Non-visually identifiable fishing gear

• US 7,025,254 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blue Water Concepts, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Blue Water Concepts, Inc.
• Inventors: Brickett, Benjamin P., Moffat, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALSH, DANIEL I
• Application Number:
  US10/978,974
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 441/136, 441/1, 441/6, 441/11, 441/89, 441/133, 43/4, 43/7, 431/00, 114/326, 114/328, 340/539.1, 340/693.5, 340/572.1, 235/375, 235/385, 235/492, 235/493, 235/380, 235/382, 235/435, 235/449, 235/451, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 75/00 Accessories for fishing nets; Details of fishing nets, e.g. structure

Abstract

A non-visual identification apparatus includes aquatic gear. At least one water-resistant device is joined with the aquatic gear. The water-resistant device stores information. A reader is provided that is capable of non-visually reading the information stored by the device. The water-resistant device may be joined mechanically and/or adhesively with the aquatic gear. The reader may be capable of wirelessly reading the information stored by the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a three-strand rope;

a base attachable to a water-resistant housing, wherein the base is within an interstice of the three-strand rope;

at least one electronic device within the water-resistant housing wherein the electronic device further comprises a microchip;

the base comprises a triangular cross-section shaped to be received within the interstice of the three-strand rope; and

information stored by the electronic device.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a reader that nonvisually reads the information stored by the electronic device.

3. The reader of claim 2, further comprising a reader that utilizes electromagnetic waves to read the information stored by the electronic device.

4. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive joining the base to the rope.

5. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a latching arrangement joining the base to the rope.

6. An enclosure for an aqueous environment, the enclosure comprising:

a base;

a gap, accommodating a microchip, within the base; and

the base having a polygonal cross-section, the polygonal cross-section held within an interstice of a rope having a plurality of strands.

7. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the base has at least one mechanical mechanisms to inhibit a movement of the base against the plurality of strands.

8. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the base is held by a porous structure.

9. The enclosure of claim 6, further comprising:

the rope;

the base within the rope;

the microchip within the base; and

information stored by the microchip.

10. The enclosure of claim 6, further comprising an adhesive joining the electronic device to the rope.

11. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the rope comprises three strands and the polygonal cross-section comprises a triangular cross-section shaped to be received within an interstice of the three-strand rope.

12. The enclosure of claim 6, further comprising an epoxy joining the base to the rope.

13. A method of inserting a base in a rope, the method comprising the steps of:

caging a rope having a plurality of strands;

inserting the base in an interstice of the rope wherein the base has a polygonal cross-section, the polygonal cross-section held within the interstice of the rope;

compacting the rope to hold the base; and

putting an electronic device storing information in the base.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of putting an electronic device in the base.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising joining the base to the rope with an epoxy.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising submerging the rope with the base therein in water.