GB2082032A - Line guide - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat dissipating line guide for fishing rods comprises a guide ring consisting essentially of silicon carbide fitted in a frame which is supported by means for attaching the guide to a fishing rod. The frame is preferably of metal of high thermal conductivity. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Line guide for fishing rods The present invention relates to a line guide for fishing rods, and more particularly to a line guide of the heavy-duty type such as designed to be used in stunt, shark, yellow tail or other game fishing on the open sea.

A heavy duty line guide for fishing rods available up to now includes typically a roller guide in which a roller serves as a line guide member and rotates to prevent a nylon line from wearing out. However, the roller guide has the following disadvantages: a number of parts are required and tend to increase the weight and cost of assembly, and the roller of the roller guide is liable to seize up by salt and rust deposits. In addition, since the roller guide is designed so that fishing line can be withdrawn only in one direction, there is danger that the line may disengage from the roller, come into contact with a support frame and be worn away when the line is withdrawn in the other direction. Consequently, many fishermen prefer to use a ring guide in game fishing.However, in this case the line is in friction with the guide ring and often snaps when a large fish is caught Such breakage of the fishing line has so far been considered to be due to roughness of the surface of the guide ring. From extensive and intensive studies made to clear up the cause of such breakages, I have now found thatthe nylon line is weakened by the heat generated by friction between the line and the guide ring.

This discovery suggests the use of a heat dissipat ing line guide for fishing rods. However, a guide ring made of copper, which has a good heat dissipating property i.e. a high thermal conductivity, wears away rapidly and cannot be used for an extended period of time.

The present invention provides a heat dissipating line guide using a guide ring composed mainly of a silicon carbide material. Preferably, the ring is fitted directly into a frame made of a high thermally conductive material.

The invention may be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Fig. lisa perspective view of the top tip guide to which the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section showing construction of a guide ring according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of another embodi ment of the guide ring; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a further embod iment of the guide ring; and Figs. 5a and Sb are front views showing embodi invents of frame construction suitable for use in the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a line guide tackle generally indicated at 1 is shown by way of example, as a top tip guide for mounting on the tip of a fishing rod.

The top tip guide illustrated comprises an annular frame 2 made of metal and an integral member to be fitted onto the fishing rod.

The integral member, which may take various shapes depending upon the manner of attaching it to the fishing rod, forms, in this instance, part of the top tip guide and is constructed as follows. The integral member comprises a tube 5 for fitting over the tip of the rod, the tube being connected to the frame 2 by a plurality of support legs, i.e. right and left supports 3 extending backwardly one from each side of the frame 2 to about the mid-portion of the tube 5 and two shorter legs 4 extending from that part of the frame adjacent the tube and converging into the closed end of the tube 5.

The frame 2 is fitted with a guide ring 6. Preferably, the frame is made of metal of high thermal conductivity. The guide ring 6 is formed of silicon carbide (SiC) which promises useful properties such as hardness, high thermal conductivity, lightweight, etc. Due to its toughness, the silicon carbide material can be fitted directly into the frame 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide ring 6 may be of a sectional shape such that a rib 6a is provided on the front side peripheral edge to form a step 6c relative to the rear portion 6b over which is fitted the frame 2. Portion 6b is tapered slightly so that the outer part of the step is of larger diameter than the inner part to retain the ring in position.

Alternatively, the guide ring may be provided in the centre of the outer periphery with a groove 6d into which the frame 2 is fitted, as shown in Fig. 3.

In a further alternative embodiment the frame 2 may be fitted over the outer periphery of the guide ring 6, as shown in Fig. 4. In a still further embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5a and Sb the frame 2 may be provided on the inner periphery with several projections 2a, for engagement with the outer periphery of the guide ring 6.

In general, the ring used in the line guide of the present invention reduces the danger of the fishing line melting since the heat generated by friction diffuses quickly from the point of contact. Further, it wears less since it has excelling hardness, and it is light in weight since it has low specific gravity.

1. A line guide for a fishing rod comprising a guide ring consisting essentially of silicon carbide, an annular frame into which the ring is fitted, the frame being supported on means for attaching the guide to the rod.

2. A line guide for a fishing rod as claimed in Claim 1, in which the ring is fitted directly into the inside of the annular frame.

