US3716938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspension fish box
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-09-20
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A main tubular frame bent to provide a straight top bar with legs depending from opposite ends thereof, together with a subframe of similar configuration hinged to the main frame with means to limit swinging movements therebetween. The two frames support a flexible water-tight sheet fashioned to provide an open-top box depending from the top bars, the sheet being provided with cut-away portions at the bar ends and therebetween to exposed portions of the bars therethrough. Hooks fixedly carried by a fishing yacht, as within its cockpit, when engaged with the top bar under side of the main frame, provide adequate support for the entire box structure at a desired elevation. Its normally open top is then positioned to receive both water and fish, as and when caught, any substantial load being evenly distributed lengthwise of the bar tops. The box contents will remain intact therein until unloaded, whereupon the box may be water-flushed, collapsed, and stowed away to await further usage at a later time.
Inventors
- 👤 W Ammons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:11
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K97/00; A01K97/04; A01K97/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
A suspension fish box comprising (a) a main tubular frame having a horizontal top bar bent to provide at opposite ends a pair of depending legs, (b) a sub-frame of similar structure and configuration having legs hingedly mounted at their free ends to the legs of the main frame at an elevation which permits the sub-frame to swing between closed and open positions relative to the main frame in the former of which the top bar and legs of the sub-frame lie adjacent those of the main frame and parallel therewith and in the latter of which the top bar of the sub-frame is swung outwardly and downwardly away from the top bar of the main frame with its two legs inclined outwardly and upwardly from their hinged mountings to a position approaching the horizontal, thereby to support the sub-frame when so positioned, and (c) a flexible foldable water-tight sheet fashioned into an open-top box having a front, bottom and back walls with a cover flap for the open top thereof, together with (d) end walls extending between the box walls and in water-tight connection therewith, the upper end portions of the front and back walls being looped over and around the top bars of the main and sub-frames to provide thereat double plies each linearly secured therebelow to its own wall to provide elongated pockets wherein the proximate top bar may be confined, the double plies of the back wall being cut away at spaced points lengthwise thereof to expose the frame top bar therewithin whereby it may be supportingly positioned directly upon fixed hook means in underlying relation thereto when the fish box is to be suspended in operative position to receive its intended load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
A suspension fish box comprising (a) a main tubular frame having a horizontal top bar bent to provide at opposite ends a pair of depending legs, (b) a sub-frame of similar structure and configuration having legs hingedly mounted at their free ends to the legs of the main frame at an elevation which permits the sub-frame to swing between closed and open positions relative to the main frame in the former of which the top bar and legs of the sub-frame lie adjacent those of the main frame and parallel therewith and in the latter of which the top bar of the sub-frame is swung outwardly and downwardly away from the top bar of the main frame with its two legs inclined outwardly and upwardly from their hinged mountings to a position approaching the horizontal, thereby to support the sub-frame when so positioned, and (c) a flexible foldable water-tight sheet fashioned into an open-top box having a front, bottom and back walls with a cover flap for the open top thereof, together with (d) end walls extending between the box walls and in water-tight connection therewith, the upper end portions of the front and back walls being looped over and around the top bars of the main and sub-frames to provide thereat double plies each linearly secured therebelow to its own wall to provide elongated pockets wherein the proximate top bar may be confined, the double plies of the back wall being cut away at spaced points lengthwise thereof to expose the frame top bar therewithin whereby it may be supportingly positioned directly upon fixed hook means in underlying relation thereto when the fish box is to be suspended in operative position to receive its intended load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
287 words
A suspension fish box comprising (a) a main tubular frame having a horizontal top bar bent to provide at opposite ends a pair of depending legs, (b) a sub-frame of similar structure and configuration having legs hingedly mounted at their free ends to the legs of the main frame at an elevation which permits the subframe to swing between closed and open positions relative to the main frame in the former of which the top bar and legs of the sub-frame lie adjacent those of the main frame and parallel therewith and in the latter of which the top bar of the sub-frame is swung outwardly and downwardly away from the top bar of the main frame with its two legs inclined outwardly and upwardly from their hinged mountings to a position approaching the horizontal, thereby to support the sub-frame when so positioned, and (c) a flexible foldable water-tight sheet fashioned into an open-top box having a front, bottom and back walls with a cover flap for the open top thereof, together with (d) end walls extending between the box walls and in water-tight connection therewith, the upper end portions of the front and back walls being looped over and around the top bars of the main and sub-frames to provide thereat double plies each linearly secured therebelow to its own wall to provide elongated pockets wherein the proximate top bar may be confined, the double plies of the back wall being cut away at spaced points lengthwise thereof to expose the frame top bar therewithin whereby it may be supportingly positioned directly upon fixed hook means in underlying relation thereto when the fish box is to be suspended in operative position to receive its intended load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
287 words
A suspension fish box comprising (a) a main tubular frame having a horizontal top bar bent to provide at opposite ends a pair of depending legs, (b) a sub-frame of similar structure and configuration having legs hingedly mounted at their free ends to the legs of the main frame at an elevation which permits the subframe to swing between closed and open positions relative to the main frame in the former of which the top bar and legs of the sub-frame lie adjacent those of the main frame and parallel therewith and in the latter of which the top bar of the sub-frame is swung outwardly and downwardly away from the top bar of the main frame with its two legs inclined outwardly and upwardly from their hinged mountings to a position approaching the horizontal, thereby to support the sub-frame when so positioned, and (c) a flexible foldable water-tight sheet fashioned into an open-top box having a front, bottom and back walls with a cover flap for the open top thereof, together with (d) end walls extending between the box walls and in water-tight connection therewith, the upper end portions of the front and back walls being looped over and around the top bars of the main and sub-frames to provide thereat double plies each linearly secured therebelow to its own wall to provide elongated pockets wherein the proximate top bar may be confined, the double plies of the back wall being cut away at spaced points lengthwise thereof to expose the frame top bar therewithin whereby it may be supportingly positioned directly upon fixed hook means in underlying relation thereto when the fish box is to be suspended in operative position to receive its intended load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A suspension fish box, as specified in claim 1, wherein the means for hingedly mounting the legs of the sub-frame to those of the main frame comprise, in each instance, a plate fixedly connected to one of them and hingedly joined to the other in alignment therewith whereby to provide for swinging movements therebetween through a fixed path between two positions, one of which approaches the horizontal whereby the sub-frame legs at their free ends are also pressure-engaged with the proximate sides of the main frame to transmit directly thereto through a plane substantially transversely thereof a thrust force originating with the load within the fish box.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |