GB2087202A - Improvements in and relating to ledger weights - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated ledger weight 2 for use by anglers comprises a chemical light source 4 in combination with a weighting member 6 so that the combination functions not only to weight down the end of a fishing line and so maintain fishing hooks in a desired position just above the bed of the sea, river or other body of water being fished, but also emits light so as to attract fish and so improve the catch. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to ledger weights Field ofinvention This invention relates to ledger weights for use with a fishing line.

Background to the invention Ledger weights are used by anglers to maintain fishing hooks attached to a fishing line in a fixed position just above the bed of the sea, river or other body of water being fished. In the known technique a ledger weight is attached to the end of a fishing line via a short length of line known as a trace, with a respective swivel at each end of the trace. One or more booms extend outwardly from the trace, each carrying at least one length of line with a hook at the lower end thereof.When the line is cast in the usual way using a fishing rod, the ledger weight sinks through the water under the action of its weight and comes to rest on the sea or river bed with the trace and fishing line extending upwardly therefrom, the booms extending substantially horizontally from the trace so that the lines attached to the booms hang vertically with the hooks located just above the bed, the ledger weight acting to retain the hooks in this position.

The present invention has as an object the provision of an improved ledger weight which is capable of performing further functions in addition to the usual function of weighting a fishing line so as to maintain hooks in the desired position.

The invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ledger weight for use with a fishing line, comprising a weighting member in combination with a chemical light source, the combination being adapted for connection to a fishing line.

The total mass of the weighting member and chemical light source in combination is similar to that of a conventional ledger weight, so that when the ledger weight of the present invention is attached to a fishing line and used in the usual way it will perform the usual weighting function and act to maintain the hook in the desired position just above the sea bed or the like.

However, because the ledger weight of the present invention also includes a chemical light source which emits light (after appropriate activiation if necessary), the ledger weight of the present invention also performs the additional function of emitting light and so, in use, attracting fish to the ledger weight and surrounding fishing hooks, thus improving the catch.

The chemical light sourced need ernit only a low powered glow to perform this function satisfactorily.

However, in cases where the chemical light source emits a rather brighter light the resulting illumination from the ledger weight may also be used for other purposes, for example to illuminate preparation of tackle and the like at night, thus eliminating or reducing the need for alternative light sources under such conditions.

The chemical light source is conveniently in the form of a translucent or transparent container with appropriate chemical contents. The container is preferably of relatively robust, unbreakable material, for example plastics material such as polyethylene, one preferred material being high density polyethylene.

The chemical light source may comprise two or more chemical components which emit light for a limited period, for example several hours, only after being contacted with one another. Such components are normally separated from one another in the container for the purposes of storage and transport, but are capable of being readily brought into contact within the container to initiate the light emitting behaviour when the ledger weight is required for use.

One particularly convenient chemical light source of such construction comprises a generally tubular container of high density polyethylene which containes a first liquid chemical component and a second chemical component within a breakable phial in the first liquid chemical component. The phial can be readily broken to cause mixing of the components and hence emission of light when desired by appropriate bending of the container. An example of the source having such features is the so-called Cyalume light stick manufactured by American Cyanamid Co., which emits a low powered incandescent glow for at least ten hours after activation.

The weighting member conveniently comprises a metal, preferably lead member, of any suitable configuration for use with the chemical light source combination.

In preferred embodiment of the invention the weighting member and chemical light source are adapted to be removably connected together. Such embodiments have the advantage that a spent light source of limited duration, such as those discussed above, can be readily removed from the weighting member and replaced as appropriate. In this case, the weighting member of the ledger weight is preferably adapted for connection to a fishing line such that the chemical light source is capable of being detached from the weighting member while the latter remains attached to the fishing line so that a spent chemical light source may be removed and replaced without requiring the weighting member to be detached from the fishing line.

Further, a series of interchangeable weighting members of different masses may be provided, each adapted for attachment to a particular chemical light source, so that the mass of the combination may be readily adjusted to a selected value within a range of, say, 450g (1 lb) to 1709 (6or) by use of an appropriate weighting member.

The weighting member and chemical light source may be adapted to be removably connected together by any convenient arrangement that is sufficiently strong and robust so as not to be likely to become undone during normal use, such as, for example, a screw threaded connection, a bayonet fitting or a friction fit.

For example, the weighting member may be in the form of an annular member arranged to be screwed to or friction fitted over a part of the length of a tubular container of a construction discussed above, such that a substantial part of the container remains exposed for effective emission of light therefrom.

In one convenient embodiment, the chemical light source comprises a generally tubular, slightly tapering container, the narrower (upper) end thereof being adapted for connection to a fishing line (for example by having an aperture formed in the material thereof), the container including an outwardly extending flange or lip at the thicker (lower) end thereof which defines an upstanding shoulder.

The weighting member is in the form of an annular member, e.g. of lead, which is adapted to be fitted onto the container at the narrower end thereof and slid down into abutting relationship with the shoulder so as to be retained on the container at the lower end thereof. One drawback of this arrangement is that it is the chemical light source, and not the weighting member, which is adapted for attachment to a fishing line, which means that the combination must be detached from a fishing line to enable removal and replacement of a spent light source.

However this arrangement has the advantage of providing a very simple yet robust connection between the chemical light source and weighting member, and one with which there is no risk of accidental detachment during use.

With such an arrangement, the container and weighting member are preferably appropriately dimensioned to produce a friction fittherebetween to retain the weighting member in its abutting relationship with the shoulder of the container. This shoulder may either by abutted by an end face of the weighting member or, alternatively, by a matching internal shoulder within the bore of the member.

Preferably at least one of said weighting member and chemical light source includes means to facilitate connection of the combination to a fishing line, for example an aperture for receiving a fishing line may be formed in at least one of said components.

For the reasons given above, in some cases such means are preferably provided in the weighting member to facilitate removal and replacement of a spent light source.

The present invention also includes within its scope a fishing line having attached thereto a ledger weight in accordance with the present invention.

One embodiment of a ledger weight in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure lisa schematic view of a ledger weight in accordance with the present invention attached to a fishing line; Figure 2 is a side view of the ledger weight shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view from below of the ledger weight of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the chemical light source of the ledger weight shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the weighting member removed; and Figure 5 is an end view from below of the chemical light source of Figure 4.

Detailed description of the drawings Referring to the drawings, the illustrated ledger weight 2, comprises a chemical light source 4 in combination with a weighting member 6.

The chemical light source 4 is best seen in Figures 4 and 5, and comprises a generally tubular, slightly tapered closed container of translucent, high density polyethylene. The container includes an extension portion 8 at the narrower (upper) end thereof, in which is formed a small aperture 10 fitted with a brass eyelet 12. The wider (lower) end of the container is formed with a cylindrical end piece 14 which forms an outwardly extending flange defining an upwardly facing angular shoulder 16 adjacent to the lower end of the container. The container has an overall length of approximately 155 mm and a maximum diameter of about 15 mm.

Housed within the container are a first liquid chemical component and a second chemical component within a breakable phial (not shown) in the first liquid chemical component. The chemical components are thus normally separated from one another but can be readily mixed by bending the container so as to break the phial thus releasing its contents.

When the two chemical components are contacted in this way a light emitting reaction is initiated, resulting in a low powered green/yellow glow being emitted for a period of at least ten hours.

The chemical light source used in this embodiment may conveniently comprise a so-called Cyalume light stick produced by American Cyanamid Co..

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the weighting member 6 is in the form of an annular member made of lead. The outer surface of member 6 is tapered and includes a main cylindrical portion 18, an intermediate gently inwardly tapering portion 20, a more sharpiy inwardly tapering upper end portion 22 and an inwardly tapering lower portion 24. The member 6 includes an axiai bore 28 having a narrower upper portion 30 which is slightly tapered, and a wider lower cylindrical portion 32, these two portions being separated by a downwardly facing annular shoulder 34. The cylindrical portion 32 has a length slightly less than that of the end piece 14 of the light source 4. The weighting member 6 has an overall length of about 40 mm and a maximum diameter of about 33 mm.

