FR2715534A1 - Automatic device for positioning fishing line away from boat - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a tubular structure (1) provided with two floats made of pvc. One of the tubular segments houses a motor 915) supplied from a low voltage battery. Brackets placed on the device structure hold the sealed removable battery. A fuse (19) is housed in the structure and can be checked via a screwed cap 920). two lights (16,17) of different colours are placed on the device surface to indicate its position at night. A switch with a blade (18) controls the device power supply.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus intended to place fishing lines at a distance from the bank and to strike them in a single operation, with automatic return of the apparatus.

In general, there are three ways to place lines on a body of water: - traditional throwing, - the use of a boat to lead the lines by leaving the rods to throw on the bank or by boarding, - the use of a line installer. The term "poseur" was used in 1987 in patent N "2 612 047. The invention presented here relates to this type of device but will be called" placeur ", a term which introduces a notion of precision in the action of to pose.

The first two processes are technically mastered but we know their shortcomings in certain situations. They will not be exposed here the purpose is to deal with the technology of the distributors.

There are four main types of apparatus for placing lines at a distance: - Spring or powder guns.

- Rockets.

- Radio-controlled floating devices.

- Floating devices remotely controlled from the bank or a boat using a wire
line.

Cannons and rockets are not akin to the floating principle adopted by the invention and are not described here.

The radio controlled boats used for fishing are essentially models of modified naval model making, mainly used to drag a turning lure or swimmer without removing the line and equipped with sonar for detecting fish (see patent NO
W09211758). The problems posed by these devices are complexity, therefore fragility.

The reduced autonomy of the radio range, therefore risk of loss of the device. Finally, and above all the prohibitive cost which makes them devices absent from the recreational fishing market.

The devices remotely controlled by a line wire from the bank or a boat are distinguished in two main types: - the first concerns the devices which remain integral with the fishing line during the fishing action and are therefore brought back with the caught fish. The major problem lies in the fact that the sensitivity of the keys is reduced and that the traction of the device is heavy and tedious. (see patents Nos. 2 650 154 and NO 2 102 75).

- The second concerns devices releasing the fishing line at the fishing site or even being mixed in their use, that is to say able to remain integral with the fishing line. In this mode of use the fishing line is used both to fish and to guide the device. We will not detail the state of this technique with its risk of wire breakage during the fight with the fish, of added deadweight, the need for an engine stop command. In summary, a floating or sealed line once placed on its fishing spot does not benefit from being hooked on an inert mass; this option causing regression of fish fighting techniques.

The present invention, in its description of the state of the art to date in the field of line placing machines, sets out the drawbacks of the patented apparatus No. 2 612 047 called "line laying machine", with mixed function as described above. , studying only its advanced function of freeing the fishing lines from the device.

The applicator of subject line of patent No. 2 612 047 generates the following drawbacks: - Its construction is based on the filling of a receptacle shape of any configuration with an undefined cellular material, in three distinct parts, drowning the components such as electric motors, accumulators or batteries, electric circuit and switch, assembled by gluing, and requiring, for the replacement or the visit of the components, the cutting of one or all of the three parts of the assembly constituting the body of the Replacement or inspection carried out, re-gluing of the cut parts is required, it should be noted that the imposition of such manipulations on the general public precludes any idea of a warranty for the device.

- Two motors are required to propel the device. The usefulness is not obvious from the fact that no "normal-backup" switching system is described.

The motors located at the rear induce two problems: the first is the proximity of the propellers of the fishing line and guide line wires. The second is the supposedly large "steering angle" caused by each impulse given by the guideline wire.

- No rudder, fixed or mobile is described. In this absence, the rotational movement of the propellers to the right or to the left induces a tendency of the device to turn to the right or to the left. The trajectory corrections are supposed to be numerous.

- The hooking system for the fishing line is qualified as elastic, calibrated, but not described. The unhooking of said line is effected by an operation of drawing the fishing line, therefore of a phase of taking back in control of the rod to be launched on which the fishing line is mounted. At this moment, the fisherman places his directing throw and loses control of his gear or finds himself with two throws in hand.

n can possibly switch its device to "off" beforehand, by pulling action on the throwing wire connected to the switch, (operation described below), and then pulling on the fishing line wire to release it . The operating mode is not described, but systematically causes forcing actions on the device.

- As the device can only move forwards, the propulsion system must be switched off to bring the device back. No mention is made of a "calibrated" switch on which traction is operated by means of the directing throw. This results in a new forcing on the device, with all the risks of wear, deterioration or breakage caused. Does the "calibration" of said switch and elastic attachment of the fishing line take into consideration the distance from the device, therefore the lengths of submerged wires and their own elasticities? The distance involves movements all the more violent to control the two functions.

The return of the device, not described in the invention, can only be done by dead weight pulling of the latter, hence the operator's fatigue and the friction supported by the guide wire, during the recall, on the rings to throw. This induces rapid wear of the wire and ultimately generates risks of loss of the device by breaking of this wire.

- The device cannot transport a line and a dose of primer. He carries a line or any other accessory such as bait. This limitation prohibits the most expensive desire of any fisherman to be able to bait at long distance and at the precise place occupied by the fishing line provided with its bait.

- The lines transported by the device must have a special design, with stop float. this requirement imposes on the fisherman to reconsider the basic assembly of his lines.

The invention aims to remedy the problems associated with this type of device, and moreover, provides a model with additional functions. In the version presented it can be built in a craftsman's workshop equipped with basic tools. Its simplified design makes it robust, inexpensive. The invention is a floating device which can be intentionally kept under water, under tension, without any damage resulting for the user or the device itself. It is completely stainless with regard to its external parts. n allows you to place a line and a dose of primer in the same place in a single trip, long distance. An original rudder device allows the device to operate, after the line has been released, a half-turn on itself and to return to the operator, powered by its electric motor, without the operator having to practice traction, neither on the fishing line nor on the guideline.

More specifically, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized by a tubular "float" structure of the catamaran type, that is to say composed of at least two floats. In the version presented, the float assembly consists of a set of prefabricated PVC tubes and connection accessories, assembled by gluing. This option is not exclusive and admits manufacture from all other tubes and accessories of various sections, materials or diameters, prefabricated or not, assembled by gluing, welding, heat welding, screwing, wedging, collars, joint fitting toric or lip, medium. It also authorizes the molding of all or part of one or more elements of the float assembly and the assembly of any multiple elements by the means mentioned above.

The invention is characterized in that it comprises in one of its sealed parts a direct current electric motor operating under very low voltage (between 0 and 50 volts). The axis of this motor is coupled to a propeller shaft with stern tube. An external propeller propels the aircraft. It should be noted that the propulsion unit is placed in the front part of the aircraft, ensuring greater flexibility in directional control movements, the attachment point of which is located at the rear and is fixed during the "outward" journey from the device. The propeller may or may not have a removable protective casing.

The device comprises, in its emerged part of the float assembly, stainless steel uprights fixed by tight collars on the tubular structure used for fitting the various accessories necessary to perform the functions described. Including a sealed storage battery, a switch with a stainless steel blade, an articulated primer tank and a directional bar with rudder.

The device is characterized in that the axis of rotation of its rudder is located directly above the propeller and that the rudder of this rudder, in the "forward" position of the device is behind the propeller ( considering the direction of travel), and in front of the propeller in the "return" position (always considering the direction of travel).

The directional bar and the articulated boot pan are each provided with a bar which, once that of the bait pan raised, is encircled by a ring which keeps the bait pan in the high position (not overflowing), and the fixed directional bar, in rear position. The aforementioned ring is mounted on a staple or swivel of the fishing line without modifying or dismantling the line.

The release of the ring, therefore of the line, and consequently, of the priming tank and the directional bar, takes place by sliding, without taking the rod to launch the fishing line in hands and therefore without giving any rear jerks to the device.

The automatic return function is ensured as soon as the fishing line is released, which makes the directional bar attached to the rudder by an axis "mad" on its axis. The slightest deviation from the directional bar, either to the right or to the left, initiates the turn of the aircraft. The turn of the aircraft increases the angle between its longitudinal axis and the directional bar which remained oriented towards the operator by the line of the throwing line. This angle increasing, the relative orientation of the rudder relative to the longitudinal axis of the device 11 also increases and accelerates the rotation and therefore this angle, until it is canceled, that is to say movement of 1800, device facing the operator, in return phase using his own propulsion. The operator, without practicing traction, rewinds the thread of the directing throw at the rate of advance of the device. The operator retains directional control of the aircraft in the event of a deviation by tilting his throw to the right or left. n thus acts on the rudder which this faith is placed in front of the propeller and makes correspond the direction of the control with the direction taken by the apparatus, contrary to the traditional barrage of a boat where the displacement of the bar on the right induces a turn to the left of the boat.

Note that the propulsion unit located at the front eliminates almost all of the tendency that a raft has to veer according to the direction of rotation of the propeller, the mass being at the rear.

During the "outward" journey of the aircraft, the directional bar is fixed. An assembly method makes it possible to orient the rudder at a very small angle in the opposite direction to the deflection, eliminating this residual effect.

The priming triggered from the release of the fishing line benefits from the free articulation of the tank which "beats" in the water and jerks its contents on the bottom, an effect further improved by the U-turn of the device which ensures a fan distribution of the primer on the line.

It is obvious that the operation of placing and starting simultaneously, which is extremely advantageous, is not compulsory, and the operator can choose to place a line without starting, leaving the tank empty, or to start a station without place line by placing the ring on a dummy line intended only to release the tray and the bar.

The invention is provided with a light signaling system intended essentially for night fishing on the water bodies where it is authorized. This system includes two LEDs of different colors, one located on the right, the other on the left of the device. Their rapid approach signals a turn of the aircraft; their crossing signals the U-turn. The differentiation of the light sources described here by different colors can be achieved by a differentiation of radiation. For example: a continuous source and a flashing source; this example is not limitative.

The entire electrical circuit is protected by a fuse housed in the tubular structure of the device and accessible by a screwed end plug. The engine and light sources can also be visited by unscrewing end caps from tubes.

Description of the operating mode for the operator: - place the battery on its support and close the rubber fastener.

- fix the clip of the throwing line on the ring of the directional bar.

- place the rod for the fishing line on its supports, pick-up of the open reel,
brake released.

- place the device on water.

- place the ring of the fishing line on the two bars (tank and bar).

- switch the reed switch.

- steer the device, in the event of deviation by slight movements to the right or left of the
throw director by stretching the thread by hand; the reel brake largely released.

- The device arrived at the chosen fishing location, close the pick-up of the line reel
angling, the wire tends slightly in the water and slides the ring of the two bars.

- The device turns around and returns to the fisherman.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure 1 shows a top view of the device equipped with its accessories with the exception of the directional bar and the rudder, for clarity.

FIG. 2 represents a view of the right side of the complete apparatus with the angled and directional lines, in the starting position.

Figure 3 shows the device in return position, inverted directional bar and pivoted boot pan.

Figure 1 shows the tubular structure (1) configuration type "catamaran", that is to say equipped with two minimum floats. The version presented composed of a glued assembly of PVC prefabricated tubes and accessories is not limiting and accepts other materials, sections and assembly methods. The molding being a planned variant.

A submerged tubular section receives the motor (15), supplied with very low voltage (between 0 and 50 volts).

Necklaces, not shown, tightened on the tubes, support stainless steel uprights (2), themselves used for fixing accessories such as: waterproof, removable battery (3), priming tank (4), pierced with small holes (26) intended to prevent it from floating on release. One of these uprights (25) is positioned and drilled at the intersection of the longitudinal axis (22) of the device and the axis (14), plumb with the propeller.

The boot pan (4) is pivotable on an axis (23) provided with a "hook-bar" (6), the service of which will be studied below.

A fuse (19) is housed in the "float" structure (1) and can be visited by one of the screwed end plugs (20). Two indicators (16) and (17), with external caps and bulbs internal to the "float" structure (1), which can be visited by screwed plugs (20), are of different colors or radiations. They are used for directional control of the aircraft, mainly at night. A crossing of the two signals will signal in particular that the device has just made its U-turn.

The very simple internal electrical circuit is not shown. A stainless switch, with blade (18), fixed by collar on one of the tubes (1) ensures the tensioning of the circuit.

Figure 2 provides more information on the configuration of the various elements of the line and leader placer, lines (8) and (11) included, when putting on the water, ready for departure
A water line (24) indicates the emerged and submerged parts. We observe, in right view, all the functional elements shown in Figure 1 with, added: - the directional bar (9), - its attachment ring (10) connected to - the directional line (11), - the hook (5) of directional bar (9), - the fishing line (8) fitted with its sliding ring (7), - the rudder pin (12) integral with the rudder (13), located above and vertically of the propeller (21), on the axis (14).

The directional bar (9) is made fixed in the longitudinal axis (22) of the device by its hook (5) encircled by the ring (7) of the fishing line (8). The ring (7) secures the hook (5) and the hook-bar (6) of the priming tank, placing the latter in the high, non-spilling position.

The rudder (13), secured to the rudder shaft (12), itself secured to the bar (9) directs the device straight in front of it. A very slight angle can be given, during assembly, between the longitudinal axis of the rudder and the longitudinal axis (22) of the device to counteract the deviation inherent in the direction of rotation of the propeller (21).

The line and leader placer is started by simple action on the reed switch (18) which energizes the motor (15) and the indicator lights (16) and (17). The operator corrects the trajectory by flexible movements to the left or to the right on the guideline (11).

Figure 3 shows the device in the return position, once the fishing line (8) placed. At the chosen fishing location, the operator closes the pick-up from the spinning reel (not shown), from the fishing line (8). The reel brake, which is very loose, slightly tends the line in the water, reducing its sag relative to the plane of the surface and sliding the ring (7) from its supports (5) and (6).

The priming tank (4) is released and pivots on its axis (23). The holes (26), made in its bottom accelerate its fall by complete filling of water. A manufacturing method, visible in Figure 2 shows that the hook bar (6) is longer than (5) and allows the ring (7), once released from (5) to rest on the bar (6) and to cause the tilting of the tank (4) to accelerate, to accompany it through the mass (27) (leaded from the fishing line (8)). This feature ensures a fall of the primer particles on the fishing line (8) at first, and in front of the line as the distributor advances. The submerged tank (4) releases its contents in jerks. Due to the resistance of the water it adopts a pendulum movement around its axis (23) and ensures a "sowing" of its content. The quality of the distribution is increased by the fact that the underwriter engages his automatic U-turn, following the release of the directional bar (9), via the hook (5). The dispersion of the primer then takes an ideal configuration, as a fan, on the bottom.

During a period chronologically simultaneous with the actions described above, from the release of the line (8), the bar (9) is free and becomes "mad" around (14). Any deviation to the right or to the left induces the rotation of the rudder (13) which initiates the turn of the aircraft. The turn of the device increases the angle formed between the bar (9), therefore the rudder (13), and the axis (22) (visible in Figure 1). The bar (9) can be considered theoretically fixed because in the alignment of the wire of the guideline (11). This angle is incremented automatically, at increasing speed until it is canceled; that is to say: alignment reproduced between the axis (22) and that of the bar (9), as during the initial conditions, but after a rotation of 180, which corresponds to the U-turn of the axis (22 ) of the distributor on itself, around the axis (14).

Note that the initial condition of deviation of the bar (9) from the release of the line (8) by the ring (7) is not implied a priori since the bar (9) is theoretically made fixed by the guideline (11) held by the operator on the bank, related to a fixed point, especially for long fishing distances. This fixity is theoretical because the turbulence caused by the immersion of the tank (4) of large mass when full is enough, by the instant destabilization of the device that it creates, to make it take a slight offset with respect to its trajectory, therefore a relative angle with respect to the bar considered to be fixed. Once this angle has been created, it can no longer be caught up and accelerates until it is null: device facing the operator self-propelling towards him.

The return control phase is particularly facilitated by the fact that the rudder (13) now has its bearing surface of the hydraulic forces in front of the propeller (21). The control movements dictated by the orientations of the wire of the guideline (11), moved by the operator, agree with the direction that the device will take, contrary to the classic principle of "barrage" of a boat where the controls and the effects are opposite.

The placing device arrived at the operator's feet is switched off by switching on the reed switch (18) and can take on a new line-primer assembly.

POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.

The device described above and called "automatic return line and primer placement machine" is particularly suitable for industrial or artisanal use. The guiding concepts that led to its design are those of simplicity and robustness despite the advanced and precise functions it fulfills. Its float structure composed of prefabricated elements, glued, can be carried out by an individual without tools. The rest of the equipment will be implemented with simple tools owned by any general mechanical craftsman. This "leisure" oriented device will have a price accessible to the general public and is bound to benefit from a long-term warranty.

Claims (2)

CLAIMS 1- Placer of lines and primers in a single operation, crystallized by the connection of the hook-bar (6) of the articulated boot tank (4), and of the hook (5) of the directional bar (9), by a ring (7), integral with the fishing line (8). The sliding of the ring (7) making the tank (4) and the line (8) free. With automatic return, engine running, characterized by the pivoting of the device around the axis (14), upon release of the line (8), thanks to a deflection of the bar (9) integral with the rudder (13 ) made free by the sliding of the ring (7). Safran with axis of rotation (12) located directly above the propeller (21), on (14), presenting before laying the line (8), its surface behind the propeller (21), then in front, after pivoting of the device following the placement of the line, ensuring the concordance between the directional movements dictated by the guideline (11) and the directions taken by the device at the time of the return 2- Device according to claim 1 characterized by its structure " "tubular" float (1) of catamaran type composed of at least two main floats. This structure (1) is assembled by gluing, or any other means, of plastic and other tubes and accessories, prefabricated or not, or even by molding the assembly, or molding of assembled parts thereafter. 3- Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that its boot pan (4) is pierced with holes and that its hook bar (6) is longer than the hook (5) of directional bar (9) to allow the ring (7) of the fishing line (8), once slipped from the hook (5), to come to rest on (6) and to accompany the tank (4) in its rotation thanks to the mass (27) of the fishing line (8). 4- Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that it comprises two indicators (16) and (17) of different colors or rays intended to inform the operator of changes of direction taken by the apparatus mainly at night.