GB2067082A - Catapults - Google Patents

Abstract

A catapult for shooting fish bait comprises a split ring (18) passing through a bore in each of a pair of legs (12). The location and diameter of the rings (18) are such that the rings (18) are pivotable from one side of the catapult to the other. Connected to the rings (18) are rubber strips (22) supporting a bait holder (26). The catapult can be fired from either side and substantially no tangling of the strips (22) occurs. The split rings (18) enable quick and easy changing of the strips (22). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to catapults The invention relates to a catapult and more particularly to a catapult for use in shooting fish bait into water.

According to the present invention there is provided a catapult comprising means defining a pair of spaced apart supports, resilient strip means extending between the supports, and a split ring connecting the resilient strip means to each of the supports, each split ring being arranged at a free end of the respective support to be pivotable from one side of the support to the other.

Hereinafter, reference will be made to a "split ring" by which term is meant an elongate member, such as a wire, which is spirally wound on itself.

Preferably each of the split rings passes through a bore in the respective support. The bores preferably have their axes in a plane containing the supports.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view of a catapult according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a catapult comprises a substantially yoke-shaped frame 10, which may be formed of mild steel, aluminium, or a plastics material, or indeed any other suitable material, defining a substantially U-shaped part having a pair of spaced apart support legs 12 and an integral part 14 located substantially centrally of the U-shaped part and extending in the opposite direction from the legs 12.

The part 14 has a sheath 16 defining a hand grip.

At its free end, each of the support legs 12 has a through bore, the axis of which lies in the plane containing the support legs 12. A split ring, preferably formed of stainless steel, passes through each of the bores and also passes through a loop 20 formed at one end of a respective length or strip 22 of rubber or like resilient material. The loop 20 is formed by turning back the end of the strip 22 on itself and clamping the turned back end to the strip by means of a self locking clip 24. The iatter has a main body portion defining an aperture in which an integral tongue portion can be passed and pulled tightly for clam ping purposes.

At its other end, each rubber strip 22 is connected to a respective side of a bait holder 26, the latter having a cup-shaped configuration with a finger grip 28, and having side lugs 30 each defining a through aperture into which the respective end of a respective rubber strip 22 can pass and turn back on itself to form a loop. The latter is clamped by a self locking clip 24.

The rings 18 are so positioned and are of such a diameter that they can pivot in the bores from one side of the support legs 12 to the other such thatthe catapult can be fired from either side of the frame 10.

Also the connection is such as will substantially pre vent tangling of the rubber strips 22 around the sup port legs 12 when a catapult is fired, although even if some tangling does occur, perhaps when the catapult is fired incorrectly, the split ring connections tend to unwind the tangle.

The use of split rings is extremely advantageous, particularly where match fishing is concerned as quick and easy change of the rubber strips 22 is possible.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the frame may be of otherthan a yoke shape and the bait holder may be of any other configuration, for exam ple a pouch of leather or the like. Also the rubber strips can be connected to the split rings through swivel connections, andlor the bait holder can be connected to the rubber strips by swivel connections, to preventtwisting of the rubber strips abouttheir own axes.

1. Acatapult comprising means defining a pair of spaced apart supports, resilient strip means extending between the supports, and a split ring connecting the resilient strip means to each of the supports, each split ring being arranged at a free end ofthe respective support to be pivotable from one side of the support to the other.

2. A catapult according to claim 1, wherein each of the split rings passes through a bore in the respective support.

3. A catapult according to claim 2, wherein the bores have their axes in a plane containing the supports.

4. A catapult according to claim 1 or2, wherein the means defining the supports comprises a substantially yoke-shaped frame.

5. A catapult according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient strip means is connected to each support through swivel connections.

6. A catapult according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient strip means is connected with means for retaining fish bait.

7. A catapult according to claim 6, wherein the bait retaining means is connected to the resilient strip means through swivel connections.

8. Acatapult substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

9. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

The drawing(s) originally filed wasiwere informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a laterfiled formal copy.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to catapults The invention relates to a catapult and more particularly to a catapult for use in shooting fish bait into water. According to the present invention there is provided a catapult comprising means defining a pair of spaced apart supports, resilient strip means extending between the supports, and a split ring connecting the resilient strip means to each of the supports, each split ring being arranged at a free end of the respective support to be pivotable from one side of the support to the other. Hereinafter, reference will be made to a "split ring" by which term is meant an elongate member, such as a wire, which is spirally wound on itself. Preferably each of the split rings passes through a bore in the respective support. The bores preferably have their axes in a plane containing the supports. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view of a catapult according to the invention. Referring to the drawing, a catapult comprises a substantially yoke-shaped frame 10, which may be formed of mild steel, aluminium, or a plastics material, or indeed any other suitable material, defining a substantially U-shaped part having a pair of spaced apart support legs 12 and an integral part 14 located substantially centrally of the U-shaped part and extending in the opposite direction from the legs 12. The part 14 has a sheath 16 defining a hand grip. At its free end, each of the support legs 12 has a through bore, the axis of which lies in the plane containing the support legs 12. A split ring, preferably formed of stainless steel, passes through each of the bores and also passes through a loop 20 formed at one end of a respective length or strip 22 of rubber or like resilient material. The loop 20 is formed by turning back the end of the strip 22 on itself and clamping the turned back end to the strip by means of a self locking clip 24. The iatter has a main body portion defining an aperture in which an integral tongue portion can be passed and pulled tightly for clam ping purposes. At its other end, each rubber strip 22 is connected to a respective side of a bait holder 26, the latter having a cup-shaped configuration with a finger grip 28, and having side lugs 30 each defining a through aperture into which the respective end of a respective rubber strip 22 can pass and turn back on itself to form a loop. The latter is clamped by a self locking clip 24. The rings 18 are so positioned and are of such a diameter that they can pivot in the bores from one side of the support legs 12 to the other such thatthe catapult can be fired from either side of the frame 10. Also the connection is such as will substantially pre vent tangling of the rubber strips 22 around the sup port legs 12 when a catapult is fired, although even if some tangling does occur, perhaps when the catapult is fired incorrectly, the split ring connections tend to unwind the tangle. The use of split rings is extremely advantageous, particularly where match fishing is concerned as quick and easy change of the rubber strips 22 is possible. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the frame may be of otherthan a yoke shape and the bait holder may be of any other configuration, for exam ple a pouch of leather or the like. Also the rubber strips can be connected to the split rings through swivel connections, andlor the bait holder can be connected to the rubber strips by swivel connections, to preventtwisting of the rubber strips abouttheir own axes. CLAIMS

1. Acatapult comprising means defining a pair of spaced apart supports, resilient strip means extending between the supports, and a split ring connecting the resilient strip means to each of the supports, each split ring being arranged at a free end ofthe respective support to be pivotable from one side of the support to the other.

2. A catapult according to claim 1, wherein each of the split rings passes through a bore in the respective support.

3. A catapult according to claim 2, wherein the bores have their axes in a plane containing the supports.

4. A catapult according to claim 1 or2, wherein the means defining the supports comprises a substantially yoke-shaped frame.

5. A catapult according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient strip means is connected to each support through swivel connections.

6. A catapult according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient strip means is connected with means for retaining fish bait.

7. A catapult according to claim 6, wherein the bait retaining means is connected to the resilient strip means through swivel connections.

8. Acatapult substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

9. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

The drawing(s) originally filed wasiwere informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a laterfiled formal copy.