GB2124865A - Improvements in or relating to a baiting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A baiting apparatus comprises a bait feeder (6) and a bait cutter (7) that are activated by hooks (5) that are secured on the line proper (9) by snoods (8) and are pulled through a hook guide means (10). A slider (13) has a hook catcher lug (14) pivoted to it, with one end protruding into a hook guide. The lug is prevented from swinging to a retracted position until the slider reaches a predetermined position. An arm (20) is in resilient contact with slider (13) and is movable for activating bait cutter (7) on movement of slider (13). The slider (13) is taken along by a hook (5) which engages hook catcher lug (14). The hook is released when the slider reaches the predetermined position. A bait feeder arm (22) has one end protruding into the moving path of hooks (5) so that arm (22) is swung each time a hook passes and activates bait feeder (6). As each hook moves through the device the bait is advanced and a piece is cut off and held in position to be impaled by the hook. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a baiting apparatus The present invention relates to a baiting apparatus and more particularly to a baiting apparatus for use in longlinefishing. In longlinefishing a long main line is used which has a number of short lines or snoods extending from it at spaced intervals. Each snood terminates at a hook. When utilising such a line in sea fishing from a vessel the main line is paid out, with the hooks being discharged from a hook magazine, and the line passes through a baiting apparatus where the hooks are baited, and into the water. A prior proposed apparatus comprises a baitfeeder means and a bait cutter means activated via transmission arms by the hooks which are pulled through a hook guide.The prior proposed apparatus is designed in an attempt two make it reliable in use by ensuring the even and regularfeed and cutting of pieces of bait from the whole bait supply, as well as reliable impaling ofthe pieces of bait on the hooks passed through the baiting apparatus when the line is paid out.

A common feature of a number of the prior proposed baiting apparatus is that their design is relatively complicated and that they are, thus, expensive to produce. Also, experience has demonstrated that they are not capable of baiting all ofthe hooks on a line, which may be due to failures ofthe bait feed and cutting arrangements and/orthe arrangementthat impales the bait on the hook.

According to this invention there is provided a baiting apparatusforutilization in baiting the hook a longline fishing line when the line to be baited runs through the baiting apparatus, said baiting apparatus comprising a baitfeeder and a bait cutter that are activated via arms moved by hooks that are secured on the line proper by snoods as the hooks are pulled through a hook guide means, said hook guide means comprising a slide box in which a slider is slidably mounted, a hook catcher lug pivoted about a shaft on the slider, the lug being located within the slide box with one end of said hook catcher lug usually protruding into a hook guide channel that extends adjacent the slide box, the other end ofthe hook catcher lug being in sliding contact with a surface of the slide box, the other end ofthe hook catcher lug being in sliding contact with a surface of the slide box, which stops the hook catching lug from moving away from said usual position in which said one end protrudes into the hook guide, said slide box surface having an opening or a recess to receive the said other end ofthe hook catcher lug when the slider has moved to one end of the slide box to permit the hook catcher lug to pivotto retract said one end thereof from the hook guide, the arrangement being such that, in use, a hook drawn through the hook guide by the line will engage said hook catcher lug and thus cause the slider to slide to said one end of the slide box, where the hook catcher lug will pivot and retract from the hook guide to release the hook, a first movably mounted arm in resilient contact with the slider and movable in response to movement of the sliderfor activating the bait cutter on movement ofthe slider, and a bait feeder arm movably mounted with partthereof located in the hook guide channel to be engaged by a hook before said first movably mounted arm is moved, the bait feeder arm actuating a mechanism thatfeeds bait to the bait cutter, and means for locating the cut bait in a position where it will be impaled by the hook leaving the hook guide when disengaged by the hook catcher lug.

Preferablythe bait cutter comprises a circular blade supported on a knife arm that is pivotally mounted about an axis, the blade being driven buy a motor.

