GB2149631A - Fishing bite indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing bite indicator comprises: a fishing rod support including at least one movable fishing rod support member (4); a pair of rotatable rollers (7) arranged such that the fishing line of a fishing rod located in the fishing rod support will pass between the rollers, the rollers being relatively movable towards and away from each other, movement of the fishing rod support member(s) on location of the fishing rod in the fishing rod support causing the rollers to be relatively moved towards each other to grip the fishing line therebetvveen so that movement of the fishing line causes rotation of the rollers; and a sensor operatively associated with at least one of the rollers for providing a signal indicative of such movement of the fishing line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fishing bite indicator The present invention relates to a fishing bite indicator or detector.

Aknownfishing bite indicatorcomprises a fishing rod support and a pulley wheel freely rotatably mounted such that when a fishing rod is located in the supportthefishing line of the rod will pass partially around the pulley wheel so thatthe pulley wheel is rotated by movement of the fishing line. The bite indicato r fu rther com prises a sensor operated by movement of the pulley wheel to provide a signal indicative of such movement and the rate thereof.

A disadvantage ofthe known indicator is that movement ofthe fishing line caused for example by flow pressure, drift or wind causes the sensor to be operated and the indicator cannot therefore be used for the "tight-line" technique of fishing without the use of line clips or similardevices.

The invention aims to overcome or mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages ofthe known bite indicator.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a fishing bite indicator comprising: a fishing rod support including at least one movable fishing rod support member; a pair of rotatable rollers arranged such that the fishing line of a fishing rod located in the fishing rod support will pass between the rollers, the rollers being relatively movable towards and awayfrom each other, movement of the fishing rod support member(s) on location of the fishing rod in the fishing rod support causing the rollersto be relatively moved towards each other to grip the fishing line therebetween so that movement ofthe fishing line causes rotation ofthe rollers; and a sensor operatively associated with at least one of the rollers for providing a signal indicative of any such movement of the fishing line.

Preferably the signal is indicative also of the rate of such movement ofthe fishing line.

The sensor may be a photo-electric sensor, an electric sensor, a magnetic sensor, an electro-magnetic sensor, a pneumatic sensor or a piezo sensor.

Itis preferredthatthesensor is contained ion a waterproof compartment. To this, end, the sensor is preferably photo-electric, magetic or electromagnetic sa that the sensor can detect rotation of the rollers external to the compartment without any rotatable or otherwise movable parts such as shafts having to pass into the compartment.

Preferably means are provided to urge the rollers apartwhen the fishing rod is removed from the fishing rod support.

Preferably means are provided to controllably adjust the pressure exerted bythe rollers on each otherwhen they gripthefishing line.

The invention is further described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure lisa perspective view of a bite indicator according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe bite indicator; Figure 3 is a side view of the bite indicator; Figure 4A is a frontview of separated parts of the internal mechanism ofthe bite indicator, including the fishing rod supports and the rollers; Figure 4B shows separated parts of Figure4A in plan view; Figure 5A is a perspective view ofthe parts shown in Figure 4A when assembled; Figure 5B is a plan view of parts shown in Figure 4A when assembled; Figure 6 is an exploded view of the parts shown in Figure 5B;; Figures 7A and 7B are respectively a rearview and a side view of a tension control element of the bite indicator; Figure 8 is a perspective view of one roller and its associated sensor; Figure 9 is a circuit diagram of electrical circuitry incorporated in the bite indicator; Figure 1 OA is a perspective view of another, alternative sensorforthe bite indicator and its associated roller; Figures 11 to 13 are perspective views of further alternative sensors and their associated rollers; and Figure 14 is a circuit diagram of circuitrywhich may be used instead of the circuitry of Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings, the bite indicator 1 shown therein (Figure 1) comprises a housing 2 atthe lower end of which is provided a screw-threaded stud 3 for use in attaching the bite detector to a conventional bank stick.

Two fishing rod support members 4 project through respective slots 5 at the upper end ofthe housing, the slots together extending substantially from one side of the housing to the other side.

Thefishing rod support members 4 each have a respective hole 6 (Figure4) through which pass a common substantially horizontal shaft 6a (Figures 5A and 5B) within the housing and on which the support members pivot.

On each support member4 is mounted a rubber roller7 (Aor B) rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, the rollers being disposed on opposite sides of a slot 8 atthe upper end ofthe housing, the slot extending from the frontto the back of the housing.

One roller7 is mounted on and rotates with a shaft 9 which carries at its lower end a member 10.

Acompression spring 11 connects each fishing rod support member 4 to the adjacent side of the housing and acts to urge or biasthe support members 4 together.

Atension adjustment element 12 is rotatably mounted on one side of the housing and comprises a manually rotatable knob 13 external to the housing and a cam 14 within the housing.

