GB2214393A

GB2214393A - Line hauler apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2214393A
Application number: GB8801970A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Andrew Bell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-01-29
Filing date: 1988-01-29
Publication date: 1989-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-29
Also published as: GB2214393B; GB8801970D0

Abstract

Line Hauler apparatus (10) is described which has a rotatable drive shaft (20) which can be used to raise and lower two or more lines (39) simultaneously. Each line includes a spring (36) which acts as a jigger means to make the hooks (32) bounce in the water and attract fish. In one arrangement two reels (22, 24) placed on a rotatable drive shaft (20) allowing any number of hooks (32) to be placed on the line (30) of each reel and be raised and lowered hydraulically. The line hauler includes a support which is mounted on a swivel pin (16) adapted to be fitted on the bulwark (12) of the boat. The swivel pin (16) permits the hauler to be swivelled in board to allow fish caught to be removed from the outer reel. Several such reels may be located on a single line hauler and any number of line haulers may be mounted on the bulwark of a boat. <IMAGE>

Description

LINE HAULER APPARATUS The present invention relates to a line hauler apparatus particularly, but not exclusively for use with fishing vessels. In particular, the invention relates to a hydraulic multi-hook line hauler which can be used to raise and lower several hooks simultaneously.

It is desirable when fishing, to be able to operate a number of reels and consequently fishing lines simultaneously to maximise the likelihood of catching more fish at a given time. Apparatus for achieving this should satisfy a number of conditions in addition to being relatively inexpensive, straightforward to use and readily adapted to be fitted to existing fishing vessels. The apparatus should be able to accommodate a plurality of reels and when the reels are being raised and lowered means should be provided on each line for causing hooks to bounce in the water and attract fish. The apparatus should also be readily movable between an in use and an out of use position so that the catch can readily be retrieved by persons in the boat. The number of reels on the apparatus should be readily varied as can the size and weight of the reels.

There is no known apparatus which fulfils these requirements and an object of the present invention is to provide an improved line hauler apparatus which obviates or mitigates disadvantages associated with existing devices.

This is achieved by providing a line hauler apparatus which has a rotatable drive shaft which can be used to raise and lower two or more lines simultaneously. Each line includes a spring which acts as a jigger means to make the hooks bounce in the water and attract fish.

In a preferred arrangement the line hauler has two drums placed on a rotatable drive shaft allowing any number of hooks to be placed on the line of each drum and be raised and lowered hydraulically. The line hauler includes a support which is mounted on a swivel pin adapted to be fitted on the bulwark of the boat. The swivel pin permits the hauler to be swivelled in board to allow fish caught to be removed from the outer reel.

Several such reels may be located on a single line hauler and any number of line haulers may be mounted on the bulwark of a boat provided they are spaced apart at a sufficient distance to facilitate being brought in board for catch removal. If more than a single line hauler is used then they can advantageously be driven from a single engine driven hydraulic pump. Furthermore, each line hauler may be worked independently and a single man can operate as many line haulers as a boat can hold.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided line hauler apparatus comprising a reel support frame adapted to be mounted on a boat, said reel support frame having a rotatable shaft adapted to carry at least one reel disposed along said shaft, said reel carrying a fishing line with at least one hook thereon, the arrangement being such that, in use, rotation of said rotatable shaft causes said line to be raised or lowered.

Preferably, a plurality of reels are disposed on said rotatable shaft along the length thereof.

Conveniently said reel support frame includes a swivel pin adapted to be located in a mounting on the bulwark of the boat.

Preferably also, said rotatable shaft includes hydraulic motor rotating means for effecting rotation of said shaft. Alternatively said rotatable shaft includes manual rotating means coupled thereto for effecting rotation of said shaft. Conveniently said manual rotation means is a crank handle and crank.

Preferably, said reel support frame includes longitudinal support members extending substantially parallel with said rotatable shaft for effecting the support of said shaft along its length.

Conveniently, each line includes spring means disposed therein, the spring means in combination with the weight of said line causing a bouncing movement of said hook in the water for attracting fish. Preferably, each line includes a plurality of hooks disposed along its length.

Conveniently a plurality of line haulers may be disposed on a single craft, each line hauler being conveniently coupled to be driven from a single hydraulic pump.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a line hauler apparatus in accordance with the invention shown mounted on the bulwark of a boat.

Reference is now made to the drawing which depicts a line hauler apparatus generally indicated by reference numeral 10 mounted to the bulwark 12 of a boat hull 14 by a swivel pin 16 to permit the line hauler apparatus 10 to be swivelled between a in-use position, as shown in the drawing, and an out-of-use position in which the catch is removed which is substantially parallel to the side of the boat.

The line hauler apparatus 10 consists of a reel support frame 18 which carries a rotatable shaft 20.

Diposed on the rotatable shaft are two reels 22,24, which are spaced apart and coupled to the shaft 20 to rotate with the shaft. The shaft 20 is disposed in bearings 26 and 28 at opposite ends of the frame 18.

Each reel 22,24 carries a fishing line 30 which has a plurality of hooks 32 connected thereto at various positions along the line above a weight 34.

On each line a stainless steel spring 36 is disposed which acts as a "jigger" to make the hooks bounce in the water and so attract the fish.

The rotatable shaft 20 is coupled to a hydraulic motor 38 which in turn is coupled to a hydraulic pump which actuates the motor to rotate the shaft 20 and cause the hooks 32 to be raised or lowered, as required.

In operation, the line hauler is usually parallel with the side of the boat 14 and the hooks set. The support frame is then swivelled via the swivel pin 12 to the position shown in the drawing and the hydraulic motor actuated to rotate the reels to lower the hooks into the water. Once fish have been caught on the hooks the motor is then actuated to rotate in the opposite direction and raise the line with the fish attached thereto. The support frame is then swivelled back to be parallel with the boat so that the fish can be removed from the outer reel 22.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the structure hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, more than two reels may be disposed on the shaft 20 and the number of hooks may be varied on each line. Also each shaft may be rotated by means other than a hydraulic motor. For example, a crank handle may be used so that the shaft may be rotated manually.

Also, the stainless steel spring may be replaced by any other suitable resilient means to cause the hooks to bounce in the water. Also, the stainless steel spring may be omitted if the hooks carry other suitable fish attractor means.

A plurality of the hauler described may be mounted on the bulwark of the boat provided they are spaced wide enough apart to facilitate being swivelled as described. All the line haulers can be driven from a single engine hydraulic pump and because each hauler can be worked independently, one man can operate as many haulers as his boat can hold.

Claims

1. Line hauler apparatus comprising a reel support frame to be mounted on a boat, said reel support frame having a rotatable shaft adapted to carry at least one reel disposed along said shaft, said reel carrying a fishing line with at least one hook thereon, the arrangement being such that, in use, rotation of said rotatable shaft causes said line to be raised or lowered.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of reels are disposed on said rotatable shaft along the length thereof.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said reel support frame includes a swivel pin adapted to be located in a mounting on the bulwark of the boat.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said rotatable shaft includes hydraulic motor rotating means for effecting rotation of said shaft.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said rotatable shaft includes manual rotating means coupled thereto for effecting rotation of said shaft.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said manual rotation means is a crank handle and crank.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said reel support frame includes longitudinal support members extending substantially parallel with said rotatable shaft for effecting the support of said shaft along its length.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each line includes spring means disposed therein, the spring means in combination with the weight of said line causing a bouncing movement of said hook in the water for attracting fish.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each line includes a plurality of hooks disposed along its length.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a plurality of line haulers are disposed on a single craft, each line hauler being coupled to be driven from a single hydraulic pump.

11. Line Hauler apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.