WO2008020173A2

WO2008020173A2 - Improved fishing creel

Info

Publication number: WO2008020173A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/003009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon Maclennan
Original assignee: Gordon Diesel Services Limited
Priority date: 2006-08-14
Filing date: 2007-08-07
Publication date: 2008-02-21
Also published as: EP2051581A2; GB0616120D0; WO2008020173A3; NO20091068L

Abstract

A fishing creel (8) formed from one or more releasable panels ( 9, 9b, 11a, lib) attached to a rigid frame (2) is described. The panels comprise a mesh (14) and a plurality of connectors (15) located on at least one side of the mesh perimeter. It is the resiliently deformable nature of the connectors that provides the means for the releasable attachment of the panels. Also described is a mould (23) for producing the connectors and a method of releasing a connector formed within the mould. The panel design allows them to be quickly attached to the rigid frame (2), thus reducing the number of man hours required for construction and for any subsequent repairs that are required to be carried out. Advantageously, the employed mesh may be of a more robust and heavier type than those used in the prior art, thus making the panels and the resultant fishing creels more wear resistant.

Description

Improved Fishing Creel

The present invention relates to the field of fishing. In particular, an improved fishing creel for catching crustaceans is described along with a method of production of the same.

Fishing creels or pots are commonly employed within the fishing industry for the catching of crustaceans e.g. lobster, crab etc. An example of the most commonly employed design of creel is presented in Figure 1. Such creels 1 are made of a rigid frame 2 having ^VD' cross section which is hot dip coated in plastic to aid corrosion resistance. The rigid frame 2 is then covered in netting 3, which is held in place with twine. Traditionally, the ^VD' cross section for the rigid frame 2 is chosen so as to give the creel 1 stability, and to help reduce the creel 1 from rolling around, on the seabed during use. Access for crustaceans to the creel 1 is via one or more entrance eyes 4 incorporated within the netting 3. These eyes 4 are also made of net, usually of a different colour to the creel netting 3 (generally white) , with a solid plastic ring 5 located at their inner end so as ensure that the eyes 4 remains open. The outer end of the eyes 4 are sown to the creel netting 3. The whole eye arrangement is kept taught and in place by two strings tied to the ring 5 and tensioned to the opposite side of the creel 1.

A creel door 6 is hinged connected to the rigid frame 2 at the bottom of one of the D-cross section ends. This door can be opened, as and when required, so as to allow access to the creel 1 for the removal of the captured crustaceans.

In practice it is found that even D-shaped cross section creels 1 still experience significant movement on the seabed during use due to tide and wave motion. As the creel 1 rolls around on the seabed, chaffing occurs between the rocks on the seabed and the rigid frame 2 causing the netting 3 trapped in between to wear through prematurely. As a direct result holes form in the netting 3 through which the previously trapped crustaceans can escape.

One method known to those skilled in the art to reduce the premature wear and tear on the netting 3 is to bind the netted rigid frame with rope 7 during the manufacture process. This involves wrapping the rope 7 round and round each bar of the entire rigid frame 2 while threading it through the netting 3. As can be readily appreciated, this is a very time consuming process that adds considerably to the cost of the manufacture of the creel 1. Furthermore, although the presence of the rope 7 does considerably increases the life expectancy of the creel 1 it still leaves exposed areas where the netting 3 can chaff on the steel frame 2.

When the netting 3 gets damaged during prolonged fishing, the creel 1 has to be repaired at sea by manually repairing the netting 3 where the holes occur. These repairs are typically carried out with twine and the damaged areas are simply sown up. This takes up valuable man hours since the boat is still tied to all of the rest of the creels located on the seabed while the repair is being carried out. In addition, the boat is constantly being moved across the surface of the sea by the tide and wind, which causes the remaining creels 1 to be dragged along the seabed, thus adding further to the abrasion problems. With time the frequency of the required repairs increase to the extent that the creel 1 ultimately ends up being uneconomical to use. Often the creel 1 is simply discarded at this stage even although the rigid frame 2 still remains useful.

