GB2208992A

GB2208992A - Swim feeder

Info

Publication number: GB2208992A
Application number: GB8815277A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Graeme Tovey; Ronald Harold Tovey
Original assignee: VARITECH TOOLS Ltd
Current assignee: VARITECH TOOLS Ltd
Priority date: 1987-08-26
Filing date: 1988-06-27
Publication date: 1989-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2008-06-27
Also published as: GB2208992B; GB8815277D0

Abstract

A swim feeder comprising a container 10c for housing bait, the container 10c having a base portion adapted for seating on the bed of a body of water, the base portion having a removable insert 31 formed of relatively heavy material. The insert may be of I-shaped cross-section and slidingly received in a complementary channel 20 in which it may be retained by a lid 52a. A link 72 may be removably secured to the insert and project from the container 10c for attachment to tackle. <IMAGE>

Description

SWIM FEEDER The present invention relates to a swim feeder for use in coarse fishing.

A swim feeder is basically a container having perforated walls through which bait such as maggots gradually escape and thereby provides a stream of feed for fish and assists an angler in attracting fish to the stretch of water being fished.

The swim feeder is attached to a fishing line and cast into the water. In order to ensure that the feeder remains on the bed of the river or pond it is weighted, usually with lead weights. In running water more or less lead weights are used to maintain the swim feeder on the bed at the desired location.

Because of pollution problems, use of lead weights is undesirable and an aim of the present invention is to provide a swim feeder which is adapted to be weighted without the use of lead weights.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a swim feeder comprising a container for housing bait, the container having a base portion adapted for seating on the bed of a body of water, the base portion having a removable insert formed of a relatively heavy material.

The base portion is preferably formed by a wall of the container which is suitably shaped or adapted to define a seat for location on said bed. The base portion preferably includes a channel having a closable mouth and in which said removable insert is housed. Advantageously the channel has an open side defining an elongate slot extending along the base portion and the removable insert includes a connection portion extending along said slot.

The connection portion may be adapted to co-operate with a weight member such that additional weights may be added. Alternatively the insert may comprise a retaining portion adapted to be slidingly received in the channel, a connection portion extending along the slot and a load portion external to the slot, the retaining portion connection portion and load portion being integral.

Inserts with different sizes of load portion may be supported to provide a facility for changing the weight of the swim feeder. Preferably the weight member or load portion is shaped so as to define a seat for the container.

Preferably the removable insert and additional weight member where present are each formed from a metal filled plastics material for example a thermoplastics having iron filings encapsulated therein.

Preferably the container is shaped so as to have a streamlined profile to encourage the container to settle on the bed in a particular orientation.

In another aspect the invention may be considered to provide weight means for fishing tackle comprising a housing having a channel in which an insert of relatively heavy material may be exchangeably housed and a link adapted to be removably secured to the insert and which projects from the housing, by which the weight means may be attached to tackle. Preferably co-operating means on the link and insert of weight means in accordance with the invention are adapted to removably secure the link to the insert; suitably said co-operating means comprises a recess in the insert and a projection on the link adapted to be received in the recess.In preferred weight means in accordance with the invention the insert is received in a channel in the housing and the recess is providedin a part of the insert facing a wall of the housing defining the channel, 'the projection being retained in the recess by said wall and the link projecting through an opening in the housing for attachment to said tackle.

Preferably weight means in accordance with the invention comprise closure means which assist in retaining the insert in the channel but which can be opened to permit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

Preferably the channel of a preferred weight means in accordance with the invention has an open side defining an elongate slot and is thus of generally Tshaped cross-section and the insert comprises a complementary portion adapted to be slidingly received in said channel portion.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a container according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a weight insert; Figure 4 is a side view of an additional weight; Figure 5 is a plan view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a side view of an alternative container according to the present invention; Figure 7 is an end view of the container shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a view in cross-section of a removable insert for the container shown in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a side view of a second alternative container embodying the invention; Figure 10 is a plan view of the container shown in Figure 9;; Figure 11 is a view in section and with part broken away, on the line Xi-Xi of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a side view of a third alternative container embodying the invention, showing means by which the feeder may be attached to tackle; Figure 13 is a view in section of an insert for use in the third alternative embodiment; Figure 14 is plan view of a link for use in the third alternative embodiment; and Figure 15 is a view partially in section and with parts broken away of the third alternative embodiment, showing attachment of a link.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 5 the swim feeder includes a container 10 having a bottom wall 11 having a flat surface 11a defining a seat. The side and top walls of the container 10 are shaped to provide a wedge shape which in running water results in the container being orientated such that its pointed end faces upstream. The wedge profile also encourages the seat of the container to be pressed onto the water's bottom. The walls of the container are provided with apertures 15 to enable bait such as maggots to escape.

The container 10 has an open end 12 which is closed by a lid 14. Advantageously the container 10 has a body and a lid 14 moulded integrally from a suitable plastics material and connected by a hinge web 14a.

The bottom wall 11 is formed with a channel 20 which as seen in Figure 2 includes an open side 21 which defines a slot extending along the outside face of the bottom wall.

A removal weight insert 30 of strip like form is provided for insertion into the channel 20. The insert 30 is retained in the channel 20 during use by means of the lid 14 which when seated to cover the open end 12 also covers the open end of the channel 20.

When inserted in the channel 20, a portion of the insert 30 is exposed by the open side 21 of the channel and this portion is provided with connection means in the form of apertures 32 for enabling an addition weight member 35 to be attached. The weight member 35 has projections 36 which are releasably received in the apertures 32 of the insert 30.

Preferably the weight member 35 is shaped to cover the flat surface 11 and define a seat for the container to rest upon.

It will be appreciated that by varying the thickness of weight member 35 it is possible to provide a wide variety of weights for attaching to the insert 30.

An alternative weight insert 31 is shown in Figure 8, of generally I-shaped cross-section, and comprises a retaining portion 60 adapted to be slidingly received in the channel 20, a connection portion 62 which projects through the slot defined by the open side 21 of the channel and a load portion 64 (corresponding in function and generally similar to the weight member 35), external to the slot. The connection portion 62 is of such a length that the load portion lies substantially snugly in engagement with the bottom wall 11 to provide a streamlined swim feeder. The portions 60, 62, 64 are integral thus proving an insert which is retained in the container with no possibility of any part becoming detached e.g.

during casting. Inserts 31 with various different sizes of load portion may be supplied to provide the necessary variety of weights.

An alternative design of container is shown in Figures 6 and 7 wherein the container is generally cylindrical having a bottom wall portion 50 defining a seat and also including the channel 20.

The container has a pair of open ends which are closed by removable lids 52.

In both of these embodiments, a tie rod (not shown) is conveniently provided which projects from the container for attachment to a fishing line.

A second alternative embodiment (see Figures 9 to 11) comprises two generally wedge-shaped container portions lOa, lOb each of the same shape as the container 10 shown in Figure 1, positioned end-to-end to provide a single large container. A single, long weight insert of I-shaped cross-section (as shown in Figure 8) is slidingly received in correspondingly shaped channels 20 of the container portions 10a, lOb and is a tight fit in the channels so as to retain the container portions 10a, lOb in engagement but readily permit separation by an angler to insert bait.

A passage 70 is provided in an inner part of the channels 20 in the container portions 10, lOk and extends lengthwise of the swim feeder. A suitable line may be housed in the channel 70 and pass through end walls of the swim feeder for attachment to suitable tackle. If desired the line may be headed at one end to stop the line pulling through the feeder and provided with an eye at the other, for attachment to tackle.

The second alternative embodiment is of streamlined shaped such as to facilitate its firm seating on the bed of a river or stream.

A third alternative embodiment of the invention (see Figures 12 to 15) comprises a container having a generally wedge-shaped container portion lOc (similar to the container portions 10a, lOb of the second alternative embodiment) and a lid 52a by which an open end of the portion 10e is closed. The lid 52a comprises a plug portion 74 adapted to be snugly received in the open end of the portion 10c. Clip means comprises a clip portion 76 projecting from the lid and an opening 78 in the container portion 10 adapted to receive a projection 80 of the clip portion 76 adapted to assist in retaining the lid in position but permits removal of the lid 52a when necessary.

The container portion 10e has a channel 20 of generally I-shaped cross section in which a weight insert 31, having a portion of cross-section generally complementary with the channel 20 (for example as shown in Figures 8 or 13) is adapted to be slidingly received.

The insert may be slidingly inserted into the channel 20 from the open end of the container portion lOc when the lid 32~ is removed; the opposite end of the channel is closed by a wall of the container portion lOc. The lid 52a also has a channel portion which when the lid is positioned to close the open end of the container portion 10 is in alignment with the channel 20 in the container portion lOc and may receive a part of the insert 31.

A link 72 is removably secured to the insert 31 and projects through a hole in a wall of the container portion 10 from the container; the link 72 has an eye 82 which may be used to attach the link (and thus the feeder) to fishing tackle, for example a line or a swivel. Co-operating means of the link and insert are adapted to removably secure the link to the insert. The co-operating means comprise a recess 84 in the insert 31 and a projection 86 from the link which is received in the recess. As can be seen viewing 15 the recess 84 is provided in a part of the insert face 31 facing a wall 88 defining part of the channel 20. The projection 86 is retained in the recess 84 by the wall.As can be seen from the drawings, the link (which is moulded of a suitable plastics material, for example nylon) comprises a rod portion 90 (at an outer end of which the eye 82 is formed) which projects through the end wall of the container portion 10e and is relatively rigid. The rod portion 90 has a flat web portion 92 which is adapted to be received between an end wall 94 of the insert and an end wall 96 of the channel. A further web portion 98 perpendicular to the web portion 92 and parallel with the axis of the rod 90 is received between said face of the insert 31 and the wall 88 of the channel 20 and the projection 86 projects from this web portion 98 at a position remote from the web portion 92 in a direction generally parallel with the web portion 92.As can be seen from the drawings, the link is trapped in position so that it cannot become detached from the insert 31 without the insert first being removed from the channel 20.

A similar system may be used for attaching weight means to a fishing line, the weight means comprising a housing having a channel generally similar to the channel 20 in which an insert generally similar to the insert 31, of relatively heavy material, may be exchangeably housed, the weight means further comprising a link for example of a similar type to the link 72 adapted to be removably secured to the insert, the link projecting from the housing so that the weight means may be attached to fishing tackle.

In the third alternative embodiment of the invention it is relatively simple to remove the lid 52 from the container, having released the clip 76 and then to slide the insert 31 from the channel 20, withdrawing the link from the hole in the container portion 10c. After the insert has been removed from the channel 20, it is possible to separate the link 72 from the insert 31 and replace the insert 31 by another one of different weight which can be inserted into the channel 20 after the link 72 has been attached with its projection 86 in the hole 84 in the new insert. Indeed, the insert may be changed whilst the link 72 is still connected to a line.As the insert 31 is withdrawn from the channel 20, the line passing through the eye 82 will be drawn through the hole in the container 10 from which the link has been removed; the line will remain connected with the eye whilst the insert is changed and can then be used to help direct the link 72 back through the hole as the new insert 31 is slid into the channel 20.

A similar system may be used with containers in swim feeders as those shown in figures 1 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

In all the embodiments, one of the weight inserts 30, 31 is located within the outer periphery of the container and so the external shape of the container does not have any unnecessary projections which might cause snagging. In addition, it is possible with the present designs to attach additional weights which have a shape complementary to the container and thereby maintain the smooth profile of the container.

Preferably the weights and inserts are formed from a plastics material filled with a heavy material such as for example a metal. Polypropylene filled with iron filings has been found suitable. However, inserts and weights of other materials of suitable density, for example lead, and of appropriate shape may be used in swim feeders in accordance with the invention, if desired.

Claims

1. A swim feeder comprising a container for housing bait, the container having a base portion adapted for seating on the bed of a body of water, the base portion having a removable insert formed of a relatively heavy material.

2. A swim feeder according to claim 1 wherein the base portion is formed by a wall of the container which is suitably shaped or adapted to define a seat for location on said bed.

3. A swim feeder according to either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the base portion includes a channel having a closable mouth and in which said removable inset is housed.

4. A swim feeder according to claim 3 wherein the channel has an open side defining an elongate slot extending along the base portion and the removable insert includes a connection portion extending along said slot.

5. A swim feeder according to claim 4 wherein the insert is of generally I-shaped cross-section.

6. A swim feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the connection portion is adapted to co-operate with a weight member such that additional weights may be added.

7. A swim feeder according to any one of claim 1 to 5 wherein the removable insert comprises a retaining portion adapted to be slidingly received in the channel, a connection portion extending along the slot and a load portion external to the slot, the retaining portion connection portion and load portion being integral.

8. A swim feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight member or load portion is shaped so as to define a seat for the container.

9. A swim feeder according to any one of the preceding claims the removable insert and additional weight member where present are each formed from a metal filled plastics material.

10. A swim feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is shaped so as to have a streamlined profile to encourage the container to settle on the bed in a particular orientation.

11. A swim feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is moulded of plastics material and has a body and a lid moulded integrally and connected by a hinge web.

12. A swim feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the container comprises a separable lid.

13. A swim feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the container is generally cylindrical and has a pair of open ends closed by removable lids.

14. A swim feeder according to either one of claims 12 and 13 wherein the lid or lids assist in retaining the insert in position.

15. A swim feeder according to any one of claims 13 to 15 comprising clip means adapted to assist in retaining the lid on lids in position but permitting removal of the lid or lids when necessary.

16. A swim feeder according to claim 2 comprising a passage in an inner part of the channel adapted to house a line for attachment to suitable tackle.

17. A swim feeder according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means which projects from the container by which the feeder may be attached to tackle.

18. A swim feeder according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a link adapted to be removably secured to the insert and which projects from the container, by which the feeder may be attached to tackle.

19. A swim feeder according to claim 18 comprising cooperating means on the link and insert adapted to removably secure the link to the insert.

20. A swim feeder according to claim 19 wherein said cooperating means comprises a recess in the insert and a projection on the link adapted to be received in the recess.

21. A swim feeder according to claim 20 wherein the insert is received in a channel of the base portion of the container and the recess is provided in a part of the insert facing a wall defining the channel the projection being retained in recess by said wall and the link projecting through an opening in the container for attachment to said tackle.

22. A swim feeder constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A swim feeder constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A swim feeder constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A swim feeder constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 12 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.

26. Weight means for fishing tackle comprising a housing having a channel in which an insert of relatively heavy material may be exchangeably housed and a link adapted to be removably secured to the insert and which projects from the housing, by which the weight means may be attached to tackle.

27. Weight means according to claim 26 comprising cooperating means on the link and insert adapted to removably secure the link to the insert.

28. Weight means according to claim 27 wherein said cooperating means comprises a recess in the insert and a projection on the link adapted to be received in the recess.

29. Weight means according to claim 28 wherein the insert is received in a channel in the housing and the recess is provided in a part of the insert facing a wall of the housing defining the channel, the projection being retained in the recess by said wall and the link projecting through an opening in the housing for attachment to said tackle.

30. Weight means according to claim 29 comprising closure means which assist in retaining the insert in the channel but which can be opened to permit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

31. Weight means according to either one of claims 29 and 30 wherein the channel has an open side defining elongate slot and is thus of generally T-shaped crosssection and wherein the insert comprises a complementary portion adapted to be slidingly received in said channel portion.