Abstract
The present invention consists of a device which aids in the estimating of length and or weight of a fish by measuring an area near the base of the tail fin and converting that data into a length and weight estimate based on these known relationships.
Claims
1. A fish measuring apparatus comprising: a base member having a plurality of connection points; a plurality of rod members each secured to one of the said connecting points of said base member; and a measurement scale associated with said plurality of rod members.
2. A fish measuring apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a conversion scale associated with said measurement scale which allows for estimating fish length and or weight information based on the fact that for many fish their body parts grow in close proportion to their total length and weight.
3. A fish measuring apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of rod members are secured to said base member so that said plurality of rod members are parallel to one another and form a uniform gap between said plurality of rod members and said gap is between 1-50 millimeters.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a view of the present invention being used by an angler in estimating the length and or weight of a fish.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Please refer to FIGS. 1-4. The present invention includes a base 101, rods 103 and a measurement scale 105 associated with the rods 103. In the present invention the rods 103 are parallel to one another and fixed to the base 101 so that there is a uniform gap 107 between the rods 103. The measurement scale(s) 105 is on at least one of the rods 103.
[0017] Please refer to FIGS. 1-4. In one embodiment of the present invention the base 101 could be any size of convenience and function and made from a multitude of materials and colors. The base 101 could be made so that it is buoyant and posses one or more connecting points. In the present invention the there are two holes in the base 101 which receive the rods 103 as a means of connection. However this need not be the only means of connecting the rods 103 to the base 101. In fact many connection methods may be advantageous such as clips, locking mechanisms, threads, magnets, pivoting connection points and such. These alternate connection methods would also allow for rods 101 to be interchangeable and or moveable. In one embodiment of the present invention said connection points could also be holes that pass completely through the base 101 so that the rods 103 protrude through both sides of the base 101. Rods 103 that pass all the way through the base 101 could do so for connecting advantages or the rods 103 could pass through in a way as to form another measuring tool on the opposite side of the base 101. Also in one embodiment of the present invention, more than 2 rods 103 could be connected to the base 101 and thus allow more measuring tools on the same base 101. The base 101 could be made to allow one or both rods 103 to rotate and thus reposition one or more measurement scales 105. The base 101 could also be very minimal such as simple fusing of the rods 103 together with gap 107 between. The base 101 could also be shaped in such a way as to allow a more ergonomic holding position.
[0018] Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The gap 107 between the rods 103 is 1-50 millimeters depending on the fish species and or fish size and or fish age. The gap 107 can be fixed and immovable or adjustable depending on the chosen embodiment of the present invention. The gap 107 is uniform between the rods 103.
[0019] Please refer to FIG. 1-5. An angler 109 uses the present invention on a fish 111 by sliding the fish 111 tail area between the rods 103 of the measuring device 113. With the rods 103 of the measuring device 113 on either side of the fish 111 tail fin the angler 109 moves the measuring device 113 toward the body of the fish 111 until the gap 107 between the rods 103 prevents measuring device 113 from moving toward the body of the fish 111 any further. The point of stoppage is generally in the area of the fish 111 near the base of the tail fin where the tail fin and body connect and the tissue of the fish 111 thickens. At this point the angler 109 lines up the markings of the measurement scale 105 with the width of the area the measuring device 113 has stopped on. Because of the relationship which many fish display between various body part sizes and it's length and or weight the angler 109 can estimate fish 111 length and or weight using the width of the area the measuring device 113 has stopped on. To assist the angler 109 in this estimation the measurement scale 105 is calibrated according to the known size relationship between the width of the area the measuring device 113 stopped on and the length and or weight of the fish 111.
[0020] Please refer to FIG. 1-2. The measurement scale 105 of the present invention need not display standard units of measure such as inches or centimeters. Instead the measurement scale 105 will usually display a scale which has been calibrated to display a total fish length and or weight. This calibration can be determined based on the relationship of between the various body parts of the fish and the total fish length and or weight. However in another embodiment of the present invention standard units of measure may be desirable to know the actual width of the base tail fin area of the fish. The measurement scale 105 need not be limited to simple markings on the rods 103 but in another embodiment of the present invention the markings could be digital, changeable and selectable depending on the species of fish being measured. In another embodiment of the present invention a plurality of measurement scales 105 for various fish species could be on one or both rods. The measurement scale 105 could be located on one or all rods 103 and the information on the measurement scale 105 could be identical or different.
[0021] Please refer to FIG. 1-5. The rods 103 of the present invention could be of various diameters, shapes and lengths for convenience and function. In the present invention the rods are round. In another embodiment of the present invention the rods 130 may be square, diamond, oval, octagonal, triangle and such. Various rod 103 shapes could offer other advantages such as easier use and or viewing by the angler 109 and or more effective measurement capture on the fish 111. In another embodiment of the present invention the rods 103 need not be of the same shape or size thereby also allowing for more intuitive and or effective use. If one rod 103 were of different size then the angler 109 would be able to quickly identify measuring device 113 orientation or which measurement scale 105 on the measuring device 113 is desired. Differing rod 103 shape and size may also allow for more effective use of the measuring device 113 on the fish 111. The rods 103 can be composed of various materials including but not limited to metal, plastic and composites and constructed in a way in which one or more of the rods 103 of the measuring device 113 will float in water and contribute to or solely maintain total measuring device 113 buoyancy.
[0022] The advantages of the present invention and its various embodiments include, without limitation, an effective means of obtaining measurement information from the area in and surrounding the tail fin (caudal fin) of fish including in and surrounding the area of the caudal peduncle of fish. These interests may include but are not limited to finding actual measurement information but also the indirect information that can be derived such as fish length and or weight.
[0023] In broad embodiment, the present invention is a means to measure aspects of the caudal fin and or caudal peduncle of the fish and the general place where these areas meet.
[0024] While the included written background, summary, description and drawings of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
