GB2139861A - Split-shot - Google Patents

Abstract

An angler's split-shot is characterised in that one or each face of the split is serrated and in that the shot is encapsulated in a plastics material. Should the shot be lost in a river, it will not dissolve and cause lead pollution: i.e. the plastics coating is water-impermeable. The serrations are sharp-crested and have a crest angle of 30 DEG . The flanks of the serrations run parallel with the base of the split, which itself runs from the circumference to the centre of the spherical shot. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Split-shot The invention relates to split-shot Split-shot conventionally takes the form of small spherical lead weights which are split from circumference to centre so that they can be fitted over and on to an angler's line. When pushed fully home, the line engages the base of the split along its length.

Several of these small split lead weights are used to weight the bottom portion of an angler's line in the vicinity of the hook and/or the float.

In one broad aspect of the present invention, a split-shot is characterised by the feature that one or each face of the split is serrated.

The pitch (ie. the distance between successive crests) of the serrations may advantageously be constant. Alternatively it may decrease, for example, towards the base of the split.

Preferably the serrations are sharp crested, but they may alternatively have rounded crests.

The angle defined between the flanks of each serration, ie. the crest angle, may be constant and may advantageously lie within the range 150 to 450, for example 30".

Preferably the flanks of the serrations run parallel with the base of the split, so that they effectively define the direction in which the line is eventually intended to run when the shot is fitted on to the line and pushed fully home.

Alternatively the flanks may run at an angle, for example at right-angle, to the base of the split.

According to another broad aspect of the present invention, a split-shot is characterised by being encapsulated in a plastics material.

The plastics material may be resilient, for example PVC or may be relatively hard, for example a polyurethane. In either event the plastics material may advantageously be self-coloured.

These two broad aspect of the invention may with advantage be combined, and in such cases the shot may be split before or after encapsulting in the plastics material.

Any shot embodying the invention may be spherical, but could be shaped otherwise, for example, could be cynlindrical with hemispherical ends. In the last mentioned case, the base of the split could run along the axis of the cylinder or at an angle, for example a right-angle, to it.

One split-shot embodying both broad aspects of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing. It is only one example of forms which the invention might take. It is currently the best way known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice.

The shot illustrated is spherical, made of lead, and approximately 4 millimetres in diameter. It is initially split from circumference to centre, and the base of the split runs along an axis of the spherical shot. One face of the split is serrated, and in this particular embodiment the pitch of the serrations is constant and the flanks of the serrations define four successive crests.

The crest angle is also constant, at approximately 30 degrees; but the crests do not define isosceles triangles when viewed in the drawing. Instead, one flank is noticeably longer than its adjacent flank.

After having been split, and serrated, the shot is encapsulated in a self-coloured relatively resilient plastics PVC coating approximately 0.5 millimetres thick.

It would be possible to make the lead shot with a straight split and produce the serrations during the stage of coating with plastics material.

The split shot is preferably made by moulding, and until it is in use, the split is kept closed. To use the split shot, the split is opened and the shot forced on a line. The serrations enable it to catch on to the line better.

Although a lead shot has been described and illustrated, the invention is not restricted to the use of lead. The shot could be made with any suitable metal.

The advantage in coating the split shot with plastics material is that, should the shot be lost in a river, it will not dissolve and cause lead pollution.

Also if it is eaten by a fish or water bird, it is less likely to poison them.

1. An angler's split-shot comprising a metal shot encapsulated in a water-impermeable plastics material.

2. An angler's split-shot characterised by the feature that one or each face of the split is serrated.

3. An angler's split-shot comprising a metal shot encapsulated in a water-impermeable plastics material and in which one or each face of the split is serrated.

4. A shot according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 and in which the pitch of the serrations is constant.

5. A shot according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 and in which the pitch of the serrations decreases towards the base of the split.

6. A shot according to any of Claims 2 to 5 and in which the angle defined between the flanks of each serration is constant and lies within the range 15"to 45ops 7. A shot according to Claim 6 and with the said angle approximately 30".

8. A shot according to any of Claims 2 to 7 and in which the flanks of the serrations run parallel with the base of the split.

9. A shot according to any of Claims 2 to 7 and in which the flanks of the serrations run at a right-angle to the base of the split.

10. An angler's split-shot substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Split-shot The invention relates to split-shot Split-shot conventionally takes the form of small spherical lead weights which are split from circumference to centre so that they can be fitted over and on to an angler's line. When pushed fully home, the line engages the base of the split along its length. Several of these small split lead weights are used to weight the bottom portion of an angler's line in the vicinity of the hook and/or the float. In one broad aspect of the present invention, a split-shot is characterised by the feature that one or each face of the split is serrated. The pitch (ie. the distance between successive crests) of the serrations may advantageously be constant. Alternatively it may decrease, for example, towards the base of the split. Preferably the serrations are sharp crested, but they may alternatively have rounded crests. The angle defined between the flanks of each serration, ie. the crest angle, may be constant and may advantageously lie within the range 150 to 450, for example 30". Preferably the flanks of the serrations run parallel with the base of the split, so that they effectively define the direction in which the line is eventually intended to run when the shot is fitted on to the line and pushed fully home. Alternatively the flanks may run at an angle, for example at right-angle, to the base of the split. According to another broad aspect of the present invention, a split-shot is characterised by being encapsulated in a plastics material. The plastics material may be resilient, for example PVC or may be relatively hard, for example a polyurethane. In either event the plastics material may advantageously be self-coloured. These two broad aspect of the invention may with advantage be combined, and in such cases the shot may be split before or after encapsulting in the plastics material. Any shot embodying the invention may be spherical, but could be shaped otherwise, for example, could be cynlindrical with hemispherical ends. In the last mentioned case, the base of the split could run along the axis of the cylinder or at an angle, for example a right-angle, to it. One split-shot embodying both broad aspects of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing. It is only one example of forms which the invention might take. It is currently the best way known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. The shot illustrated is spherical, made of lead, and approximately 4 millimetres in diameter. It is initially split from circumference to centre, and the base of the split runs along an axis of the spherical shot. One face of the split is serrated, and in this particular embodiment the pitch of the serrations is constant and the flanks of the serrations define four successive crests. The crest angle is also constant, at approximately 30 degrees; but the crests do not define isosceles triangles when viewed in the drawing. Instead, one flank is noticeably longer than its adjacent flank. After having been split, and serrated, the shot is encapsulated in a self-coloured relatively resilient plastics PVC coating approximately 0.5 millimetres thick. It would be possible to make the lead shot with a straight split and produce the serrations during the stage of coating with plastics material. The split shot is preferably made by moulding, and until it is in use, the split is kept closed. To use the split shot, the split is opened and the shot forced on a line. The serrations enable it to catch on to the line better. Although a lead shot has been described and illustrated, the invention is not restricted to the use of lead. The shot could be made with any suitable metal. The advantage in coating the split shot with plastics material is that, should the shot be lost in a river, it will not dissolve and cause lead pollution. Also if it is eaten by a fish or water bird, it is less likely to poison them. CLAIMS

1. An angler's split-shot comprising a metal shot encapsulated in a water-impermeable plastics material.

2. An angler's split-shot characterised by the feature that one or each face of the split is serrated.

3. An angler's split-shot comprising a metal shot encapsulated in a water-impermeable plastics material and in which one or each face of the split is serrated.

4. A shot according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 and in which the pitch of the serrations is constant.

5. A shot according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 and in which the pitch of the serrations decreases towards the base of the split.

6. A shot according to any of Claims 2 to 5 and in which the angle defined between the flanks of each serration is constant and lies within the range 15"to 45ops

7. A shot according to Claim 6 and with the said angle approximately 30".

8. A shot according to any of Claims 2 to 7 and in which the flanks of the serrations run parallel with the base of the split.

9. A shot according to any of Claims 2 to 7 and in which the flanks of the serrations run at a right-angle to the base of the split.

10. An angler's split-shot substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.