GB2384170A

GB2384170A - A submergible basket.

Info

Publication number: GB2384170A
Application number: GB0129636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Valentina Semenenko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-11
Filing date: 2001-12-11
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Also published as: GB0129636D0

Abstract

A basket for use under water comprises a closure 3, mesh 4, an inflatable flotation device 5, indicator beads 6 to facilitate location of the basket under water, and pockets 7 adapted to receive tools. In use, the basket 1 may function as a collection and containment system facilitating under water activity or may be used as a containment system while floating on the water surface.

Description

A BASKET This invention relates to a basket, and more particularly to a basket for use, in or under water, such as in the sea, lakes and rivers.

According to the invention there is provided a basket for use under water comprising a closure therefor, and a mesh, the basket being provided with flotation means, and including beads as indicator means to facilitate location of the basket under water, and holder means for provision of tools and/or illumination devices.

It is preferred that the closure comprises a lid including a buoyant material to aid flotation, and may be inflatable and may include fastening means to prevent inadvertent dislodging of the lid. The lid may be hinged, and may also comprise warning means to indicate the presence of a diver when in use.

The beads may be located at the intersections of strings of the mesh. The beads may preferably include fluorescent means located upon their surfaces.

The holder means may comprise a pocket, which may be located at the periphery of the basket, and the pocket preferably comprises a mesh tube.

There may be a plurality of pockets.

The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a basket according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a closure for a basket embodying the invention; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a basket embodying the invention; Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a closure for a basket embodying the invention; Figs. 5 and 6 are schematic representations of a closure of a basket embodying the invention; Fig. 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of basket according to the invention; and Fig. 8 shows a modification.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a basket 1 for use under water comprising a closure 3 therefor, and mesh 4, the basket 1 being provided with flotation means 5, and including indicator means 6 to facilitate location of the basket under water, and holder means 7 adapted to receive illumination means.

The closure 3 may comprise a lid and may include a buoyant material such as polystyrene or any buoyant closed cell foam in order to aid flotation. The lid may be provided with a fastening means 9 secured by any suitable means such as clips or studs, and which could be for

example, Velcro (TM), or other means, in order to prevent opening by wave action, and may be hinged. The lid may be constructed with a thin covering 10 which may be for example, a nylon, or neoprene and could be constructed in such a way as to be inflatable, by for example, a diver's air tank, in order to aid flotation.

In an alternative embodiment, the lid is provided with a solar panel (not shown), fixed thereto by any suitable means and positioned, for example on the upper (in use) surface thereof for maximum exposure to solar radiation. Energy produced by the panel is utilised for example to power a light source such as a torch or spotlight which may be attached to the basket 1 via an extendible flex. Where the light source is attached to the basket 1, a fibre optic cable is provided which can be utilised to aid location of the basket 1 in the water, and/or to provide a light source for a diver working separately from the basket 1.

In Fig. 1 the lid shown is a disc-shaped member, however it will be appreciated that any shape may be employed, as long as the lid functions to close the basket 1. In addition, the lid may be formed with a raised portion extending upwardly (in use and adapted to protrude above the surface of the water to function as a diver's warning flag.

Alternatively, the basket 1 itself could be used as a warning device, when not in use as a collection device, by attaching it to a frame or pole for example borne on a buoy.

The basket 1 comprises a mesh 4 bag or sack attached to a rim 11 which forms a substantially rigid opening 8 for the bag. The rim and lid cooperate to seal off the opening. The mesh 4 may be constructed

