AU2014215995B2

AU2014215995B2 - A Kite Fishing System

Info

Publication number: AU2014215995B2
Application number: AU2014215995A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Martin LIEBENBERG
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-11
Filing date: 2014-08-22
Publication date: 2017-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-22
Also published as: NZ616497A; AU2014215995A1

Abstract

A kite fishing system having a kite and an associated kite line attached at one end to a fishing rod and a stopper attached to the kite line at a predetermined distance between the fishing rod and the kite. The kite fishing system further includes a taxi kite assembly having a taxi-kite attached to a support rod, the support rod configured to move on the kite line between the fishing rod and the stopper when the kite and taxi-kite are airborne. The taxi kite assembly also includes a release mechanism assembly configured to suspend and release a fishing load when the support rod contacts the stopper, and the taxi kite includes a sail configured to fold up when the support rod contacts the stopper to allow the support rod to travel on the kite line between the stopper and the fishing rod. 8 ' Figure 1

Description

2014215995 22 Aug 2014 A Kite Fishing System

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a kite fishing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable kite adapted for use with the kite fishing system.

5 BACKGROUND ART A problem associated with a conventional fishing rods and associated fishing tackle is that the distance a fishing line can be manually cast over an area of water by a fisherman is limited.

In order to extend the fishing area of the water, a boat can be employed. However 10 because boats can frighten fish away from its vicinity, the fisherman must once again cast the fishing line manually via a fishing rod.

In order to extend the distance over which a fishing line can be cast, kite fishing systems were developed. Such kite fishing systems employ a kite which can fly at a great height over a body of water attached to a fishing rod. A release clip can be 15 suspended at a predetermined distance along the main fishing line and used to release a secondary fishing line once a fish has been caught on a hook attached to the secondary fishing line. Such fishing systems are disclosed in US 3,462,870 and US 4,469,296. Alternatively, a release clip can be manually moved along the main line by the fisherman to a required distance. Such a kite fishing system is disclosed 20 in US 3,358,399.

The disadvantage of such kite fishing systems is the Sack of ease of use, particularly when multiple secondary fishing lines are required to be cast using the same main line and the reliability of these fishing systems in varying wind 1 2014215995 22 Aug 2014 conditions.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 5 from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a kite fishing system comprising: • a first kite and associated first kite line attached at one end to a first fishing 10 rod; • a stopper attached to the first kite line at a predetermined distance between the fishing rod and the first kite • a taxi kite assembly comprising a taxi-kite attached to a support rod, the support rod configured to move on the first kite line between the fishing rod 15 and the stopper when the first kite and taxi-kite are airborne; wherein • the taxi kite assembly also comprises a release mechanism assembly configured to suspend and release a fishing load when the support rod contacts the stopper; and 20 · the taxi kite comprises a sail configured to fold up when the support rod contacts the stopper to allow the support rod to travel on the first kite line between the stopper and the fishing rod. 2 2014215995 22 Aug 2014 10 15

Preferably, the support rod is configured to move on the first kite line via at least one glide ring configured to encircle the first kite line.

Preferably, the fishing load is a fishing line attached to a sinker at one end and to a second fishing rod at another end. 5 Preferably, the release mechanism assembly comprises: a first rigid tube; a second rigid tube; a flexible tension rod configured to provide tension on the taxi-kite sail to keep it extended; a kite tensioning line attached to an end of the flexible rod when under tension and at its other end to a release line; a trigger rod comprising a trigger projection at one end configured to abut the stopper and a locking pin at its other end; and a release line attached at one end to the locking pin and to an end of the tension rod at its other end wherein impact of the trigger projection on the stopper causes the trigger rod to be pushed back through the first rigid tube to disconnect the locking pin from the lock housing to release the kite tensioning line and cause the flexible tension rod to release its tension and slide through the second rigid tube to cause the taxi kite sail 20 to fold up and allow the taxi kite assembly to move between the stopper and the first fishing rod.

Preferably, the first rigid tube and second rigid tube comprises a pair of spaced 3 2014215995 22 Aug 2014 slide rings configured to allow the taxi kite assembly to slide on the first kite line between the fishing rod and the stop.

More preferably, the flexible tension rod is made from fibreglass.

Preferably, the taxi kite sail comprises at least one wing attached to a sail body at a 5 foldable seam.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts which can be readily assembled into a kite fishing system, the kit of parts comprising: • a first kite and associated first kite line configured for attachment at one end 10 to a fishing rod; • a stopper configured for attachment to the first kite line at a predetermined distance between the fishing rod and the first kite; • a taxi kite assembly comprising a taxi-kite configured for attachment to a support rod, the support rod configured to move on the first kite line between 15 the fishing rod and the stopper when the first kite and taxi-kite are airborne; wherein • the taxi kite assembly also comprises a release mechanism configured to suspend and release a fishing line when the support rod contacts the stopper; and 20 · the taxi kite comprises a sail configured to fold up when the support rod contacts the stopper to allow the support rod to travel on the first kite line between the stopper and the fishing rod. 4 2014215995 22 Aug 2014 10

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the 5 accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: shows a side view of the kite fishing system of the present invention;

Figure 2a: shows a front view of the taxi kite of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2b: shows a rear view of the taxi kite of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3: shows a side view of the taxi assembly of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1 when the taxi kite is tensioned; and

Figure 4: shows a side view of the taxi assembly of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1 when the taxi kite is folded up.

15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the capability of kite fishing in all wind conditions from low speed (around 4 knots) to high wind speeds without the need to change the size of the taxi kite sail due the taxi kite sail being fully retractable. A preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a kite fishing system is 20 generally indicated by arrow 1. The system (1) comprises a first kite (2) and an associated first kite line (3) attached at one end to a fishing rod (4). A stopper (5) is attached to the first kite line (3) at a predetermined distance between the fishing 5 2014215995 22 Aug 2014 rod (4) and the first kite (2), a taxi kite assembly generally indicated by arrow (6) comprising a taxi-kite (7) attached to a support rod (8). The taxi kite assembly (6) is configured to move on the first kite line (3) between the fishing rod (4) and the stopper (5) in the direction of arrow A via a pair of glide rings (9) when the first kite 5 (2) and taxi-kite (7) are airborne. The first kite line (3) passes through the centre of the glide rings (9; seen best in Figures 2a and 2b).

The taxi kite assembly (6) comprises a release mechanism generally indicated by arrow (10 and best seen in Figure 3) which is configured to suspend and release a fishing load in the form of a fishing line and sinker attached to a second fishing rod 10 (not shown) when the trigger projection (17; best seen in figure 4) contacts the stopper (5).

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the taxi kite (7) comprises a sail (100) which is kept extended and under tension by support rod (8), a spar (110), a flexible fiberglass tension rod (11) and a kite tensioning line (12) attached at one end of the flexible 15 tension rod when under tension and attached at its other end to a release line (13, shown in Figures 3 and 4).

The release line (13) is attached at one end to a locking pin (14, best seen in Figure 4) and at its other end to the flexible tension rod (11) at end (15). A trigger rod (16) comprises a trigger projection (17) at one end configured to abut the 20 stopper (5). The trigger rod (16) also comprises a locking pin (14) extending from a locking pin body (18).

The flexible tension rod (11) is configured to move within a rigid carbon fibre tube (19). Likewise, the trigger rod (16) is configured to move within a similar rigid carbon fibre tube (20). 6 2014215995 22 Aug 2014

In use, the main kite (2) is attached to the first kite line (3) which is extended from a fishing rod (4). Once the main kite (2) is airborne, the first kite line (3) is extended to a sufficient distance offshore. A fishing load in the form of a fishing line and sinker is attached to the release mechanism (10) with the taxi kite assembly (6) in 5 the configuration illustrated in Figure 3 with the taxi kite (7) extended and under pressure by the flexible tension rod (11) and the kite tensioning line (12). When the taxi kite (7) is airborne, the kite taxi assembly (6) moves between the second fishing rod and the stopper (5) in the direction of arrow B.

Upon impact of the trigger projection (17) on the stopper (5), the trigger rod (16) is 10 pushed back through the rigid tube (20) to disconnect the locking pin (14) from the lock housing (10) to release the kite tensioning line (12) and cause the flexible tension rod (11) to release its tension and slide through the rigid tube (19) to in turn cause the taxi kite sail (100) to fold up and allow the taxi kite assembly (6) to slide back down the first kite line (3) between the stopper (5) and the first fishing rod (4) 15 under gravity in the direction of arrow C shown in figure 4 as there is no wind resistance.

This procedure can be repeated multiple times to cast further fishing loads to increase the chance of catching fish in the body of water over which the first kite line (3) is extended. 20 Thus preferred embodiments of the present invention have a number of advantages over the prior art which can include: • improved ease of use in deploying multiple fishing lines from a main kite line; and 7 2014215995 22 Aug 2014 • improved reliability of operation of a kite fishing system in varying wind conditions.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto 5 without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. 8

Claims

What We Claim Is:

1. A kite fishing system comprising: • a first kite and associated first kite line attached at one end to a first fishing rod; • a stopper attached to the first kite line at a predetermined distance between the fishing rod and the first kite • a taxi kite assembly comprising a taxi-kite attached to a support rod, the support rod configured to move on the first kite line between the fishing rod and the stopper when the first kite and taxi-kite are airborne; wherein • the taxi kite assembly also comprises a release mechanism assembly configured to suspend and release a fishing load when the support rod contacts the stopper; and • the taxi kite comprises a sail mounted to a flexible rod, the flexible rod configured to flex and thereby hold the sail in tension when the taxi kite assembly is moving toward the stopper in use, wherein tension on the flexible rod is released when the support rod contacts the stopper to allow the support rod to travel on the first kite line between the stopper and the fishing rod.
2. A kite fishing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support rod is configured to move on the first kite line via at least one glide ring configured to encircle the first kite line.
3. A kite fishing system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fishing load is a fishing line attached to a sinker at one end and to a second fishing rod at another end.
4. A kite fishing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the release mechanism assembly comprises: • a first rigid tube; • a second rigid tube; • a kite tensioning line attached to an end of the flexible rod when under tension and at its other end to a release line; • a trigger rod comprising a trigger projection at one end configured to abut the stopper and a locking pin at its other end; and • a release line attached at one end to the locking pin and to an end of the tension rod at its other end wherein impact of the trigger projection on the stopper causes the trigger rod to be pushed back through the first rigid tube to disconnect the locking pin from a lock housing to release the kite tensioning line and cause the flexible tension rod to release its tension.
5. A kite fishing system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first rigid tube and second rigid tube comprises a pair of spaced slide rings configured to allow the taxi kite assembly to slide on the first kite line between the fishing rod and the stop.
6. A kite fishing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the flexible tension rod is made from fibreglass.
7. A kite fishing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the taxi kite sail comprises at least one wing attached to a sail body at a foldable seam.
8. A kit of parts which can be readily assembled into a kite fishing system, the kit of parts comprising: • a first kite and associated first kite line configured for attachment at one end to a fishing rod; • a stopper configured for attachment to the first kite line at a predetermined distance between the fishing rod and the first kite; • a taxi kite assembly comprising a taxi-kite configured for attachment to a support rod, the support rod configured to move on the first kite line between the fishing rod and the stopper when the first kite and taxi-kite are airborne; wherein • the taxi kite assembly also comprises a release mechanism configured to suspend and release a fishing line when the support rod contacts the stopper; and • the taxi kite comprises a sail mounted to a flexible rod, the flexible rod configured to flex and thereby hold the sail in tension when the taxi kite assembly is moving toward the stopper in use, wherein tension on the flexible rod is released when the support rod contacts the stopper to allow the support rod to travel on the first kite line between the stopper and the fishing rod.