Crab trap manufacturing method

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a crab trap. More specifically, the present invention discloses a method of efficiently manufacturing a crab trap that decreases production time and lowers production cost.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the commercial crab industry, crab traps are utilized to capture live crabs. The conventional crab traps or crab pots are typically round and have a flat top and bottom. A one-way entrance in the side allows a crab to enter the trap but doesn't allow it to exit. A holder containing bait is placed inside the trap for attracting the crabs.

Unfortunately, while these traps are effective, the manufacturing costs are high and the production process is slow and time consuming. These crab traps are manually manufactured by cutting coated metal wire from large rolls of wire.

However, after the crab trap is assembled, the areas where the wire was cut is no longer protected by the coating. As a result, the exposed metal can easily prick the hands or bodies of the fishermen that are working with the traps. These injuries cost fishermen time and money and are inconvenient and unhealthy.

Therefore, there is need for an efficient method of manufacturing a crab trap that lowers production costs, reduces production time, and provides a safer trap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other advantages and in order to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional method in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a method of efficiently manufacturing a crab trap that decreases production time and lowers production cost and provides a safer trap.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for a crab trap that makes a safer trap. Initially, wire is cut into three pieces for each trap. The wire is then galvanized to prevent rusting or corrosion. The wire is then welded to its proper shape. Then the pre-cut pieces are coated with a protective coating such as PVC liquid. This coating completely covers the wire and in particular the rough or sharp edges where the wire was cut.

As a result of coating the wire after it is cut, fishermen who work with the traps are protected from being poked by the sharp edges. Therefore they are able to work longer without injury or discomfort.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for a crab trap that is faster and easier to construct. Since the wire is pre-cut in the proper dimensions, construction of the trap is very simple. Basically, the trap consists of three pieces. Two larger pieces are used to form the main body of the trap. The remaining piece is used to make a baffle for the inside of the trap.

The two larger pieces are bent into a square U shape. The piece for the baffle is then cut through the middle and the edges are bent. Note, the baffle piece may also be pre-cut before coating. A bait box is then attached to the baffle. The baffle with attached bait box is placed inside the body of the trap and the edges of the baffle are connected to the body. The two bent pieces forming the body are then connected to each other.

The baffle, bait box, and body can be connected by various means, such as hog rings, c rings, or metal rings.

Finally, depending upon the requirements of the fisherman, the appropriate number of entrances are made in the side walls of the body. For example, one to four holes can be made in the sides and funnels are installed in each hole. The funnels allow crabs to enter the trap but do not allow the crabs to exit.

Since the wire to make the trap is pre-cut, the traps are easily and quickly constructed, therefore production costs are lowered and production time is reduced.

These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the three piece pre-cut wire according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the bent three piece pre-cut wire according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a completed crab trap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a drawing illustrating a completed crab trap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the pre-cut crab trap according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Refer to FIG. 1, which is a drawing illustrating the three piece pre-cut wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the crab trap of the present invention basically comprises three pieces. The baffle piece 10 is the smallest of the three pieces. The other two pieces are a top piece 20 and a bottom piece 30.

The wire mesh size can be selected according to requirements, for example, a 1½″×1½″ mesh. The size of the trap can also be selected, for example an 8 mesh to 12 mesh high trap.

After the wire is cut, the three pieces are galvanized to prevent rusting and corrosion. The wire is then welded to its proper shape. Finally the three pieces to make one trap are coated with a protective coating such as PVC liquid.

Refer to FIG. 2, which is a drawing illustrating the bent three piece pre-cut wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An advantage of the method of the present invention is that the three pre-cut pieces can be formed at a remote site or factory. After forming, the wire can be shipped to an assembly factory. Due to the flat nature of the wire pieces, shipping costs are reduced and transportation is more convenient.

Since the wire is pre-cut in the proper dimensions, construction of the trap is very simple. After the wire arrives at the assembly factory, the top piece 20 and the bottom piece 30 are bent into square U shapes with corners at about 90 degrees. The top piece 20 and the bottom piece 30 are used to form the main body of the trap. The remaining piece is a baffle piece 10 that is used to make a baffle for the inside of the trap.

Refer to FIG. 3A, which is a cross-sectional drawing illustrating a completed crab trap and to FIG. 3B, which is a drawing illustrating a completed crab trap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

After the top piece 20 and the bottom piece 30 are bent, the baffle piece 10 is cut through the middle and the edges are bent. A bait box 40 is then attached to the baffle piece 10. The baffle 10 with attached bait box 40 is placed inside the top piece 20 and bottom piece 30 of the trap and the edges of the baffle 10 are connected to the body. The top piece 20 and bottom piece 30 forming the body are then connected to each other.

The baffle 10, bait box 40, and body 20,30 can be connected by various means, such as hog rings, c rings, or metal rings.

Finally, depending upon the requirements of the fisherman, the appropriate number of entrances are made in the side walls of the body 20, 30. For example, one to four holes can be made in the sides and funnels 50 are installed in each hole. The funnels 50 allow crabs to enter the trap 5 but do not allow the crabs to exit.

A door 60 is also made in one side of the trap 5 to allow easy removal of the captured crabs. The door is removably secured by a flexible cord 70.