according to known methods and known materials such as natural or synthetic fibres. The mesh size may be varied to accommodate various sizes of article to be contained in the basket 1, and knotless mesh 4 may be employed if it is desired to accommodate live creatures such as live fish. The bag or sack 4 may be divided into two or more separate compartments or traps for the storage of live creatures which may not be mutually compatible, such as lobsters. At the intersections of strings of the mesh, beads 12 are provided which serve the dual function of acting as buoyancy aids, when constructed from a buoyant material, and also as indicator means 6, to aid location of the basket 1 when it is in use under water. To improve the efficiency of the beads 12 as indicator means 6, they may be provided with fluorescent paint, or reflective stickers or coatings. The basket 1 is further provided with additional holder means 7, which may take the form of a pocket or pockets 13, also constructed from mesh, and which may be located at the periphery of the basket 1. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, two pockets 13 are shown, however one or more may be used. The pockets 13 provide an easily accessible holder for, for example torches or other illumination means (not shown) and/or other tools and may even be used to hold wine bottles for cooling, The basket 1 may further be provided with a poacher's entrance (not shown) to enable items to be placed inside easily. The entrance consists of one or more openings in a side of the basket, the entrance being provided with a non-return device to prevent items escaping or falling out of the basket. The non-return device can simply be an elastic ring fixed around the opening in the mesh 4, which is stretched by the user when an item is inserted.

The basket 1 may be collapsible to facilitate convenient storage and transportation and an example of a particular collapsible configuration is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein the basket 1 has a hinged lid, the construction being mounted on a buoyant device such as a buoy 14. The buoy 14 may be constructed from any suitably buoyant material, such as wood, cork or polystyrene and may be ballasted if necessary. Protruding from the top of the buoy 14 there is a flag 15 on a pole 16 to indicate the position of the basket 1, and the diver working with it. In order to stabilise the basket 1 and flag pole 16 to prevent it from becoming overturned by the wind or waves, the pole 16 may continue through or alongside of the buoy 14 below the surface of the water where a counter-weight 17 may be provided in the form of a lead weight. Alternatively, a separate underwater pole 16 may be provided. The pole 16 is collapsible for example, telescopic to aid storage, and is conveniently formed from aluminium, which is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. It will be noted that in this embodiment, the mesh 4 of the basket 1 itself constitutes the holder means.

The basket 1 may be provided with a cord or cable, to which may be attached tools or other items for use under water. The cord is conveniently mounted on a spool or reel for storage under the basket and may be provided with detachable weights.

In use, the basket 1 functions as a collection and containment system facilitating under water activity by virtue of its buoyancy and ability to incorporate means for under water illumination. The basket 1 may be

attached by for example a line, to a diver's buoy or flag, used for warning boats of the presence of a diver in the vicinity, or alternatively, may itself constitute a warning device by virtue of its lid protruding above the surface of the water, when used in this way.

In Fig. 8, there is elongate means such as a string 40 with a releasable securing device such as a clip or shackle 41 so that the basket 1 may be attached to the body of a diver 42 while in the water, but it can be released quickly when necessary.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A basket for use under water comprising a closure therefor, and a mesh, the basket being provided with flotation means, and including beads as indicator means to facilitate location of the basket under water, and holder means for provision of tools and/or illumination devices.
2. A basket according to Claim 1, the closure comprising a lid including a buoyant material to aid flotation.
3. A basket according to Claim 2, the closure being inflatable.
4. A basket according to any preceding claim, the closure comprising fastening means.
5. A basket according to any preceding claim the closure comprising a solar panel.
6. A basket according to any preceding claim, the closure comprising warning means to indicate the presence of a diver when in use.
7. A basket according to any preceding claim, the beads being located at the intersection of strings of the mesh.
8. A basket according to any preceding claim, the beads including fluorescent means located upon their surfaces.

<Desc/Clms Page number 8>
9. A basket according to Claim 8, the fluorescent means comprising a fluorescent paint.
10. A basket according to Claim 6, the warning means comprising a flag.
11. A basket according to any preceding claim, the holder means comprising a pocket located at the periphery of the basket.
12. A basket according to Claim 11, the pocket comprising a mesh tube.
13. A basket according to Claims 8 to 12, there being a plurality of pockets.
14. A basket according to any preceding claim, comprising a second opening for insertion or removal of objects.
15. A basket according to Claim 14, wherein the second opening comprises non-return means.
16. A basket according to Claim 15, the non-return device comprising an elastic ring.
17. A basket according to any preceding claim, mounted on a buoy.
18. A basket substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawings.