Fish Trap

Abstract

An ice fishing trap comprising in its operational state a crossbeam dimensioned for extending across a hole in ice covering a body of water, and a hingedly coupled vertical mast. The vertical mast has a rotatable reel dimensioned to carry a length of fishing line and a hook. A trigger mechanism is provided, wherein a rotation of the reel causes an arcuate movement of a trigger hook. One aspect of the invention provides at least two stabilizer limbs hingedly coupled to the crossbeam, so as to form a general Z shaped support base when operational. In another aspect the fishing trap provides a trigger bolt coupled to an indicator spring, wherein the trigger bolt is utilized to couple the indicator spring to the trigger hook. The trigger bolt is slidingly supported by bolt guide, thus providing improved resistance to false indications due wind vibration and the like. Preferably, the trigger bolt is coupled to the indicator spring by a ring shaped coupler.

1 . A fish trap comprising:
 an elongated crossbeam having two opposing ends;   an elongated mast coupled to said crossbeam at a hinge point, such that in operational disposition, when said crossbeam is supported horizontally, the mast has an upper portion extending above said crossbeam and a lower portion extending below said crossbeam;   said mast having a spool rotatably mounted thereto, for receiving a length of fishing line and a hook;   a first and a second stabilizer limbs, each coupled to said crossbeam at opposite sides of said hinge point, and at some distance thereof along the crossbeam, said limbs forming horizontal angles with said crossbeam and extending towards opposite sides thereof so as to form generally a Z shape.   
   
   
       2 . A fish trap as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stabilizer limbs are hingedly coupled to said crossbeam. 
   
   
       3 . A fish trap as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one angle limiter, coupled between said crossbeam and at least one of said stabilizer limbs, for limiting the angular extension therebetween. 
   
   
       4 . A fish trap as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an ice pick extending downwardly from any of said stabilizer limbs, said crossbeam, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       5 . A fish trap as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an indicator spring coupled at least at one end to said mast, and disposed to resiliently point generally upwardly when released;   a trigger mechanism constructed to hold said indicator spring in a bent position and release said indicator spring responsive to rotation of said spool.   
   
   
       6 . A fish trap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said mast, crossbeam and limbs, are foldable relative to the respective component they are attached to. 
   
   
       7 . A fish trap comprising:
 an elongated crossbeam having two opposing ends;   an elongated mast coupled at a hinge point to said crossbeam, such that in operational disposition, when said crossbeam is supported horizontally, the mast has an upper portion extending above said crossbeam and a lower portion extending below said crossbeam;   said mast having a spool rotatably coupled thereto at its lower portion for receiving a length of fishing line and a hook, said spool having a tab rotatable therewith;   a trigger rod extending upwardly from said lower portion to said upper portion of said mast, said trigger rod being mounted such that it is free to rotate in an arc about its longitudinal axis;   said trigger rod having an elbow at its lower end, and a trigger hook at its upper end, wherein said tab and said elbow are situated such that when said trigger rod is in armed state, and the reel rotates, the tab will engage and impart motion to said elbow, and thereby to said trigger hook;   a resilient tip-up signaling indicator having a proximal and distal end, said proximal end coupled to said mast;   a trigger bolt having a retainer coupled to said signaling indicator, a hook receiver dimensioned to receive at least a portion of said trigger hook, and a stabilizer end; and,   a bolt guide dimensioned to receive at least a portion of said stabilizer end;   wherein said trigger hook is situated to engage said hook receiver when said stabilizing end is disposed in said bolt guide, and to retain said signaling indicator while the trap is in an armed state.   
   
   
       8 . A fish trap as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a coupler disposed between said signaling indicator and said trigger bolt. 
   
   
       9 . A fish trap as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said coupler is in the form of a ring. 
   
   
       10 . A fishing trap as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said bolt guide is a hole bored in said mast. 
   
   
       11 . A fishing trap as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising indicator guides mounted to said mast, wherein at least of said indicator guides is constructed to apply variable pressure to said signaling indicator. 
   
   
       12 . A fishing trap as claimed in  claim 7 , further a first and a second stabilizer limbs, each coupled to said crossbeam at opposite sides of said hinge point, and at some distance thereof along the crossbeam, said limbs forming horizontal angles with said crossbeam and extending towards opposite sides thereof so as to form generally a Z shape. 
   
   
       13 . A fishing trap as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising an ice pick extending downwardly from any of said stabilizer limbs, said crossbeam, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       14 . A fishing trap as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said trigger rod is coupled to said mast utilizing a trigger rod holder comprising a tube having a lubricant therein, and wherein said tube has a top and a bottom openings dimensioned to allow the trigger rod free arcuate movement while retaining said lubricant. 
   
   
       15 . A fishing trap as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said mast, crossbeam and limbs, are foldable relative to the respective component they are attached to. 
   
   
       16 . A trigger bolt for a fish trap comprising:
 An elongated stabilizing end;   at least a partial loop formed at the an end opposite said stabilizing end, to act as a retainer loop;   a hook receiver loop disposed between said stabilizing end and said retainer loop;   wherein said retainer loop and said hook receiver loop or a portions thereof, each lie in a loop plan, said loop planes being disposed at an angle therebetween, relative to the longitudinal axis of said stabilizing end.   
   
   
       17 . A trigger bolt as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said trigger bolt is made of a substantially rigid wire. 
   
   
       18 . A trigger bolt as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said stabilizing end is formed in a tubular shape.