GB2158681A - Elastic gum swimfeeder/ledger link - Google Patents

Abstract

The link which is used to connect a swimfeeder or ledger to a fishing line (Figure 3) has a pair of swivel connectors (11, 12) attached to the ends of a length of elastic line (14) which is covered, when not stretched, by a silicone rubber tube (13) to permit flexibility while holding the swivels apart. The elasticity of the line (14) reduces shock loads on the relatively inelastic fishing line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Elastic/gum swimfeeder/ledger link This invention relates to a link which is used to connect any swimfeeder or ledger to the main fishing line.

Swimfeeders or ledgers are often connected to the main fishing line by means of a link.

There is a special type of link which is elasticated to give special advantages.

According to the present invention there are provided two swivels, elasticated gum, or elastic, or a material giving stretch (from here on stated as gum), means of fastening swivels to gum and a tube to cover gum and keep swivels at opposite ends while retaining the gum internally. The tube is usually of silicone rubber, but could be of several materials including plastic or metal.

The gum link has several advantages: A/ The gum, being elastic, increases the distance a swimfeeder can be cast from the riverbank. The gum stretches with the casting motion and has a catapult effect, increasing the distance cast.

B1 The link reduces breakages of the hooklength, the gum acting as a shock absorber when a fish snatches at the baited hook. Normally a fish would pull against the solid resistance of the swimfeeder, resulting in a possible breakage of the hooklength.

The gum link expands or stretches on such a pull by the fish and reduces breakages significantly.

Cl The gum link increases bite indication due to its elasticity. The bite indicator is normally the rod tip or a quivertip on the fishing rod. Indication of a bite is normally transferred from the baited hook, along the fishing line to the rod tip, which will vibrate or bend, depending on the type of bite the taking fish transfers to the line.

The elastication of the link enables more movement to be transferred to the rod tip via the main line, as the gum will stretch and hence movement will be greater with a gum link over normal methods of attachment.

D/ Bite indication is also increased due to the gum stretching on a fish taking the bait. A fish will feel less resistance with the gum link over normal methods of attachment and a better bite indication will result due to a more confident bite by the fish.

Figure 1 shows, in cross-section, the link with swivels and gum in place inside the tube, with the gum under no tension.

Figure 2 shows the link with the gum under tension.

Figure 3 shows an example of a swimfeeder/ ledger set up illustrating the positioning of the gum in relation to the main fishing line and swimfeeder.

Figure 4 illustrates one of the many methods of connecting the swimfeeder to the main fishing line before the development of the gum swimfeeder link.

Referring to the drawings, the gum link (10) comprises of two swivels, usually a snap or link swivel (11) and a barrel swivel (12). These are separated by a tube (13) usually of silicone rubber with the gum (14) between the two swivels and inside the tube. The gum is fastened to the two swivels by threading through one eye of each swivel and securing for example by means of a knot (15) usually by the side of the snap swivel.

Figure 1 shows the gum link in its normal state, untensioned, while Figure 2 shows it in a tensioned state. Figure 3 shows the gum link in position on the main fishing line (16). The main fishing line is threaded through the top eye of the barrel swivel (12) and the swimfeeder (17) is connected to the snap swivel. The gum link is prevented from sliding down the main fishing line to the hook (18) by a ledger stop (19) in our example.

We may also, under certain circumstances, substitute the gum (14) for monofilament nylon line or any material that does not stretch to give further advantages of: E/ The monofilament link being of a fixed length does not expand on a fish taking the baited hook.

Under certain river conditions. The fish often hook themselves by pulling directly against the swimfeeder via the monofilament link.

F/ As the monofilament link is not elastic, the monofilament does not, at any time leave the cover of the silicone rubber tube.

This reduces the possibilities of tangles which are an inherent problem of swimfeeder/ledger fishing.

1. A link for connecting a swimfeeder, ledger, or the like, to a fishing line comprising a pair of swivel connectors spaced apart on and fastened to an elongate elastic member, the elastic member being contained, in the relaxed state thereof, within a spacer tube.

2. A line according to Claim 1, wherein the spacer tube is resiliently flexible.

3. A link according to Claim 2, wherein the flexible tube is less readily flexible than the elongate elastic member.

4. A link according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the flexible tube is formed from a silicone rubber.

5. A link according to Claim 1, wherein the space tube is rigid.

6. A link according to Claim 5, wherein the spacer tube is formed from a plastic material or a metal.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Elastic/gum swimfeeder/ledger link This invention relates to a link which is used to connect any swimfeeder or ledger to the main fishing line. Swimfeeders or ledgers are often connected to the main fishing line by means of a link. There is a special type of link which is elasticated to give special advantages. According to the present invention there are provided two swivels, elasticated gum, or elastic, or a material giving stretch (from here on stated as gum), means of fastening swivels to gum and a tube to cover gum and keep swivels at opposite ends while retaining the gum internally. The tube is usually of silicone rubber, but could be of several materials including plastic or metal. The gum link has several advantages: A/ The gum, being elastic, increases the distance a swimfeeder can be cast from the riverbank. The gum stretches with the casting motion and has a catapult effect, increasing the distance cast. B1 The link reduces breakages of the hooklength, the gum acting as a shock absorber when a fish snatches at the baited hook. Normally a fish would pull against the solid resistance of the swimfeeder, resulting in a possible breakage of the hooklength. The gum link expands or stretches on such a pull by the fish and reduces breakages significantly. Cl The gum link increases bite indication due to its elasticity. The bite indicator is normally the rod tip or a quivertip on the fishing rod. Indication of a bite is normally transferred from the baited hook, along the fishing line to the rod tip, which will vibrate or bend, depending on the type of bite the taking fish transfers to the line. The elastication of the link enables more movement to be transferred to the rod tip via the main line, as the gum will stretch and hence movement will be greater with a gum link over normal methods of attachment. D/ Bite indication is also increased due to the gum stretching on a fish taking the bait. A fish will feel less resistance with the gum link over normal methods of attachment and a better bite indication will result due to a more confident bite by the fish. Figure 1 shows, in cross-section, the link with swivels and gum in place inside the tube, with the gum under no tension. Figure 2 shows the link with the gum under tension. Figure 3 shows an example of a swimfeeder/ ledger set up illustrating the positioning of the gum in relation to the main fishing line and swimfeeder. Figure 4 illustrates one of the many methods of connecting the swimfeeder to the main fishing line before the development of the gum swimfeeder link. Referring to the drawings, the gum link (10) comprises of two swivels, usually a snap or link swivel (11) and a barrel swivel (12). These are separated by a tube (13) usually of silicone rubber with the gum (14) between the two swivels and inside the tube. The gum is fastened to the two swivels by threading through one eye of each swivel and securing for example by means of a knot (15) usually by the side of the snap swivel. Figure 1 shows the gum link in its normal state, untensioned, while Figure 2 shows it in a tensioned state. Figure 3 shows the gum link in position on the main fishing line (16). The main fishing line is threaded through the top eye of the barrel swivel (12) and the swimfeeder (17) is connected to the snap swivel. The gum link is prevented from sliding down the main fishing line to the hook (18) by a ledger stop (19) in our example. We may also, under certain circumstances, substitute the gum (14) for monofilament nylon line or any material that does not stretch to give further advantages of: E/ The monofilament link being of a fixed length does not expand on a fish taking the baited hook. Under certain river conditions. The fish often hook themselves by pulling directly against the swimfeeder via the monofilament link. F/ As the monofilament link is not elastic, the monofilament does not, at any time leave the cover of the silicone rubber tube. This reduces the possibilities of tangles which are an inherent problem of swimfeeder/ledger fishing. CLAIMS

1. A link for connecting a swimfeeder, ledger, or the like, to a fishing line comprising a pair of swivel connectors spaced apart on and fastened to an elongate elastic member, the elastic member being contained, in the relaxed state thereof, within a spacer tube.

2. A line according to Claim 1, wherein the spacer tube is resiliently flexible.

3. A link according to Claim 2, wherein the flexible tube is less readily flexible than the elongate elastic member.

4. A link according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the flexible tube is formed from a silicone rubber.

5. A link according to Claim 1, wherein the space tube is rigid.

6. A link according to Claim 5, wherein the spacer tube is formed from a plastic material or a metal.