Collapsible bait net

Abstract

The present invention is a hoop net comprised of netting mounted to two or more semicircular tubular rods, forming a ring that maintains its shape and structural integrity. The two semicircular tubular rods are fashioned to connect seamlessly by a fastening means that allows the entire assembly to function as intended. The hoop net assembly includes four stabilizing cords positioned equidistant from each other along the ring, which cords converge at the center of the hoop net assembly and are connected to each other by a fastening means, then further connected to a single draw cord. The draw cord is used to cast the assembled hoop net into water to a desired depth and pulled back into the boat with live bait. Once the hoop net assembly has been used, the metal rods are easily disconnected to facilitate folding the hoop net in half for easy storage and portability.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A collapsible bait net comprising:
 a. two or more semicircular tubular rods, each having hollow ends; 
 b. a metal sleeve having a length of at least 2 inches, having hollow ends, one of which is a point of connection for the two or more semicircular tubular rods, whereby: the first end of the metal sleeve is crimped to one of each end of a semicircular rod; and the other end of the semicircular rod is inserted into the second end of the metal sleeve that is not crimped, and the semicircular rods connected to each other by a metal sleeve form a collapsible ring; and 
 c. a net made of mesh which at its a top portion of the net has the same diameter as the ring formed by the two or more semicircular tubular rods, and at its a bottom portion of said net extends into a conical shaped enclosed receptacle, forming a hoop; and 
 d. the net is attached to the ring formed by the two or more semicircular tubular rods by means of: being interwoven about the circumference of the ring; and having two U shaped cords, with one about each point of connection of the ring; and each U shaped cord is fastened to the ring by a fastening means and is held in place about each point of connection by a wax string that is wrapped around the tubular rods and creates a barrier to the movement of the U shaped cords and the net about each point of connection; and 
 e. four at least 3 stabilizing cords, each separately attached to the ring by a fastening means and positioned equidistant from each other about the ring, and which stabilizing cords converge at the center of the ring and net assembly; and 
 f. a draw cord that is attached to the four stabilizing cords at  their a point of convergence of the stabilizing cords by a fastening means; and 
 g. the ring and net assembly is collapsible for ease of storage and transport. 
 
     
     
       2. The collapsible bait net in  claim 1  whereby the two or more semicircular tubular rods are made of fiberglass and the metal sleeves are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       3. The collapsible bait net in  claim 1  whereby the two or more semicircular tubular rods are made of polycarbonate and the metal sleeves are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       4. The collapsible bait net in  claim 1  whereby the two or more semicircular tubular rods are made of multifilament nylon and the metal sleeves are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       5. The collapsible bait net in  claim 1  whereby the two or more semicircular tubular rods are made of monofilament nylon and the metal sleeves are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       6. The collapsible bait net in  claim 1  whereby the two or more semicircular tubular rods are made of galvanized steel and the metal sleeves are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       7. The collapsible bait net in  claim 1  whereby the two or more semicircular tubular rods are made of polyethylene and the metal sleeves are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       8. A bait net comprising:
 a. a single tubular rod made of fiberglass, having two hollow connectible ends;   b. a metal sleeve having a length of at least 2 inches, having hollow ends, one of which is a point of connection for the two or more semicircular tubular rods, whereby: the first end of the metal sleeve is crimped to one of each end of a semicircular rod; and the other end of the semicircular rod is irremovably inserted into the second end of the metal sleeve that is not crimped, and the semicircular rods connected to each other by a metal sleeve form a non-collapsible ring; and   c. a net made of mesh which at its top portion has the same diameter as the ring formed by the singular tubular rod, and at its bottom portion extends into a conical shaped enclosed receptacle, forming a hoop; and   d. the net is attached to the ring formed by the singular tubular rod by means of: being interwoven about the circumference of the ring; and having two U shaped cords symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the ring; and each U shaped cord is fastened to the ring by a fastening means and is held in place by a wax string that is wrapped around the tubular rod and creates a barrier to the movement of the U shaped cords and the net; and   e. four stabilizing cords, each separately attached to the ring by a fastening means and positioned equidistant from each other about the ring, and which cords converge at the center of the ring and net assembly; and   f. a draw cord that is attached to the four stabilizing cords at their point of convergence by a fastening means; and whereby   g. the ring and net assembly is not collapsible.   
     