Advantageously said knife arm is connected, via two intermediate arms and a rocking lever having a predetermined rocking axis and being located between said two intermediate arms, with said first arm, the arrangement being such that when the first arm is actuated bysaidslidersaidcircularbladeis moved towards a portion of bait protruding from a bait guide nearthe outlet ofthe hook guide channel for cutting said portion of bait substantially at the same time as a hook is released from the hook catching lug so thatthe hook impales the cut pieces of bait.

Preferably one intermediate arm is movably secured to said first arm for adjusting the swinging movement ofthe knife arm.

Conveniently a spring loaded arm having a fork shaped end is pivoted on the knife arm in resilient contact with the cut piece of bait to retain the cut piece of bait in position until it is impaled onto the hook.

Advantageously, the baitfeeder arm directly or indirectly drives a ratchet wheel mechanism con nectedwith an endless feeding beltthat runs over appropriate guides and is in contactwith bait in the bait guidefor advancing the baiteach time a hook passes the baitfeeder arm.

Preferably the bait feeder arm is connected to the ratchet wheel mechanism by a rod that is movably positioned on the baitfeeder arm to permit adjust mentofthe length of movement of the feeder belt and, thus, the size ofthe piece of baitthatwill be cut off.

In orderthatthe invention may be more readily understood and so thatfeatures thereof may be appreciated the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a baiting apparatus in accordance with the invention with an associated hook magazine in plan view; Figure 2 shows the baiting apparatus in vertical section from one side, on a larger scale part ofthe figure being re-illustrated to an even larger scale; Figure 3 is a view in section, from one end, of the baiting apparatus, as seen in the direction ofthe fishing line movement; Figure 4 is a side elevation ofthe baiting apparatus with a baitfeeder and a bait cutter, shown on a larger scalethan Figure 2;; and Figure 5 is a plan view ofthe baiting apparatus with a baitcutteron a largerscalethan Figure 1.

The baiting apparatus 4, comprises a hook guide 10, a baitfeeder6, and a bait cutter 7. Hook guide 10 is directly connected with a hook magazine 3, in this embodiment mounted on a linetub 2. When the fishing line passes through the baiting apparatus the main line proper9, via snoods 8, pulls the hooks 5 form the hook magazine 3 into the hook guide 10, where every hook 5, via a bait feeding arm 22 and a hook catching lug 14 respectively activates bait feeder 6 and a bait cutter7 via transmission arms more fully disclosed below.

The hook guide 10 - as shown in more detail in Figures 2,3, and 4, comprises a horizontal slide box 11, provided with a slide 13 slidably mounted on two guide rods 12 and designed as a block having two through apertures for the guide rods 12. In a vertical through slot in the slide a hook catching lug 14 is pivotally mounted about a horizontal shaft 15, with hook catcher portion 14' protruding upwards through a slot 16' in an upper plate 16 in slide box 1 liThe plate 16formsthe bottom of a horizontal hook guide channel 17. The top of the horizontal guide channel 17 informed by a cover plate 18 having a groove 18' that opens downwards for receiving the uppermost end 14' of hook catcher lug 14. The lower end surface 14" ofthe hook catcher lug 14 is in sliding contact with the bottom of slide box 11.The hook catcher lug 14 is thus prevented from pivoting when it is pulled along with a hook 5 passing through hook guide 17. The bottom of the slide box has an opening or recess 19 for the lower end 14" of the hook catching lug atthe end portion 11' ofthe slide box for cancelling the blocking of pivoting movement of hook catcher lug 14. On loosing its contact with the bottom of slide box 11 on reaching the recess 19 the lower end 14" of hook catcher lug 14 will then turn the lug enabling the hook to slip overthe top oflug 14 in the hook guide 17 and to be pulled on towards a cut piece of bait 28' at the outlet end of a bait guide 29 at the outlet end of slide box 11,where the hook 5 will impale the piece of bait as disclosed in more detail below.

The baitfeeder6which feeds an elongated element of bait28, e.g. in the shape of a bait string, in a substantially vertical bait guide 29 at the outlet of hook guide 17 atthe rear portion 1 of slide box 11, is actuated by a bait feeder arm 22. The bait feeder arm 22 is pivotally mounted at the inlet 11' of slide box 11 and has its free end protruding into the path that is followed by the hooks 4. The arm 22 is thus pivotally moved every time a hook 4 passes and then activates the bait feeder 6 via a rod 31 that is pivotedly mounted onthe baitfeeder6 at one end and is, at its other end, connected with a driving pawl 32' on a ratchet wheel 32.The ratchet wheel 32 is turned over a certain angle each time the baitfeeder arm 22 is pivotally moved.

The ratchet wheel 32 is connected to a rollerthat drives an endless feeder belt 33 which runs over additional guide rolls, such as 6' and possibly over a fixed guide surface, such as 6". The feeder belt 33 is in contact with the bait 28 in the bait guide 29 and when driven bythe ratchet wheel 32 it induces intermittent advancement of bait string 28. Thus whenever a hook engages the arm 22 the bait 28 is advanced in the bait guide 6.

The rod 31 is adustably attached to bait feeder arm 22, a wing nut at the end ofthe rod 31 being slidable along a slot in the arm 22. Displacement of the end of the rod 31 towards or away from the point of pivotal supportofthe arm 22 conrolsthe amount of axial movement of rod 31 and,thus, controls the length of movement of feeder belt 33 and the advancement of bait string 28. Thus the quantity of bait to be impaled on each hook may be adjusted.

Afterthe bait 28 has been advanced in the bait guide the portion ofthe bait 28 protruding at the lower end of bait guide 29 near the outlet of hook guide 17 from slide box 11 is cut by a bait cutter7, comprising a horizontal circular blade 7a supported on a knife arm 7bthat is pivoted about an axis 23. Thecircular blade 7a is driven by a motor7e supported on said arm. Via two intermediate arms 24 and 25 and a rocking lever 26 provided between said arms and having a rocking axis 27, the knife arm 7b is connected with an arm 20 that is moved by slider 13 evervtime the latter is advanced buy a passing hook 5.The circular knife 7a is, as a result of the movement of the arm 20, moved inwardstowardstheprotruding portion of bait 28 and will cut said portion atthe same time as a hook 5 is liberated from the hook catcher lug 14. The hook 5 will impalethe cut off piece of bait 28', while the fishing line with snoods 8 and hooks 5 is paid outto the water.

To ensure impaling of the piece of bait 28' on the hook 5, a spring loaded arm 30 is provided having a fork shaped end that is pivoted on knife arm 7b and is in resilient contact with the piece of bait 28'. Said piece of bait 28' is, thus, retained in position while the hookS penetrates it, before the arm 30 gives way and lets the piece of bait impaled on the hook pass.

The pivotal movement of knife arm 7b of bait cutter 7 is adjustable to achieve a correct cutting movement.

This is achieved by one of said intermediate arms 25 being secured to slide arm 20 by means of a collarthat can be moved towards and away from the point 21 of pivotal support of the arm 20.

As shown in Figure 5, the other end of slide arm 20 is, via an extension spring 21', connected with one end of the knife arm 7b. The spring 21' thus urges the arm 20 into a resilient contact with the slide 13, and simultaneouslythe knife arm 7b is swung away from the outlet of bait guide 29 afterthe piece of bait 28' has been cut. In this manner said piece of bait and the hook 5 may pass freely, and the apparatus is also returned to an initial condition readyforthe next hook.

When a fishing line 1 comprising the line proper 9 with snoods 8 and hooks 5 is paid out, the line proper 9 will, via snood 8, pull hooks 5from the hook magazine 3 into the horizontal hook guide 17 of hook guide means 10, where the hooks areturned from a suspended position thatthey occupy in the hook magazine, into a substantially horizontal position. In the latter position the bow 5" of hooks 5will at first contact baitfeeder arm 22 protruding into the hook guide 17 atthe inlet 11" of slide box 1 1,thuscausing the feeding of bait arm 22 the hook bow 5' will contact the upper portion 14' of the hook catcher lug 14 and pull the slider 13 forward. During this movement of slider 13 the arm 20 is actuated. Via said intermediate arms 24,25 and rocking arm 26 the arm 20 swings knife arm 7b with the circular knife 7a toward bait string 28. A piece of bait 28' is cut and held by fork arm 30. The slider continues its movement to the opposite end of the slide box 11, 1 where the hook catching lug 14 will release the hook, as the lug 14 is permitted to swing atthis location. The hookwill, thus, slip overthe top portion of lug 14 as stated above. The hook will then impale the piece of bait held bythefork arm 30 and then the fork arm 30 will give way resiliently. In this manner satisfactory impaling ofthe bait is ensured even if relatively firm bait is used since the bait is urged onto the hooktip by the aid ofthe fork arm 30.

When the hook 5 is released by and slips over the hook catcher lug 14, the slider 13 is returned by arm 20 because of spring 21' and knife arm 7b is simul taneouslyswung away from its cutting position.

This cycle is repeated each time a hook 5 passes from hook magazine 5through the horizontal hook guide 17 of the hook guide means 10.

Claims (9)

1. A baiting apparatus for utilization in baiting the hook of a longline fishing line when the line to baited runs through the baiting apparatus, said baiting apparatus comprising a bait feeder and a bait cutter that are activated via arms moved by hooks that are secured on the line proper by snoods as the hooks are pulled through a hook guide means, said hook guide means comprising a slide box in which a slider is slidably mounted, a hook catcher lug pivoted about a shaft on the slider, the lug being located within the slide boxwith one end ofsaid hook catcher lug usually protruding into a hook guide channel that extends adjacentthe slide box, the other end of the hook catcher lug being in sliding contact with a surface of the slide box, which stopsthe hook catching lug from moving awayfrom said usual position in which said one end protrudes into the hook guide, said slide box surface having a opening ora recess to receive the said other end of the hook catcher lug when the slider has moved to one end oftheslide box to permit the hook catcher lug to pivot to retract said one end thereoffrom the hook guide, the arrangement being such that, in use, a hook drawn through the hook guide by the line will engage said hook catcher lug and thus causethe sliderto slideto said one end ofthe slide box, where the hook catcher lug will pivot and retract from the hookguideto release the hook, a first movably mounted arm in resilient contact with the slider and movable in response to movementofthe sliderfor activating the bait cutter on movement of the slider, and a bait feeder arm movably mounted with partthereof located in the hook guide channel to be engaged by a hook before said first movably mounted arm is moved, the bait feeder arm actuating a mechanismthatfeeds baited the bait cutter, and means for locating the cut bait in a position where it will be impaled by the hook leaving the hook guide when disengaged by the hook catcher lug.

2. A baiting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bait cutter comprises a circular blade supported on a knife arm that is pivotally mounted about an axis, the blade being driven by a motor.

3. A baiting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said knife arm is connected, via two intermediate arms and a rocking lever having a predetermined rocking axis and being located between said two intermediate arms, with said first arm, the arrangement being such that when the first arm is actuated by said slider said circular blade is moved towards a portion of bait protruding from a bait guide near the outlet ofthe hook guide channel for cutting said portion of bait substantially atthe same time as a hook is released from the hook catching lug so that the hook impales the cut pieces of bait.

4. A baiting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one intermediate arm is movablysecured to said first arm for adjusting the swinging movement of the knife arm.

5. A baiting apparatus according to claim 2,3, or4, wherein a spring loaded arm having a fork shaped end is pivoted on the knife arm in resilient contact with the cut piece of bait to retain the cut piece of bait in position until it is impaled onto the hook.

6. A baiting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims,whereinthe baitfeederarm directly or indirectly drives a ratchet wheel mechanism connected with an endlessfeeding belt that runs over appropriate guides and is in contact with bait in the bait guide for advancing the bait each time a hook passes the bait feeder arm.

7. A baiting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bait feeder arm is connected to the ratchet wheel mechanism by a rod that is movably positioned on the bait feeder arm to permit adjustment of the length of movement of the feeder belt and, thus, the sizeofthe piece of baitthatwill be cut off.

8. A baiting apparatus substantially as herein descibed with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.