The housing accommodates electrical circuitry and a sensor further described below. A battery 30 (Figure 9) to power the circuitry and the sensor is accommodated in a battery compartment in the housing, access to the battery compartment being gained by removal of a cover 15.

Asounder 16 and a light emitting diode (L.E.D.) 17 are provided at the front ofthe housing and are comprised in the electrical circuitry.

Rotation of the member 10 operates the sensor as described below.

In use ofthe bite detector, the housing 2 is attached to a conventional bank stick by means ofthe stud 3. A fishing rod is located inthefishing rod supports 4, the fishing line 36 ofthe rod dropping into the slot8 so as to pass between the rollers 7. The weight ofthe rod causes the support members 4to pivot on the shaft 6a, againsttheforce ofthe springs 11, to cause the rollers to be moved towards each other and brought into tangential engagementwith the fishing line. The rollers are thereby caused to grip the fishing line. The cam 14 engages the adjacent support member4at recesss 4a. Rotation of the knob 13 rotates the cam 14: the angular position ofthe cam 14, engaging with the support member4, determines the width of the gap between the rollers 7.

When the line moves forwardly or backwardly, due to a "bite", the line is pulled through the rollers 7, the rollers thereby being rotated. The member 10 is thus rotated and the electrical circuitry causes the sounder 16 andthe L.E.D. 17to emit pulsed audible and visual signals, respectively, indicative of the rate of movement ofthe line.

The tension in the fishing line necessaryto make it move and thereby to rotate the rollers 7 may be controlled, e.g. to suit the flow or drift ofthe water being fished orto counteract wind effects, by rotating the knob 13 to adjustthe angular position of the cam 1 4thereby to adjust the width of the gap between the rollers and thus the pressure the rollers exert on the line.

It is to be understood thatforward movement of the fishing line is caused by a "tight-line" bite resulting from the biting fish moving awayfrom the angler.

Backward movement ofthe fishing line is caused by a "slack line" bite resulting from the biting fish moving towardsthe angler creating slack in the line which is taken up buy a bobbin. The bobbin is a small weight placed on the line between the detector 1 and the reel causing a bow in the line hanging belowtherod between the detector and the reel (the bow being kept clear of the ground). When a slack line bite occurs, the line is pulled backwards through the rollers by the weight ofthe bobbin.

When the rod is lifted from the support members 4, e.g. in making a "strike" the support members 4 are pushed apart bythe springs 11 to movethe rollers 7 apartthereby to release the line from the grip ofthe rollers and the audible and visual signals cease.

The member 10 may be a commutatorasshown in Figure 8, which on rotation sequentially engages and disengagesfixed contacts 27.

The contacts 27 this constitute a sensor of the rate of rotation ofthe member 10.

The commutator 10 and the contacts 27 are preferably rhodium-plated.

With the use of contacts 27 are shown in Figure 8, the electrical circuitry may be as shown in Figure 9.

The circuitry of Figure 9 consists of a basic re-set latch evolved around the gates of a CMOS 4011 dual input QUAD NAND GATE silicone integrated circuit.

The electrical circuitry of Figure 9 includes an on-off switch 18sothatthe bite indicator can be turned off when not in use to avoid waste of electrical power from the battery. The contacts 27 are connected respectively to points X and Y of the circuitry.

The electrical circuitry of Figure 9 provides both the audible signal through the sounder 16 and the pulsed visual signal through the L.E.D. 17. The audible and visual signals are at a rate offrequency proportional to the speed of movement of the fishing line between the pinch rollers 7. The circuitry contains a volume controller 19 for controlling the volume of the audible signal to personal preference.

The circuitry includes an integral jack-socket 20 for the introduction of an extension cable to a separate volume-controllable sounder box having provision for the storage ofthe extension cable.

The electrical circuitry is contained within a waterproof compartment of the housing separatefrom the battery compartment.

With S1 open pin of G1 stays high. This produces no output from Gl,which thus remains low or nearzero potential. Atthe same time both gatesof G2 remain low and G2 output high.

When S1 is closed pin 1 goes low producing a high output from pin 3, C1 provides a given time delay and holds pins 5 and 6 of G2 high.

The short duration pulse is fed via D1 to the base of the Q1 causing itto conduct, lighting D3 (the L.E.D. 17) and sounding WD1 (the audio warning device 16).

When C1 dischargesthrough R3 and pin Sand6Of G2, the circuit resets. Gates G3 and G4 are duplicated to provide either another pulse when S1 opens or an oscillatorto provide audio output when wiredto a PlEZOtransducervia a buffer amplifier stage. R6 provides a volume control facility to the audio warning device 16.

The electrical circuitry is connected to polarity protected positive and negative terminals within the battery compartment. This facility obviates the ne cessity of dismantling the container when battery changing is required.

