Lobster abstract
A lobster trap having at least two feeding chambers separated from
one another with no direct access from one feeding chamber to the
other(s), each feeding chamber having a feeding head to the exterior
of the trap and a centrally disposed bait well accessible to each
feeding chamber, such lobster trap characterized by the lack of
a parlor chamber.
Lobster claims
8. A lobster trap for the capture of lobsters, said lobster trap
having an interior and exterior, comprising: at least two feeding
chambers disposed within said interior of said trap, each of said
feeding chambers separated from one another with no direct access
from one feeding chamber to another of said feeding chambers; means
in each of said feeding chambers for lobsters to enter each of said
feeding chambers from outside of said trap; and a bait well centrally
disposed within said trap having a height, a top, and a top edge,
said bait well having an opening defined at its top for receipt
of bait, said bait well accessible to each of said feeding chambers,
said lobster trap characterized by a lack of a parlor chamber.
9. The lobster trap of claim 8 made of wire mesh material, further
including: vertically disposed first, second, third and fourth sides
each having the same height, a length, a top edge and a bottom edge,
said first and third sides having the same length and said second
and fourth sides having the same length, said bottom edges of said
first, second, third and fourth sides when joined together forming
the dimensions of a rectangle; a base having the same dimensions
as said rectangle, said base attached to said bottom edges of said
first, second, third and fourth sides; said top edges of said first,
second, third and fourth sides forming a level being the height
of said lobster trap; a cover hingeably attached to a top edge of
one of said sides, said cover having the same dimensions as the
dimensions of said rectangle, said cover adapted to open and close,
said cover when closed, covering said opening at the top of said
bait well and the top edges of said first, second, third and fourth
sides of said trap; and said top edge of said bait well being disposed
at the same height as the height of said sides of said trap.
10. The lobster trap of claim 8 wherein said centrally disposed
bait well is formed in a V-shape of wire mesh material, said bait
well separating said feeding chambers from one another, said V-shaped
bait well having an opening defined therein at its top for receiving
bait through said opening at its top.
11. The lobster trap of claim 8 wherein said centrally disposed
bait well is formed in an envelope configuration, said bait well
separating said feeding chambers from one another, said envelope
having an opening defined at its top for receiving bait therein.
12. The lobster trap of claim 9 wherein said centrally disposed
bait well is formed in a V-shape of wire mesh material, said bait
well extending from said first side to said third side and from
said base to said level of said top edges of said sides of said
trap, said bait well separating said feeding chambers from one another,
said V-shaped bait well having an opening defined therein at its
top for receiving bait through said opening at its top.
13. The lobster trap of claim 9 wherein said centrally disposed
bait well is formed in an envelope configuration, said bait well
extending from said first side to said third side and from said
base to said level of said top edges of said sides of said trap,
said bait well separating said feeding chambers from one another,
said envelope having an opening defined at its top for receiving
bait therein.
14. The lobster trap of claim 9 further including: four vertically
disposed internal partitions separating said trap into four feeding
chambers, each feeding chamber having a separate feeding head open
to the exterior of said trap to allow for the entrance of lobsters
into each, said internal partitions forming said central bait well
having access to each of said feeding chambers, said opening at
the top of said bait well being disposed at the same level as the
height of said top edges of said sides of said trap, said feeding
chambers having a lack of direct access from one feeding chamber
to another within said trap.
15. The lobster trap of claim 14 further including: vertically
disposed first, second, third and fourth wire mesh members, said
first wire mesh member attached to said third and fourth partitions
to form said first feeding chamber, said second wire mesh member
attached to said second and fourth partitions to form said fourth
feeding chamber, said third wire mesh member attached to said first
and second partitions to form said third feeding chamber, said fourth
wire mesh member attached to said third and first partitions to
form said second feeding chamber, said interconnections of said
first, second, third and fourth wire mesh members to said first,
second, third and fourth partitions forming said centrally disposed
bait well for receipt of bait therein.
Lobster description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Application does not claim the benefit of one or more prior
applications. Reference is made to prior applications herein to
show state of the prior art only.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING
COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Lobster fishing methods and traps have not substantially
changed for more than 300 years. Traps used in colonial times are
immediately identifiable and are created to the same basic configuration
as a modern trap. The only major changes have been in the shape
of the trap (half-barrel shaped or rectangular) and in the change
from wooden lathes to wire mesh. This invention relates to new and
novel improvements in an age-old art.
[0005] Lobster fisheries have continually increased catches for
decades without a diminution of, or damage to, the breeding stock
of the species. The reason behind this fact puzzled scientists until
recently. Advances in optics and waterproofing have led to the scientific
study of lobsters in their native habitat. `Lobster Cams` are easily
found on the Internet recording the actions of lobsters in and around
pots twenty-four hours a day. Such devices and studies have led
to a better understanding of the lobsters feeding patterns and activity
patterns during both day and night.
[0006] Existing pots were built on the assumption that most lobsters
would enter the pot at night to feed and be unable to divine a way
to exit before the pot is hauled the following day. Modern studies,
however, show that 96+% of all lobsters which enter a trap, do so
during the day, eat and leave. The only lobster caught in the trap
is the one unlucky enough to be eating when the pot is pulled. Studies
also show that lobsters will not enter a pot if a larger lobster
is present in the feeding chamber, and will actually dig nests or
`dugouts` under a pot to wait their turn to feed.
[0007] Current pots are equipped with only one feeding chamber
and waste one half to two thirds of the room in the pot on nets
designed to make it difficult for lobsters to exit. Unfortunately
the lobsters seem to have learned the way out. Lobsters have no
difficulty navigating 2 and even three chamber traps. Current pots
additionally require the bait to be placed in a bait bag and tied
to the sleeper chamber. If placed loose in the pot bait is easily
removed by the lobster. Current `traps` are actually feeding stations
for lobsters. Given the free and easily obtained supply of food
it is little wonder that the breeding stocks are continuing to increase.
[0008] My system for trapping the lobster utilizes the current
information known about the lobster, maximizes the feeding chambers
available for occupation and reduces the work of the lobsterman
by eliminating the need to fill and attach new bait bags to a pot
and to remove used bait bags for refill.
[0009] The invention addresses issues discovered and reported in
the following articles or web sites:
[0010] a Lobsters on a Roll, Colin Woodard, The Christian Science
Monitor, January 9 2003
[0011] b Great Lobster Escapes Caught on Camera, CBC News Online
Feb. 27 2003. http://cbc.ca/stories/2003/01/10/lobsters030110
[0012] c Lobster Logic [They're smarter than you think] The Boston
Globe Jan. 24 2003 Editorial page
[0013] d http://www.thelobstercam.com/Lobster Institute, University
of Maine, Orono
[0014] e http://www.nature.com/nsu/020211/020211-1.html, Nature
Science Update, a division of Nature Magazine
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
[0015] Certain terms are used to explain the background of the
art and the invention; and, for convenience and completeness sake,
these terms are summarized in this section. Such terms include the
following
[0016] a. Lobster Trap
[0017] A semicircular or rectangular shaped wooden or plastic coated
wire mesh--box placed on the ocean floor and tethered to a buoy
for location and retrieval. The industry uses the term lobster pot
interchangeably with lobster trap. For purposes of describing this
invention, the term lobster pot, or simply, pot, will be used hereafter.
[0018] b. Entry, Parlor, Sleeper, Kitchen and Feeding Chamber
[0019] The existing pot configurations divide the pot into two
types of compartments. An entry where the crustacean enters the
trap, which is called variously entry, parlor or kitchen, depending
on the locale. Parlor will be used for purposes of naming this compartment
herein. The second type of compartment within an existing lobster
pot design is the area where the lobster has access to the bait,
which area is only accessible from the first compartment. This compartment
is confusingly also called the parlor, sleeper or kitchen depending
on the locale the pot is being used in. For the purposes hereof
Sleeper shall be used to describe this second compartment which
lacks direct access to the ocean and contains the bait bag in a
standard pot. No sleeper or parlor is provided in the invention,
rather one or more Feeding Chambers with direct access to the exterior
of the pot are provided. The term feeding chamber shall be used
to describe this area of the invention.
[0020] c. Heads
[0021] Standard lobster pots are configured with two entrance funnels
referred to as fishing heads. In a standard trap these two funnels
normally allow lobster entry into the parlor, and are formed by
cord netting that tapers inwardly toward the interior of the trap.
Heads are generally located on either side of the parlor. The heads
may or may not be equipped with one-way gates. In the invention
one head opens directly into each feeding chamber of the pot rather
than into the Parlor chamber. No entry is provided from one feeding
chamber to the other.
[0022] d. Hog Rings
[0023] A semicircular malleable, steel or aluminum, metal wire
ring often used in the upholstery industry. The rings are close-able
by compression with a specially designed pair of pliers. Such rings
of various types are standard in the lobster fishing industry for
fasteners of various trap hinges and on other trap locations. In
my invention the interior feeding envelope or "V" feeder
and interior partitions may be fastened to the trap by such hog
rings or by any other suitable clips or bands.
[0024] e. Baiting
[0025] Existing traps require the use of string mesh bait bags
into which the bait must be pre-loaded with great effort and mess.
