JP7730173B2 - Detachable underwater basket and float system and method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to submersible basket systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the use of the submersible basket systems facilitates handling of the submersible basket systems during inspection, processing, and/or harvesting of aquatic organisms contained therein.

Conventional submersible basket systems for cultivating aquatic organisms (e.g., bivalve mollusks) are typically not easy to handle and present challenges when attempting to attach the conventional submersible basket systems to a support system (e.g., long lines or drip tubing). Similarly, conventional submersible basket systems also typically present challenges when attempting to detach the submersible basket systems from the support system, for example, when transporting the basket systems to a boat or land-based location for inspection, processing, and/or harvesting. Therefore, there is a need for a submersible basket system and related methods of use that facilitate ease of handling of the submersible basket system during inspection, processing, and/or harvesting of the aquatic organisms contained therein.

For present purposes, aquatic organisms shall be understood to include organisms of the class Bivalvia, and more particularly, organisms of the subclasses Fleterodonta, Paleoheterodonta, Protobranchia, and Pteriomorphia. Of particular current interest are members of the above subclasses that are at least suitable for human consumption. Such members of the above subclasses that are suitable for human consumption shall be understood to include, but are not limited to, clams, cockles, mussels, oysters, and scallops. It will be understood that aquatic organisms may also include algae, aquatic plants, crustaceans, fish, mollusks in general, and/or other organisms suitable for aquaculture.

For purposes of this invention, aquaculture should be understood to include the cultivation of aquatic organisms in freshwater, brackish water, estuarine water, and saltwater environments.

In one preferred aspect, the present disclosure describes an underwater basket system.
The system includes a float, a submersible basket, and a bracket assembly configured to engage the float and basket to the long line, the bracket assembly being releasably engageable with each of the basket and the float.

In another preferred aspect, the present disclosure provides an underwater basket attachment mechanism for attaching a basket and float to a longline. The mechanism includes a bracket assembly having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis passing through the first and second ends, and a longline engagement region configured to receive a portion of the longline therein. The bracket assembly includes a basket disengagement portion slidable along the longitudinal axis to releasably secure the basket to the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a float engagement portion configured to rotatably receive and secure a float to the bracket assembly. The mechanism includes at least one longline engagement clip configured to engage a portion of the longline engagement region to secure the longline to the bracket assembly.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an underwater basket system. The underwater basket system includes a float, a basket, and attachment means. The attachment means is configured to attach the basket to the long line and the float. The attachment means is disposed between the float and the basket. The attachment means has a first portion configured to remain engaged with the float when the basket is disengaged from the long line and the float, and a second portion configured to remain engaged with the basket. Of course, the attachment means may be disposed in any position relative to the basket and float suitable for facilitating inversion of the basket and float around the long line.

The term longline should be understood to include cables, rods, ropes, strings, twine, etc. made from natural or synthetic materials, metals, and/or any combination of natural materials, synthetic materials such as plastics or polymers, and/or metals.

Ropes may include wire ropes made of steel or suitable metal alloys, preferably corrosion-resistant; ropes made of natural fibers such as core, cotton, hemp, jute, linen, abaca, sisal, and/or straw; and/or ropes made of acrylic, aramid, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, and/or polypropylene. The term "longline" should also be understood to include pipes made of suitable plastic materials, including high-density polyethylene, polybutylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, post-chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, and/or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an underwater basket float. The underwater basket float includes a generally rectangular body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, a top, a bottom, a height from the top to the bottom, and sides between the top and the bottom. The underwater basket float also includes a first channel perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and configured to accommodate a longline, and a second channel extending from the first end to a second end parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second channel has a depth along the height that is shallower than the depth of the first channel.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an underwater basket attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism includes a first portion configured to remain with the underwater basket float and the long line when the underwater basket is disengaged from the long line. The attachment mechanism also includes a second portion configured to remain with the underwater basket when the underwater basket is disengaged from the long line. The first and second portions are oriented to position the length of the underwater basket perpendicular to the long line.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for attaching a submersible basket to a long line. The method includes inserting a locking bar into a portion of the submersible basket and attaching the submersible basket and locking bar to a float with the long line interposed between the float and the basket.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure, as claimed.
In this specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives, including "comprises" and "comprise," include each of the recited integers but do not exclude the inclusion of one or more additional integers.
It will be understood that references to "preferably" or "preferably" herein are intended to be exemplary only.

The claims appended hereto and submitted hereto are incorporated by reference into the body of this specification.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the present disclosure and, together with the description, explain the advantages and principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an underwater basket system according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the underwater basket system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a top view of a flip adapter forming part of the underwater basket system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the flip adapter of FIG. 3A. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the flip adapter of FIG. 3A inserted into the float of the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a locking bar insertable into the basket of FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an underwater basket system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is another exploded view of the underwater basket system of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is another exploded view of the underwater basket system of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the underwater basket system of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a top view of the underwater basket system of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a flip adapter and float forming part of the underwater basket system of FIG. 6. FIG. 12 is another bottom view of the flip adapter and float of FIG. 11 . FIG. 12 is another bottom perspective view of the flip adapter and float of FIG. 11 . FIG. 7 is a top view of the underwater basket system of FIG. 6. FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a locking mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the keyway of the locking mechanism of FIG. FIG. 17 is another bottom perspective view of the keyway and fastener of FIG. 16 in a locked engagement state. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main bracket assembly for connecting a basket and float to a long line in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a clip engageable with the main bracket of FIG. 18; 20 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 19 engaged with the main bracket of FIG. 18; FIG. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the main bracket and clip of FIG. 20 securing a long line therein; FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the release handle. FIG. 22B is a bottom front perspective view of the release handle of FIG. 22A. 22A partially inserted into the main bracket of FIG. 18. [0032] FIG. FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the handle of FIG. 22A engaged with the basket latch bracket. 19 is a top perspective view of an underwater basket having a latch bracket and an axle bracket engageable thereon to help secure the basket to the main bracket of FIG. 18. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the basket of FIG. 25 with the main bracket of FIG. 18 inserted. FIG. 26 is an enlarged view showing the engagement of the main bracket of FIG. 18 with the basket of FIG. 25. FIG. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the float engagement end of the main bracket engaged with the basket of FIG. 27; FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the handle-engaging end of the main bracket engaged with the basket of FIG. 28; 22A latched to the handle-engaging end of the main bracket of FIG. 28. [0042] FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of an end of a float for use in the underwater basket of FIG. 25. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the float of FIG. 31 positioned to engage with the main bracket and basket of FIG. 29. FIG. FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the float of FIG. 32 with one end engaged with the main bracket of FIG. 32. FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the open end of the float of FIG. 32 engaged with the main bracket of FIG. 32; 33 is a perspective view of the float of FIG. 32 engaged with the main bracket of FIG. 18 and the basket of FIG. 25. FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the basket of FIG. 25 removed from the main bracket and float of FIG. 32. FIG.

The following detailed description of the present disclosure refers to the accompanying drawings. While the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of some of the parts shown in the drawings may be modified and/or exaggerated for clarity or illustrative purposes. Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of a submersible basket system 100. The submersible basket system 100 includes a submersible basket float 102, a submersible basket 104, such as an oyster basket, and an attachment means 106. The attachment means 106 is configured to attach the submersible basket 104 to the long line 108 and the submersible basket float 102. The attachment means 106 is preferably disposed between the submersible basket float 102 and the submersible basket 104. The attachment means has a first portion 110 configured to remain with the submersible basket float 102 when the submersible basket 104 is disengaged from the long line 108 and the submersible basket float 102, and a second portion 112 configured to remain with the submersible basket 104.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion 110 of the attachment means 106 includes a flip adapter 114 configured to attach the long line 108 to the submersible basket float 102.

It will be appreciated that the flip adapter 114 can include at least one spring lock for locking the flip adapter to the lock adapter. The spring lock may include, by way of example only, a spring-loaded bolt. The spring-loaded bolt may include, by way of example only, a suitably configured key for unlocking the spring-loaded bolt to facilitate release of the underwater basket from the line and/or float. It will be appreciated that the spring lock can be fabricated from any suitable material, such as metal and/or a suitable resilient material.

In another preferred embodiment, the second portion 112 includes a locking bar 116 configured to remain attached to the submersible basket 104 when the submersible basket 104 is disengaged from the long lines 108 and the submersible basket float 102. The locking bar 116 is configured with predetermined locking positions 118 that allow the locking bar 116 to selectively lock the submersible basket 104 to the submersible basket float 102 and the long lines 108 at a predetermined lateral orientation relative to the long lines 108. The attachment means 106 is preferably configured to orient the long lines 108 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 166 of the submersible basket 104. The submersible basket system 100 further includes a bearing attachment 120 attachable to the long lines 108. The bearing attachment 120 is configured to interactively engage with the attachment means 106. As shown in FIG. 2, the bearing attachment 120 includes two opposing spherical ends 122, 124 connected by a tubular intermediate section 126 configured to accommodate the long line 108 therethrough.

1, 2, and 4, the submersible basket float 102 includes a generally rectangular body 128 having a first end 130, a second end 132, a longitudinal axis 134 extending through the first end 130 and the second end 132, a top 136, a bottom 138, a height 140 from the top 136 to the bottom 138, and sides 141, 142 between the top 136 and the bottom 138. Preferably, the second channel 146 is perpendicular to the first channel 144. The second channel 146 extends from the bottom 138 along the height 140 of the submersible basket float 102 such that the second channel 146 is an open channel at the bottom 138 of the submersible basket float 102 as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the second channel 146 includes a deviation 152 therealong that is shaped and configured to accommodate the flip adapter 114 of the attachment mechanism 154 for attaching the submersible basket 104 to the submersible basket float 102.

Figures 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the submersible basket attachment mechanism 160. The submersible basket attachment mechanism 160 includes a first portion 110 configured to remain with the submersible basket float 102 and the long line 108 when the submersible basket 104 is disengaged from the long line 108. The submersible basket attachment mechanism 160 also includes a second portion 112 configured to remain with the submersible basket 104 via the attachment screws 156, 158 when the submersible basket 104 is disengaged from the long line 108. The first portion 110 and second portion 112 are oriented to position the length of the submersible basket 104 perpendicular to the long line 108.

Preferably, the first portion 110 is part of a flip adapter 114 having an upper member and a lower member 164 (FIG. 2), the upper member being detachable from the lower member 164, and the upper and lower members 164 being configured to sandwich the long line 108 therebetween when engaged with each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second portion 112 of the attachment mechanism 160 forms a slidable locking bar 116 on a portion of the submersible basket 104. The locking bar 116 is configured with predetermined locking positions 118 that allow the locking bar 116 to selectively lock the submersible basket 104 to the submersible basket float 102 and the long lines 108 in a desired lateral orientation relative to the long lines 108. The submersible basket attachment mechanism 160 is preferably configured to position a single long line 108 between the submersible basket float 102 and the submersible basket 104. The submersible basket attachment mechanism 160 preferably includes a bearing attachment attachable to the long line. The bearing attachment includes two opposing spherical ends connected by a tubular intermediate portion configured to accommodate the long line therethrough, as shown in FIG. 2.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of attaching a submersible basket 104 to a long line 108. The method includes inserting a locking bar 116 into a portion of the submersible basket 104 and attaching the submersible basket 104 and the locking bar 116 to the submersible basket float 102 with the longitudinal axis 166 of the submersible basket 104 perpendicular to the long line 108. Preferably, the long line 108 is interposed between the submersible basket float 102 and the submersible basket 104. The method also includes detaching the submersible basket 104 from the submersible basket float 102 and the long line 108. The method further includes inverting the submersible basket 104 about the longitudinal axis 168 of the long line 108 while the submersible basket 104 is engaged with the long line 108.

Figures 6-17 show another preferred embodiment of the underwater basket attachment mechanism, labeled 206. The underwater basket attachment mechanism 206 includes a float spine 208 and at least one locking mechanism 210, 212 (Figure 11).

The submersible basket float 102 is constructed from a buoyant material configured to securely receive one or more fasteners, such as one or more foam locking pins 270, 272, without destroying the submersible basket float 102. Each fastener 270, 272 has a grip 274 and a stem 276 (see FIG. 15). Preferably, each fastener 270, 272 is configured to pass through the submersible basket float 102 and engage with the float spine 208 to lock the submersible basket float 102 to the float spine 208 during use.

The locking mechanisms 210, 212 include one or more anchors 284, 286 (FIG. 11) such that, in use, the float spine 208 is locked to one or more anchor points on the submersible basket 104. The float spine 208 also includes one or more keyways 278, 280, each shaped and configured to receive a locking tab of one or more fasteners 270, 272, in use. Each keyway 278, 280 includes a locking configuration 282 (FIG. 16) disposed therein such that, in use, each fastener 270, 272 can be positioned in a locked position to lock the submersible basket float 102 and the submersible basket 104 onto the longline 108. As shown in FIG. 6, the submersible basket attachment mechanism 206 includes a bearing attachment 120 attachable to the longline 108. Preferably, the bearing attachment 120 includes two opposing spherical ends 122, 124 connected by a tubular intermediate section 126 configured to accommodate the long line 108 therethrough.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the one or more anchors 284, 286 is a slidable lock bolt configured to be lockably received by a lock anchor point located on the submersible basket 104, in use. As shown in Figures 11-13, the slidable lock bolt 284 may be pulled in a first direction 300, in use, to position the slidable lock bolt 284 in a locked position relative to the lock anchor point, and may be pushed in a second direction 302, in use, to position the slidable lock bolt 284 in an unlocked position relative to the lock anchor point.

Preferably, one or more anchor points are attached to the submersible basket 10. The anchor points may be integrally formed with the submersible basket or may be attached to the submersible basket.

Preferably, in use, the submersible basket float 102 biases each flange of each stem 276 into locking engagement with the respective locking arrangement 282. It will be appreciated that elastic deformation of the submersible basket float 102 as each fastener passes through the submersible basket float 102 to secure the submersible basket float 102 to the submersible basket 104 can provide such biasing.

Figure 14 shows a preferred embodiment of the fasteners 270, 272 in a first position (Figure 11) and a second position (Figure 12). Of course, the first position may represent a locked position and the second position may represent an unlocked position, or vice versa. Reference to a locked position, for the present purposes, should be understood to mean that the submersible basket float 102 is locked onto the submersible basket 104, and the unlocked position should be understood to mean that the submersible basket float 102 can be disengaged from the submersible basket 104.

Figures 15-17 show preferred embodiments of the fastener (e.g., 270) and float spine 208. The float spine 208 includes one or more keyways 278, 280, each shaped and configured to receive a flange of the stem 276 of the fastener (e.g., 270) in use. Each keyway 278, 280 includes a locking feature 282 disposed therein such that, in use, each fastener 270, 272 can be placed in a locked position to lock the submersible basket float and submersible basket onto the longline.

Preferably, the underwater basket system is fabricated from a degradation-resistant material. Also preferably, the underwater basket system is fabricated from a corrosion-resistant material. Such degradation- and/or corrosion-resistant materials may be UV-resistant polymers, polymers containing UV-resistant stabilizers, thermal degradation-resistant polymers, photooxidation-resistant polymers, ozone-decomposition-resistant polymers, oxidation-resistant polymers, chain-scission-resistant polymers, and/or any combination of the foregoing polymers. Polymers of interest may include one or more antioxidants, light stabilizers such as UV absorbers, UV quenchers, or hindered photoamine stabilizers. The polymers may also include acid scavengers, heat stabilizers, and biocides.

Such biocides may limit degradation of the polymer by harmful organisms or pathogens, limit colonization of the underwater basket by such harmful organisms or pathogens, and/or limit/reduce illness in the bivalve mollusks or humans consuming the bivalve mollusks contained in the underwater basket. Such harmful organisms or pathogens may be bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, plants, sponges, snails, wheat, crabs, lobsters, flatworms, leeches, sea stars, fish, and/or any other animals known to be harmful to bivalve mollusks.

Such deterioration- and/or corrosion-resistant materials may be any suitable metal or metal alloy that is corrosion-resistant. Particularly preferred metals or metal alloys are those that are resistant to corrosion in aquatic environments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such metals or metal alloys may include, by way of example only, at least marine-grade stainless steel and/or duplex stainless steel.

Preferably, the submersible basket floats disclosed herein may be manufactured as a single buoyancy component or may be assembled from multiple buoyancy components, i.e., two or more buoyancy components. Also preferably, the submersible basket floats disclosed herein may be constructed from a buoyancy material configured to securely accept one or more fasteners, such as one or more screws, one or more clamps, one or more clips, etc., without destroying the submersible basket float. As used herein, the term "destroyed" should be interpreted to mean a reduction in the buoyancy of the float such that the resulting submersible basket is not adequately and/or effectively supported in the aquatic environment.

It will be understood that the buoyant material should provide buoyancy in an aquatic environment. Such buoyant material may comprise a foam. Such foam may be open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, or a combination of open-cell and closed-cell foam. Preferably, the foam may be made from polyurethane, polystyrene, resin, and/or any suitably manufactured foam material. The foam has a high strength-to-weight ratio. The foam may be an integral skin foam having a high-density skin and a low-density core. The foam may comprise hollow particles within a matrix material. The hollow particles may be made from a suitable material such as glass, ceramic, and/or polymer. Alternatively, the foam may be a suitable metal foam. Preferably, the metal foam should be corrosion-resistant and/or encapsulated in a corrosion-resistant skin.

During use, the baskets may be removed from the longline during inspection, treatment, and/or harvesting of the aquatic organisms contained in the submersible basket system. Such inspection, treatment, and/or harvesting of the aquatic organisms contained in the submersible basket system may be performed on-site, i.e., on or alongside a boat, or off-site, i.e., on land, at a pier, on a jetty, etc. Also, during use, the submersible basket 104 may be inverted 90°, 180°, 270°, 360°, or to any degree necessary about the longitudinal axis 168 of the longline 108 for inspection, treatment, and/or harvesting of the organisms contained in the submersible basket 104.

Inspection may include checking for growth progression, checking for biofouling, and checking for the presence of pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, protozoa, viruses, and/or algal pathogens, or plants or animals harmful to the organisms contained in the submersible basket 104. Treatment may include treatment to remediate any effects resulting from the presence of pathogens, plants, and/or animals harmful to the organisms contained in the submersible basket 104.

18-36, an underwater basket system 300 according to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. System 300 is similar to system 100, except that system 300 is configured with a tube bracket assembly 380 configured to secure float 302 and basket 304 to drip tube or longline 308. System 300 is configured to allow the basket and/or float to be interdependently attachable and detachable to the longline for quick and efficient assembly and disassembly. Referring to FIG. 18, bracket 380 includes a first handle-engaging end 381 and a second float-engaging end 382 opposite the handle-engaging end along the longitudinal axis. Bracket 380 further includes a line retention or engagement area 383 located approximately midway along the length of bracket 380. Line retention area 383 has an axis oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of bracket 380 such that basket 304 is oriented generally perpendicular to the longline when attached to the longline.

Referring to Figures 18-20, the long line 308 is secured to the bracket 380 by a pair of clips 384. Each clip 384 is configured to overlap and snap into cooperative engagement with a clip engagement area 385 located at the end of the line engagement area 383. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the clips 384 include ends configured to clip under tabs located at each end of the line engagement area 383.

Figures 22A-24 show more detail of the handle engagement end 381 and its interaction with the basket latch bracket 386 and release handle 387. With reference to Figures 22A and 22B, the handle 387 includes a pair of parallel handle pins 388 protruding from the handle portion. Each of the flanged pins 388 preferably includes a tab stop 389 configured to retain the handle 387 to the main bracket 380 and limit longitudinal movement of the handle 387 when engaging and disengaging the basket 304 from the main bracket 380. With reference to Figure 24, the handle pins 388 are preferably configured to underlie and be retained by a portion of the basket latch bracket 386.

Figure 25 shows a basket 304 having a basket latch bracket 386 and a basket axis bracket 390 that can engage with the top of the basket 304 using a slidable locking bar as previously described. The basket latch bracket 386 and the basket axis bracket 390 are secured to the basket 304 by sliding the locking bar through the top of the basket 304 and through the underside of the brackets 386 and 390, similar to the interaction between the locking bar and the basket described above in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1-17.

Referring now to Figures 26-30, the main bracket 380 is positioned and angled on top of the basket 304 so that a pair of tabs on the float engagement end 382 fit under corresponding pins 391 on the basket axle bracket 390, as shown in Figure 27. Once the float engagement end 382 engages with the axle bracket 390, the handle engagement end 381 of the main bracket 380 is rotated toward the basket 304 so that the handle engagement end 381 engages with the basket latch bracket 386 by pushing the handle engagement end 381 into the position shown in Figures 28 and 29. This involves pushing the handle until the latch 392 on the handle engagement end 381 engages the latch-receiving area of the handle 387, latching the handle in place, as shown in Figure 30.

31, the float 302 has an open end 393 that preferably includes a pair of opposed key slots 394 configured to receive a float pinkie 395, as shown in FIG. 34. Referring to FIGS. 32-34, the float 302 is engaged with the main bracket 380 by inserting a float loop under opposed pins 396, 397 at the float engagement end 382. This engagement allows the float 302 to be attached to the main bracket 380 by rotating the open end 393 of the float 302 toward the handle engagement end 381 of the bracket 380 until the key slots 394 are aligned with the curved portion 398 (FIGS. 30 and 34) of the handle engagement end 381 of the main bracket 380. Once the curved portion 398 is aligned with the key slots 394, the float pinkie 395 is inserted laterally therethrough in FIG. 34 to secure the float 302 to the main bracket 380, as shown in FIG. 35.

To disengage the basket from the main bracket 380, the user lifts the latch 392 and pulls the release handles 387 longitudinally apart, as shown in FIG. 36. The float 302 can be disengaged from the main bracket 380 by pulling out the pinky 395.

From the above, it can be seen that the basket and float may be independently engaged and disengaged from the main bracket, and therefore from the long line. Such a configuration provides greater flexibility for maintaining either or both the float and basket, increasing the ease of deployment of the fish harvesting system in a marine environment. This is particularly advantageous when adapting the system to challenging marine environments, allowing for easy replacement of defective or damaged elements without the hassle and time-consuming need to shut down and replace the entire line to replace what is essentially just a single problematic element.

If desired, the system may be configured to attach the baskets to long lines, allowing the baskets to remain in a fixed orientation, such as upside down, so that landed fish can be dried and kept hygienic.

It will be understood that the basket may be of any dimensional configuration suitable for its intended purpose. By way of example only, the basket may have a square or oval configuration. It will be understood that if the basket has a square orientation, or if its longest dimension is parallel to the longline when attached, then rotation of the basket about the longline will be parallel to its longest dimension.

If desired, the baskets may be constructed in an interconnectable modular manner, such that they can be attached to one another to form one or more elongated baskets of appropriate dimensions depending on the environment for which they are designed.

Exemplary benefits of one or more preferred embodiments of the disclosed underwater basket system and methods of use thereof include:
- Facilitating quick attachment or removal of the float to/from the underwater basket when in use, i.e. in position on the longline.
• Mounting of the float around the bearing using a flip adapter that can be removed by removing the underwater basket.
●A locking bar configured to engage the flip adapter at multiple appropriate positions balanced around the bearing.
●Lock bar that allows easy removal of basket end caps while keeping them in place.
●Lock bar adapted to increase the number of lock adapter positions.
Quick access locking bar allows the underwater basket to be easily removed from the float.
●A float that fits snugly onto the top of the underwater basket.
●The float can be easily fixed to the bearing.
●The float remains attached to the line even when the submersible basket is removed and can be easily reattached to the submersible basket when required.
• A flip adapter that is shaped and configured to fit snugly around the appropriate configuration of the underwater basket.
• A flip adapter including a locking tab design that corresponds to the locking adapter on the end of the flip adapter, preferably with at least one additional engagement of a locking bar below the bearing.
• Bearings on the line prevent the basket from moving along the line.
• Bearings provide wear resistance and strength by reducing wear and protect the line to hold the basket in place.
●Even if the line breaks, all baskets will remain on the line and will not fall off the line.
Baskets can be collected individually and used with existing land grading systems, giving farmers more flexibility by allowing them to work from boats or punts, or by using their current land base if they purchase the necessary infrastructure.
● The baskets can be deployed individually, without the need to thread all the baskets onto one line.
• With the float removed, the basket can be submerged under the ice to overwinter.
• The baskets can be submerged under environmental conditions prone to wave action to reduce the risk of damage to infrastructure and bivalve mollusks, such as oysters.
● The line is centered between the float and the basket, i.e., close to the center of gravity, to help facilitate flipping of the basket and float.

It will be understood that one or more of the aforementioned advantages may not necessarily apply to all embodiments and will depend on factors such as size, environment, and operational use and purpose. Features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to, or combined with, or substituted for features of, other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the features disclosed herein. The specification and embodiments are intended to be exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (18)

1. A bracket assembly for an underwater basket system, the basket system comprising a basket, a float, and a long line, the bracket assembly comprising:
a basket engagement portion for securing the basket to the bracket assembly;
a float engagement portion for fixing the float to the bracket assembly;
a long line engagement portion for releasably securing the long line to the bracket assembly for rapid attachment or detachment of individual brackets to or from the long line;
Equipped with
A bracket assembly, wherein the basket and the float can be independently engaged and disengaged from a main bracket. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the basket engagement portion releasably secures the basket to the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the float engagement portion releasably secures the float to the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly of claim 1, comprising a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis passing through the first end and the second end, and a long line engagement portion configured to receive a portion of a long line therein. The bracket assembly of claim 1, configured to remain attached to the long line after the float and/or the basket disengage from the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a long line engagement clip configured to engage with a portion of the long line engagement portion to secure the long line to the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein the clip is configured to overlap and snap cooperatively engage a clip engagement area located at the end of the long line engagement portion. The bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein the clip includes ends configured to clip under tabs located at each end of the long line engagement portion. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket assembly is specifically configured to orient the long line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the basket. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket assembly is specifically configured to orient the long line in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the basket. The bracket assembly of claim 1, disposed between the float and the basket. The bracket assembly of claim 1, comprising: a first portion configured to remain with the float when the basket is disengaged from the long line and the float; and a second portion configured to remain with the basket. The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a basket engagement/release portion slidable along a longitudinal axis passing through the first end and the second end to releasably secure the basket to the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket assembly includes a float engagement portion configured to rotatably receive and secure the float to the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly of claim 1, configured to allow the basket and/or the float to be interdependently attachable and detachable to the long line for quick and efficient assembly and disassembly. The bracket assembly of claim 1, comprising a flip adapter configured to attach a long line to the float. The bracket assembly of claim 1, comprising a bearing attachment that can be attached to a long line. The bracket assembly of claim 17, wherein the bearing attachment comprises two opposing spherical ends connected by a tubular intermediate section configured to accommodate a long line therethrough.