The audible signal volume controller 19, the extension sounderjack socket 20 and the stud 3 are located on the base ofthe housing and are protected from rain by a protecting "rain guard" lip.

The electrical circuitry of Figure 9 has a current consumption of only a bout 30 micro amps.

it will be appreciated that the bite indicator described above represents a significant improvement in the monitoring of bite indication. Forthe firsttime it will provide anglers with the facility of a bite indicator with means to adjust the tension ofthe line against flow pressure, draft and wind. An additional advantage is the ability to use this tensioning system when fishing using the modern "tight-line" techniques, thereby obviating the necessity for line clips and other such devices.

It will be appreciatectthatthesensor of Figure 8 is a single pulse, single throw (make or break) contact sensor.

Other suitable sensors are shown in Figures 1 0Ato 13.

The sensor of Figures 10A and 10B is a latex rubber sensor 40 operated bythe member 10, which is in the form of a cam. The sensor is associated with a crystal mike element 41 connected into the circuitry of Figure 9, the +VE9V rail of Figure lOB being connected tothe +VE9V rail of Figure 9,the -VEOV rail of Figure 1 OB being connected to the +VE9V rail of Figure 9, the -VEOV rail of Figure 10B being connected to the -VEOV rail of Figure 9 and the "X" line form the collector oftransistor Q2 of Figure lOB being connected to the "X" line of S1 of Figure 9.

The sensor of Figure 11 is a photo-electric cell 26, the member 10 being a blade which on rotation interrupts transmission of lightfrom a light emitting diode (L.E.D.) 28to the cell 26.

The sensor of Figure 12 is a modification ofthe sensor of Figure 12, wherein lightfrom the L.E.D. 28 passes through a fibre optic cable 28a before being directed towards the cell 26through the path ofthe rotating blade 10.

The sensor of Figure 13 is an electromagnetic sensorcomprising a Hall effect switch 32, the member 10 being a steel bladewhich on rotatably intermittently shields the switch from the magnetic field of a permanent magnet 34.

Anothertype of sensorwhich may be used is a magnetic sensor, e.g. comprising a reed switch, the member 10 being a permanent magnet, the magnetic field of which operates the reed switch. The reed switch is conveniently a single-pole, double-throw change-over switch.

The sensors of Figures 11 to 13 may be connected into the circuitry of Figure 9 between points X and Y.

An alternative suitable circuit is shown in Figure 14.

Referring to Figure 14, a sensor as described above (e.g. contacts 17 or a reed switch) is connected into the circuitry between points A and B so as to provide, in use, alternate connections between C1 and A and between C1 and B.

When S1 is in position "A" Q1 switches on, sounding WD1 (16) and lighting D3 (17). Atthe same time C1 is charging up. When C1 is fully charged Q1 switches off, shutting down WD1 and D3. This is one pulse.

When S1 is in position "B", C1 discharges, switching Q1 on, sounding piezo sounder 16 and lighting D3.

When C1 is fully discharged Q1 switches off, shutting down WD1 and D3.

These operations provide a full cycle of pulses.

At the end of everyfull cycle of pulses, the circuit automatically shuts down.

There is no need for an on-off switch as the quiescent current is only in the order of 9 nano-amps, which is lowerthan the natural leakage ofthe battery 30.

As in Figure 9, the circuitry of Figure 14 includes an integral jack-socket 20 for the introduction of an extension cable to a separate volume-controllable sounder box having provision forthe storage ofthe extension cable.

Claims (8)

1. Afishing biteindicatorcomprising: afishing rod support including at least one movable fishing rod support member; a pair of rotatable rollers arranged such that the fishing line of a fishing rod located in the fishing rod support will pass between the rollers, the rollers being relatively movable towards and away from each other, movementofthefishing rod support member(s) on location of the fishing rod in the fishing rod support causing the rollers to be relatively moved towards each other to grip the fishing line therebetween so that movement ofthe fishing line causes rotation of the rollers; and a sensor operatively associated with at least one of the rollersforproviding a signal indicative of such movementofthefishing line.

2. Afishing bite indicator according to claim 1, wherein the signal is indicative also of the rate of said movement ofthefishing line.

3. Afishing bite indicator according to either preceding claim, wherein the sensor is a photoelectric sensor, an electric sensor, a magnetic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a pneumatic sensor or a pizeo sensor.

4. Afishing bite indicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor is contained in a waterproof compartment.

5. Afishing bite indicator according to claim 4, wherein no rotatable or otherwise movable parts pass into the compartmentfrom the exterior thereof.

6. Afishing bite indicator according to any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to urgethe rollers apart when the fishing rod is removed from the fishing rod support.

7. Afishing bite indicator according to any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to controllably adjustthe pressure exerted bythe rollers on each otherwhentheygripthefishing line.

8. Afishing bite indicator substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.