GB2148682A - Fishing float - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing float (10) has a loop (20) which is open or openable to permit an endless region of a fishing line to be passed therethrough or removed therefrom, the loop acting to retain a fishing line therein during use. By providing a loop which is open or openable, in contrast to closed prior art loops, a fishing line can be readily removed from a float without requiring removal of tackle or breaking of the line. The float can then be readily replaced on the line as desired, or replaced by another float in accordance with the invention. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fishing float This invention relates to fishing floats.

A typical fishing float comprises an elongate body made of material which will float on water, eg cork.

The body has an enlarged diameter central region, for stability, andtapersto upper and lower elongate stems. A closed wire loop is secured to the free end at the lower stem, which is submerged in use.

In use, thefree end of the fishing line from a fishing rod is threaded through the loop and a fishing hook is secured to the free end of the line. Split lead shot is crimped onto the line, between the hook and float, to act as a weight. The length of line between the hook and float is set to a desired fixed length by crimping lead shottothe line on eitherside ofthe loop, immediately adjacent thereto, the shot being of such a size that it cannot pass th rough the loop.

If it is desired to adjustthe arrangement, eg to changethefloatortochangethelength of line between the float and hook for different fishing conditions, it is generally necessary either two remove the shot and hook and unthread the line from the loop orto break the line in the vicinity ofthe float These operations are time consuming and wasteful oftackle.

It is accordingly an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved fishing float.

According to the present invention there is provided afishing float having a loop which is open or openable to permit an endless region of a fishing lineto be passed therethrough or removed therefrom,the loop acting to retain a fishing line therein during use.

By providing a loop which is open or openable, in contrastto closed prior art loops, a fishing line can be readily removed from a float without requiring removal of tackle or breaking of the line. The float can then be readily replaced on the line as desired, or replaced by another float in accordance with the invention.

The invention is applicable to a fishing float of any construction and configuration, eg a typical conventional float as described above.

The loop may have a variety of different configurations which act as specified above.

In a preferred embodiment, however,the loop comprises a coiled length of material, eg wire, having one or more turns. The two ends of the length of material may both be free, with the loop secured to the float body via an appropriate part ofthe coiled region.

Alternatively, the loop may be secured to the float body via one end ofthe material, with the other end being free. With such arrangements, an endless region of a fishing line can be readily passed through or removed from the loop by passing a portion of the line between an end ofthe material and the coiled region thereof. The coiled configuration acts to retain the line in the loop during use.

A preferred embodiment of float in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure lisa side view of a float in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a detailed view of part ofthe float of Figurel.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a float 10 comprising a float body 12 of suitable material, eg cork. The body includes an enlarged diameter central region 14, tapering to upper and lower stems 16 and 18, respectively.

In accordance with the invention, an open loop 20 is securedto the lower end of stem 18. Loop 20 comprises a coiled length of wire having approximately one and a half circularturns. One end ofthe length ofthe wire is used to secure the loop to the stem 18, eg being bound rigidly thereto. The other end of the wire is free and extends slightly outwardly of the circular turns, to facilitate attachment and removal of a fishing line as discussed above.

1. Afishing float having a loop which is open or openableto permit an endless region of a fishing line to be passed therethrough or removed therefrom, the loop acting to retain a fishing line therein during use.

2. Afishing float according to claim 1, wherein the loop comprises a coiled length of material having one or more turns.

3. Afishing float according to claim 2, wherein the two ends ofthe length of material are both free, with the loop secured to a floatvia an appropriate part of the coiled region.

4. Afishingfloataccordingtoclaim 2,wherein the loop is secured to a float body via one end of the material, with the other end being free.

5. Afishingfloataccordingtoclaim 2,3or4, wherein the loop comprises wire.

6. Afishing float according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the float comprises an elongate body offloatable material.

7. Afishing float according to claim 6, wherein the float body has an enlarged diameter central region and tapers to upper and lower elongate stems, with the loop secured to the free end of the lower stem.

8. Afishing float according to claim 6 or7, wherein thefloat body comprises cork.

9. Afishing float substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fishing float This invention relates to fishing floats. A typical fishing float comprises an elongate body made of material which will float on water, eg cork. The body has an enlarged diameter central region, for stability, andtapersto upper and lower elongate stems. A closed wire loop is secured to the free end at the lower stem, which is submerged in use. In use, thefree end of the fishing line from a fishing rod is threaded through the loop and a fishing hook is secured to the free end of the line. Split lead shot is crimped onto the line, between the hook and float, to act as a weight. The length of line between the hook and float is set to a desired fixed length by crimping lead shottothe line on eitherside ofthe loop, immediately adjacent thereto, the shot being of such a size that it cannot pass th rough the loop. If it is desired to adjustthe arrangement, eg to changethefloatortochangethelength of line between the float and hook for different fishing conditions, it is generally necessary either two remove the shot and hook and unthread the line from the loop orto break the line in the vicinity ofthe float These operations are time consuming and wasteful oftackle. It is accordingly an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved fishing float. According to the present invention there is provided afishing float having a loop which is open or openable to permit an endless region of a fishing lineto be passed therethrough or removed therefrom,the loop acting to retain a fishing line therein during use. By providing a loop which is open or openable, in contrastto closed prior art loops, a fishing line can be readily removed from a float without requiring removal of tackle or breaking of the line. The float can then be readily replaced on the line as desired, or replaced by another float in accordance with the invention. The invention is applicable to a fishing float of any construction and configuration, eg a typical conventional float as described above. The loop may have a variety of different configurations which act as specified above. In a preferred embodiment, however,the loop comprises a coiled length of material, eg wire, having one or more turns. The two ends of the length of material may both be free, with the loop secured to the float body via an appropriate part ofthe coiled region. Alternatively, the loop may be secured to the float body via one end ofthe material, with the other end being free. With such arrangements, an endless region of a fishing line can be readily passed through or removed from the loop by passing a portion of the line between an end ofthe material and the coiled region thereof. The coiled configuration acts to retain the line in the loop during use. A preferred embodiment of float in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure lisa side view of a float in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a detailed view of part ofthe float of Figurel. Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a float 10 comprising a float body 12 of suitable material, eg cork. The body includes an enlarged diameter central region 14, tapering to upper and lower stems 16 and 18, respectively. In accordance with the invention, an open loop 20 is securedto the lower end of stem 18. Loop 20 comprises a coiled length of wire having approximately one and a half circularturns. One end ofthe length ofthe wire is used to secure the loop to the stem 18, eg being bound rigidly thereto. The other end of the wire is free and extends slightly outwardly of the circular turns, to facilitate attachment and removal of a fishing line as discussed above. CLAIMS

1. Afishing float having a loop which is open or openableto permit an endless region of a fishing line to be passed therethrough or removed therefrom, the loop acting to retain a fishing line therein during use.

2. Afishing float according to claim 1, wherein the loop comprises a coiled length of material having one or more turns.

3. Afishing float according to claim 2, wherein the two ends ofthe length of material are both free, with the loop secured to a floatvia an appropriate part of the coiled region.

4. Afishingfloataccordingtoclaim 2,wherein the loop is secured to a float body via one end of the material, with the other end being free.

5. Afishingfloataccordingtoclaim 2,3or4, wherein the loop comprises wire.

6. Afishing float according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the float comprises an elongate body offloatable material.

7. Afishing float according to claim 6, wherein the float body has an enlarged diameter central region and tapers to upper and lower elongate stems, with the loop secured to the free end of the lower stem.

8. Afishing float according to claim 6 or7, wherein thefloat body comprises cork.

9. Afishing float substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.