US3772806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oyster tongs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-16
•
Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Tongs for harvesting oysters including two grated baskets pivoted to a support frame in opposed relation for actuation between open and closed positions by a hydraulic motor mounted on the support frame to directly drive one basket which in turn is connected to the other basket by a linkage for driving the latter in unison. The tongs are raised and lowered in water from a boat by a cable driven by a hydraulically operated switch. Operation and control of the tongs and the winch is achieved through a hydraulic system including foot pedals which actuate control valves for supplying and exhausting hydraulic fluid to and from the motors associated with the tongs and the winch.
Inventors
- 👤 J Meadows
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:42
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K80/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
Tong mechanism for harvesting oysters or the like comprising in combination, a mounting frame, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to said frame for movement between open positions spaced apart from each other and closed positions forming an enclosure for holding oysters, a motor mounted to said support frame and having an output means operatively connected to one of said baskets to pivot the same between said open and closed positions thereof, and linkage means interconnecting said baskets for transmitting movement of said one basket to the other basket for opening and closing the other basket simultaneously and in unison with said one basket, said baskets each having a grate construction including a generally convex central rib extending transversely of the basket at the central portion thereof below said frame, a plurality of elongated rods fixed to and projecting from opposite sides of the central rib and extending to the opposite ends of the basket in spaced relationship to each other so as to converge toward the opposite ends of the basket when the baskets are in closed position, and a number of intermediate ribs positioned between the central rib and the ends of the basket and extending transversely of the baskets and being fixed to said rods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
Tong mechanism for harvesting oysters or the like comprising in combination, a mounting frame, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to said frame for movement between open positions spaced apart from each other and closed positions forming an enclosure for holding oysters, a motor mounted to said support frame and having an output means operatively connected to one of said baskets to pivot the same between said open and closed positions thereof, and linkage means interconnecting said baskets for transmitting movement of said one basket to the other basket for opening and closing the other basket simultaneously and in unison with said one basket, said baskets each having a grate construction including a generally convex central rib extending transversely of the basket at the central portion thereof below said frame, a plurality of elongated rods fixed to and projecting from opposite sides of the central rib and extending to the opposite ends of the basket in spaced relationship to each other so as to converge toward the opposite ends of the basket when the baskets are in closed position, and a number of intermediate ribs positioned between the central rib and the ends of the basket and extending transversely of the baskets and being fixed to said rods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The tong mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein said one basket has an ear fixed thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom above the frame and wherein said output means of the motor is connected to said ear to pivot said one basket between open and closed positions thereof, and wherein said linkage means includes a link having one end portion thereof pivotally connected with respect to said ear and having an opposite end portion thereof pivotally connected with respect to the other basket to actuate the other basket between open and closed positions in unison with said one basket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The tong mechanism defined in claim 2 wherein said frame includes a pair of generally parallel bars extending in spaced side-by-side relationship including pivot pins extending and being mounted therebetween, said baskets extending transversely relative to the direction of said bars and being mounted on said pivot pins, the pivot pins being located at opposite end portio s of said bars, said link being located adjacent to but outwardly of one of said bars.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The tong mechanism defined in claim 2 further including strap means secured to said mounting frame on opposite sides of said motor for securing said motor relative to said frame, and an eye connected to said strap means for receiving a cable for connecting the tong mechanism to the cable for raising and lowering the tong mechanism in the water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tong mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein the lower longitudinal edge portions of said baskets face vertically downwardly when the baskets are in fully open position and wherein said lower edges face each other in generally parallel position when the baskets are in fully closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The tong mechanism defined in claim 5 further including a plurality of fingers projecting from said lower edges of said baskets at locations spaced longitudinally along said lower edge portions of said baskets such that when the baskets are in fully closed position, fingers on the baskets will be in overlapping relationship.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
174 words
Tong mechanism for harvesting oysters or the like comprising in combination, a mounting frame, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to said frame for movement between open positions spaced apart from each other and closed positions forming an enclosure for holding oysters, means including a motor mounted on said support frame and operatively connected to said baskets to pivot the same between said open and closed position thereof in unison, said baskets each having a grate construction including a generally convex central rib extending transversely of the basket at the central portion thereof below said frame, a plurality of elongated rods fixed to and projecting from opposite sides of the central rib and extending to the opposite ends of the basket in spaced relationship to each other so as to converge toward the opposite ends of the basket when the baskets are in closed position, and a number of intermediate ribs positioned between the central rib and the ends of the baskets and extending transversely of the baskets and being fixed to said rods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
174 words
Tong mechanism for harvesting oysters or the like comprising in combination, a mounting frame, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to said frame for movement between open positions spaced apart from each other and closed positions forming an enclosure for holding oysters, means including a motor mounted on said support frame and operatively connected to said baskets to pivot the same between said open and closed position thereof in unison, said baskets each having a grate construction including a generally convex central rib extending transversely of the basket at the central portion thereof below said frame, a plurality of elongated rods fixed to and projecting from opposite sides of the central rib and extending to the opposite ends of the basket in spaced relationship to each other so as to converge toward the opposite ends of the basket when the baskets are in closed position, and a number of intermediate ribs positioned between the central rib and the ends of the baskets and extending transversely of the baskets and being fixed to said rods.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |