DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Turning to FIG. 1, a perspective view is provided of the present invention attached to the handle 25 of a fishing net 20 . The major components are a retractable measuring tape 30 , and a number of straps 42 , 44 , and 46 that enable the measuring tape 30 to be removably secured to the handle 25 adjacent to the proximal end of the net 20 .

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 , the measuring tape 30 has a housing 35 containing a spring-loaded reel that allows the tape 30 to be manually extended to measure a fish 10 laying in the net 20 , and retracted into the housing for storage when the tape is not in use. The tape can be marked in the conventional manner in inches or centimeters. The measuring tape 30 should have a maximum length (e.g., approximately 36 inches) sufficient to measure the types of fish (e.g., trout, bass, perch, and walleye) that are commonly caught by sports fishermen and landed with a net 20 . The components of the measuring tape 30 should preferably be made of plastic or other corrosion-resistant materials to prevent rust.

[0022] A number of flexible straps 42 , 44 , and 46 are employed to attach the measuring tape 30 to the fishing net handle 25 . In the preferred embodiment, there are three straps 42 , 44 , and 46 made of cloth or flexible plastic, as depicted in the orthogonal views provided in FIGS. 3 through 6 . Two opposing lateral straps 42 and 44 extend laterally outward from the measuring tape 30 and wrap around the handle 25 of the fishing net 20 . The third strap 46 extends perpendicular to the lateral straps 42 , 44 passes through the net opening adjacent to the handle 25 . This third strap 46 holds the measuring tape 30 at a position on the net handle 25 close to the proximal end of netting 27 , and prevents the measuring tape 30 from inadvertently sliding down the net handle 25 .

[0023] It should be expressly understood that other strap configurations could be readily substituted. For example, a single strap of material could be used to encircle the handle 25 of the fishing net 20 . Multiple sets of complementary straps could also be used. The straps can be made of an elastic or stretchable material to accommodate a wide range of handle sizes.

[0024] The ends of the lateral straps 42 , 44 can be removably secured to one another by means of fasteners 43 and 45 , so that the lateral straps 42 , 44 encircle the net handle 25 . In the preferred embodiment, these lateral strap fasteners 43 , 45 are hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® material). However, other types of fasteners, such as snaps, adhesives, zippers, or hook-and-eye fasteners could be readily substituted.

[0025] Similarly, the end of the third strap 46 is removably secured by means of a fastener 47 to at least one of the lateral straps 42 , 44 . As before, this third strap fastener 47 can be hook-and-loop material that engages a complementary patch of hook-and-loop material on the exposed surface of one of the lateral straps 42 , 44 . Alternatively, other types of fasteners could be readily substituted. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, these fasteners 43 , 45 , and 47 provide a degree of adjustability to accommodate a range of net handle dimensions and diameters.

[0026] The measuring tape 30 can be attached to the straps 42 , 44 , 46 by any of a variety of means, such as adhesive, snaps, rivets, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, a bar 37 extends across the back of the reel housing 35 with a small spacing between the bar 37 and rear face of the housing 35 , as shown in FIG. 6 . A flexible mounting strap 48 passes through this space, and both ends of the mounting strap 48 are anchored to the lateral straps 42 , 44 . This configuration secures the measuring tape 30 to the lateral straps 42 , 44 but allows the measuring tape to swivel to a degree relative to the lateral straps 42 , 44 . This is helpful in allowing the measuring tape to be extended over a wider range of angles. For example, the measuring tape can be used to measure objects that are not in the net.

[0027] To use the present invention, the tape measure 30 must first be attached to the handle 25 of a fishing net 20 . The angler holds the tape measure against the desired location on the net handle 25 while simultaneously wrapping the lateral straps 42 , 44 around the net handle 25 . The angler should also exert a compressive force on the hook-and-loop fasteners 43 , 45 to ensure a firm connection between the lateral straps 42 , 44 . The angler then inserts the loose end of the third strap 46 through the net opening adjacent to the handle 25 . The hook-and-loop fastener 47 on the end of the third strap is then secured to outer surface of one of the lateral straps 43 , 45 to complete the installation, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The tape measure can be removed at any time by reversing this process.

[0028] After a fish has been caught in the net 20 , the angler gently cradles both the net 20 and fish 10 with one hand, as shown in FIG. 7 . The fish 10 can be held generally parallel to the surface of the water and partially submerged to minimize trauma to the fish. The fish can then be measured by extending the tape from the reel housing 35 with the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7 . For accurate measurement, the tape should extend parallel to the length of the fish 10 . The angler can determine the length of a fish by reading the markings on the tape. Thus, the angler can accurately, quickly, and conveniently measure the fish's length without assistance and with minimal contact to the fish. In most cases, the fish will fit completely within the net 20 . However, a particular large fish that extends beyond the net can still be measured by extending the tape as far as needed to reach the distal end of the fish.

[0029] The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention. Other arrangements or embodiments, not precisely set forth, could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention and as set forth in the following claims.