GB2191071A - Fishing reel light alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing reel light alarm has an opto-electric indicator (5) which, when switched to the 'on' position, will emit light when supplied with an electric current by the electro-mechanical transducer containing piezo-electric material (9) through the twin wiring (6) when the spool of the reel incorporating the light alarm is made to rotate. The light alarm will therefore give a clear visual signal of a rotating fishing reel spool, as would be the case when a hooked fish began to pull line from the spool. As the light alarm does not require a battery or other external power source, it is eminently suitable for fishing reels, being virtually maintenance free while simultaneously increasing the fish catching effectiveness of the reel incorporating the alarm. The external appearance of the reel incorporating the light alarm is enhanced, increasing its technological attractiveness to the angler for both practical and aesthetic reasons. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fishing reel light alarm This invention relates to a piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical light alarm for fishing reels.

The taking of a baited hook by a fish when angling is detected mainly by feeling the pull of a hooked fish on the line, by hearing the sound of the audible click alarm found on the majority of modern reels, or by seeing the rod tip bend. However, on cold, windy winter nights when an escalating amount of beach fishing is undertaken, none ofthese methods offish bite detection are satisfactory or adequate. For example, it may be too cold to hold the line orthe rod in the hand constantly in order to feel a taking fish, the noise of the wind and the surf could makethe sound oftheclickalarm inaudible, and it may betoo dark to seethe rod tip bending.

Current inventions for bite detection are concentrating on battery-powered lightalarms which are attached to the rod blank, either internally or externally. The vast majority of these devices sufferfrom the dual disadvantages of having to be attached on a d.i.y. basis by the angler after purchase ofthe rod, and from the periodical necessity of changing the battery.

According to the present invention, there is provided a piezo-electrica I ly activated opto-electrical light alarm forfishing reels, comprising an electro-mechanical transducer incorporating piezo-electric material which, when switched to the 'on' position, will power an opto-electric indicator by the electric current produced from the potential difference generated by the piezo-electric material if the spool of a fishing reel incorporating the light alarm is madeto rotate.

Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in plan view, a fixed-spool reel (a) and a multiplying reel (b) with the control button (1) and opto-electric indicator (2) in an optimal position forseeing the lightwhen the reel isoperational.

Figure2 illustrates the control button (3) and opto-electric indicator (4) in an optimal position when seen in side view.

Figure 3 shows an internal side view of a fishing reel (a multiplying reel in this drawing, with an external side plate removed) with the light alarm fitted. Arrangements using similar principles could be used with other reel designs.

Referring to Figure 3, the light alarm is engaged by moving the control button (7) into the 'on' position (as is the case in the drawing). To disengagethe alarm,the button is moved asshown bythearrowto the 'off' position. When in the 'on' position,the piston (10) will press againstthe non-circular cross-section cam located nearthe end ofthe spool axle (11).If the spool is now made to rotate, as would be the case with a running fish, the cam will cause the piston to alternately compress and release the piezo-electric material located within the hollow chamber ofthe electro-mechanical transducer(s), and the deformation ofthis material will generate a potential difference which will cause an electric currentto flow th rough the twin wiring (6) to the opto-electric indicator (5). A method of engaging and disengaging the alarm is illustrated in the drawing, where notches in the shaft (8) joining the control button to the transducer body engage with the ends of a tensile spring device, but other mechanisms could serve equally well.

The rotation of the fishing reel spool (e.g. when a hooked fish takes line) will be clearly signalled to an angler as the alarm lights up. The light level output of the alarm is optimal, being bright enough to be seen clearly when activated, while not being bright enough to destroy night vision.

1. A piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical lightalarmforfishing reels, comprising an electro-mechanical transducer incorporating piezo-electric material which, when switched to the 'on' position, will power an opto-electric indicator by the electric current produced from the potential difference generated by the piezo-electric material if the spool of a fishing reel incorporating the light alarm is madeto rotate.

2. A piezo-electrical ly activated opto-electrical lightalarmforfishing reels as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a hollow chamber sea led atone end, piezo-electric material which will produce an electric potential difference when mechanically deformed located within the chamber, a freely moveable piston located partially within and partially outwith the chamber in such a manner as to be ableto mechanically deform the piezo-electric material when the piston is moved relative to the chamber, twin wiring for conducting the electric current between the piezo-electric material and the opto-electric indicator, with both the opto-electric indicator and the operating control button located on the external surface ofthe incorporating fishing reel.