Since the wire to make the trap 5 is pre-cut, the traps 5 are easily and quickly constructed, therefore production costs are lowered and production time is reduced.

Refer to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In Step 410, the first piece of wire is bent into a square U shape. In Step 420, the second piece of wire is bent into a square U shape. These two pieces form the body of the trap.

The baffle is made by cutting through the third piece and bent into shape in Step 430. In Step 440, the bait box is formed and in Step 450 the bait box is attached to the baffle.

The baffle with attached bait box is then placed in the body of the trap and fastened at the borders in Step 460. In Step 470, the first and second pieces are connected to form the body of the trap.

Finally, in Step 480, holes are cut in the sides of the body and funnels are installed in each hole.

As described above, the manufacturing method of the present invention is very simple and fast.

Refer to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Alternatively, the manufacturing method of the present invention can be performed in one location or factory. In this situation, the production method is as shown in FIG. 5.

Initially, wire is cut into three pieces for each trap. In Step 500, the first piece of wire is measured and cut, in Step 501, the second piece of wire is measured and cut, and in Step 502, the third piece of wire is measured and cut.

The wire is then galvanized to prevent rusting or corrosion in Step 503. In Step 504, the wire is then welded to its proper shape.

In Step 505, the pre-cut pieces are coated with a protective coating such as PVC liquid. This coating completely covers the wire and in particular the rough or sharp edges where the wire was cut.

The two larger pieces are bent into a square U shape. The first piece of wire is bent in Step 510, and the second piece of wire is bent in Step 520. In Step 530, the piece for the baffle is then cut through the middle and the edges are bent. A bait box is formed in Step 540 and then the bait box is attached to the baffle in Step 550.

The baffle with attached bait box is placed inside the body of the trap and the edges of the baffle are connected to the body, in Step 560. The two bent pieces forming the body are then connected to each other in Step 570.

The baffle, bait box, and body can be connected by various means, such as hog rings, c rings, or metal rings.

Finally in Step 580, the appropriate number of entrances are made in the side walls of the body and funnels are installed in each hole. The funnels allow crabs to enter the trap but do not allow the crabs to exit.

Since the wire to make the trap is pre-cut, the traps are easily and quickly constructed, therefore production costs are lowered and production time is reduced.

Refer to FIG. 6, which is a drawing illustrating the pre-cut crab trap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, all major components of the crab trap are pre-cut. This allows for optimal convenience and speed during construction.

The baffle piece 10 is cut in the center so that the baffle can easily be formed during assembly by bending the inside of the baffle piece 10. Additionally, openings 25 are made in the top 20 and bottom 30 pieces.

The funnels 40 and bait box 50 are also pre-cut to the correct size. The bait box piece 50 further comprises a top tab 51 and a bottom 52. During assembly, the top tab 51 is simply bent down and the rest of the bait box body 50 is bent to form the four sided box. The bottom 52 is simply attached as a bottom door of the bait box.

After the pieces are cut, they are galvanized and welded. Finally, all the pieces are coated with a protective coating.

This embodiment has several advantages. Firstly, all the main components are pre-cut so that assembly is fast and simple. Secondly, all the main components are coated after all cuts have been made. This ensures that all rough edges are coated and fishermen are protected. Thirdly, all pieces remain flat until assembly so that shipping costs are reduced and transportation is convenient.

Refer to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of crab trap manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order to manufacture the crab trap as illustrated by the components in FIG. 6, the method as illustrated in FIG. 7 is followed.

In Step 701, the baffle piece wire is measured and cut. In step 702, the top piece wire is measured and cut and in Step 703, the bottom piece is measured and cut. The bait box body and bottom are measured and cut in Step 704. Then, in Step 705, the funnel pieces are measured and cut.

The baffle-to-be is cut in the center of the baffle piece in Step 706. In Step 707, the openings are cut in the top and bottom pieces.

Next, in Step 708, all the pieces are galvanized and in Step 709 welded. Finally, the pre-production stage is completed by coating all the pieces in protective coating is Step 710.

At this point, all the components can be stored for inventory or shipped to an assembly location.

For assembly, the top piece is bent in Step 711 and the bottom piece is bent in Step 712. The baffle is formed in the baffle piece by bending the inside sections of the baffle piece in Step 713.

In step 714, the bait box is formed by bending down the top tab and bending the sides of the body. The bottom is attached to the bait box body so that is can swing open like a door. The completed bait box is then attached to the baffle in Step 715.

The baffle piece with attached bait box is then placed inside the top and bottom pieces and fastened in Step 716.

In Step 717, the top and bottom pieces are connected to form the trap body.

Finally, in Step 718, the funnels are formed by rolling the material into a funnel shape and attaching them to the openings in the body.

As can be seen by the above description, the main components are pre-cut so that assembly is fast and simple. Additionally, all the main components are coated after all cuts have been made thereby ensuring that all rough edges are coated and fishermen are protected. Furthermore, all pieces remain flat until assembly so that shipping costs are reduced and transportation is convenient.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

For example, the ordering of different production steps can be modified to meet requirements.

In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the invention and its equivalent.