GB1562294A - Lobster pot frames - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS iN AND RELATING TO LOBSTER POT FRAMES (71) 1, BRIAN WALKER, a British subject of 35 Slipper Lane, Mirfield, Yorkshire, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to frames for creeltype pots for catching crustaceans, particularly but not exclusively lobsters.

Whilst pots according to the invention may be of a style, size and shape suitable for catching prawns or crabs they will be described for simplicity as lobster pots, and the term is to be understood to include pots for catching prawns, crabs and other crustaceans.

Traditionally, lobster pots have been made from vegetable material, such as wood or wicker-work but recently lobster pots, including creel-type pots, have been made of metal. Creel-type lobster pots comprise a frame, referred to hereinafter in the specification and claims as a lobster pot frame of the type aforesaid, having an opposed pair of inverted U-shaped end members extending upwardly in use from longitudinal base members which extend the length of the pot between the end members, the frame being for supporting a net provided with an entry port for the lobster. In one construction the end members have been welded to the longitudinal base members, but in use the welded joints have sometimes broken and since the pots are hoisted by a hook or loop about the frame in the vicinity of a joint the breaking of that joint may result in the loss of the pot. It is an object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided a lobster pot frame of the type aforesaid comprising a length of metallic rod or the like formed into at least a portion of an end member and at least a portion of a longitudinal base member, the ends of the rod being spaced from the corner between said portions.

Preferably the rod forms at least the whole of one end member and a portion of each of two longitudinal base members.

The rod may be joined end-to-end and formed into a pair of opposed end members and the whole of two longitudinal base members, the joint being located in a base member.

Preferably again a bait-rail extends across the pot from one base member to the other, and is kinked upwardly intermediate the base members.

An embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing of which: Fig. 1 shows a creel-type lobster pot frame in perspective view but with parts omitted or cut away for simplicity, and Fig. 2 shows the frame in side elevation.

A length of 7.5mm steel rod 1 is bent to form two U-shaped end members 2 and 2a and longitudinal base members 3 and 3a with the ends of the rod brought together and arc welded at 4. In use the frame is covered with a net and is submerged to rest on base members 3 and 3a on the sea bed. The radius of curvature at corners 5, 5a is of the order of 15 mm.

For raising the pot from the sea bed a hook or loop is passed round the frame at one or more corners such as 5, 5a. The end member being integral with the base member at those corners, the end will not separate from the base, whereas prior to this invention, with end members welded to the longitudinal base members, the frame has a tendency to part at the lifting corners under the weight of the pot and slip loose from the lifting hook or loop.

A bait-rail 6 is welded between the base members midway between the end members.

The bait-rail is bent in the centre into an inverted V to provide a positive location for the cord or the like securing the bait inside the pot.

The frame is completed by providing other transverse base rails 7 and longitudinal rails 8 out of similar rod but welded to the rod 1, and a net rail 9 attached to the outward facing surfaces of the end members.

The rods defining the frame may be coated with plastics material for protection against environmental hazards.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A lobster pot frame of the type aforesaid comprising a length of metallic rod or the like formed into at least a portion of an end member and at least a portion of a longitudinal base member, the ends of the rod being spaced from the corner between said portions.

2. A lobster pot frame according to Claim 1 of which the rod forms at least the whole of one end member and a portion of each of two longitudinal base members.

3. A lobster pot frame according to Claim 1 wherein the rod is joined end-toend and formed into a pair of opposed end members and the whole of two longitudinal base members, the joint being located in a base member.

4. A lobster pot frame according to any one of the preceding Claims and in which a bait-rail extends across the pot from one base member to the other, and is kinked upwardly intermediate the base members.

5. A lobster pot frame according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the or a rod or the rail is plastics-coated for environmental protection.

6. A lobster pot frame of the type aforesaid substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. inverted V to provide a positive location for the cord or the like securing the bait inside the pot. The frame is completed by providing other transverse base rails 7 and longitudinal rails 8 out of similar rod but welded to the rod 1, and a net rail 9 attached to the outward facing surfaces of the end members. The rods defining the frame may be coated with plastics material for protection against environmental hazards. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A lobster pot frame of the type aforesaid comprising a length of metallic rod or the like formed into at least a portion of an end member and at least a portion of a longitudinal base member, the ends of the rod being spaced from the corner between said portions.

2. A lobster pot frame according to Claim 1 of which the rod forms at least the whole of one end member and a portion of each of two longitudinal base members.

3. A lobster pot frame according to Claim 1 wherein the rod is joined end-toend and formed into a pair of opposed end members and the whole of two longitudinal base members, the joint being located in a base member.

4. A lobster pot frame according to any one of the preceding Claims and in which a bait-rail extends across the pot from one base member to the other, and is kinked upwardly intermediate the base members.

5. A lobster pot frame according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the or a rod or the rail is plastics-coated for environmental protection.

6. A lobster pot frame of the type aforesaid substantially as described with reference to the drawings.