The light source 4 and weighting member 6 are assembled for use to the combined position shown in Figures 2 and 3 by passing the narrower end of the light source 4 through the bore 28 of the weighting member 6 and sliding the member 6 down to the lower end of the light source so that shoulders 16 and 34 are brought into abutting relationship to prevent further downward movement of the weight ing member. The weighting member 6 thus constitues a jacket which fits snugly around the lower end of the light source 4 in this position, with bore portion 32 surrounding light source portion 14 with the tip of the latter protruding slightly below the end of the weighting member 6.Preferably, the weighting member 6 and light source 4 are dimensioned so as to frictionally engage one another in these positions, thus preventing the weighting member from sliding up the light source during normal use.

The assembled ledger weight 2 is then ready for use in a manner similar to conventional ledger weights. As iliustrated in Figure 1 the ledger weight 2 is attached to the end of a fishing line 36 via a trace 38 with respective swivels 40 and 42 at each end of the trace, the swivel 40 at the lower end of the trace being connected to the chemical light source container by means of the aperture 10. A pair of booms 44 and 46 extend outwardly from the trace 38, each having at its free end a length of line 48 and 50 terminating in a fishing hook 52 and 54.

Either before or after assembling the fishing tackle in this way, as appropriate depending upon lighting conditions, the chemical light source 4 is activated by bending the polyethylene container so as to break the phial and release its contents into the liquid chemical within the container. The resulting mixing of the chemical components within the container initiates the light emitting chemical reaction discussed above.

The assembled equipment may then be used in conventional manner by casting the line 36 and attached equipment in the usual way, with the ledger weight 2 functioning in conventional manner and coming to rest on the bed 56 of the sea, river or other body of water being fished and acting to hold the associated tackle in the position shown in Figure 1.

When the chemical light source is spent, for example after a night's fishing, the source 4 may be readily removed for disposal by detaching the swivel 40 from the aperture 10 and sliding the weighting member 6 down the container of the light source 4 and off the narrower end thereof.

A fresh light source 4 may then be used to replace the spent source by assembling it with the weighting member 6 in the manner discussed previously.

Alternatively, the replacement (or original) light source 4 may be assembled with an alternative weighting member 6 having similar internal dimensions but a different mass so as to vary appropriately the total mass of the combination.

Claims (17)

1. A ledger weight for use with a fishing line, comprising a weighting member in combination with a chemical light source, the combination being adapted for connection to a fishing line.

2. A ledger weight according to claim 1, wherein the chemical light source comprises a translucent or transparent container with appropriate chemical contents.

3. A ledger weight according to claim 2, wherein the container is of polyethylene.

4. A ledger weight according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the chemical light source comprises at least two chemical components which are normally separated from one another in the container, but are capable of being brought into contact within the container to initiate a light-emitting chemical reaction of limited duration.

5. A ledger weight according to claim 4, wherein the chemical light source comprises a generally tubular container of high density polyethylene containing a first liquid chemical component and a second component within a breakable phial in the first liquid chemical component.

6. A ledger weight according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weighting member comprises a metal member.

7. A ledger weight according to claim 6, wherein the weighting member comprises a lead member.

8. A ledger weight according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weighting member and the chemical light source are adapted to be removably connected to one another.

9. A ledger weight according to claim 8, wherein the chemical light source is capable of being detached from the weighting member while the latter is attached to a fishing line.

10. A ledger weight according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the weighting member and chemical light source are adapted to be attached together by means of a screw threaded connection.

11. A ledger weight according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the weighting member and chemical light source are adapted to be attached together by means of a friction fit.

12. A ledger weight according to claim 8, wherein the weighting member comprises an annular member arranged to be fitted over a part of the length of a tubular container of the chemical light source.

13. A ledger weight according to claim 22, wherein the chemical light source comprises a generally tubular slightly tapering container, the narrower end thereof being adapted for connection to a fishing line, the container including an outwardly extending flange at the wider end thereof which defines an upstanding shoulder, and said weighting member comprising an annular member adapted to be fitted around the container and slid into abutting relationship with the shoulder so as to be retained on the container.

14. A ledger weight according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said weighting member and/or said chemical light source include means to facilitate connection of said combination to the fishing line.

15. A ledger weight according to claim 14, wherein said weighting member and/or said chemical light source include an aperture for receiving a fishing line.

16. A ledger weight for use with a fishing line, substantially as herein described with reference, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

17. Afishing line having attached thereto a ledger weight in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.