Abstract
This invention includes several variations of a machine for catching small creatures unharmed, particularly small fish and other aquatic creatures. Most embodiments include a hollow container, attached to a specially designed fishing rod via an insulated fishing line containing electrical wires. The user can lower the insulated fishing line into water and wait for a creature to swim into the hollow container, then the user can use electronic controls to remotely snap the hollow container shut, hopefully trapping the creature alive and unharmed within. The invention also makes a fun and interesting tool for children. Embodiments of the invention include the ability to monitor the temperature and other conditions inside the container, and also the ability to communicate remotely with the container, and monitor the conditions therein, through a program downloaded on the user's computer or phone.
Claims
1. A hand-held apparatus for safely trapping a small creature comprising: a hollow container comprising an interior space configured to contain the creature and a covering creating a continuous wall surrounding the interior space, said covering defined by moveable sections connected to each other in at least one location; a handle connected to the hollow container; an electrically powered control unit that controls a means for moving the sections relative to one another; said means for moving the sections configured to move the sections apart to create a gap between the sections while the sections remain connected at the at least one location for allowing the creature to enter the interior space and to move the sections together to create the continuous wall thereby preventing the creature from entering or exiting the interior space.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a reel connected to a long rod; and a main wire group comprising at least one insulated wire wound around said reel and extending along said rod, said main wire group connected to the hollow container and conveying electrical power from a power source to the control unit.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reel is housed within the handle and said rod protrudes out of said handle, said handle further comprising an opening for the main wire group.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rod is hollow and said main wire group extends through the hollow rod.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising rings spaced along the rod, said main wire group being threaded through said rings.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a groove along a length the rod, said main wire group being located along the groove.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow container is shaped like a ball.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multiple movable sections are defined by two sections.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the sections comprises electromagnets.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more solar cells for providing electrical power to the apparatus.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light on or near the hollow container.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is at least partially made of a transparent material.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow container is made of a non-transparent material.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is in wireless communication with an external computing device.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a light within the interior space or bait placed on a protuberance within the interior space to encourage the creature to enter the interior space.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a parameter influencer configured to alter a value of at least one parameter measured by one or more detectors.
17. A method for trapping a small creature in a way that does not physically harm said creature, said method comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a hollow container comprising an interior space configured to contain the small creature and a covering creating a continuous wall surrounding the interior space, said covering being split into moveable sections connected to each other in at least one location; a handle connected to the hollow container; an electrically powered control unit that controls a means for moving the sections relative to one another; said means for moving the sections configured to move the sections apart to create a gap between the sections while the sections remain connected at the at least one location for allowing the creature to enter the interior space and to move the sections together to create the continuous wall thereby preventing the creature from entering or exiting the interior space; operating the control unit to move the sections apart to create the gap; operating the control unit to move the sections together to form the continuous wall once the creature moves into the interior space of the hollow container thereby trapping the creature within the interior space.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more detectors located within the interior space configured to measure at least one parameter of water or air within the interior space and a display for displaying the measured at least one parameter.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of Ph, salinity, nitrite concentration, oxygen concentration, and fluorine concentration.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the apparatus wirelessly communicates with an external computing device.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the external computing device transmits commands to the apparatus.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the external computing device is configured with a creature database and a comparison module; wherein said creature database stores information on an optimal value and tolerance ranges for the at least one parameter for one or more species; and wherein said comparison module compares the optimal values and tolerance ranges in the creature database to a corresponding value of the at least one parameter measured by the one or more detectors.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the apparatus further comprises a parameter influencer configured to alter the corresponding value of the at least one parameter measured by the one or more detectors based on output from the comparison module.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the external computing device displays a warning if the corresponding value of the at least one parameter measured by the one or more detectors is outside the tolerance range for the at least one parameter.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the comparison module automatically sends a command to a parameter influencer configured to alter the corresponding value of the at least one parameter measured by the one or more detectors based on output from the comparison module.
26. The method of claim 18, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more transmitters for transmitting measurements by the one or more detectors to the display.
27. The method of claim 17, wherein the apparatus further comprises a light within the interior space or bait placed on a protuberance within the interior space to encourage the creature to enter the interior space.