3. A line guide as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the frame is made of metal of high thermal conductivity.

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

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Line guide for fishing rods The present invention relates to a line guide for fishing rods, and more particularly to a line guide of the heavy-duty type such as designed to be used in stunt, shark, yellow tail or other game fishing on the open sea. A heavy duty line guide for fishing rods available up to now includes typically a roller guide in which a roller serves as a line guide member and rotates to prevent a nylon line from wearing out. However, the roller guide has the following disadvantages: a number of parts are required and tend to increase the weight and cost of assembly, and the roller of the roller guide is liable to seize up by salt and rust deposits. In addition, since the roller guide is designed so that fishing line can be withdrawn only in one direction, there is danger that the line may disengage from the roller, come into contact with a support frame and be worn away when the line is withdrawn in the other direction. Consequently, many fishermen prefer to use a ring guide in game fishing.However, in this case the line is in friction with the guide ring and often snaps when a large fish is caught Such breakage of the fishing line has so far been considered to be due to roughness of the surface of the guide ring. From extensive and intensive studies made to clear up the cause of such breakages, I have now found thatthe nylon line is weakened by the heat generated by friction between the line and the guide ring. This discovery suggests the use of a heat dissipat ing line guide for fishing rods. However, a guide ring made of copper, which has a good heat dissipating property i.e. a high thermal conductivity, wears away rapidly and cannot be used for an extended period of time. The present invention provides a heat dissipating line guide using a guide ring composed mainly of a silicon carbide material. Preferably, the ring is fitted directly into a frame made of a high thermally conductive material. The invention may be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Fig. lisa perspective view of the top tip guide to which the present invention is applied; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section showing construction of a guide ring according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of another embodi ment of the guide ring; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a further embod iment of the guide ring; and Figs. 5a and Sb are front views showing embodi invents of frame construction suitable for use in the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, a line guide tackle generally indicated at 1 is shown by way of example, as a top tip guide for mounting on the tip of a fishing rod. The top tip guide illustrated comprises an annular frame 2 made of metal and an integral member to be fitted onto the fishing rod. The integral member, which may take various shapes depending upon the manner of attaching it to the fishing rod, forms, in this instance, part of the top tip guide and is constructed as follows. The integral member comprises a tube 5 for fitting over the tip of the rod, the tube being connected to the frame 2 by a plurality of support legs, i.e. right and left supports 3 extending backwardly one from each side of the frame 2 to about the mid-portion of the tube 5 and two shorter legs 4 extending from that part of the frame adjacent the tube and converging into the closed end of the tube 5. The frame 2 is fitted with a guide ring 6. Preferably, the frame is made of metal of high thermal conductivity. The guide ring 6 is formed of silicon carbide (SiC) which promises useful properties such as hardness, high thermal conductivity, lightweight, etc. Due to its toughness, the silicon carbide material can be fitted directly into the frame 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide ring 6 may be of a sectional shape such that a rib 6a is provided on the front side peripheral edge to form a step 6c relative to the rear portion 6b over which is fitted the frame 2. Portion 6b is tapered slightly so that the outer part of the step is of larger diameter than the inner part to retain the ring in position. Alternatively, the guide ring may be provided in the centre of the outer periphery with a groove 6d into which the frame 2 is fitted, as shown in Fig. 3. In a further alternative embodiment the frame 2 may be fitted over the outer periphery of the guide ring 6, as shown in Fig. 4. In a still further embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5a and Sb the frame 2 may be provided on the inner periphery with several projections 2a, for engagement with the outer periphery of the guide ring 6. In general, the ring used in the line guide of the present invention reduces the danger of the fishing line melting since the heat generated by friction diffuses quickly from the point of contact. Further, it wears less since it has excelling hardness, and it is light in weight since it has low specific gravity. CLAIMS

1. A line guide for a fishing rod comprising a guide ring consisting essentially of silicon carbide, an annular frame into which the ring is fitted, the frame being supported on means for attaching the guide to the rod.

2. A line guide for a fishing rod as claimed in Claim 1, in which the ring is fitted directly into the inside of the annular frame.

3. A line guide as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the frame is made of metal of high thermal conductivity.