 20 or 25 is pressed against a surface of the closed underwater environment 100, the user is able to pivot the handle 40, as
shown in Figs. 1 1, 12, 14, and 15, angularly from its substantially straight resting position as shown in Figs. 13 and 16. The force applied to the net to keep it against the fixed surface of the closed underwater environment 100 and the resisting (i.e.
countering) force by the fixed surface are substantially absorbed by the resilient member 30 or 35 of the net apparatus 10 or 15 which results in the bending action of the resilient member shown in Figs. 1 1, 12, 14, and 15.
Upon disengaging the frame 20 or 25 of the net apparatus 10 or 15 from the
closed underwater surface 100, the forces that cause the bending of the net apparatus 10 or 15 are released and the resilient nature of the resilient member 30 or 35 springs the net apparatus 10 or 15 back into its straight (i.e. natural) resting position. The flexibility and resiliency of the net apparatus 10 or 15 permits the user to conveniently
lift the net up towards the surface of the water while maintaining its frame 20 or 25 and the trapped target object, article, item, etc. substantially against a surface 1 15 or 1 17 of the closed underwater environment 100.
The target object, article, item, etc. can be a fish or other object in an
aquarium, fish bowl, etc., or it can be an underwater or floating item in a swimming pool, spa, etc.. A net apparatus 10 or 15 that is able to be more easily maneuvered or positioned in a closed underwater environment 100 is provided by the present
invention. The net apparatus 10 or 15 is able to be easily used and maneuvered to lift
objects, articles, items, etc. out of the water surface, especially by trapping or catching them against a horizontal surface 1 17 or a vertical wall or surface 1 15 of the closed
underwater environment 100.
The foregoing description and specifications of a preferred embodiment and
best mode of the invention known to applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teaching The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the
invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention
be defined by the claims appended hereto

Claims

What is claimed is.
1 A flexible net apparatus for use in closed underwater environments having
a frame adapted to receive and hold a net, and a handle that is able to be held by a user, characterized by
a bendible, resilient member having one end attached to the frame, and
another end attached to the handle wherein the resilient member allows the handle to be flexed relative to the frame
2 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resilient member
is further characterized by a structural shape that allows the handle to bend angularly
relative to the frame and spring back to a resting position
3 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the structural shape
is further characterized by a wave-shaped joint having at least one undulating curve
4 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the structural shape is further characterized by a coil shaped joint having at least one convolution
5 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the resting position
is a substantially straight resting position
6 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resilient member
is made of plastic 7 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resilient member
is made of metal
8 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the resilient member is further characterized as being integrally attached to the frame 9 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the handle is further characterized as being integrally attached to the resilient member
10 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 further has
a net for providing a retaining area which is attached to the frame
1 1 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the frame is a circular frame
12 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the frame is a
rectangular frame
13 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the net apparatus is a fish net apparatus
14 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 1 is further characterized by
a net retaining frame attached to the frame that is capable of securing a
net to the frame
15 The flexible net apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the net retaining frame is further characterized as being
hingedly attached to the frame so that the net retaining frame is able to swing between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the net retaining frame is further characterized as having pins along the perimeter of the net retaining frame that engage and secure into
corresponding holes located along the perimeter of the frame so that the net retaining frame engages to the frame and a net is able to be secured between the net retaining
frame and the frame
16. A method of making a flexible net apparatus having the steps of:
providing a frame adapted to receive and hold a net, and
providing a handle that is able to be held by a user, characterized by the steps of:
attaching one end of a bendible, resilient member to the frame, and
attaching another end of the resilient member to the handle wherein the resilient member allows the handle to be flexed relative to the frame.
17. The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 16
wherein the bendible, resilient member is further characterized by a structural shape
that allows the handle to bend angularly relative to the frame and spring back to a resting position.
18. The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 17
wherein the structural shape is further characterized by a wave-shaped joint having at
least one undulating curve. 19. The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 17
wherein the structural shape is further characterized by a coil shaped joint having at
least one convolution.
20. The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the resting position is a substantially straight resting position. 21. The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 16
wherein the step of attaching one end of a bendible, resilient member is further
characterized by the step of integrally attaching the one end of the bendible, resilient member to the frame. 22 The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the step of attaching another end of the resilient member to the handle is
further characterized by the step of integrally attaching the another end of the resilient
member to the handle wherein the handle is able to be held by the user and the resilient
member allows the handle to flex relative to the frame.
23 The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 16 further having the step of
attaching a net to the frame wherein the net provides a retaining area
24 The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 16 further characterized by the step of
attaching a net retaining frame to the frame wherein the net retaining frame is able to secure a net to the frame
25 A method of making a flexible net apparatus characterized by the steps of providing at least one mold that forms a frame adapted to receive and
hold a net, a bendible, resilient member coupled to the frame, and a handle coupled to the resilient member wherein the handle is able to be held by a user and the resilient member allows the frame to flex relative to the frame, pouring material that is to be cured into the at least one mold for
shaping the frame, the resilient member, and the handle, allowing the material to cure in the at least one mold, and removing the cured material that is in the shape of the frame, the resilient member, and the handle 26 The method of making a flexible net apparatus according to claim 25
wherein the step of pouring material is further characterized by the step of injecting the material that is to be cured into the at least one mold for shaping the frame, the resilient member, and the handle
27 A method of using a flexible net apparatus in a closed underwater
environment wherein the flexible net apparatus has a frame, one end of a bendible, resilient member attached to the frame, a handle attached to another end of the bendible, resilient member, and a net that provides a retaining area attached to the
frame, having the steps of inserting the frame and the attached net into a water surface of the closed underwater environment, guiding the frame and the net to a target item in the water surface,
generally holding the target item in the retaining area of the net, trapping the target item against a vertical surface of the closed underwater environment, and
sliding the frame, the net, and the target item generally along the
vertical surface of the closed underwater environment, characterized by the steps of bending the resilient member so that the handle is relatively angular to
the frame so that a perimeter of the frame is generally in contact with the vertical
surface of the closed underwater environment and the handle is in a pivoted position that is convenient to a user of the net apparatus, and
lifting the frame, the net, and the target item out of the water surface of
the closed underwater environment and allowing the resilient member to spring back to a resting position
28. The method of using a flexible net apparatus according to claim 27 further
having the steps of:
trapping the target item against a horizontal surface of the closed underwater environment, and
sliding the frame, the net, and the target item generally along the horizontal surface of the closed underwater environment, characterized by the step of:
bending the resilient member so that the handle is relatively angular to
the frame so that a perimeter of the frame is generally in contact with the horizontal surface of the closed underwater environment and the handle is in a pivoted position
that is convenient to a user of the net apparatus.
PCT/US1997/013299 1996-08-02 1997-07-31 Flexible net apparatus and corresponding methods WO1998005203A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU38985/97A AU3898597A (en) 1996-08-02 1997-07-31 Flexible net apparatus and corresponding methods

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US69140596A 1996-08-02 1996-08-02
US08/691,405 1996-08-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998005203A1 true WO1998005203A1 (en) 1998-02-12

Family

ID=24776425

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/013299 WO1998005203A1 (en) 1996-08-02 1997-07-31 Flexible net apparatus and corresponding methods

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3898597A (en)
WO (1) WO1998005203A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

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US6705039B1 (en) * 2001-04-02 2004-03-16 Phillip John Campbell Flexible fish landing net
JP2008086273A (en) * 2006-10-03 2008-04-17 Tominaga Jushi Kogyosho:Kk Scooping tool for pet fish, and the like
KR101525354B1 (en) * 2014-05-30 2015-06-03 박정주 Draining Spoon
US11229196B1 (en) * 2021-03-03 2022-01-25 Peter G. Sohnle Catch and release apparatus

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US6705039B1 (en) * 2001-04-02 2004-03-16 Phillip John Campbell Flexible fish landing net
JP2008086273A (en) * 2006-10-03 2008-04-17 Tominaga Jushi Kogyosho:Kk Scooping tool for pet fish, and the like
KR101525354B1 (en) * 2014-05-30 2015-06-03 박정주 Draining Spoon
US11229196B1 (en) * 2021-03-03 2022-01-25 Peter G. Sohnle Catch and release apparatus

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