Multiple feeding chamber lobster trap with self closing bait well

Abstract

A lobster trap having at least two feeding chambers separated from one another with no direct access from one feeding chamber to the other(s), each feeding chamber having a feeding head to the exterior of the trap and a centrally disposed bait well accessible to each feeding chamber, such lobster trap characterized by the lack of a parlor chamber.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A lobster trap for the capture of lobsters, said lobster trap having an interior and exterior, comprising: 
 at least two feeding chambers disposed within said interior of said trap, each of said feeding chambers separated from one another with no direct access from one feeding chamber to another of said feeding chambers;    means in each of said feeding chambers for lobsters to enter each of said feeding chambers from outside of said trap; and    a bait well centrally disposed within said trap having a height, a top, and a top edge, said bait well having an opening defined at its top for receipt of bait, said bait well accessible to each of said feeding chambers, said lobster trap characterized by a lack of a parlor chamber.    
   
   
       9 . The lobster trap of  claim 8  made of wire mesh material, further including: 
 vertically disposed first, second, third and fourth sides each having the same height, a length, a top edge and a bottom edge, said first and third sides having the same length and said second and fourth sides having the same length, said bottom edges of said first, second, third and fourth sides when joined together forming the dimensions of a rectangle;    a base having the same dimensions as said rectangle, said base attached to said bottom edges of said first, second, third and fourth sides;    said top edges of said first, second, third and fourth sides forming a level being the height of said lobster trap;    a cover hingeably attached to a top edge of one of said sides, said cover having the same dimensions as the dimensions of said rectangle, said cover adapted to open and close, said cover when closed, covering said opening at the top of said bait well and the top edges of said first, second, third and fourth sides of said trap; and    said top edge of said bait well being disposed at the same height as the height of said sides of said trap.    
   
   
       10 . The lobster trap of  claim 8  wherein said centrally disposed bait well is formed in a V-shape of wire mesh material, said bait well separating said feeding chambers from one another, said V-shaped bait well having an opening defined therein at its top for receiving bait through said opening at its top.  
   
   
       11 . The lobster trap of  claim 8  wherein said centrally disposed bait well is formed in an envelope configuration, said bait well separating said feeding chambers from one another, said envelope having an opening defined at its top for receiving bait therein.  
   
   
       12 . The lobster trap of  claim 9  wherein said centrally disposed bait well is formed in a V-shape of wire mesh material, said bait well extending from said first side to said third side and from said base to said level of said top edges of said sides of said trap, said bait well separating said feeding chambers from one another, said V-shaped bait well having an opening defined therein at its top for receiving bait through said opening at its top.  
   
   
       13 . The lobster trap of  claim 9  wherein said centrally disposed bait well is formed in an envelope configuration, said bait well extending from said first side to said third side and from said base to said level of said top edges of said sides of said trap, said bait well separating said feeding chambers from one another, said envelope having an opening defined at its top for receiving bait therein.  
   
   
       14 . The lobster trap of  claim 9  further including: 
 four vertically disposed internal partitions separating said trap into four feeding chambers, each feeding chamber having a separate feeding head open to the exterior of said trap to allow for the entrance of lobsters into each, said internal partitions forming said central bait well having access to each of said feeding chambers, said opening at the top of said bait well being disposed at the same level as the height of said top edges of said sides of said trap, said feeding chambers having a lack of direct access from one feeding chamber to another within said trap.    
   
   
       15 . The lobster trap of  claim 14  further including: 
 vertically disposed first, second, third and fourth wire mesh members, said first wire mesh member attached to said third and fourth partitions to form said first feeding chamber, said second wire mesh member attached to said second and fourth partitions to form said fourth feeding chamber, said third wire mesh member attached to said first and second partitions to form said third feeding chamber, said fourth wire mesh member attached to said third and first partitions to form said second feeding chamber, said interconnections of said first, second, third and fourth wire mesh members to said first, second, third and fourth partitions forming said centrally disposed bait well for receipt of bait therein.