     
       9. A collapsible hoop net comprising:
 a plurality of tubular rods configured to form a contiguous ring by joining end to end;   a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves:
 has a first end crimped to an end of a first one of the adjacent tubular rods; and 
 has a second end receiving an end of a second one of the adjacent tubular rods when the plurality of tubular rods are forming the contiguous ring; 
   a net attached to the contiguous ring of the plurality of tubular rods; and   a plurality of stabilizing cords, each stabilizing cord of the plurality of stabilizing cords attached to a rod of the plurality of rods, wherein the plurality of stabilizing cords are approximately equidistant from one another about the contiguous ring formed by the plurality of rods when the plurality of sleeves are joining adjacent rods of the plurality of rods.   
     
     
       10. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the plurality of tubular rods are configured to selectively form the contiguous ring by joining end to end; and   each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves is configured to releasably join two adjacent tubular rods of the plurality of tubular rods when the rods are forming the contiguous ring.   
     
     
       11. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the collapsible hoop net further comprises a plurality of cords configured to connect between ends of adjacent tubular rods such that the plurality of tubular rods and plurality of cords form the contiguous ring when the plurality of sleeves are not joining adjacent tubular rods to form the contiguous ring.   
     
     
       12. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the collapsible hoop net further comprises a plurality of cords configured to connect between the ends of adjacent tubular rods such that the plurality of tubular rods and plurality of cords form the contiguous ring when the plurality of sleeves are not joining adjacent tubular rods to form the contiguous ring; and   each cord of the plurality of cords is generally U shaped when the plurality of sleeves are joining the plurality of tubular rods to form a contiguous ring.   
     
     
       13. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the collapsible hoop net further comprises a plurality of cords configured to connect between ends of adjacent tubular rods such that the plurality of tubular rods and plurality of cords form the contiguous ring when the plurality of sleeves are not joining adjacent tubular rods to form the contiguous ring;   each cord of the plurality of cords is generally U shaped when the plurality of sleeves are joining the plurality of tubular rods to form the contiguous ring; and   the net is attached to the contiguous ring of the plurality of tubular rods and the plurality U shaped cords.   
     
     
       14. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the collapsible hoop net further comprises a plurality of cords configured to connect between ends of adjacent tubular rods such that the plurality of tubular rods and plurality of cords form the contiguous ring when the plurality of sleeves are not joining adjacent tubular rods to form the contiguous ring;   each cord of the plurality of cords is generally U shaped when the plurality of sleeves are joining the plurality of tubular rods to form the contiguous ring; and   the net is attached to the contiguous ring of the plurality of tubular rods and the plurality U shaped cords by being interwoven about the plurality of tubular rods and the plurality of U shaped cords.   
     
     
       15. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the collapsible hoop net further comprises a swivel; and   each stabilizing cord of the plurality of stabilizing cords is connected to the swivel.   
     
     
       16. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the collapsible hoop net further comprises a swivel;   each stabilizing cord of the plurality of stabilizing cords is connected to the swivel; and   the collapsible hoop net further comprises a draw cord attached to the swivel opposite the plurality of stabilizing cords.   
     
     
       17. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the collapsible hoop net further comprises a swivel;   each stabilizing cord of the plurality of stabilizing cords is attached to the swivel;   the collapsible hoop net further comprises a draw cord attached to the swivel opposite the plurality of stabilizing cords;   each stabilizing cord is formed of monofilament and is crimped about a rod to attach the stabilizing cord to the rod;   each stabilizing cord is crimped about the swivel to attach the stabilizing cord to the swivel;   the net is formed of monofilament; and   each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves is formed of metal.   
     
     
       18. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each rod of the plurality of rods is metal.   
     
     
       19. The collapsible hoop net of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each rod of the plurality of rods is formed of at least one of fiberglass, polycarbonate, or polyethylene.   
     
     
       20. A collapsible bait net comprising:
 a. two or more tubular rods;   b. two or more metal sleeves having hollow ends, each metal sleeve forming a point of connection for the two or more tubular rods, wherein: a first end of each metal sleeve is attached to an end of each tubular rod and the other end of each tubular rod is inserted into a second end of the metal sleeve such that the tubular rods are connected to each other by the metal sleeves to form a collapsible ring;   c. a net made of mesh which at a top portion of the net has the same diameter as the ring formed by the two or more tubular rods, and a bottom portion of the net extends into a conical shaped enclosed receptable; wherein:   the net is attached to the ring formed by the two or more tubular rods by means of: being interwoven about the circumference of the ring and two U shaped cords, with one U Shaped cord attached to the ring about each point of connection of the ring; and   d. at least three stabilizing cords, each separately attached to the ring and positioned equidistant from each other about the ring, and which cords converge at the center of the ring and net assembly; and   e. a draw cord that is attached to the four stabilizing cords at their point of convergence; wherein:   f. the ring and net assembly is collapsible for ease of storage and transport.