After a trap is hauled the used bait bag with rotted fish is removed
from the trap, saved for reuse and a new bait bag is tied onto the
trap in the Sleeper chamber. In my invention a central bait well
or station made of wire mesh, accessible to lobsters from all feeding
chambers of the trap replaces the bait bag. The bait well or station
is accessed and refilled when the cover of the trap is removed to
check the catch without the need of additional bags or actions to
secure the bait. Remaining rotted bait is drawn to the bottom of
the bait well by gravity and remains as an attractant for lobsters
and results in the conservation of resources for the lobsterman.
It is an object of the invention to create multiple chambers in
a lobster trap at which a lobster can feed without contact with
other lobsters in the same trap. It is an object of the invention
to eliminate the use of bait bags by creating a fixed interior feeding
station. It is an object of the invention to make access to the
feeding station automatic upon opening of the trap cover or hatch.
It is an object of the invention to make access to the feeding chambers
automatic with the opening of the cover or hatch which is directly
over the feeding station. It is an object to provide a central feeding
station. It is an object to provide a central divider which will
separate pots into two or more sections. It is an object to provide
a divider which will prevent lobsters in one chamber from accessing
the other. It is an object to provide an entry system to each chamber
which does not allow access to any other chamber of the pot.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention relates to marine traps and lobster
fisheries. More particularly the field of the marine trap invention
constitutes a substantial non-obvious modification of the industry
standard coated wire lobster fishing trap.
[0027] The invention provides for a trap which utilizes current
scientific studies on the abilities and habits of lobsters and minimizes
the time and effort needed for the lobsterman to check and re-bait
the trap and maximizes the potential for the trapping of one or
more lobsters in the trap when hauled. The trap provides for two
or more feeding chambers, each individually accessible from outside
of the trap, with no way for lobsters which enter a trap to move
from one chamber to another. Each feeding chamber has access to
a bait well which is opened for access at the same time the lid
or hatch for the pot is opened and closed when the lid or hatch
is closed with out other action being necessary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a view of a wire mesh, rectangular trap with the
central bait well or station of this invention, and the single feeding
heads composed of fixed openings with funnel shaped nets each leading
into the separate feeding chambers of this invention. The trap is
otherwise shown with standard runners, weights and cover closure
strap currently in use in the industry.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective similar to FIG. 1 showing a "V"
shaped bait well or station with the single feeding heads composed
of fixed openings with funnel shaped nets which each lead into the
separate feeding chambers of this invention. FIG. 2 shows the relationship
of the upper edge of the bait well with the top edge of the trap
and the bottom edge of the hinged cover, by which the bait well
is sealed when the cover is closed.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a view of an envelope style bait well made of
wire mesh material.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a view of the "V" style bait well made
of wire mesh material.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the opening of a four--feeding--chamber
trap with unitary wire mesh bait well. Fishing heads opening in
each chamber are omitted for clarity.
[0033] The following details are noted in each drawing and uniform
numbers are used in each to show the same:
[0034] # Description of Item Detailed
[0035] 1. Standard wire mesh forming exterior sides and bottom
of trap. Exterior sides and bottom are assembled through the use
of Hog Rings where necessary.
[0036] 2. Wire mesh forming hinged cover of trap, by which interior
trap is accessed. Cover is attached by the use of Hog Rings or similar
attachment devices.
[0037] 3. Closure device (loop) used to fasten trap cover.
[0038] 4. Feeding head composed of a fixed opening in the exterior
of the trap with funnel shaped netting attached, leading into the
separate feeding chamber(s) of this invention.
[0039] 5. Weight and retaining cage used to ensure the trap sits
on the bottom in an upright position
[0040] 6. Standard runners attached to the base of trap.
[0041] 7. Unitary bait well or station formed of wire mesh which
wire mesh structure also forms the interior partition of the trap.
Bait well is assembled with the use of Hog Rings. Bait well is attached
to exterior walls of trap, through use of Hog Rings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] The invention is formed by creating a box of wire mesh or
other material. One section of the box being hinged and forms the
cover. Two or more openings are made in the sides of the box and
standard mesh funnel attachments are affixed to the openings in
standard fashion. In the interior of the box partitions are created
by using wire mesh or other suitable material which are each affixed
to at least one wall and bottom of the box and which are attached
and fitted together in the center of the box in such a way as to
form a well for the insertion of bait which is closed at the bottom
and open at the top. Said well is affixed to the bottom and at least
two sides. Each fishing head made of the aforesaid mesh has exclusive
access to one feeding chamber of the trap. Each feeding chamber
has separate and distinct access to the central bait well. The top
of the well is flush with the level of the top of the box. The top
side of the box, or cover, is hinged in such a fashion that it lays
flat across the top of the bait well when closed, preventing any
bait placed therein from being removed. Said cover also seals the
feeding chambers of the pot and assists in preventing the escape
of lobsters. The cover is locked in position by means of a standard
elastic loop or strap.
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