3. A piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical light alarm forfishing reels as claimed in Claim 2 where the light alarm may be operated by a control button located on the external surface ofthe incorporating reel, where the piston will not be in contact with the non-circular cross-section cam on the spool axle ofthe reel when the control button is in the 'off' position, and where the piston will be in close contact with the cam lobes when the control button is in the 'on' position. If required, the cam may be located otherthan on the spool axle.

4. A piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical light alarm forfishing reels substantially as described herein with referenceto Figures 1-3ofthe accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fishing reel light alarm This invention relates to a piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical light alarm for fishing reels. The taking of a baited hook by a fish when angling is detected mainly by feeling the pull of a hooked fish on the line, by hearing the sound of the audible click alarm found on the majority of modern reels, or by seeing the rod tip bend. However, on cold, windy winter nights when an escalating amount of beach fishing is undertaken, none ofthese methods offish bite detection are satisfactory or adequate. For example, it may be too cold to hold the line orthe rod in the hand constantly in order to feel a taking fish, the noise of the wind and the surf could makethe sound oftheclickalarm inaudible, and it may betoo dark to seethe rod tip bending. Current inventions for bite detection are concentrating on battery-powered lightalarms which are attached to the rod blank, either internally or externally. The vast majority of these devices sufferfrom the dual disadvantages of having to be attached on a d.i.y. basis by the angler after purchase ofthe rod, and from the periodical necessity of changing the battery. According to the present invention, there is provided a piezo-electrica I ly activated opto-electrical light alarm forfishing reels, comprising an electro-mechanical transducer incorporating piezo-electric material which, when switched to the 'on' position, will power an opto-electric indicator by the electric current produced from the potential difference generated by the piezo-electric material if the spool of a fishing reel incorporating the light alarm is madeto rotate. Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in plan view, a fixed-spool reel (a) and a multiplying reel (b) with the control button (1) and opto-electric indicator (2) in an optimal position forseeing the lightwhen the reel isoperational. Figure2 illustrates the control button (3) and opto-electric indicator (4) in an optimal position when seen in side view. Figure 3 shows an internal side view of a fishing reel (a multiplying reel in this drawing, with an external side plate removed) with the light alarm fitted. Arrangements using similar principles could be used with other reel designs. Referring to Figure 3, the light alarm is engaged by moving the control button (7) into the 'on' position (as is the case in the drawing). To disengagethe alarm,the button is moved asshown bythearrowto the 'off' position. When in the 'on' position,the piston (10) will press againstthe non-circular cross-section cam located nearthe end ofthe spool axle (11).If the spool is now made to rotate, as would be the case with a running fish, the cam will cause the piston to alternately compress and release the piezo-electric material located within the hollow chamber ofthe electro-mechanical transducer(s), and the deformation ofthis material will generate a potential difference which will cause an electric currentto flow th rough the twin wiring (6) to the opto-electric indicator (5). A method of engaging and disengaging the alarm is illustrated in the drawing, where notches in the shaft (8) joining the control button to the transducer body engage with the ends of a tensile spring device, but other mechanisms could serve equally well. The rotation of the fishing reel spool (e.g. when a hooked fish takes line) will be clearly signalled to an angler as the alarm lights up. The light level output of the alarm is optimal, being bright enough to be seen clearly when activated, while not being bright enough to destroy night vision. CLAIMS

1. A piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical lightalarmforfishing reels, comprising an electro-mechanical transducer incorporating piezo-electric material which, when switched to the 'on' position, will power an opto-electric indicator by the electric current produced from the potential difference generated by the piezo-electric material if the spool of a fishing reel incorporating the light alarm is madeto rotate.

2. A piezo-electrical ly activated opto-electrical lightalarmforfishing reels as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a hollow chamber sea led atone end, piezo-electric material which will produce an electric potential difference when mechanically deformed located within the chamber, a freely moveable piston located partially within and partially outwith the chamber in such a manner as to be ableto mechanically deform the piezo-electric material when the piston is moved relative to the chamber, twin wiring for conducting the electric current between the piezo-electric material and the opto-electric indicator, with both the opto-electric indicator and the operating control button located on the external surface ofthe incorporating fishing reel.

3. A piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical light alarm forfishing reels as claimed in Claim 2 where the light alarm may be operated by a control button located on the external surface ofthe incorporating reel, where the piston will not be in contact with the non-circular cross-section cam on the spool axle ofthe reel when the control button is in the 'off' position, and where the piston will be in close contact with the cam lobes when the control button is in the 'on' position. If required, the cam may be located otherthan on the spool axle.

4. A piezo-electrically activated opto-electrical light alarm forfishing reels substantially as described herein with referenceto Figures 1-3ofthe accompanying drawing.