28. The method of claim 17, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a reel connected to a long rod; and a main wire group comprising at least one insulated wire wound around said reel and extending along said rod, said main wire group connected to the hollow container and conveying electrical power from a power source to the control unit.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the first embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible.
(2) FIG. 1B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible.
(3) FIG. 1C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open.
(4) FIG. 1D shows a back view thereof.
(5) FIG. 1E shows a front view thereof.
(6) FIG. 2A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the second embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible.
(7) FIG. 2B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible.
(8) FIG. 2C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open.
(9) FIG. 2D shows a back view thereof.
(10) FIG. 2E shows a front view thereof.
(11) FIG. 3A shows a lower left view of an example of the third embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a light in between the two halves of the container ball.
(12) FIG. 3B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a light in between the two halves of the container ball.
(13) FIG. 3C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a light in between the two halves of the container ball.
(14) FIG. 3D shows a back view thereof.
(15) FIG. 3E shows a front view thereof.
(16) FIG. 4A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a light that is not in between the two halves of the container ball.
(17) FIG. 4B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a light that is not in between the two halves of the container ball.
(18) FIG. 4C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a light that is not in between the two halves of the container ball.
(19) FIG. 4D shows a back view thereof.
(20) FIG. 4E shows a front view thereof.
(21) FIG. 5A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed, and with a control panel visible, and with a small hole in one of the two halves of the container ball.
(22) FIG. 5B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed, and with a control panel visible, and with a small hole in the top of one of the halves of the container ball.
(23) FIG. 5C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed, and with a control panel visible, and with a small hole in the top of one of the halves of the container ball.
(24) FIG. 5D shows a back view thereof.
(25) FIG. 5E shows a front view thereof.
(26) FIG. 6A shows a lower left view of an example of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a rod to which bait can be attached situated in between the two halves of the container ball.
(27) FIG. 6B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with a rod to which bait can be attached situated in between the two halves of the container ball.
(28) FIG. 6C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a rod to which bait can be attached situated in between the two halves of the container ball.
(29) FIG. 6D shows a back view thereof.
(30) FIG. 6E shows a front view thereof.
(31) FIG. 7A shows a lower right view of an example of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a rod for bait and a light in between the two halves of the container ball.
(32) FIG. 7B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open.
(33) FIG. 7C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open.
(34) FIG. 7D shows a back view thereof.
(35) FIG. 7E shows a front view thereof.
(36) FIG. 8A shows a bird's-eye, cut-away view of an example of the eighth embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible.
(37) FIG. 8B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible.
(38) FIG. 8C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open.
(39) FIG. 8D shows a back view thereof.
(40) FIG. 8E shows a front view thereof.
(41) FIG. 9A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the ninth embodiment of the apparatus, with a transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible.
(42) FIG. 9B shows a left view thereof, with a transparent container ball, which is open.
(43) FIG. 9C shows a right view thereof, with a transparent container ball, which is open.
(44) FIG. 9D shows a back view thereof.
(45) FIG. 9E shows a front view thereof.
(46) FIG. 10A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the tenth embodiment of the apparatus, with a transparent container ball, which is open, with a transparent handle, and transparent long rod, and with a control panel visible.
(47) FIG. 10B shows a left view thereof, with a transparent handle, and transparent long rod, and transparent container ball, which is open.
(48) FIG. 10C shows a right view thereof, with a transparent handle, and transparent long rod, and transparent container ball, which is open.
(49) FIG. 10D shows a back view thereof.
(50) FIG. 10E shows a front view thereof.
(51) FIG. 10F shows a close-up view of the transparent handle that is shown in FIG. 10A.
(52) FIG. 10G shows a close-up left view of the transparent handle that is shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E.
(53) FIG. 10H shows a close-up right view of the transparent handle that is shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E.
(54) FIG. 10I shows a close-up back view of the transparent handle that is shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E.
(55) FIG. 10J shows a close-up front view of the transparent handle that is shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E.
(56) FIG. 11A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the eleventh embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with an external reel.
(57) FIG. 11B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with an external reel.
(58) FIG. 11C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is open, and with a control panel visible, and with an external reel.
(59) FIG. 11D shows a back view thereof.
(60) FIG. 11E shows a front view thereof.
(61) FIG. 11F shows a close-up view of a version of the handle and external reel that are part of the eleventh embodiment of the apparatus.
