US3766678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Harpoon-flying gaff
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A pointed instrument, in the nature of a harpoon or gaff, is provided with a shank slidably fitted into one end of a tubular handle and detachably connected to a flexible element extending from the other end of the handle and adapted to have its extremity anchored whereby, when a sea creature is harpooned or gaffed and attempts to run, the flexible element can slide outwardly through the tubular handle to the limit of movement provided by the anchoring of the flexible element, whereupon such element may be pulled back through the tubular handle and the fish or other creature landed. The harpoon has a pivoted blade releasably held in fixed position relative to the shank, whereby when the fish is harpooned, a pull on one point of the harpoon blade will swing it to a position transverse to the shank for a firmer and in fact unbreakable hold on the fish so that it may be landed.
Inventors
- 👤 H Reaves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:22
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K81/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A fish landing device comprising an element having a fishpiercing point, a straight shank connected to said element and projecting therefrom, a tubular handle open therethrough and one end of which slidably receives said shank, and a flexible element connected at one end to the end of said shank within said handle, at least a portion of said flexible element at the end thereof connected to said shank projecting beyond the other end of said handle and provided with abutments whereby, when a pull is exerted upon said handle the portion of said flexible element at said other end of said handle may be doubled back on said handle and grasped therewith to engage one of said abutments with said other end of said handle to prevent pulling of said shank from said handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fish landing device comprising an element having a fishpiercing point, a straight shank connected to said element and projecting therefrom, a tubular handle open therethrough and one end of which slidably receives said shank, and a flexible element connected at one end to the end of said shank within said handle, at least a portion of said flexible element at the end thereof connected to said shank projecting beyond the other end of said handle and provided with abutments whereby, when a pull is exerted upon said handle the portion of said flexible element at said other end of said handle may be doubled back on said handle and grasped therewith to engage one of said abutments with said other end of said handle to prevent pulling of said shank from said handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said pointed element is a harpoon blade having said point thereof remote from said shank to enter the fish, said harpoon blade having a point remote from said first-named point acting as a barb to engage the flesh of the fish after said harpoon blade has entered into the fish, said harpoon blade having a sharpened edge lying wholly outwardly of said shank and extending between said two named points and convexly smoothly curving from end-to-end to provide a continuous cutting edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said harpoon blade is substantially triangular, having two edges in addition to said sharpened edge, both of said two edges being blunt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said harpoon blade is pivoted to said shank, said harpoon blade and said shank having interengaging portions tending frictionally to prevent swinging movement of said harpoon blade about its pivot, a pull on said second point releasing said interengaging portions from each other whereby said harpoon blade is adapted to swing about its pivot to a position with said points in a line substantially transverse to the lengtH of said shank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein said first-named point is closer to said pivot than said second-named point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said portion of said flexible element is a link chain connected at one end to said shank and extending substantially from the other end of said handle, whereby the portion of said chain projecting from said handle may be doubled back against said handle to be grasped therewith to exert a pull on the fish with a link of said chain engaging said other end of said handle to act as a lock to prevent sliding movement of said chain from said first-named end of said handle.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |