FR2810848A1 - Audible alarm for position of fishing rod has metal strip on rod to engage switch on support bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

The audible alarm for the position of a fishing rod on support has a ninety degree bent metal strip (4) fixed to the rod (1) to engage a U-shaped bracket on the support (3). When correctly positioned , the strip is folded to engage a tongue (15) of a switch (5) fixed inside the bracket. This closes a circuit for a control (10) via a cable (7). The control has a digital electronic circuit to actuate an audible alarm if the rod moves.

Description

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  The present invention relates to an audible and visual warning device combining electronics and mechanical parts, which makes it possible to detect and centralize on a remote box, not only the slightest modification of the correct position of a fishing rod on its support,

  but also the slightest touch caused by a fish, on this rod.

  The support cited by way of example is of the standard type, used in all modern fisheries known as "landed". The back of the fishing rod rests on a spike surmounted by a piece in the shape of a "U", or a bucket receiving the heel of the rod, while the front of the rod

  is based on an electronic key detector, whose electrical output signal is used.

  This new system is an improvement on the "position detection device for

  fishing rods ", which was the subject of patent No. 98/14808.

  This equipment is also intended for all the new forms of angling which one can even sometimes qualify as extremes, so much the conditions in which they are practiced

are rough ...

  Each fisherman has a set of two to four rods with reels, and two to four key detectors. When you know that the equipment used is more and more sophisticated, therefore expensive, it is easy to quantify the loss of one or more rods, carried in the middle of the lake or the river by the coveted fish, or by a bad passer intended, while the

fisherman sleeps.

  Faced with these problems, alas frequent, both for French and foreign fishermen, and so that they can find their equipment in place, even after a few hours of sleep, it seemed urgent to develop a reliable sound and visual device, which allows them to know the slightest movement of one or more of their rods on the support (s), following the powerful pull of a fish or following a violent gust of wind which unbalances the whole of the 'installation. A first solution has been proposed with the device which

  was the subject of patent No. 98/14808.

  But it should be noted that the fisherman of whom we speak, also uses a device

  electronic key centralization on its fishing rods, radio or wired transmission.

  Indeed, the pulls of fish on its lines, are signaled to it by electronic key detectors, placed under the rods and connected to a box called "central", which it keeps next to

him in his tent or under his shelter.

  It therefore seemed to us necessary, even essential, to bring together on a single device, the function of centralizing the position of the fishing rods, and the function of centralizing the

  keys transmitted by detectors.

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  The device according to the invention answers this question because its user is instantly warned of the slightest draw from a fish on a single remote box called a receiver.

  the slightest anomaly concerning the position of its fishing rods.

  The device is characterized in that it uses both mechanical and / or electronic elements for detecting the position of one or more rods, and two electronic boxes (transmitter + receiver) connected by a cable, one of which , remote receives the horn and displays in real time on four light-emitting diodes or LEDs, the status of the key detectors /

position of the rods.

  It is characterized in that the detection of the change of position of the rod on its support, whatever its inclination and the height of the various supports used, is made possible by the action of a part fixed on the rod, coming to press on the tongue of a micro-switch integral with the rod support. This micro-switch electrically transmits the information of a change of position of the rod, by means of a shielded wire terminated by a mini DIN circular connector with four golden contact points, connected to a metal box called transmitter, fixed under the

fishing rod.

  It is also characterized in that the transmission to the device, of information coming from the electronic key detectors belonging to the fisherman, is carried out by means of a filtered and shielded connection cable terminated on one side by jack plugs (standard market detectors ), and on the other by a circular mini DIN connector six points with gold contacts, connected

also to the transmitter box.

  It is also characterized in that the transmission of information relating to the keys or to the position of the rods, is carried out electronically, in a serial manner and in real time between the transmitter box and the remote or receiver box, by means of a shielded two-conductor cable, in which also flows the electronic supply of the complete device. The transmission of information by radio waves has been deliberately ruled out due to the obligation to use the only frequency approved in France for this type of application, 433.92Mhz. Indeed, this unique possibility weakens the reliability of the device, calling into question its very concept, since by definition, an "alarm" system must resist all types of

  electrical and electromagnetic disturbances.