It is therefore an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a fishing creel that obviates and mitigates one or more of the above described abrasion problems experienced by the fishing creels known in the art.

Summary of Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel suitable for use with a rigid frame of a fishing creel, the panel comprising a mesh and a plurality of connectors located on at least one side of the perimeter of the mesh wherein the plurality of connectors resiliently deform so as to provide a means for releasable attachment of the panel to one or more bars of the rigid frame.

This arrangement of the plurality of connectors allows for the panel to be attached to a bar of the rigid frame along one side of its perimeter while still being able to pivot relative to the bar. Such a panel may therefore form a door for the fishing creel.

Most preferably the plurality of connectors are located around the entire perimeter of the mesh.

Optionally the panel further comprises one or more connectors located within the perimeter of the mesh.

Preferably the plurality of connectors are regularly arranged around the perimeter of the mesh.

Preferably the mesh comprises a rectangular shape. Such panels are suitable for attachment to one or more sectors of a rigid frame of the fishing creel.

Most preferably the plurality of connectors are regularly arranged around the rectangular shaped mesh such that there is no overlap between connectors on opposite sides of the mesh. Such an arrangement allows two panels to be attached to the same bar without interference between the connectors associated with each panel. Optionally the mesh comprises a D-shape. Such panels are suitable for attachment to D-shaped end sectors of a rigid frame of the fishing creel.

Optionally the panel further comprises an eye ring that forms an aperture within the mesh. Such a ring is suitable for use with an entrance eye for a fishing creel .

Optionally the panel further comprises a door located within an area of the mesh.

Most preferably the plurality of connectors comprise an open cylinder.

Preferably the open cylinder comprises a substantially circular cross section.

Optionally the plurality of connectors comprise a groove located around an external perimeter of the open cylinder. The incorporation of the groove allows for a cable tie, twine, hog ring or other similar securing means to be located so as to further secure the attachment of the connector to a bar.

Most preferably the plurality of connectors are made from plastic.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector suitable for attaching a mesh to a rigid frame of a fishing creel wherein the connector is resiliently deforms so as to provide a means for releasable attachment of the connector to a bar of the rigid frame.

Most preferably the connector comprises an open cylinder.

Preferably the open cylinder comprises a substantially circular cross section.

Optionally the connector comprises a groove located around an external perimeter of the open cylinder.

Most preferably the connector is made from plastic .

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a fishing creel comprising a rigid frame and one or more panels in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

Most preferably the one or more panels are sized such that when attached to the rigid frame the mesh extends over at least one sector of the rigid frame.

Preferably the fishing creel further comprises one or more entrance eyes attached to one or more eye rings.

Preferably the one or more entrance eyes comprise a plurality of connectors that provide a means for releasable attachment of the entrance eye to the one or more rings.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mould for forming a connector, the mould comprising at least one mould chamber, a connector mount located within the at least one mould chamber, at least one eject pin that provides a means for moving the connector mount and the formed connector relative to the at least one mould chamber and one or more restraining pins that act to limit the relative movement between the connector mount and the mould chamber.

Most preferably the connector mount comprises a conduit through which the eject pin passes so forming a sliding fit between the connector mount and the eject pin.

Preferably the mould further comprises at least two mould sections that define the at least one mould chamber.

Preferably the one or more restraining pins are fixed to a first mould sections.

Preferably a second mould section comprises one or more restraining pin recesses suitable for housing a restraining pin when the mould is in a closed configuration.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of releasing a connector formed within a mould chamber the method comprising the steps of: 1) Opening the mould chamber; 2) Moving a connector mount on which the connector is formed relative of the mould chamber; 3) Once the connector is clear of the mould chamber, restraining the connector mount while continuing to move the connector relative to the mould chamber. Preferably the step of opening the mould chamber comprises separating two or more mould sections.

Most preferably the step of moving the connector mount on which the connector is formed comprises the translation of an eject pin that interacts with both the connector mount and the connector.

Preferably the step of restraining the connector mount comprises the connector mount interacting with a restraining pin so as to prevent the eject pin from further interacting with the connector mount.

Brief Description of Drawings Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 presents a picture of a fishing creel as known in the prior art;

Figure 2 presents a picture of a fishing creel in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 3 presents a schematic representation of a rigid frame of the fishing creel of Figure 2;

Figure 4 presents a front view of a snap on panel of the fishing creel of Figure 2;

Figure 5 presents detail of a snap-on connector employed by the snap on panel of Figure 4; Figure 6 presents a front view of a snap-on eye panel of the fishing creel of Figure 2;

Figure 7 presents a side view of an entrance eye suitable for connection with to the snap-on eye panel of Figure 6;

Figure 8 presents a front view of: (a) a snap-on end panel; and (b) a snap-on end panel that incorporates a door;

Figure 9 presents a front view of the interlocking arrangement between two snap on panels of the fishing creel of Figure 2;

Figure 10 presents a front view of a snap on panel of suitable for covering two sectors of the rigid frame of Figure 3; and

Figure 11 presents schematic representation of the method of production of three snap-on connectors of Figure 5 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. In particular a front view and a side cross sectional view of the four main stages of the process are presented in Figures 11 (a) to (d) .

Detailed Description Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 11. Figure 2 presents a picture of a fishing creel 8 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The fishing creel comprises the standard D-shaped rigid frame 2, twelve snap-on panels 9 and 9b, two snap-on eyes 10, and two snap-on end panels 11a and lib, one of which lib comprises a door 6 for the creel 8.

A schematic representation the rigid frame 2 employed not only within those fishing creels known in art but also those in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is presented in Figure 3. The rigid frame 2 is again hot dip coated in plastic, or alternatively galvanised, so as to aid corrosion resistance. It is readily apparent that within the standard D-shaped rigid frame 2 there comprises twelve sectors 12 of substantially equal area and two ends 13 having equal D- shaped areas.

Figure 4 presents a front view of the snap-on panels 9 suitable for connection within any of the twelve sectors 12 of the rigid frame 2. The snap-on panels 9 can be seen to comprise a plastic mesh 14 around the perimeter1 of which are located a plurality of snap-on connectors 15. Generally, the snap-on connectors 15 are located at3 the intersections of two strands of the plastic mesh 144 so as to be alternatively spaced from one side of the 5 mesh 14 to the other. It is these snap-on connectors 15 6 which provide the means for the snap-on panel 9 to form a7 releasable attachment with the rigid frame 2. Q O 9 Figure 5 presents detail of a snap-on connector 15. The 0 snap-on connectors 15 can be seen to comprise a cylinder1 of substantially circular cross section, having an2 opening 16 so making the cylinder incomplete, and a3 central aperture 17 substantially circular in shape. As well as being an incomplete cylinder the snap on connector further comprises a groove 18 located around its external perimeter.

Being formed from plastic, the snap-on connector IB is resiliently biased so that if it's cross section is deformed from the circular shape e.g. by the introduction of a bar 19 of the rigid frame 2 to the opening 16, it tends back towards it's circular cross section once the bar 19 is no longer present within the opening 16. Importantly, this may occur when the bar 19 locates within the central aperture 17 of the snap-on connector 15 such that an interference fit is produced between the bar 19 and the snap-on connector 15. In effect the snap- on connector 15 forms an open jaw structure.

In order to further secure the bar 19 within the snap-on connector 15 a securing means 20 such as a cable tie, twine or a hog ring can be located and fastened within the groove 18 once the bar 19 is located within the central aperture 17.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the snap-on connector 15 can be made from variety of materials and have various cross sections profiles e.g. square, triangular, non regular etc. The essential factor is that snap-on connector 15 can resiliently deform to allow the bar 19 to enter, and thereafter be retained within, the central aperture 17. Subsequent deformation of the snap-on connector is then required to release the bar 19, as and when required. It is most preferable for the cross sectional shape and area of the central aperture 17 to be chosen so as to match the cross section shape and area of the bar 19 with which it is to be deployed.

Figure 6 presents a front view of a snap-on panel 9b suitable for receiving the snap-on entrance eye 10, while Figure 7 presents a side view of the snap-on entrance eye 10 connected to the snap-on panel 9b. From a comparison of Figures 4 and 6 it can be seen that the main difference between the snap-on panels 9 and 9b is the incorporation of a central ring 21 within the plastic mesh 14 of snap-on panel 9b. The snap-on entrance eye 10 comprises netting attached to a solid ring 5 in a similar manner to the entrance eye 4 known in the art. It is preferable for the netting to be attached to the solid ring 5 by a plurality of snap-on connectors 15 in a similar manner to that described above. A plurality of snap-on connectors 15 are also attached to the opposite end of the netting so as to provide a releasable attachment means for the snap-on entrance eye 10 with the central ring 21 of a snap-on panel 9b.

Figure 8 presents a front view of the snap-on end panel 11a and the snap-on end panel lib employed as the door of the creel 8. Both designs of end panel can be seen to be similar to the snap-on panels 9 and 9b, merely being of a different shape and area. End panel 11a comprise a plurality of snap-on connectors 15 around its entire perimeter which allow them to be snap fitted to the D- shaped ends 13 of the rigid frame 2. End panel lib comprise a plurality of snap-on connectors 15 located only along its straight edge. This arrangement allows the panel lib to be snap fitted to the rigid frame 2 while still being able to pivot relative to the rigid frame 2 so as to allow access to the creel 1, as and when required. A hook 22 is then employed to secure end panel lib in a closed position, as shown in Figure 2.

In an alternative embodiment, the end panel lib may simply comprise a hinged door flap, located within the area of the mesh 14 that provides the necessary access to the creel 1.

In theory, although not a particularly satisfactory solution, the fishing creel 1 could alternatively comprise two snap-on end panels 11. Access to the fishing creel 1 would then be achieved by the complete removal of one of these snap-on end panels 11.

In order to construct the fishing creel 8, ten snap-on panels 9 and two snap on panels 9b are snap fitted to the sectors 5 of the rigid frame 2. Two snap-on entrance eyes 10 are then attached to the central rings of the snap-on panels 9b. Preferably the mesh of the snap-on entrance eyes 10 is sufficiently rigid for the eyes to remain open during use. However, if necessary strings can be tied to the ring 5 and tensioned to the opposite side of the creel 8 so as to keep the whole eye arrangement taught. Finally, a snap-on end panel 11a and a snap-on end panel lib are snap fitted to the D-shaped ends 13 of the rigid frame 2.

Importantly, the arrangement of the snap-on connectors 15 on the various components of the fishing creel 8 is such that, when deployed the snap-on connectors 15 of one snap-on panel/end panel are interlocked with the snap-on connectors 15 of an adjacent snap-on panel/ end panel, as shown explicitly in Figure 9. As a result, the snap-on connectors 15 of one panel do not interfere with the correct operation of the snap-on connectors 15 of an adjacent panel. In addition, the snap-on connectors 15 also act to reduce the wear and tear experienced by the plastic mesh 14 of the creel 8 in a similar manner to the rope 7 of the prior art creel 1. Importantly however, this is achieved without having to carry out the time consuming process of wrapping the rope 7 around each bar of the entire rigid frame 2 while threading it through the netting 3.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the snap-on panels 9 and 9b need not be restricted in size to a single sector 12 of the rigid frame 2. For example in an alternative embodiment the snap-on panels 9c are sized so as to each cover two sectors 12, see Figure 10. An additional row of connectors is then introduced in the middle of the plastic mesh 14 so as to allow the middle section of the snap-on panel 9c to be attached to the rigid frame 2. Following this principle it will be readily apparent that the snap-on panels can be produced so as to cover one to twelve of the sectors 12 of the rigid frame 2. Similarly, a single snap-on panel may also cover one or more of the D-shaped ends 13 in conjunction with one or more of the equal sized sectors 12.

The described snap-on panels 9, 9b and 9c allow the construction of a fishing creel 8 that exhibits several advantages over those known in the art. In the first instance, the design of the panels 9, 9b and 9c allow them to be quickly attached to the rigid frame 2 during manufacture thus reducing the number of man hours required for construction. This is especially true due to the fact that the snap-on connectors 15 double up in functionality so as to remove the requirement for rope 7 to be wound around the rigid frame 2 in order to reduce the effects of chaffing on the creel 8 as it is dragged along the seabed.

A second significant advantage of the fishing creel 8 is evident when the creel 8 becomes damaged. The repair of a damaged creel 8 can be quickly achieved at sea by simply removing a damaged snap-on panel 9, 9b and 9c and replacing it, as appropriate.

The fact that the fishing creel 8 employs a number of independent snap-on panel 9, 9b and 9c allows for snap-on panel 9, 9b and 9c comprising more robust and heavier meshes 14 to be employed on the bottom of the creel 8 so making them more wear resistant. Presently employed creels 1 employ the same netting 3 all over the creel causing particular abrasion problems on the bottom of the creel.

In further embodiments, alternatively shaped rigid frames 2 may be employed within the creel 1. For example, alternative cross sectioned rigid frames are known in the art, as are rigid frames based on pyramids. In such embodiments the shapes of the snap-on panels 9, 9b and 9c are simply required to be modified, as appropriate.

Method of Production of Snap-on Connector The snap-on connector 15 are formed by a plastic injection moulding process. This is a four stage process as presented in Figure 11 (a) to (d) . As can be seen from Figure 11 the mould 23 comprises a two separate sections 24a and 24b, as defined by a split line 25. When joined together the mould sections 24a and 24b form three mould chambers 26 within which is centrally located a bar 27. The position of the bar 27 relative to the mould section 24b is controlled by the interaction of three eject pins 28, one associated with each mould chamber 26, and two restraining pins 29 located between the mould chambers 26. As can be seen the three eject pins 28 pass through corresponding apertures 30 formed in the bar 27 such that a sliding fit is produced between the eject pins 28 and the bar 27. One end of each restraining pin 29 is screwed into mould sections 24b while the opposite end, comprising a head 31, remains free. Restraining pin recesses 32 are located within mould sections 24a, one associated with each restraining pin 29. The restraining pins 29 thus are housed within their associated restraining pin recess 32 when the mould 23 is in the closed position, see Figure 11 (a) .

The method of production of the snap-on connectors will now be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 (a) presents the first stage of the process. Plastic is injected into the three mould chambers 26, formed by the closed mould 23, so as to form three snap-on connector 15 around the bar 27.

When the plastic has sufficiently cooled the mould is open by separation of the mould sections 24a and 24b, see Figure 11 (b) . The third stage involves translating the three eject pins 28 so as to move the bar 27, and thus the three snap-on connectors 15, away from the mould sections 24b, as shown in Figure 11 (c) . This movement continues until the bar 27 comes into contact with the heads 31 of the two restraining pins 29. Importantly the length of the restraining pins 29 is such that when the bar 27 comes into contact with the heads 31 the three snap-on connectors 15 are completely clear of their associated mould chambers 26.

The final stage of the process, as shown in Figure 11 (d), involves the continued translation of the eject pins 28. As the bar 27 is now stopped from moving by the heads 31 of the restraining pins 29, and the three snap-on connectors 15 are now free to expand, the continued translation of the eject pins 28 acts to release the three snap-on connectors 15 from the bar 27.

This method of production of snap-on connectors 15 is obviously not limited to three, but can be arranged to form any number of snap-on connectors 15, as dictated by the number of mould chambers 26 available. The described method has proved highly reliable and minimises the possibility of the eject pins 28 damaging the snap-on connectors 15 during the ejection stage of the process.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The described embodiments were 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 utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1) A panel suitable for use with a rigid frame of a fishing creel, the panel comprising a mesh and a plurality of connectors located on at least one side of the perimeter of the mesh wherein the plurality of connectors are resiliently deformable so as to provide a means for releasable attachment of the panel to one or more bars of the rigid frame.

2) A panel as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the plurality of connectors are located around the entire perimeter of the mesh.

3) A panel as claimed in either Claim 1 or 2 wherein the panel further comprises one or more connectors located within the perimeter of the mesh.

4) A panel as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the plurality of connectors are regularly arranged around the perimeter of the mesh.

5) A panel as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mesh comprises a rectangular shape.

6) A panel as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the mesh comprises a D-shape.

7) A panel as claimed in either Claim 5 or 6 wherein the plurality of connectors are regularly arranged around the perimeter of the mesh such that there is no overlap between connectors on opposite sides of the mesh. 8) A panel as claimed in any of preceding claims wherein the panel further comprises an eye ring that forms an aperture within the mesh.

9) A panel as claimed in any of preceding claims wherein the panel further comprises a door located within an area of the mesh.

10) A panel as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of connectors comprise a partially incomplete open cylinder.

11) A panel as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the partially incomplete open cylinder comprises a substantially circular cross section.

12) A panel as claimed in any of Claims 10 or 11 wherein the plurality of connectors comprise a groove located around an external perimeter of the partially incomplete open cylinder.

13) A panel as claimed in any of Clams 10 to 12 wherein the plurality of connectors comprises plastic.

14) A connector suitable for attaching a mesh to a rigid frame of a fishing creel wherein the connector is resiliently deforms so as to provide a means for releasable attachment of the connector to a bar of the rigid frame. 15) A connector as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the connector comprises a partially incomplete open cylinder.

16) A connector as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the partially incomplete open cylinder comprises a substantially circular cross section.

17) A connector as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 16 wherein the connector comprises a groove located around an external perimeter of the partially incomplete open cylinder.

18) A connector as claimed in any of Clams 14 to 17 wherein the connector comprises plastic.

19) A fishing creel comprising a rigid frame and one or more panels as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13.

20) A fishing creel as claimed in Claim 19 wherein the one or more panels are sized such that when attached to the rigid frame the mesh extends over at least one sector of the rigid frame.

21) A fishing creel as claimed in either of Claims 19 or 20 wherein the fishing creel further comprises one or more entrance eyes attached to one or more eye rings.

22) A fishing creel as claimed in Claim 21 wherein the one or more entrance eyes comprise a plurality of connectors that provide a means for releasable attachment of the entrance eye to the one or more rings .

23) A mould for forming a connector, the mould comprising at least one mould chamber, a connector mount located within the at least one mould chamber, at least one eject pin that provides a means for moving the connector mount and the formed connector relative to the at least one mould chamber and one or more restraining pins that act to limit the relative movement between the connector mount and the mould chamber.

24) A mould as claimed in Claim 23 wherein the connector mount comprises a conduit through which the eject pin passes so forming a sliding fit between the connector mount and the eject pin.

25) A mould as claimed in either Claim 23 or Claim 24 wherein the mould further comprises at least two mould sections that define the at least one mould chamber .

26) A mould as claimed in Claim 25 wherein the one or more restraining pins are fixed to a first mould section.

27) A mould as claimed in either Claim 25 or 26 wherein a second mould section comprises one or more restraining pin recesses suitable for housing a restraining pin when the mould is in a closed configuration. 28) A method of releasing a connector formed within a mould chamber the method comprising the steps of: 1) Opening the mould chamber; 2) Moving a connector mount on which the connector is formed relative of the mould chamber; 3) Once the connector is clear of the mould chamber, restraining the connector mount while continuing to move the connector relative to the mould chamber .

29) A method of releasing a connector formed within a mould chamber as claimed in Claim 28 wherein the step of opening the mould chamber comprises separating two or more mould sections.

30) A method of releasing a connector formed within a mould chamber as claimed in either of Claims 28 or 29 wherein the step of moving the connector mount on which the connector is formed comprises the translation of an eject pin that interacts with both the connector mount and the connector.

31) A method of releasing a connector formed within a mould chamber as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the step of restraining the connector mount comprises the connector mount interacting with a restraining pin so as to prevent the eject pin from further interacting with the connector mount.