GB2166331A - Bite indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic bite indicator for use by anglers has a body (1) housing a series of reed switches, and a slidable member (13) including a magnet (18) for actuating the reed switches (12) in turn as the member slides along the body. A fishing line (23) is coupled to the slidable member and upon a change in the tension therein the slidable member moves relative to the body, producing an output signal from a sounder (10) and/or a light emitting device to indicate the movement of the member to an angler. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bite indicator This invention relates to fishing equipment for use by anglers, and in particular concerns a bite indicator.

The invention resides broadly in a bite indicator comprising a body, a member mounted on the body and movable relative thereto under changes in tension in a fishing line coupled to the member, sensing means for emitting an electric output signal in response to movement of said member relative to the body, and means responsive to the electric output signal to produce an audible and/or visible signal to Indicate movement of the member to an angler.

In a preferred embodiment of a bite indicator made in accordance with the invention, the body is adapted to be fixed securely to the ground, e.g. by spiked rod which can be pushed into the ground, and the fishing line can be looped around the movable member in a manner permitting the bite indicator to be easily released from the line to allow the angler to play a hooked fish unhindered.

The body comprises an elongate member along which the movable member is slidable. The movable member is biased towards one end of the elongate member, for example by the weight of the movable member when the elongate member has a generally upright orientation, and is arranged to be pulled along the elongate member against the bias by an increase in tension in the fishing line.

The bias force acting on the movable member may be adjustable, such as by adding weights to this member, to adjust the sensitivity of the bite indicator. The sensing means comprises a plurality of elements spaced apart along the elongate member, and means carried on the movable member and cooperable with each of the elements in turn as the movable member moves along the elongate body member. Conveniently the sensor elements are magnetically actuated devices, such as reed switches, and the movable member includes a bar magnet. The sensor elements are connected electrically to an electronic circuit which is conveniently housed in the body and which may comprise integrated circuits and/or discrete silicon devices and electronic components. The body includes a compartment for receiving one or more electric storage cells for supplying power to the electronic circuit.The electronic circuit generates a pulsed voltage signal in response to actuation of the sensor elements, and this signal is fed to a sounder to, produce an audible signal. Alternatively or additionally the pulsing voltage signal may be supplied to a light emitting device, such as an LED or a small filament lamp to provide a visible flashing signal. With the movable member mounted on the outside of the elongate member its movements may be observed directly and to facilitate such visual monitoring in poor light conditions the movable member is preferably equipped with a lamp, such as a self powered light source.

The above and other novel features of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description which is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in side view a bite indicator embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is an axial section through the bite indicator; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the movable member of an enlarged scale; Figure 4 is a view illustrating the way in which the bite indicator may be used with a fishing rod and line; Figure 5 is a section along the line V-V of Figure 1; Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figure 5 illustrating modifications to the bite indicator; and Figure 8 is a side view showing an upper end part of a modified bite indicator.

The bite indicator illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 has a body comprising a main column formed by a first tube 1 and a second smaller diameter tube 2 held in spaced parallel relationship to the tube 1 by a lower end fitting 3 and an upper end cap 4. The tubes may conveniently be made as plastics extrusion. A metal rod 5, pointed at its lower end, projects from the lower end of the tube 1 through the fitting 3 and is intended to be pushed into the ground to stake the bite indicator securely in the required position and with the tubes 1, 2 substantially vertical. The rod is slidable in the fitting 3 to adjust the projecting length, and a clamping screw 6 is provided to fix the rod in its adjusted position.

The rod 5 may be completely removable to enable it to be used for other angling duties, and as shown, the upper end of the rod is provided with a screw thread for use when being employed for other purposes.

Two transverse partition walls 7 in the tube 1 confine a battery compartment to receive one or more electric storage cells 8. The battery compartment will in conventional manner be provided with a cover (not shown) which can be opened for replacing the cells. Another chamber 9 in the tube contains printed circuit boards carrying electronic circuitry, described in more detail below, and a sounder 10 in the form of a miniature loud speaker. An alternative form of sound producing device, such as a bell or buzzer is also possible.

The sounder is located adjacent the end cap 4 which can be perforated to facilitate sound transmission. The chamber 9 can also be provided with a removable access cover if desired.

Positioned within the tube 2 and spaced apart along it at regular intervals is a series of, e.g. 12 to 18, reed switches 12 of the normally open type.

The switches 12 are wired electrically in parallel and are connected to the electronic circuitry by wires which pass through the end cap 4. A member 13, hereinafter called "the monkey climber" is slidable longitudinally on the tube 2 and consists of a tubular part 14 with a fluid bore, a pair of arms 15 at the upper end of part 14 for loosely embracing the tube 2, and a pair of legs 16 at the lower end of part 14 which engage the tube 2 with a snap fit and cooperate with the tube 1 to prevent rotation of the monkey climber around tube 2.

Fixed in the bore of part 14 are a self powered light source 17, e.g. a tritium filled fluorescent tube, and a bar magnet 18 for actuating the reed switches. In use of the bite indicator the fishing line 23 is passed between the tube 2 and the monkey climber 13 beneath the arms 15 and to enable the line to be engaged and disengaged, the monkey climber can move to an uppermost position in which the arms 15 are located above the end cap 4, the legs 16 preventing the monkey climber from becoming completely detached. The monkey climber is biased towards the bottom of tube 2 under its own weight and is moved up against this bias by tension in the fishing line. To adjust the sensitivity of the bite indicator to changes in line tension an integral eye 19 is included on the monkey climber to facilitate the attachment of lead weights by means of nylon filament or the like.

In Figure 4 the bite indicator is depicted in use with a fishing rod 20 supported generally horizontally on a pair of rod rests 21. The bite indicator 22 is staked into the ground in substantially vertical position and a length of the fishing line 23 between a pair of eyes on the rod is looped under the arms 15 of the monkey climber. The line is initially adjusted so that the monkey climber is located near the lower end of tube 2. A pull on the line 23 causes the loop of line to straighten and the monkey climber 13 to slide up the tube 2. As it does so the magnet closes the reed switches 12 in turn as it moves past them. The electronic circuitry, which is powered by the cells 8 in response to the closing of the switches activates the sounder 10.

The electronic circuitry includes an oscillator for supplying AC to the sounder 10 and a timing device so that a pulse of fixed duration is fed to the sounder each time one of the reed switches is closed. The described circuit arrangement serves to conserve power since current is drawn from the cells only when a reed switch is activated, and continuous operation of the sounder is avoided should the monkey climber come to rest with the magnet opposite one of the switches 12. From the foregoing it will be understood that the sounder 10 emits a sequence of audible bleeps as the monkey climber slides along tube 2 and that the frequency of the bleeps will signify the speed of movement and hence the strength of the tug on the line 23.

By direct observation the monkey climber gives a simultaneous visible indication of changes in tension in the line 23, and the light source 17 enables it to be seen even in the dark. It will be appreciated that the monkey climber 13 will be made of clear plastic or include a window to make the light source 17 visible. To release the line from the bite indicator 22, for example to play a hooked fish, all the angler need do is lift the rod 20 which causes the monkey climber to move to its uppermost position and automatically release the line.

The bite indicator as described is suitable for use in daylight, poor light and even darkness. It can be very sensitive to provide an angler with a reliable signal indicating that a fish has taken the bait, and also an indication of tidal movements.

Modifications to the described bite indicator are of course possible without departing from the scope of the invention and will occur to skilled readers. It may be mentioned for example that it is not essential for the body to be formed as two separate tubes. A modified construction is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 where the tubes are linked by a web 25 and may be made as a single extrusion. In Figure 7 the tube 2 is also seen to have a square external cross-section. Furthermore, any suitable non-magnetic material could be used for the tube 2 and as shown in Figure 8 this tube is made of stainless steel and is bent over at the top for connection to the end cap, the bent over section being flattened somewhat to allow the arms 15 of the monkey climber 13 to pass by.

Claims (11)

1. A bite indicator comprising a body, a member mounted on the body and movable relative thereto under changes in tension in a fishing line coupled to the member, sensing means for emitting an electric output signal in response to movement of said member relative to the body, and means responsive to the electric output signal to produce an audible and/or visible signal to indicate movement of the member to an angler.

2. A bite indicator according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises an elongate member along which the movable member is slidable, the movable member, in use of the bite indicator, being biased towards one end of the elongate member and arranged to be pulled along the elongate member against the bias by an increase in tension in the fishing line.

3. A bite indicator according to claim 2, wherein the movable member is biased along the elongate member by its own weight.

4. A bite indicator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the movable member is provided with means for selectively connecting a weight to adjust the bias.

5. A bite indicator according to any of claims 1 or 4 wherein the sensing means comprises a plurality of elements spaced apart along the body, and means carried on the movable member and cooperate with each of the elements in turn as the movable member moves relative to the body.

6. A bite indicator according to claim 5 wherein the sensing elements are magnetically actuated devices and the movable member includes a permanent magnet.

7. A bite indicator according to any preceding claim wherein the body includes a compartment for receiving at least one electric storage cell for supplying power to produce the output signal.

8. A bite indicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable member includes a self-powered light source.

9. A bite indicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is provided with a spiked rod for fixing the body securely to the ground.

10. A bite indicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the means responsive to the electric signal comprises an electronic circuit for producing a pulsed voltage signal, a sounder and/or a light emitting device being connected to the circuit to be actuated by the voltage signal.

11. A bite indicator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.