  It is also characterized in that the control electronics use two microcontrollers with "sleep" mode, integrating five software TEST / FAULT routines which allow to come and test permanently, the cut of the connection cable between the boxes, the

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  operation of components (maintenance), a fault in the transmission of serial information, as well as faults in the connection or operation of the key detectors during

power up the assembly.

  It is also characterized in that it uses only a single supply battery located in the receiver, with electronic detection of its energy level. Autonomy achieved (30

  days) allows users to consider long fishing trips without worrying about battery.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

  1) In order to facilitate the description and operation of the device, FIG. 1 represents a

  overview of a fishing rod (1) fitted with a reel in fishing action. It rests at the rear on a spike (2) surmounted by a U-shaped support (3), and rests at the front on a standard key detector (33) through which the reel's wire passes. Also shown in this overall drawing is the mechanical position detection assembly (6) secured to the rear support. The connection cables and boxes are not shown in this drawing.

  device control electronics.

  2) Figure 2 shows the entire device with a sectional view of the part (6) containing the micro switch (5). There are represented for a better understanding, part of the

  fishing rod and a U-shaped support (3) seen in profile.

  3) FIG. 3 represents the main part of the device, called the detection part, in which

  find the micro switch, top view and front view according to section AA.

  4) FIG. 4 represents the helical support which makes it possible to fix the part, called the detection part, to the

cane "U" support.

  ) Figure 5 shows the attachment part of the control box or transmitter to the part, called

detection.

  6) FIG. 6 represents the control unit, seen from the front with its fixing lug.

  7) FIG. 7 represents the remote box or receiver, seen from the front.

  8) FIG. 8 gives the block diagram of the electronic part.

  With reference to these drawings, the device therefore comprises a set of fixed or articulated mechanical elements, in order to respond to all the possible and rational inclinations of the fishing rods on their support, as well as two electronic boxes, one placed under the

  canes (10), and the other (8) that the user keeps with him in his tent.

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  The mechanical part of the detection device consists of: - a metal strip (4), bent at 90, fixed under the cane (1) by means of a ligature or more simply glued, presses on the tongue (15) contact of a sealed micro-switch (5) fixed in an aluminum part (6) pierced at its upper part with a rectangular orifice (17),

  and placed under the fishing rod.

  A shoulder (18) and a rounded lumen (13) at its ends, allow the attachment of this piece (6) to the support assembly (3) -pick (2) of fishing rod, and its height and

  tilt (3), via the part (16).

  Tightening is carried out using a hexagonal bolt (12) resting on

  the shoulder (18), and a wing nut (not shown).

  Two holes (19) allow the micro-switch (5) to be fixed by pins inside the

  piece (6); it is open below to allow mounting of the micro-switch (5).

  The part (I 1) allows the electronic control unit (10) to be fixed to the lug (16) by means of the bolt (12) - wing nut pair. It also comes to rely on

the shoulder of the part (6).

  The electronic part of the device consists of:> An electronic control unit (10), or transmitter, made of aluminum. It is adjustable in inclination (a) around its fixing axis by round head bolt, thread, nut and Teflon washers. It is made up of two parts assembled by screws. The tightness of the cover

  and holes of the two light-emitting diodes (20), is ensured by silicone seals.

  The key detector (s) (33) is connected to the housing (10) by means of a shielded mono-conductor cable (34) terminated at one end by a standard 2.5mm jack (35), and to the other by a mini DIN 6-point plug with gold contacts. The position detection micro-switch (s) (5) is also connected to the housing (10) by a shielded mono-conductor cable (7) also terminated at its end by a mini DIN plug 4 points with gold contacts. The remote box (8) is connected to the control box (10) by a shielded 2-conductor cable terminated at both ends by a mini DIN 5-point plug (36) with gold contacts. All these connectors

  mini DIN are mounted under the housing (10), for sealing.

  The operation of the control box (10) is based on a microcontroller (24), which manages the state of 1 to 4 switches (5) as well as the signals from 1 to 4 key detectors (33) through 'a transistor interface (40). The microcontroller is powered by 4v thanks to

  to the voltage regulator circuit (26). Its clock circuit is ensured by a quartz (22).

