WO2017042786A1

WO2017042786A1 - Trap for crustaceans with automatic floatation

Info

Publication number: WO2017042786A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/056447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcos ODENS; José Ángel GONZÁLEZ GILL; Juan Bosco GUEVARA PERÉZ; Ulises GAMALIER MADERO; Yino Xavier SEGURA MARTINEZ
Original assignee: Universidad Tecnologica De Panama
Current assignee: Universidad Tecnologica De Panama
Priority date: 2016-07-19
Filing date: 2016-10-27
Publication date: 2017-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-19

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus (1) for capturing crustaceans with an automatic floatation system through movement sensors (204), which enables the captured animal inside an anti-escape device (201) to be kept alive. The apparatus (1), once the floatability system is activated, inflates a series of floats (206), which lift the trap (200) via a rope (101) that passes through a guide (100) located in the central section of the trap (200), the lower connection of which ends in an anchor (207) and the upper in the buoy (300). The trap (200) comes to the surface in order to facilitate the capture of crustaceans and automatically proceeds to empty the floats (206) to immediately thereafter be located again in the sea following the rope (101) until it reaches the same position where the anchor (207) is located on the sea floor.

Description

TRAP FOR CRUSTACEANS WITH AUTOMATIC FLOATATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to fishing equipment and, in particular, to an apparatus for capturing crustaceans using a submersible trap that, once the animal is captured, floats on the surface via a float mechanism, thus keeping the animal alive and visible for the users. The device contains a marine buoy for geographical localisation and movement sensors that activate the floatation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The current problem for independent fishermen, fishery employees, boat owners and other fishermen lies in the movement of the crustacean traps, whether due to currents, the catch itself or outsiders, which causes the loss thereof and cost of resources to search for them. The manufacture thereof also makes them hard to transport since they tend to be large and, in some cases , heavy, which also cause its deterioration due to mishandling and transport.

Inventions that have characteristics such as flexibility, retractable and expandable configuration that make it easier for fishermen to transport and place them on the sea floor, are known in the state of the art.

In particular, the patent US2005/0198892A1 describes an underwater trap that has entrances with a system that prevents the animal from escaping through a plastic-based design.

Patent US5946850 uses a mechanism with multiple entrances, which is submerged and prevents the crustaceans from escaping. Another of the existing inventions is patent US 71 1 1427B1 , which describes a lobster trap with different sections and a cover with a latch opening to remove the captured animals.

Patent US 82919034 B2 uses a geolocation system and a buoy on the surface that gives the location of the trap connected to the Internet.

Patent US537708 shows a device for capturing aquatic fauna, which has entrances and a side opening spring system for the capture chamber. Our invention has a latch opening method located on the upper portion of the capture chamber.

Patent US5581930, which is similar to the present invention, is an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of fish and other underwater objects, includes underwater sensor assembly. The sensor assembly transmits signals corresponding to such factors to an above water circuit which provides an output signal. The underwater sensor assemblies are mounted on a fishing rod or outrigger pole to detect fishing line vibration or rod movement.

Although these patents describe apparatuses that contain nets designed for capturing fish, the aforementioned technique does not provide automatic systems with sensors at the entrances that activate the floatation mechanism and the design also has a set of teeth that prevent the animal from escaping. The present invention seeks to reinforce the capture system, protecting the captured crustacean at all times during the process and preventing it from escaping.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism for capturing crustaceans by means of a double compartment trap, which captures the animal and keeps it alive by moving it away from other predators.

A movement sensor assembly is located in the entrances of the cage, which send a signal to the central mechanism once the signals are captured, which activates the floatation mechanism when the signals from all the entrances are received.

The floatation mechanism then fills the floats located on the upper portion of the trap with air, which lifts the trap following the path of the guide rope attached to the marine buoy located on the surface.

The entrances to the trap have a single entrance design similar to a cone with an exit, which becomes narrower, thus making it hard for the animal to exit but facilitating the entry thereof.

Another object of the invention is to be made of materials that resist sea water and river water, and be made with mesh and lightweight materials to ensure it keeps its shape underwater and keep the fauna alive once captured. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A series of drawings that aid a better understanding of the invention and that are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention that is presented as a non-limiting example are briefly described below.

Figure 1 shows a front view of the apparatus for capturing crustaceans of the present invention floating on the surface of the water in a fishing zone, with the trap arranged on the sea floor.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the apparatus (1 ) for capturing crustaceans of the present invention, before submerging the trap (200).

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the trap (200).

Figures 4 and 5 show a bottom and top plan view of the trap (200), respectively.

Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view according to the cross-section line A-A of figure 5, showing the trap (200) during immersion.

Figure 7 shows a flat front view of the anti-escape accessory (201 ) of the apparatus for capturing crustaceans.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the floatation tube (206), which comprises LEDs (208) that indicate that the float (206) is on stand-by for the activation thereof.

Figure 9 shows the flow diagram of the floatation system. When the crustacean is located in the entrance (201 ) of the trap, the sensor (204) records the movement thereof and changes the status of the float to Stand-by mode, providing feedback with LEDs (208) located therein. Once all the floats are in stand-by mode, they proceed with the floatation system, turning on and pulling the trap through the rope (101 ) that passes through a guide (100) to the surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 -2 show the apparatus (1 ) for capturing crustaceans of the present invention arranged in a fishing zone. As may be seen, said apparatus comprises: a trap (200) for capturing crustaceans comprising a series of floats (206) located in the upper portion that is configured to be submerged in the water whilst the marine buoy (300) is kept afloat; a marine buoy (300) comprising a rope (101 ) that passes through a guide (100) located in the central section of the trap (200), the connection of which ends in the anchor (207) located on the sea floor, which enables the apparatus to be kept and guided on the surface of the water of the fishing zone; and an anchor (207) of the trap which is located on the sea floor so that when the same is thrown in, the trap is adequately placed without the user having to submerge themselves.

As may be seen in figures 3-6, the trap (200) comprises four entrances (201 ) that enable crustaceans to enter from an entry area (202) to a capture area (203) that prevents them from exiting. Each one of these entrances (201 ) is cone-shaped, with a larger diameter in the entry area (202) to facilitate the entry of the animal, and with a smaller diameter in the capture area (203) so that it is narrower and prevents them from exiting the trap (200).

As may be seen in figures 3 and 5, the trap (200) has two portions (230) with latch opening secured to the upper portion in order to facilitate the removal of the crustaceans.

To determine the precise moment at which to initiate the automatic collection of the traps (200) such that the catch obtained is acceptable, each one of the entrances (201 ) comprises a movement sensor (204) configured to send a signal to the floatation mechanism (300) when the presence of crustaceans is detected.

The central unit or CPU of said system receives the signals and is put on stand-by until a previously pre-established acceptable number of catches is reached. At this time, the floats (206) are activated in order to make the trap (200) surface, as shown in figure 2.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the floats (206), which comprise LEDs

(208) that indicate that the float (206) is on stand-by for the activation thereof. These floats (206) are arranged around the upper ring (210) of the trap (200).

Figure 9 shows the flow diagram of the floatation system of the trap (200). First, the crustaceans (401 ) enter the trap (200) and the sensor (204) records the movement (402). If no movement is registered, the system remains in stand-by (403), whilst if, on the contrary, movement is recorded, the system puts the float in stand-by mode (404).

Subsequently, it is kept in stand-by until the previously pre-established acceptable number of captures is reached, such that the complete number of signals (405) are recorded, keeping the floats inactive (406) in the event that the number is not reached and activating the floats (407) if the suitable number of complete signals is obtained.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for capturing crustaceans with automatic floatation, characterised in that it comprises: a trap (200) for capturing crustaceans comprising a series of floats (206) located in the upper portion; a marine buoy (300) comprising a rope (101 ) that passes through a guide (100) located in the central section of the trap (200), the connection of which ends in the anchor (207) located on the sea floor, which enables the apparatus to be kept and guided on the surface of the water of the fishing zone; and an anchor (207) of the trap which is located on the sea floor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , characterised in that the trap (200) comprises anti-escape devices (201 ) located in the side entrances of the trap (200), which enable crustaceans to enter but likewise prevents the same from exiting.

3. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that each one of the entrances of the anti-escape device (201 ) comprises at least one movement sensor (204) configured to send a signal to the marine buoy (300) when it detects the entry of crustaceans.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the trap (200) comprises portions (230) with latch opening secured to the upper portion to facilitate the removal of the crustaceans.

5. The apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the trap (200) comprises a series of floats (206) arranged around the upper ring (210) of the trap (200), which are activated or deactivated depending on the signals received by the movement sensors (204) located in the entrances of the anti- escape device (201 ).

6. The apparatus according to claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the floats (206) comprise LEDs (208) that indicate that the float (206) is in stand-by for the activation thereof.