GB2237038A

GB2237038A - A connector for fishing net ropes

Info

Publication number: GB2237038A
Application number: GB9021885A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Craig Jaggers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-10-17
Filing date: 1990-10-09
Publication date: 1991-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-09
Also published as: IE903705A1; GB8923381D0; WO1991005963A1; AU6610790A; GB9021885D0; GB2237038B

Abstract

A connector (2) for fishing nets, which connector (2) comprises first and second parts (4, 6) which are substantially identical and which releasably connect together, the first and the second parts (4, 6) each having means (8) for receiving an end (10) of a fishing net rope (12) for the purpose of allowing two separate fishing net ropes (12) attached to two separate fishing nets (28) to be joined together.

Description

A COt.NECTOR FOR FISHING NETS This invention relates to a connector for fishing nets.

On fishing boats, static fishing nets are traditionally set in fleets and there may be up to three miles or more of the fishing nets. The fishing nets are usually kept in net lockers and they are joined together as required to form a required fishing net length. In addition, it will sometimes occur that a net gets torn, in which case the torn net must be removed and a new net inserted in the overall fishing net length.

The joining together of individual fishing nets is usually effected by tying together fishing net ropes attached to the fishing nets. Tying of the fishing net ropes is not too much of a problem but undoing knots in the fishing net ropes does present a considerable problem. After use, the knots tend to become very tight and they are not easy to undo.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, this invention provides a connector for fishing nets, which connector comprises first and second parts which are substantially identical and which releasably connect together, the first and the second parts each having means for receiving an end of a fishing net rope for the purpose of allowing two separate fishing net ropes attached to two separate fishing nets to be joined together.

The connector is extremely easy to use. The first and the second parts can be connected together more simply than tying a knot. If it is desired to separate the connector, then this can also easily be effected, and in a far more simpler manner than undoing a wet knot in a rope that has been subjected to considerable tension.

Because the first and the second parts are substantially identical, fishermen do not need to concern themselves with ensuring that they have two parts which are connectible together. The fishermen will know that any two parts will connect together and this again makes for easy and fast use.

The means for receiving the end of the fishing net rope is preferably such as to allow the fishing net rope to rotate with respect to the connector. The rotation of the fishing net rope helps to avoid tangling of nets, especially when the fishing nets are being let out or hauled in over the side of the fishing boat. In addition, the connectors may help to avoid snagging on the side of the boat or on other pieces of equipment, this snagging being such as to present quite a problem where knots are used to tie the fishing net ropes together.

Preferably, the connector is one in which the means for receiving the end of the fishing net rope is an aperture, and in which the fishing net rope is rotateably securable in the aperture by being knotted at one end.

The first and the second parts advantageously connect together to form a hollow body. Preferably, the first and the second parts are so shaped that the hollow body is of a general oval shape.

Preferably, the first and the second parts connect together with a sliding action. Other types of connecting action may however be employed.

When the first and the second parts connect together with a sliding action, then the connector may be one in which the first and the second parts each have an open slot at one end and a web at the other end, the connector being such that the web on one of the first and the second parts fits into the slot on the other of the first and the second parts to effect the sliding connection.

Preferably, the first and the second parts are made of a plastics material. The connector then floats easily. Other materials may however be employed if desired.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector for fishing nets.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the lower part shown in Figure 2 and looking from left to right; Figure 4 is an end view of the lower part shown in Figure 2 and looking from right to left; Figure 5 illustrates a known method of connecting fishing nets; and Figure 6 illustrates a method of connecting fishing nets using the connector shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 - 4, there is shown a connector 2 comprising first and second parts 4, 6 respectively. The first and the second parts 4, 6 are substantially identical and they releasably connect together.

The first and the second parts 4, 6 each have means in the form of an aperture 8 for receiving an end 10 of a fishing net rope 12 for the purpose of allowing two separate fishing net ropes as shown in Figure 2 to be connected together. The ends 10 of the fishing net ropes 12 are each provided with a knot 14 and the knots 14 are larger than the apertures 8 so that the fishing net ropes 12 cannot pull back through the apertures 8. Advantageously, the fishing net ropes 12 are able to rotate in the apertures 8 so that the fishing net ropes 12 are able to rotate with respect to the connector 2. This rotation of the fishing net ropes helps to avoid tangling and fouling of fishing nets attached to the fishing net ropes 12.

The first and the second parts 4, 6 are shaped as shown so that they connect together to form a hollow body which is of a general oval shape.

The first and the second parts 4, 6 connect together with a sliding action. More specifically, the first and the second parts 4, 6 each have an open slot 16 at one end and a web 18 at the other end. The web 18 on one of the first and the second parts 4, 6 fits into the slot 16 on the other of the first and the second parts 4,6 to effect the sliding action. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the web 1 & is positioned between a part circular portion 20 through which the fishing net rope 12 passes. Recessed portions 22,24 are provided on either side of the web 18 as shown in Figure 4.

The first and the second parts 4, 6 are made of a plastics material. The plastics material enables the connector 2 easily to float. Also, the plastics material enables the first and the second parts 4, 6 easily to slide together.

Figure 1 shows how the first and the second parts 4, 6 at one end meet such that two slots 26 are formed. The slots 26 are able to receive a flat bladed screwdriver or similar instrument for the purpose of helping the first and the second parts easily to slide apart, for example if they are wet or icy and difficult to grip during use. A raised arrow head 27 having transverse gripping ribs (not shown) is also provided for the purpose of forming a thumb grip for helping to push the first and the second parts 4, 6 apart. Since the first and the second parts 4, 6 are identical, it will be understood with reference to Figure 1 that there are also two slots 26 and a raised arrow head at the other end of the connector 2, but underneath and so not visible in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a number of fishing nets 28 which have been connected together by tying fishing net ropes 30, 32 together with knots 34. The knots can be difficult to tie, especially in cold weather and/or if one of the fishing net ropes 30,32 is under strain. The knots 34 are especially difficult to undo, especially if they are wet and have been subjected to strain so that the knots will have been pulled very tight.

Referring now to Figure 6, similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 6, it will be seen that the knots 34 have been replaced by the connectors 2. The connectors 2 enable the different fishing net ropes 30 and the different fishing net ropes 32 easily to be connected and dis-connected from each other. Thus fishing net lengths of any desired size can easily be produced and damaged fishing nets 28 can easily be removed from a length of fishing net and replaced as may be desired.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, means other than the apertures 8 may be employed for securing the fishing net ropes 12 to the first and the second parts 4, 6.

Also, the first and the second parts 4, 6 may be of a different shape to that shown. Because the parts 4, 6 are concave, they may each be provided with one or more strengthening webs (not shown) extending transversely across the inside of the parts 4, 6.

Claims

1. A connector for fishing nets, which connector comprises first and second parts which are substantially identical and which releasably connect together, the first and the second parts each having means for receiving an end of a fishing net rope for the purpose of allowing two separate fishing net ropes attached to two separate fishing nets to be joined together.

2. A connector according to claim 1 in which the means for receiving the end of the fishing net rope is such as to allow the fishing net rope to rotate with respect to the connector.

3. A connector according to claim 2 in which the means for receiving the end of the fishing net rope is an aperture, and in which the fishing net rope is rotateably securable in the aperture by being knotted at one end.

4. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and the second parts connect together to form a hollow body.

5. A connector according to claim 4 in which the first and the second parts are so shaped that the hollow body is of a general oval shape.

6. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and the second parts connect together with a sliding action.

7. A connector according to claim 6 in which the first and the second parts each have an open slot at one end and a web at the other end, the connector being such that the web on one of the first and the second parts fits into the slot on the other of the first and the second parts to effect the sliding connection.

8. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first and the second parts are made of a plastics material.

9. A connector for fishing nets, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.