Mechanical netting device

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention include a net assembly and a lifting mechanism, where the lifting mechanism, when activated, moves the net assembly from a first position beneath the water surface to a second position that is higher than the first position. These embodiments allow anglers and other individuals engaged in sport-fishing to easily net a fish while retaining the use of both hands for other purposes. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

1 . A device comprising: 
 a net support configured to be coupled to a net having a net opening, the net support structured to maintain the net opening in a substantially fixed two-dimensional size and shape;    a net attachment configured to be coupled to the net support; and    a lifting mechanism configured to be coupled to the net attachment, the lifting mechanism configured to automatically raise the net attachment and net support from a starting position to an ending position that is higher than the ending position, an orientation of the net opening in the ending position substantially parallel to an orientation of the net opening in the starting position.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , the lifting mechanism comprising: 
 a pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder rod, an end of the cylinder rod coupled to the net attachment;    an air tank;    pneumatic tubing connecting the pneumatic cylinder to the air tank; and    a valve structured to selectively supply air from the air tank to the pneumatic cylinder.    
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , the lifting mechanism comprising an electric linear actuator.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the net is detachably coupled to the net support, the net support is detachably coupled to the net attachment, and the net attachment is detachably coupled to the lifting mechanism.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3 , the valve structured to be operated by a person's foot.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising an attachment structured to couple the pneumatic cylinder to a gunwale of a boat.  
   
   
       8 . A device comprising: 
 a rigid net support, structured to be attached to a net opening of a flexible net and structured to maintain the net opening in a coplanar relationship with the rigid net support;    at least one net attachment structured to be coupled to the rigid net support; and    at least one lifting mechanism structured to be coupled to the at least one net attachment, the at least one lifting mechanism structured to independently supply the work necessary to move the rigid net support from a first position to a second position, the first position representing a position of the rigid net support where the rigid net support is prevented from moving further away from the second position, the second position representing a position of the rigid net support where the rigid net support is prevented from moving further away from the first position, an orientation of the net opening in the second position substantially parallel to an orientation of the net opening in the first position.    
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . The netting device of  claim 9 , the at least one lifting mechanism comprising an electric linear actuator.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 8 , the at least one lifting mechanism comprising: 
 a pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder rod, the at least one net attachment configured to be coupled to the cylinder rod; and    an air tank with an air supply that is configured to be connected to the pneumatic cylinder with pneumatic tubing and a valve, the valve configured to selectively provide the air supply to the pneumatic cylinder.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is configured to be operated by a person's foot.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the air tank is a portable air tank.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one net attachment comprises one net attachment that is structured to rotate about an axis that passes longitudinally through a center of the cylinder rod.  
   
   
       15 . A sport-fishing netting device comprising: 
 a net support structured to maintain a net opening of a flexible net in a fixed relationship with respect to the net support, the net support structured so that an area defined by the net opening remains substantially constant and confined to a single plane;    a net attachment structured to attach to the net support; and    a lifting mechanism structured to attach to the net attachment, the lifting mechanism structured to independently supply the work necessary to move the net support from a first position to a second position after the lifting mechanism is activated by an external force, the first position corresponding to a first mechanical limit of the lifting mechanism, the second position corresponding to a second mechanical limit of the lifting mechanism, an orientation of the net opening when the net support is in the first position substantially parallel to an orientation of the net opening when the net support is in the second position.    
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . The netting device of  claim 16 , the lifting mechanism comprising an electric linear actuator.  
   
   
       18 . The sport-fishing netting device of  claim 15 , the lifting mechanism comprising: 
 a pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder rod, the net attachment structured to attach to the cylinder rod; and    an air tank with an air supply that is structured to be attached to the pneumatic cylinder with pneumatic tubing and a valve, the valve configured to selectively provide, when activated, the air supply to the pneumatic cylinder.    
   
   
       19 . The sport-fishing netting device of  claim 18 , wherein the valve is structured to be activated by a person's foot.  
   
   
       20 . The netting device of  claim 16 , the lifting mechanism comprising a hydraulic lifting mechanism.