Patent US4570374A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4570374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating fish receptacle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-09-06
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Granted: 1986-02-18
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Expires: 2003-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A floating fish receptacle for retaining caught fish in a live condition under water includes a molded foam, generally cylindrical housing member which includes as part thereof in unitary construction a floatation collar outwardly extending from the outside diameter surface and a pair of baffle members inwardly extending from the inside surface. The baffle members are arranged in an axially (vertically) separated relationship and are radially spaced 180° apart so as to create a zig zag slide action for fish which are dropped through the top opening of the housing. As the fish enters, it strikes one downwardly and inwardly inclined surface of one baffle member and then is transferred to the corresponding surface of the other baffle member and then on through to a mesh bag which is suspended therebelow for retention of the fish. The top opening of the housing is above the water level while the opposite and lower opening of the housing member is below the water level. The mesh bag is secured around this lower opening so as to insure that the mesh bag is below water at all times that fish are stored therein. The baffle members are removable from the main housing as is the mesh bag. Consequently, the main housing member may be used in combination with the mesh bag without the baffle members and the mesh bag may be used independently of the housing member.
Inventors
- 👤 Grover B. Baxley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:17
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K97/00; A01K97/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a housing member including an outer surface and an inner surface, and having two oppositely disposed, open ends, said inner surface defining an interior passageway between said open ends; a floatation collar secured to the outer surface of said housing for retaining said receptacle in a generally upright condition with a first one of said open ends above the water level and the second and opposite open end submerged below the water level, said flotation collar extending radially outward from said housing member; a fish-retaining member detachably secured to said housing member and enclosing said submerged end of said housing member; and vertically spaced baffle members attached to the interior surface of said housing member and extending inwardly therefrom, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from said first open end through said passageway and out through said second open end into said fish-retaining member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a housing member including an outer surface and an inner surface, and having two oppositely disposed, open ends, said inner surface defining an interior passageway between said open ends; a floatation collar secured to the outer surface of said housing for retaining said receptacle in a generally upright condition with a first one of said open ends above the water level and the second and opposite open end submerged below the water level, said flotation collar extending radially outward from said housing member; a fish-retaining member detachably secured to said housing member and enclosing said submerged end of said housing member; and vertically spaced baffle members attached to the interior surface of said housing member and extending inwardly therefrom, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from said first open end through said passageway and out through said second open end into said fish-retaining member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The floating fish container according to claim 1 wherein said housing member is generally cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The floating fish container according to claim 2 in which said baffle members are tilted downwardly at an angle of approximately 60° relative to the adjacent surface of said housing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The floating fish container according to claim 1 wherein said floatation collar encircles the lowermost portion of said housing member and is constructed of a material having a specific gravity of less than one.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a housing member having two opposite ends and being open at both ends; flotation means associated with said housing for retaining said receptacle in generally upright condition with one of its open ends above the water level and its opposite end submerged below the water level; a fish-retaining member removably secured to said housing member and enclosing said submerged end of said housing member; vertically spaced and removable baffle members disposed within said housing member and extending inwardly therefrom, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from one of said open ends through to the other, opposite open end, said baffle members including key ribs and said housing member including complementing slots such that said baffle members assemble to said housing member in a keyed fashion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a housing member having two opposite ends and being open at both ends; flotation means associated with said housing for retaining said receptacle in generally upright condition with one of its open ends above the water level and its opposite end submerged below the water level; a fish-retaining member removably secured to said housing member and enclosing said submerged end of said housing member; vertically spaced and removable baffle members disposed within said housing member and extending inwardly therefrom, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from one of said open ends through to the other, opposite open end, said baffle members including key ribs and said housing member including complementing slots such that said baffle members assemble to said housing member in a keyed fashion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The floating receptacle of claim 1 wherein said fish-retaining member is selectively separable from said receptacle and suitable for use as an independent container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a unitary and integral housing member including an enclosing wall which defines a central opening, said enclosing wall having two oppositely disposed, open ends, a floatation collar radially extending outwardly from said enclosing wall for retaining said receptacle in a generally upright condition with a first one of said open ends above the water level and the second and opposite open end submerged below the water level, and vertically spaced baffle members secured to said housing member and extending inwardly from said enclosing wall into said central opening, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from said first open end through said central opening and then through said second open end; and a fish-retaining member detachably secured to said housing member and suitably arranged so as to enclose the second open end of said housing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a unitary and integral housing member including an enclosing wall which defines a central opening, said enclosing wall having two oppositely disposed, open ends, a floatation collar radially extending outwardly from said enclosing wall for retaining said receptacle in a generally upright condition with a first one of said open ends above the water level and the second and opposite open end submerged below the water level, and vertically spaced baffle members secured to said housing member and extending inwardly from said enclosing wall into said central opening, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from said first open end through said central opening and then through said second open end; and a fish-retaining member detachably secured to said housing member and suitably arranged so as to enclose the second open end of said housing member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The floating fish container according to claim 7 wherein said housing member is generally cylindrical.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The floating fish container according to claim 7 in which said baffle members are tilted downwardly at an angle of approximately 60° relative to the adjacent surface of said housing member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The floating fish container according to claim 7 wherein said floatation collar encircles the lower end of said housing member and is constructed of a material having a specific gravity of less than one.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
221 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a unitary and integral housing member including an enclosing wall which defines a central opening, said enclosing wall having two oppositely disposed, open ends, a floatation collar disposed adjacent the lowermost edge of said housing member and radially extending outwardly therefrom said enclosing wall for retaining said receptacle in a generally upright condition with a first one of said open ends above the water level and the second and opposite open end submerged below the water level, and vertically spaced baffle members disposed within said housing member and extending inwardly from said enclosing wall into said central opening, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from said first open end through said central opening and then through said second open end; and a flexible, mesh bag suitably designed and arranged to receive and retain fish therein, said bag having an opening controlled by a drawstring extending therearound, said bag being detachably secured around said housing member at a location above said floatation collar whereby the increased radial extent of said flotation collar relative to said enclosing wall assists in retaining said bag in position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
221 words
A floating receptacle adapted to retain caught fish in a live condition under water, said floating receptacle comprising: a unitary and integral housing member including an enclosing wall which defines a central opening, said enclosing wall having two oppositely disposed, open ends, a floatation collar disposed adjacent the lowermost edge of said housing member and radially extending outwardly therefrom said enclosing wall for retaining said receptacle in a generally upright condition with a first one of said open ends above the water level and the second and opposite open end submerged below the water level, and vertically spaced baffle members disposed within said housing member and extending inwardly from said enclosing wall into said central opening, said baffle members each having an innermost edge, said edges being spaced sufficiently from each other so as to permit the passage of a fish therethrough from said first open end through said central opening and then through said second open end; and a flexible, mesh bag suitably designed and arranged to receive and retain fish therein, said bag having an opening controlled by a drawstring extending therearound, said bag being detachably secured around said housing member at a location above said floatation collar whereby the increased radial extent of said flotation collar relative to said enclosing wall assists in retaining said bag in position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The floating fish receptacle of claim 11 wherein said housing member is generally cylindrical.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The floating fish receptacle of claim 11 wherein said baffle members are tilted downwardly at an angle of approximately 60° relative to the adjacent surface of said housing member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The floating fish receptacle of claim 11 wherein said housing member being constructed of a material having a specific gravity of less than one.
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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) | 1989-02-17 | 1989-08-19 | 1990-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-17 | 1993-08-19 | 1994-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-17 | 1997-08-19 | 1998-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |