A portunid crab trap

Abstract

The application discloses a portunid crab trapping device, which is used for trapping portunid crabs and belongs to the technical field of fishery. The device comprises a cage body and a crab cage entrance. The cage body is a net structure and comprises an upper net body and a lower net body. A first base body connected to the lower net body is arranged through the upper net body. The first base body is a circular rod structure and is provided with a circular ring with an opening at the end. The device can trap crabs, feed back the number of catches and automatically feed bait, and effectively solves the problem of low crab catching efficiency.

Description

A swimming crab trapping device Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fishery technology, specifically relating to a swimming crab trapping device. Background Technology

[0002] Swimming crabs are an important marine economic species along the Chinese coast, possessing high economic value and market demand. The main tools for catching swimming crabs include crab traps, gillnets, and drift nets. Among these, crab traps have become a relatively ideal fishing method due to their advantages such as small footprint, easy loading and unloading, and foldability. Crab trap fishing technology has been widely used in coastal areas of China.

[0003] In addition, research has focused on improving the structure of crab traps to enhance their selectivity and reduce the harvesting of juvenile crabs, thereby contributing to the sustainable use of fishery resources. These technological backgrounds and research developments indicate that the technology for swimming crab fishing devices is evolving towards greater efficiency, safety, and environmental friendliness.

[0004] US Patent 11656978 discloses a crab catcher for crabs or lobsters, having a mesh extending from a catcher frame, at least one inlet opening with a one-way inlet gate, the one-way inlet gate having spaced-apart pins that pivot between an open and closed position. When the pins are in the closed position, a pin retainer prevents the pins from separating and provides undersized crab exit openings on one side and at the bottom of the catcher, the size of which is designed to allow undersized crabs or lobsters to escape from the internal chambers. The frame includes a top peripheral frame portion and a finger gripping opening on the underside of the catcher frame. The one-way inlet gate has a first and second set of spaced-apart pins, each set of pins pivoting independently between the open and closed positions. Furthermore, the one-way inlet gate has paired pins pivoting between the open and closed positions, each pair of pins forming parallel legs of U-shaped length, the retainer engaging the legs of each pair of pins to prevent the legs from unfolding; this patent still has room for improvement.

[0005] It should be noted that the above introduction to the technical background is only for the purpose of providing a clear and complete explanation of the technical solutions of this application and facilitating understanding by those skilled in the art. It should not be assumed that these technical solutions are known to those skilled in the art simply because they have been described in the background section of this application. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention provides a swimming crab trapping device for catching swimming crabs. This device can trap crabs and automatically alerts personnel of the quantity caught and automatically dispenses bait after the catch, effectively solving the problem of low crab catching efficiency.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention specifically provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A swimming crab trapping device includes a cage body and a crab trap entrance. The cage body is a mesh structure, comprising an upper net body and a lower net body. A first base body is provided through the upper net body and connected to the lower net body. The first base body is a round rod-shaped structure with an open ring fixed at its end.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower end ring of the first base is movably sleeved on the center of the lower net body, the lower net body is an elastic mesh structure, and a float is roped to the top ring of the first base.

[0010] Since swimming crabs cannot float in water and can only climb on solid surfaces, when a swimming crab enters the trap, its weight will press down on the lower net body, which is connected to the first base. The sinking of the lower net body will cause the first base body to sink as well, thereby pulling down the float connected to the first base body. The degree of sinking of the float body can be used to determine the number of swimming crabs caught, and the frequency of the float body's up-and-down movement can be used to determine the biological activity, thus deciding whether to retrieve the crab trap. In addition, the float body can be used to correct the posture of the first base body in the water, keeping it relatively vertical and suspended in the water, preventing the trap body from tilting too much and increasing the probability of the organisms escaping. Moreover, the sinking lower net body has holes, which allow juvenile crabs that have accidentally entered to escape through the holes, thus protecting the juvenile crabs and maintaining the sustainable crab resources.

[0011] Secondly, since swimming crabs are social creatures and live under sand, the escaped juvenile crabs are very likely to live in the crab pit under the trap. When setting up the trap again, it can be placed near the crab pit to increase the chances of catching them.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the net body is a mesh structure with a first channel at its center, a first base body passes through the first channel, and a plant prosthesis is provided on the stem wall of the first base body.

[0013] Swimming crabs are benthic creatures that prefer to live in burrows dug on the seabed. Therefore, the traps are placed in low-lying areas, with a pit dug beneath the traps to store the captured crabs. Swimming crabs are carnivorous, feeding on small shellfish, crabs, shrimp, small fish, and seaweed. The small fish and shrimp also feed on seaweed and other aquatic plants. The artificial plant attracts small fish and shrimp, which then attach themselves to it to live and lay their eggs. Fish swimming near the artificial plant also attract the crabs, triggering their predatory instincts. When the crabs enter the trap and cause the lower net to sink, the shrimp and fish that may be living on the artificial plant will also be pulled into the trap through the first channel or the mesh of the net. This way, even if the trap is not retrieved for a long time, the crabs inside will not lack food.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the first base is always higher than the net body, ensuring that the first base is always located in the first channel. The crab cage inlet includes a first rod group and a first rod body. The first rod group consists of two long rod bodies arranged parallel to each other vertically. One end of the first rod body is connected to the upper rod body of the first rod group, and the other end of the first rod body is vertical and longer than the lower rod body of the first rod group. The end portion of the first rod body that is vertical and longer than the first rod group is located inside the cage. The crab cage inlet is located on the side of the cage body.

[0015] To prevent the trapped swimming crabs from escaping, a one-way entrance is set up, so the crabs can only enter through the entrance and cannot escape. Furthermore, due to the elastic design of the lower net, the crabs that enter will sink and will not block the crabs outside the cage from entering the cage.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a gap is provided between one end of the first rod body that surrounds and connects to the upper part of the first rod group and the upper part of the first rod group, allowing the first rod body to rotate around the first rod group. The lower ends of the first rod body are connected in pairs to protect the crabs and prevent crabs that have entered half of the cage from getting stuck when turning around. Specifically, the first rod body rotates around the first rod group to prevent the crabs from getting stuck or even being impaled by the rods in their shells. Furthermore, when the first rod body rotates around the first rod group, the downward pressure of the first rod body can stimulate the crabs during the entry process, promoting their crawling. The connection of the lower ends of the first rod body in pairs increases the contact area between the first rod body and the crab, enhancing the stimulation effect and scraping the crab's body surface to remove debris such as aquatic plants. In addition, this prevents the crab cage entrance from being constantly open, making it difficult for the creatures to escape. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can derive other embodiments based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the crab trapping device of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the cage design of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the lower mesh body scheme of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the plant prosthesis scheme of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the first substrate and the lower mesh body of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the initial state scheme of the swimming crab trapping device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the crab cage entrance scheme of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the automatic feeding scheme of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the automatic feeding scheme of the present invention.

[0027] Reference numerals: 10-Cage body; 101-Netting body; 102-Lower netting body; 103-First channel; 104-Crab cage entrance; 201-First base; 202-Floating body; 203-Plant prosthesis; 301-First rod assembly; 302-First rod body; 401-Second base; 402-Storage space; 403-Circular partition. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] The concepts involved in this application will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following descriptions of various concepts are only for the purpose of making the content of this application easier to understand and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application; furthermore, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] Referring to Figures 1-7, a swimming crab trapping device includes a cage body 10 and a crab trap entrance 104. The cage body 10 has a mesh structure and includes a net body 101 and a lower net body 102. A first base 201 is provided through the net body 101 and connected to the lower net body 102. The first base 201 has a round rod structure and a ring with an opening is fixed at its end.

[0032] The lower end ring of the first base 201 is movably fitted onto the center of the lower net body 102. The lower net body 102 is an elastic mesh structure. A float 202 is roped onto the top ring of the first base 201.

