GB2080081A

GB2080081A - Fish bite indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2080081A
Application number: GB8024523A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BRADFORD REGINALD JOHN
Current assignee: BRADFORD REGINALD JOHN
Priority date: 1980-07-25
Filing date: 1980-07-25
Publication date: 1982-02-03

Abstract

A bite indicator 21 comprises a U-shaped wire pivotally mounted in a casing 9 and biassed in one direction by spring (29), Fig. 2 (not shown). Fishing line is threaded through the loop (35) on one arm of the wire. When a fish bites the line tightens, moving the wire and causing the tip of the other arm of the wire to traverse a scale (14) on the casing 9. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fishing devices This invention relates to Fishing Devices which are intended when a float is not suitable to show a fisherman whether a fish is nibbling at the bait.

A device which is commonly used in such cases is known as a "Quiver Tip". This is a very springy narrow extension which is fitted to the end of the rod. Any bite by a fish causes the tip to bend and this indicates to the fisherman that a fish is nibbling at the bait. When however the water is rough, the waves cause the Quiver Tip to quiver, and quivering of the extension tip under these circumstances ceases to be a reliable indication of a fish nibbling. The effect of the waves on the tension in the line cannot be overcome by dipping the end of the rod into the water since the tip is so springy that it would be moved by the slightest move of the fisherman.

Moreover at night it is difficult to see the "Quiver Tip", and a torch is necessary.

A device according to this invention is adapted to mounted on a rod having a reel and a line passing through guides on the rod (that is a conventional fishing rod and reel).

The Device comprises: (a) an indicator which in use is rigid and has an aperture through which the line is adapted to pass; (b) means for biasing the indicator in one direction; (c) a scale which is clearly visible to the holder of the rod and over which the indicator moves against the influence or under the influence of its bias as the tension in the line respectively increases or decreases. The fact that the indicator is rigid in use prevents it from being adversely affected by waves as is the case with "Quiver Tips". The means which biases indicator is preferably a spring.

The indicator is conveniently mounted in a casing which clips on to the top of the rod.

In a preferred construction a bush whose axial length is greater than the diameter of the rod to which the Device is adapted to be fitted is fixed to the underside of a mounting (which is preferably but not necessarily a closed casing); the indicator is U-shaped; the base of the U is rotatabl mounted in the bush; the first arm of the U extends underneath the mounting and has the aperture through which the line is adapted to pass; and the second arm of the U is located above the mounting and has a pointer which moves across the scale as the indicator pivots.

The Device can be fitted near the handle of the rod. This means that the fisherman can see any movement readily both by day and by night. He can moreover see the magnitude and frequency of the changes in tension, and this enables him to use his skill in deciding when to strike.

The invention is hereinafter particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a fishing rod, a reel, and a Device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device; Figure 3 is an elevation of the device; and Figure 4 is a side elevation of the device.

The assembly shown in Fig. 1 comprises a fishing rod 1 having a handle 2 and a detachable section 3. In addition to the detachable section 3 there are also of course further detachable sections which are not shown. The section 3 has a conventional guide 5 for the fishing line. A conventional reel 7 is mounted on the underside of the handle 1 of the rod.

The line extends from the reel through the guides 5 to the end of the rod.

A Device 9 is mounted on the upper surface of the rod adjacent to the handle 1. It comprises a mounting in the form of a casing comprising of two parts which can be snapped together. The casing may be made of metal but is preferably made of plastic. Two clips 1 3 are fixed to the underside of the casing, and are adapted to snap over the upper surface of the rod. The clips, as can be seen in Fig. 3 are located at one side of the casing 11. At one end of the casing there is an upstanding part which constitutes a scale.

A bush 1 5 is fixed to the underside of the casing 11. A U-shaped indicator 1 7 is pivotally mounted in the bush, the base 1 9 of the U-extending through the bush. A first arm 21 of the U-shaped indicator extends underneath the rod, the axial length of the bush 1 5 being such as to permit this to occur: the second arm 22 of the U extends into the casing. At the At the free end of the second arm 21 there is an upstanding p;art which constitutes a pointer 23. The pointer 23 is located immediately adjacent the scale 14, and in use travels across the scale.

A mousetrap type of very light spring is mounted in the casing 11. The coil of the spring encircles the bush 1 5 within the casing. On arm 27 of the spring engages the second arm 22 of the indicator to bias it to the left in Fig. 2: while the other arm 29 of the spring is anchored in an adjustment screw 31. The latter is mounted in a side wall 33 of the casing 11, and is screwed in or out of the casing 11 to adjust the bias of the spring.

There is at the end of the arm 21 of the indicator 1 7 a closed coil 35 which forms an aperture 39. The line from the reel is inserted into the aperture 39 by passing it through and between the coils 37.

When there there is no tension on the line, the indicator is moved into the position shown in Fig. 1 by the mousetrap spring 25. As tension comes on the line when the baited hook is lowered into the water, the indicator 1 7 is pivoted clockwise in Fig. 2. The pointer 23 moves across the scale in the part 14. The bias of the spring 25 is such that the arm 21 of the indicator is not aligned with the rod when the bait is in the water. A bias of about one ounce when the arm 21 is in its extreme right hand position is often appropriate but the required bias depends of course on the strength of the current and other factors.

When a fish nibbles at the bait, the tension in the line may be increased in which case the arms 21 moves to the right in Fig. 2. If the tension is greater it will move into the position in which it is aligned with the rod. If the fish should tug hard at the bait the tension increases rapidly and the indicator moves under its own momentum until the arm 21 has moved past the position of alignment with the rod. It immediately drops back into the position in which the arm 21 is in alignment with the rod. If there should be a "drop back" bits that is the tension in the line is reduced the arm 21 moves to the ieft under the influence of the spring 25.

The pointer 23 is very close to the fisherman who can immediately see that any small movement of the pointer. The indicator moves under a very small change in the tension in the line since the force exerted by the spring on the indicator is very small.

In use the end of the rod may be kept clear of the water. If however, it is rough water, it is advisable to keep the end of the rod in the water. In this way the device is relatively unaffected by waves.

The pointer 23 and the scale may be appropriately painted with luminous paint. Alternatively a battery bulb and swith with associated wiring may be housed in the casing 11 so that at night the fisherman can switch on the light to see any movement of the pointer.

Claims

1. A fishing device which is adapted to be mounted on a fishing rod having a reel and a line passing through guides in the rod and which comprises: (a) an indicator rigid in use and having an aperture through which the line is adapted to pass; (b) means for biassing the indicator in one direction; (c) a scale which is clearly visible to the holder of the rod and over which the indicator moves against the influence of its bias or under the bias as the tension in the line respectively increases or decreases.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the means in (b) of claim 1. is a spring.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which the indicator is pivotally mounted in a mounting and the mounting has spring clips adapted to clip over the top of the rod.

4. A device according to claim 3 in which: a bush whose axial length is greater than the diameter of the rod to which the device is adapted to be fitted; the indicator is Ushaped; the base of the U is rotatably mounted in the bush; the first arm of the U extends underneath the mounting and has the aperture through which the line is adapted to pass; and the second arm of the U is located above the mounting and has a pointer which moves across a scale on the mounting as the indicator pivots in the bush.

5. A device according to claim 3 in which the spring is a mousetrap type of spring, one arm acting on the second arm and the other end being anchored.

6. A device according to claim 5 in which the anchorage point of the other end of the arm is adjustable to adjust the bias in the spring.

7. A device according to claim 4 or 5 in which the aperture is formed by a closed coil at the free end of ther first arm.

8. An assembly of a fishing rod, a reel fitted with a line and a Device according to any of the preceding claims.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims in which the indicator is coated with luminous paint.

9. A device according to claim 3 or any of claims 3 to 7 in which the mounting is a casing adapted to carry a battery, a bulb, and a switch so that the pointer and scale can be illuminated.

10. A Fishing device substantially as here it before particularly described and shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. An assembly of a fishing rod a reel fitted with a line and a Device according to any of the preceding claims.

CLAIMS (26 Oct 1981)

1. Device according to this invention is adapted to be mounted on a rod having a reel and a line passing through guides on the road (that is a conventional fishing rod and reel).

The Device comprises: (a) a mounting having a spring clip adapted to clip over the top of the rod; (b) a bush whose axial length is greater than the diameter of the rod to which the device is adapted to be fitted; (c) an indicator which is U-shaped and which in use is rigid; and in which: (i) the base of the U is rotatably mounted in the bush; (ii) the first arm of the U extends under neath the mounting and has an aperture through which the line is adapted to pass; (iii) the second arm of the U is located above the mounting and has a pointer which moves across a scale on the mount ing as the base of the U rotates in the bush; (iv) the scale is clearly visible in use to the holder of the rod; and (v) a spring biases the indicator in one direction.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the spring is a mousetrap type of spring, one arm acting on the second arm and the other end being anchored.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which the anchorage point of the other end of the arm is adjustable to adjust the bias in the spring.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3 in which the aperture is formed by a closed coil at the free end of the first arm.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims in which the indicator is coated with luminous paint.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims in which the mounting is a casing adapted to carry a battery, a bulb and a switch so that the pointer and scale can be illuminated.

7. A Fishing device substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and shown in the accompanying drawings.