초록 ▼

A conventional crab trap having improved means for preventing crabs from escaping from the trap and for adapting the trap to catch differing species of crab. Crabs enter the trap by crawling through a tunnel formed by four net panels terminating in a rectangular opening normally inaccessible to the

A conventional crab trap having improved means for preventing crabs from escaping from the trap and for adapting the trap to catch differing species of crab. Crabs enter the trap by crawling through a tunnel formed by four net panels terminating in a rectangular opening normally inaccessible to the crabs inside the trap. In practice, many of the crabs are able to reach the opening by crawling along the net panels. In order to prevent crabs from escaping in this manner, a triangularly shaped baffle is placed between the opening and one of the panels. The size of the opening may be varied as required by law when fishing for different species of crab by pivoting an edge mounted panel across part of the opening. The crab trap also includes several net panels supported by rectangular frames which are releasably secured to each other and to the trap in order to cover the escapement end of the trap. The panels have a smaller mesh than the mesh at the escapement end and they have several spaced apart tabs projecting from one of their edges which are inserted into corresponding apertures formed in an adjacent edge. A rigid, cross member extends between two opposite frame members in order to allow the size of the panel to be reduced by severing the frame members adjacent the cross member.

대표청구항 ▼

In a crab trap of the type having an outline of a right prism formed by four lateral faces extending between first and second bases, said trap further including an opening formed along one of said lateral faces and terminating in an elongated rectangular entrance frame having two parallel elongated

In a crab trap of the type having an outline of a right prism formed by four lateral faces extending between first and second bases, said trap further including an opening formed along one of said lateral faces and terminating in an elongated rectangular entrance frame having two parallel elongated edges extending between two parallel shorter edges, said frame facing upwardly intermediate said bases with the longer edges of said entrance frame being generally parallel to said lateral face, said opening including a first panel extending inwardly from one edge of said lateral face adjacent said first base and terminating at the elongated edge of said entrance frame farthest from said lateral face, a second panel extending inwardly from one edge of said lateral face adjacent said second base and terminating at the elongated edge of said entrance frame closest to said lateral face, and a pair of third panels each extending inwardly from one lateral edge of said lateral face and terminating at a respective edge of said entrance frame whereby placement of said crab trap on said first base allows crabs to crawl up said first panel and into the interior of said trap through said entrance frame, the improvement comprising: means for preventing crabs from escaping from said trap through an escape route by crawling along said third panels onto said second panel, and along said second panel to said entrance frame, said escape prevention means comprising a pair of baffles mounted between opposite edges of said entrance frame and spaced apart locations on said lateral face to block said escape route thereby preventing crabs from escaping from said trap.