  The display of the state of the serial transmission between the two boxes or of the change of the state of one of the switches (5) is done by means of light-emitting diodes (20) located on the front face of the box ( 10). The serial transmission goes through the power interface to

transistor (23).

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  è A remote electronic unit or receiver (8), the operation of which is also based on a microcontroller (27) which manages the information received in series at 4800 bits / second, via the shielded connection cable (9), through a transistor stage (28). It then analyzes this information and generates the display of the status of the position and key sensors on the light-emitting diodes (32). It also generates the different frequencies of the loudspeaker according to the information received; ie a displacement of the rod, a touch or a fault. Several software routines integrated into the microcontroller, allow the user of the device, to know when the device is powered up, but also during use, several operating anomalies such as a failure to connect the various cables, a fault operating components or

  a transmission error between the two electronic boxes.

  The internal electronics also include the quartz (38) of the microcontroller, the automatic fuse (29) which protects the device against reverse polarity or operating problems, as well as the battery voltage drop detection circuit (30) which assures

  also the 4v voltage regulation of the microcontroller (27) and of the transistor interface (28).

  This box (8) contains the 9v supply battery (39) of the device. Apart from the four sensor status diodes (32), there is also a potentiometer (14) for adjusting the sound level of the loudspeaker (22) on the front panel, a light-emitting diode (21) indicating a low battery level, a system activation / deactivation switch (25) and a stainless steel part

  (37) hole for fixing the box in the fisherman's tent.

  When the rod (1) is correctly positioned, the electrical circuit passing through the micro-switch (5) closes. Conversely, the incorrectly positioned rod opens the electrical circuit of the micro-switch (5). This or these breakers (5) are connected to the control box (10) by means of

cables (7).

  On power up, the microcontroller (24) of the housing (10) analyzes the state of one to four micro switches, and the outputs of one to four key detectors. It indicates by serial transmission to the remote box or receiver (8), the rods correctly positioned on their support as well as the proper functioning of the key detectors. Once this information has been transmitted, the two microcontrollers of the two boxes of the device pass synchronously in sleep or low consumption mode. They are "awakened only by the arrival of a change of state of the sensors for that (24) of the transmitter (10), or by the arrival of a serial transmission for that

(27) of the remote housing (8).

  The consumption of the complete device is less than 1.5mA for four rods in

  position and four key detectors connected.

  The cut in the connecting cable (9) causes a permanent audible and visual alarm on the

  remote box (8) thus warning the user of an anomaly in the detection system.

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  The realization of the prototype posed no particular problem. The device is currently on the market, and the interest it is already arousing requires rapid industrial protection,

  especially in foreign countries where this type of fishing is booming.

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Claims (6)

  1) Electronic and mechanical device for centralizing the position of fishing rods and buttons, characterized in that it makes it possible to detect and visualize, in a sound and light manner, on a single remote housing, both the removal from one or more fishing rods from their support, and / or from fish (or keys) from one or more   electronic key detectors of any brand.   2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection of the position of the fishing rod is made possible by the penetration of a tab fixed under the rod, in the orifice of the detection part, for its part adjustable in height and tilt thanks to a vertical light.   3) Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the electronic unit of   control or transmitter (10) located under the fishing rods, receives on the one hand, the cable connected to the position detectors, that connected to the key detectors, and it is connected on the other hand, by means of a single cable (9) to a remote electronic unit or receiver (8) which contains the   single battery to power the device.   4) Device according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the metal housing of   control or transmitter (10) integrates a microcontroller (24) which automatically manages the presence or absence of one to four rods on their support, the electronic signal or the malfunction of one to four key detectors and displays two light emitting diodes (20) the displacement of one of these four rods, and the state of   transmission of information between the two boxes (8) and (10).   ) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   transmission of information between the control unit (10) and the remote unit (8) is carried out serially between two microcontrollers, by means of a shielded low frequency cable (9) with 2 conductors, whatever the number of rods (one to four) and the   number of electronic key detectors (one to four) used.   6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   cut of the connection cable between the boxes triggers an audible and visual alarm   permanent on the remote housing.   7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   Remote electronic unit (8) includes a light-emitting diode (21) for indicating battery voltage too low, four light-emitting diodes for the canes / keys,   colors blue, red, yellow, green, and a button for adjusting the speaker volume.