(62) FIG. 11G shows a close-up back view thereof.
(63) FIG. 11H shows a close-up front view thereof.
(64) FIG. 12A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the twelfth embodiment of the apparatus, with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed, and with a control panel visible, and with a light that is powered by a small wire that splits off from the main wire group above the container ball.
(65) FIG. 12B shows a left view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed, and with a control panel visible, and with a light that is powered by a small wire that splits off from the main wire group above the container ball.
(66) FIG. 12C shows a right view thereof, with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed, and with a light that is powered by a small wire that splits off from the main wire group above the container ball.
(67) FIG. 12D shows a back view thereof.
(68) FIG. 12E shows a front view thereof.
(69) FIG. 13A shows a bird's-eye view of an example of the thirteenth embodiment of the invention, without a control panel, and with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed.
(70) FIG. 13B shows a left view thereof, without a control panel, and with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed.
(71) FIG. 13C shows a right view thereof, without a control panel, and with a non-transparent container ball, which is closed.
(72) FIG. 13D shows a back view thereof.
(73) FIG. 13E shows a front view thereof.
(74) In a version of the fourteenth embodiment, the container ball is transparent and open. There are some small holes in the top of both halves of the container ball, through which the detectors (10) and parameter influences (12) will fit when the container ball is closed. The detectors and parameter influences are connected to a transmitter and receiver inside the container connection device. This transmitter and receiver are connected to a processor (19), which, in turn, is connected to the main wire group, which also connects to another transmitter and receiver inside the handle.
(75) The transmitter, receiver, a processor in the handle, and the main wire group all draw power from a battery (13) which is inside the handle. The main wire group transmits some power to the transmitter, processor, receiver, and linking mechanism inside the container connection device. The battery (13) receives some power from a solar cell (14), which is attached to the handle (1). The transmitters are transmitting information about the measured parameters inside the container ball to the faraway program, which is running on the PC (a cellular phone in this case), and the faraway program is sending a command to change the temperature to the receivers, inside the handle and container connection device.
(76) In a version of the invention, there is with more than one container ball, that can be interchanged, and both connected with the container connection device. There are flexible hinges that connect the two container ball latches (21) to the container ball The container balls have two food containers (15) on its sides. The user can open them, to place food inside, and they can open upon the interior of the food container.
(77) In a version of the invention, the magnets in the container ball are a different color from the rest of the container ball. This version of the apparatus also has charging ports (20) in the container ball, container connection device, and handle. The electromagnets are present in the other versions of the container ball, but the electromagnets are the same color as the container ball and are not visible in the drawings. The detectors and parameter influences are in between two halves of the container ball, and connect to a processor in the container connection device, where a processor in the container ball is also connected to a transmitter and a receiver in the container ball.
(78) An embodiment of the invention includes an alert light on the long rod and digital gauges, and controls, including measured parameter controls, on the handle. The digital gauges respond to information received via the main wire group from the detectors in the container ball. These detectors feed information to a processor in the container ball. This particular example of the apparatus includes a much longer main wire group than the other examples of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(79) In many of the figures below, the number of wire holding rings will vary. The inventor would like to clarify that the invention can use as many, or as few, wire holding rings as desired, except in embodiments where the main wire group is encased in the long rod. In such embodiments, wire holding rings would be unneeded. A variation of the invention is also possible, where the wire holding rings can be attached to, and detached from, the long rod, meaning that the number of wire holding rings can be varied to suit the tastes of the user.
(80) FIG. 1A shows a version of the first embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the left, with the container ball open. The viewer can see how the main wire group can be extended from the handle, to lower the container ball into water, or onto land. The main wire group goes through the wire holding rings. Wire holding rings are not required for the first embodiment, but it would most likely be to the user's advantage to employ wire holding rings. The main wire group is rolled on an internal reel, and extends out of a hole in the handle along the long rod. This version of the first embodiment includes a control panel on the handle.
(81) FIGS. 1B-1E show the first embodiment of the apparatus from several other angles.
(82) FIG. 2A shows a version of the second embodiment of the apparatus viewed from the left, with the container ball open. This version of the second embodiment includes a control panel on the handle. The main wire group extends through the wire holding rings which are on top of the long rod. The viewer can see that this embodiment of the invention includes a container ball that has a different angle, relative to the main wire group, from the first embodiment.
(83) FIGS. 2B-2E show the second embodiment of the apparatus from several other angles.
(84) FIG. 3 shows a version of the third embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the lower left, with the container ball open. This version of the third embodiment includes a control panel on the handle. A small light can be seen, inside the container ball. Small creatures may be attracted to the light and caught inside the container ball. In this particular version, the small light is connected to the container connection device, and draws power from a wire, inside the container connection device, that connects to the main wire group. The light can also be controlled, and turned on and off, independently of the container ball, via the control panel on the handle. A version of this embodiment that includes the ability to control the intensity of the small light, and make it dimmer or brighter, using a light control, is also part of the present invention. Such a light control will most likely be part of the control panel.
(85) In other versions of the third embodiment, the light may be powered by a wire that splits off from the main wire group above the container ball, or a wire that connects to one or both parts of the container ball.
(86) FIGS. 3B-3E show the third embodiment of the apparatus from several other angles. FIG. 4A shows a version of fourth embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the left, with the container ball open. This version of the second embodiment includes a control panel on the handle. The control panel is designated by (7). (9) designates the light, and (6) designates both halves of the container ball. The light is powered by a wire that splits from the main wire group before the main wire group reaches the container connection device.
(87) FIGS. 4B-4E show the fourth embodiment of the apparatus from several different angles.
(88) FIG. 5A shows a version of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the left, with the container ball closed. A small opening can be seen on the top of one half of the container ball.
(89) This version of the fifth embodiment includes a control panel on the handle. The main wire group extends over one of the wire holding rings, but through the others.
(90) FIGS. 5B-5E show the fifth embodiment of the apparatus from different angles.
(91) FIG. 6A shows a version of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the left, with the container ball open. The user can see the bait inside the container ball. If a creature eats the bait, the user will have an opportunity to catch the creature by causing the container ball to close.
(92) FIGS. 6B-6E show the sixth embodiment of the invention from different angles.
(93) FIG. 7A shows a version of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the lower right, with the container ball open. Bait and a small light can be seen inside the container ball. (9) designates the small light and (6) designates the container ball. This particular version of the seventh embodiment does not have wire holding rings, but other versions of the seventh embodiment can have wire holding rings.
(94) FIGS. 7B-7E show the seventh embodiment of the apparatus from different angles.
(95) FIG. 8A shows a cut-away version of the eighth embodiment of the invention, viewed from the left, with the container ball open. The main wire group can be seen inside the long rod.
(96) FIGS. 8B-8E show the same version of the apparatus, from several different angles.
(97) FIG. 9A shows a version of the ninth embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the right, with the container ball open.
(98) FIG. 10A shows a version of the tenth embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the left, with the container ball open. The viewer can also see, inside the handle, an internal reel, and see how the main wire group is wrapped around this reel. The viewer can also see wires going from several controls to a small processor, inside the handle. The main wire group enters the handle and wraps around the internal reel. The small processor controls the internal reel, and also sends signals to the main wire group. Signals can then be sent through the main wire group to the container ball, causing the container ball to open and close.
(99) FIGS. 10B-10E show the tenth embodiment of the apparatus, from different angles.
(100) FIGS. 10F-10I show close-up pictures of the handle of the tenth embodiment of the apparatus.
(101) FIG. 11A shows a version of the eleventh embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the right, with the container ball open. The external reel (4) is visible, and the drawing indicates that FIG. 11F shows a blown-up version of the reel.
(102) FIGS. 11B-11E show the eleventh embodiments of the apparatus from different perspectives.
(103) FIGS. 11F-11H show the external reel (4) from different perspectives.
(104) FIG. 12A shows a version of the twelfth embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the left, with the container ball closed. This version of the apparatus has the light powered by, and connected to, a separate small, insulated wire that splits off from the main wire group (2). The main wire group continues to the container ball (6).
(105) FIGS. 12B-12E show the twelfth embodiment of the apparatus from several additional perspectives.
(106) FIG. 13A shows a version of the thirteenth embodiment of the apparatus, viewed from the left, with a non-transparent container ball, that is closed. The thirteenth embodiment does not have a specific control panel.
(107) FIGS. 13B-13E show the thirteenth embodiment of the apparatus from several additional perspectives.
