초록 ▼

A crab pot having improved yield. A traditional commercial crab pot comprises a trigger structure that rotates between open and closed positions. The crabs enter the trap by pushing trigger members inwardly as the crabs pass through a trap opening. The trigger members are prevented from swinging out

A crab pot having improved yield. A traditional commercial crab pot comprises a trigger structure that rotates between open and closed positions. The crabs enter the trap by pushing trigger members inwardly as the crabs pass through a trap opening. The trigger members are prevented from swinging outwardly, so crabs should not be able to leave through the trap opening. To bias the trigger structure into the closed position, the trigger structure comprises a counterweight member that biases the trigger members into a position where they span the trap opening and prevent egress of crabs. A protection structure is provided which prevents crabs from interfering with the operation of the trigger structure. The protection structure prevents the crabs from interfering either with the portions of the trigger members which extend below the trap opening and/or the counterweight member located above the trap opening.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for trapping crabs, comprising:a frame structure;frame material attached to the frame structure to define an interior chamber;at least one opening structure attached to the frame structure to define a trap opening though which crabs may enter the interior chamber;a trig

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for trapping crabs, comprising:a frame structure;frame material attached to the frame structure to define an interior chamber;at least one opening structure attached to the frame structure to define a trap opening though which crabs may enter the interior chamber;a trigger wire having first and second trigger members, a counterbalance portion, and first and second loop portions, whereinthe loop portions each enclose a portion of the opening structure such that the trigger members are within the interior chamber and the trigger wire rotates between an open position and a closed position, the first and second trigger members spanning the trap opening when the trigger wire is in its closed position,the counterbalance portion is arranged relative to the trigger members to bias the trigger wire into its closed position,crabs entering the interior chamber through the trap opening cause the trigger wire to rotate from its closed position to its open position, andwhen the trigger wire is in its closed position, the trigger members engage the opening structure to prevent crabs in the interior chamber from exiting through the trap opening; anda protection structure attached to the opening structure to prevent crabs within the interior chamber from interfering with movement of the trigger wire between its open and closed positions, whereinthe first and second loop portions extend around an upper portion of the opening structure such that lower ends of the first and second trigger members extend below a lower portion of the opening structure; andthe protection structure comprises first and second stirrup structures securely attached to the lower portion of the opening structure such that the first and second stirrup structures extend at least partly around the first and second lower ends of the trigger members, respectively, when the trigger wire is in its closed position.