[0033] Since swimming crabs cannot float in water and can only climb on solid surfaces, when a swimming crab enters the trap 10, its weight will press down on the lower net body 102. The lower net body 102 is connected to the first base 201. The sinking of the lower net body 102 will cause the first base 201 to sink as well, thereby pulling down the float 202 connected to the first base 201. The number of swimming crabs caught can be judged based on the degree of sinking of the float 202, and the biological activity can be judged based on the frequency of the float 202's up-and-down movement, thus deciding whether to retrieve the crab trap. In addition, the float 202 can be used to correct the posture of the first base 201 in the water, making it relatively vertical and suspended in the water, preventing the trap 10 from tilting too much and increasing the probability of the organisms escaping. Moreover, the sinking lower net body 102 has holes, which allow juvenile crabs that accidentally enter to escape through the holes, thus protecting the juvenile crabs and maintaining the sustainable resources of crabs.

[0034] Secondly, since swimming crabs are social creatures and live under sand, the escaped juvenile crabs are very likely to live in the crab pit under the trap. When setting up the trap again, it can be placed near the crab pit to increase the chances of catching them.

[0035] The net body 101 has a mesh structure with a first channel 103 at its center. The first base 201 passes through the first channel 103, and plant prostheses 203 are provided on the stem wall of the first base 201.

[0036] Swimming crabs are benthic creatures that prefer to live in burrows dug on the seabed. Therefore, the trapping device is placed in a low-lying area, and a pit is dug under the trap to store the trapped crabs. Swimming crabs are carnivorous, feeding on small shellfish, crabs, shrimp, small fish, and seaweed. Small fish and shrimp also feed on aquatic plants such as seaweed. The plant prosthesis 203 can attract small fish and shrimp, which then attach to the plant prosthesis 203 to live and lay eggs. Fish swimming near the plant prosthesis 203 can also attract swimming crabs, arousing their predatory instincts. When the swimming crab enters the trap 10 and causes the lower net 102 to sink, the shrimp and fish that may be living on the plant prosthesis 203 will also be pulled into the trap 10 through the first channel 103 or the mesh of the net 101. In this way, even if the crab trap is not retrieved for a long time, the crabs inside the trap will not be without food.

[0037] The upper part of the first base 201 is always higher than the net body 101, ensuring that the first base is always located within the first channel 103. The crab cage entrance 104 includes a first rod group 301 and a first rod body 302. The first rod group 301 consists of two long rod bodies arranged parallel to each other vertically. One end of the first rod body 302 is connected around the upper rod body of the first rod group 301. The other end of the first rod body 302 is vertical and longer than the lower rod body of the first rod group 301. The end portion of the first rod body 302 that is vertical and longer than the first rod group 301 is located inside the cage body 10. The crab cage entrance 104 is located on the side of the cage body 10.

[0038] To prevent the trapped swimming crabs from escaping, a one-way entrance is set up, so that the crabs can only enter through the entrance and cannot escape. Furthermore, due to the elastic design of the lower net body 102, the crabs that enter will sink and will not block the crabs outside the cage body 10 from entering the cage body 10.

[0039] The first rod 302 has a gap between one end of the rod connected to the upper part of the first rod group 301 and the upper part of the first rod group 301, allowing the first rod 302 to rotate around the first rod group 301. The lower ends of the first rod 302 are connected in pairs to protect the crabs and prevent them from getting stuck when turning around when half of the crabs have entered the cage 10. Specifically, the first rod 302 rotates around the first rod group 301 to prevent the crabs from getting stuck or even being impaled by the rods in their shells. Furthermore, when the first rod 302 rotates around the first rod group 301, the downward pressure of the first rod 302 can stimulate the crabs during the entry process, promoting their crawling. The connected lower ends of the first rod 302 increase the contact area between the first rod 302 and the crabs, enhancing the stimulation effect and scraping the crabs' bodies to remove debris such as aquatic plants. In addition, this prevents the crab cage entrance 104 from being constantly open, making it difficult for the creatures to escape.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] Referring to Figures 8-9, the improved scheme based on Embodiment 1 is as follows: the part of the plant prosthesis 203 inside the cage 10 is replaced with the second base 401. The second base 401 is internally slidably connected to the first base 201 and will not separate. The first base 201 and the second base 401 are threadedly connected and the first base 201 is fixed on the first channel 103 of the net body 101. The side of the second base 401 is provided with an array of rings with gaps. The outer side of the second base 401 is fitted with a columnar sleeve structure with the same outer diameter as the first base 201 but with an inner diameter that gradually narrows towards the lower net body 102. The connection between the second base 401 and the lower net body 102 is not fixed.

[0042] When the swimming crab enters the cage 10, the net 102 is lowered due to the pressure of its gravity, which in turn pulls the second base 401. At this time, the second base 401 pulls down by the distance of the gap between the circular partitions 403, and the bait in the gap falls. When all the bait in the circular partitions 403 has fallen, the descent of the second base 401 will cause the first base 201 to descend, causing a change in the state of the float 202. Personnel can determine whether the bait is empty based on the change in the state of the float 202. In this process, the bait can also be obtained by observing the second base 401. The downward support of the lower net body 102 by the second base 401 expands the entire crab trap space, ensuring that the more crabs there are, the larger the space inside the trap 10 becomes. This guarantees sufficient space for crab activity and water exchange, reducing the risk of fighting or even limb loss and death among the crabs. The food storage space 402 is used to store bait, and its outer side is a cylindrical sleeve structure that tapers inwards towards the lower net body 102. This structure ensures that there is always bait in the space of the lowest annular partition 403 and that bait does not easily leak out. Furthermore, this device is not limited to trapping swimming crabs; it is suitable for trapping most aquatic reptiles.

[0043] The embodiments and / or implementation methods described above are merely preferred embodiments and / or implementation methods for implementing the technology of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods of the technology of the present invention in any way. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to other equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical means disclosed in the content of the present invention, but they should still be regarded as the technology or embodiments that are substantially the same as the present invention.

[0044] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the methods and core ideas of this application. The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of this application. It should be noted that due to the limitations of written expression, while there are objectively infinite specific structures, those skilled in the art can make several improvements, modifications, or changes without departing from the principles of this application, and can also combine the above technical features in an appropriate manner. These improvements, modifications, changes, or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, should all be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A swimming crab trapping device, comprising a cage body (10), wherein the cage body (10) is provided with a crab trap entrance (104), characterized in that: The cage (10) includes a net body (101) and a lower net body (102). A first base (201) is connected to the lower net body (102). The upper end of the first base (201) passes through the net body (101). The end of the first base (201) is provided with an open ring. A plant prosthesis (203) is provided on the wall of the first base (201). A float (202) is roped to the ring at the top of the first base (201). The part of the plant prosthesis (203) inside the cage (10) is a second base (401). The second base (401) is slidably connected to the first base (201) and will not separate. The net body (101) is a mesh structure with a first channel (103) in the center. The first base (201) and the second base (401) are threadedly connected. Fixed on the first channel (103), the second base (401) has a ring array with gaps on its side. The second base (401) is fitted with a columnar structure with an outer diameter the same as the first base (201) but an inner diameter that gradually narrows towards the lower net body (102). When the swimming crab enters the cage (10), the weight of the swimming crab will press on the lower net body (102). The sinking of the lower net body (102) will cause the first base (201) to sink, thereby pulling down the float (202) connected to the first base (201). When the swimming crab enters the cage (10) and causes the lower net body (102) to sink, the shrimp and fish that may live on the plant prosthesis (203) will also be pulled into the cage (10) through the mesh of the first channel (103) or the net body (101).

2. The swimming crab trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first substrate (201) can pass through the first channel (103).

3. The swimming crab trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower mesh body (102) has a mesh structure, and the lower end of the first base (201) is movably fitted around the center of the lower mesh body (102).

4. The swimming crab trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the first base (201) is at a higher horizontal height than the net body (101).

5. The swimming crab trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The crab cage entrance (104) includes a first rod group (301) and a first rod body (302). The first rod group (301) consists of two long rod bodies arranged parallel to each other. One end of the first rod body (302) is connected around the upper rod body of the first rod group (301), and the other end of the first rod body (302) is vertical and longer than the lower rod body of the first rod group (301).

6. The swimming crab trapping device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first rod (302) is vertical and longer than the end portion of the first rod group (301) and is located inside the cage (10). The crab cage entrance (104) is located on the side of the cage (10).

7. The swimming crab trapping device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first rod (302) has a gap between one end of the rod connected to the upper part of the first rod group (301) and the rod of the upper part of the first rod group (301), and the rods at the lower end of the first rod (302) are connected in pairs.

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